Tracks Around America is a blog series in which I will review the racetracks I am fortune enough to visit. The track in this blog is Sam Houston Race Park in Houston, Texas.
Sam Houston Race Park (SHRP) was opened on April 24, 1994. It is owned by Penn National Gaming and MAXXAM. It is a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse track. Along with its one mile dirt track and its seven furlong turf track, SHRP has eight bars, two restaurants and several suites. It has an amazing selection of concession stands (Dickey's B-B-Q were my fave!) on both the paddock and grandstand level.
The track and paddock set up were definitely the best I've ever seen. The horses came from the barn and walked around the grandstand and then made it to the paddock. The winner's circle was really nice as well (but it doesn't compare to the Kentucky Derby's) and I really enjoyed the landscaping. In the middle of the turf track, there was a huge pond.
SHRP is the first Class One horse racing venue in Texas. It is consider the fastest growing track in America according to attendance over the past year. Thoroughbred racing runs from January to March and the Quarter Horse season runs from March to May. It is open during the rest of the year for simulcast racing.
Here is a list of just some of the races SHRP holds.
The track and paddock set up were definitely the best I've ever seen. The horses came from the barn and walked around the grandstand and then made it to the paddock. The winner's circle was really nice as well (but it doesn't compare to the Kentucky Derby's) and I really enjoyed the landscaping. In the middle of the turf track, there was a huge pond.
SHRP is the first Class One horse racing venue in Texas. It is consider the fastest growing track in America according to attendance over the past year. Thoroughbred racing runs from January to March and the Quarter Horse season runs from March to May. It is open during the rest of the year for simulcast racing.
Here is a list of just some of the races SHRP holds.
- Houston Ladies Classic
- Connally Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. iii)
- Martanza Stakes
- Jersey Lilly Stakes
- Sam Houston Turf Sprint Cup
- Mission Stakes
- Fort Bend Country Stakes
- Sam Houston Oaks
Racing: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Friendliness of the Staff: 6/5 (I felt extremely welcomed at the track and therefore I can bend the rules of math)
Selection of Amenities: 4/5
How Likely I Am To Return: 10/10
Overall: Sam Houston is extremely family friendly and I would definitely recommend it to someone who is going to the track for the first time. The staff is so nice and welcoming, it's beyond amazing. I didn't have any problems at the track. There was several concession stands closed down the day I went but I did go on a Monday. This track should be a must visit for every horse racing fan.
Visit Sam Houston Race Park!: 7575 North Sam Houston Pkwy W, Houston, TX 77064
Gallery
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| I'm Serendipity |
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| Shine On Caroline (I'm almost positive) |
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| This sign was beyond awesome. It reminded me I needed to save up money to fly 979 miles away. Ekk! |
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| I was obsessed with this beauty, Miss Tuti Fruti. |
Special Thanks
I really want to thank Ms. Jamie Nielson for her generosity in allowing me to use my camera and giving me a press pass. Without her, this blog post would be just a bunch of words. (And that'd be boring ;))
Thanks to Mom and Chad for taking me to Houston and driving back in the same day.
Thank you to Regina. Both for going with me and for helping me take care of my camera and lens.
