Live pari-mutuel horse racing returns to the Gillespie County Fair Grounds in Fredericksburg on Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19 th.

Sponsored by the Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association, the Fredericksburg Texas Fest Race Meet will again feature quarter horse and thoroughbred horses running at the Class III track.

Gates open at 11:00 a.m. and post time is 1:00 p.m. both days.

In addition to live pari-mutuel horse racing at the five-eighths mile oval, simulcasting from horse and dog tracks from around the country is offered in the biergarten at the fair grounds as well as at The Race Barn, located near the main entrance to the fair grounds.

Several special races will highlight the two-day racing program.

Among the featured races will be the 350-yard Texas Quarter Horse Association Futurity on Saturday, July 18th. The 10 qualifiers for that race were determined during the July Fourth Racing Festival on July 4th.

Saturday’s program will also include the six-furlong Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes. Trials will also be run on Saturday for the GCFA Maiden Classic and on Sunday for the GCFA Maiden Futurity.

The finals for both 350-yard races will be run during the Gillespie County Race Meet on Aug. 8-9th.

Also on Sunday will be the 350-yard Dutchman Handicap as well as the 350-yard GCFA Paint Stakes and the 400-yard Field of Dreams Maturity. Admission to the races is $5 for adults, $1 for children six to 12 years of age and free for children under six. Box seats are $9 and summer season passes are $30.

After Texas Fest, two more race meets remain on the 2009 schedule at the Gillespie County Fair Grounds. Racing action continues on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 8-9, with the Gillespie County Race Meet. Also taking place that weekend will be the “Texas Wines and Texas Winners” wine tasting on Saturday, Aug. 8th, from 1-5 p.m.

Ten wineries will be participating in the event, which includes classes, wine pairings and more.

Participating wineries include Messina Hof, Becker Vineyards, Fall Creek, Grape Creek, Chis-holm Trail, Bell Mountain, Three Dudes, D’Vine Wine, Llano, Fredericksburg Winery, and Estacado.

The summer season will conclude during the 121st Gillespie County Fair when live pari-mutuel racing action is offered on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23.

The 121st Gillespie County Fair opens on Thursday, Aug. 20th, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 23rd. Activities for the entire family are planned during the four-day Gillespie County Fair including a parade, queen’s contest, horse racing, dancing, music, carnival and midway, livestock shows, agri-cultural and home products displays and more.

Performing on Friday night, Aug. 21st, will be Darrell McCall and The Tennessee Volunteers. Jake Hooker and The Outsiders will open for Gary P. Nunn on Saturday, Aug. 22nd. Both concerts will be performed on the outdoor dance pavilion from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

For more information on the upcoming race meet, contact the Gillespie County Fair and Fes-tivals Association at 830-997-2359 or visit their website at www.gillespiefair.com.

The Gillespie County Fair Grounds is located just south of downtown Fredericksburg on Texas Highway 16 (Kerrville Highway).