Lone Star: Willie Nelson headlines

Country singer Willie Nelson will perform a concert at Lone Star Park following the races April 4. The track opens for a 70-day Thoroughbred meet April 3.

Nelson played Lone Star on opening weekend a year ago, and despite rain, attendance was 23,091.

For the new meet, which runs through July 13, Lone Star is expecting horses from several new trainers, said assistant racing secretary Jeanette Hughes. Among them are Michael Machowsky from Southern California; Keith Bourgeois, who is the current leading trainer at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.; Andrew Konkoly; Harry Hahn; Danny Switzer; and Terry Brennan.

Jockey Eddie Martin Jr. will return to Lone Star after a one-year absence. Also returning is Jeremy Beasley, who recently left Florida to ride at Sam Houston Race Park.

* Lone Star will host the Fasig-Tipton Texas sale of 2-year-olds in training March 25. The under tack show will be held March 23.

A total of 318 juveniles have been cataloged, and they will sell as a continuous session beginning at 10 a.m. Central. Stallions represented include Elusive Quality and Valid Expectations, the leading sire last year in Texas.