AUSTIN, TX—FEBRUARY 11, 2016—Texas Racing Commission executive director Chuck Trout has distributed a memo today to all industry stakeholders regarding the commission’s potential closing.

The memo states that simulcast racing and live Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park, the only track in the state currently racing, can continue until the end of the month.

“Live and simulcast racing may continue until the close of business on February 29,” Trout stated in his memo. “The commission will continue other actions to prepare for closure that do not affect ongoing racetrack activities. If the Commission does not receive additional appropriations or another solution is not found to continue agency operations beyond February 29, I believe that all racing must stop effective March 1,” he added.

“The industry should take into consideration that, if the agency closes, it will not thereafter be able release any purses until and unless it reopens. This is likely to affect any races for which the drug test results have not been reported, which may include any or all live races that take place after February 16, 2016,” Trout memo says.