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VALLEY RACE PARK ANNOUNCE PLANS TO HOST A “FESTIVAL OF RACING” EVENT & CONTINUE SIMULCAST OPERATION

Texas Greyhound Association & The Park To Create Marquee Event Encompassing Live Racing, Entertainment & More For Summer 2011

HARLINGEN, TEXAS (September 16, 2009)—The Texas Greyhound Association (TGA) and Valley Race Park have partnered to create a 5-day “Festival of Racing” event featuring live racing, entertainment and more to take place at the Harlingen-based race track in the summer of 2011. 
           
The TGA agreement, which includes participation from Houston-based Gulf Greyhound Park and Gulf Coast Racing in Corpus Christi, Texas, proposes that Valley Race Park eliminate the 15-day meet scheduled to open in November 2009, refrain from holding live racing events in 2010, and return with a special 5-day live racing event in the summer of 2011.  The facility will continue simulcast operations throughout the year.  The request was approved yesterday by the Texas Race Commission.
           
The TGA’s plan aims to stabilize greyhound racing efforts in Texas, encourage Texas-based greyhound breeders to continue farm operations, maintain comparable number of live racing performances, and allow all three racing facilities in Texas to operate and contribute purse money to Gulf Greyhound Park, which would make the track the highest paying non-casino greyhound facility in the country. 
           
“The dog racing industry in Texas is currently facing serious competition from facilities in states like Iowa, Arkansas and West Virginia.  In the past eight years, the number of Texas-bred dogs has dropped from 6,029 per year to 2,081 in 2008,” stated Andrea Young, President and Chief Operating Officer, Valley Race Park.  “We have worked closely with the Texas Greyhound Association and are in agreement that this plan provides short term relief to the industry’s participants while allowing us to develop a marquee event to enhance the live racing experience for patrons.”
           
The Park will continue to be open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. for simulcasting events throughout the year.  The Park simulcasts over 350 Thoroughbred and Greyhound races on 500 television monitors and offers patrons full wagering opportunities along with food and beverage service in the grandstand area.
           
Valley Race Park is located on S. Ed Carey Drive in Harlingen, Texas off Expressway 77.  For more information call 956-412-RACE or visit www.valleyracerark.com.