Lone Star Park concluded its 25th Thoroughbred Racing season on Sunday, July 11 handling a daily average of $1,693,866 in merged handle (Live on-track plus Export) and a daily average of $1,459,096 specifically in export, over the 48-day meet, which was their most since 2006 in both categories, not including last year's unique pandemic season.
Average daily grandstand attendance on weekends and holidays for the meet was just over 4,000 per day, which, when compared to similar days, was only a four percent decline from 2019.
“The attendance figures were a very positive takeaway for the meet” said Brandon Leigh, Lone Star Park's Director of Marketing & Player Development. “There is lots of momentum to build upon for next year, considering that a majority of our indoor reserved seating areas were limited to just 50 percent capacity this year.”
The on-track fans wagered a daily average of $234,770 in Live Handle, the most since 2018.
Boosted in part by the passage of House Bill 2436 last year, the total amount of purses paid out to horsemen during the 48-day season was $13,692,325, the highest level since 2005.
The highlight of the meet was undoubtedly Lone Star Million Day on Memorial Day, returning after a ten-year hiatus. The on-track fans wagered $904,299 in Live Handle, the most since Memorial Day in 2008. The Export Handle was $5,494,680, setting the all-time record for a single day at Lone Star Park, not including the 2004 Breeders' Cup.
Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen earned his 14th training title at Lone Star Park. He visited the winners circle 71 times from 344 starts. His earnings total for the season were $1,999,134. As of this writing, Asmussen is 19 wins away from becoming the all-time leading trainer in North America in history.
Jockey Stewart Elliott won his first Lone Star Park riding title. The top rider won 71 races from 317 starts and earned $1,807,735 in purse money.
Karl Broberg's End Zone Athletics' Inc. was tops in the owner category with a total of 40 wins from 184 starts. The stable earnings total was $797,651.
Lone Star Park's 2021 Fall Meeting of Champions begins Friday, September 17 and runs through Saturday, December 18.
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