Horse racing on verge of returning to Lone Star Park, but will fans be allowed?
Depending on your level of interest, or simple desire to leave your house, Texas should have the first sporting event in America that features fans in the stands.
While MLB, the NBA and NHL have countless obstacles to navigate before returning, and the NFL is still months away, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie fits all of the necessary criteria to return to live sports — with butts in the seats.
However, it sounds like the track will lean on the side of caution initially.
Track officials are working on a potential return, but are not ready to officially comment as to an exact date, or specifics. The Chickasaw Nation, which owns Lone Star Park, is expected to formally make an announcement on Wednesday or Thursday.
It’s expected it will announce the return of live racing, and while it has the permission of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to allow fans on a limited basis, sources said no patrons will be part of the first stage of the comeback.
At least initially, only people that are essential to the horses will be allowed inside.
Per Abbott’s orders, Lone Star Park could open as early as Friday. Both Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have advocated for the return of professional sports and fans in the stands.
The Lone Star Park’s off track betting parlor, where fans can bet on live racing at other venues all over the world, would be permitted to reopen under Abbott’s plan. That venue is expected to open before live racing with fans begins.
Lone Star Park will follow the model of the other tracks in the country that have returned to live racing, most notably Churchill Downs in Kentucky as well as Santa Anita Park in California, that have not included fans.
Lone Star Park was the last place sports venue to close in DFW when it shut down its off track betting parlor on March 16.
The last horse race in Texas to run was at Sam Houston Race Park on March 22. The thoroughbred season at Lone Star Park was originally scheduled to begin on April 16.
Horses are currently housed at the stables behind Lone Star Park’s track, and training sessions are taking place. There is the matter of paperwork and certification for the horses, and the logistics of returning all of the temporary employees required to make it all work.
Following the lead of some horse tracks overseas in South America, Australia and Great Britain, the sport is beginning a slow return in the states.
Because of COVID-19, horse racing’s three major events were all postponed. On Tuesday, the Belmont announced the Belmont Stakes will be held on June 20, without fans.
This will be the first time in history The Belmont will be the first leg of The Triple Crown. The other alteration is The Belmont will this year be 1 1/8 of a mile; it has been 1 1/2 miles since 1926.
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled to run in September, and the Preakness in October.
Horse racing is coming back to Texas, and while we have been permitted to allow fans, expect that part of the return to take a cautious pace.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 6:10 PM.
