7th-Lone Star, $33,000, Msw, 6-10, 2yo, 5f, :58.62, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
TODDCHERO (c, 2, Bucchero–French Politics {SP, $161,388}, by Political Force) Sales history: $77,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,740. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Mark Norman and Norman Stables LLC; B-GDS Racing Stable (FL); T-Jayde J. Gelner.

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Born in Timonium, Maryland, Lang's first job was working for Bonita Farm, grooming, hot walking and learning the essentials of horse care and training from the highly respected Boniface family. He had tenures in the racing offices of Oaklawn Park, Arlington Park and Hawthorne early in his career prior to becoming the first racing secretary at Lone Star Park. He was on board in the Fall of 1996 throughout the completion of the Grand Prairie racetrack's inaugural season in 1997. Lang directed all racing operations at Lone Star Park for both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meets through May 2020. Most recently, he has served as the stakes coordinator at Oaklawn Park.

Lang, 53, will be based at Sam Houston Race Park, beginning May 16.

“I'm excited about joining the team,” said Lang. “I have over 20 years in the Texas racing industry and know these horsemen and women very well. My tenure at Oaklawn Park has been very rewarding and it has been a pleasure working with many of the most prominent connections in the country.”

He will succeed James C. Leatherman who has accepted a position as a Texas state steward.

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The highlight of the schedule is Lone Star Million Day on Memorial Day, and the marquee race on the card is the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile, for 3-year-olds and up at one mile. New to this year's Lone Star Million day card will be the $100,000 guaranteed Speightstown Sprint for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the dirt.

Lone Star Showcase Day will be held June 19 with five stakes worth a total of $375,000, while the Summer Turf Festival will be returning July 16 with four stakes worth a total of $750,000. Stars of Texas Day will be held July 17 with five stakes worth $425,000.

The 2022 Thoroughbred racing season will begin April 28 and conclude July 24, with total purses averaging an estimated $268,000 per day for the 48-day meet.

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Luzzi, 24, will return to riding in August from a broken collarbone incurred near the end of the season at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas. The native New Yorker, who has called the central time zone home for five years, is finishing his rehabilitation and is set to continue one of his best career years.

“I plan on possibly riding at Prairie Meadows (Altoona, Iowa) and then get to Oklahoma City a little over a week before the season to work horses and get ready,” Luzzi said while visiting family in Saratoga, N.Y.

“Luckily, the collarbone didn't require surgery. You never really want to get hurt but the timing of this was ideal. I missed the last week and a half at Lone Star. I would have had to work to fill the time before the start of the Remington Park season, so I'm using this opportunity to rest and get ready.”

When Luzzi broke his collarbone on July 2, he had won 70 races this year, riding primarily at Sam Houston Race Park and Lone Star Park. He had also finished second and third, 62 times each from his 453 mounts. The victory rate had him on pace to surpass his career best of 117 wins for a year, set last year.

Well-known New York based jockey Mike Luzzi, who has accumulated more than 3,500 career wins, is Lane's father. His accomplishments created too many comparisons and possibly some added pressure for the young rider when he started to race. Lane Luzzi has been based at Remington Park since 2017 after making a difficult decision to uproot from the East Coast, the only region of America he had ever known. As a 19-year-old, he moved west to establish his career in the saddle.

“I had a good apprentice year in 2016 and lost my bug (weight allowance) on the East Coast. Then things went slow for me at the Gulfstream Park championship meet, where it is really, really tough. I wanted a new start and to go somewhere that no one knew me to make my own way.

“It was very tough, my first year at Remington Park; I only won six races. It took a good few weeks to get my foot in the door and to get opportunities. Sticking around let people know I was serious about building business and moving forward in this part of the country.”

Paying his dues has begun to pay off for Luzzi. He only won eight races in his second season at Remington Park in 2018. However, things picked up when he won 21 in 2019 and followed up with 39 local victories last year. Luzzi credits hard work and the efforts of his agent who has backed him throughout.

“Brad White is the only agent I've had since moving,” Luzzi said. “He's been patient with me and stuck with me. After a few years, we're doing great.”

Looking forward to Remington Park, Luzzi hasn't set any huge goals but is looking forward to riding a promising 2-year-old.

“Feel the Fear is a colt I won gate to wire with at Lone Star. He's trained by Austin Gustafson and will probably be pointed to some stakes soon, maybe the Clever Trevor. He's a beautiful colt and won easily.”

Feel the Fear broke his maiden at first-asking, going 4-1/2 furlongs, drawing away to win by 4-1/4 lengths in :53.07 on a fast track. He worked for Gustafson on July 25 at Remington Park, breezing a half-mile in :51.91 over a fast surface. Owned by Forge Ahead Stables, Feel the Fear is a Kentucky-bred by Honor Code from the Kitten's Joy mare Fresh Feline. The $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park, for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs, is scheduled for Oct. 29.

