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SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK OFF TO BIG START, Boasts 24% Increase in Handle at Meet’s Midpoint - Feb. 16, 2012 - Sam Houston Race Park officials are pleased with both the numbers and enthusiasm from racing fans as the 2012 Thoroughbred meet enters its fifth week. Since opening night on Friday, January 20 when 12,856 fans were on hand for the first night of Texas Champions Weekend, the Park has seen significant gains in both attendance and handle.

Gleam of Hope Nominated to the Maxxam Gold Cup - Houston, TX - Feb. 16, 2012 - Gleam of Hope, a Grade 3 winner from the barn of Michael Stidham, has been nominated to the $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston Race Park. The mile and one-eighth handicap, set for Saturday, March 3, has a noted history of attracted top older horses.

TRC APPROVES 100% OWNERSHIP CHANGE, LOCATION FOR AUSTIN JOCKEY CLUB - On February 7, during a regularly scheduled meeting in Austin, the Texas Racing Commission approved a 100% change of ownership of the Longhorn Downs license from Austin Jockey Club to KTAGS, whose majority interest is owned by Cliff Thomas, the owner of several Speedy Stop convenience stores. The TRC also approved a change of location to a 148-acre site owned by Thomas in Creedmoor. Both votes were unanimous 8-0 decisions.

In other action, the Commissioners voted the following approvals: designation of the Texas Horsemen's Partnership as the organization to officially represent owners and trainers in the state for the next two years; a rule change to allow claimed horses to race elsewhere in a stakes after verification of the stewards; and, COO Bryan Brown's request to be able to adjust breed split percentages for simulcasting and the Escrowed Horse Purse Account to assure adequate purses for both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meets with no negative impact on projections for each meet. TTA

SAM HOUSTON POSTS DOUBLE-DIGIT LIVE, EXPORT HANDLE INCREASES OVER 2011 - Houston, TX - TTA - Feb. 12, 2012 - Double-digit handle increases have been recorded for both the live on-track product and the simulcast export signal for the first three weekends of Sam Houston's 2012 meet compared with the first three weekends of the 2011 season. And that is on top of double-digit increases posted on Friday and Saturday night cards last year compared with the average daily handle on comparable nights in 2010.

Jockey Larry Taylor Having a Solid Meet - Houston, TX - Feb. 9, 2012 - Larry Taylor had a banner day on Monday, February 6 winning three races on the card. The 44- year-old rider was the leading rider at Sam Houston Race Park in 2007 and was honored as top jockey last fall at Retama Park. Riding in Texas, suits Taylor, who is happily pain-free after shoulder injuries.

Dallas Texas Church Camp Horses Stolen - DALLAS, TX - Feb. 5, 2012 – Monday evening January 30th the gates at Camp El Har church camp were checked, every horse had was taken care of and they were turned out into their pasture for the night. The camp had 10 lesson horses that they used to teach children and adults to ride, but not anymore.

LOPE Recovering from Flash Floods - By Martha Claussen - Cedar Creek, TX - Feb. 3, 2012 - LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers (LOPE), a wonderful Texas-based non-profit which has successfully transitioned over 800 Texas racehorses into new careers, had a major crisis last month.

Danny Pish Rodeo and Racing Roots in Texas - by Martha Claussen for SureBet - February 2012 - Texas, once one of the strongest states for racing and breeding, has faced tough times in the last decade. The lure of higher purses and breeding incentives in neighboring states Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico have driven some of the state's finest horsemen elsewhere.

Stallion Eaton's Gift to stand at Key Ranch in Texas - Feb. 1, 2012 - Multiple Grade 2 winner Eaton's Gift has been purchased for stud duty in Texas and will stand at Joe and Sharon Kerby's Key Ranch in Salado, Texas, in a deal brokered by Dr. Staci A. Speidel (EIM). The horse will stand as the property of the Eaton's Gift Syndicate for a Stud Fee of $2000.

12 Stakes worth $1.3M highlight 2012 Lone Star Park Thoroughbred meeting - New Bonus Series, Global Gaming Triple, Links Stakes at Lone Star and Remington - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Jan. 27, 2012 - Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie announced the track’s 2012 Spring Thoroughbred Season features 12 stakes, down from 19 in 2011, including two graded stakes, with purses totaling $1.3 million.

APHA announces 2011 Running Champions - FORT WORTH, TX - Jan. 25, 2012 - PF Chief Runnin Bear and Flashthechicks were named the American Paint Horse Association’s Running World Champions for 2011. The Regular Registry and Solid Paint-Bred world champions respectively, and 16 other Running Champions were announced January 21 at the Heritage Place Sale in Oklahoma City.

