Henthorn Racing, question here

elviswastheking · Postby **elviswastheking** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 8:50 am

What can you tell me about Will Rogers Downs?

toadie · Postby **toadie** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:48 am

I'm curious too. Is it open, for other than training, yet? The very 1st track I went to was the old Thundering Downs in Claremore. I wondered if this is the same location.

Rick · Postby **Rick** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:01 pm

WRD has been open 3 of the 12 years I have lived in Tulsa.I We have used it for training but I haven't been there since the Cherokees resurfaced the track. They also put money into the backside. It will be intersting to see what quality of horses that will be running now that they have raised purses.

I don't thin it is the same as Thunderbird Downs. There is another bush track out t here named High Fields that they race QH that is not parimutual.

elviswastheking · Postby **elviswastheking** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:18 pm

Thanks Rick,

How forgiving is that surface? Sounds like you train at it, and I am looking for some input before sending something up there. If I heard right, racing starts on Feb 23.

henthorn · Postby **henthorn** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:45 pm

Elvis, I just now noticed your post, sorry. I haven't eye-witnessed the WRD renovation, but they've been feverishly getting it ready for the February 24 start. They will be racing afternoons Fri-Sun. About 80% of the races are designated for TB's, and the other 20% for QH, P & A. It will be well-attended by Oklahoma-based trainers, but most runners will ship-in. There is no turf surface. More info can be found at www.cherokeecasino.com at the Will Rogers Downs icon.

austique · Postby **austique** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 3:31 pm

Do be aware that Will Rogers Downs has had serious racing surface problems. Even after resurfacing I would maybe wait and see. The last year it was open we entered three horses up there one slab-fractured after hitting a hole in the track. Another nearly fell after hitting a hole in the track and the last one never got to start as they closed the track for fear of safety. The barns were in awful shape as well.

I hope they've got things fixed. :shock:

Rick · Postby **Rick** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:25 pm

Jus talked to my trainer and she says that the track is in good shape. Many times better than before. Her main complaint is that nobody up there seems to know what is going on. You ask a question and depending on who you talk to you get a different answer. Also, a lot of the phone numbers she was told to call turned out not to be connected. That said, the track is a mile. The initial purses appear to be about the same as RP last year.