Oaklawn Park owner Cella dies at 81

[PJMIII]

Charles J. Cella, whose vision and sportsmanship made Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., a hotbed for 3-year-olds like eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, died Wednesday from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 81.

http://www.drf.com/news/oaklawn-park-ow ... la-dies-81

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[Little Watermelon]

RIP and condolences to his family. Oaklawn, when we visited, felt like a track where the customer was cared about.

[PJMIII]

Louis A. Cella succeeds father as president of Oaklawn Park

Louis A. Cella has been named president of Oaklawn Park and of Southwestern Enterprises Inc., the racetrack’s parent company, according to a release from the track. Cella succeeds his father, Charles J. Cella, who died Dec. 6 at 81.

http://www.drf.com/news/louis-cella-suc ... klawn-park