Sam Houston Race Park will begin repairs to the roof of the grandstand building, as well as additional construction to rebuild portions of the stable and track areas, weather permitting, beginning Thursday, January 22, 2009.

The roof replacement, the largest and most complicated portion of the rebuilding project, will utilize a crane assist in the removal of the existing damaged roof, replace all insulation and reinstall new sections of metal roofing back on the building. The roof, which weighs roughly 130,000 lbs, will require approximately 12 weeks time in order to completely renovate. The Park will recycle the damaged roof sections with local scrap metal giant C&D Scrap Metal Recyclers, Inc. Access to the grandstands during construction is prohibited.

As a result of Hurricane Ike, The Park was forced to relocate the 2008/2009 Thoroughbred meet due to damages sustained by the facility. In addition, The Park relocated simulcast operations to the Pavilion Centre to ensure the safety of patrons during the construction period. The storm’s high winds and rainfall caused significant damage throughout the property including the facility’s Grandstands, stable areas and the large infield tote board.

The Park has retained Linbeck to oversee the construction project.

“We are ready to move forward with rebuilding our facility,” stated Andrea Young, President and Chief Operating Officer, Sam Houston Race Park. “We have partnered with one of Houston’s best firms, Linbeck, and have every confidence that the project will run smoothly and efficiently so we can open with a bigger and better facility this spring.”

Linbeck Vice President John Go stated, “We have been helping The Park develop and grow for more than 14 years now and we are excited to work with old friends.”

Once the roof repairs are complete, The Park will install new drywall, paint, carpet, ceiling tiles and Silestone countertops throughout the building, including on the suite and club levels, as well as in The Park’s private membership club, the Jockey Club.

In addition, The Park will replace the current infield tote board with a state-of-the-art LED video screen score board which will greatly enhance the live racing experience, offering patrons continuous viewing of races in real time as well as provide additional opportunities for replays and visual programming for live racing and concert events. The new tote board system is expected to be in place by the start of the live racing season.

The Park will begin construction to the stable area, including rebuilding approximately 115 dorm and tack rooms, along with repairs to areas of the barns that were damaged as a result of the high winds and rain, later this month.

The Showgrounds at Sam Houston Race Park (www.theshowgrounds.com) will open the 2009 concert season with alternative rock act Fall Out Boy and the “Believers Never Die Part Deux” Tour on Saturday, April 18, 2009. The tour will also feature performances from Cobra Starship, All Time Low, Metro Station and Hey Monday.

The Park will re-open for live racing events on May 1, 2009, for the 16th American Quarter Horse meet. The next day, The Park will host its annual Kentucky Derby festivities and a concert event at The Showgrounds.