Sam Houston Race Park's live Quarter Horse racing season kicks off on Thursday and will continue through Saturday, June 14.

© Jack Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 18, 2025–Fast horses and a full slate of festivities are set for the 2025 Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet, with opening day set for Thursday, April 24. Horsemen responded enthusiastically with entries for the first night of the 25-day meet, which will continue through Saturday, June 14.

Racing will take place on Thursday at 4:30 pm and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 pm (Central).

The annual live racing season coincides with each of the Triple Crown races, beginning with the Kentucky Derby, which Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast on Saturday, May 3. Traditionally, one of the biggest days of the year at Sam Houston, officials have announced the Kentucky Derby Fest, a newly created event at the Showgrounds (Infield) on Saturday, May 3.

Sam Houston, officials have announced the Kentucky Derby Fest, a newly created event at the Showgrounds (Infield) on Saturday, May 3.© © Jack Coady Photography

Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager looks forward to offering fans an even greater way of enjoying the greatest two minutes in sports!

"In the past the track has sold out all seats, dining and suites on Kentucky Derby Day," he said. "In order to accommodate more fans in 2025, we created the Derby Fest, an all-inclusive VIP Experience in the infield of the track. The air-conditioned tent will offer food and drink creations by Sam Houston's chefs, a Wine Garden and Live Music, along with betting on all the races from Churchill Downs leading up to the Kentucky Derby."

Friday, May 2-Kentucky Oaks Day
Gates  Open at 10:30 a.m.
Sam Houston Race Park will honor women and fillies with an "All Pink" Quarter Horse race
A special cocktail "Oaks Lillies" will be served
Racing fans can watch and wager on the entire card from Churchill Downs, including the Grade 1, Kentucky Oaks
Live Quarter Horse racing at Sam Houston

Saturday, May 3  151st Kentucky Derby and Live Sam Houston Park Quarter Horse Racing
Gates open for simulcasting at 8:00 a.m.
Admissions to the building opens at 9:30 a.m.
Winner's Circle Restaurant opens at 9:30 a.m.
First live Quarter Horse race at Sam Houston Race Park 10:30 a.m.
Official Kentucky Derby Merchandise and Mint Juleps
Fan favorite Kentucky Derby Hat Contest presented by Shannon Jewelers
"Mobile Wagering" to Alleviate Lines for Wagering

Kentucky Derby Fest at the Showgrounds, in the center of the track includes: VIP Experience with an enclosed and climate controlled tent - all-inclusive food and drinks, a lounge, wine garden, cigar station and live music by Southern County Line and DJ Love.

VIP tickets are $175 per person in advance and $200 on the day of the event. A more casual $30 admission ticket in the Showgrounds will provide access to food trucks, Kentucky Derby Merchandise, Live Music and more.

Holiday Race Dates, Preakness and Belmont Stakes and Additional Promotions

Racing will take place 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 will also simulcast the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 17 and the final leg of the Triple Crown, 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 on May 10; Houston Baseball Fan Day on April 26 and Teacher Appreciation on May 31 and Horsepower & Brews on June 7. For more information or to make reservations, visit tickets.shrp.com.

Trainer Marc Jungers Off to a Quick Start

Trainers have been eagerly anticipating the annual live Quarter Horse season and entries were very strong for the opening day card.

One Texas horseman to watch this season is Marc Jungers, who resides just 45 minutes from Sam Houston Race Park in Hempstead, Texas. He won 50 races in 2024, including the Grade 1, Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity with Lethal Cowboy 123; and graded stakes scores by Asscher in the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Oaks as well as the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby and the Purina Feeds Texas Classic Oaks at Lone Star Park.

Currently ranked second in the 2025 North American Trainer standings, Marc Jungers will be a trainer to watch this year at Sam Houston Race Park. © © Amber Medez

Currently ranked second in the 2025 North American Trainer standings, Jungers will saddle fastest qualifier Eyesa Wagon My Tale in Saturday's, Remington Park Oklahoma-bred Oaks. She is slated to spend the summer at Ruidoso Downs, with a number of 2-year-olds currently in training for Jungers.

But the native Texan is also looking forward to running in his "home track" of Sam Houston Race Park., where he hopes for a good effort from Barbed Wired in the fourth race of the opening night program. Jungers and his wife, Michelle bred the filly by Tempting Dash out of the Jesse James Jr mare, Essencia. Tempting Dash sired AQHA Champion Kiss My Hocks, winner of the 2014 Sam Houston Futurity and Essencia's first foal Flash Riley qualified to the 2021 All American Derby(G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

"She's a pretty nice filly," stated Jungers. "This will be her first start, but she looked good in her schooling race at Retama Park. Her dam has produced two multiple stakes winners."

Jungers is a busy man and appreciates that his wife loves horses and that he has "good people" helping him run at different tracks.

He finished ninth in the 2024 Sam Houston trainer standings and will have plenty of competition from returning horsemen including  John Stinebaugh,  Jose Sanchez, Kie Mushinski, Brian Stroud, Angel Sanchez and Ricardo Aguirre.

"We had a great first day of entries," said Mike Acton, Sam Houston Race Park's Racing Secretary. "Nominations for the Sam Houston Futurity and Derby were also strong, so we are all looking forward to a very successful Quarter Horse meet."

Full Jockey Colony Ready to Showcase Their Skills

Many established Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse jockeys and several new faces will ride this season with the title likely to go down to the wire.

Victor Urieta, Jr., who won 2022 Sam Houston Futurity and last year's Sam Houston Derby and Oliver Martinez, who began the year with a victory in the Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2), will ride in each of the 11 races here on opening night.

Ali Rivera, Nestor Duran, Claudio Aguilar, Jose Hebert, Jorge Garcia, Elizar Vera and Eddie Sanchez, have multiple mounts on the card.

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 Q-Racing Video 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
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

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. It 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.

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