RACING NEWS

Media Alerts

Sam Houston Race Park's latest racing news highlights upcoming events and partnerships that are set to elevate the park’s offerings. This includes new racing schedules and special promotions for both regular attendees and newcomers. The park continues to focus on enhancing the guest experience with exciting on-track action and additional entertainment features. 

Racing News

jockey on horse

June 11, 2026

FINAL CURTAIN FALLS ON 2026 SAM HOUSTON MEET WITH NINE STAKES RACES WORTH MORE THAN $1.37 MILLION ON SATURDAY

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The curtain will fall on the 2026 Sam Houston Quarter Horse Meet this week with full race cards on Thursday and Friday, followed by a spectacular 12-race program on Saturday evening to close out the season. By night's end, nearly $1.4 million in purse money will be distributed as the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby, and inaugural Sam Houston Oaks headline an action-packed card.

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June 8, 2026

Tc Abanero, V Golden Game, And This Cowboys An Eagle Headline Stakes Action At Sam Houston Race Park

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The second-to-last weekend of the live Quarter Horse meet at Sam Houston Race Park got underway with full racing cards on Thursday and Friday, June 4-5. The weekend concluded on Belmont Stakes Saturday, June 6, with attention turning to the Paint and Appaloosa divisions in the final three races of the afternoon, while fans also gathered for Belmont watch party festivities.

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belmont

June 5, 2026

10 Belmont Stakes Fun Facts

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Discover the excitement and history of the Belmont Stakes with this fun collection of 10 fascinating facts. From record-breaking champions to unique traditions, this page highlights what makes the final jewel of the Triple Crown so legendary and unforgettable for racing fans.

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June 3, 2026

STAKES RACING, BELMONT FESTIVAL, AND MILLION-DOLLAR SOCCER KICK HIGHLIGHT SAM HOUSTON'S SECOND TO LAST WEEKEND OF THE LIVE QH MEET

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Sam Houston Race Park will kick off the second-to-last weekend of its live Quarter Horse racing meet with full cards on Thursday and Friday, June 4-5. The weekend concludes on Saturday, June 6, with the spotlight shifting to the Paint and Appaloosa divisions in the final three races of the afternoon.

Saturday's 11-race card begins at 1:00 p.m., with gates opening at 11:30 a.m. The Paint and Appaloosa stakes action gets underway in Race 9 with the $20,000 Colors of Houston Juvenile, followed by the Grade 2 $30,000 Colors of Texas Paint Maturity in Race 10, and concluding with the Grade 2 $74,900 Colors of Houston Futurity in Race 11.

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jockey on horse

May 25, 2026

SAM HOUSTON STAKES FINALS SET, FOLLOWING RECORD PERFORMANCES, RARE TRIPLE DEAD HEAT, AND A STRONG WAGERING WEEKEND

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Sam Houston Race Park hosted a series of standout performances over the weekend as several of the meet’s richest futurity and derby trials began to take shape.

On Thursday, Royalist delivered a notable effort by breaking the 13-year-old track record in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby trials.  Meanwhile, homebreds showcased their prowess in the inaugural Sam Houston Oaks trials and leading third-year sire Chilitos dominated the Colors of Houston Futurity program.

On Friday, a rare occurrence unfolded in the final race of the evening as a triple dead heat for first place was accompanied by an additional dead heat for fifth.

First Tartanero Jess, a first-time starter, scored in his debut under pickup rider Angel Fierro. Sunny Boi with jockey Olvin Martinez and Noah Moon under Francisco Giles completed the triple dead heat, with both runners breaking their maidens in their third career starts. There was also a dead heat for fifth between Sanremo and The King Karver.

On Saturday night, a competitive group of juveniles battled for spots in the Grade 2 Sam Houston Futurity, led by fast qualifier Coronas First Cowboy.

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May 21

May 20, 2026

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK COMBINES STAKES TRIALS AND UNIQUE COSPLAY ENTERTAINMENT DURING MAY 21-23 WEEKEND

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Sam Houston Race Park will feature an action-packed weekend of stakes trials and fan entertainment from Thursday, May 21, through Saturday, May 23, with live racing beginning nightly at 6:30 p.m.

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Cowboys flying

May 10, 2026

STAKES ACTION, MEMORABLE GENEROSITY, AND A CELEBRATION OF INDUSTRY DEDICATION

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Sam Houston Race Park saw solid fan support throughout the weekend, with on-track wagering up on both Thursday and Friday compared to the same weekend in 2025.

