The Sentinel-Record

Longinotti named director of Oaklawn Anywhere

- FROM STAFF REPORTS

Oaklawn Park announced Monday David Longinotti, a member of Oaklawn’s management team since 2006, will move into the position of director of Oaklawn Anywhere after serving as director of racing.

Oaklawn Anywhere, the track’s in-state advanced deposit wagering service developed in partnershi­p with Arkansas horsemen, is the fastest growing segment of Oaklawn’s racing business and has generated nearly $4 million for purses since its launch in 2014.

“Oaklawn Anywhere is a significan­t part of our racing business and we’re thrilled to have someone with David’s racing expertise running the program,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “His background in marketing and racing makes him the perfect fit for this position. It’s a big positive for our business and for the continued growth of Oaklawn Anywhere.”

Longinotti joined Oaklawn in 2006 after more than 10 years as a senior account executive at CJRW, the Little Rock marketing firm that handles Oaklawn’s account. Promoted to director of racing in 2013, he was instrument­al in bringing eventual Triple Crown winner American Pharoah to Oaklawn for his first two wins in the Rebel Stakes and Arkansas Derby, as well as a number of other champion horses to race at the Hot Springs track over the last 10 years.

“I’m excited about this new challenge,” Longinotti said. “I’ve been involved with Oaklawn Anywhere since the beginning. It’s a terrific racing component for Arkansas fans and horsemen. And, I look forward to utilizing my marketing background and passion for racing for the benefit of the program.”

The Hot Springs native started out in journalism and was an award-winning sports writer for The Sentinel-Record before shifting to media relations for various tracks. He helped open Remington Park in Oklahoma City in 1988 before becoming director of media relations at sister track Thistledow­n in Cleveland in 1991.

Longinotti returned to Remington as director of communicat­ions in 1994. He has served on the Hot Springs Advertisin­g and Promotion Commission since 2008.

Oaklawn Anywhere offers Arkansas residents the ability to watch and wager on the races through their smart phones, tablets and personal computers at https://www.oaklawnany­where.com. It is the only ADW service that remits taxes to the State of Arkansas.

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