Horse Racing in Texas – Sam Houston Park Enjoys Increased Handle & Larger Crowds
When Sam Houston Race Park opened for business in 1994, it became the first pari-mutuel horse racing facility in the state of Texas. That may surprise many people, as images of horses and cattle often come to mind when thinking of the Lone Star State.
However, it wasn’t until Sam Houston Park that Class 1 Thoroughbred racing was ushered into Texas. Since then, the state has added Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie and Retama Park in Selma to its racing menu.
Sam Houston Park is located 15 minutes from downtown Houston and offers both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons. When live racing is not being conducted, the facility also acts as one of the top concert venues in the region.
Sam Houston Park’s 2012 Thoroughbred season opened Jan. 20 and runs through March 12. Racing is conducted in the evenings at Sam Houston, Friday thru Sunday, and on Monday afternoons. According to track officials, average daily purses have averaged $165,000 a day, which is a record for Sam Houston Park. The meet also features 15 stakes races worth a total of $1.1 million in purses, which is highlighted by the Grade 3, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup.
As for the facility itself, Sam Houston Park has a dirt main track and turf course, as well as 19 luxury suites for fans overlooking the racetrack. There are also dining options at its Winner’s Circle Restaurant and Champion Energy Services Jockey Club.
Additionally, Sam Houston is well-known for its promotional events. The 2012 season includea 50 cent beers and $1.50 wine on each Friday card and free admission on Mondays. There will also be evenings that feature events such as wiener dog racing, ostrich and camel racing, ladies’ nights and a crawfish broil that will feature top-class cajun cooking.
Sam Houston Park drew a record opening-day crowd of 12,856 to kick off its 2012 Thoroughbred season on Jan. 20 and the momentum has continued, according to track officials. Through Feb. 16, total wagering on Sam Houston Park races was up 24 percent from a year ago and on-track average daily handle was up a whopping 33 percent.
A major reason for the wagering increases has been the larger field sizes at Sam Houston. There has been an average of 8.8 starters a race in 2012, which is up five percent from a year ago.
“We are absolutely thrilled about our start,” said Andrea Young, Sam Houston Park president. “The support of our horsemen and our fans has been incredible. We are optimistic the energy will continue during the last few weeks of the meet.”
Top trainers at Sam Houston Park include Karl Broberg, who leads the current meet in number of wins; along with Steve Asmussen, Joe Offolter and Mindy Willis. Top jockeys at Sam Houston include leading rider Glen Murphy, Gerardo Mora, Larry Taylor, and Chris Landeros.
The Sam Houston Park Quarter Horse season kicks off March 22 and runs through May 19.
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