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Sam Houston Race Park presents an eight-race Friday evening card featuring competitive maiden, claiming, and allowance events. The meet continues strong through late January with robust fields across all race types. First post time is 6:30 PM with gates opening at 5:30 PM for spectators.
The Thoroughbred colony remains dominated by Hall of Fame trainer Steven Asmussen, whose barn has maintained exceptional win percentages throughout the early 2026 meet. Leading jockey Stewart Elliott continues his dominance with 18 wins through the opening three weeks, while emerging rider Erik Asmussen (son of Steven) demonstrates exceptional technical ability with an 18.75 percent win rate from 128 starts at the track.
WEATHER AND TRACK CONDITIONS
Friday evening forecast calls for temperatures in the low-to-mid 50s Fahrenheit, declining to 33 degrees overnight. This represents significant moderation from earlier week arctic conditions. No precipitation appears likely, ensuring fast dirt surfaces and firm turf conditions throughout the racing program. Clear, cool evening weather should provide ideal racing conditions with excellent visibility under Sam Houston’s lighting system.
TRACK BIAS AND POST POSITION ANALYSIS
Dirt Sprints (Under 1 Mile):
Post two dominates with 17.98 percent win rate, followed by posts one (15.17%) and five (13.56%). Post seven shows weakness at 6.38 percent, while outside posts generally underperform in sprint competition.
Dirt Routes (1+ Miles):
Post two leads with 23.33 percent win rate, followed by post six (20.75%). Middle posts three through five show reasonable performance while extreme positions struggle relative to middle draws.
Turf Routes (1+ Miles):
Post three leads with 16.67 percent, followed by posts two (15.15%) and six (13.64%). The 30-foot temporary rail creates wider racing surface favoring horses drawn in middle posts who can save ground on turns while avoiding rail traffic.
RACE 1 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT | 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt | 6:30 PM
Key Contenders: Charlie Dont Surf (1) trains with Mindy Willis, ridden by Elliott Stewart. Sharp :47.40 workout (Jan 21) indicates fitness. Willis finished second in 2025 trainer standings with 26 victories. Curly’s One Thing (2) represents dominant Steven Asmussen barn with Erik Asmussen riding. Post two provides optimal tactical positioning.
Secondary Choices: Win’s Image (7) also from Willis barn with Deshawn Parker. Parker finished second in 2025 jockey standings with 36 wins.
Pace Analysis: Likely contested early pace between Charlie Dont Surf and Curly’s One Thing from inside posts. Remaining runners typically favor stalking or closing styles. Five-and-a-half furlongs leaves minimal recovery time for gate hesitation.
RACE 2 – CLAIMING $20,000 | 6 1/2 Furlongs Dirt | 6:56 PM
Key Contenders: Here Comes Braylon (7) trains with Dick Cappellucci (recently achieved 1,000 career wins), ridden by veteran Floyd Wethey Jr. Solid recent form in similar company. Solevo (3) represents Steven Asmussen with Erik Asmussen riding, dropping into claiming from higher competition.
Secondary Choices: Midnight Boss (4) shows sharp :47.20 workout (Jan 4). Elvin Gonzalez riding with 18 percent career win rate. Deal With It Daddy (5) pairs trainer Tony Richey with Stewart Elliott, the meet’s leading rider at 33.33 percent early-meet win rate.
Pace Analysis: Multiple speed interests (Here Comes Braylon, Solevo, Midnight Boss) create honest early fractions. Six-and-a-half furlong distance allows early speed to maintain tactical advantage while still requiring stretch stamina.
RACE 3 – CLAIMING $7,500 | 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt | 7:22 PM
Key Contenders: Bello (2) demonstrates dominant form with impressive course-and-distance victory January 3. Steven Asmussen trainee with Keith Asmussen riding. Quick four-week turnaround indicates barn confidence in continued peak condition. Post two provides tactical advantage.
Secondary Choices: When Smokey Sings (3) trained by Barry Hodgson, ridden by Elvin Gonzalez. Shows flashes of ability in similar company. Chasing the Rush (8) represents Asmussen barn with Tiffany Hernandez training, demonstrating competitive ability with recent placing.
Pace Analysis: Bello should control pace from inside post. When Smokey Sings may apply early pressure. Five-and-a-half furlong sprint provides minimal opportunity for closers, favoring speed horses securing uncontested leads.
RACE 4 – CLAIMING $25,000 (TURF) | 1 Mile Turf | 7:48 PM
Key Contenders: Hedge the Risk (3) emerges as consensus selection. Steven Asmussen trainee with Erik Asmussen riding. Stepping down from higher-level competition, representing classic pattern where competitive horses rebound strongly against softer opposition. Sharp :37.00 five-furlong workout indicates peak fitness. Post three provides 16.67 percent statistical advantage in turf routes.
