Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 30th live racing season on Friday, January 5, 2024. A total of 22 stakes with purses totaling $2.5 million will be run throughout the 43-day Thoroughbred meet, which continues through through Sunday, April 7.
Supporting Texas-bred racing continues to be an important priority for the northwest Houston racetrack. Two stakes, the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter for 3-year-old fillies and the $75,000 My Dandy Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings will be contested on opening night. These stakes kick off the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series for 3-year-olds.
The annual Houston Racing Festival is set for Saturday, January 27 with a 1:00 pm first post. The 2024 edition will offer five stakes races, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3T). The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $75,000 Bara Lass and $75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard.
Texas Preview Day comes next with five stakes for Texas-breds on Saturday, February 17. The event serves as important preparation for Texas Champions Day, with seven stakes races on Saturday, March 23.
Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager, looks forward to a season filled with quality racing and an enhanced promotions and event schedule. Live racing will take place Fridays at 6:30 pm and 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. Sam Houston Race Park will also host live racing and festivities, beginning at 1:00 pm on each of the Triple Crown dates: Kentucky Derby on May 4, Preakness on May 18 and Belmont Stakes on June 8.
“We are committed to presenting an exciting racing season and engaging horseplayers, no matter their level of experience,” said Pettigrew. “Our goal in hosting live racing and promotions on weekend afternoons is to create a festive atmosphere for both racing enthusiasts and casual fans.”
The complete Sam Houston Race Park stakes schedule can be viewed online here.
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