Thursday’s on-track handle climbed to $39,726 from $34,461 last year, while Friday improved to $75,937 compared to $63,813 in 2025. Saturday continued to draw one of the stronger crowds of the meet, producing $105,958 in on-track wagering and helping push the three-day on-track total to $221,621, up from $212,088 a year ago.

Off-track wagering received a major boost on Saturday as bettors nationwide poured $440,727 into the card, an increase over last year’s $277,185 for the same night. That strong finish helped the weekend’s total off-track handle reach $937,880.

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QH Festival

April 30, 2026

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK SETS STAGE FOR KENTUCKY DERBY DAY CELEBRATION WITH LIVE RACING AND DERBY FEST

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Sam Houston Race Park will host live Quarter Horse racing Thursday through Saturday, building toward a major Kentucky Derby Day celebration on Saturday, May 2. Live racing begins at 10:30 a.m., with gates, concessions, and infield access opening at 8:30 a.m.

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jockey on horse

April 28, 2026

SAM HOUSTON DELIVERS FULL WEEKEND WITH CHALLENGE TRIALS, LIVE MUSIC, AND CORGI FINALS

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Another strong weekend of live Quarter Horse racing and fan-driven entertainment played out at Sam Houston Race Park. Thursday opened with a nine-race program under clear April skies. Winds picked up at times, but the surface remained fast, giving horsemen a fair track from start to finish.

Friday featured a full set of AQHA Challenge trials, including the Q-Racing Distance Challenge-G3, Adequan Derby Challenge, and John Deere Juvenile Challenge-G3, all of which will have finals held on May 9. Despite steady headwinds, the top runners asserted themselves across all divisions.

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April 22, 2026

SAM HOUSTON RETURNS WITH FULL WEEKEND OF QUARTER HORSE RACING AND THE FAN FAVORITE CORGI DOG RACES

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HOUSTON, TX–Sam Houston Race Park returns to racing this weekend with a full slate of Quarter Horse action on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Gates open at 5:00 p.m., with first post set for 6:30 p.m. each night.

Thursday’s nine-race card is built around short-distance sprints, featuring a mix of maiden races, claimers, and allowance company. Friday continues with the track’s popular College Night promotion, offering free admission to fans wearing college gear.

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jockey on horse

April 18, 2026

SAM HOUSTON KICKS OFF 2026 MEET WITH STRONG HANDLE AND INAUGURAL $541,000 TEXAS BREEDERS FUTURITY TRIALS

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HOUSTON, TX – Sam Houston Race Park opened its 2026 Quarter Horse meet with a strong two-night showing, posting significant gains in both on-track and off-track handle while launching the inaugural Texas Breeders Futurity trials.

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QH Festival

April 13, 2026

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK HAS A FULL SLATE OF RACES AND FESTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE 2026 SEASON

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Live Quarter Horse racing returns to Sam Houston Race Park for the 2026 meet, running April 16 through June 13 with racing held Thursday through Saturday evenings. Opening weekend features the debut of the $541,000 Texas Breeders’ Futurity, highlighted by 15 trial heats for Texas-bred 2-year-olds on April 17. The meet includes multiple graded stakes, major futurity and derby finals, and notable juvenile contenders such as Whoopie Cowgirl. In addition to competitive racing, the season offers fan-favorite promotions, simulcasting of the Triple Crown races, and a full schedule of stakes events throughout the spring.

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Jockey on Horse

April 9, 2026

Additional Focus on Betting for On-Track Patrons Pays Immediate Dividends

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The 2026 Thoroughbred Season at Sam Houston Race Park concluded Saturday with sizable increases in on-track wagering as well as attendance.  The season began on January 2 and was highlighted by the Houston Racing Festival on January 23. 

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jockey on horse

March 22, 2026

Moderate pace makes Imaluckycharm impossible to catch in San Jacinto Turf

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One race removed from a wire-to-wire score in the Miss Bluebonnet Turf where she had opened up a massive early lead, Imaluckycharm rated on the lead much more comfortably to win the San Jacinto Turf Stakes by 2 and ¾ lengths as the 3-2 race favorite.

