Lone Star Park Concludes 17th Fall Meeting of Champions Season with Positives

(Grand Prairie, Texas - Thursday, November 20, 2014) - Lone Star Park concluded its 17th Fall Meeting of Champions Season Saturday, November 15 with some positive gains.

Total All-Sources wagering during the 26-day Fall Meeting was up slightly overall by 0.04 percent to $19,940,727, from last year's total of $19,932,959.

On-track betting on live racing climbed 5.8 percent to $2,407,243, versus $2,276,247 in 2013, and simulcast-in rose 1.8 percent to $10,881,964, versus $10,692,146.

"These increases are particularly gratifying when you consider that nationwide figures were down almost six percent during that same time period," said President and General Manager Scott Wells. "The credit goes to horse owners all around the country who choose to race their horses at Lone Star Park, and of course, to our wonderful team of employees, who do everything within their power to create winning experiences for our guests."

Also, the simulcast of the Breeders' Cup Championships on November 1 saw a 1.4 percent increase of on-track wagering to $1,632,048 from $1,575,863 in 2013.

For the second consecutive fall season, track officials increased the purses of overnight races. The increase was about 10 percent, or at least $500 per race, and went into effect on October 16.

Highlights during the nine-week meeting included the second edition of the Bud Light Pura Musica Concert Series, with three post-race concerts early in the season. The concerts featuring Tejano artists Grupo Vida & Los Garcia Brothers, David Lee Garza and Los Sementales, were attended by 15,701 fans, slightly up from the 15,615 that attended in 2013.

There were a total of 2,166 starters in 249 races during the 26-day meeting. The total amount of purses paid was $3,584,410, for an average of $137,861 per day of live racing. The total amount of stakes purses paid during the season was $2,169,110.

On closing night, Torts On Fire, trained by Trey Wood, took home the prize winning the Grade 1, Texas Classic Futurity, the richest race in Texas, for owners Terry & Irene Stennett of Odessa, Texas. He was ridden to victory by Ricky Ramirez. Lil Famous Dash, trained by Judd Kearl won the Grade 1, Texas Classic Derby. He is owned by Scarlett Hill Farms, Inc. of Weatherford, Texas and was ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo.

Jockey Luis Vivanco earned his first Lone Star Park riding title with 22 wins from 169 starts. Judd Kearl won his fourth Lone Star Park training title with 17 wins from 107 starts. He won the honor previously in 2006-07 and 2013. It was a tie in the owner category between Bennie & Terri Jeter (five wins) and Bobby D. Cox (five wins). This was the first title for the Jeters and second for Cox, who won his first in 2013.

2014 Fall Meeting of Champion Business Levels:

Total Attendance & Handle 2014 (26 dates) 2013 (26 dates) +/-
Attendance: 78,136 83,243 -6.10%
On-Track, Live Handle: $2,407,243 $2,276,247 +5.80%
Simulcast-In Handle: $10,881,964 $10,692,146 +1.80%
Off-Track, Export Handle: $6,651,520 $6,964,566 -4.50%
Live Product (On-Track, Live & Off-Track): $9,058,783 $9,240,813 -2.00%
On-Track Total (Live Handle, Simulcast-In): $13,289,207 $12,968,393 +2.50%
All-Sources (On-Track, Live & Off-Track, Simulcast): $19,940,727 $19,932,959 +0.04%

 

Daily Attendance & Handle Averages 2014 (26 dates) 2013 (26 dates) +/-
Attendance: 3,005 3,202 -6.10%
On-Track, Live Handle: $92,586 $87,548 +5.80%
Simulcast-In Handle: $418,537 $411,236 +1.80%
Off-Track, Export Handle: $255,828 $267,868 -4.50%
Live Product (On-Track, Live & Off-Track): $348,415 $355,416 -2.00%
On-Track Total (Live Handle, Simulcast-In): $511,123 $498,784 +2.50%
All-Sources (On-Track, Live & Off-Track, Simulcast): $766,951 $766,652 +0.04%

Lone Star Park's 50-day, 2015 Spring Thoroughbred Season begins on April 9, 2015 and concludes July 19, 2015.

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