(Houston, Texas - Monday, April 7, 2025) - Sam Houston Race Park wrapped its 2025 Thoroughbred live racing season on Sunday, April 6. Highly competitive racing and an array of crowd-pleasing promotions attracted fans throughout the 42-day meet, which began on Friday, January 3.

In addition to very successful editions of the Houston Racing Festival on January 25 and Texas Champions Day on March 22, Sam Houston Race Park had a tremendous response to the Ring The Bell for Thoroughbred Aftercare program, which began in January in partnership with the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and The Paddock Foundation. Each live racing day, owners and trainers were invited to donate a portion of their purse winnings to The Paddock Foundation, the official aftercare program for the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

Additionally, Sam Houston Race Park and its parent company PENN Entertainment joined the NTRA this year and held several handicapping tournaments throughout the meet awarding National Horseplayer Championship (NHC) and Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) seats. Cal Jestice took first place in the January 25 Houston Betting Championship, while Phil Hoedebeck won the Texas 2 Step Championship on April 5.

Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park’s Vice President and General Manager, was pleased with the quality of the racing and support from horsemen, horseplayers and racing fans this meet.

“We appreciate the Texas Horsemen and Horsemen for their support throughout our meet,” said Pettigrew. “We had some challenges with weather and working on the new purses and stakes awards, but the Thoroughbred Industry came together and worked through the challenges. I would like to give a special shout out to our Sam Houston Team Members who implemented a new customer service program as we continue to attract new sports fans and horse racing fans. Sam Houston will continue to focus on safety for the horses, jockeys, and patrons. We look forward to welcoming back the Quarter Horses for our live racing season.”

Steve Asmussen Notches His 17th Leading Trainer Title at Sam Houston Race Park

The leading owner, trainer and jockey awards were presented on the final day of the meeting. Steve Asmussen won his 17th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, furthering his respected legacy, nationally and in Texas. He was honored as top trainer here in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2014 -2025.

Asmussen started 210 runners, finishing with a record of 41 wins, 39 seconds, 24 thirds and earnings of $1,309,988. He added a record-setting sixth victory in Grade 3, $300, Houston Ladies Classic with Winchell Thoroughbred, LLC’s Recharge.

The 4-year-old filly by Gun Runner, out of the Tapit mare Remit, was dismissed at odds of 42-1, but dug in with determination under rider Ben Curtis. Asmussen won previous editions of the Houston Ladies Classic with Midnight Bisou, Lady Apple, back-to-back victories by Pauline’s Pearl and 2024 champion Bellamore.

“Obviously, I am very proud of the success we had in this meet, topped off by the surprising victory in the Houston Ladies Classic,” said Asmussen. “Recharge is another example of the breeding excellence of the Winchell homebreds.”

Asmussen is the all-time leading conditioner at Sam Houston Race Park, winning his 1,000th race at the northwest Houston racetrack on January 18 with Lookatchu for breeder and owner Clark O. Brewster.

Once again, Asmussen thanked his longtime assistant, Pablo Ocampo, for overseeing the day-to-day operation in Houston and the skill and professionalism of his first call rider Stewart Elliott. He also commended Sam Houston Race Park for their support of the backstretch workers during sub-freezing weather for close to a week, beginning on January 19. Meals were served to over 200 stable area employees when temperatures dipped into the 20’s.

"During the freeze, Sam Houston fed the many stable area workers as they cared for the horses on the backside,” added Asmussen. “I am proud to run at Sam Houston Race Park and be associated with a track that showed their class in caring for the horsemen and backside workers.”

Mindy Willis had an outstanding meet, finishing second in the standings with 26 victories. Her roster of turf specialists were prominent, including 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Horse of the Year Sunlit Song. John Wilke’s Regal Terka won three of four starts, including the $75,000 Richard King on Texas Champions Day. Willis saddled nine winners for Richard Chandler, who was honored as owner of the meet. Bret Calhoun was the leading stakes-winning conditioner, with 24 first-place finishes throughout the season and a strong final weekend by Austin Gustafson propelled him for fourth in the standings with 20 winners.

Stewart Elliott Locks Up His Fifth Sam Houston Race Park Leading Rider Title

Today, nothing is off the menu, even if it's expensive. His career shows an average earnings-per-start of about $1,900. For 2023, it's about $4,300.

Jockey Stewart Elliott was never challenged as he drew off to win his fifth title at Sam Houston Race Park. The nationally respected veteran rode 56 winners from 223 mounts, earning $1,375,921 and finishing in the money at a remarkable 56% clip.

Once again this year, Elliott rode first call for Asmussen and was the top choice for Willis as well. Elliott shared his appreciation for their continued support. 

“A lot of people have helped me,” he acknowledged. “Mindy had a great meet and is so good with her turf runners; you always know you have a chance riding for her. Of course, Steve has done so much and our partnership for the past five years at Sam Houston, Lone Star and Remington has been amazing.” 

Elliott added a tribute to Ocampo, who continues to oversee the bustling Asmussen barn. 

“Pablo is a machine!, added Elliott. “He is there first thing in the morning, knows all the horses and has an experienced crew who have been with him for a long time. They do an outstanding job!” 

Mike Maker, who won the $200,000 Connally Turf Cup for the ninth time this year with Sugoi, gave the call to Elliott who rode the 8-year turf veteran to victory on January 25. 

“That was a really good race,” stated Elliott. “It was such a close finish and could have gone either way, but we won by a nose!” 

Elliott also acknowledged the support of his wife, Lilibeth, and agent Scott Hare. The respected veteran, who celebrated his 60th birthday here on March 1, will ride next at Lone Star Park, when their 2025 season gets underway on April 17. 

DeShawn Parker had a very solid return to Sam Houston Race Park this year, finishing second with 36 wins. David Cabrera, also a former leading rider here, won 28 races and Jose Alvarez and Iran Diego finished in a tie for fourth in the jockey standings with 25 wins trips to the winner’s circle.

 First Leading Owner Title for Texan Richard Chandler 

In a competition that went down to the final race of the season, Dallas resident Richard Chandler secured his first leading owner title with nine victories. Trainer Mindy Willis accepted the trophy for Chandler, who was thrilled with the performance by In Open Court in Sunday’s second race, after the 5-year-old mare rallied for a neck victory under leading rider Stewart Elliott in the second race of the April 6 program. 

“This was the best meet I have ever had and owe thanks to Jesus Christ and the great training job by Mindy Willis,” said Chandler. “Each of my horses are homebreds and the result of some rewarding claims based on turf pedigree.” 

While this is Chandler’s first title, he won the 2019 San Jacinto Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park with Texas Belle, who returned the following year with a victory in the Miss Houston Turf Stakes. Chandler shared that her foal Major Ortiz is in training with Willis and will make her debut in the 2025 Lone Star Park meet. 

Karl Broberg, who announced his retirement as a trainer last year, finished second in the standings with eight wins Four owners: Carl Moore Management, LLC, Mansfield Racing, Century Acres Farm and Steve Asmussen tied for third in the standings with six wins each. 

Quarter Horse Racing Season Begins Thursday, April 24 

Sam Houston Race Park will host its annual Quarter Horse meet beginning Thursday, April 24. The 25-day season will continue through Saturday, June 14. A complete list of the 2025 Quarter Horse schedule, including stakes and trial dates, is available on shrp.com.