(Thursday, August 28, 2008) - Sam Houston Race Park has an exciting Labor Day holiday weekend of live racing and live music events, as well as the kick off to Fan Appreciation Week at The Park beginning Thursday, August 28 through Monday, September 2.

Live American Quarter Horse racing will kick off the holiday weekend beginning Thursday, August 28 with the Guys Night Out presented by Woodford Reserve. This marks the final evening of Guys Night Out for the 2008 American Quarter Horse meet. Tickets are available for $19 per person and include admission, Club Level seating, live racing program and tip sheet, burger basket, two cold beverages, and a $2 wagering voucher so you’re first bet is on the track. The evening will also feature trial races for the TQHA Claiming Futurity. Post time is 6:00 p.m. for the 10-race card.

Live racing events continue on Friday, August 29 as The Park hosts Verizon Wireless Day, offering the first 2,000 live racing fans through the gates a complimentary baseball hat. The featured race of the night is the $50,000+ Sam Houston Classic Handicap (G2) for horses three-year-olds and up running 440 yards. Morning line odds list Sassys Tuffy as the 7-2 favorite and Diamond Tres Seis as the 9-2 second favorite for the race. The field includes a total of 11 strong contenders.

Saturday, August 30 is Bud Light Day at The Park, where the first 2,500 live racing fans will receive a rally towel to cheer on live racing throughout the night. The 10-race card will feature the $35,000+ Governor’s Cup Marathon (G3) for three-year-olds running a distance of 870 yards. The field of seven horses includes Blue Ribbon Dash as the 9-5 favorite and Just Blink as the second choice with odds of 3-1.

In addition to live Quarter Horse racing events for the holiday weekend, the Verizon Wireless post-race concert series on the Bud Light stage will continue with a performances from country artists Kevin Fowler and Reckless Kelly on Friday, August 29 and Clay Walker on Saturday, August 30 at The Showgrounds (www.theshowgrounds.com) immediately following the live racing program each night. The Park will also be home to the 4th Annual Family Funday in The Park. The concert festival, produced by Radio One, will feature performances from a variety of R&B, gospel and inspirational artists, as well as top hip-hop acts. Tickets are available at the gate for $12 per person, and parking is free. Gates are at 12 p.m.

The holiday weekend will provide racing fans with more live racing events on Sunday, August 31 and Monday, September 1. Sunday’s race card includes 10 races, with the $15,000+ Sam Houston Distance Derby as the featured race. Post time is 5:00 p.m. Labor Day, Monday, September 1 will mark the kick off of The Park’s Fan Appreciation Week with Dollar Day at The Park, presented by the Houston Chronicle and Hebrew National Hot Dogs. As part of the Dollar Day celebration, The Park will offer live racing fans admission, racing programs, hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, water and draft beer for just $1.

In addition, the Houston Chronicle’s racing writer, Martha Claussen, will hold a special beginner’s handicapping seminar on the Club Level at the start of the live racing program to educate first-time fans on how to understand the racing form and learn more about live racing. The event is free and open to the public. The night’s featured race will be the $15,000+ Blue Bonnet Stake race. Post time is 1:30 p.m.

Live Quarter Horse racing continues with racing every Friday and Saturday in September at Sam Houston Race Park through September 13.