Texas Will Race at Least Through February
With an early deadline rescinded, Texas racetracks will run through the end of the month. Meanwhile another racing commission vote on historical racing is coming Feb. 18.
Sam Houston Race Park
News, Articles, Videos and other content about Sam Houston Race Park
Da Big Hoss Sets Course Record in Turf Cup
Skychai Racing's Da Big Hoss got a perfect trip and made the most of it Jan. 30 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Forever Unbridled Claims Ladies Classic
Forever Unbridled continued her recent run of good form Jan. 30, taking over from pacesetter and defending race winner Cassatt to claim the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic (gr. III) at Sam Houston Race Park.
Keeneland Adds Sales Associate
Keeneland announced Jan. 26 that Jesse Ullery will join the sales department as a sales associate.
Houston Racetrack Owner Dies in Accident
Shawn Hurwitz, CEO of Sam Houston Race Park, was killed in a Sunday morning boating accident.
Deal Apparently Reached on Texas Funding
Texas lawmakers have apparently agreed to temporarily fund the Texas Racing Commission, allowing horse racing in the state to resume after a one-day shut down.
TTA: Don't Repeal Historical Racing Rules
The Texas Thoroughbred Association has asked racing regulators to drop efforts to repeal rules they adopted last year to govern historical race wagering at tracks in the state.
Chapa Allegedly Committed Same Offense in '14
Already facing charges for allegedly carrying an electrical device during a winning ride in a stakes in January, jockey Roman Chapa is now accused of the same violation in the same race with the same horse in 2014.
Sam Houston Reports Increased Handle
Total handle for the recently concluded 32-day Thoroughbred meet at Sam Houston Race Park increased more than 15% to $51,258,598 in 2015 compared with the 2014 meet, as average daily handle improved a fourth straight year.
Jockey Chapa's Fine Increased to $100,000
Texas Racing Commission executive director Chuck Trout has imposed a $100,000 fine on jockey Roman Chapa, who was initially fined $25,000 and suspended five years after it was determined he carried an electrical device.
Five-Year Suspension, $25,000 Fine for Chapa
The Texas Racing Commission has suspended jockey Roman Chapa five years and fined him $25,000 after stewards determined he carried an electrical shocking device while riding Quiet Acceleration to victory in a stakes.
Chapa Remains Suspended; Feb. 27 Hearing Set
A Feb. 27 hearing date has been set by the Texas Racing Commission in the case of Roman Chapa, who faces allegations that he carried an electrical shock device in a winning race at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 17.
Racehorse Re-Homing Event Set for Sam Houston
The Paddock Foundation, a non-profit organization launched by the Texas Thoroughbred Association to support and advance Thoroughbred aftercare, will hold an event at Sam Houston Race Park next month.
Jockey Chapa Faces Felony Race-Fixing Charges
Texas jockey Roman Chapa is facing felony criminal charges related to race-fixing following allegations that he carried an electrical shock device in a winning race at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 17 in Houston.
The Week in Photos for 1/27/2015
View photos from Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Santa Anita, Oaklawn, and more! view slideshow
The Week in Photos for 1/27/2015
Gulfstream Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Santa Anita, Oaklawn & More
Rising Star Cassatt Captures Ladies Classic
Sharp filly Cassatt won the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic as a heavy favorite the night of Jan. 24 at Sam Houston Race Park, holding on by neck over the fast-charging Angelica Zapata.
Coalport Convincing Winner of Connally Cup
Odds-on choice Coalport, shipping from Florida for Ken and Sarah Ramsey and trainer Mike Maker, dominated the $200,000 John Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) Jan. 24 at Sam Houston Race Park for his first graded stakes victory.
Daddy's Kid, Cassatt Head Sam Houston Stakes
Daddy's Kid could be the class play as he takes on eight opponents in the $200,00 John B. Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) at Sam Houston Race Park the night of Jan. 24. Also on the bill is the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic.
Jockey Chapa Suspended Pending Investigation
Jockey Roman Chapa has been summarily suspended by Texas Horse Racing Commission stewards pending an investigation into his winning ride aboard Quiet Acceleration in a stakes race Jan. 17 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Sam Houston Kicks Off Meet With Big Fields
Sam Houston Race Park begins its 2014 live racing season the evening of Jan. 16 with full fields and anticipation for its major stakes night the following weekend.
Historical Racing Dealt Setback in Texas
A Texas district judge ruled Nov. 10 that the Texas Racing Commission exceeded its authority when it approved rules allowing the state's horse and dog racing tracks to install historical racing machines.
Tracks Find Human Touch Key With New Apps
In trying to introduce customers to new technology such as track wagering apps and web-based platforms, racetracks are finding a human touch-and a little cash -- still helps.
Fiftyshadesofgold Will Start in Eight Belles
Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) runner-up Fiftyshadesofgold will be pointed to the $175,000 Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III) Friday, May 2 instead of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).
Texas Series Renamed in Honor of Scharbauer
The Texas Stallion Stakes Series will be renamed to honor Clarence Scharbauer Jr., the longtime leading Texas owner and breeder who passed away in February.
