Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie concluded opening week for its 10th Spring Thoroughbred Season with a 17.9% gain in attendance and 5.8% jump in betting compared to 2005 business levels.

"Our goal was to start the season fast and build momentum," said Vice-President and General Manager Drew Shubeck. "The weather was great, the team did a great job implementing our plan and we achieved our goal. There really appears to be a positive buzz about this season and most everyone seemed to have a good time over the weekend. With the Texas Mile, Kentucky Derby and Walmac Lone Star Derby all scheduled over the next four weeks, we're going to do everything we can to maintain this positive momentum."

All told, 46,164 customers attended Lone Star Park Thursday through Sunday compared to 39,154 in 2005. Betting, both on and off-track, totaled more than $10.8 million versus $10.2 million a year ago.

Following a crowd of 8,715 on opening night, Lone Star Park staged post-race concerts on Friday and Saturday. A crowd of 11,612 attended Friday, which featured country artist Chris Cagle. Saturday's concert with two-time Grammy-winner Lee Ann Womack and Jason Boland & The Stragglers helped draw another 13,273. On Sunday, a 30,000-egg Easter Egg Hunt for children 10 and under lured numerous families and attendance totaled 12,564.

Live racing at Lone Star Park will continue Wednesday night with a nine-race program that starts at 6:35 p.m. Featured attractions next week include an American Diabetes Association fundraiser in the Silks Dining Terraces on Thursday; "Party at the Park" with $1.75 Bud Lights and live music by Tropix in the Courtyard of Champions from 7-11 p.m. on Friday; "Budweiser True Music Saturday" featuring music by Mars Hill in the Courtyard from 12-4 p.m. plus the 100.3 JACK FM Jackass Derby between live races on Saturday; and "Senior Citizen's Day" with free general admission for those 62 and up on Sunday.

Next week's featured live race will be the $40,000 Littlebitlively Stakes, a five-furlong turf sprint for non-winners of a stakes race this year, on Saturday. A simulcast of the final major Kentucky Derby prep, the Grade II Lexington Stakes from Keeneland, will also take place on Saturday.