With the addition of the new $300,000 guaranteed Texas Derby, which also offers an additional incentive of up to $100,000 for Texas-bred entrants, plus an increase to all minor stakes races, Lone Star Park’s 2020 Thoroughbred Racing Season Stakes Schedule will offer 12 stakes worth a combined total of $1,425,000, up over $300,000 from a year ago and the richest since 2011. The season opens Thursday, April 16 and concludes Sunday, July 19.
The $300,000 Texas Derby, along with the $100,000 Lone Star Park Turf Stakes, will go on Memorial Day, Monday May 25.
The minor stakes previously offered purses of $50,000 have all increased to a $75,000 offering in 2020, including the Opening Night featured Bluebonnet Stakes as well as the Wayne Hanks Memorial, the Lanes End Danny Shifflett Scholarship Stakes, the Valor Farm Stakes and the Highlander Training Center Assault Stakes.
“We are super excited about running the first Texas Derby this year,” said Lone Star Park’s Director of Racing, Bart Lang. “Featured with the $100,000 Lone Star Park Turf Stakes, Memorial Day racing returns to one of our best days on the schedule.”
Also offering more this year are the divisional Texas Stallion Stakes for 2-yr-olds, The Pan Zareta division and the Staunch Avenger division have increased from $65,000 to $75,000 each.
Remaining at $300,000 is the Grade 3, Steve Sexton Mile, slated for Sunday, April 26.
Both the filly and the colt & gelding divisions of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity will again offer estimated purses of $100,000 apiece, plus $50,000 in added money to each.
(from Lone Star Park news release)