Later start for Lone Star in 2017

Lone Star Park will open and close its Thoroughbred meet about a week later than usual next year after receiving approval from the Texas Racing Commission. The Dallas-area track was granted a 50-date meet from April 20-July 30.

Sam Houston’s meet for Thoroughbreds will run 32 dates from Jan. 20-March 14. Retama Park was granted a 26-date Thoroughbred meet for next year, from Sept. 1-Nov. 25.

The circuit for Quarter Horses in Texas will start March 13, when Sam Houston opens for a 24-date meet that runs through May 22. Retama puts on a 20-date season June 9-Aug. 12. Lone Star will then run 26 dates from Sept. 15-Nov. 11.

Gillespie County Fair, which puts on a mixed meet in Fredericksburg, Texas, will run eight dates next year, from July 1-Aug. 27.

* Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., was forced to cancel Friday night’s card because of severe weather. The streets leading the track were flooded, said Chris Warren, director of racing for Evangeline and its sister track, Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

* Warren Harang III has been voted president of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, the organization announced.