Texas Tracks Prepare for Sept. 1 Shutdown
It appeared as though live racing and full-card simulcasts were to be suspended Sept. 1 in the wake of a battle over funding for the Texas Racing Commission.
Retama Park
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Retama Park
TTA: Don't Repeal Historical Racing Rules
The Texas Thoroughbred Association has asked racing regulators to drop efforts to repeal rules they adopted last year to govern historical race wagering at tracks in the state.
Pinnacle Gets Offer From Real Estate Trust
Pinnacle Entertainment, which owns Belterra Park in Ohio and more than 10 other casinos in the United States, has confirmed it has received a proposal from Gaming and Leisure Properties to acquire its real estate assets.
Texas Series Renamed in Honor of Scharbauer
The Texas Stallion Stakes Series will be renamed to honor Clarence Scharbauer Jr., the longtime leading Texas owner and breeder who passed away in February.
Pinnacle Completes Purchase of Retama Park
The planned purchase of Retama Park by Pinnacle Entertainment, a transaction approved in December by the Texas Racing Commission, was completed Jan. 30.
Retama Park Reports Increases in 2012
Retama Park posted impressive increases in gross handle and attendance for the 2012 live Thoroughbred meet.
Regulator Approves Pinnacle's Retama Purchase
The Texas Racing Commission has approved Nevada-based Pinnacle Entertainment to purchase 75.5% of the racing assets of Retama Park in San Antonio.
Retama Park's Future in Question
The Texas Workforce Commission was notified the week of Nov. 19 that the 296 employees at Retama Park near San Antonio, Texas, would be laid off due to the termination of its management contract.
Retama Park Meet Begins Friday
Retama Park Director of Racing James Leatherman drew 10 races for opening night Friday with full fields in each race.
Texas to Honor Hall of Fame Members
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will hold its 12th annual induction gala Nov. 10 at Retama Park Race Track.
Pinnacle to Buy Majority Share in Retama Park
Casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment said April 26 one of its subsidiaries has an agreement to purchase a 75.5% interest in Retama Park, which is located near San Antonio, Texas.
Retama Extends Thoroughbred Meet
Retama Park received approval Sept. 21 from the Texas Racing Commission to add six nights of live racing to its 2011 Thoroughbred meeting.
Most Averages Up at Scaled-Down Retama Meet
A greatly scaled-down meet offered fewer opportunities for horsemen but generated on-site gains at Retama Park, which wrapped up its live meet Oct. 23.
2011 Racing Dates Approved in Texas
The Texas Racing Commission has approved a 2011 racing calendar that includes more than a three-month gap during which Texas horsemen will need to ship their horses outside state lines if they want to run.
Texas Horsemen Working on 2011 Racing Dates
The Texas Horsemen's Partnership will hold meetings in early July to allow members to get information on and ask questions about various proposals on future racing dates in Texas.
Retama's Wagering Average Drops
Retama Park reported mixed results with a 9% increase in average daily live attendance; a 15% drop in average daily live wagering, and a modest 4% decrease in average daily export wagering during the 32-day meet.
Victorious Ramsey 2-Year-Olds Headed for Cup
"We are going to California," proclaimed Ken Ramsey after his homebred 2-year-olds Lisa's Kitten and Kera's Kitten each captured victories in a pair of $100,000 stakes over the turf course at Retama Park on the night of Oct. 24.
Ramsey's Using Retama Park Stakes as BC Preps
Trainer Mike Maker shipped in a pair of Kitten's Joy juveniles owned by prominent owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey hoping their performances will propel them to the World Championships Nov. 6 and 7 at Santa Anita Park.
Retama Park to Keep 30-Night Schedule in 2010
Retama Park's 2010 live racing season will look similar to 2009 after the Texas Racing Commission approved a 30-night schedule for next year. Live Thoroughbred racing starts Aug. 27 and runs through Nov. 6, 2010.
Retama Park Set to Begin Fall Meet
There will be new faces among the trainers' colony at Retama Park when the 32-day fall Thoroughbred meeting opens on Aug. 28.
HANA's Top-10 Tracks - #7 Retama Park
The Horseplayers Association of North America has introduced this year a rating system for the 65 Thoroughbred racetracks in North America. Featured exclusively on BloodHorse.com is a countdown of the top 10 tracks. Retama Park is #7.
Sam Houston to Repair Storm Damage
Sam Houston Race Park will begin repairs to the roof of its grandstand, as well as additional construction to rebuild portions of the stable and track areas, weather permitting beginning Jan. 22.
Retama Park Gets Sam Houston Dates
Sam Houston Race Park canceled its 2008-09 meet and transferred 43 of its originally scheduled 65 days to Retama Park, a move approved by the Texas Racing Commission during a special meeting Oct. 28.
Hurricane Damage Stymies Houston Meet
The 2008-09 Sam Houston Race Park meet probably won't make its Nov. 28 start date given extensive damage sustained by the track during Hurricane Ike, according to chief operating officer Andrea Young. Officials in Texas are studying alternatives should that be the case.
