NEWS AND NOTES ON SUNDAY’S HOUSTON RACING FESTIVAL AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

HOUSTON, TX- The Houston Racing Festival will take place on Sunday, January 30 with a special afternoon post time of 1:45 pm (CT). The premier day of the Sam Houston Race Park live racing season will be filled with exciting events in addition to quality Thoroughbred competition. The gates will open at 10:30 am (Central) with FREE admission.

As announced on Monday, seven fillies and mares will run in Sunday’s Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic, the richest race of the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet.  The mile and one-sixteenth feature will run as the seventh race on Sunday with an approximate post time of 4:53 pm (Central). 

The winner of that race will be joined by a very lucky fan who will leave the northwest Houston racetrack $5,000 richer on Sunday afternoon.  

All fans will be given an entry slip for the $5,000 giveaway. After race four, a drawing will take place and seven fans will be assigned a saddle cloth number for the Houston Ladies Classic. If their number matches that of the winning filly or mare, the fan will win $5,000.

Last year, David Sanders of Tomball, Texas, was fortunate in drawing the #7 Letruska, who went on to national fame in Grade 1 competition throughout 2021. 

Excellent Weather Forecast for Sunday

Fans looking to enjoy the special live racing program at Sam Houston Race Park will experience ideal weather conditions for the 11-race card. No rain is expected with afternoon temperatures in the mid-60’s.

Advance Wagering Offered on Saturday, January 29

Sam Houston Race Park will offer advance wagering on the Houston Racing Festival one day prior to the marquee event. Fans can place wagers on any of the 11 races Saturday, January 29 from 10:30 am – the final race on Saturday night’s card.

It will be an exciting day of simulcast racing including the Pegasus World Cup from Gulfstream Park and stakes action from Aqueduct, Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds and Santa Anita. 

Jockey Autograph Signing at Sam Houston Race Park on Sunday

Racing fans are invited to meet several members of the Sam Houston Race Park jockey colony as well as riders coming to Houston to ride in the Houston Racing Festival. The autograph signing will take place on Sunday from Noon-1:00 pm in the SHRP Fan Education Room on the first level of the grandstand. 

There is no charge, but donations will be accepted for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The PDJF currently helps to support over 60 permanently disabled former Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred riders solely through donations and proceeds. For more information regarding the PDJF, please visit www.pdjf.org. 

Houston Racing Festival Promotions 

Ladies and gentlemen in their most festive “H-Town” attire will be able to pose for pictures on the Red Carpet under a Houston Racing Festival backdrop with prizes to be awarded to the standouts.  

A Barber Shop Quartet will roam the grandstand between 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Sam Houston Race Park will also offer a special Sunday Brunch in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. Reservations are required by calling: 281-807-8760.

Mandatory Payouts Offered on Houston Racing Festival Wagers

There will be plenty of wagering opportunities for horseplayers on Sunday’s Houston Racing Festival card. Three Pick 4 wagers will be offered and mandatory payouts will be in effect for the early Pick 5 and Space City 6. 

Houston Racing Festival Broadcast Team

Sam Houston Race Park has assembled a talented group of handicappers and Thoroughbred industry veterans to guide racing fans through the premier day of the 2022 Thoroughbred season. The team includes Sam Houston’s track announcer Nick Tammaro and racing publicist Martha Claussen who will conduct post-race interviews. There will be a pre-race handicapping show with track announcer Nick Tammaro and racing analyst Jessica Paquette  on the live feed beginning at 12:15 pm. Handicapper Ed DeRosa and special guest Chris Griffin will also be onsite offering their analysis and suggested tickets for the exotic wagers. Also, Scott Hazelton of TVG will be onsite, broadcasting each of the six stakes live.

 About Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston.  Owned by Penn National Gaming. Inc., the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions including a Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the Jockey Club.  For more information on upcoming live racing, shows, events and tickets, please visit www.shrp.com. 

###