The 2005/2006 Sam Houston Race Park Winter/Spring Thoroughbred meeting will begin on Friday, October 28. The 82-day meeting will offer in excess of $92,000 in purses each day and will feature 27 stakes races with more than $1.6 million in purses. The northwest Houston racetrack’s twelfth Thoroughbred meeting will conclude on Sunday, April 9, 2006.

Robert L. Bork, president and general manager, is pleased to announce that the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Sam Houston Race Park will continue their long-term association with Texas Champions Day. One of the premier days of racing in the state, Texas Champions Day will be held on Saturday, November 19. This exceptional day in Texas Thoroughbred racing will offer eight stakes races with $500,000 in purses.

In addition to Texas Champions Day, some of the other notable racing events include the $100,000 MAXXAM Gold Cup on January 21 and two divisions of the Texas Stallion Stakes, the $125,000 Jim’s Orbit and the $125,000 Two Altazano set for February 18. The richest race of the Thoroughbred meeting, the $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf, will retain its April date on the calendar and will take place on Saturday, April 8.

“We look forward to the return of Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, October 28,” said Sam Houston Race Park president, Robert L. Bork. “Opening weekend will coincide nicely with the simulcast of the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships from Belmont Park, which is always popular with our patrons. On November 19, we will partner with the Texas Thoroughbred Association to honor Texas-bred Thoroughbreds with yet another exciting renewal of Texas Champions Day. These two events will offer tremendous excitement to our patrons here in Houston as well as our simulcast fans across the country.”

Bork and Sam Houston Race Park racing secretary Eric Johnston have been in close contact with horsemen in Louisiana and the Louisiana HBPA regarding the reorganization due to the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.

“We have let racing officials in Louisiana know that we will help in anyway we possibly can to assist horsemen in light of the situation with Fair Grounds,” said Bork.

The Sam Houston Race Park racing office is currently accepting stall applications and will release the first condition book covering races from October 28 - November 25 by the end of September. 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 web site at www.shrp.com.

2005/2006 SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE

October

October 29 - Houston Chronicle Stakes, $40,000, F&M, 3 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles Turf

November

November 5 - Buffalo Bayou Stakes, $40,000, 3 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles Turf

November 19 - 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 Miles
• 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

December

December 3 - Conroe Stakes, $40,000, 3 YO, 7 Furlongs

January

January 14 - Cy-Fair Stakes, $30,000, F, 3 YO, 6 Furlongs

January 21 - MAXXAM Gold Cup, $100,000, 4 YO & Up, 1 1/8 Miles

Sam Houston Distaff, $40,000, F&M, 4 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles

January 28 - Bucharest Stakes, $30,000, 3 YO, 6 Furlongs

February

February 4 - Jersey Village Stakes*, $40,000, 4 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles Turf

February 11 - Tomball Stakes*, $40,000, F&M, 4 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles Turf

February 18 - Jim’s Orbit Stakes* $125,000 C&G 3 YO 1 Mile

Two Altazano Stakes*, $125,000, F, 3YO, 1 Mile

March

March 4 - Texas Heritage Stakes, $40,000, 3 YO, 1 Mile

March 11 - Sam Houston Oaks, $40,000, F, 3 YO, 1 Mile

March 18 - Spring Stakes*, $40,000, 4 YO & Up, 7 Furlongs

March 25 - Susan G. Komen Fillies and Mares for the Cure, $40,000, F&M, 4 YO & Up, 7 Furlongs

April

April 1 - Citgo Stakes, $40,000, 3 YO, 7 Furlongs

April 8 - Connally Breeders’ Cup Day

John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf, $200,000 Added, 3 YO & Up, 1 1/8 Miles Turf

Jersey Lilly Stakes, $40,000, F&M, 4 YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles Turf

Sam Houston Turf Sprint, $40,000, 3 YO & Up, 5 Furlongs Turf

* Indicates accredited Texas Bred stakes races.