(September 7, 2002)- The 2002/2003 Sam Houston Race Park Winter/Spring Thoroughbred meeting will begin on Friday, November 1. The 80-day meeting will offer in excess of $120,000 in purses each day and will feature 38 stakes races with more than $2.2 million in purses. The northwest Houston racetrack’s tenth Thoroughbred meeting will conclude on Sunday, March 30, 2003.

Robert L. Bork, president and general manager is pleased to announce that the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Sam Houston Race Park will continue their long-term association with Texas Champions Day. One of the premier days of racing in the state, Texas Champions Day has been moved forward on the Sam Houston Race Park schedule to Saturday, November 16 with a 7:00 p.m. post time. This exceptional day in Texas Thoroughbred racing will offer nine stakes races with $650,000 in purses. The move from the traditional December date to November was mutually decided upon by officials at Sam Houston Race Park and Texas Thoroughbred Association so that the Texas Champions Day winners could represent Texas in the inaugural NTRA Great State Challenge on Saturday, December 7. Sam Houston Race Park was named host site for this exciting racing event which will draw Thoroughbreds from states across the country to Texas to compete in stakes races for $1.8 million.

"The entire Sam Houston Race Park management team and its employees are tremendously excited about the upcoming Thoroughbred meeting," said Bork. "We kick off the meet on November 1 and then host two exceptional days of racing, Texas Champions Day and the NTRA Great State Challenge. Sam Houston Race Park continues to be a popular destination for many respected horsemen and we look forward to garnering some well-deserved national attention in December."

The Sam Houston Race Park racing office is currently processing stall applications and have printed the first condition book covering races from November 1 - November 29.

The stable area will open on October 16 and horses can return to the racetrack for training on October 19. Horsemen who would like a copy of the Winter/Spring Thoroughbred Stakes book may contact the Racing Office at 1-800-807-RACE

2002/2003 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH