The 2006/2007 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meeting begins on Friday, November 17. The first card of the season drew 102 horses with nine main track events and a stakes caliber field of turf runners on the Connally Turf Course in the fourth race.

“We are pleased with the number of horses and quality of our opening night card,” said Eric Johnston, Sam Houston Race Park racing secretary. “To draw full fields with just 70% of our stable area filled is a great way to kick off the meeting.”

Opening weekend continues on Saturday, November 18 with the first stakes of the season, the $45,000 Houston Chronicle Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at a distance of six-furlongs on the main track. The nominees include some talented fillies including Wrenice from the barn of Randy Mayfield. She made her debut last summer at Lone Star Park, running second in the $111,330 TTA Sales Futurity and winning the $125,000 Pan Zareta division of the Texas Stallion Stakes on July 8. The draw for the Houston Chronicle Stakes will take place on Wednesday, November 15.

Post time for Sunday, November 19 is 5:00 p.m. and live racing will continue each Thursday - Sunday evening in November, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23, in which there will be no live racing. Live racing schedule and post times are as follows:

Friday, November 17 - First live race - 7:00 p.m

Saturday, November 18 - First live race - 7:00 p.m

Sunday, November 19 -First live race - 5:00 p.m

A complete list of racing dates, stakes and the first condition book is available on the Sam Houston Race Park web site, shrp.com.

Texas Champions Day to be Held at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park is proud to host Texas Champions Day, powered by Dodge, a celebration of the most remarkable horses, breeders, owners and trainers in Texas. The Saturday, December 2 event shines the national and local spotlight on the most exceptional Thoroughbreds in the Lone Star State.

Texas Champions Day will feature eight stakes races and purses of $500,000, a significant boon to the owners, trainers and jockeys in Texas.

The evening of the Texan experience will begin with a live concert with The evening of the Texan experience will begin with a live concert with Rick Trevino. Trevino is well known for super hits such as, “She Can’t Say I Didn’t Cry,” “Just Enough Rope,” “I Only Get This Way With You,” and “Honky Tonk Crowd.” The country artist will perform from 5:00-6:30 p.m. then Patrick Murphy will provide musical entertainment between each of the ten live races.

Nominations close on November 22 for Texas Champions Day.

Competitive Jockey Colony Shaping Up at Sam Houston Race Park

Three former leading riders, Terry Stanton, Don Simington and John Jacinto, have mounts on opening night at Sam Houston Race Park. Simington won the title outright in 1998 and shared the honors with Stanton in 2003. Jacinto, was the leading jockey here in 2002 and returns to Sam Houston Race Park after a two year absence when he was riding at Fair Grounds in Louisiana and Kentucky. They will be joined by Larry Taylor, who was honored as leading rider in the recently concluded Retama Park Thoroughbred meeting and Roimes Chirinos, who finished just two wins behind Taylor.

Quincy Hamilton, who has won the title at Sam Houston Race Park for the past two years, is expected to join the jockey colony here following the conclusion of the Remington Park meeting on November 28.

Trainer John Locke Scores in the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile

Sam Houston Race Park trainer John Locke had a proud moment on Saturday, November 11 when Dream of Angels captured the $150,000 Jack Price Juvenile at Calder Race Course. Locke conditioned the colt for owner Pamela Halter, with his four previous starts taking place at Lone Star Park and Remington Park. He asked Florida trainer Steve Standridge to saddle Dream of Angels and sent regular rider, Richard Eramia, to Florida. Dream of Angels ($10.20) won the seven furlong event in 1:23.77.

“I’ve only had these horses (Dream America and Dream of Angels) for two weeks so I can’t take any credit here,” said Standridge. “John Locke (their trainer at Remington and Lone Star) deserves the credit. I guess they came here because they’re Florida-bred. These are the first two horses I’ve had for Kevin and Pamela Halter. I’m very lucky to have gotten two nice horses to keep. He (Dream of Angels) ran a monster race but I’ll have to give it some thought as to where he’ll go next. Obviously he’ll fit at Gulfstream. I’m not necessarily sure two turns are better. I was really impressed with this race.”

