(February 14, 2006) - The Saturday, February 19 card will be highlighted by the running of the $125,000 Jim’s Orbit and the $125,000 Two Altazano, two divisions of the Texas Stallion Stakes. The Texas Stallion Stakes is a series of eight races that are run at each of the three Class 1 racetracks in Texas: Sam Houston Race Park, Retama Park and Lone Star Park. The purse for each division is $125,000 for a total of $1 million, making it one of the richest stallion stakes series in the country.

In 2005, the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) renamed each of the Texas Stallion Stakes races to honor a famous Texas Thoroughbred. The colts and gelding division at Sam Houston Race Park has been named for Jim’s Orbit, who won the Grade 2 Ohio Derby and started in the 1988 Kentucky Derby. The fillies division is a tribute to Two Altazano, winner of the Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks in 1994. The accomplished mare, owned by the late Harold V. Goodman, was inducted into the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2003.

Timber Jones ($3.80) a Keith Asmussen homebred gray daughter of Seneca Jones, captured the 2005 Two Altazano and Ro Parra’s Dixie Meister ($19.40) caught a determined General Charley at the 70-yard pole and pulled away to a one-length win in last year’s Jim’s Orbit Stakes. Both Thoroughbreds were honored by the Texas Thoroughbred Association with Dixie Meister named as the Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding and Timber Jones as the Champion 3-Year-Old Filly.

The draw for the 2006 Two Altazano and Jim’s Orbit will take place on Wednesday, February 15.

Jockey Nuke Shim Still Winning at 62

Rider Nuke Shim won his third race of the 2005/2006 Sam Houston Race Park meeting on Thursday evening. Shim, 62, piloted Axe the Bird ($10.60) to victory for trainer Dewan Godfrey in the tenth race, a $5,300 maiden claimer. Shim still loves to ride and credits his healthy lifestyle and supportive family.

“I don’t drink or smoke and try to eat healthy,” said Shim. “I am fortunate to be in good shape and don’t feel like 62.”

Shim has two grown children and a grandson born just last month.

Rain on Monday Wins on Sunday Night

Rain on Monday, a full-brother to multiple stakes winner, Boots on Sunday, won Sunday’s fifth race, a six-furlong allowance on the main track. Rider Omar Rodriguez piloted the son of Pine Bluff to a 1 3/4 length victory for trainer Danny Pish.

“He ran a really good race,” commented Rodriguez. He’s the type of horse that can be in front, in the middle or behind; he loves to compete. Danny told me to stay close to the speed and wait to make my move. He finished well and I give him a lot of credit as he had been off over two months.”

Boots on Sunday was retired two years ago and remains on Pish’s farm with lots of attention from Pish’s wife, Sabina and son, Joe Dan.

Greg "Boomer" Wry This Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park

Professional handicapper Greg "Boomer" Wry, a veteran track announcer, handicapper, columnist and author in the field of horse racing with 25+ years of experience, will make an appearance this weekend at Sam Houston Race Park.

Wry will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon to autograph copies of his book, "HOW TO TURN ANY RACETRACK INTO YOUR OWN MONEY MACHINE" (and be just one of the 2% that do).

In addition, Wry will participate in a handicapping seminar on Saturday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. on the Club Level Stage. He will be joined by Denis Blake, editor of The Texas Thoroughbred magazine and Martha Claussen, publicity director at Sam Houston Race Park. They will offer analysis of the $125,000 Two Altazano and Jim’s Orbit and offer wagering strategies for the evening card.

February Racing at Sam Houston Race Park

Live racing continues each Thursday through Sunday evening this month. Post time is 7:00 p.m. Thursday - Saturday and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Sam Houston Race Park will continue to offer its patrons free admission for simulcast wagering and $1 beer. The ever-so popular $1 pony beers will also be offered during live racing, and all those visiting the park before gates open for live racing will enjoy the free admission. Admission for live racing will return to just $3 starting Friday, February 3. For more information, visit www.shrp.com or call 281-807-8760.

Jockey, Trainer and Owner Standings

Glen Murphy continues to lead the standings for the second consecutive week. Murphy won three races last week and has a total of 51 wins. Larry Taylor remains in second place with 47 victories. Quincy Hamilton had a successful weekend, winning five races and holding down third place in the standings with 43 wins. Filemon Rodriguez continues to maintain his standing in fourth place, now with 40 wins. Terry Stanton won four races last week and made it to the top five in a tie with Justin Shepherd with 23 wins each.

Danny Pish continues to lead the trainer standings. Pish secured his leading position with three wins last week and added two wins on Friday night’s race card. Steve Asmussen is ranked second in the standings with 30 wins, while W. Bret Calhoun follows with 26. John Locke remains in his fourth place position with 25 wins and is followed by Andy Konkoly, who rounds out the top five trainers with 20 victories.

