(Houston, Texas - Wednesday, December 12, 2012) - The 20th Annual Live Racing Season at Sam Houston Race Park gets underway on Friday, January 18, 2013 and racetrack officials are pleased to announce a major innovation and a first in Texas.

Sam Houston Race Park will implement On-Track Mobile Wagering, a new and exciting service that will allow on-track customers to place wagers on both simulcast and live races using their Smartphone, I-Pad or tablet. The Texas Racing Commission granted its conceptual approval and the new system will be in place in time for opening day, Friday, January 18.

The new service will be implemented in conjunction with the track's tote company, Sportech, who will oversee the development of a mobile website specifically for Sam Houston Race Park customers. As part of the project, Sam Houston Race Park is in the process of upgrading its existing Wi-Fi network to accommodate the expected usage.

"This is an exciting advancement for our racing fans," said Andréa Young, Sam Houston Race Park's president. "We know that mobile technology offers tremendous convenience and feel that this will be well-received by both existing patrons and new fans. We are excited to be the first track in Texas to be able to offer this amenity."

The addition of On-Track Mobile Wagering is one of many "firsts" riding on the positive momentum Sam Houston Race Park officials see for the upcoming live meet. A reformatted stakes schedule with purses in excess of $1.7 million has already garnered significant buzz in the racing industry. The newly created $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic, for fillies and mares on January 26, will be the richest Thoroughbred stakes race in the state of Texas. It will anchor a premier day of stakes races also featuring the $200,000 Grade III John B. Connally Turf Cup.

Sam Houston Race Park has also enhanced and streamlined its player-friendly wagering format. Rolling daily doubles will be offered at an industry low takeout of 12% and will now be offered on all live races (except the last). The takeout on the Pick 4 has been reduced to 12% so that ALL multi-race wagers offered at Sam Houston Race Park are at the industry low of 12%. In an effort to create larger payouts for fans and players, a carryover will be added to the popular Pick 5 wager in the event that there are no winning 5 of 5 tickets.

The 2013 Thoroughbred racing season kicks off on Friday, January 18, 2013 with programs set for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The 33-day meet continues through March 17, 2013.