This Snow Is Cold Wins the $300,000 MBNA America Challenge Championships

Runners from Sam Houston Race Park were prominent in the 14th running of the MBNA America Challenge Championships last Saturday, November 11. The Championship is the richest program in Quarter Horse racing and was held at this year at Lone Star Park.

This Snow Is Cold, who won the $115,650 MBNA Texas Challenge Championship (G1) survived a photo finish in the $301,500 MBNA America Challenge Championship (G1), winning by a nose over 26-1 longshot WRS Special Shoe. Owned by Los Ladrilleros Horse Racing Company and trained by Melinda Garcia, This Snow Is Cold was the only mare in the 10-horse field. Rodrigo Vallejo rode the talented mare to victory. This Snow Is Cold has won 10 of her 29 career starts and has earned $469,835 in her career. She earned a berth in the $600,000 Champion of Champions (G1) at Los Alamitos on December 9.

Eye Caughtcha Peekin won the $100,000 John Deere Distaff Challenge Championship (G1 with jockey Jose Alvarez aboard. Trained by Dwayne “Sleepy” Gilbreath, Eye Caughtcha Peekin has won five of eight starts, including the John Deere Texas Challenge (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park on July 8. Strider Man was hustled to the front by jockey Jeff Jerman and captured the $100,000 Red Cell Distance Challenge Championship (G1). Trained by Matt Baker, Strider Man is owned by Warner Croft. The homebred colt’s full brother, My Prince Of Strides, was also entered and finished sixth.

Simulcast Racing, Texans Football and $1 Beer at Sam Houston Race Park

There may not be any live horse racing action, but the excitement doesn’t fall short at Sam Houston Race Park. Patrons may enjoy watching and handicapping simulcast races from across the nation, while still catching the Houston Texans games.

The Finish Line Bar, located on the Club Level of the Grandstand, will feature all the Texans games and offer $1 beer during the game. The Finish Line Bar is a fully stocked bar with an excellent view, as it overlooks the track and the Infield lakes.

Join us this Sunday as the Texans take on the Buffalo Bills at noon. Admission to the park is free for VIP Club members and just $3 for others. To become a VIP Club member, visit The Player’s Lounge or call Troy Lawrence at 281-807-8801.

November VIP Specials at Sam Houston Race Park

November is a great month for the members of the VIP Club at Sam Houston Race Park. Members will enjoy the special dining offers this month. On Saturday, Saturday, November 25, complimentary Shipley Donuts and coffee will be available in Paddock Central from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. A welcome back dinner will also be hosted for all VIP Club members on Sunday, November 19 to celebrate the first weekend of live Thoroughbred racing. Members will also receive $2 off on Steak Night, which will be held in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant on Sundays.

Also, every Thursday, members may take advantage of a free betting carrel in the Player’s Lounge. There are many great incentives for joining the VIP Club, including the VIP point-earning program. For swiping the VIP card, members earn player points for a free dinner in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant, complimentary Box Seats and many other great rewards.

To become a VIP Club member, visit the Players Lounge located at the North end of the Grandstand on the Paddock Level. For more information about the benefits of the VIP Club stop by the Players Lounge or call 281-807-8801.

Simulcasting this Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park

Racing this weekend at Hollywood Park will shine the spotlight on 2-year-olds. The colts get first crack on Saturday with the Grade 3 $100,000 Hollywood Prevue Stakes. Dilemma, trained by Paddy Gallagher, will be looking for his third straight win following a maiden win and a win in the Sunny Slope Stakes. The fillies get their turn on Sunday with the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes headlined by Belgravia, Berriestoheaven, and Tizthen.

Churchill Downs in Kentucky will present the Grade 2 $150,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes on Saturday for 3-year-old fillies. There is also a graded race at Aqueduct being run on Saturday, the Grade 3 $100,000-added Stuyvesant Handicap for 3-year-olds and up.

For a complete list of simulcast tracks and post times, visit shrp.com or call (281) 807-8740.