(Grand Prairie, Texas - Tuesday, July 9, 2013) - Lone Star Park concluded its 17th Spring Thoroughbred Season on Saturday, July 6 with slight increases in average daily attendance, average live product handle and average all-sources handle.

Average daily attendance during the 2013 Spring Thoroughbred Season, which was conducted over 50 dates between April 11 and July 6, increased two percent (2%). A total of 372,584 customers attended for a daily average of 7,452, compared to the 7,325 daily average in 2012.

Average daily on-track live handle declined three percent (3%) on Lone Star Park races. Overall, $13.6 million was wagered during the 50-day meet. The 2012 season ran 53-days and totaled $14.9 million in live on-track wagering handle.

Average daily simulcast-out handle showed a positive gain from $669,811 in 2012 to $685,396 in 2013, a 2.3% increase. The total live product average increased one percent (1%) from 2012.

While off to a slow start, due in part to the inclement Texas weather which kept races off the turf course for the first 17 days of the meet (only 88 total turf races were held vs. 155 in 2012 a 43% decline), positive trends were visible throughout the final week of the season. Compared to 2012, a total of 86,203 fans attended Lone Star's final seven days of live racing, an increase of 4.3% over the 82,675 for the equivalent nine day period last year.

"We're very happy about how strongly we finished the season after the weather played against us at the beginning," said President and General Manager, Drew Shubeck. "The last few weeks of the meet were encouraging."

"Our improvements in the Silks Dining Terraces were well received and our renovated racing surface was safe and consistent throughout the season," added Shubeck.

The Lone Stars and Stripes Fireworks Celebration showed a huge increase this year on July 4 due to an enhanced media plan, including new social media efforts, and a revised parking and transportation plan that contributed to a 25% increase in attendance (20,061 in 2012 to 25,083 this year). Overall, the two day fireworks total of 38,028 represented a 14% increase over the 33,363 who attended a Pat Green concert and one day of fireworks in 2012.

"We beefed-up our media for our fireworks shows including focusing our creative message on the two-days of fireworks this year. We also changed our parking plan to park more cars closer to our grandstand including two overflow grass lots. The results were very clear: more people parked closer earlier, utilized our shuttle busses and entered our facility versus staying in our parking lot. Huge kudos to our Parking Department and the Grand Prairie Police and Traffic Department for their cooperation!" said G.W. Hail, V.P., and Assistant General Manager.

The nine-concert Lone Star Music Series, presented by Bud Light, along with our live racing, finished strong on closing weekend with Pat Green and Billy Currington attracting over 24,000 people for shows on Friday and Saturday.

Overall, a total of 115,731 people attended nine-post-race concerts this year representing 30% of total attendance. Average attendance for the concert series was 12,859, a 72% increase over the 7,452 daily average attendance in 2012.

Highlights were Josh Abbott on June 7 (18,257), Randy Rogers Band on April 12 (15,835), Gary Allan on April 13 (14,831), and Billy Currington on July 6 (13,230).

Total business levels for the 50-day season are as follows:

On the track, a total of 3,820 starters competed in 461 races compared to 4,086 runners in 488 races during the 53-day meet in 2012. Average field size was 8.29 compared to 8.37 from last year, a decrease of 0.09%. Average daily purses were $143,451 compared to $141,479, an increase of one percent (1%).

Newcomers dominated in all categories in this year's standings. Each earning their first Lone Star Park season titles were: Jockey Lindey Wade with 54 wins from 183 starts. His mounts earned $715,668. Trainer Allen Milligan had 46 wins from 205 starts with $504,412 in total earnings for his stable. Owner Danny Keene captured 22 wins from 84 starters. His runners earned $230,075.

Alfredo Sanchez Sigala earned top apprentice jockey honors with 24 wins from 249 starts and earnings of $366,932.

Horse of the Meet was bestowed on Master Rick. He became the second horse in Lone Star Park history to sweep the $200,000 Grade III, Texas Mile and the $300,000 Grade III, Lone Star Park Handicap in only two appearances at the track. Dixie Dot Com swept both races in 2001 in only two appearances.

Here is a complete list of end of meet champions and award recipients:

Horse of the Meeting: Master Rick (2-2-0-0; $317,750) won Texas Mile, Grade III and Lone Star Park Handicap, Grade III

Champion Texas-Bred: Lasting Bubbles (4-2-2-0; $74,400) won JEH Stallion Station Stakes and Valor Farm Stakes

Champion Claiming Horse: Black Ida's Jo Jo (5-4-1-0; $31,440)

Champion Jockey: Lindey Wade (283-54-52-48; $715,668) 1st Lone Star Park riding title

Champion Apprentice Jockey: Alfredo Sanchez Sigala (348-24-21-30; $366,932) 1st career title

Champion Trainer: Allen Milligan (205-46-39-31; $504,412) 1st Lone Star Park training title

Champion Owner: Danny Keene (60-17-9-3; $139,164) 1st Lone Star Park owners title

Lone Star Park's 26-day Fall Meeting of Champions for American Quarter Horses begins on September 13.