(Austin, Texas - July 9, 2010) - Recently, the Texas Racing Commission voted to open the application period for racetracks to request race dates for calendar year 2011 and January 1 – August 31, 2012. Racetracks must submit their requests to the Commission by August 18, 2010. The Commission expects to consider the racetracks’ requested race dates at its meeting scheduled for September 14, 2010.

Chair Rolando Pablos noting the need for an in-depth discussion of the proposed schedules, formed both a horse and a greyhound race date committee. These committees will host meetings to provide a forum for interested stakeholders and the public to discuss the potential number and locations of race dates and the purse levels for those dates. Anyone may attend and participate in these discussions.

Chair Pablos said, “As a Commission, we have taken steps to formalize these working groups. I encourage stakeholders to attend and participate. I am confident that these meetings will promote the kind of healthy dialogue that will result in viable race date calendars.”

The Horse Race Dates Committee will meet at Lone Star Park on Friday, July 16, 2010, and at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, August 13, 2010. The Greyhound Race Dates Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 27, 2010, at Gulf Greyhound Park. If warranted, additional meetings may be scheduled.

The Committees will welcome input on whether each racetrack’s proposed race meeting will serve to nurture, promote, develop or improve the horse industry in Texas. Among the factors the Commission may consider are: the current condition of the association's racetrack and facilities for patrons, race animals and occupational licensees; the anticipated effect of the proposed race meeting on the continuity of racing during the year; the live race dates requested by other
associations licensed to conduct races for the same species of animal; the anticipated effect of the race meeting on the horse breeding industry in Texas; the anticipated effect of scheduled race meetings in neighboring race states on the proposed race meeting; and the anticipated availability of race animals for the race meetings.

The agendas for these committee meetings will be available at www.txrc.state.tx.us. For more information regarding race date allocation, please email info@txrc.state.tx.us, or contact Bill Childs at (512)-833-6699.