Houston, Texas (March 2, 2008) - Sam Houston Race Park hosted the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes Race, a one mile stakes race on the dirt track for three years old horses, on Saturday, March 1, 2008. Triple Crown-nominated favorite Real Appeal ($6.00), piloted by James Graham, was eager to set the pace from the gate but was forced out on the first turn. He responded with a strong rally and moved up away from most of the pack in the mid-stretch, ultimately pulling ahead of Yes He’s Best down the final stretch to cross the wire two-and-a-half lengths ahead in a winning time of 1:38.71.

Real Appeal followed under the wire by Yes He’s Best, at 30-1 odds, who took second place by one length over C E P A’s Forum. Another Triple Crown-nominated horse, Texas Fever, took fourth place. The field included a total of 12 horses.

Owner Richard McCutchan watched the race eagerly from the apron and remarked that jockey, "James (Graham) had the perfect trip tonight.”

Graham stated, “I tried to ride him as forwardly as I could without using him, and it paid off in the end, as he kept picking them up and throwing them down. He tried all the way to the wire, which was excellent.”

Real Appeal is nominated for the Lane’s End Stakes (Gr. II) in March at Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky. Owner McCutchan said, “In terms of what’s next for him, we are going to let our trainer, Tom Amoss, make that decision.”

Sam Houston Race Park will host a special St. Patrick’s Day event, including live Thoroughbred racing, Irish-themed food and drink specials, and a variety of holiday promotions on Saturday, March 15, 2008. The Park will host the Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf Festival, which features the most prestigious race of the meet - the Grade III John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup - and marks the closing day of Thoroughbred season, on Saturday, April 5, 2008.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues with races every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in March at Sam Houston Race Park. The Thoroughbred meet will conclude on Saturday, April 5, 2008. For more information, please visit www.shrp.com.