Texas commission approves amended dates for Lone Star, Retama

The Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday approved amended dates requests for 2020 meets at Lone Star Park near Dallas and Retama Park near San Antonio.

Lone Star has received approval for a 36-date meet through Aug. 2. The track opened May 22, about five weeks later than scheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Lone Star had prior commission approval to race every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in June, and received approval to do the same for July with the lone exception of July 1. Lone Star also received approval for Sunday cards on June 14 and 28, July 5 and 26, and Aug. 2. The track also was granted Saturday dates on June 27 and Aug. 1.

Lone Star, which as of Wednesday morning had not yet released an amended stakes schedule, designated June 14 as Texas Champions Day, July 5 as Stars of Texas Preview Day, and July 26 as Stars of Texas Day. The Texas Champions Day card of statebred stakes is a staple at Sam Houston, but it was canceled this year after a transformer blew during its scheduled date in March.

Lone Star began a Monday-through-Wednesday racing format this week and handled a meet-high $3.7 million on Tuesday, eclipsing the mark of $3.2 million on Monday. First post for the spectator-free programs has been 1:35 p.m. Central. A track official told the commission last week that Lone Star wanted to test out the format before submitting a complete amended dates request for 2020.

Lone Star had typically raced Thursdays through Sundays.

Retama received approval for a 24-date meet for Quarter Horses from July 3 to Aug. 29. The track is set to race every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with exception of two Saturdays, Aug. 8 and 22. First post is a uniform 6:45 p.m. Central.

Retama announced last week that purses would average a record $150,000 a program. The track reopens for simulcasting Friday, at 25 percent capacity. Retama plans to simulcast Wednesday through Sunday.

Retama had originally been scheduled to conduct a mixed meet for Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. During a commission meeting last week, industry members told the agency talks were in the works to transfer Thoroughbred purse funds to Lone Star Park.

Sam Houston, which has no more live racing this year, reopened for simulcasting Wednesday.