The Houston skyline

Sam Houston Race Park

ThoroughbredQuarter HorseDirtTurf
Official site ↗Directions ↗Hotels nearby ↗

Sam Houston Race Park is a thoroughbred and quarter horse racetrack in Houston, Texas. It opened in 1994, making it 32 years old in 2026. It races on a 1-mile dirt oval, 7-furlong turf course. It holds about 20,000 fans.

Its signature races are the Houston Ladies Classic (G3), John B. Connally Turf Cup and Sam Houston Derby.

Sam Houston was the first Class 1 horse racing venue built in Texas, and in 2017 it sheltered more than 200 horses displaced by Hurricane Harvey.

Track facts

Location
Houston, Texas
Racing
Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse
Surfaces
Dirt, Turf
Track
1-mile dirt oval, 7-furlong turf course
Opened
1994
Capacity
20,000
Racing season
Thoroughbreds January–early April; quarter horses April–June
Operator
Penn Entertainment
Size rank
6th of 17

Signature races at Sam Houston Race Park

Race day

When to go. Live racing runs thoroughbreds January–early April; quarter horses April–June. Check the official site for post times and the current stakes schedule.

The view. Our illustration shows the Houston skyline in the background.

Getting there. Directions to Sam Houston Race Park and parking nearby.

Plan your trip to Sam Houston Race Park

Hotels near Sam Houston Race ParkBook a stay for race day on ExpediaRace schedule & post timesLive racing dates and stakesParkingLots near the trackDirectionsMap to Sam Houston Race ParkTours & things to do in HoustonSightseeing, tours and more on ExpediaFood & drinks nearbySpots to eat before or after the races

Tracks near Sam Houston Race Park10

  1. 1ThoroughbredDelta Downs — Delta Downs Jackpot (Vinton, Louisiana)115 mi
  2. 2ThoroughbredEvangeline Downs — Lafayette Stakes (Opelousas, Louisiana)211 mi
  3. 3ThoroughbredLouisiana Downs — Super Derby (Bossier City, Louisiana)213 mi
  4. 4ThoroughbredLone Star Park — Steve Sexton Mile (Grand Prairie, Texas)214 mi
  5. 5ThoroughbredFair Grounds Race Course — Louisiana Derby (New Orleans, Louisiana)326 mi
  6. 6ThoroughbredOaklawn Racing Casino Resort — Arkansas Derby (Hot Springs, Arkansas)346 mi
  7. 7ThoroughbredRemington Park — Oklahoma Derby (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)403 mi
  8. 8ThoroughbredCherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs — Route 66 Stakes (Claremore, Oklahoma)441 mi
  9. 9ThoroughbredZia Park Casino, Hotel & Racetrack — Zia Park Derby (Hobbs, New Mexico)489 mi
  10. 10HarnessOak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel — Harness racing (Oak Grove, Kentucky)659 mi

Questions about Sam Houston Race Park

Where is Sam Houston Race Park?

Sam Houston Race Park is in Houston, Texas.

What kind of racing is at Sam Houston Race Park?

Sam Houston Race Park hosts thoroughbred and quarter horse racing. Live racing runs thoroughbreds January–early April; quarter horses April–June.

When did Sam Houston Race Park open?

Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994.

How many people does Sam Houston Race Park hold?

Sam Houston Race Park holds about 20,000 fans.

What is the biggest race at Sam Houston Race Park?

The signature race at Sam Houston Race Park is the Houston Ladies Classic (G3).

What other racetracks are near Sam Houston Race Park?

The closest is Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana, about 115 miles away. See the full list of nearby tracks on this page.

Facts are for the 2026 racing season. Distances are straight-line miles. The illustration is original artwork, not a photo. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your track? Get the “Listed on HorsetrackAtlas.com” badge for your website.