Retama Park opens its 24-night American Quarter Horse meet with an 11-race program on Friday, April 29. Post time for the first race will be 6:45 p.m. (CDT).

Located near San Antonio, Retama will present live racing Friday-Sunday through June 19. With a few exceptions, post time will be 6:45 on Fridays and Saturdays and 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

A total of 13 Quarter Horse stakes are scheduled, headed by the $400,000 Retama Park Futurity (G1) on closing night and the $200,000 Retama Park Derby (G1) on June 18. Friday’s card will consist entirely of trials for the $25,000-est. Ford Texas Challenge (G2) for 2-year-olds. The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the final on May 14, with the winner earning a berth to the November 5, $150,000 Ford Challenge Championship (G1) at Los Alamitos.

“We’re excited about the number of top trainers who’ve committed to stall horses in our barn area,” said James Leatherman, Retama’s first-year racing secretary.

Retama Park will bring back its 50-cent Fridays promotion, which offers free admission and 50-cent hot dogs, sodas and programs, a $1 draft beers. Activities for children include face painting and pony rides. Fifty-cent Fridays will be held May 13 and 27 and June 3 and 17.

“Fifty Cent Fridays are a tremendous amount of fun for everyone,” said general manager Bob Pollock. “We’re proud of what we do for families, and the excitement level on these fifty cent nights is a sight to see.”

For more information on Retama’s Quarter Horse meet, visit the track’s website at www.retamapark.com.