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jockey on horse

March 22, 2026

Modo speeds to early lead, wins decisively in Yellow Rose presented by PENN Women

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Modo opened up a sizable early lead under Lane Luzzi in the Yellow Rose Stakes presented by PENN Women at Sam Houston Race Park and never looked back, scoring her second local stakes win in as many tries by 4 and ¾ lengths.  The daughter of Liam’s Map sprinted clear after an opening quarter-mile in :21.78 and still led by two lengths after a half-mile in a blistering :44.49.  Despite race favorite Too Much Kiki mounting a wide bid from off the pace, Modo was never threatened.  The 4 year-old races for owner Joel Politi and trainer Tom Amoss.  The Yellow Rose was Luzzi’s first time aboard Modo.

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March 22, 2026

Second straight TTA Oaks win for trainer Jayde Gelner

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Liteupthenite completed a last-to-first rally to win the Texas Thoroughbred Association Oaks presented by LOPE.  Lagging nearly 12 lengths off the pace after a half-mile in :47.72, the daughter of Aurelius Maximus commenced a rally while staying on the rail.  She angled out in upper stretch and gradually wore down the embattled leader, Tiz A Ten I See, in the final furlong.  The win marked the second straight TTA Oaks for trainer Jayde Gelner, who won it in 2025 with Tapitures Actor.

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March 22, 2026

Thebabeslayer returns to Texas to romp in Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby

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Thebabeslayer stalked the pace in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby before angling out to target the pacesetter, It’s All Right.  He blew by that rival at the furlong grounds and pulled clear late to win by 5 and a half lengths in a final time of 1:42.05 for the one mile and seventy yards.

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March 22, 2026

Mikel W scores powerful wire-to-wire win in Spirit of Texas

When race favorite Too Much Action broke slowly, Mikel W was driven towards the lead by jockey Jose Alvarez.  He contested a strong pace before pulling clear on the far turn and holding sway late, eventually registering a five and a half-length win in the Spirit of Texas. The final time was 1:10 and was the gelding’s first stakes win for trainer Carlos Padilla and owners Rodney Fleenor and Lynn Haverkamp.

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March 22, 2026

Son of Tapiture earns third Sam Houston stakes triumph in resounding score

James Stodola’s Victory For Vets stalked the early pace before pouncing in upper stretch and pulling clear to register a four-length win in the Star of Texas, presented by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, on Texas Champions Day at Sam Houston Race Park.  It was the gelding’s second straight win in the Star of Texas for trainer Bret Calhoun and he was piloted by Jose Alvarez.  The final time for the mile was 1:36.74.

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toomuchaction

March 18, 2026

Veteran stakes winners Victory for Vets, Too Much Action highlight Star of Texas, Spirit of Texas

Seven stakes races comprise the Texas Champions Day program at Sam Houston Race Park on Saturday, March 21, 2026.  Highlighted by the third runnings of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Oaks and Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby, the annual event showcases Texas-breds and graduates from the Texas Thoroughbred Association sales.
“Texas-bred racing is a fundamental part of our program,” Sam Houston Race Park Vice President and General Manager of Texas Operations Bryan Pettigrew said.  “This card shows the strength of the Texas-breds and we look forward to seeing many familiar faces square off once again.

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toomuchkiki

March 18, 2026

Defending champion takes on 2025 Bara Lass winner on Texas Champions Day

A matchup of two Texas-bred distaffers with dichotomous running styles highlights the Yellow Rose Stakes presented by Penn Women and Miss Texas on Saturday, March 21 at Sam Houston Race Park. The slight 7/5 morning line favorite is defending champion Too Much Kiki for Mansfield Racing.  The strapping mare by Too Much Bling was 4th most recently in the Grade III Houston Ladies Classic and now returns to sprinting for trainer Bret Calhoun.  She is a perfect 5-5 around one turn in her career at Sam Houston Race Park but also drew the inside post in the field of eight.

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March 18, 2026

Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby, Oaks showcase sales grads

The 4th running of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby on Texas Champions Day will be Race 11 on a 12-race card.  Among the headliners are the 1-2 finishers from January’s Groovy Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.  The winner that afternoon, Big Time Charlie, for Diamond W Racing and James Sils, is the 6/5 morning line favorite.  Trainer Karen Jacks will start the son of Cinco Charlie around two turns for the first time.

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March 18, 2026

2022 San Jacinto Turf winner Imaluckycharm returns on Texas Champions Day

Trainer Karen Jacks had won 3 straight editions of the San Jacinto Turf prior to Imaluckycharm finishing off the board in 2025 as a heavy 1-2 favorite.  She is back for redemption this time around as the 5/2 morning line favorite.