Jim Bausch’s horses continue to run well and he remains the leader in the Sam Houston Race Park owner standings with 11 wins. Charles Hukill has joined the ranks of the top five owners and currently has seven wins, along with Anjo Racing, Inc., Shrum Racing, Inc. and Richard Bird.

Winners Announced in Best Country Singer in Houston

Sam Houston Race Park’s search for local talent with the Best Country Singer in Houston contest will come to an exciting finale this Friday night.

There are two divisions for the competition, one for singers age 9-15 and an adult division for performers 16 years old and up. Each contestant performs one song with the finalists to be awarded cash prizes and a professional recording session. The weekly top performers will be announced each Monday on 93Q KKBQ and will be invited to compete in the finals on Friday, February 17.

Last week’s winners are as follows:

Junior Division:
Cherish Evans
Sydney Dixon
Meagon Pittman
Presley Phillips

Adult Division:
Bert Farris
Rachel Escobar
Samantha Crow
Logan Barremore

The weekly winners return to perform this Friday evening and prizes will be awarded for each division. The best performer in the junior division will receive $1,000 and the second and third place contestant will receive $250 and $100, respectively. The best performer in the adult division will not only receive $1,000, but will also be awarded a trip to the Academy of Country Music Awards. The trip will include airfare and a two-night’s stay in a hotel for two. The winner will also receive four tickets to a special Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo with the provided transportation of a limousine and a chance to showcase their vocal talent in the 93Q Barbeque Tent during the cook-off. The second place performer will receive $250 and the third place contest will receive $100.

Sam Houston Race Park Hosts Showvivor Handicapping Contest

Sam Houston Race Park will host the Showvivor Handicapping Contest on Saturday, February 25. The Contest will take place during Sam Houston Race Park’s live ten-race card and will invite contestants to handicap each race until a winner has been determined. Each handicapper will select one horse in each of the ten Thoroughbred races to win, place or show. The competition will eliminate each handicapper whose horse does not finish first, second or third. The player who survives all ten races will receive $500.

Gates for live racing will open at 5:30 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. post time. Deadline to register for the Showvivor Handicapping Contest is 7:00 p.m. For a complete set of rules and more details, visit www.shrp.com.

Big Payouts at Sam Houston Race Park

Patrons at Sam Houston Race Park last weekend were not only enjoying the full fields, but the hefty payouts as well. On Sunday evening Southern Harmony, ridden by Quincy Hamilton, won the seventh races and paid $11.20. The exotic wagers were boosted with C.T.’S Bounty at 26-1, ran third under rider Jose Figueroa and paid $13.40 to show. The trifecta paid $940 and the superfecta returned $10.918.

Terry Stanton’s victory aboard Saxton’s Prince in the fourth race on Saturday’s card paid $56.40 to win. Top Ridge at odds of 37-1 with Amanda Crandall aboard ran second, resulting in a $6,396.80 trifecta and $17,626.40 superfecta. Crandall made a trip to the winner’s circle in Saturday’s sixth race with Shikari ($34.40) keying a $5,557 superfecta. The highest paying Pick 4 wager of the weekend was cashed in on Friday’s card following the seventh race. The combination of Saxton’s Prince and Shikari swelled the Pick 4 payout to a whopping $5,495.40 .

Live Thoroughbred racing will continue Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. For a complimentary tipsheet, visit www.shrp.com.

Seafood Platter Served on Thursdays at Sam Houston Race Park

Beginning on Thursday, February 9, Sam Houston Race Park will feature a special Seafood Platter in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. The sumptuous platter will satisfy all seafood lovers with Fried Catfish, Shrimp and Oysters, French Fries, Hush Puppies and

Cole Slaw,set at an affordable price of $12.99.

The Winner’s Circle Restaurant provides an amazing view, as it overlooks the track and is situated so everyone is able to feel as if they had front row seats. Each table has a private monitor and easy access to mutuel tellers for convenient wagering.

In addition, Steak Night continues each Sunday evening in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant. The satisfying steak dinner, also priced at $12.99, and includes a juicy 12 oz. steak, served with a salad and garlic mashed potatoes.

For reservations or more information, call 281-807-8760 or visit www.shrp.com.

Suites at Sam Houston Race Park Provide Perfect Setting for Special Occasions

Sam Houston Race Park is offering a special discount catered towards special occasions. The suites perfectly accommodate parties for birthdays, wedding rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties and many other momentous events. Guests will enjoy the extraordinary view of the racetrack from the private luxury suite, and hosts and hostesses will delight in saving 50% off the rental fee or the affordably priced $19.95 Fiesta Buffet. Each suite has mounted televisions, personal wagering machines and a choice of a wet bar.

For more information about these specials and other group accommodations, call the Group Sales office at 281-807-8750.