Racing fans at Sam Houston Race Park will have an opportunity to enjoy 10 exciting American Quarter Horse races on Saturday, July 6 as well as support a worthy cause. The northwest Houston racetrack will join racetracks across the country participating in Jockeys Across America Day XIV, a fundraising event for the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund.

The organization, named in the memory of jockey Don MacBeth, who died of cancer on March 1, 1987, is a national assistance program offering support for injured and disabled riders. To date the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund has assisted more that 1,200 riders from every racetrack in North America.

The Sam Houston Race Park rider colony has teamed together and will be involved in many activities throughout the evening. The following fundraising efforts will be offered for a donation to the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund:

• The jockeys will sign Jockeys Across America baseball caps;
• A silent auction will be held with items to include: dinner for four in the Winner's Circle Restaurant at Sam Houston Race Park, an autographed item from tennis sensation Jennifer Capriati, a stunning live racing action shot of Belmont Stakes winner Sarava (courtesy of Coady Photography), a CD autographed by legendary honky-tonk artist Gary Stewart, and a set of customized blinkers courtesy of Preferred Racing Supply

"We hope that our fans will support our riders and this deserving organization," said Eric Johnston, racing secretary at Sam Houston Race Park. "Our jockeys demonstrate their courage every day they ride. The Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund means a great deal to them."

Gates open on Saturday, July 6 at 5:30 p.m. The fundraising activities for Jockey's Across America XIV will take place in the central paddock area of the main grandstand beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Post time for the 10-race card, which includes the running of the $10,000-added Gulf Coast Stakes, is 7:00 p.m.

For more information on the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund or live American Quarter Horse racing at Sam Houston Race Park, call (281) 807-8760 or visit the Sam Houston web site at www.shrp.com.