News & Updates

HIDDEN CONNECTION TO FACE SIX RIVALS IN THE GRADE 3, $300,000 HOUSTON LADIES CLASSIC AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 27

Trainer Steve Asmussen In Pursuit of His Fifth Victory in the Championship for Fillies and Mares

HOUSTON, TX- The fields are set for the premier day of Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park.   The Houston Racing Festival will take place on Saturday, January 27 with an afternoon post time of 1:00 pm (Central).  

YOUNG TRAINER JAYDE GELNER GEARED-UP FOR 2024 TEXAS THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON

Houston, Texas -January 15, 2024 –With the 2024 Texas Thoroughbred racing season underway at Sam Houston Race Park during their 30th anniversary, there is a trainer rising quickly in the ranks and that’s Jayde Gelner.

Sunlit Song Crowned 2023 Texas Horse of the Year

Texas champion Sunlit Song’s 2023 campaign earned him Horse of the Year honors and Champion Older Horse among Texas-breds. Owned by Carolyn Barnett and Becky Harding, Sunlit Song continued his high-level performance on track in 2023 with five wins and a second in 6 starts in 2023, including four stakes victories.

BELLAMORE AND HIDDEN CONNECTION AMONG THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE GRADE 3, $300,000 HOUSTON LADIES CLASSIC AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

The Houston Racing Festival, With Five Stakes including the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Set for Saturday, January 27

HOUSTON, TX—Nominations have closed for the Houston Racing Festival at Sam Houston Race Park. The annual event, featuring five stakes and purses in excess of $750,000 will be contested on Saturday, January 27 with an afternoon post time of 1:00 pm (CT).  The Houston Racing Festival includes two graded stakes, the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf.

Speakers Announced for Owner Seminar at Sam Houston February 17

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is hosting an Owner Seminar Saturday, February 17 at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas. The daylong seminar will be held on Texas Preview Day with five stakes for Texas-breds. Attendees will learn insights on different aspects of Thoroughbred ownership including bloodstock, pedigree, and conformation analysis from industry professionals as well as enjoy a day at the races. The Owner Seminar is sponsored by FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips, and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

TOO MUCH KIKI OUTMATCHED HER RIVALS IN THE $75,000 DARBY’S DAUGHTER AND BANDERA BLING EARNED HIS FIRST STAKES SCORE IN THE $75,000 MY DANDY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

by Martha Claussen

HOUSTON, TX-  Sam Houston Race Park kicked off its 2024 Thoroughbred season on Friday, January 5 and ran the first two stakes of the meet under sunny skies this afternoon. Two offspring of top Texas stallion Too Much Bling took home the trophies as favored Too Much Kiki captured the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter and Bandera Bling survived an inquiry to earn his first stakes win in the $75,000 My Dandy

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK SELECTS TICKETSMARTER AS ITS NEW OFFICIAL TICKETING PARTNER – TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2024 SEASON

TicketSmarter’s Innovation and Database Focus is Key To Future Events Being Produced at Northwest Houston Track

span style="caret-color:#000000">span style="font-variant-caps:normal">span style="letter-spacing:normal">span style="text-transform:none">span style="widows:auto">b>HOUSTON, TX –  The 43-day Thoroughbred meet will get underway on Friday, January 5, 2024, with live racing set for Friday’s at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sundays at 1 p.m. (Central). This will be Sam Houston’s 30th racing season and with it comes a new ticketing partner – TicketSmarter which will begin offering online purchases for all its Houston live dates and events in 2024.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK KICKS OFF ITS 30TH LIVE RACING SEASON ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 5

The First Two Stakes of the 2024 Thoroughbred Meet Will be Contested on Saturday, January 6

HOUSTON, TX-  Sam Houston Race Park will usher in the New Year with live Thoroughbred racing, events, dining and family-friendly activities.  Opening night features eight races with a 6:30 pm (Central) first post and a performance after the races by Houston’s Southern County Line. 

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