Sam Houston Race Park
 


HOUSTONIANS CELEBRATED 134th ANNUAL KENTUCKY DERBY DAY IN STYLE AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK


Horse Racing’s Most Prominent Event Included Thrilling Day of Simulcast Racing, Derby Hat Contest and More on Saturday, May 3, 2008

            HOUSTON (May 9, 2008)—More than 7,700 Houstonians gathered at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, May 3, 2008 to celebrate The Park’s 14th Annual Kentucky Derby Day Celebration presented by Woodford Reserve.  The day-long sporting and social event, the largest Derby party in the city, featured an exciting day of simulcast racing from Churchill Downs, fantastic traditional dining menus featuring foods served at Millionarie’s Row, and traditional Mint Julep cocktails in a commemorative Kentucky Derby glass. 


           



       The sold out event had packed crowds in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and the members-only Jockey Club, as well as standing-room only availability on the Club Level where all races were broadcast on a jumbo screen. Both attendance and handle exceeded previous year’s events, making the 2008 event the largest Derby party at The Park in the past decade.

            In addition, The Park held the annual Derby Day Hat Contest with host Ernie Manouse from PBS’ Innerviews with Ernie.  The contest featured more than 30 contestants, the largest number of entries in the history of the contest, competing for dining and live racing packages along with fashionable bragging rights for the year.  The panel of judges included fashion and style journalists Jody Schmal from Houston Magazine and fashion girl-about-town Farrah Akhtar.  The contest had an array of hats on display for the crowd from hand-made real floral creations and colorful garden party headwear to elaborate, mechanical horse-themed chapeaus.  The top honors were awarded to Nancy Drew for multi-layer fruit and flower creation, second place was awarded to Mallory Broun for her handmade live floral and equestrian cap and Ann Maroney for her mechanical “Run for the Roses” hat. 

            “Kentucky Derby Day at Sam Houston Race Park is one of the most exciting days of the year,” said Andrea Young, Chief Operating Officer, Sam Houston Race Park.  “It is one of our top days to introduce first-time patrons to racing and the wagering process, as well as provide our established patrons with a fun and memorable experience.  It’s a great environment for old and new sports fans to interact and enjoy one of horse racing’s biggest events.” 

            Sam Houston Race Park will being live racing with the opening of the 2008 Quarter Horse Meet on Thursday, June 26, 2008.  The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park, Houston’s newest outdoor entertainment destination, located 15 minutes from downtown, continues with the Classic Rock Concert Series featuring REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Creedence Clearwater Revisited and Kansas in May.  For more information, entertainment line up and tickets, visit www.theshowgrounds.com.

            Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility offering a variety of attractions including 19 luxury suites overlooking the track, The Pavilion Centre, and award-winning dining options at the Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Jockey Club.  For more information, please visit www.shrp.com.
     
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