SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ANNOUNCES ITS 2023 THOROUGHBRED RACING DATES AND STAKES SCHEDULE
HOUSTON, TX – Live racing returns on Friday, January 6, 2023 with several changes planned for its 43-day Thoroughbred meet. The Thoroughbred meet will feature afternoon racing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central). Holiday Monday racing, also at 1:00 pm, will take place on Martin Luther King Day and President’s Day.
The Houston Racing Festival highlights the stakes schedule and will be contested on Saturday, January 28 with a 1:00 pm first post. The 2023 edition will offer five stakes races, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) andthe $200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3). The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $100,000 Bara Lass and$100,000 Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard.
Frank Hopf, Sam Houston Race Park’s Assistant General Manager, looks forward to welcoming Houston horseplayers and new fans to the northwest Houston racetrack.
“The new schedule and start times present an opportunity to engage with our loyal simulcast guests and attract new fans with daytime racing,” said Hopf. “Moving our stakes races and promotions to the afternoons will provide new opportunities for everyone.”
2023 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule
Saturday, January 7, 2023
$75,000 Darby’s Daughter 3yo F- 5.5 Furlongs
$75,000 My Dandy 3yo C&G- 5.5 Furlongs
Saturday, January 28, 2023 Houston Racing Festival
$300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) 4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile
$200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3) 4&up- 1 1/2 Mile (T)
$100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile 3yo- 1 Mile (T)
$100,000 Bara Lass Stakes 3yo Texas-bred Fillies- 6 Furlongs
$100,000 Groovy Stakes 3yo Texas-bred- 6 furlongs
Saturday, February 18, 2023 Texas Preview Day for Texas-breds
$75,000 Jim’s Orbit 3yo C&G- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Two Altazano 3yo F- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 H-Town 4yo & up- 7 Furlongs
$75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf 4&up F&M- 1 Mile (T)
$75,000 Houston Turf 4&up- 1 1/16 Miles (T)
Saturday, March 25, 2023 Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds
$100,000 Richard King 4&up- 1 1/8 Mile (T)
$100,000 San Jacinto 4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile (T)
$100,000 Spirit of Texas 4&up- 6 Furlongs
$100,000 Yellow Rose Stakes 4&up F&M- 6 furlongs
$100,000 Star of Texas 4&up- 1 Mile
$100,000 TTA Derby 3yo C&G- 1 Mile and 70 yards
$100,000 TTA Oaks 3yo F- 1 Mile and 70 yards
Bart Lang will serve as Director of Racing for the 2023 live racing season including the 25-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet which will run from Friday, April 21 through Saturday, June 17. Post time for the Quarter Horse season will be 6:15 pm.
Stall applications for the upcoming Thoroughbred live racing season are due by Wednesday, November 10.
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles from downtown Houston. The Park offers a variety of attractions including a Suite Level featuring luxurious suites overlooking the racetrack and accommodating groups from 20 to 300 people, 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.
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Photos: Coady Photography
