This weekend marks the return of the Texas Summer Showdown and TQHA Yearling Sale to Sam Houston Race Park. For the first time in its seven-year history, the 2004 TQHA Yearling Sale will be extended to a two-day event as a record 390 yearlings are expected to pass through the sales ring. The two-day sale will take place on Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31.

The racing program will include the four Texas Summer Showdown stakes races on Friday, July 30, worth $150,000. Full fields were drawn today for the four events:

$45,000 Barnmaster Sprint Stakes (RG3) 250 yards
$22,000 TQHA Starter Stakes 350 yards
$45,000 TQHA Classic Stakes (RG3) 400 yards
$45,000 TQHA "550" Stakes (RG3) 550 yards

The $45,000 TQHA Classic Stakes, at a distance of 400 yards drew a field of nine led by Valors Gold, winner of the $89,910 MBNA Texas Challenge Championship (G1) here on May 29. The son of First Down Dash is owned by Claudio Aguilar of Edinburg and trained by Frank Cavazos. J. R.Ramirez who rode Valors Gold to victory in the MBNA, retains the mount.

"He's been off for a while and he needs this race because he's in the Sam Houston Classic (on September 4) and of course, the MBNA Challenge Championships (November 6)," said Ramirez following the draw.

"He's been training really good and I stood both Valors Gold and Gray Invasion in the gate today and they both stood awesome. They're ready to run."

Ramirez will also ride Party Hound for trainer Bobby Martinez in the $45,000 Barnmaster Sprint Stakes (RG3). The 4-year-old gelding is undefeated this year with two wins at Manor Downs and two at Delta Downs. He will face 2001 and 2003 Barnmaster champion, Turfinator, who has always excelled at 250-yards for trainer Jesse Yoakum.

Trainer John Buchanan has a three-horse entry in the $45,000 TQHA "550" Stakes (RG3) 550 yards. Red Dog Leader, Sing and Pray and Run and Pray. Mark Page will ride Red Dog Leader, who won the 870-yard Humble Stakes here on July 17. John Hamilton, piloted Run and Pray to victory in the MD Barns Distance Challenge on May 29 and won last year's TQHA 550 Stakes aboard Yawls Signature. Juan Vazquez will ride Sing and Pray, who was closing well to finish second in the Greenspoint Stakes on June 19.

On Saturday, July 31, the card will feature trials for the 2004 TQHA Sale Futurity. Yearlings purchased in the 2003 TQHA Yearling Sale are eligible to run in the trials with the ten fastest qualifiers returning in finals on Saturday, August 14.Post time for the Texas Summer Showdown that evening at Sam Houston Race Park is set for 7:00 p.m. For more information on the Texas Summer Showdown and its related activities, call (281) 807-8760 or visit the Sam Houston Race Park web site, www.shrp.com.

Equine Expo Set for Friday and Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park

The Sam Houston Race Park Pavilion Centre is the site of the TQHA Yearling Sale and the Equine Expo. Co-hosted by CountryStyle, TX Magazine, the Equine Expo has attracted a diverse list of vendors including the Texas Quarter Horse Association, Texas Thoroughbred Association, Featherlite, Texas Horse Council, Texas Horsemen's Partnership, Magic Meadows Candle Company, Hilton Garden Inn, First American Bank, The Herd Collection, Mamie's, Spring Creek Feed Center, The Rustic Horse, Acadcom, D& L Boarding Stables and 7IL Trails.

The Equine Expo will be open from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on both Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 and is free to the public.

$2,5000 Texas Summer Showdown Online Handicapping Contest at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park invites racing fans here and across the country to enter the $2,500 Texas Summer Showdown Online Handicapping Contest. Handicappers can enter the contest by logging onto www.shrp.com. They will be asked to handicap the four Texas Summer Showdown races on Friday, July 30, 2004. The deadline to enter is 7:00 p.m.

The winner will be the person with the highest cumulative total from the five races based on an assumed $2 wager, win, place and show. Earnings are as follows: first place will win $1,000; second place will earn $500; third place will take home $400; fourth place will receive $300; fifth place will win $200; and sixth place will earn $100.

For more information on the $2,500 Texas Summer Showdown Online Handicapping Contest at Sam Houston Race Park, visit us online at www.shrp.com.

Epicurean Evening at Sam Houston Race Park

Epicurean Evening at Sam Houston Race Park is this Thursday Evening, July 29 Thursday night racing returns to Sam Houston Race Park and racing fans are in for a treat as the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce will host the 13th Anniversary Epicurean Evening this Thursday, July 29. The "taste fest" event will be held on the Club Level of the Sam Houston Race Park grandstand from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

The event, which is open to the public, will showcase some of the area's hottest restaurants including BJ's Brewhouse, Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen, Champps Americana, Chipotle, County Line Barbecue, Fuddruckers, Great American Grill at the Hilton Garden Inn, Honey Baked Hams, Hooters, Lasagna House III, Resa's Prime Steakhouse, Rockfish Seafood Grill, Sandtrap Grill, Sweet Tomatoes and Sam Houston Race Park.

The Epicurean Evening will take place during the Thursday evening card at Sam Houston Race Park, which will feature ten live, exciting American Quarter Horse races. Post time for the first race is 7:00 p.m. There will also be a raffle for a "whoopee wagon" filled with adult beverages. Raffle tickets are one for $5 or three for $10.

Proceeds benefit the Barbara Bush Library and other Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce programs. Tickets for the Epicurean Evening are available at the Northwest Chamber of Commerce for $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children. They may also be purchased on the night of the event at Sam Houston Race Park for $10.00 in addition to the $3.00 admission to the park. For further information, call the Northwest Chamber at (281) 440-4160 or Sam Houston Race Park at (281) 807-8760.

Roger Creager Live in Concert this Friday

Roger Creager Live in Concert this Friday in the Jiffy Lube Texas Music Review Friday night will feature the exciting Texas Summer Showdown stakes races as well as alive performance by singer/songwriter, Roger Creager. He will perform live on the Bud Light Stage in the Jiffy Lube Texas Music Review at Sam Houston Race Park.

The 30-year-old Texas singer/songwriter will be making his third appearance at Sam Houston Race Park. Creager started out as an accountant in Houston, but felt his heart was leading him to music. Creager decided to stay in Texas and played in local bars in College Station. He later produced big hits like "Everclear" and "The Morning".

Roger Creager will take the stage following live Quarter Horse racing, which begins at 7:00 p.m. For a full list of performers for the Jiffy Lube Texas Music Review, visit the Sam Houston Race Park web site at www.shrp.com.

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