Lone Star opens Quarter Horse meet Friday

Lone Star Park opens its Quarter Horse meet on Friday night, and the track will host the Challenge Championships on Nov. 6-7. The series of major stakes brings together some of the sport’s top Quarter Horses.

“It’s a huge boost for our meet,” said Bart Lang, director of racing for Lone Star. “We’ve probably seen a 10 percent increase in stall applications this year, and we’re expecting great things for the whole entire meet. We’re going to have more horses here because of it. We’re expecting a good meet.”

Lang said there will be a week’s worth of events for the Challenge Championships, starting with a ceremonial draw for the major races Nov. 4. There also will be industry meetings, a charity golf tournament, and other events.

Lone Star last hosted the Challenge Championships in 2006. The track has had the traveling championship series four times dating to 1998.

Lone Star will conduct a 26-date meet through Nov. 14. In a new twist to the schedule, there will be Sunday afternoon racing through Oct. 11.