Texas Sales Tax on the Use of Horses - Jan. 12, 2012 - Farmers and ranchers are not exempt entities, so not all purchases that farmers and ranchers make for their use on a farm or ranch are exempt from sales tax. Some agricultural items, such as horse feed, are exempt by law, while other items, such as a saddle, are taxable unless purchased for exclusive use on a commercial farm or ranch in the production of food or other agricultural products for sale. read more

VIP Preview of new Simulcast building at Lone Start Park celebrates American Diabetes Association - "Stars of Texas… Racing Against the Odds" Marks its 15th Year of Collaboration with Lone Star Park, Topping $3.5 Million - Grand Prairie, TX - Jan. 12, 2012 – National sports personality Randy Galloway and his wife Janeen will join Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie and Global Gaming Solutions on Thursday, January 12, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., to host 400 VIPs for a special preview of the newly renovated "Bar & Book" simulcast building.

Skip a Smile named Texas Horse of the Year - Austin, TX - Jan. 11, 2012 - Rosemary Chandler's homebred Skip a Smile has been named the 2011 Texas Horse of the Year by the Texas Thoroughbred Association. The now 5-year-old Skip Away gelding earned 33 points in the Texas-bred Champions Point Standings based on stakes performances throughout the year to lead all Texas-breds.

Grade 2 winner Oratory to Eureka Thoroughbred Farm in Texas - TTA - Jan. 11, 2012 (Austin, TX) - Oratory, a Grade 2-winning son of Pulpit, has been relocated to stand at Mike Grossman?s Eureka Thoroughbred Farm in Fredericksburg, Texas, for the 2012 breeding season. His fee has been set at $3,500. Oratory previously stood at Country Life Farm in Maryland.

Live Racing returns to Sam Houston Race Park with two new wagers and the highest purses ever - HOUSTON, TX - Jan. 5, 2012 - Sam Houston Race Park will open its 19th Annual Live Racing Season with the opening of its Thoroughbred Meet on Friday, January 20, 2012 with average daily purse amounts in excess of $160,000, the highest in the Park’s 18 year history.

Multi-Million Dollar investment in Simulcast building at Lone Star Unvailed - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Jan. 5, 2011 - Global Gaming Solutions, LLC, the owner of Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, has unveiled the 36,000 square foot Las Vegas style simulcast Racebook, sports bar and casual dining restaurant has been renovated, upgraded and redesigned with the goal to improve the visual experience for each and every customer.

DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES END JANUARY 3 FOR POSTMARKS, CALL-INS - TTA - With December 31, 2011, falling on Saturday, several TTA deadlines that usually close on that date have been extended through the next business day, Tuesday, January 3, 2012. The January 3 deadline includes weanling, yearling and stallion nominations to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series, accreditation of 2011 yearlings, and initial nomination to the 2012 TTA Sales Futurity for Fasig-Tipton Texas sales graduates as well as Accredited Texas-breds by consignor or buyer berth nominations.

3 NEW TTA BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED; 4 INCUMBENTS RETURNED - TTA - Dec. 21, 2011 - Eligible Texas Thoroughbred Association members elected three new directors and returned four incumbents for 3-year terms in the 2012 election. Results were tallied under the supervision of TTA First Vice President Dr. Gearald Farris and Director Heidi Maikranz in the TTA offices on December 16.

Alfonso Lujan wins his fifth consecutive riding title at Evangeline Downs - Opelousas, Louisiana –Dec. 21, 2011 - Despite missing the last six nights of the season due to a morning training incident, Alfonso Lujan notched his fifth consecutive leading rider title at the 2011 Fall Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. Lujan, a 33-year-old native of Odessa, TX landed in the winner’s circle at an impressive rate of 21% and won a total of 53 races with purse earnings of $489,878 during the 46-night season while recording his twelfth leading rider title in the state of Louisiana.

Average, median up, total sales down at Fasig-Tipton Texas - Dec. 13, 2011 - Stakes-placed winner and stakes producer Ruby Be Mine brought the top price of $35,000 and average and median prices both saw significant increases at the one-day Fasig-Tipton Texas December mixed sale on Monday at Lone Star Park.

12 DAMS OF STAKES HORSES IN FASIG-TIPTON TEXAS MIXED SALE ON DEC. 12 - TTA - Dec. 10, 2011 - The 2012 Fasig-Tipton Texas Mixed Sale will be held on Monday, December 12, at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion at Lone Star Park beginning at noon with 131 lots catalogued.

