“That’s what we’re hoping for, to build the product as well as the state-bred program there,” Asmussen said from Churchill Downs, where he is preparing Louisiana Derby winner Epicenter for the Kentucky Derby and unbeaten 2-year-old champion filly Echo Zulu for the Kentucky Oaks. With more money on the table, the competition overall is tougher – and that’s the point, he said. “I am blessed with opportunities as far as horses go, and I’m hoping that continues.” “Financial opportunity allows you to run a little more expensive horse,” said Asmussen, who also claimed his 14th Sam Houston trainer’s title earlier this month with 51 wins. Asmussen went 71 for 344 last year after going 50 for 266 in 2020. Indeed, it’s not a coincidence that Asmussen has won Lone Star’s two training titles since the purses have increased, with Broberg taking the crown in 20. With all the trials of horse racing now, the agricultural tax that Texas has in place that is supplementing their racing is proving to be very effective.” “All three of the boys were born there in Arlington, about 15 minutes from the racetrack,” said Asmussen, who won 17 races at Lone Star’s inaugural meet in 1997 and his first of 14 training titles two years later, “so it’s been a very special place to us. He and his wife, Julie, have lived in nearby Arlington for years. 7 at Saratoga.Īsmussen holds particular affection for Lone Star Park, beyond being the track’s all-time win leader. The Hall of Famer comes into the Lone Star meet as North America’s all-time winningest trainer at 9,713 victories through April 18 and counting, with Asmussen quickly pulling away from the late Dale Baird’s 9,445 after breaking the record last Aug. Opening day will include a 25th anniversary hat giveaway as well as a Steve Asmussen milestone celebration. It’s a domino effect, and I think you’ll see more of that this year.” You get better purses, you get better horses, fuller fields. I felt last summer was the best quality of horses they’d had there since the early days of Lone Star, so I thought it required a bit better horse to win the maiden and allowance races. People are just running their better stock there, as opposed to the lesser stock that they were able to get away with for those who had split stables.”Īgreed Bret Calhoun: “Texas racing has gained a lot of momentum the last two years. “You’re seeing old faces that had abandoned Lone Star come back as well as new faces. “The quality has improved dramatically in a short period of time, regardless of the caliber of the race,” said five-time Lone Star champion trainer and five-time leading owner Karl Broberg. Horsemen are expecting big things at Lone Star as well. It marked the second straight year that the Houston track wagered more than $2 million a day. Lone Star’s silver anniversary comes on the heels of a record-setting meet at Sam Houston Race Park, on which more than $103 million was wagered during the 50-day session that ran Jan. I think the legislation is definitely doing its job.” “These guys I work for all started spending more money. “My clients have boosted their budgets significantly with the purse increase,” Gustafson said.
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Lone Star Park is scheduled to pay out $12.8 million to horse owners over the 48-date meet, averaging about $268,000 a day. He said the overwhelming majority of his owners are from Texas, want to race in Texas and have responded to the enhanced purses. Gustafson’s career has paralleled the resurgence of Texas racing, with 20 being breakthrough years for the 29-year-old trainer, who won 24 races last year at Lone Star. “Texas racing has revitalized since they passed that bill,” said trainer Austin Gustafson. Marquee stakes days include the Lone Star Million Day on Memorial Day, Lone Star Showcase Day on June 19, Summer Turf Festival on July 16 and Stars of Texas Day on July 17. There is no racing on Thursdays May 5 and 26, June 2 and 30 and July 7.
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The Grand Prairie meet runs April 28 through July 24, most Thursdays through Sundays, plus Memorial Day May 30 and July 4. Grand Prairie, Texas – ApLone Star Park celebrates its 25th anniversary season this year with the continued optimism that has permeated Texas racing since passage of the 2019 legislation that channeled a portion of sales tax on horse feed and supplies into purses.