HOUSTON (March 2, 2008)—Sam Houston Race Park hosted the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes Race, a one mile race on the dirt track for three years old horses, on Saturday, March 1, 2008.

            Favored horse and Triple Crown-nominated racer Real Appeal ($6.00), jockeyed by James Graham, was eager to set the pace from the gate but was forced out on the first turn.  He responded with a strong rally and moved up away from most of the pack in the mid-stretch, and ultimately pulling ahead of Yes He’s Best down the final stretch to cross the wire two and a half lengths ahead with a winning time of 1:38.71.

            Final placement was Real Appeal followed by Yes He’s Best, at 30-1 odds, who took second place by one length over C E P A’s Forum.  Another Triple Crown nominated horse, Texas Fever, took fourth place.  The field included a total of 12 horses.

            Owner Richard McCutchan watched the race eagerly from the apron and remarked that jockey “James (Graham) had the perfect trip tonight.”

            Graham stated, “I tried to ride him as forwardly as I could without using him and it paid off in the end, as he kept picking them up and throwing them down.  He tried all the way to the wire, which was excellent.” 

            Real Appeal is nominated for the Grade II Lane’s End Stakes race, held in March at Turfway Park in Florence, KY.  Owner McCutchan said, “In terms of what’s next for him, we are going to let our trainer Tom Amoss make that decision.” 

            Sam Houston Race Park will host a special St. Patrick’s Day event including live Thoroughbred racing, Irish-themed food and drink specials and a variety of holiday promotions on Saturday, March 15, 2008.  The Park will host the Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf Festival, which features the most prestigious race of the meet, the Grade III John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup, and marks the closing day of Thoroughbred season, on Saturday, April 5, 2008. 

Real Appeal gallops to victory in the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes race at The Park on
Saturday, March 1, 2008

            Live Thoroughbred racing continues with races every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in March at Sam Houston Race Park.  The Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday, April 5, 2008.  For more information, please visit www.shrp.com.

• After 7 weeks, over 700 contestants and almost 2,500 races, The Park’s Space City Blastoff! Contest has been claimed by Leona Losoya, who was the competition’s sole winner.  For her successful effort, Leona takes the entire carryover pool of $4,000.00! Leona will be treated to dinner in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant on Saturday, March 8, 2008, and receive her check with a special presentation from the winner’s circle.  On behalf of Sam Houston Race Park, we congratulate you for your win!  
  
• Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Medicine Health Services is conducting research on superficial digital flexor tears (“bowed tendons”) in racehorses in training.  We need your assistance in the development of better treatment / preventative options.  Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Medicine Health Services is conducting research on superficial digital flexor injuries in racehorses in training.  If you are a racehorse trainer we need your help in further characterizing the occurrence of so-called “bowed-tendon” injuries.  An online form is used to document events surrounding any individual injury, please visit http://oktendon.com. Any information you provide will be held in strictest confidence, and will not be made available, other than as an anonymous part of a final statistical report. An electronic copy of our findings will be sent to you upon completion of the study.
  
• Who will be The Park’s leading jockey, owner, trainer and horse this year?  Watch this exciting race each week as the 2007/2008 Thoroughbred meet is shaping up to be one of our most interesting competitions with Jorge Guzman, Paul Nolan, Steve Bourque, Jose Figueroa, Quincy Hamilton and Martin Escobar in a tight race for the top honors!  Who will emerge the victor? Log on to www.shrp.com for all the racing updates and meet leader information each week.

THIS WEEKEND IN RACING AT THE PARK

Saturday, March 8:

• Michael Chamberlain’s odds for the $50,000 Sam Houston Oaks Stakes race:

#1 Slick Kitty                             6-1
#1a Aptiseno                             6-1
#2 Ruffaroundtheedges               15-1
#3 Belle Cherie Mary                  10-1
#4 Littlemiss Allison                   7-2 (2^nd choice)
#5 Twisted Tale                          5-2 (favorite)
#6 Oh Baby Oh Baby Oh            15-1
#7 Timely Reflection                   5-1
#8 Classie Baloo                        5-1
#9 Grams Got Even                    20-1
#10 G.T. Ridge                          20-1 

• Twisted Tale is the favorite, trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden Saturday, March 8 by Quincy Hamilton. She has won two straight races; one at Saratoga and the second at Fair Grounds. Littlemiss Allison is an undefeated filly coming to Houston from Canada. All of her races have been in Alberta, either at Northlands Park in Edmonton or Stampede Park in Calgary. Timely Reflection and Classie Baloo are co-3^rd choices in the Oaks. Timely Reflection has a previous stakes win at Louisiana Downs in August and Classie Baloo is returning to Sam Houston Race Park three weeks after winning the $125,000 Two Altazano Stakes at 19-1.

Media Highlights from The Park

• Be sure to log on to www.chron.com to see all of Martha Claussen’s weekly Racing Notebook picks and updates on Sam Houston Race Park every Thursday.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues with races every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in March at Sam Houston Race Park.  The Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday, April 5, 2008.  For more information, please visit www.shrp.com.