Status Quo for Texas Thoroughbred Meets
The Texas Racing Commission has awarded 162 Thoroughbred racing dates for 2009, the same number granted for 2008.
Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Gala Set
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will honor those that have enriched the tradition of horse racing in Texas at its 10th annual gala Oct. 4.
LOPE Texas Launches Founders Circle
Members of the racing industry in Texas are showing strong support for LOPE Texas, a non-profit racehorse-placement program, the organization reported in a Nov. 15 press release.
Schedule Provides 162 Thoroughbred Dates in Texas in 2008
Thoroughbreds have been allocated 162 racing dates for 2008--down from 169 this year--in Texas.
Texas Trainer Danny Pish Collects 1,000th Victory
Texas-based trainer Danny Pish, the leading conditioner at Retama Park in San Antonio, earned the 1,000th win of his career when he saddled Bye Bye Trey for victory in the eighth race Oct. 5.
Carter, Nafzger Named to Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will honor several influential industry figures in the Lone Star State at its annual Gala Oct. 13.
Retama Park Gets OK on Dates for This Year
Retama Park will offer live Thoroughbred racing for more than two months this year under a request approved by the Texas Racing Commission.
Proposed Texas Racetracks Win Licenses
- By Gary West
Despite competition for wagering dollars and horses, the Texas Racing Commission granted three Class II racetrack licenses--one of them conditionally--at its March 20 meeting.
Texas: State-Bred Fund Cuts, Changes in Racing Dates
- By Tom LaMarra
Major change is coming for Texas racing in 2007, with a decrease of more than a half-million dollars in funds for the Thoroughbred accredited Texas-bred program and almost three months without Thoroughbred racing.
Retama Park to Aid Fair Grounds Staff
Retama Park is responding to the extraordinary needs of New Orleans residents who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina, particularly employees of Fair Grounds Race Course.
Group Looks Elsewhere to Build Texas Track
The Austin Jockey Club has reluctantly decided to withdraw its application to the Texas Racing Commission to build a new racetrack in Pflugerville, Texas.
Plans for Racetrack Near Austin Progress
Pending final approval from the Texas Racing Commission, the Austin Jockey Club is almost ready to build a new racetrack in Pflugerville, a fast-growing suburb north of Austin. The commission could review the plan at its Nov. 22 meeting.
Retama Park Reports On-Track Business Gains
Retama Park, which offered a shorter Thoroughbred season this year, registered strong gains in on-track business.
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.
Retama Park Prepares to Open Two-Month Meet
The Texas Thoroughbred racing scene shifts to Retama Park July 23 when the San Antonio-area track opens for a meet that extends through Sept. 25.
Texas Governor Says He'll Support Racetrack Gaming
Texas racing officials received a boost to their spirits after Gov. Rick Perry announced he would support the installation of video lottery terminals at racetracks in the state.
Judge Orders Recertification of Texas Stakes Winner
Texas Judge Charles Mitchell has ordered the Texas Thoroughbred Association to recertify Chauffe Au Rouge as an accredited Texas-bred racehorse. Mitchell made the decision Feb. 6 in response to a lawsuit filed against the TTA by James Donnan and Gerald Mackey, owners of the 8-year-old bay gelding by Red Attack.
Texas Changes Rules to Accommodate Breeders' Cup
The Texas Racing Commission has ruled horses with common ownership and trainers can run as separate betting interests during the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships Oct. 30 at Lone Star Park.
Texas Hall of Fame to Honor 2003 Inductees
The Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame will induct jockey Cash Asmussen, trainer Willard Proctor, and graded stakes winner Two Altazano Oct. 4 during ceremonies at Retama Park near San Antonio.
VLT Bill Stalls As Texas Racetracks Make Changes
As the Texas legislature prepares to end its biennial regular session June 2, it appears approval for video lottery terminals at racetracks would have to wait.
Here and There
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred industry...
Texas Commission Approves Dates After Agreement Between Sam Houston, Retama
The Texas Racing Commission has approved the live racing calendar for all Texas racetracks in 2003. Prior to TRC approval of the calendar, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park agreed during a private discussion to hold concurrent dates for live racing on Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 next year.
Retama Park Founder Jefferson Carr Dies
Texas native Jefferson Carr, an attorney who was instrumental in starting Retama Park, died Jan. 15.
Turf Writer Charged With Forgery
A Turf writer from Austin, Texas, faces felony charges for allegedly forging nearly $22,376 in checks on a Racetrack Chaplaincy of America account.
Personnel Changes at Call Now and Delaware Park
Call Now, the parent company of Retama Park, announced today the retirement of chairman and chief executive officer William Allen and president Robert Buffkin. The new president and CEO is Thomas Johnson and Christopher Hall will replace Buffkin on the board. At Delaware Park, Sam Abbey has been appointed racing secretary and vice president of finance John Rooney announced he will retire.
Retama Park Growing Its Handle Through OTBs
Retama Park ended its 50-day Thoroughbred meet with an 11% increase in total handle. Increased interest in the racetrack's signal offset a 7.8% decline in on-track handle.
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