The start of the Lone Star Park meet will be delayed as the Dallas area track complies with the latest restrictions Texas has issued in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, track president Scott Wells said Thursday. Lone Star had been scheduled to start its meet April 16. However, new restrictions, including some concerning travel and group gatherings, will keep the track from opening its stable area until at least May 3. “We have every intention of running the best Thoroughbred season we’ve had since 2004,” Wells said Thursday. “That was the Breeders’ Cup year. “We, like everyone else in the business, have to respect the parameters set by governmental authorities in managing our reactions to this pandemic. We will open the Lone Star stable area as soon as we can and begin racing on a schedule yet to be determined – all of which is pending further details as put forth by the authorities.” Lone Star is set to increase purses this meet due to a new Texas law that sets aside a portion of existing taxes on equine goods and services for the breeding and racing industry in the state. Sam Houston, the first meet to operate with the improved purse structure, realized double digit gains in average daily handle during the meet that ended in March. Lone Star has added the $300,000 Texas Derby, a mile and a sixteenth race, to its lineup for May 25.  “Our purses will be the biggest they have been in many years,” said Wells. “We look forward to the Texas Derby being a new prep race for the Kentucky Derby and the other Triple Crown classics,” said Wells. This year, the Kentucky Derby has been postponed to Sept. 5.