Multimillion-dollar renovations currently under way are expected to be complete when Lone Star Park kicks off its 18th season April 10.
The 50-day meeting, offering purses totaling $11 million, runs 14 weeks through July 12 and is anchored by an 11-race stakes schedule, including two graded stakes for 3-year-olds and older.
Following more than $11 million in renovations over the past two years, fans will see changes, new additions and renovations this season, in addition to a full calendar of entertainment, promotions and the highly successful Lone Star Music Series.
Ahead of the meet beginning, the main grandstand is undergoing a dramatic second-phase renovation, including a new in-house television system throughout and a complete remodeling of 21 group sales penthouse suites to include new furniture, flooring, and televisions.
Other remodeling projects include the 10,000 square-foot Alysheba Room on the second floor and the Dash for Cash Room on the main floor.
The Alysheba Room will include a new television presentation, featuring drop-down projection screens and flat screen televisions, and is being divided into multiple meeting spaces, which will accommodate up to 300 guests.
The "Dash for Cash Room" is being completely remodeled with an industrial stylized look-and-feel, featuring a huge video wall presentation, flat screen televisions throughout, a larger full service bar and Marazzi tile flooring. The room can accommodate up to 250 guests and features a patio terrace overlooking the racetrack.
Lone Star Park is premiering the 7th floor Hall of Fame Suite this season. Formerly the working press room, the area has been revamped into a group sales area to accommodate up to 150 people for special events, complete with bar, comfortable furniture, carpeted flooring and televisions. An innovative wall presentation will also feature a Hall of Fame of Texas horses, people and events that have been part of the landmark history of Lone Star Park over the past 17 years.
The 2014 improvements also include a state-of-the-art in-house television operation featuring new cameras, flat screen televisions, production control room and a revitalized graphics package which combine to improve Lone Star Park's signal to simulcast tracks around the country. The main tote board has also undergone a facelift and will feature brighter, bolder colors, lettering and architectural enhancements to improve the on-track experience.
Further improvements have been made to the backstretch area during the recent off-season, including paint and refurbishing of the horse barns.
Live racing is set for Thursday-Saturday, starting at 6:35 p.m. CT and Sunday afternoons at 1:35 p.m. CT, beginning April 27 thru June 15.
Special holiday programs are also scheduled for Monday, May 26 (1:35 p.m. CT), Friday, July 4 (5:00 p.m.) and all three Triple Crown race dates of May 3, May 17 and June 7 (3:33 p.m.).
The two premier events on the 2014 Lone Star Park stakes calendar are the $200,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) April 26 and the $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) at 1 1/16 miles May 26 (Memorial Day).
First post time opening day is 6:35 p.m. CT.
