(Grand Prairie, Texas - Wednesday, April 10, 2013) - Lone Star Park celebrates its 17th season of Spring Thoroughbred racing Thursday, April 11, with the $50,000 Premiere Stakes, the traditional first race of the season. A field of seven has entered to contest the six-and-one-half furlong race for accredited Texas-bred, three-year-olds and upward. Scheduled post time for the Premiere is 6:35 p.m. (CDT). Gates open early at 4:30 p.m. (CDT). Opening ceremonies will get underway at approximately 5:45 p.m. (CDT).

Victoria Ashford's Triumph and Song (My Golden Song – Coryphee by Hadif) looks like the one to beat. Trained by Bret Calhoun, the four-year-old gelding is coming into the race with two strong back-to-back wins at Fairgrounds earlier this year.

"He's been training really fine, and we're confident he'll run a great race," said Jay Severs, assistant trainer to Bret Calhoun.

Although still a stakes-maiden, Lone Star Park track handicapper Rick Lee, who assigned a morning line of 1-1, obviously likes Triumph and Song's chances in the race.

Solar Charge, owned by H & H Ranch and trained by Lone Star Park's 2012 leading trainer, Danny Pish, could be the upset. The six-year-old gelding by Authenticate ran fourth in this race last year and with a total bankroll of $310,692 from 12 wins out of 35 starts, definitely has the advantage of experience.

The field for the Premiere Stakes from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis consists of: Tamnation (Chris R. Rosier, 20-1); Tahoka (Ernesto Valdez-Jimenez, 20-1); Solar Charge (Roman Chapa, 2-1); Texas Air (Lindy Wade, 6-1); Halifax Flyer (Junior Chacaltana, 15-1); Triumph and Song (Jamie Theriot, 1-1) and Cougar Hollow (Gerardo Mora, 10-1).

Additional opening weekend activities and events

Friday, April 12, the first concert of the 2013 Lone Star Music Series will be Texas-bred MCA Nashville recording artist Randy Rogers Band performing after the last live race.

Saturday, April 13, is the 17th running of the $50,000 JEH Stallion Station Stakes followed by multi-platinum selling MCA Nashville recording artist Gary Allan who takes the stage after the last live race.

Sunday, April 14, is Family Fun Day at the races with pony rides, a petting zoo, bounce houses and more in the Family Fun Park. Sunday also marks the return of Jazz Brunch in the newly renovated Silks Dining Terraces.

Senior Citizens'/Military Discount Day returns for all seniors aged 62 or older with valid ID and all military personnel with a valid ID card will receive free General Admission continuing each Sunday through June 16.

Pepsi Can Day returns on Sundays and continues though June 16. Bring any Pepsi can and receive (1) free general admission and (1) free large Pepsi.

Lone Star's 11-race stakes schedule worth $1.1 million continues with a complete renovation of the track surface. Reconditioning of the main track included the removal of all cushion material to inspect the limestone base fully, reapplication of the cushion, allowing sub-cushion material to blend with saved cushion material plus the addition of washed sand, clay and an organics mixture to ensure track safety and consistency. Premier events include the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile for three-year-olds and up on Saturday, April 26. And the Grade 3, $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap for three-year-olds and up on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day).

Other featured race dates will be simulcasts of the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby from Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Course Saturday, May 18 and the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Park Saturday, June 8.

Lone Stars and Stripes will be celebrated this year with two nights of fireworks plus a vehicle giveaway on Wednesday, July 3 and a trip giveaway Thursday, July 4. First race post time both days is 5:00 p.m. CT with fireworks shows after the last live race.

Other notable promotional days include the return of Dollar Day, Saturday, April 20 and "WinStar Win A Million Day," Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. For more information, please check out www.lonestarpark.com.

What is New this season

Returning race fans are sure to be delighted with the completed installation of a new infield video screen. Nearly twice as wide as the previous JumboTron, the huge new 17'x60' Daktronics LED screen displays beautifully vivid color and crisp HD digital graphics.

The main 1,200 seat Silks Dining Terraces have undergone a dramatic renovation including a total of 1,500 new chairs and 300 new television screens, plus a new paint palette throughout. Additionally, we are introducing a new menu featuring many of the traditional favorites with an influx of exciting new flavors and a wide variety of offerings.