(Grand Prairie, Texas - Saturday, April 4, 2015) - The Thoroughbreds are back and ready to run as live racing returns to Lone Star Park Thursday, April 9. The Grand Prairie track is celebrating its 19th season of Spring Thoroughbred racing with plenty of entertainment, exciting new promotions, and the highly successful Lone Star Music Series to delight every fan.

The 50-date meet will run 15 weeks through Sunday, July 19, with live Thoroughbred racing held three days a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:35 p.m., and Sundays at 1:35 p.m. The exceptions are the three Triple Crown dates of May 2 (Kentucky Derby) May 16 (Preakness Stakes) and June 6 (Belmont Stakes), with a special 1:35 p.m. first race post time. Memorial Day, Monday May 25, will also start at 1:35 p.m.

Additionally, Lone Star Park will have live racing on select Thursdays at 6:35 p.m.
(April 9 and 23; June 18; July 16). A special twilight program will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Opening Day, Thursday, April 9, begins with Lone Star Park's traditional opening ceremonies, followed by the 19th running of the $50,000 Premiere Stakes, the traditional first race of the season.

Friday, April 10, the 2015 Lone Star Music Series kicks off, with Universal South recording artists and ACM and CMT Award nominees, Eli Young Band, performing after the last live race.

Saturday, April 11, will be the 19th running of the $50,000 Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes, followed by Grammy-nominated Nashville star Chris Young, who takes the stage after the last live race.

Sunday, April 14, will feature afternoon racing with a new and improved Sunday Brunch in the Silks Dining Terraces, including a new bloody mary and mimosa bar.

Senior Citizens/Military Discount Day on Sundays returns for all seniors aged 62 or older with valid ID and all military personnel with a valid ID card, who will receive free General Admission continuing each Sunday through July 19.

Pepsi Can Day returns on Sundays and continues though July 19. Bring any Pepsi can and receive (1) free general admission and (1) free large Pepsi.

The track is introducing "Lone Star Bark" bring your dog to the races on Sunday, May 17. It will have contests and vendors on site, plus a chance to enter your dog to race on the main track.

Lone Star Park's $1 million, 11-race stakes schedule features the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile for three-year-olds and up on Friday, April 26 and the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star Park Handicap for three-year-olds and up on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day).

Other key race dates will be simulcasts of the Triple Crown races:

• Kentucky Derby, simulcast from Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2, and the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest, with grand prizes awarded for the "Most Creative" and "Most Stylish" of $500 each.
• Preakness Stakes, simulcast from Pimlico Race Course on Saturday,
  May 16.
• Belmont Stakes, simulcast from Belmont Park on Saturday, June 6.

Lone Stars and Stripes will be celebrated with live music in our Courtyard of Champions, a night of awesome fireworks and a vehicle giveaway on Friday, July 4. The family fun park will be open with pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses, a rock climbing wall and other fun activities for kids.

Other notable promotional days include the return of Dollar Night, twice. The track is offering Dollar Night on Saturday, April 25 and again on Saturday, June 27. Both dates will offer $1 admission, programs, soft drinks, hot dogs, popcorn and $2 beer.

Family Fun Day on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 will include an extended Family Fun Park with many fun activities for the kids. There will be live music in the Courtyard of Champions, plus $2 beer, $1 hot dogs and $1 popcorn.