Whelan

Retama Park Gets OK on Dates for This Year

• By Raymond Whelan
• May 15, 2007

Retama Park will offer live Thoroughbred racing for more than two months this year under a request approved by the Texas Racing Commission.

Group Looks Elsewhere to Build Texas Track

• By Raymond Whelan
• March 30, 2005

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

• November 8, 2004

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

• October 1, 2004

Retama Park, which offered a shorter Thoroughbred season this year, registered strong gains in on-track business.

Lone Star OK'd for Breeders' Cup 'Head2Head' Bet

• July 21, 2004
• Breeders' Cup

As Lone Star Park officials prepare for the Oct. 30 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships, they have received approval from the Texas Racing Commission for the "Head2Head" wager.

Bandera Downs in Texas to Return as Training Center

• June 21, 2004

It has been almost 10 years since live racing was held at Bandera Downs, but the racetrack has acquired new owners.

Poll: Majority of Texans Support Racetrack VLTs

• May 24, 2004

According to the results of a recent public opinion poll, most Texans would welcome video lottery terminals at the state's five horse and three Greyhound racetracks.

VLTs Still Uncertain as Texas Session Concludes

• May 19, 2004

As the most recent special session of the 78th Texas legislature came to a close, the fate of video lottery terminals appeared to be rather uncertain.

VLT Provision Fails to Muster Support in Texas

• May 6, 2004

Unless the Senate revives interest in the concept soon, it appears the Texas legislature will not legalize video lottery terminals at the state's five horse tracks and three Greyhound tracks.

Lone Star Says 34,000 Tickets Sold for Breeders' Cup

• April 14, 2004
• Breeders' Cup

Lone Star Park officials indicated they already have sold about 34,000 tickets for the 2004 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

Texas Governor Says He'll Support Racetrack Gaming

• April 12, 2004

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.

TTA Delays Action on Recertification Ruling by Judge

• February 21, 2004

The Texas Thoroughbred Association has made no decision on whether to appeal the ruling by Texas Judge Charles Mitchell that ordered the association to recertify Chauffe Au Rouge as an accredited Texas-bred racehorse. The TTA temporarily suspended action on the matter during its Feb. 19 board of directors meeting.

Judge Orders Recertification of Texas Stakes Winner

• February 17, 2004

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

• February 5, 2004
• 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 Increases Number of Post-Race Drug Tests

• December 31, 2003

The Texas Racing Commission has authorized the Texas Medical Diagnostic Laboratory to increase the amount of ELISA tests it conducts and decrease the number of screens it evaluates from urine samples collected for post-race analysis.

Sam Houston Gets OK to Apply for Laredo License

• October 21, 2003

A Sam Houston Race Park management team has received the green light from the Texas Racing Commission to begin applying for a license to operate a Class 2 racetrack in southwest Texas.

Texas Official: Constitutional Amendment for Gaming

• September 29, 2003

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has declared voters must approve an amendment to the state constitution before any of the 10 licensed horse or Greyhound tracks in Texas can install video lottery terminals.

Texas Hall of Fame to Honor 2003 Inductees

• September 16, 2003
• Thoroughbred Racing

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.

Texas Associations Support Protection of Thoroughbreds

• July 31, 2003

As the Seabiscuit movie began winning over national audiences, two influential Texas racing associations renewed their commitment to the protection of Thoroughbreds.

VLT Bill Stalls As Texas Racetracks Make Changes

• May 29, 2003

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.