Sam Houston Race Park will celebrate the return of live Thoroughbred racing with the introduction of a streamlined admission process offering patrons free general parking for live racing events beginning Friday, November 27, 2009. Free parking will continue for all live racing dates for Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets with the exception of select holidays, special events and festivals. The Park will continue to offer premium parking as well as valet for select events.

After carefully evaluating parking and admission pricing, The Park will increase live racing admission prices by $2 in order to offset operational expenses. New admission prices will be $6 Adults; $4 Senior Citizens; and children ages 12 and under are admitted FREE for all live racing and select concerts events. Park Rewards members will continue to receive free admission.

“We evaluated our parking and admissions process through customer surveys and have responded to customer comments by simplifying the approach to admission by offering free parking and offsetting expenses with a $2 increase to admissions prices,” said Dwight Berube, Vice President of Operations, Sam Houston Race Park. “We will continue to offer free admission as well as other discounts and specials on a regular basis to our Park Rewards members and we will continue to offer free admission to children under 12. We feel these changes continue to offer a great value for the dollar to our customers and will enhance the customer’s overall experience at The Park.”

Park Rewards, the innovative loyalty program The Park launched in April 2008, provides members with free admission to The Park for live racing and simulcast events, wagering vouchers, programs, food and beverage, exclusive monthly member contests, priority mailings and offers, double and triple points on select tracks, and eligibility for exclusive, year-end premium item giveaways and more.

The 15th Annual Thoroughbred meet will take place November 27, 2009 through April 3, 2010. Live racing will take place Thursday through Sunday in December (no live racing December 26 & 27); Thursday through Saturday in January; Thursday through Sunday in February; and Thursday through Saturday in March and April.

Highlights of the 2009/2010 Thoroughbred stakes schedule include: Texas Champions Day (December 5) featuring 8 stakes race events; the John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3) (January 30); Texas Stallion Stakes (February 20); the MAXXAM Gold Cup & Sam Houston Distaff (March 27).

The Park will host the 17th Annual American Quarter Horse meet Friday, May 1 through Saturday, August 15, 2010. The meet will feature live racing in May to coincide with Triple Crown simulcast events; and live racing Thursday through Saturday June through August.

In addition to live racing events, The Park will continue to build upon the success of the summer post-race concert series and stand alone festivals throughout the spring and summer months. More information on live music events will be announced in 2010.

Simulcast events continue to take place daily from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on the Paddock Level of the building.