(Tuesday, April 22, 2003) - Retama Park kicks off its spring live race meet Friday, May 2, with the Ariat Stakes, a 330-yard test for three-year-old Texas-bred Quarter Horses, and the Texas Distaff MBNA Challenge Trials for fillies and mares three-years-old and up at 400 yards. Post time begins at 6:45 p.m.

Opening weekend continues with a bang on Saturday as Retama celebrates with a live simulcast of the 129th running of the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky Derby festivities begin early as Retama Park presents its annual Breakfast on the Rail sponsored by Compass Bank. An all-you-can-eat breakfast for only $5.95 will be served on the track apron from 7:00-9:30 a.m. Saturday morning with a free barn tour to follow at 10 a.m.

Live racing from Churchill Downs will be simulcast all day long, culminating with the Kentucky Derby at 5:00 p.m. Retama Park’s live racing program begins immediately after, with a first post time of 5:30 p.m.

Highlighting Retama’s live evening program are the American Airlines MBNA Texas Juvenile Challenge Trials for two-year-old Quarter Horses at 350 yards. The country’s fastest racehorses will be on-hand for one of the first major stake trials on the two-year-old Quarter Horse racing calendar.

Opening weekend ends on Sunday with a fabulous night of live racing, including the La Villita Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 330 yards. Post time begins at 5:30 p.m.