In addition to the more frequent pace of winning, Luzzi appreciates the lifestyle his occupation has afforded him in Oklahoma and Texas, compared to the hustle and bustle of living in the New York City area. “

Things are a lot slower than home, I really enjoy that so much, and it's quieter. I grew up in the city so there is never any downtime and everything is at a fast pace.”

Luzzi does miss his family, especially his father.

“I grew up watching dad ride, sitting in the jocks' room when I was three, and spending time with him. We talk three times a day discussing the races but we talk about plenty of other things. If he sees something in my rides, he says something.”

Coming into the Remington Park season, Luzzi has amassed 479 career wins with 449 seconds and another 448 thirds, from 3,620 mounts. His mounts have earned $10.4 million.

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Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 2022 live racing season on Thursday, Jan. 6 with an expanded 50-day Thoroughbred meet. Racing will be held Thursdays through Saturdays, and the Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday, April 9.

Sam Houston was granted 46 Thoroughbred days in 2021 and had one of the most successful seasons since it opened in 1994 as the first Class 1 racetrack in Texas. One of the major highlights was its $5.3 million handle for the annual Houston Racing Festival. Houston Ladies Classic (G3) winner St. George Stable's Letruska continues to deny her rivals in graded stakes competition across the United States.

Sam Houston also received approval for their annual Quarter Horse racing season. The 25-day meet will begin on Friday, April 22 and continue through Saturday, June 18.

The Commission also approved 48 Thoroughbred dates from April 28 through July 24 at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Tx., with races held Thursday through Sunday.

A total of 78 Quarter Horse dates were approved across three tracks: Lone Star, Sam Houston, and Retama (Selma, Tx.)

Eight mixed dates were also approved for the Gillespie County Fair.

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“This will easily be our largest sale since taking the reins from Fasig-Tipton in 2016,” said Tim Boyce, sales director. “We've seen some solid growth over the past few years, despite the challenges of the health pandemic, and now we've really hit a milestone this year. We have several new consignors for this sale, and the sire power is stronger than I can ever remember seeing here.”

In addition to nearly 250 yearlings, there are three 2-year-olds in the sale.

“Texas racing and breeding have been on the upswing thanks to the Horse Industry Escrow Account authorized by the Texas Legislature, which has helped boost purses and breeding incentives,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the TTA. “That in turn has increased interest in our sales and allowed us to develop a consignor rebate program. We are also pleased to introduce the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Derby to be run in 2023 to complement the very popular Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity.”

Details on the Sales Derby are still being finalized, but the race for sale graduates is expected to offer two divisions (one for fillies and one for colts/geldings) with an estimated purse of $75,000 apiece at Sam Houston Race Park. The Sales Futurity also offers two divisions at $100,000-estimated apiece at Lone Star.

The TTA and Lone Star will host a pre-sale party for consignors and buyers on Sunday, August 29, at 6:30 p.m. in the Alysheba room on the second floor of the Lone Star grandstand.

The yearling sale comes on the heels of the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale held in April, which posted the highest gross, average and median since the TTA and Lone Star took over both sales in 2016.

Online bidding and live online video will be offered on this sale. For more information and to view the sale catalogue, go to www.ttasales.com.

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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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In what was close to a repeat performance, My Boanerges ($8.40) dueled for the early lead then shook clear in the turn. He was asked passed the furlong marker and responded well to keep second place finisher and favorite, Archidust, who broke in the air, at bay by three quarters of a length. Share the Upside got the show followed by Seven Scents and Quarky. Bob's Bad Boy was a late scratch.

Final time was :55.68 seconds on a firm turf course.

Again trainer Dallas Keen sent Tony Crognale and Fred Dullano's Curlin's Journey ($4.60) out for the win in the $75,000 Wasted Tears Stakes, a mile & a sixteenth turf contest for fillies & mares, 3-yr-olds & up. This 6-yr-old daughter of Curlin was well reserved early on the backstretch, advanced on the far turn, roused passed the furlong marker, responding well to get clear in the final sixteenth. Luis Quinonez was aboard for the two-length victory.

Valentine's Day proved to be no match late for the winner, but was clearly second best. Brandon's Babe rallied late for show. In fourth place was Tizahra followed by Zamzam, Needs No Alibi and Elle's Town completed the order.

Final time was 1:42.16. Fractions were 24.32, 48.84, 1:12.23 and 1:36.24.

The $75,000 Chicken Fried Stakes for fillies & mares, 3-yr-olds & up at five furlongs on turf was won by favorite, Yes It's Ginger owned by Brilliant Racing LLC and trained by Gregory D. Foley.

With Reylu Gutierrez in the irons, Yes It's Ginger ($7.60) a 5-yr-old daughter of Yes It's True, vied inside for the early lead, made a bid leaving the turn to get clear then drew off in the final sixteenth to win by four lengths over a game Uptownblingithome in second. Canoodling finished well to gain third followed by Stormieis Blue, Ima Discreet Lady, A Bit of Both, Raintree Starlet and Quick Quick Quick.

Final time was :55.69 seconds.

The final stake on the card was the $75,000 Singletary Stakes, a mile and an eighth turf contest for 3-yr-olds & up.