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jockey on horse

March 18, 2026

2025 Richard King Turf winner Regal Terka return on Texas Champions Day

Trainer Mindy Willis has won the Richard King Turf Stakes in 2 of the last 3 years, scoring in 2023 With Sunlit Song and 2025 with Regal Terka.

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ADDITIONAL PRESS RELEASES

February 23, 2026 - COLONEL YORK EARNS FITTING VICTORY FOR WILLIS IN SUNLIT SONG STAKES

February 20, 2026 - FIELD OF NINE DRAWN FOR RE-CARDED SUNLIT SONG TURF STAKES

February 15, 2026 - SHOP TIME UNLEASES STRONG KICK TO WIN JIM'S ORBIT

February 15, 2026 - VETERAN MARE HOLDS SWAY LATE TO SCORE WIRE TO WIRE VICTORY

February 15, 2026 - DECISIVE WIN FOR SON OF MACLEAN'S MUSIC IN FIRST CAREER STAKES TRIUMPH

February 15, 2026 - FRANTIC FINISH FROM HARVEY'S FINNISH TO WIN TWO ALTAZANO

February 12, 2026 - TEXAS-BRED VETERANS SHOWCASED ON 12-RACE CARD SATURDAY

January 26, 2026 - DAUGHTER OF GUN RUNNER RALLIES FROM OFF THE PACE TO WIN $300K GRADE III HOUSTON LADIES CLASSIC

January 22, 2026 - LA CARA TACKLES SEVEN RIVALS IN SIGNATURE EVENT OF THE SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK THOROUGHBRED SEASON

January 22, 2026 - TWO-TIME GRADE II WINNER TRULY QUALITY SEEKS SECOND STRAIGHT WIN; MAKER IN SEARCH OF 10TH OVERALL IN CONNALLY TURF CUP

January 22, 2026 - ACES HONOR ENTERS $100,000 BOB BORK TEXAS TURF MILE OFF MAIDEN WIN, MEETS FILLY BOHEMIAN

January 22, 2026 - CHARIOT ENERGY NAMED NEW ELECTRICITY PROVIDER OF SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK AND SPONSOR OF THE GROOVY STAKES

December 15, 2025 - FAN EDUCATION AND HANDICAPPING DEVELOPMENT HEADED BY SAM HOUSTON ANNOUNCER – NICK TAMMARO

August 23, 2025 - FOUR HOUSTON BETTING CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS ANNOUNCED FOR SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

June 23, 2025 - POPULAR TURF SPECIALIST AND 2023 TEXAS HORSE OF THE YEAR SUNLIT SONG RETIRED BY TRAINER MINDY WILLIS

June 17, 2025 - PETE SCARMARDO, VICTOR URIETA, JR. AND PATRICK CLEMONS TOP THE STANDINGS FOR THE 2025 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK QUARTER HORSE MEET

June 14, 2025 - QUARTER HORSE STAKES FROM 250 YARDS TO 870 YARDS THRILLED FANS AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14

June 14, 2025 - DR PEPPER 123 DAZZLES IN THE $275,200 SAM HOUSTON DERBY(G3)  AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

June 14, 2025 - BRITTS SPECIAL CANDY REWARDS HER CONNECTIONS WITH A SWEET VICTORY IN THE $700,000 SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY (G2)

June 12, 2025 - THE FIELD IS SET FOR THE $700,000 SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY(G2) ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14

June 10, 2025 - THE FIELD IS SET FOR THE $700,000 SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY(G2) ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14

May 17, 2025 - SIX QUARTER HORSE STAKES INCLUDING THE $75,000 SAM HOUSTON CLASSIC (G2) AND THE SIMULCAST OF THE PREAKNESS STAKES  DELIGHTED HOUSTON  RACING FANS ON SATURDAY, May 17

May 13, 2025 - FIVE QUARTER HORSE STAKES INCLUDING THE $75,000 SAM HOUSTON CLASSIC (G2) AND THE SIMULCAST OF THE PREAKNESS STAKES SATURDAY, May 17 AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

April 18, 2025 - LIVE QUARTER HORSE RACING AND EXCITING PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR THE 2025 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK LIVE RACING SEASON BEGINNING ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24

April 07, 2025 - 23 Day Meet will Feature New Military Appreciation Promotions on Thursday Nights and Live  Music from Local San Antonio Bands on Friday Nights

