Sam Houston Race Park Announces Its 2007/2008 Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

The 2007/2008 Sam Houston Race Park Winter/Spring Thoroughbred meeting will begin on Friday, November 23. The 68-day meeting will offer in excess of $110,000 in purses each day and will feature 32 stakes races with more than $1.6 million in purses. The northwest Houston racetrack’s Thoroughbred season will conclude on Saturday, April 5.

Key racing dates for the upcoming meeting begin with Texas Champions Day on Saturday, December 1. One of the premier days of racing in the state, Texas Champions Day shines the spotlight on Texas-breds with eight stakes races with $500,000 in purses. Once again, Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to join forces with the Texas Thoroughbred Association in showcasing the state’s finest Thoroughbreds on both the main track and Connally Turf Course.

“We look forward to the return of Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, November 23,” said Andrea Young, Sam Houston Race Park’s chief operating officer. “Our opening weekend will be filled with exciting events followed by Texas Champions Day on December 1, which is always a tremendous night of racing.”

In addition to Texas Champions Day, some of the other notable racing events include the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup on January 26. The MAXXAM Gold Cup has produced some exceptional champions, most notably last year’s winner, Student Council, who went on to win the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Pacific Classic on August 19 at Del Mar and the Grade 2, $500,000 Hawthorne Gold Cup on September 29. Juveniles compete in two divisions of the Texas Stallion Stakes, the $125,000 Jim’s Orbit and the $125,000 Two Altazano, which will take place on February 16. The richest race of the Thoroughbred meeting, the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf, will retain its April date on the calendar and will close out the meeting on Saturday, April 5.

“Our main track surface and Connally turf course continue to receive very positive comments from Texas trainers and national conditioners,” added Eric Johnston, Sam Houston Race Park racing secretary. “It is always an honor for us to host Texas Champions Day and to conclude our meet with the third running of the Grade 3, Connally Breeders' Cup Turf. Racing fans in Houston and simulcast fans across the country enjoy the full fields and competitive racing offered in the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet.”

Post time for the 2007/2008 Thoroughbred meeting is 7:00 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Sam Houston Race Park racing office is currently accepting stall applications and is finalizing the first condition book covering races beginning November 23. The deadline for stall applications is October 12. Horsemen who would like a copy of the Winter/Spring Thoroughbred Stakes book may contact the Racing Office at 1-800-807-RACE or visit the Sam Houston Race Park website at shrp.com.

2007/2008 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE

December

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
December 1 Texas Champions Day      
  Star of Texas Stakes* $100,000 3 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles
  Martanza Stakes* $75,000 F& M, 3 YO & Up 1 Mile
  Richard King Stakes* $50,000 3 YO & Up 1 1/8 Miles Turf
  San Jacinto Stakes* $50,000 F&M 3 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
  Spirit of Texas Stakes* $50,000 3 YO & Up 6 Furlongs
  Yellow Rose Stakes* $50,000 F&M 3 YO & Up 6 Furlongs
  Groovy Stakes* $50,000 2 YO 7 Furlongs
  Bara Lass Stakes* $50,000 F 2 YO 7 Furlongs

January

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
January 26 MAXXAM Gold Cup $100,000 4 YO & Up 1 1/8 Miles
  Sam Houston Distaff $50,000 F&M 4 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles

February

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
February 9 Jersey Village Stakes* $50,000 F&M 4 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
February 16 Jim’s Orbit Stakes $125,000 C&G 3 YO 1 Mile
  Two Altazano Stakes $125,000 F 3 YO 1 Mile
February 23 Tomball Stakes* $50,000 4 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf

March

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
March 1 Texas Heritage Stakes $50,000 3 YO 1 Mile
March 8 Sam Houston Oaks $50,000 F 3 YO 1 Mile
March 15 Mission Stakes* $50,000 4 YO & Up 7 Furlongs
March 22 Spring Stakes* $50,000 F&M 4 YO & Up 7 Furlongs
March 29 Fort Bend County Stakes* $50,000 3 YO 7 Furlongs

April

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
April 5 Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf Festival      
  John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf (Grade III) $200,000-added 3 YO & Up 1 1/8 Miles Turf
  Jersey Lilly Stakes $50,000 F&M 4 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
  Sam Houston Turf Sprint Cup $50,000 4 YO & Up 5 Furlongs Turf

* Indicates accredited Texas-Bred stakes races.

2007/2008 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
OVERNIGHT STAKES SCHEDULE

November

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
November 23 Lilly Langtry Stakes $25,000-added F 2YO 6 Furlongs
November 24 Bountiful Harvest Stakes $25,000-added 2 YO 6 Furlongs

December

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
December 8 Buffalo Bayou Stakes $25,000-added 3 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
December 15 Space City Stakes $25,000-added F 3 YO 7 Furlongs
December 22 Black Gold Stakes $25,000-added 3 YO 7 Furlongs
December 31 Auld Lang Syne Stakes $25,000-added F &M 3 YO &Up 6 Furlongs

January

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
January 5 Allen’s Landing Stakes $25,000-added F&M 4 YO & Up 1 1/16 Miles Turf
January 12 Cy-Fair Stakes $25,000-added F 3 YO 6 Furlongs
January 19 Spindletop Stakes $25,000-added 3 YO 6 Furlongs

February

Date Race Purse Conditions Distance/Surface
February 2 Texans Stakes $25,000-added F&M 4 YO & Up 5 Furlongs Turf

* Indicates accredited Texas-Bred stakes races.
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