Lone Star meet opens without out-of-state wagering
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GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Lone Star Park’s signal will not be exported to out-of-state locales when the track opens its 44-date meet Thursday night, according to a representative of a major account-wagering platform. The season is set to run through July 4.
Lone Star officials have not returned calls concerning inquiries about the signal’s status. The track does not race under the jurisdiction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
Lone Star’s signal is expected to be available at other tracks in Texas and international sites like Canada.
Lone Star had planned to export its signal out of state this meet and had permission to do so from the Texas Racing Commission, but on Monday was denied a temporary restraining order it sought that would have ensured its signal distribution was not disrupted during the course of the meet. There also was a motion for a preliminary injunction and according to the case order, the court “reserves ruling on the motion for a preliminary injunction.”
Lone Star’s signal was unable to be exported out of state for the final month of its meet last season due to an impasse between the commission and HISA. A subsequent court ruling earlier this year led the commission to approve the export of Lone Star’s signal as well as Sam Houston’s, although Sam Houston did not send out its signal as it sought further clarification on the court ruling. As such, there has been no "out-of-state" wagering on Thoroughbred races originating in Texas since last June.
Matt Vance, executive vice president of Lone Star, said last week the track has typically averaged $1.5 million per day on its signal out of state post-COVID. Lone Star’s purses – like other tracks in the state – are supplemented by a tax on specific equine goods and services in legislation passed a few years ago in Texas.
Lone Star is positioned for a strong season, with 21 stakes worth $2.6 million and purses projected to average $260,000 per program. The $1.2 million Lone Star Million Day card of six stakes May 29 is topped by the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile and the $300,000 Texas Derby, which is a consideration for recent Oaklawn Park stakes winner Eyeing Clover, trainer Brad Cox said.
The Summer Turf Festival program on June 24 will feature four stakes worth a total of $750,000. It’s led by the $300,000 Texas Turf Classic. The Stars of Texas Day card includes a pair of $150,000 divisions of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity. Those eligible for the race include the sales-topper at the recent Texas auction of 2-year-olds at Lone Star, a $300,000 daughter of Tapwrit whom Randy Morse, agent, signed for on behalf of a partnership officials said includes longtime owner Randy Patterson.
The meet’s first stakes is the $75,000 Bluebonnet, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for fillies and mares bred in Texas that leads a nine-race opening night card. Heavenly Rhythm will attempt to defend her title against Ima Discreet Lady and Lady Ave, who finished one-two last out in the Yellow Rose of Texas at Sam Houston.
Vance said Bart Lang returns to his post as director of racing after an absence. Lang has been serving in the same capacity at the Sam Houston meet, which closed Saturday.
Vance said Vic Stauffer will serve as substitute announcer over the first several weeks of the meet until Jim Byers returns from calling the races at Oaklawn, which closes May 6. Stauffer had been Oaklawn’s announcer up until March, when Byers was hired to complete the meet. In a tweet on March 10, Stauffer said: “I’ve separated from @OaklawnRacing I thank them for 6 1/2 great yrs. We disagreed about the severity of a tweet I recently posted.”
The riding colony will welcome a notable new face in Luis Fuentes, who is coming off the riding title at Sunland Park. Agent Cody Autrey said he started booking Lone Star mounts for the rider Monday. Stewart Elliott is back after winning the riding title at Sam Houston.
Steve Asmussen, who won the training title at Sam Houston, will be joined in the entries by other mainstay barns of Karl Broberg, Bret Calhoun, Robertino Diodoro, Danny Pish, and Mindy Willis.
Vance said Lone Star is bringing back a pick six jackpot this season. It will have a 20-cent minimum.
First post is 6:35 p.m. Central on Thursdays and Fridays and 1:35 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and Lone Star Million Day.
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