Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie

Corporate Name: Global Gaming Lone Star Park
Mailing Address: 1000 Lone Star Parkway, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050 (click for map)
Telephone: Main Office: (972) 263-RACE; Racing Office: (888) 4RACING
Fax: Executive Office: (972) 262-5622; Marketing: (972) 237-5108; Press Box: (972) 237-1125; Racing Office: (972) 237-1155
Website: www.lonestarpark.com

Renowned for its Texas hospitality and elegance, Lone Star Park staged one of the most successful racetrack openings in modern horse racing history. The first live race meeting began in April, 1997, one decade after Texas re-legalized pari-mutuel racing following a 50-year hiatus. Since then, more than 16 million customers have passed through its turnstiles and wagered in excess of $3 billion.

With an average of about one million customers annually, Lone Star is one of the most visited sports and entertainment venues in the ultra-competitive Dallas-Fort Worth marketplace, thanks to its convenient location (12 miles west of Dallas, 20 miles east of Fort Worth and minutes south of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport).

Traditionally, two live racing seasons–the Spring Thoroughbred Season and Fall Meeting of Champions–are showcased each year, along with daily simulcast wagering and other entertainment-based events.

The picturesque 285-acre facility, built by the City of Grand Prairie and Lone Star Jockey Club, and later acquired by Global Gaming Solutions in 2011, is anchored by a palatial, 290,000 square-foot, glass-enclosed grandstand that stands seven levels high, complete with plush box seats, a terraced dining room, luxury suites, a private Jockey Club and a 10,000 square-foot banquet room.

A horseplayer’s dream sits next door: the Bar & Book, a state-of-the-art 36,000 square-foot Las Vegas-style simulcast center, sports bar and casual dining restaurant that was completely updated and renovated in 2011 for year-round wagering. Outdoor facilities include apron box seating and a sun-shaded Courtyard of Champions, complete with patio tables and a lawn area.

Because of its attractions and early success, Lone Star was host to the 21st Breeders’ Cup just seven years after it opened. Visitors flocked to the championship event with attendance reaching 53,717, thanks to 39,000 temporary seats and the fastest sellout in Breeders’ Cup history. Four major Breeders’ Cup wagering records fell that day, including $120.8 million in all-sources handle.

A total of 76 live racing dates are scheduled for 2016, including the 50-date Spring Thoroughbred Season from April 7–July 17. In addition to large fields and $150,000 in average daily purses, there will be 11 stakes events totaling more than $1.1 million. Highlights of the 15-week meeting include two Grade III stakes: the $200,000 Texas Mile on May 6 and the $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap on Memorial Day, May 30.

Racing is generally conducted Friday–Sunday and select Thursdays in the spring. The first race is at 7:05 p.m. CT on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and 2:05 p.m. CT on Sundays and holidays, and 5:00 p.m. CT first post on July 3 and 4. Later in the year, the Fall Quarter Horse Meeting will be held over 26 dates from September 16–November 12. Racing is conducted Thursdays–Saturdays in the fall.

Lone Star has a 1-mile dirt track with 7-furlong and 15/8-mile chutes, and a 7-furlong turf course with an inside chute for races up to 11/8 miles. The spacious barn area has 32 barns that can stable 1,600 horses.

Officers: Scott Wells, President and General Manager, (972) 237-1112; Kent Slabotsky, Vice President, Operations, (972) 237-1107
Director of Mutuels: Melinda Tyler, (972) 237-5140
Director of Racing: Bart Lang, (972) 237-5046
Racing Secretary: Mike Shamburg, (972) 237-5044
Owner Relations Contact: Rainey Brookfield, (972) 237-5063
Director of Security: Tippy Colella, (972) 237-5157
Director of Track Maintenance: John Jamison, (940) 200-1413
Track Commentator: Jim Byers, (972) 237-1187
Track Photographer: Dustin Drona, (405) 760-8581
Simulcast Coordinator: Mindy Freeland, (972) 237-1185
Location: Half mile north of Interstate 30 on Belt Line Road in Grand Prairie, Texas
Nearest City: In the middle of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Nearest Airport: Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, 10 miles
Track Data: 1-mile dirt track; 7/8-mile turf course with inside chute for races up to 11/8-miles; 15/8-mile and 7-furlong Thoroughbred chute; width of dirt track, 90 feet; width of turf course, 80 feet; length of stretch, 990 feet
Total Track Capacity: 60,000
Grandstand Capacity: 12,000
Parking Capacity: 10,000; free general parking; $5 preferred parking; $15 valet parking
Price of Admission: General, $5; clubhouse, $8
Simulcast Information: Bar & Book open year-round, seven days a week, opening one hour prior to first post (approximately 10:30 a.m.)
Transponder Coordinates: G6, T4 (tentative)