Sam Houston announces dates, stakes for 2014

Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 21st racing season on January 17,

2014. The Texas Racing Commission recently granted approval on the schedule,

which begins with Thoroughbreds returning for a 32-day meeting.

The 2014 stakes schedule includes 22 stakes offering total purses of nearly

$1.7 million. The 2014 Thoroughbred season will begin with Texas Champions

Weekend, which will continue in its two-day format for the third consecutive

year. Texas-bred Thoroughbreds will take center stage on opening night with

three stakes for fillies and mares ($50,000 San Jacinto, $50,000 Yellow Rose and

$50,000 Bara Lass). On January 18, their male counterparts star in four events

($50,000 Star of Texas, $50,000 Richard King, $50,000 Spirit of Texas and the

$50,000 Groovy).

Sam Houston Race Park president, Andréa Young confirmed that the Houston

Racing Festival will return on January 25. The evening will feature four stakes,

including the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic; the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally

Turf Cup; $75,000 Champion Energy; and $50,000 Allen's Landing. Proceeds from

the richest day in Texas racing will once again benefit the Houston Chapter of

the Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

Last year's inaugural Houston Ladies Classic was triumphant on many levels.

The race attracted a stellar field of fillies and mares with Joyful Victory

winning in a track-record setting effort with Rosie Napravnik aboard. Joyful

Victory has since won the Santa Margarita and Molly Pitcher.

Other significant dates include Texas Stallions Weekend on February 15 with

the $75,000 Two Altazano, $75,000 Jim's Orbit, and $50,000 Jersey Village. The

Maxxam Gold Cup Racing Festival will take place on March 1 and feature the

$100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup; $50,000 Jersey Lilly and the $50,000 Texas Heritage.

Departing, the winner of the 2013 Texas Heritage, later made his mark on the

national racing scene, winning the Illinois Derby, West Virginia Derby and the

Super Derby.

"Our goal in 2013 was to improve the quality of our live racing product and

the Houston Ladies Classic and Connally really set the tone for a great season,"

Young said. "We look forward to raising the bar even higher in 2014."

Officials have announced that Tuesday afternoon will replace Sunday in the

2014 Thoroughbred meet. Post times for live Thoroughbred racing will be Friday

(7 p.m. Central), Saturday (7 p.m.), Monday (1 p.m.) and Tuesday (1 p.m.).

"We have been really pleased with the growth of Mondays since we added them

in 2011," Young said. "We are hoping to replicate some of that success with the

additions of Tuesdays this coming season."

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