HOUSTON, TX - Since 2018, Sam Houston Race Park has continued to reward Horseplayers with contests leading up to national tournaments, as well as, offering local tournaments to attract new customers and encourage simulcast customers to compete for prizes and bragging rights. Competing at this year’s National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas – at least 40 Texans took on the best in the U.S.
 
Handicapping tournaments and qualifiers are held annually at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston and Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. Both tracks work to highlight Horseplayers and their achievements throughout the year. Greg Bone of Texas, finished with two entries at the NHC – finishing 7th and 12th. Bone qualified for the NHC at both Sam Houston and Lone Star Park.
 
Although Greg Bone was the lone Texan at the “Finals Table”, other notable Texans who won money included Trey Stiles – 13th; Karl Broberg – 38th; and Joe Johnson – 48th. Three other NHC contest players that have competed at Sam Houston tournaments recently finished well – Dylan Donnelly (CA) finished 5th; Jeff Arthur (VA) finished 11th; and Joe Scanio (NY) finished 54th.
 
Upcoming Handicapping Contests in Houston
 
Sam Houston’s next handicapping contest is the Texas 2 Step, which will offer one (1) 2025 Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge seat and three (3) seats to the 2026 NHC contest in Las Vegas. Friday, April 4 will offer a “$250 Live Money Bankroll” and Saturday, April 5 will offer a “$1,500 Live Money Bankroll”.  
 
The format for Step 1 on Friday April 4 is a "$250 live money bankroll " with no entry fee or takeout.  One (1) NHC seat will be awarded to the first-place finisher. The format for Step 2 on Saturday April 5 is a "$1,500 live money bankroll" again with no entry fee or takeout.  The BCBC entry and the remaining 2 (two) NHC seats will be awarded on Saturday.  In addition to the NHC seat on Friday, $1,500 bankroll(s) to Saturday can also be won. Contestants can play in Step 1, Step 2 or both at their option. 
 
This past weekend, Sam Houston and the Texas Arabian Breeders Association offered a new contest – the Yellow Rose Arabian Stakes Handicapping Contest and Ramlakhan Ramial took home the $1,500 first prize. Another handicapping contest featuring Arabian races will be offered in May during Sam Houston’s Quarter Horse meet.

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining and features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner’s Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.