Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie was granted 96 live racing dates for 2009 at Tuesday's Texas Racing Commission meeting in Austin, Texas, including a 65-date Spring Thoroughbred Season that will cover 16 weeks from April 9- July 26, 2009.

Lone Star Park also will stage a 31-day Fall Meeting of Champions for American Quarter Horses over 10 weeks from September 25 - November 28, 2009.

"We're pleased that the Texas Racing Commission has granted us the same Thoroughbred dates for next year," said Lone Star Park President and General Manager Drew Shubeck. "By opening our meet in early April, it fits nicely into the racing calendar since we start at the end of Oaklawn's meet and before Louisiana Downs opens. It allows us to get off to a strong start and creates the momentum that we can carry through to ensure another successful season.

"In the Fall, with Sam Houston running Quarter Horses through the beginning of September, our dates help to keep continuity in the Quarter Horse racing calendar," added Shubeck.

The Spring Thoroughbred meet opens on Thursday, April 9 with 65 days of live racing every Thursday through Sunday until July 26. There will also be racing on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

In the Fall, the Quarter Horse meet kicks off the first week on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26. Live racing continues every Thursday through Saturday during October, and Wednesday through Saturday in November, except on the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 25 and Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26 when there will be no racing.

Lone Star Park, located in Grand Prairie, Texas, concluded its 65-day Spring Thoroughbred Season on Sunday, July 27, 2008. Lone Star Park's 31-day, 2008 Quarter Horse Fall Meeting of Champions will be held from September 26 to November 29.