SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK ANNOUNCES 2026 THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE

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Sam Houston Race Park (NASDAQ: PENN) announced its 2026 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. Opening day is Friday, January 2, 2026, beginning a 41-day meet that runs through Saturday, April 4, 2026. The meet features 21 stakes with total purses of $2 million, including opening-weekend $75,000 Darby's Daughter and My Dandy Stakes that start the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series.

The Houston Racing Festival on January 24 highlights a $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and $200,000 John B. Connally Turf. Other logistics: barn area opens December 1, 2025, training begins December 3, 2025, and stall applications are due October 31, 2025. The release also notes a new rewards program, Penn Play, and entry/stall contact details for horsemen.

Opening Day for the Thoroughbred Meet Slated for Friday, January 2, 2026

HOUSTON, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 32^nd live racing season on Friday, January 2, 2026.  A total of 21 stakes with purses totaling $2 million will be run throughout the 41-day Thoroughbred meet, which continues through Saturday, April 4.

Supporting Texas-bred racing continues to be an important priority for the northwest Houston racetrack. Two stakes, the $75,000 Darby's Daughter for 3-year-old fillies and the $75,000 My Dandy Stakes for 3-year-old colts and geldings will be contested on opening weekend. These stakes kick off the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series for 3-year-olds.

The annual Houston Racing Festival is set for Saturday, January 24 with a 1:00 pm first post. Five stakes will be contested, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf.  The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $75,000 Bara Lass, and $75,000 Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard. 

Texas Preview Day follows with five stakes for Texas-breds on Saturday, February 14. The event serves as important preparation for Texas Champions Day, with seven stakes races on Saturday, March 21.

Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager, looks forward to a season filled with quality racing and an enhanced promotions, handicapping contests and special events. Live racing will take place on Fridays at 6:30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00 pm (Central).  "We're thrilled to kick off a new racing season designed to engage horseplayers of all experience levels, along with exciting promotions and family-friendly events. With the launch of our new rewards program, Penn Play, we're introducing enhanced amenities and exclusive benefits for our valued guests."

Sam Houston Race Park Racing Secretary Mike Acton shared, "We're excited to welcome back our returning owners for the 2026 season in Houston, as well as those joining us for the first time. We're pleased to see a few new faces in the mix this year, and we're looking forward to a strong season of competitive Thoroughbred racing."

Horsemen News
Stall applications for the upcoming Thoroughbred meet are due by Friday,October 31 and can be accessed on the Sam Houston Race Park Stall Application Page or by contacting Racing Secretary Mike Acton at mike.acton@pennentertainment.com or 405-886-6168. The Sam Houston Race Park barn area will open on Monday, December 1 with training hours set to commence on Wednesday, December 3. The first condition book will be available in mid-October and further information about the season can be accessed on the Horsemen's Page.

Horsemen interested in joining the Sam Houston Race Park Text Message program can text "Updates" to 833-735-1022 for the latest Sam Houston horse racing news. This new communications platform provides Entry Deadlines, Race Changes, and other important information for Horsemen and Horsewomen.

2026 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred Stakes Schedule

Saturday, January 3
$75,000 Darby's Daughter **	3yo F- 5.5 Furlongs
$75,000 My Dandy Stakes **	3yo C&G- 5.5 Furlongs

 

Saturday, January 24	Houston Racing Festival
$300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3)	4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile
$200,000 John B. Connally Turf	4&up- 1 1/2 Mile (T)
$100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile	3yo- 1 Mile (T)
$75,000 Bara Lass Stakes	3yo Texas-bred Fillies- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Groovy Stakes	3yo Texas-bred- 6 furlongs

 

Saturday, February 14	Texas Preview Day for Texas-breds
$75,000 Jim's Orbit **	3yo C&G- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Two Altazano **	3yo F- 6 Furlongs
$77,000 David E. Hooper Stakes	4yo & up- 7 Furlongs
$77,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf	4&up F&M- 1 Mile (T)
$77,000 Sunlit Song Turf Stakes	4&up- 1 1/16 Miles (T)

 

Saturday, March 7
$40,000 Texas-Six Shooter Arabian Stakes	4& up Arabians -1 1/16 Miles (T)

 

Saturday, March 21	Texas Champions Day for Texas-breds
$102,000 TTA Derby	3yo C&G- 1 Mile and 70 yards
$102,000 TTA Oaks	3yo F- 1 Mile and 70 yards
$75,000 Richard King	4&up- 1 1/8 Mile (T)
$75,000 San Jacinto	4&up F&M- 1 1/16 Mile (T)
$75,000 Spirit of Texas	4&up- 6 Furlongs
$75,000 Yellow Rose Stakes	4&up F&M- 6 furlongs
$75,000 Star of Texas	4&up- 1 Mile

 

Saturday, March 28
$40,000 Yellow Rose Arabian Stakes	4& up Arabians -1 Mile (T)

** Clarence Scharbaurer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series

About Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is Houston's premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Owned by Penn Entertainment Inc. (NASDAQ – PENN), the racetrack, which opened in 1994, offers a variety of attractions for businesses, group outings and families during racing and the off-season. The track is best known for its award-winning dining and features multiple areas for fans looking for casual to upscale dining options including its Winner's Circle Restaurant, Jockey Club, Luxury Suites and Pavilion Centre. For more information or tickets to upcoming live racing, concerts and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.

Photos:  Jack Coady Photography

Media Contact:
David Palomo
david.palomo@pennentertainment.com

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SOURCE Sam Houston Race Park

FAQ

When does Sam Houston Race Park (PENN) open its 2026 Thoroughbred meet?

Opening day is Friday, January 2, 2026, with the meet running through April 4, 2026.

How many stakes and what total purse does Sam Houston Race Park list for 2026?

The schedule lists 21 stakes with total purses of $2 million across the meet.

What are the headline races at the January 24, 2026 Houston Racing Festival?

The festival is anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf.

What are key horsemen deadlines for the 2026 Sam Houston meet (PENN)?

Stall applications are due by October 31, 2025; barn area opens December 1, 2025; training begins December 3, 2025.

How can horsemen contact Sam Houston Race Park about stalls and entries?

Contact Racing Secretary Mike Acton at mike.acton@pennentertainment.com or 405-886-6168, or use the Sam Houston stall application page.

What new guest feature is Sam Houston Race Park introducing for the 2026 season?

The track is launching a new rewards program called Penn Play with enhanced amenities and exclusive guest benefits.