Fun Shines at Lone Star Park

FUN SHINES AT LONE STAR

On Belmont Stakes weekend at Lone Star Park, I provided the paddock commentary for a vacationing Dave Appleton. I have been to Lone Star Park in a variety of capacities – all of them work-related.  Back in the ‘90s, while I was still calling races at Louisiana Downs, I was also an executive casino host at the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and I hosted a group at the races.  In 2006 I covered the Bank of America Challenge Finals at LS for TVG.  And last year I did a book signing at Lone Star with Jack Van Berg for his biography, “JACK, From Grit To Glory.”  My visits to Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie for racing, national simulcast wagering or horse sales, have surely not been plentiful, but I think I have figured out the lay of the land.  It’s a nice place.  In fact, it’s a very nice place! 

For Lone Star park to be successful, the huge population of the DFW metro area calls for:  1.) a nice facility; and  2.) good attendance – and they both.  The racetrack (and Bar & Book) is run like it is a feature attraction; it is clean, contemporary and a fun place to see and be seen.  I was also very impressed with what appears to be a very large demographic of young and novice guests.  Across the nation we hear and read about racetracks not being able to lure new fans to the track.  That’s not the case at Lone Star – they are there.  However, just because they have arrived, that does not mean they are officially new fans.  It only means, their presence = potential.  As with any business, potentially new fans won’t likely return if they have a poor experience.  Fortunately, the mantra of the “Winning Experience” that Scott Wells, President & General Manager of both Lone Star Park and Remington Park, perpetually perpetuates is alive and well at both properties.  You can really feel it.  Across the board, the employees I encountered all greeted me with a smile and they seemed happy to be providing a service. 

The 600-pound gorilla in the room is that Texas is entirely bordered by states with not only horse racing, but full-on casino gaming.  There is a daily flow of millions of dollars in revenue that streams out into the coffers of those bordering states.  It is boggling to me (and I am not alone) why that cannot change.  If gaming laws change in Texas, it is widely believed that racing at Lone Star Park will gleam as bright as racing in New York, Kentucky and California. 

But until it does, Lone Star Park continues to be a steadfast and stylish host to horse racing, concerts, large group events and in whatever way fun may manifest itself at the racetrack.

Chris Kotulak 6.10.2015

Broadcast, Marketing & Communications Assistant

Photos by.  Dustin Orona Photography