(Austin, Texas - June 29, 2010) - There is a great deal of speculation, rumor, and misinformation circulating regarding the current status of race dates at Texas racetracks for 2011. The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership (THP) would like to clarify the facts as they currently stand.

According to THP Executive Director Marsha Rountree, “Nothing has yet been decided regarding 2011 race dates in Texas. For some time, the THP has been in constant contact with the management of the Texas racetracks, as well as its member horsemen, concerning a number of proposals that have been suggested regarding 2011 race dates in Texas.”

Rountree continued, “The THP will be holding meetings on Thursday, July 1 at Lone Star Park and Friday, July 2 at Sam Houston Race Park for its licensed member horsemen to hear proposals directly from the racetracks, ask questions, and make comments or suggestions. Subsequently, the THP will continue to meet with all involved parties and examine every possible option for 2011 race dates in Texas. Based on those meetings and continued input from its member horsemen, the THP Management Committee will meet and endorse a recommended 2011 race date calendar for Texas that it believes will best serve the needs of its member horsemen during a very difficult time for horse racing in Texas.”

In addition, the Texas Racing Commission will be holding meetings of its Race Dates Working Group, which includes representatives from all the major Texas racing industry stakeholders, to discuss Texas race date options for 2011. The Texas Racing Commission stated in a recent press release that it expects to consider the racetracks’ requested race dates at its scheduled September 14, 2010 meeting

The THP will continue to work diligently with all Texas racing industry stakeholders in hopes of coming to an agreement that will be satisfactory to its member horsemen, the racetracks, and the breed organizations prior to the Texas Racing Commission’s September 14, 2010 meeting.

The Texas Horsemen’s Partnership (THP) is the officially recognized representative of licensed owners and trainers of racehorses of all racing breeds by the State of Texas. The organization is a partnership between the Texas Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (THBPA), which represents owners and trainers of Quarter Horses, Paints, and Appaloosas, and the Texas Thoroughbred HBPA, Inc. (TTHBPA), which represents owners and trainers of Thoroughbreds and Arabians. The THP is controlled by a management committee which consists of an equal number of representatives from the THBPA and TTHBPA.