Carson McCord's Artie's Rumor, trained by Ron Moquett was the winner of the Singletary. Claimed for $40,000 at Churchill last month, this proved the perfect spot for his first start with his new connections. It was his first ever trip to Lone Star Park and it suited him well.

Artie's Rumor ($14.00) with David Cabrera up, settled back early, moved out four wide down the backstretch to be clear, made a move on the turn while still four wide and continued through the stretch to prove best by two and three quarters of a length at the wire. Hard Attack rallied well for second and Carlea's Dream hung late. But was able to save third. Fourth place finisher was Henley's Joy, then Don'task Don'ttell, favorite Me and Mr. C, Colloquist and Tapit Wise completed the running order. Popular Kid was a late scratch.

Final time for the distance was 1:48.05 behind fractions of 24.57, 48.31, 1:11.95 and 1:36.06.

Live racing resumes Monday with an eight race card. Gates open at 1 p.m. General Admission is free! First race post time is 2:35 p.m.

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The W.S. Farish homebred has now pushed his career earnings over $500,000, winning in state-bred company for the fifth time in a year.

Direct Dial is trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Stewart Elliot, who was aboard for all five of the Texas-bred victories.

Favorite, Mr. Money Bags set the pace and was in front from the quarter pole, but Direct Dial got the best of him late to win by a half-length. Kenai Bob was a weakening third.

Final time for the six and a half furlongs was 1:16.37.

First stakes on the card was the $50,000 Texas Horseracing Hall of Fame Stakes and it was Carolyn Barnett and Becky Harding's Sunlit Song ($2.60) was all business focusing on the task at hand. When asked once down the lane he responded perfectly to win by two lengths. Moojab Jr. finished second two and a half lengths ahead of Gotherightonebaby in third. Redatory stalked the early pace and made a bid on the far turn, but came up empty finishing last of the field of five. Beta Lake finished a neck in from of him.

Final time for the mile and a sixteenth on the grass was 1:42.35. David Cabrera was up for the win and said, “I just let him do his thing and he was relaxed sitting second and they so slow it set us up perfect. It's to ride a horse like this.”

This was his eighth win from twelve starts over this course. Winning trainer was Mindy Willis.

Staunch Avenger Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Colts & Geldings

Favorite, Tengo Mis Papeles, owned by Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch was outstanding in this five furlong contest. The My Golden Song colt broke quickly and clear. Briefly challenged, he put that foe away with ease and drew off to a perfect nine and three quarter length victory in his debut. Pickingupstrangers grabbed the place and Pinky Ring Bling challenged the winner on the turn and faded to third. Bodymoor Heath was last in this short field of four.

Final time for the five eights on the dirt was :58.97.

Winning rider Reylu Gutierrez said, “When I poked a head in front at the quarter pole, I knew it was over.”

Winning trainer was Bret Calhoun

Lane's End Danny Shiffett Scholarship Stakes

Eleven fillies & mares went forward in this and it was De Luca and Sons Stables, Boerne who proved best today. She was away first, then briefly letting Discreet Smile run on the lead, but when she made her bid on the far turn it was all over for the others. Boerne ($11.20) crossed the finish first by one and a quarter lengths. Zarelda was second with third going to Shes Our Fastest. In fourth it was favorite Miss Perfecta followed by Corluna, Ima Discreet Lady, Herbs Love, Discreet Smile, Gee She Sparkles, No Mas Tequila and Tahitian Breeze completed the order of finish. Light Up the Devil was a late scratch.

Winning trainer was Robertino Diodoro, winning jockey, Ramon Vazquez.

Final time was 1:28.83 for the seven and a half furlongs on the Lone Star Park turf course.

Pan Zareta Division of the Texas Stallion Stakes for Fillies

Winning the filly division for owner W. S. Farish was Eagle Express ($6.00), by Eagle. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she finished second in her debut here last month, but showed much improvement today running like a professional. Going forward today as post time favorite, she was five lengths the best in this five furlong contest on the main track.

With Stewart Elliott up, the pair completed the race in :58.82 seconds over a fast track. It's a Gee Thing was second and Texas Thunder was a weakening third beaten by 13 lengths in his debut, racing greenly.

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“For several years, Matt has overseen racing operations at Remington Park and over the past couple years he has served in an advisory role at Lone Star Park,” Skip Seeley, Global Gaming Solutions CEO. “His leadership and commitment to horse racing helped us navigate a very trying time during the pandemic at both tracks. He led the 2020 Quarter Horse Season through uncharted territory that enabled racing to continue throughout the pandemic. He then used that experience to guide health and safety protocols and operations in Grand Prairie when its season opened.”

Vance received the 2020 Gordon Crone Special Achievement Award from the American Quarter Horse Association for his work during the pandemic.

Vance served as vice president of racing operations at Remington Park since 2015. He worked at Louisiana Downs in 1986 then to Remington Park from 1988-1997. He moved to other tracks for six years and eventually returned to Remington Park in 2003 for the construction of the casino, and the transition to new ownership in Global Gaming Solutions in 2010.

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