American Quarter Horse racing is known for its explosive starts and thrilling photo finishes. The 2004 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet kicks off this Friday, April 23 and is filled with exciting racing action and a weekend full of special events. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. this Friday with post time for the ten-race card set for 7:00 p.m. Friday night's card will feature trials for the Sam Houston Texas-Bred Futurity.

Saturday, April 24 will mark a special night of racing saluting the tenth anniversary of Sam Houston Race Park. The celebration will include a gigantic cake, live music, special opening ceremonies and free Beanie horses to the first 3,000 fans. Lisa Whitley, winner of KPRC-TV2's Gimme The Mike will perform the National Anthem as part of the special tenth anniversary ceremony. The evening's race card will feature the first stakes race of the 2004 American Quarter Horse meeting, the $10,000-added Harris County Stakes. Opening weekend concludes on Sunday, April 25 with a 5:00 p.m. post time and the debut of a new concert series at Sam Houston Race Park. The Hot Latin Nights concerts will kick off at 4:00 p.m. with live salsa music performed by Marys Band.

"We are pleased to host an extended live Quarter Horse meeting and look forward to hosting our first MBNA Challenge Championships on November
6," said Robert L. Bork, Sam Houston Race Park president and general manager. "Opening weekend will be filled with special events and exciting
live racing action. We'll start off with a bang and follow this weekend up with the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and live racing next Saturday."