2006/2007 Horse of the Meeting
Wrenice
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The 2007/2008 Sam Houston Race Park Winter/Spring Thoroughbred meeting will begin on Friday, November 23. The 68-day meeting will offer in excess of $110,000 in purses each day and will feature 32 stakes races with more than $1.6 million in purses.
The northwest Houston racetrack’s Thoroughbred season will conclude on Saturday, April 5.
Key racing dates for the upcoming meeting begin with Texas Champions Day on Saturday, December 1 . One of the premier days of racing in the state, Texas Champions Day shines the spotlight on Texas-breds with eight stakes races with $500,000 in purses. Once again, Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to join forces with the Texas Thoroughbred Association in showcasing the state’s finest Thoroughbreds on both the main track and Connally Turf Course.
“We look forward to the return of Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, November 23,” said Andrea Young, Sam Houston Race Park ’s chief operating officer. “Our opening weekend will be filled with exciting events followed by Texas Champions Day on December 1, which is always a tremendous night of racing.”
In addition to Texas Champions Day, some of the other notable racing events include the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup on January 26. The MAXXAM Gold Cup has produced some exceptional champions, most notably last year’s winner, Student Council, who went on to win the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Pacific Classic on August 19 at Del Mar and the Grade 2, $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup on September 29. Juveniles compete in two divisions of the Texas Stallion Stakes, the $125,000 Jim’s Orbit and the $125,000 Two Altazano , which will take place on February 16. The richest race of the Thoroughbred meeting, the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf , will retain its April date on the calendar and will close out the meeting on Saturday, April 5 .
“Our main track surface and Connally turf course continue to receive very positive comments from Texas trainers and national conditioners,” added Eric Johnston , Sam Houston Race Park racing secretary. “It is always an honor for us to host Texas Champions Day and to conclude our meet with the third running of the Grade 3, Connally Breeders' Cup Turf. Racing fans in Houston and simulcast fans across the country enjoy the full fields and competitive racing offered in the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet.”
Post time for the 2007/2008 Thoroughbred meeting is 7:00 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Sam Houston Race Park racing office is currently accepting stall applications and is finalizing the first condition book covering races beginning November 23. The deadline for stall applications is October 12. Horsemen who would like a copy of the Winter/Spring Thoroughbred Stakes book may contact the Racing Office at 1-800-807-RACE or visit the Sam Houston Race Park web site at shrp.com.
2007/2008 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE
December |
December 1, Texas Champions Day |
|
Star of Texas Stakes* |
$100,000 |
3 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles |
|
|
Martanza Stakes* |
$75,000 |
F&M 3 YO & Up |
1 Mile |
|
|
Richard King Stakes* |
$50,000 |
3 YO & Up |
1 1/8 Miles Turf |
|
|
San Jacinto Stakes* |
$50,000 |
F&M 3 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
|
|
Spirit of Texas Stakes* |
$50,000 |
3 YO & Up |
6 Furlongs |
|
|
Yellow Rose Stakes* |
$50,000 |
F&M 3 YO & Up |
6 Furlongs |
|
|
Groovy Stakes* |
$50,000 |
2 YO |
7 Furlongs |
|
|
Bara Lass Stakes* |
$50,000 |
F 2 YO |
7 Furlongs |
January
|
|
January 26 |
MAXXAM Gold Cup |
$100,000 |
4 YO & Up |
1 1/8 Miles |
|
|
Sam Houston Distaff |
$50,000 |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles |
|
February
|
February 9 |
Jersey Village Stakes* |
$50,000 |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
|
February 16 |
Jim’s Orbit Stakes |
$125,000 |
C&G 3 YO |
1 Mile |
|
|
Two Altazano Stakes |
$125,000 |
F 3 YO |
1 Mile |
|
February 23 |
Tomball Stakes* |
$50,000 |
4 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
|
March
|
March 1 |
Texas Heritage Stakes |
$50,000 |
3 YO |
1 Mile |
|
March 8 |
Sam Houston Oaks |
$50,000 |
F 3 YO |
1 Mile |
|
March 15 |
Mission Stakes* |
$50,000 |
4 YO & Up |
7 Furlongs |
|
March 22 |
Spring Stakes* |
$50,000 |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
7 Furlongs |
March 29 |
Fort Bend County Stakes* |
$50,000 |
3 YO |
7 Furlongs |
|
April
|
|
April 5, Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf Festival |
|
|
John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade III) |
$200,000-added |
3 YO & Up |
1 1/8 Miles Turf |
|
|
Jersey Lilly Stakes |
$50,000 |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
|
|
Sam Houston Turf Sprint Cup |
$50,000 |
4 YO & Up |
5 Furlongs Turf |
* Indicates accredited Texas-Bred stakes races.
2007/2008 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
OVERNIGHT STAKES SCHEDULE
November |
November 23 |
Lilly Langtry Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F 2YO |
6 Furlongs |
November 24 |
Bountiful Harvest Stakes |
$25,000-added |
2 YO |
6 Furlongs |
December
|
December 8 |
Buffalo Bayou Stakes |
$25,000-added |
3 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
December 15 |
Space City Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F 3 YO |
7 Furlongs |
December 22 |
Black Gold Stakes |
$25,000-added |
3 YO |
7 Furlongs |
December 31 |
Auld Lang Syne Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F &M 3 YO &Up |
6 Furlongs |
January
|
|
January 5 |
Allen’s Landing Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
1 1/16 Miles Turf |
|
January 12 |
Cy-Fair Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F 3 YO |
6 Furlongs |
|
January 19 |
Spindletop Stakes |
$25,000-added |
3 YO |
6 Furlongs |
|
February
|
February 2 |
Texans Stakes |
$25,000-added |
F&M 4 YO & Up |
5 Furlongs Turf |
* Indicates accredited Texas-Bred stakes races.