(Houston, Texas - Thursday, March 19, 2015) - Live American Quarter Horse racing returns to Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, March 27. Known for their explosive starts and powerful finishes, the "world's fastest athletes" will provide plenty of thrills throughout the 24-day racing season.

The racing season will feature 17 stakes races, including five graded stakes. The $100,000 Bank of America Texas Challenge Championship (G2) is set for April 18 with the winner of the 440-yard stakes to represent Texas in the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) at Lone Star Park this fall. On April 25, Sam Houston Race Park will host the Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and the Sam Houston Derby (G3). The Sam Houston Classic (G2) will be run on May 9 and the John Deere Texas Juvenile Challenge (G3) will close out on the meet on May 16.

Sam Houston Race Park Racing Secretary Fred Hutton is pleased with the stall applications from horsemen and looks forward to the upcoming live racing season.

"The Sam Houston Quarter Horse meet has always been a springboard for exceptional horses," said Hutton. "We look forward to hosting a competitive meet with quality fields."

Hutton notes that a special early post time for Saturday, April 4 will be announced soon to accommodate a full day of trials for the Sam Houston Futurity.

"We have a significant number of two-year-olds eligible for the Sam Houston Futurity and will move our post time accordingly," added Hutton.

Post times are set for Thursday and Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Special afternoon matinees are set for Saturday, May 2 (Kentucky Derby); Sunday, May 10 (Mother's Day) and Saturday, May 16 (Preakness), the final day of the meet.

2015 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule