Sam Houston's 2025 racing season will kick off on Thursday, April 24 and runs through Saturday, June 14.

© Jack Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–FEBRUARY 18, 2025–America’s Fastest Athletes return to Sam Houston Race Park on Thursday, April 24, when the northwest Houston racetrack and entertainment venue kicks off its 2025 Quarter Horse racing season. The 25-day meet will continue through Saturday, June 14.

Racing will occur on Thursday at 4:30 pm and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 pm (Central) with a special Memorial Day Live Racing Program, which gets underway at 4:30 p.m. on May 26. Sam Houston Race Park’s live dates coincide with each of the exciting Triple Crown races and post times of 10:30 a.m. for Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 3, and 1:00 p.m. for the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17, and the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7.

There will be no shortage of entertainment for racing fans of all ages with the return of the highly popular Corgi Dog Races, Classic Car Show, special days including Teacher Appreciation, Houston Baseball Fan Day, and Food and Beverage offers throughout the meet.

The highly popular Corgi Dog Races, Classic Car Show, special days including Kentucky Derby Day, Teacher Appreciation, Houston Baseball Fan Day, and Food and Beverage are offered throughout the meet.
© Jack Coady Photography

One of the most popular racing events of the year is the running of the Kentucky Derby, which takes place on the first Saturday of May from Churchill Downs.

It is always a festive day at Sam Houston Race Park with Mint Juleps and fierce competition in the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest.  

This year, it will take on an enhanced status as a two-day event. Kentucky Derby Weekend will kick off on Friday, May 3, as the Biggest Pre-Derby Day Party in Houston.

Stall applications are due by Friday, March 7. The barn area opens on Monday, April 14 with training hours beginning on Tuesday, April 15.

The stakes schedule will offer 15 features, including the running of the $150,000-added Sam Houston Futurity(G2) on Saturday, June 14. The notable list of Sam Houston Futurity champions includes War Colors, Azoom, All American Winner, Snowy Alibi, Especially Tres, Ivan James, and This Is An Eagle.

Three regional AQHA Challenge stakes will be contested on Friday, May 17. The winners of the John Deere Juvenile Challenge, Adequan Derby Challenge, and Lip Chip LLC Distance Challenge will earn berths into the Bank of America Racing Challenge Championships in October.

Sam Houston Race Park will also pay tribute to three Texas horsemen who have each made a significant impact in Texas Quarter Horse racing and were strong supporters of Sam Houston Race Park since its opening in 1994. The $50,000-added John Buchanan Memorial Stakes for 3-year-old fillies will be run on Saturday, May 17, as well as the $50,000-added Leon Bard Stakes for accredited Texas 3-year-olds. The $50,000-added Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes will be run on Saturday, June 14.

The racing office is under the direction of racing secretary Mike Acton; mike.acton@pennentertainment.com; phone (281) 807-8780; cell; (405) 886-6168; and fax:(281) 890-5485. Horsemen are encouraged to visit the Horseman’s page on the Sam Houston Race Park website for a comprehensive listing of requirements, forms, Texas and National Quarter Horse news, and more.

2025 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule
Saturday, May 17
$75,000 guaranteed Sam Houston Classic(G2)
$40,000-added John Deere Juvenile Challenge(G3)
$40,000-added Adequan Derby
$30,000-added Lip Chip LLC Distance Challenge
$50,000-added John Buchanan Memorial Stakes
$50,000-added Leon Bard Memorial Stakes

Saturday, June 7
$40,000-added Colors of Houston Futurity(G2)
$20,000-added Colors Of Texas Paint Maturity(G2)

Saturday, June 14
$150,000-added Sam Houston Futurity(G2)
$100,000-added Sam Houston Derby(G3)
$50,000-guaranteed Governors Cup Marathon Cup(G3)
$50,000-added Jesse Yoakum Memorial 870 Stakes
$50,000-added Willie Hickman Memorial Stakes
$50,000-added Miss Sam Houston Stakes
$50,000-added Sam Houston 250 Stakes
$50,000-added Sam Houston 550 Stakes

2025 Quarter Horse Trial Dates
Thursday, April 24  Lip Chip LLC Distance Challenge
Friday, April 25  Adequan Derby Challenge
Saturday, April 26  John Deere Juvenile Challenge
Thursday, May 22 Sam Houston Derby and Colors of Houston Futurity(G2)
Friday, May 23- Saturday, May 24 Sam Houston Futurity

The condition book with the complete list of the Sam Houston Race Park 2025 Quarter Stakes and trials is listed HERE.

Sam Houston Race Park Promotions
There will be plenty of entertaining special events for racing fans of all ages throughout the Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse racing season!

Thursday Dollar Dog Night
$1 Hot Dogs Available at 3 locations. Main Concessions and Rail Dogs on Paddock Level and Club Level Drink Specials

Friday Drink Specials
6-9 pm - $4 24oz Big Beer Friday, $2 187ml Wine.
Thursday Dollar Hot Dogs, Happy Hour 5-8 pm - $4 24oz Big Beer, $2 187ml Wine.

Houston Baseball Fans Day: April 26

Kentucky Derby Weekend - May 2 & 3
Friday “Biggest Pre-Derby Day Party in Houston”

Corgi Dog Races – May 10

Preakness  Stakes- May 17

Ladies Night Wine Tasting – May 24

Teacher Appreciation Day: May 31

Belmont Stakes– June 7 - Horsepower and Brews
Classic Car Show on the Pavilion and Paddock Apron

Father’s Day weekend – Shoppas Day at the Races June 14
Lawn Mower Races

Sam Houston Race Park has upgraded its online reservation system, offering tickets for live racing, special events, dining in the Winner’s Circle Restaurant, and suite rentals. Visit shrp.com for more information on live and simulcast racing, promotions, and special events or to book reservations.

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 us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, or YouTube.

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