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John Elliott, the CEO of Global Gaming, said by telephone from New York that Lone Star Park was suddenly in a much better place than it had been for years. And horsemen, based on conversations with several of them, agree.
What occasioned Elliott’s remark was Wednesday’s auction, completed moments earlier, where Global Gaming, which is owned by the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, made the successful bid to purchase Lone Star. And so after procedural and regulatory necessities, Global Gaming will become the racetrack’s new owner, probably with some prominent Texas partners. Better place? With Lone Star’s handle and attendance and purses dropping steadily, many Texas horsemen have taken the position that any better place had to be across the border. Any border; pick one. But with the Chickasaws’ move to purchase Lone Star, there seems to be a genuine renewal of hope for Texas racing.Change won’t be immediate. But patience comes easier when it’s accompanied by hope, and that’s what horsemen seem to have now. "I’ve talked with a lot of people who have had dealings with the Chickasaws, and I’m very excited about the possibilities," said Bret Calhoun, a Grand Prairie native who’s the fifth-leading trainer in the country at the moment and one of the all-time leaders at Lone Star. "They can provide an infusion of capital and some support in Austin."I think it’s a very good situation. It’s not going to turn around right away, but at least things can start heading in the right direction."As a former president of an Oklahoma horsemen’s association who has worked with the Chickasaw Nation on legislative issues, trainer Joe Lucas probably knows more about Lone Star’s new designated owner than most Texans. And he, too, expressed considerable optimism."I think this is a plus for racing in the region," Lucas said about the sale of Lone Star to the Chickasaws. "They haven’t touched too many properties that haven’t prospered. ... They’re not going anywhere; they’re here for the long haul."Elliott consistently has referred to long-term opportunities and long-range goals. For the moment, though, for most horsemen, it’s just refreshing to be in a better place.Oklahoma Derby Sunday’s $400,000 Oklahoma Derby has attracted what could be one of the most contentious and talented fields since Clever Trevor won the inaugural event in 1989. Among those expected for the 21st and richest Oklahoma Derby are Duke of Mischief, winner of the Iowa Derby; Kelly Leak, who defeated Mine That Bird while winning the Sunland Derby; Fiddlers Afleet, who won the Albany Stakes at Saratoga; Massone, who ran third in the recent Super Derby; and Red Lead, who ran second in the Lone Star Derby.Also Sunday in Oklahoma, Peach Brew, winner of the Arlington Park Oaks, and Payton d’Oro, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan, are expected to meet in the Remington Park Oaks.Stars race this weekendIn a weekend that’s bursting with significant stakes, don’t overlook tonight’s trials at Lone Star for the Dash For Cash Derby. Stolis Winner is in tonight’s sixth race. Should he win the Dash For Cash and Texas Classic derbies, he could become the richest quarter horse in history.Sing Baby Sing, My Pal Charlie, Capt. Candyman Can and Fatal Bullet meet today at Keeneland in the Phoenix Handicap in what could be a significant prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Mr. Nightlinger, who’s owned in partnership by Bill Martin of Dallas and Carl Moore of Fort Worth, is the 2-1 favorite for Saturday’s Woodford Stakes at Keeneland.In Saturday’s Lady’s Secret Stakes at Santa Anita, the great Zenyatta goes for her 13th consecutive victory, taking on Cocoa Beach and Life Is Sweet. Also Saturday at Santa Anita, Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird prepares for the Breeders’ Cup Classic with a start in the Goodwood Stakes.Gary West, 817-390-7760
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