Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 31st live racing season on Friday, January 3, 2025. A total of 22 stakes with purses totaling $2.5 million will be run throughout the 42-day Thoroughbred meet, which continues through Saturday, April 6. The dates for 2025 are subject to the December 11, Texas Racing Commission approval.
Supporting Texas-bred racing continues to be an important priority for the northwest Houston racetrack. Two stakes, the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter for 3-year-old fillies and the $75,000 My Dandy Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings will be contested on opening weekend. These stakes kick off the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series for 3-year-olds.
The annual Houston Racing Festival is set for Saturday, January 25 with a 1:00 pm first post. Five stakes, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3). The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $75,000 Bara Lass, and $75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard.
Texas Preview Day follows with five stakes for Texas-breds on Saturday, February 15. The event serves as important preparation for Texas Champions Day, with seven stakes races on Saturday, March 22.
Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager, looks forward to a season filled with quality racing and enhanced promotions, handicapping contests and special events. Live racing will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 pm and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central). Sam Houston Race Park will also host live racing and festivities, beginning at 1:00 pm on each of the Triple Crown dates: Kentucky Derby on May 3, Preakness on May 17, and Belmont Stakes on June 7.
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“We are committed to presenting an exciting racing season and engaging horseplayers, no matter their level of experience,” said Pettigrew. “Our goal in hosting live racing and promotions is to create a festive atmosphere for both racing enthusiasts and casual fans. On Friday nights in addition to the live music, we have added college nights offering students, alumni and fans of local universities a place to come and celebrate their schools.”
Sam Houston Race Park’s racing secretary Mike Acton reported that stall applications totaled 1,662 and that several new horsemen will have stalls for the upcoming meet. The barn area will open on Monday, December 2 with training hours set to commence on Friday, December 6. Sam Houston Race Park will also present a 25-day Quarter Horse live racing season, which begins on April 24 and concludes on June 14. Further information about the season can be accessed on the track’s website www.shrp.com.
2025 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule
Saturday, January 4
$75,000 Darby’s Daughter ** 3yo F- 5.5 Furlongs
$75,000 My Dandy Stakes ** 3yo C&G- 5.5 Furlongs
Saturday, January 25 Houston Racing Festival
$300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) 4yo &up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile
$200,000 John B. Connally Turf (G3) 4yo &up- 1 1/2 Mile (T)
$100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile 3yo- 1 Mile (T)
$75,000 Bara Lass Stakes 3yo Texas-bred Fillies- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Gexa Groovy Stakes 3yo Texas-bred- 6 furlongs
Friday, February 14
$35,000 Darley Sprint Arabian Stakes (G2) 7 Furlongs 4& up Arabians
Saturday, February 15 Texas Preview Day for Texas-breds
$75,000 Jim’s Orbit ** 3yo C&G- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Two Altazano ** 3yo F- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 David E. Hooper Stakes 4yo & up- 7 Furlongs
$75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf 4yo &up F&M- 1 Mile (T)
$75,000 Houston Turf 4yo &up- 1 1/16 Miles (T)
Saturday, March 8
$60,000 Texas-Six Shooter Arabian Stakes 4yo & up Arabians -1 1/16 Miles (T)
Saturday, March 22 Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds
$100,000 TTA Derby 3yo C&G- 1 Mile and 70 yards
$100,000 TTA Oaks 3yo F- 1 Mile and 70 yards
$75,000 Richard King 4yo &up- 1 1/8 Mile (T)
$75,000 San Jacinto 4yo &up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile (T)
$75,000 Spirit of Texas 4yo &up- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Yellow Rose Stakes 4yo &up F&M- 6 furlongs
$75,000 Star of Texas 4yo &up- 1 Mile
Saturday, March 29
$60,000 Yellow Rose Arabian Stakes 4yo & up Arabians -1 Mile (T)
** Clarence Scharbaurer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series
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