Sam Houston Race Park Releases Handle for 2022 Meet

Officials at Sam Houston Race Park were pleased with handle numbers throughout the 2022 Thoroughbred racing season. The meet began on Thursday, January 6 with a record-setting handle of $3,127,238 all source handle, which was the highest opening night as well as Thursday figure in track history.

The Houston Racing Festival on Sunday, January 30 broke last year's handle record, with fans in Houston and across the country wagering $5,977,317 on the marquee day of the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred season. That surpassed the previous record of $5,342,599 for the 2021 event. Over $103 million wagered during the 50- day meet, making it the second straight year average daily handle topped over $2 million a day.

The victory by Pauline's Pearl gave Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen a record third win in the Grade 3, $400,0000 Houston Ladies Classic. As previously announced, Stewart Elliott defended his leading jockey title, dueling to the final day with Ry Eikleberry. Steve Asmussen picked up his 14th Sam Houston Race Park training title and End Zone Athletics, Inc. topped all owners and was honored for the third time.

"The 2022 Thoroughbred season was successful on many levels," said Frank Hopf, Sam Houston's Assistant General Manager. "We thank each of our  owners, trainers, horseplayers, partners and team members for their continued support of Sam Houston Race Park."