Breeders’ Cup Limited and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) released the event logo for the 21st Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships during a news conference Tuesday, September 30, at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas – site of the 2004 Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

In addition, Lone Star Park officials unveiled plans for a grandstand addition, which is part of a $7.8 million improvement plan to host horse racing’s championship event.

The official event logo, created by New York-based Phoenix Design Works, is adorned in red, white and blue, and features the traditional Breeders’ Cup mark placed in the center of a five-pointed star symbolic of the State of Texas. The rectangular form is bordered on top with the words “World Thoroughbred Championships” and at the bottom with the words “Lone Star Park 2004.” Four additional stars appear near the boundaries of the logo.

“The 2004 event logo combines the signature elements of the great State of Texas and Lone Star Park with the World Thoroughbred Championships,” said Damon Thayer, vice president of Breeders’ Cup and Event Marketing. “We look forward to displaying the logo widely throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and to our international outlets.”

Texas Racing Commissioner Mike Rutherford, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder who was on the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors that awarded Lone Star Park the 2004 Breeders’ Cup, joined Lone Star Park President Corey Johnsen for the logo unveiling.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup – consisting of eight championship races with purses and awards totaling $14 million – will be run Saturday, October 25 at the Oak Tree Racing Association meeting at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif. The 2004 Breeders’ Cup is still 396 days away.

Lone Star Park, which will starts its 33-night Fall Meeting of Champions for American Quarter Horses on Friday night, will undergo some major changes between now and next year’s Breeders’ Cup in order to host the event.

In December, construction will begin on an 8,000 square foot hall to be situated above the East Trackside Patio on the east end of the grandstand.

“The $1.3 million addition will not only give us 350 to 400 extra VIP seats for the Breeders’ Cup, but it will allow us to host large groups and other patrons throughout the year,” Johnsen said. “In addition, we have plans to add some permanent outdoor seating along the apron.”

Johnsen said that construction on the hall, along with expansion of the winner’s circle and saddling paddock, would be completed prior to the opening of the 2004 Spring Thoroughbred Season on April 15. Approximately 38,000 temporary seats will be in place prior to the start of the inaugural Breeders’ Cup meeting, slated for October 1 through October 31, 2004.