On August 7, Sam Houston Race Park announced its 2009 live racing calendar consisting of 119 days of live racing events between The Park’s annual Thoroughbred Meeting and an expanded American Quarter Horse Meeting. The Texas Racing Commission granted The Park the requested live racing dates for both meetings in order to expand live racing opportunities for the Houston-based track.

The 2009 Thoroughbred dates will be January 1 through April 4 - a continuation of SHRP's 2008/2009 Thoroughbred meeting. The meeting, which opens over Thanksgiving holiday weekend on Friday, November 28, 2008, will feature a total of 83 live racing dates for the 2008-2009 season. The 2009 portion of the Thoroughbred meet will feature a total of 65 days live racing events. Live racing will take place at The Park on Fridays through Sundays in January and March; Thursdays through Sundays in February; and Thursdays through Saturdays the first week of April.

Highlights of the Thoroughbred meeting include the annual Texas Champions Day (December 6), the Second Annual New Year’s Eve Zoom and Boom Celebration (December 31) , the MAXXAM Gold Cup and the Connally Breeders' Cup (April 4).

The Park will begin its American Quarter Horse meeting in May as a direct result of acquiring Retama Park’s Quarter Horse dates for 2009. The Park will host the 2009 American Quarter Horse meeting beginning May 1 and running through August 29, 2009. The 54-day long meeting will feature live racing events Fridays through Sundays in May; and Thursdays through Saturdays from June through August.

“We are thrilled to have expanded our live racing dates for 2009,” said Eric Johnston, Vice President of Racing. “Retama Park has generously allowed us to acquire their Quarter Horse racing dates for 2009 and expand our meet by an additional 19 days compared to 2008. We anticipate the meeting to be highly successful as we will provide racing fans with live racing events in conjunction with the Triple Crown simulcast events during this time.”

“The addition of racing dates to the calendar for the spring will build upon our successful live music program at The Showgrounds, which will open for its second season of concert events in May 2009,” said Chief Operating Officer Andrea Young. “This move directly supports our efforts to increase audiences for live racing, special events, and live music at The Park, as well as helps us continue to expand our sponsorship efforts. We look forward to a very exciting year on all fronts.”