Sam Houston Race Park has announced its Handicapping Qualifiers for the Houston Betting Championship for 2026.

© Sam Houston Race Park

HOUSTON, TX–AUGUST 15, 2025–Sam Houston Race Park is pleased to announce its Handicapping Qualifiers for 2025, that will feed into its annual Houston Betting Championship (HBC), to be held during the Houston Racing Festival on January 24, 2026.

The first qualifier will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 and feature racing from Saratoga Race Course.  The Travers Stakes is the featured event on the program and will be included in the contest races. 

The four Sam Houston qualifiers in 2025 will have a $250 Entry Fee, and the entirety of that sum will be the player’s bankroll.  Each contestant will be required to wager on a minimum of five (5) races and to wager at least $50 in each of those races.  The qualifiers will offer Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta and Daily Double wagering for all races in which those pools are offered.   A final schedule of contest races and wagers will be distributed after the Saratoga card for August 23 is drawn.

Qualifiers for the HBC will also be offered on Pacific Classic Day from Del Mar - August 30, Keeneland-Santa Anita-Belmont Fall Races-October 5, and Breeders’ Cup Saturday - November 1.  The Houston Betting Championship will once again be $1,500 to enter and that will be the player’s bankroll.  The prize pool will include four (4) seats to the National Horseplayers Championship in March 2026 and two (2) seats to the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge in November 2026.  On Friday, January 23 Sam Houston will host a qualifier for the HBC and also offer NHC seats to the top two (2) finishers. 

“We have made a conscious effort to expand our offering of contests in recent years,” Sam Houston Race Park Vice President and General Manager Bryan Pettigrew said.  “The results have been outstanding and we’re looking forward to having so many Horseplayers and new customers competing at Sam Houston in January.”

More information, including sign-ups for the qualifiers is available at shrp.com

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.

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