(August 9, 2006) - Saturday’s feature will be the finals of the $63,880 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby. Texas Sixes, trained by Judd Kearl and ridden by James Brooks was the fastest qualifier, crossing the wire of his 400-yard trial in :20.084. Owned and bred by Jerry Windham, the sorrel colt qualified for the 2005 Rainbow Futurity, finished sixth in the Ruidoso Downs stakes. This was his first win of 2006, but Kearl acknowledged that he had a tough campaign in 2005.

“I’ve just had him for about a month,” said Kearl. “He has talent; he won the Ruidoso Juvenile last June. Good 2-year-olds will run well as 3-year-olds; you just have to keep them fresh and happy.”

The Friday evening card at Sam Houston Race Park will include four trials for the $115,519 Dixie Stallion Stakes Futurity.

Benefit Golf Tournament for the Racetrack Chaplaincy Set for Monday, August 28

The Racetrack Chaplaincy of America-Sam Houston Race Park will host a Benefit Golf Tournament on Monday, August 28, 2004 at Longwood Golf Club.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit Sam Houston Race Park’s Chaplaincy program. The northwest Houston racetrack is one of the many racetracks across the country that benefit from the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America.This non-profit organization is instrumental in offering assistance and many programs to the horsemen, grooms, jockeys and other individuals who make their living in racing.

“Many people in this industry have needs just like everyone else,” said track chaplain John Shumaker. “We do our best to help all of those people in need. Not just with clothing and food, but also with spiritual and emotional needs. Our golf tournament is an excellent way to raise needed funds while enjoying a round of golf at one of Houston’s finest golf courses.”

Sign in for the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America - Sam Houston Race Park golf tournament gets underway at 8:30 a.m. The Shotgun Start begins at 10:00 a.m. Entry fee is $75 per player and will include golf, catered lunch and a goodie bag. Longwood Golf Club is located at 13300 Longwood Trace in northwest Houston.

For additional information, or to enter the tournament, call Chaplain John Shumaker at (281) 807-7236.

Sam Houston Race Park Jockey, Trainer and Owner Standings

James Brooks has regained his lead in the jockey standings after making four trips to the winner’s circle last weekend. Brooks has a total of 31 wins and $229,442 in earnings. Rodrigo Vallejo did not ride last week, but did not fall far in the standings, following closely in second place with 30 wins. Jeff Jerman is still ranked third in the standings with a total of 21 victories and $118,014 in earnings. Alfonso Lujan currently has the highest earnings with $258,548 and is in fourth place with 18 wins. Luis Ramirez rounds out the top five with 13 wins.

Judd Kearl continues his first-place position in the trainer standings, now with 17 wins after saddling four winners last week. Janet Van Bebber, who has been the leading trainer at Sam Houston Race Park for the past five years, is three wins behind with 14 victories. Thanks to the victory of Snowy Alibi in the $343,305 TQHA Sale Futurity, Van Bebber leads all trainers with earnings of $271,268. Dave Correll moved into third place with an impressive showing last weekend. Correll and his first call rider, Jose Vega went three-for-three on the Sunday afternoon card. Team Correll-Vega won the fourth race with Chrome Features ($12.20); the sixth race with Fast Tar Bay Bee ($4.00) and a score by Highfalutin Maid ($23.00) in the eighth race. Toby Keeton dropped to fourth place with eight wins and is closely followed by Alex Villarreal, who has a total of seven wins.

Owners Warner Croft ,J.C. Wells and Los Ladrilleros Horse Racing Co. are in a tie in the owner standings with five victories each. D.D. Lightsey and Bob Weik have four wins but D.D. Lightsey remains the leading owner in earnings with $136,424.

Daily Racing Form/NTRA Championship Qualifier Set for Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park will host its seventh annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA Championship Qualifier on Saturday, September 23, 2006. The contest is open to all racing fans, 21 years of age or older but limited to the first 200 entries (two entries per person max). The top three finalists will win a trip to compete at Bally’s - Las Vegas for the 2007 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship.

The contest fee is $200 and includes a seat on the Club level of the Sam Houston Race Park Grandstand, a continental breakfast, a contest program, a complimentary buffet lunch and a Sam Houston Race Park gift.

Contestants will be required to make mythical $2.00 win and place wagers on 20 races throughout the day. Ten races will be designated as mandatory by Sam Houston Race Park with the remaining ten to be chosen by the participants. The individual winner will be determined by the highest bankroll from all $2.00 win and place bets at the end of the day. First place will receive $10,000, second place finisher will be awarded $6,000, $3,000 for third place, $2,000 for fourth place and $1,000 for fifth place. Participants who finish sixth through fifteenth place, will receive $300 each.

The three top finishers will represent Sam Houston Race Park in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship on January 26-27 and receive complimentary entry into the finals, roundtrip airfare to Las Vegas and three nights hotel accommodations. A total of over $500,000 in cash prizes will be distributed in the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, the largest total purse in the eight-year history of the event.

For further information regarding the Daily Racing Form/NTRA Handicapping Qualifier on Saturday, September 23, please call Troy Lawrence at (281) 807-8801 or visit the Sam Houston Race Park web site at shrp.com.

August VIP Specials at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park continues the great offers and benefits for its VIP Club members. Each Wednesday in August, VIP Club members may choose to receive double points for swiping their VIP Club Card, or choose to receive a complimentary Saratoga or Del Mar program. Also, just for swiping the VIP Club Card, members will be entered in a drawing for $250, which will be held each Sunday. Admission is also free for all VIP Club members who visit the park during non live racing hours. Race fans will enjoy taking advantage of the free admission to wager on the simulcast races from across the country.

There are many great incentives for joining the VIP Club, including the VIP point-earning program. For swiping the VIP card, members earn player points for a free dinner in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant, complimentary Box Seats and many other great rewards.

To become a VIP Club member, visit the Players Lounge located at the North end of the Grandstand on the Paddock Level. For more information about the benefits of the VIP Club stop by the Players Lounge or visit shrp.com.

Simulcasting This Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast coast-to-coast racing action this week. Arlington Million Day will take place at Arlington Park on Saturday, August 12. The premier event includes three Grade I turf stakes: the Arlington Million XXIV; the Beverly D and the Secretariat Stakes.

Saratoga Race Course will be hosting the NTRA National Pick 4 with a guaranteed pool of $500,000 on Saturday, August 12. The wager, which will be available on Saturday at Sam Houston Race Park, will feature the four following stakes: the $200,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Breeders’ Cup Handicap and the $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational from Saratoga, the $750,000 Beverly D.and $1,000,000 Arlington Million from Arlington.