Lone Star Park Ready for Racing Action
Yesterday, April 10th, was the opening day for the spring season of horse racing action at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie. Even though the last season was a little wetter than expected, it did not dampen the racing spirit of entries or that of spectators. With a little bit luck, they will be spared the downpour of rain for the 2008 season. The new improvements to the track and a jam-packed racing schedule, mean Lone Star Park is ready for show stopping live horse racing.
The park has used it revenue to have pavers installed in the paddock area, the old awnings replaced and a new building for the Texas Racing Commission constructed. New surfaces have also been laid on the turf course as well as on the main track, and the Grade 3 racing purse has been increased to $400 000. A new wagering form has also been added to the program, known as the Pick 5 wager. This wager will appear on the last five races of each racing event, and so far sixty five races have been confirmed for the spring season.
Legendary trainers, such as Danny Pish, Steve Asmussen, John Locke, Donnie K. Von Hemel and Bret Clahoun, will be bringing some of their prized horses to Lone Star Park, and all eyes will be on those who have enjoyed great success at the spring season races. Last year, Heflin & Driver Racing dominated the racing at Lone Star Park, with thirty wins behind their name. While Danny Pish is bringing fifty horses to the season, Heflin & Driver are looking at approximately fifteen to twenty horses.
Important dates and racing events to remember are the $300 000 Texas Mile on 26 April 2008, the Kentucky Derby Day on 3 May, $400 000 Lone Star Derby on 10 May, the 17 May Preakness Stakes Day, $400 000 Lone Star Park Handicap/ Lone Star Millions Day on 26 May, 7 June Belmont Stakes Day, 3-4 July Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration, 12 July Starts of Texas Day and the closing day on 27 July 2008.
As the Lone Star Park committee settles in for the spring season, they are also contemplating the future and looking to greater improvements for their facility. One of those plans includes a restaurant and bar for the paddock area. While Texas is still weighing up the options in regard to allowing slot machines at their race tracks, Lone Star Park will continue to develop its facilities and offer some of the best racing events in Texas.