April 07, 2025 - STEVE ASMUSSEN, STEWART ELLIOTT AND RICHARD CHANDLER TOP THE STANDINGS IN THE 2025 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK THOROUGHBRED LIVE RACING SEASON

April 02, 2025 - TEXAS HORSEPLAYERS EXCEL AT 2025 NATIONAL HORSEPLAYER CHAMPIONSHIP (NHC) IN LAS VEGAS

March 22, 2025 - PROUD OWNERS AND THRILLING FINISHES BY TEXAS THOROUGHBREDS MADE FOR A VERY SPECIAL TEXAS CHAMPIONS DAY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

March 22, 2025 - JOLLY SAMURAI DUELS FOR THE WIN IN THE $134,000 TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION DERBY; TAPITURES ACTOR PREVAILS IN THE $134,000 TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION OAKS

March 20, 2025 - TEXAS HORSES OF THE YEAR TOO MUCH KIKI (2024) AND SUNLIT SONG (2023) WILL BE BACK IN ACTION SATURDAY IN TEXAS CHAMPIONS DAY

March 19, 2025 - MULTIPLE STAKES WINNERS DUST EM, GOLD PILOT & VICTORY FOR VETS RETURN IN THE $75,000 STAR OF TEXAS STAKES, PRESENTED BY THOROUGHBRED AFTERCARE ALLIANCE (TAA) SATURDAY

March 18, 2025 - THE $100,000 TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION OAKS & $100,000 TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION DERBY HIGHLIGHT THE TEXAS CHAMPIONS DAY

March 1, 2025 - SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK HONORED JOCKEY STEWART ELLIOTT AS HE CELEBRATED HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 1

February 25, 2025 - SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK TO HONOR JOCKEY STEWART ELLIOTT ON HIS 60TH BIRTHDAY THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 1

February 18, 2025 - 2025 QUARTER HORSE LIVE RACING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY ON THURSDAY, APRIL 24

February 15, 2025 - DUST EM RALLIES TO TAKE THE $82,000 DAVID E. HOOPER STAKES

February 15, 2025 - GOLDEN GRIT PULLS THE UPSET IN THE $77,715 JIM’S ORBIT

February 15, 2025 - GOLD PILOT AND OPTIMISTIC COWGIRL PREVAIL IN OFF THE TURF FEATURES ON TEXAS PREVIEW DAY

February 13, 2025 - TOO MUCH ACTION AND GOLD PILOT TOP STELLAR FIELD IN THE DAVID E. HOOPER STAKES

February 12, 2025 - TALENTED 3-YEAR-OLDS LOOK TO ADD STAKES CREDENTIALS ON TEXAS PREVIEW DAY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

February 10, 2025 - TURF SUPERSTAR SUNLIT SONG RETURNS TO ACTION IN SATURDAY’S TEXAS PREVIEW DAY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

February 05, 2025 - 2025 TEXAS HORSE RACING HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

January 26, 2025 - TIZABLING BREAKS HIS MAIDEN IN THE $75,000 GEXA GROOVY STAKES AND MODO IMPRESSES IN THE $75,000 BARA LASS STAKES

January 25, 2025 - SUGOI GIVES TRAINER MIKE MAKER HIS NINTH WIN IN THE $200,000 JOHN B. CONNALLY TURF CUP

January 25, 2025 - RECHARGE STUNS IN THE GRADE 3 $300,000 HOUSTON LADIES CLASSIC AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

January 24, 2025 - ACCREDITED TEXAS-BREDS KICK OFF THE HOUSTON RACING FESTIVAL STAKES ACTION

January 22, 2025 - TRAINER ROB ATRAS SEEKING SECOND VICTORY IN THE $100,000 BOB BORK TEXAS TURF MILE ON SATURDAY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

January 21, 2025 - PROVEN TURF CHAMPIONS FACE RUNNERS TESTING THEIR MARATHON POTENTIAL IN SATURDAY’S $200,000 JOHN B. CONNALLY TURF CUP

January 19, 2025 - ACCREDITED TEXAS-BREDS KICK OFF THE HOUSTON RACING FESTIVAL STAKES ACTION

January 18, 2025 - STEVE ASMUSSEN WINS HIS 1,000TH RACE AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK 

January 04, 2025 - BLINGSTER WINS HER FIRST STAKES IN THE $75,000 DARBY’S DAUGHTER

January 01, 2025 - LIVE THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025