First post for Sam Houston Race Park's Quarter Horse opener on Friday and Saturday is 6:30 pm (Central).

© Coady Photography

HOUSTON, TX–APRIL 19, 2024–The 2024 Quarter Horse racing season at Sam Houston Race Park, presented by 811 Call Before You Dig, gets underway on Friday, (APR 19) with live racing and special events set for Friday and Saturday evening.

Opening night festivities pay tribute to the 30th anniversary of Sam Houston Race Park. Fans are invited to make their way to Center Club Level in the grandstand to enjoy commemorative items including hats, glasses, and cupcakes (while supplies last).

Many special moments were celebrated throughout the recently concluded Thoroughbred racing season and the 30th anniversary of Sam Houston Race Park will continue through the 25-day Quarter Horse meet.

On Saturday, April 20, Sam Houston Race Park will host the $23,000 Shannon Jewelers Diamond Dig with fans making their way to the racetrack to "dig" for ten amazing pieces of jewelry! 

The items range in value from $350 to $4,080. There is no fee to enter; just ditch the fancy shoes and get ready to "dig" following the fourth and sixth races of the evening!

Trials for the Adequan Derby and John Deere Challenge on Friday

Opening night will feature trials for the Adequan Derby Challenge and John Deere Juvenile Challenge(G3) (see related story).

Three 400-yard trials for the Adequan Derby Challenge will begin in the third race on the card. Notable entrants include Francisco Guadalupe Guerrero’s Lefty, who ran in the 2023 John Deere Juvenile last June at Sam Houston Race Park and ran third in the $196,000 TQHA Sires' Cup Futurity (RG2) at Retama Park.

Frankie Jr, trained by leading Sam Houston Quarter Horse conditioner Juan Diaz, Jr., was a finalist in the $171,00 Old South Futurity last May at Delta Downs. Guerras’ Racing Stables' Swanky B completed the superfecta in the $157,250  Louisiana Downs Maiden Classic last month. The filly by Jess Good Candy is trained by Gilberto Gonzalez.

Five 300-yard trials for the John Deere Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge (G3) will follow.  Gonzalez will also saddle DNA for Guerras’ Racing Stable with 2024 leading Louisiana Downs jockey Arturo Alvarez in the irons. The colt by Freighttrain B broke his maiden at Louisiana Downs on March 22. 

First time starters include Manuel Rivera’s This Eagle is Golden and Pirata Jess, a $160,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale purchase by Raul Galvan. Louisiana Mystery, a son of The Louisiana Cartel, will also make his debut for trainer Toby Keeton in the final trial.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the Adequan Derby Challenge and John Deere Juvenile Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, May 10.

The 25-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet will run through Saturday, June 15.  A complete list of the 2024 Quarter Horse schedule is available on shrp.com.

About Sam Houston Race Park
Operated by Penn Entertainment Inc., Sam Houston Race Park is Houston’s premier racing and entertainment facility, located just 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. 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, shows and events, please visit www.shrp.com or follow on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube.