Lone Star bringing back Million Day at 48-day meet; will offer 20 stakes worth $2.2 million

Lone Star Park near Dallas plans to resurrect its Lone Star Million Day program of stakes for the 2021 season, the track announced Tuesday.

The meet will open April 22 and run for 48 dates through July 11.

The Million Day card is returning to its traditional Memorial Day slot for the first time since 2011. The May 31 program will feature five stakes: the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile for 3-year-olds and up that was not held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic; the new $300,000 Texas Derby at 1 1/16 miles; the resurrected $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff for fillies and mares at a mile on turf; the new $100,000 Chamberlain Bridge for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on turf; and the $100,000 Memorial Day Sprint for fillies and mares at six furlongs.

The races are part of a stakes calendar featuring 20 races worth a cumulative $2.2 million.

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Lone Star also will feature multiple stakes on three other programs. The Lone Star Showcase Day of five stakes worth $350,000 is June 13. The new Summer Turf Festival of four stakes worth $300,000 is June 27. The annual Stars of Texas Day will feature four restricted stakes worth $400,000 on July 10.

Lone Star plans to race Friday through Sunday with a 2:35 p.m. Central post most weeks. There also will be racing on "select" Thursdays at 6:35 p.m. and Mondays, at 2:35 p.m.