Sam Houston Race Park will host a silent auction to benefit the Jockey Crisis Fund on Saturday, December 2, 2006. The fund was established to lend support to injured riders and their families in times of need and has assisted over 30 riders at Sam Houston Race Park.

“We have a very talented jockey colony this year at Sam Houston Race Park and they are extremely important to our organization, ” said Eric Johnston, racing secretary. “While we do everything to protect our riders, injuries can occur when a rider is aboard a 1,000 pound racehorse at speeds of 35 - 40 m.p.h. Trainers, owners and racing fans have expressed an interest in helping injured riders and their families. We are hopeful that the silent auction is successful in raising funds to assist our jockeys in their times of need.”

December 2 is Texas Champions Day, one of the most exceptional days of racing in the 2006/2007 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meeting. The premier racing event shines the spotlight on Texas-breds as they compete in eight stakes races with purses totaling $500,000. Racing fans will have an opportunity to bid on the following items, with all the proceeds benefiting the Jockey Crisis Fund:

• Tickets to the Houston Texans vs The Cleveland Browns
• Autographed baseball from Luke Scott of the Houston Astros
• Stable tour conducted by jockey Amanda Crandall
• Tickets to the Houston Rockets vs the Los Angeles Clippers
• Superbowl Party for Ten in the Sam Houston Race Park Jockey Club
• Weekend Package at the Exclusive Hotel Derek
• Golf Bag courtesy of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Houston
• Stars of the Turf Peb Portfolio and Complete Set of the Elements of Handicapping Series Books courtesy of the Daily Racing Form
• Photo of Kentucky Derby Winner, Barbaro
• Dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy

and much more!

For more information on the Jockey Crisis Fund at Sam Houston Race Park, contact Chaplain John Shumaker at (281) 807-7236.