Shift to Sunday afternoon racing boosts Sam Houston's handle

Sam Houston moved its Houston Ladies Classic card to a Sunday afternoon for the first time this year and realized a 22 percent spike in handle. In the past, the track had run its most prestigious card on a Saturday night. The program Sunday featured five stakes, anchored by the Grade 3, $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic.

Sam Houston handled $2.79 million on its 10-race card Sunday, according to the track. Last year, handle on the Houston Ladies Classic program was $2.29 million.

One of the reasons Sam Houston moved the card to a Sunday was the creation of the $12 million Pegasus World Cup that was held last Saturday at Gulfstream Park. Sam Houston officials wanted a spot on the calendar that did not conflict with a major race so there would be a simulcast spotlight on the Houston Ladies Classic.

◗ Magna Breeze, a stakes winner over the local turf course, returns to Sam Houston for Friday night’s seventh race, a $5,000 starter allowance also open to $10,000 claimers going a mile on grass. Iram Diego has the mount for trainer Steve Asmussen. Diego is tied atop the standings at Sam Houston, where he won the title in 2016. Asmussen is the second-leading trainer at the young meet behind Mindy Willis.

◗ Lone Star Park plans to mail out conditions book for its Thoroughbred meet that opens in April this week. Stall applications are due March 8, while the stable area opens March 13.

◗ Due to scheduling conflicts, the next Texas Racing Commission meeting has been set for Feb. 16.