Five-year-old mare Baby Doll Blues ($14.60) and jockey Quincy Hamilton took top honors by a length and a quarter in the $22,000 Allen’s Landing Allowance race at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, January 5, 2008. 

            Winning the 1 1/16 mile turf race with a time of 1:47.24, she beat out 2-1 favored filly Jenz Benz, who finished a disappointing 10^th. On Texas Champions Day, December 1, 2007, Jenz Benz breezed to victory by a convincing six lengths in the San Jacinto Stakes. This was her first race since the win on Texas Champions Day, but she had trouble from the start. “She had the two horses on her for three or four jumps and she just never could get her air,” remarked trainer Michelle Lovell.

Baby Doll Blues, owned by Gary McDonald and trained by H.B. Johnson, broke out of the starting gate well and never looked back.

“Nobody really pressured me during the race,” commented jockey Quincy Hamilton. “She ran a great race.” The win in Allen’s Landing was one of three wins tonight for Hamilton.

Trainer Johnson commented, “She’s a nice filly and I’m just fortunate they (Gary McDonald) sent her down to me this winter. She did well at Canterbury and she was in good shape when they sent her down to me with a couple other turf horses. We’d like to hope that she’s good enough for the Jersey Lilly, but we’ll find out eventually.”      

            The Allen’s Landing Allowance was open to fillies and mares 4 years old and older with a total of 10 horses running. Final placement for the allowance race was Baby Doll Blues in first, Senora Tormenta in second and third place for Tunnel Time. 

Baby Doll Blues captures Allen’s Landing Allowance at Sam Houston Race Park on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008.

THIS WEEKEND IN RACING AT THE PARK

Saturday, January 12:

• Race 3: 5 ½ furlong Maiden Special Weight Race—Beverly Lewis-owned two-year old horse New Heights is the horse to watch for this exciting race as it will be making its racing debut at The Park. Beverly Lewis is the widow of racing veteran Bob Lewis.  Racing fans will recall the dynamic pair won the 1997 Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Silver Charm and the 1999 Kentucky Derby and Preakness with Charismatic. New Heights was Sired by Unbridled’s Song, who finished fifth in the 1996 Derby as the favorite.  The horse’s Grandsire is Unbridled, another champion who won the 1990 Derby. This horse is the 8-5 morning line favorite in the 3^rd race on Saturday and is trained by Steve Asmussen, who led the country in winners in 2007. The horse, a $600,000 purchase at Keeneland in September 2005, will be jockeyed by Jose Figueroa.
  
• Race 8: 1 mile 70 yards Allowance Race—Dynamic horse E’ Carte’ has won 6 of 8 lifetime starts as well as claiming one 2^nd place and one third place win at The Park. This horse loves the dirt on our track and has a consistent history of racing well at The Park. He is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the 8^th race.  E’ Carte’ is owned by Virginia Heizer and trained by Nathan Hatcher.

Be sure to watching the race for leading Park jockey each week as the 2007/2008 Thoroughbred meet is shaping up to be one of our most exciting 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.

MAXXAM Gold Cup @ The Park Saturday, January 26

$100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup, in its 15^th running, has a rich history and is one of the most prestigious races and social events of the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meeting.  The evening will include 10 thrilling races, including the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup and the $50,000 Sam Houston Distaff races, online handicapping contest and more!  Reserve your space today for private parties or suite rentals.  For more information, visit www.shrp.com.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues with races every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in January 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 January every 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 is available on the Sam Houston Race Park 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

Saturday, January 12:

Fair Grounds:     Grade 3 Turf  $100,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap

Grade 3 $100,000 Lecomte Stakes

$100,000 Louisiana Handicap

$100,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes

Gulfstream Park:Grade 3 $100,000 Old Hat Stakes

Santa Anita:        Grade 3 $150,000 San Rafael Stakes

Grade 2 $200,000 San Fernando Breeders' Cup Stakes

Sunday, January 13

Gulfstream Park:  Grade 3 $100,000 First Lady Handicap

Santa Anita:         Grade 2 $150,000 El Encino Stakes

Grade 2 $150,000 Santa Ynez Stakes

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

4^th Annual Houston’s Best Country Singer Contest Returns January 4, 2008

            Sam Houston Race Park will host the Fourth Annual Houston’s Best Country Singer Contest continuing Friday, January 11, 2008, at 7 p.m. The eight week vocal competition, held every Friday through February 15, 2008, will feature performance opportunities for juniors (ages 8-15) and adults (ages 16 and up). Contestants will perform a song of their choice with scoring based on vocal performance, audience response and stage presence. Contestants will compete in semi-final rounds with four finalists from each division advancing to the finals held on February 22, 2008. Grand prizes include: a trip for two to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to open for Johnny Lee courtesy of FunJet, $500 and recording studio time for juniors; and adult division winners will compete for a trip for two to the Country Music Awards courtesy of 93Q, $1,000 and recording studio time. The entry fee is $30 per contestant. Ticket packages to watch the competition start at $9 per person and include admission, reserved seating for live racing and racing program. For more contest information, email showcasesinger@comcast.net. For ticket information, visit www.shrp.com or call 281.807.8760.

VIP Club Specials Offered at The Park

Space City Blastoff!
Fans will have a weekly chance to win $500 in the “Space City Blastoff!” contest.  Each week in January, players must select a horse to place 1st – 4th on Monday; 1st – 3rd on Tuesday; 1st – 2nd on Wednesday; and 1st on Thursday in designated simulcast races chosen by The Park.  On Friday, remaining entrants must choose a winner in a designated Park live race.  The contest winner is determined by who selects the highest-priced winner on Friday.

Showvivor Thursdays

The $100 Showvivor handicapping contest is a one day elimination contest where contestants will select one horse per race on Gulfstream races that must “hit the board.”

January 26, 2008 MAXXAM Gold Cup Instant Winner Jackpot Drawing

Three player’s rewards members will win 20,000 reward points the night of the MAXXAM Gold Cup.  To enter, players must use their membership card and wager on any SHRP live race prior to the running of the 7th race.  No minimum required.

January Dining Triple Points

Player’s rewards members who dine in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant or Jockey Club will receive 3 points per dollar spent on food & beverage.  Player must present membership card to their server to receive points.  

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