LIVE THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2021
Request For 46-Day Thoroughbred Meet Granted at Tuesday’s Texas Racing Commission Meeting
HOUSTON, TX - Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 2021 live racing season on Friday, January 8 with an expanded 46-day Thoroughbred meet. Live racing will be conducted on the traditional Friday and Saturday evenings, with Thursday late afternoon racing added to the calendar throughout the season. Wednesday afternoon racing will return for seven weeks beginning February 10. The Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday,
April 3.
Purses will be substantial with a total of $11.4 million offered throughout the season. Horsemen will have the opportunity to run for overnight purses of approximately $248,000 per day with notable levels as follows:
- Maiden races will be offered at $36,000
- Allowance races will start at $37,000
The 2021 Thoroughbred Stakes schedule will offer approximately $2,200,000 in purses. A complete stakes schedule will be released in early October, but officials have confirmed that the Houston Racing Festival will take place on Sunday, January 31 with an afternoon post time. Both the Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the John B. Connally Turf (G3) continue to attract nationally prominent trainers and serve as a springboard for each champion to garner multiple graded stakes throughout the year.
“We had an exceptional meet in 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its early cancelation,” said Dwight Berube, Sam Houston Race Park’s General Manager. “Our goal throughout this year was to move forward and offer our loyal horsemen and women even better opportunities for 2021. We are very excited about the upcoming racing season!”
Sam Houston Race Park also received approval for their annual Quarter Horse racing season. The 23-day meet will begin on Friday, April 23 and continue through Saturday, June 12.
Frank Hopf, Senior Director of Racing Operations and James Leatherman, Racing Secretary announced that stall applications for the upcoming meet are due by Wednesday, November 6. The Sam Houston Race Park barn area will open on Saturday, November 28 with training hours set to commence on Tuesday, December 1. The first condition book will be available in mid-October and further information about the season can be accessed at www.shrp.com.
About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. SHRP offers a variety of attractions including luxury suites overlooking the racetrack, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Jockey Club. For more information on upcoming events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com.
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