Sam Houston meet ends with handle, attendance gains
The 2026 thoroughbred season at Sam Houston Race Park concluded Saturday with sizable increases in on-track wagering and attendance. The season began Jan. 2 and was highlighted by the Houston Racing Festival on Jan. 23.
For the 40-day meet, total on-track handle increased 4.92% to an average of $84,455 per day. Daily on-track handle rose 9.8% compared to the 2025 meet, in which 42 cards were contested. Attendance climbed 4.5% year over year, boosted by the track's promotional activities.
The handle increase stemmed largely from new initiatives implemented for the season. Among them was the creation of Bet Central, a full-service customer station on the track's second floor where two or three betting instructors answered questions regarding handicapping and wagering. Additionally, all elements of Sam Houston's operation outside of wagering went cashless in 2026, leading to increases in spending per capita for all attendees.
"We place an extraordinary emphasis on our customer experience at Sam Houston Race Park," Vice President and General Manager Bryan Pettigrew said. "Bet Central helped our fans become more knowledgeable and engaged, and the cashless policy enabled them to maintain a budget dedicated to wagering."
On the racetrack, Stewart Elliott finished atop the jockey standings for the sixth consecutive season with 49 wins and more than $1.3 million in purse earnings. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen won his 13th consecutive title as leading trainer, amassing 52 victories and more than $1.5 million in purses. Asmussen also claimed the meet's leading owner title with 14 wins.
"Texas racing is a vital part of our operation," Asmussen said. "I'm thrilled with our success once again at Sam Houston Race Park."
In addition to the leading owner and trainer titles, Asmussen collected his fifth consecutive victory in the Houston Ladies Classic when Perfect Shot scored at 11-1. Asmussen also won the David E. Hooper Stakes on Texas Preview Day with Raise the Bar.
Racing resumes at Sam Houston Race Park on Thursday, April 16 for opening night of the quarter horse season. Racing will be conducted Thursday through Saturday with a 6:30 p.m. CDT first post. There will be no live racing on Saturday, April 18, and special post times will be in effect on all Triple Crown days.