Lone Star Park Vice President and Assistant General Manager G.W. Hail announced on April 4 that Dan Leary has been named director of communications for the Grand Prairie racetrack. Leary has had nearly three decades of sports public relations experience, including 14 years in the Thoroughbred racing industry at six different racetracks.

"We are extremely pleased to add someone with Dan's extensive background in media, community and legislative relations to our team," said Hail in making the announcement. "His diverse experience in racing, as well as several other sports in major markets, will make him a great asset to Lone Star Park."

For the past eight years, Leary served as director of communications for Arlington Park racetrack, where he supervised major media relations campaigns for the reopening of the track in 2000, the Breeders' Cup in 2002, the development of a bugler contest that led to the hiring of the nation's only female bugler Bonny Brown, major backstretch housing improvements, and the introduction of the track's new synthetic surface last year. In addition, Leary crafted and conducted Arlington's Thoroughbred Racing Information Program for state legislators and public officials that assisted in the passage of favorable legislation for the racing industry in Illinois.

Leary spent the first seven years of his career at the National Hockey League office in New York, where he was responsible for all aspects of media relations and press functions at the Stanley Cup Finals, All-Star Games, Entry Drafts and Hall of Fame inductions. Following stints at the Major Indoor Soccer League, the New York Knights Arena Football team and the Connecticut sports marketing agency Capital Sports, Leary obtained his first racing position in 1991 with the New York Racing Association. At NYRA, he served as assistant director of public relations, broadcast media liaison and media guide editor. In addition, he spent one race meet at Gulfstream Park and Hialeah Park in Florida during 1997.

A graduate of Boston College, Leary is on the board of trustees for School District 214 Community Education in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and a member of the Turf Publicists of America.

Live racing at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie will be staged every Thursday through Sunday, April 10-July 27. The first live race will begin at 6:35 p.m. on weeknights and 1:35 p.m. on weekends and Monday, May 26. There are two special 5 p.m. twilight programs on July 3-4 including post-race fireworks.