Live handle up more than 38 percent at Sam Houston

The 2011 Sam Houston Race Park
Thoroughbred meeting concluded on Monday with a significant increase in live handle of more than 38
percent. The
26-day racing season began on January 21 and featured 264 carded
races and 15 stakes races with a total of $4,146,200 in
purse distribution.

Key race dates included Texas Champions Day on January
22 with seven stakes for accredited Texas-breds. The John B. Connally Turf
Cup (G3) followed one week later and the $150,000 Maxxam Gold Cup took
place last Saturday. Throughout the meet, a comprehensive wagering menu
was offered including rolling Pick 3’s with a 12 percent takeout and $.50 trifecta,
superfecta and Pick 3s. Total handle surpassed the $1 million mark on 25 of
26 race dates.

We are thrilled about the recent
meet and are grateful to both our horsemen and our fans who responded so well to
the new format,” said Andrea Young, president and chief operating
officer. 

“By shortening our meet we feel like we have been able to deliver
a quality racing program. Our purses are up 58 percent from our last meet and our race
cards attracted top caliber talents such as Breeders’ Cup (Turf Sprint [G2]) winner
CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE (War Chant); Grade 1 champion STATELY VICTOR (Ghostzapper) and the impressive winner of our Grade
3, Connally Turf Cup, SCHRAMSBERG (Storm Cat), who was honored as Horse of the Meet.“ 

One year ago, Sam Houston Race Park introduced Monday
afternoon racing and noted many positive factors. The decision was made to
incorporate Monday racing into the 2011 live meet.

“After
our Monday racing experiment in 2010, we knew Mondays had the opportunity to
outperform Thursday,” Young added. “As one of the only tracks offering live racing
on Mondays, we found a nice window for our product. We are pleased with
the move and excited to see the boost in handle.“

Freezing conditions forced a cancellation of the February 4 race card, but due to tremendous interest in the racing product
throughout the month, Sam Houston Race Park officials were able to announce a
6.5 percent purse increase effective February 25. An additional $1,000 was added to
each of the races for the final eight days of the racing season.

The field size
was impressive with an average of 8.5 starters versus 8.2 in each race
throughout the 2009-10 racing season.

“Our horsemen seemed pleased with the daily purse structure
and stakes money offered for our 2011 Thoroughbred meet,” said Eric Johnston,
vice president of racing. “The fields for both the Connally Turf Cup and Maxxam
Gold Cup were outstanding. It will be our goal to seek Grade 3 status for the
2012 Maxxam Gold Cup. The race continues to attract a top caliber group of older
horses with this year’s field boasting earnings in excess of $3.5 million.”

Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 2011 live American
Quarter Horse meet on Friday. For the
full calendar of Sam Houston Race Park’s 2011 live race dates, visit
www.shrp.com.