Lone Star to open stable area on May 4

Lone Star Park near Dallas will open its stable area on Monday, according to a notice issued by the track's racing department. It did not give a new start date for the meet, which will be for Thoroughbreds.

Scott Wells, president of Lone Star, said Tuesday there is not yet a date set for the return of racing at Lone Star.

“We’re just going to have to react to direction from state and local officials,” he said. “We will be operating under strict compliance with the Department of Homeland Security guidelines as well as CDC guidelines.”

Wells said training activity will be conducted.

Lone Star had been scheduled to begin its meet April 16, but those plans had to be delayed due to state and local restrictions on gatherings in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lone Star will have a number of new protocols in place, including requiring those on the backstretch to wear masks in all areas except personal dorm rooms. The notice issued Tuesday said more social-distancing guidelines would be announced.

Lone Star is opening its racing office Friday, but will conduct business by phone only. The track has a designated area where foal papers and other documents can be submitted contact-free, into the lobby area of the racing office.