Sam Houston: Shorter Meet, Higher Purses

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Photo: Coady Photography

The 2011 Texas racing season begins Jan. 21 with the opening of Sam Houston Race Park, which will offer a 27-day meet through March 7.

Purses will average $160,000 a day, a figure officials at the Houston racetrack said is the highest in its 17-year history. The meet was trimmed in order to increase average daily purses.

A 14-race, $1.1 million stakes schedule will be highlighted by the $200,000 Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) Jan. 29. Texas Champions Day Jan. 22 will feature seven state-bred stakes valued at a total of $400,000.

Sam Houston will implement 50-cent minimum wagering on trifectas, pick threes, and pick fours for the upcoming meet.

First post times for the meet are as follows: Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. CST, Sundays at 5 p.m., and Mondays at 1:20 p.m.

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