Noted: July 18
– Lone Star Park closed on Sunday. Attendance was down more than 19%, handle by more than 13% for the meet. “It’s clear that it’s becoming tougher and tougher to compete with our neighboring states that can provide a variety of entertainment options and have purses supplemented from other sources,” said general manager Jeff Greco (Star-Telegram). The numbers at Hollywood Park were also lower, although by much less than at Lone Star, when that track closed on Sunday. Handle was down there by 1% and attendance by nearly 7% (Thoroughbred Times).
– River Downs’ leading jockey, Rodney Prescott, was evicted from the track on Saturday. Prescott believes the action was taken because he’s spoken out about the track condition. “I think they’re singling me out because I stand up and voice my opinion and don’t ride over unsafe conditions,” he said (Blood-Horse).
