The new year can officially start now that we have racing at Oaklawn, Santa Anita, and Gulfstream - all coincidently on HRTV. HRTV is no match for TVG the rest of the year but they dominate the winter months when New York (Aqueduct Inner) and Kentucky (Turfway Park) are not worth watching or betting.

Sounds like things are looking up for Oaklawn: A record for purses ($300,000 daily), a full stable of horses (1,400 stalls, 1,700 applicants), and VLTs pumping $7 a minute into racing. Expect a full repost on live racing in Hot Springs (190 miles from Memphis) at a future date.