Sam Houston: Stakes schedule grows

Sam Houston Race Park in Houston will have an expanded stakes schedule for its Quarter Horse meet that opens May 1, because it is picking up dates for Retama Park near San Antonio in a one-year agreement made last summer. A total of 41 stakes will be run during the 54-date meet at Sam Houston. The season will continue through Aug. 29.

The Grade 1 Sam Houston Futurity on Aug. 28 will again highlight the stakes schedule. Last year, the race was worth $335,200. Trials for the Sam Houston Futurity, at 400 yards, are Aug. 13.

Sam Houston will also host the Grade 1 Retama Park Futurity, at 350 yards on May 15. Trials for the race will be held May 1.

The Grade 1, $100,000-added Texas Challenge Championship for 3-year-olds and up is one of six stakes to be run at Sam Houston on July 11. Another multiple stakes card will be held on July 24, when the Texas Quarter Horse Association Summer Showdown goes with four stakes restricted to horses bred in Texas.

Other top events during the meet will include the TQHA Sale Futurity, a restricted Grade 1 worth more than $100,000 on July 25, and the Grade 2 Sam Houston Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 440 yards on Aug. 22.