Texas Racing Commission Approves Race Dates

Texas Racing Commission Approves Race Dates:
AUSTIN, (TRC) – The Texas Racing Commission on Tuesday approved a total of 109 live Thoroughbred dates for 2013 among the state’s three major Thoroughbred tracks, roughly on par with the number of 2012 dates.
Sam Houston Race Park will start off the year with a 33-day Thoroughbred meet running four days a week, from January 18 to March 17. Lone Star Park will begin its 50-day Thoroughbred meet on April 11 and run through July 6, also running four days a week, with some exceptions. Retama Park’s 26-day Thoroughbred meet is scheduled to commence October 4, running on Fridays and Saturdays until the end of the year.
The Commission approved breed splits of simulcast purse funds for 2013 as follows:
* LSP – Arabian 1%; Paint 0.25%; Quarter 18.2875%; Thoroughbred 80.4625%; this equates to a 1.5% increase in QH purse revenue and a 1.5% decrease in TB purse revenue.
* SHRP – Arabian 1.4%; Paint 0.60%; Quarter 21.56%; Thoroughbred 76.44%; these are the same percentages that are currently in place for 2012.
* RET – Arabian 1.5%; Paint 0.50%; Quarter 23.52%; Thoroughbred 74.48%; this equates to a 2% increase in QH purse revenue and a 2% decrease in TB purse revenue.
* SBP – Arabian 1.5%; Paint 0.50%; Quarter 49%; Thoroughbred 49%
The allocation of 2013 escrowed purse funds remains the same, at 72.075% for Quarter Horses and 20.925% for Thoroughbreds.
Also at the meeting, the commission approved Nevada-based Pinnacle Entertainment’s request to purchase 75.5% of the racing assets of Retama Park. The transition is expected to be completed by February 1st.