Plans for New Texas Track Slow Down

Plans to construct a new racetrack near the Texas City of Pflugerville have been put on hold while members of The Austin Jockey Club work with the city and county concerning traffic issues. The Texas Racing Commission was scheduled to hear a proposal from representatives of the track at its Aug. 12 meeting.

"We decided to work a little further with representatives from the city of Pflugerville and Travis County so when we go before the racing commission we can be better prepared to answer their questions," said Bryan Brown, CEO of Retama Park, which would primarily manage The Austin Jockey Club. "I really don't anticipate this slowing us up."

Brown said he anticipates going before the commission at its next meeting in either September or October.

The Austin Jockey Club plans to construct a $15-million one-mile track with four barns and room for 1,200 horse stalls on a 200-acre site located in Northwest Travis County. The track would have a seating capacity for 2,200 people and could open in sometime in 2005.

If built, the Austin Jockey Club would be the second racetrack in the area. Manor Downs is located about 20 miles from Pflugerville.

The Texas Racing Commission originally granted The Austin Jockey Club a license in 2000 but the site chosen for the track was rezoned and could not be used.