Weather watch underway at Sam Houston

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's office announced that he has “activated state emergency response resources” because of the threat of severe winter weather in some areas on Friday.

Sam Houston puts on its richest card of the meet, the Houston Racing Festival, on Saturday afternoon. Right now, the forecast in the area is not threatening the card, according to track executive Bryan Pettigrew.

Pettigrew said Wednesday morning that Sam Houston plans to race Friday night and Saturday afternoon and is monitoring the track’s status for Sunday. Track officials had a meeting concerning the weather on Wednesday.

The Houston Racing Festival includes the Grade 3, $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup. Truly Quality, who leads the field for the Connally, flew from his Southern California base into Sam Houston on Wednesday morning, said trainer Jonathan Thomas.

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