Johnston New Racing Director at Penn National
Eric Johnston, currently vice president of racing/racing secretary at Sam Houston Race Park, has been named director of racing operations for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.
Red Rifle Sets Track Mark in Maxxam Gold Cup
Red Rifle delivered a track-record performance at Sam Houston Race Park in handily winning the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup for his first stakes triumph on the night of March 1.
Slideshow: The Week in Photos for 1/28/2014
Photos from Santa Anita, Hong Kong, Tampa Bay Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Gulfstream and more. view slideshow
The Week in Photos for 1/28/2014
Santa Anita, Hong Kong; Tampa Bay Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Gulfstream and more..
Penn Gaming Series Opens at Sam Houston
Julien Leparoux, Mike Maker, and Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who teamed to win the John B. Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) at Sam Houston Jan. 25, top the standings in the jockey, trainer, and owner categories for new series.
Rose to Gold Rises to Ladies Classic Test
Rose to Gold picked up the fourth graded stakes win of her career after running down favored Unusual Way to win the second renewal of the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic on the night of Jan. 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Surging Admiral Kitten Wins Connally Turf Cup
Odds-on choice Admiral Kitten surged through the stretch to catch Fredericksburg just in time for a neck victory in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) on the night of Jan. 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Class Included Heads Houston Ladies Classic
Undefeated since moving to the barn of trainer Ron Faucheux, Brittlyn Stable's Class Included looks to keep her streak alive against seven others in the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic Jan. 25 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Admiral Kitten Tops John B. Connally Turf Cup
The Big Bad Kittens are invading Texas, as grade I winner Admiral Kitten faces seven opponents in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup (gr. IIIT) at Sam Houston Race Park Jan. 25.
Sam Houston Plans $1.7M in Stakes for 2014
Sam Houston Race Park will offer $1.7 million in stakes for its 2014 Thoroughbred meet, which spans 32 days from Jan. 17-March 11.
Penn Mile Boosts PNGI 'Big Event' Program
The inaugural $500,000 Penn Mile June 1 helped Penn National Gaming Inc. continue a trend of sharp gains in pari-mutuel handle on "big event" programs at the company's racetracks.
Swift Warrior Makes the Pace to Take Connally
Swift Warrior made his first-ever start at Sam Houston Race Park a successful one Jan. 26, when he beat nine rivals in the John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT) in a pacesetting effort.
Joyful Victory Sets Track Mark at Sam Houston
A freshened Joyful Victory was too much to handle for her rivals in the inaugural $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic at Sam Houston Race Park on the night of Jan. 26, setting a track record while drawing away for an easy win.
Inaugural Houston Ladies Classic Has Style
The inaugural running of the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic -- -the richest race run at Sam Houston Race Park since it opened in 1994 -- -will feature round three for rivals Joyful Victory and Brushed by a Star.
Sam Houston Meet to Open Jan. 18
Sam Houston Race Park will open its 20th live racing season when it kicks off its 2013 meet on Friday, Jan. 18, with average daily purses in excess of $165,000
Penn Gaming Tracks Stagger Night Post Times
Three Thoroughbred tracks comprising much of the nighttime simulcast market over the next few months have announced a coordinated plan to reschedule their post times beginning with live racing on Dec. 26.
Sam Houston Revamps Stakes Schedule
Sam Houston Race Park revamps stakes schedule for 2013, offers "Ship Assist" program for owners who start horse in Houston Ladies Classic and undercard stakes.
Sam Houston to Offer Free Admission
Sam Houston Race Park will offer free admission starting May 20.
Pinnacle to Buy Majority Share in Retama Park
Casino operator Pinnacle Entertainment said April 26 one of its subsidiaries has an agreement to purchase a 75.5% interest in Retama Park, which is located near San Antonio, Texas.
Sam Houston Reports Gains for 2012 Meet
Sam Houston Race Park reported a 35% increase in live pari-mutuel handle and a 40% jump in attendance for its 31-day Thoroughbred meet, which ended March 12.
Cease Ends Stakes Drought in Maxxam Gold Cup
Cease closed ground in the final stages of the $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup and took command to earn his first black-type victory on the night of March 3 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Papaw Bodie Surges to Connally Turf Cup Win
Making his stakes debut in the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup, favored Papaw Bodie surged to the lead in upper stretch to post a convincing win at Sam Houston Race Park on the night of Jan. 28.
Proceed Bee Stands Out in Connally Turf Cup
Proceed Bee is the obvious choice in the Jan. 28 John B. Connally Turf Cup Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Sam Houston Race Park. But he will face some still competition from the likes of several other promising horses.
Sam Houston Gears Up for 2012 Meet
Sam Houston Race Park will launch Thoroughbred racing in Texas for 2012 with average daily purses of $160,000, highest in the track's 18-year history.
Sam Houston Meet to Open Jan. 20
Sam Houston Race Park will open its 19th annual live racing season Friday, Jan. 20, 2012.
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