by Frank Angst

Bill Allen, who headed the racing stable that owned inaugural Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Wild Again, is among a class of four inductees into this year’s Texas racing hall of fame.

Allen founded and headed Black Chip Stable, the owner of Wild Again who scored a 31.30-to-1 upset win in the 1984 Breeders’ Cup Classic. He also acquired the bond originally issued to finance Retama Park before successfully helping the Selma, Texas, track emerge from bankruptcy.

The Texas hall will honor Allen and three other inductees on October 4 beginning at 4 p.m. CDT at Retama. Joining Allen in this year’s induction class will be the late Dorothy Turner Scharbauer, co-owner of 1987 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Alysheba, Retama Entertainment Group Chairman Joe Straus Jr., and Bobby Cox, an owner and breeder of Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds.

Also, Mary Ruyle will be given the Joann Weber Distinguished Service Award. Ruyle has worked in several capacities for the Texas Thoroughbred Association for 20 years and currently serves as business manager.

The October 4 ceremony occurs on the biggest night of Retama’s Thoroughbred racing season. The night includes six races worth $500,000 in purse money. The hall of fame ceremony will include valet parking, cocktails, a gourmet buffet dinner, wine tasting, and a silent auction.

Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times