Jockey, Trainer and Owner Standings

Live Thoroughbred racing will continue in March every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.  The 2007/2008 Thoroughbred meeting will continue though Saturday, April 5, 2008. 

A complete list of racing dates and stakes information is available online at www.shrp.com.  Horsemen can obtain the first condition book by calling the racing office at 1-800-807-RACE or online on the Sam Houston Race Park at www.shrp.com. 

Simulcasting This Weekend at The Park

Come to Sam Houston Race Park for the BEST simulcasting action in town 7 days a week!  We feature a variety of broadcasts from Oaklawn, Santa Anita, Gulfstream Park, the Fair Grounds, Australia and more!  Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Opening Days in March

• Hawthorne- Friday, March 7
• Remington Park- Friday, March 7

Saturday, March 8:

Aqueduct will present:
Grade 3 $100,000 Toboggan Handicap
Grade 3 $250,000 Gotham Stakes (Derby Prep)

Bay Meadows will host:
Grade 3 $200,000 El Camino Real Derby

Fair Grounds will showcase:

$200,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes
Grade 2 $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks
Grade 2 $500,000 Mervin H. Muniz Jr.
Grade 2 $500,000 New Orleans Handicap
Grade 2 $600,000 Louisiana Derby (Derby Prep)

Gulfstream Park will present:
Grade 3 $100,000 Very One Handicap
Grade 2 $150,000 Richter Scale Sprint Handicap

Oaklawn Park will host:
Grade 3 $150,000 Razorback Handicap

Sam Houston Race Park will showcase:
$50,000 Sam Houston Oaks

Santa Anita will present:
Grade 1 $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks

Sunday, March 9:

Gulfstream Park will host:
Grade 2 $200,000 Rampart Handicap

Oaklawn Park will showcase:
Grade 3 $175,000 Azeri Stakes

Santa Anita will present:
Grade 1 $300,000 Santa Margarita

For a complete list of simulcast tracks and post times visit www.shrp.com or by call (281) 807-8740.

UPCOMING EVENTS AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

Legendary Southern Jam Rock Band Performing Friday, May 2, 2008

            HOUSTON (March 4, 2008)—The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park (www.theshowgrounds.com) will open the 2008 concert season with a performance from legendary Southern jam rock band Widespread Panic (www.widespreadpanic.com) on Friday, May 2, 2008.  Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 7 at 10 a.m. and are available online at www.theshowgrounds.com.

            The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s newest outdoor entertainment venue featuring performances from national recording artists across all genres of music, as well as high-profile festivals and special events beginning in the Spring of 2008.

            Widespread Panic launched their musical journey as a few friends picking guitars at the University of Georgia and has since evolved into one of the most successful rock bands in the world.  More then 22 years into their journey, the band has sold more than 3 million albums worldwide and are consistently one of Pollstar’s Top 50 grossing live acts.  No relationship that lasts this long is easy, but the path Widespread Panic has traversed has been marked with challenges; none more difficult than the 2002 loss of co-founder and lead guitarist Michael Houser to pancreatic cancer.  Great bands overcome tragedy by bonding together and using it to grow.  And that's just what Widespread Panic has done.

            Widespread Panic’s current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo “Sunny” Ortiz, keyboardist John “JoJo” Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring.

            Known for never playing the same show twice and producing one of the best live jam-style performances, the band keeps audiences entertained by changing up their set list nightly with updates to the list in between each set throughout the evening.  Audiences never know what the next song or show will bring.

            The band released their 10^th studio album, Free Somehow, in February 2008. Their uncanny ability to adapt and evolve can be witnessed not just in the recording process, but with the channels of distribution as Widespread Panic decided to reach fans by having it available for download to music fans across the world wide web. 

            Tickets for Widespread Panic at The Showgrounds are available for $25 in advance and $35 day of show. All dates, acts, and ticket prices subject to change without notice. A service charge is added to each ticket price.  Tickets are available online at www.theshowgrounds.com or by phone at 800-211-3381.  Beginning Monday, March 10 at 10:30 a.m. tickets will be available at The Showgrounds box office at Sam Houston Race Park.

            Live Nation is the future of the music business.  With the most live concerts, music venues and festivals in the world and the most comprehensive concert search engine on the web, Live Nation is revolutionizing the music industry: onstage and online.  Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV.”   Additional information about the company can be found at www.livenation.com under the “About Us” section.

            The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s newest outdoor entertainment venue featuring performances from national recording artists across all genres of music, as well as high-profile festivals and special events beginning in the Spring of 2008.  The all-ages venue will host annual Country, Classic Rock and Contemporary concert events throughout the year.  For more information on upcoming shows, events and tickets, please visit www.theshowgrounds.com or call 800-211-3381.