Change in the works at SHRP - Houston, TX - Dec. 8, 2011 - Hope thrives in the hearts of horse people. When they arrive at Sam Houston Race Park on Jan. 20, opening night for live racing, they can add change to their hope.

Young racetrack leaders call for innovation at Symposium - Tucson, AZ - Nov. 7, 2011 - Young racetrack officials acknowledge racing has problems but they believe innovative thinking can turn the sport around.

Jockey C.J. McMahon Apprentice on the Brink of National Prominence - by Martha Claussen for SureBet - There is a new apprentice Thoroughbred rider who has accomplished a great deal in a short, six-month period. While he might have been known to racing fans who follow the Louisiana circuit, young C.J. McMahon is well on his way to becoming a rider with a prosperous future ahead.

Stakes Sire Mr Ottyes to Southwest Stallion Station for 2012 - ELGIN, TX—NOVEMBER 20, 2011—Stakes sire Mr Ottyes will stand the 2012 breeding season at Southwest Stallion Station, near Elgin, Texas. His fee has been set at $1,500.

Asmussen scores 6,000th career win - Oklahoma City - Nov. 19, 2011 - Trainer Steve Asmussen won his 6,000th career race in the opener on Friday at Remington Park when Basalt broke his maiden in a seven-furlong sprint. Asmussen becomes just the fifth trainer in the history of Thoroughbred racing to reach 6,000 career scores.

131 Cataloged for Fasig-Tipton Texas Mixed Sale - Nov. 18, 2011 - Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 131 lots for its Texas December mixed sale. The number is up 4.8% from last year’s total of 125 lots.

Retama Park Posts Increases in Total Handle and Attendance - Nov. 16, 2011 - 2011 was a year in which Retama Park raced a full compliment of Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses for the first time since 2008. Season ending numbers show the 2011 meeting compared favorably to 2009 and 2010.

Valor Farm, Texas Tradition in Racing and Breeding - by Martha Claussen for SureBet - Nov. 15, 2011 - Valor Farm, located in Pilot Point, Texas, nestled in the rolling hills north of Dallas, has a revered reputation as one of the finest breeding establishments in the country.

Trey Wood takes 3rd straight training title at Lone Star; Handle down 4.7% - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Nov. 12, 2011 - Trainer Trey Wood compiled 20 victories during the 2011 Fall Meeting of Champions to clinch his third straight training title. Heath Taylor finished five behind with 15 wins while Javier Contreras finished third with 14 victories.

GOLLY BRET WINS COLTS AND GELDINGS DIVISION OF $20,000 ARABIAN STALLION STAKES AT LONE STAR PARK - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Nov. 5, 2011 – Sam Vasquez’ Golly Bret led the field gate to wire in the fifth running of the $20,000 Arabian Stallion Stakes, Colts and Geldings Division, on Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

BP CARTELS PAINT THRILLS IN GRADE 1 $59,700 LONE STAR PARK PAINT & APPALOOSA FUTURITY - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Nov. 4, 2011 – Bill Price’s Bp Cartels Paint proved best in a thrilling stretch run to win the Grade 1 $59,700 Lone Star Park Paint & Appaloosa Futurity Friday at Lone Star Park.

Retama-based Wasted Tears retired - Nov. 2, 2011 - Wasted Tears, the Texas-based mare who developed into one of the top turf females in North America, has been retired, said her breeder, owner, and trainer, Bart Evans. She has been sent to a Lexington, Ky., farm and will be bred next year to a stallion that has yet to be determined.

LONE STAR SIMULCAST PAVILION TARGETED FOR EARLY DECEMBER RE-OPENING - Oct. 29, 2011 - Top officials of Global Gaming, the subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation that owns and operates Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, invited leaders of all major horse organizations, representing breeders, owners and trainers, to a meeting last Tuesday at the Texas Thoroughbred Association office. Those present learned that Lone Star's Post Time Pavilion is scheduled for a soft re-opening in early December and a grand re-opening sometime in January.

Llano Teller Becomes Supreme Race Horse - Oct. 28, 2011 - With a win and the fastest qualifying time in the October 21 trials to the Texas Classic Derby (G1), Llano Teller became AQHA’s newest Supreme Race Horse.

