(Grand Prairie, Texas - September 13, 2011) - Denis & Julie Schoenhofer’s First Klas Fred, trained by Heath Taylor, headlines the 14th running of the $25,000 Classic Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Handicap (RG3) to be run at 350 yards, for accredited Texas-bred three-year-olds and upward, on opening night of the Fall Meeting of Champions at Lone Star Park on Friday.

Winner of four of 17 starts for $517,152 in earnings, First Klas Fred will be ridden by regular rider G.R. Carter. A bay son of Fredricksburg, who Taylor trained to victory in this event in 2005, First Klas Fred won the Grade 1 $500,000 Ruidoso Futurity in 2009.

“He really needed his last race after taking over nine months off,” said Taylor. “He’s been at Lone Star for a month now and he’s settled in really well. We feel he’s set to run his race.”

Perhaps the biggest threat to First Klas Fred in the Classic Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Handicap is Rc Grimm, trained by Edelmiro Carrizales. A winner of nine of 33 starts for $48,529 in earnings, the sorrel son of Gol was last seen overcoming a poor start to record an easy victory in a starter allowance at Retama Park.

The field from the rail out, with jockey and morning line odds listed in parenthesis, consists of: Rc Grimm (Jose Alvarez, 5-2); Executive Dynasty (Luis Vivanco, 4-1); Double Dealin N Cash (Jerry Yoakum, 10-1); Four Six Chicks (Agustin Silva, 9-2); Bar Winning Jet (Eddie Martinez, 12-1) and First Klas Fred (G.R. Carter, 9-5).

Scheduled as race eight on the nine-race program, the Classic Chevrolet Heartbeat of America Handicap has an approximate post time of 9:23 p.m. CDT.

This Weeks Events And Promotions At Lone Star Park

Friday, September 16 – “Party at the Park” in the Courtyard of Champions from 7 – 10 p.m. Featuring Elvis impersonator Kraig Parker. Plus, $1 beer specials.

Saturday, September 17 – Back by popular demand is our annual Dollar Night promotion. Fans are invited to enjoy $1 admission, programs, hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and draft beer. Dollar Night begins when gates open for live racing at 5:30 p.m.

General Information

General parking at Lone Star Park is free; General admission $3.

Coolers are permitted at Lone Star Park in outdoor areas. No alcohol or glass containers.

Most apron seating, closest to the racing action, is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, call (972) 263-RACE (7223) or visit LoneStarPark.com.

Additional Notes

Jim Byers, former track announcer at Hollywood Park (’84-’87) and Remington Park (’88-’99), will be at Lone Star Park Saturday, September 17 to call a night of Quarter Horse racing. Byers, who called play-by-play for the Oklahoma City RedHawks of the Triple-A, Pacific Coast League from ’99-’02 and ’04-’10, is currently the play-by-play announcer for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

Lone Star Park’s 2011 Fall Meeting of Champions will be held from Sept. 16 to Nov. 12. After opening weekend Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16-17, racing will be conducted every Thursday through Saturday night. First race post time for all dates is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. For more information on Lone Star Park visit LoneStarPark.com.