Ladies Night Every Thursday in March
Gates @ 5:30 p.m.; Wagering 101 Class @ 6:15 p.m.; Races @ 7 p.m.
Ladies’ Night Winner’s Circle packages $25 per person

Regular Admission $4 adults; $2 Senior Citizens; children 12 and under FREE.

Ladies are you ready to spend a night on the town with the girls?  Ditch your man and head to Sam Houston Race Park EVERY THURSDAY in March for Ladies’ Night!  The special event features an exciting evening just for the girls complete with admission to The Park, Club Level Counter Seating for a night of live Thoroughbred racing, tip sheet, dinner at the Grande Buffet, a cold beverage of your choice and a $2 betting coupon so your first bet is on us!  Never placed a bet on a race? No worries, as the voice of The Park, Michael Chamberlain, will host Wagering 101 to teach you everything you need to know!  Plus, meet the guys of Team Texas on Thursday, March 6!  The evening will also include a variety of between race promotions for chances to win $25 wagering coupons, a visit from mascot Sam, giveaways and more!  Ticket packages are available for $25 per person.  For more information call 281.807.8760 or visit www.shrp.com.

Be sure to catch all the excitement EVERY THURSDAY during Ladies’ Night as The Park will hold Between Race Promotions including Sam’s Lucky Horse Shoe contest, Trivia Contest for a chance to win wagering vouchers, T-shirt and Koozie Tosses and more!  For more information, visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.

Guy’s Night Every Friday, March
Gates @ 5:30 p.m.; Races @ 7 p.m.
Guy’s Night Out packages $19 per person

Regular Admission $4 adults; $2 Senior Citizens; children 12 and under FREE.

Guys are you ready for a little less talk and a lot more action? Then head to Sam Houston Race Park EVERY FRIDAY in March for Guy’s Night Out presented by Woodford Reserve!  The special event features admission and Counter Seating for a night of live Thoroughbred racing, racing program, tip sheet for wagering assistance, burger basket and fries plus two cold beverages of your choice and a $2 betting coupon so your first bet is on us!  In addition, the evening will include a variety of between race promotions for chances to win $25 wagering coupons throughout the evening, T-shirts, racing trivia contests and more!  Plus, you don’t miss your chance to meet the Woodford Reserve Girls!  Ticket packages are available for $19 per person.  For more information call 281.807.8760 or visit www.shrp.com.

Be sure to catch all the excitement EVERY FRIDAY during Guy’s Night Out as The Park will hold Between Race Promotions including Sam’s Lucky Horse Shoe contest, Racing Trivia Contest for a chance to win wagering vouchers, T-shirt and Koozie Tosses and more!  For more information, visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Saturday, March 15, 2008
Gates @ 5:30 p.m.; Races @ 7 p.m.
Winner’s Circle Irish Grande Buffet package $39 per person
Texas BBQ package $19 per person

Regular Admission $4 adults; $2 Senior Citizens; children 12 and under FREE

            Sam Houston Race Park will host a special evening of live racing with featured race, the $50,000 Mission Stakes Race, as part of our St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 15, 2008. This evening will include 9 additional Thoroughbred races as well as a variety of St. Patrick’s Day themed between race promotions including the Pot O’Gold Contest with a chance to win a $100 betting voucher, Road to the Roses handicapping contest leading into Kentucky Derby Day in May, a visit from Park mascot “Lucky Leprechaun” Sam, the YMCA Tractor Dancers and more! Don’t forget about the delicious Irish-themed Grande Buffet and plenty of Green Beer and holiday drink specials. Ticket packages include reserved seating for live racing, racing program, racing            tip sheet, dinner entrée, beverage and more!  Ticket packages start at $19 per person. For more information visit www.shrp.com or call 281.807.8760.

VIP Club Specials Offered in March at The Park

Coming Soon!! Sam Houston Race Park’s new loyalty program Park Rewards!
”Play More, Earn More!” More details to come soon! 

• March 6 – 9 – Kentucky Derby & Oaks Future Wager Pool #2
• Beginning March 15 - $5,000 Road to the Roses Handicapping Conteest
• Wednesdays - $100 Showvivor Contest on Turfway Park, 12:10PM Post Time
• Saturday nights – Free Valley Race Park Programs
• Sam Houston Race Park will host 3 qualifiers for the NTRA/DRF Handicapping Challenge.  The chosen dates are May 17^th, August 30^th and November 29^th.  The first place finisher will earn a berth in the $1,000,000 final in Vegas and represent Team Sam Houston. The contest is $200 per entry with 2 entries max per contestant.  Prize money is $40,000 based on 200 entries.  Contestants will make mythical $2 win and place wagers on 8 mandatory races and 7 optional races.  Contestant with the highest bankroll wins.

Sam Houston Race Park provides great offers and benefits for our Park Rewards members.  All contest rules can be found on www.shrp.com. To become a Park Rewards member, visit the Players Lounge located at the North end of the Grandstand on the Paddock Level.  For more information visit the Players Lounge or call 281-807-8278.