Julianna Hawn Holt Buys Ochoa's Dam - Oct. 28, 2011 - Julianna Hawn Holt, a leading consignor at the Ruidoso Select Sale every year, has added another top mare to her impeccable broodmare band. Holt recently purchased Stolis Fortune, dam to the 2011 All American Futurity winner Ochoa, from Johnny "T.L." Jones.

Just another kick in the teeth for Texas racing - Oct. 27, 2011 - The Texas Racing Commission has begun informing out-of-state wagering companies that it's now illegal to accept online horse or greyhound bets from Texas. In effect since Sept. 1, HB 2271 also outlaws phone wagers from this state.

CAPTAIN BUCKO FASTEST QUALIFIER IN - LONE STAR PAINT & APPALOOSA FUTURITY TRIALS - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Oct. 20, 2011 – Captain Bucko, owned by Racin RNS and trained by Luis Villafranco, was the fastest qualifier among 26 starters in the Lone Star Paint & Appaloosa Futurity trials over a fast track Thursday night at Lone Star Park.

JEH STALLION STATION Announces Major Reorganization - PILOT POINT, TX—OCTOBER 19, 2011—Jim and Marilyn Helzer announced a major reorganization today of their JEH Stallion Stations, with divisions in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

TEXAS CHAMPION TIN TOP CAT'S SIRE SUPREME CAT MOVES TO LANE'S END TEXAS - OCT. 13, 2011 - Supreme Cat, the sire of 2010 Texas Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Tin Top Cat, now a 7-time stakes winner and earner of more than $340,000, has been relocated to Will Farish's Lane's End Texas near Hempstead for the 2012 breeding season.

Indygo Mountain to Valor Farm in Texas - Oct. 11, 2011 - Indygo Mountain, a winning son of A.P. Indy, will stand in 2012 at Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas. His fee is $1,200.

The 13-time stakes winner, Vital Winner retires - Poolsville, TX - Oct. 10, 2011 - Vital Winner, a 13-time stakes winner owned by Debra Gotavac of Midland, Texas, has been retired, according to his longtime trainer Bradley Bolen. The 7-year-old gelded son of Easy Winning Jet will return to the home of his breeder Fletcher Huskey in Poolsville, Texas, to live out his life.

The Louisiana Cartel to stand freshman year at Haddad Ranch - SEGUIN, TX—OCTOBER 6, 2011—Grade 2 winner The Louisiana Cartel has retired from racing and will stand his first season in 2012 at Haddad Ranch near Seguin, Texas.

Jockey Alfonso Lujan - Quarter Horse Racing's Hidden Jewel - In most all professional sports, athletes who lead their divisions are heralded, well paid and recognized by both fans and media. Even casual fans know the names Peyton Manning, LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Sidney Crosby and Roger Federer.

Captain Courage Returns to 6666 - Oct. 6, 2011 - Grade 1 placed winner Captain Courage has returned to the Four Sixes Ranch for the 2012 breeding season, after standing one year in Louisiana. His first foals will race in 2012.

DISABLED JOCKEY SALVADOR PEREZ TO RECEIVE AMTRYKE® THERAPEUTIC TRICYCLE - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX - Sept. 24, 2011 – Jockey Salvador Perez, who was left paralyzed from the chest down after being thrown from his mount past the finish of a Quarter Horse race at Lone Star Park October 16, 2008, will be presented with an AmTryke® therapeutic tricycle prior to the first race at Lone Star Park Saturday, October 1.

Jess Jones to Will Woods Farm for 2012 season - Sept. 22, 2011—J.D. Anderson's multiple track record setter Jess Jones will stand his first season at stud in 2012 at Will Woods Farm, near Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Wardrobe Malfunction May Prove Costly to Owner - Sept. 22, 2011 - Texas Racing Commission v. Marquez, a recent opinion from the Austin Court of Appeals, involved a horse race where two horses owned by Javier Marquez were inadvertently wearing each other’s saddle cloth numbers.

Texas Racing Commission Approves Retama Park’s Request to Extend Live Meet - Sept. 22, 2011 - Excitement was in the morning air Wednesday morning at Retama Park. While watching his horses go thru morning workouts, veteran trainer Danny Pish struck a grateful chord when singing the praises of more live race dates this year. “ Its great news for us,” said Pish.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ANNOUNCES DATES FOR 2012 LIVE TB/QH MEET - HOUSTON, TX - Sept. 21, 2011 - Sam Houston Race Park will open its 19th Annual Live Racing Season with the opening of its Thoroughbred Meet on Friday, January 20, 2012. The Texas Racing Commission granted the racetrack a total of 31 days of live Thoroughbred racing in a meeting held earlier today.

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