Secondary Choices: Stewball (2) demonstrates winning course-and-distance credentials recently. Ronnie Cravens III trains with Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez riding. Summer Help (5) shows credentials in higher-grade turf events, appreciating class relief.
Pace Analysis: Moderate early pace typical of turf routes. Hedge the Risk positions behind likely pace-setters Flying Tex and Stewball. Thirty-foot temporary rail creates wider racing surface slightly favoring middle posts.
RACE 5 – CLAIMING $7,500 (ROUTE) | 1 Mile 70 Yards Dirt | 8:14 PM
Key Contenders: Rango (7) represents Steven Asmussen with Erik Asmussen riding. Drops into claiming from higher competition indicating barn confidence. Post seven shows 14.63 percent win rate in dirt routes; eight-horse field minimizes ground loss. Feather Laine (8) pairs Dick Cappellucci training with Floyd Wethey Jr. riding—experienced combination with proven success.
Secondary Choices: Mo Hope (2) represents Steven Asmussen with Keith Asmussen (son of trainer) riding. Barn entry scenario. Cloudy Past (4) from Sarah Nicole Davidson barn with Elvin Gonzalez, aggressive early rider.
Pace Analysis: Route distance favors sustained stamina over pure speed. Rango and Feather Laine can position tactically behind early leaders. Final quarter-mile determines outcomes in route competition.
RACE 6 – MAIDEN CLAIMING | 5 1/2 Furlongs Dirt | 8:40 PM
Key Contenders: Swiftliketaylor (9) represents Steven Asmussen with Keith Asmussen riding. Barn interest despite challenging outside post. Clearly Gorgeous (1) pairs trainer Danny Pish with Weston Hamilton. Pish shows consistent ability developing maidens into winners.
Secondary Choices: Dixie’s Heart (3) trained by Karen Jacks with Floyd Wethey Jr. Jacks shows 28.57 percent early-meet win rate from limited starts. Judy Gemstone (5) from Jayde Gelner barn with Elvin Gonzalez’s aggressive style.
Pace Analysis: Contested early pace typical of maiden sprints. Post position critical—inside-drawn fillies possess advantages over outside posts. Five-and-a-half furlong distance provides minimal recovery time.
RACE 7 – RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING | 7 Furlongs Dirt | 9:06 PM
Key Contenders: Parking Lot Pours (1) trains with Steven Asmussen, ridden by Keith Asmussen. Post one allows pace control or favorable stalking position. Cinnamon Sugar (10) also represents Steven Asmussen with Erik Asmussen riding. Three-year-old carries 120 pounds versus 124 for older rivals—tangible weight advantage.
Secondary Choices: Miss Tappy Tone (6) pairs trainer Ronnie Cravens III with Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez. Post six provides tactical flexibility. Midshipman’s Lady (7) represents Sarah Nicole Davidson with Elvin Gonzalez’s aggressive style.
Pace Analysis: Seven furlongs requires both speed and stamina. Parking Lot Pours and Get My Drift can contest early pace. Cinnamon Sugar sits just off pace for stretch acceleration. Post position advantages less pronounced than sprints.
RACE 8 – ALLOWANCE (TURF) | 1 Mile Turf | 9:32 PM
Key Contenders: Kissin Riches (6) commands attention after impressive maiden victory January 9. Steven Asmussen trainee with Erik Asmussen riding. Barn confidence moving directly from maiden winner to allowance company. Post six provides optimal tactical flexibility with 16.67 percent statistical advantage. Golden Pelican (1) represents Sarah Nicole Davidson with Mario Fuentes, who won Bara Lass Stakes January 24 with gate-to-wire performance.
Secondary Choices: Belmira (3) pairs Mindy Willis training with Stewart Elliott riding—elite trainer-jockey combination. Willis finished second in 2025 trainer standings. Thousand Angels (9) trained by David Gomez with Floyd Wethey Jr. riding. 121-pound weight provides slight advantage.
Pace Analysis: Turf allowance routes typically feature measured early fractions. Kissin Riches can position just off pace and accelerate in stretch. One-mile distance allows pace dynamics to unfold naturally. Thirty-foot rail creates wider surface favoring middle posts.
JOCKEY INSIGHTS
Stewart Elliott leads meet with 18 wins (33.33% early-meet rate). Kentucky Derby winner (2004) brings Hall of Fame credentials. Presence indicates barn confidence in winning chances.
Erik Asmussen demonstrates 18.75% win rate from 128 Sam Houston starts. 15.5% when riding for father Steven’s barn. Exceptional family chemistry creates formidable team.
Floyd Wethey Jr. brings 1,000+ career victories with extensive Sam Houston experience. Veteran understanding of pace dynamics and track biases effective in claiming races.
Elvin Gonzalez shows 18% career win rate with 12.50% early-meet rate. Aggressive early-speed style suits claiming sprints.
Mario Fuentes currently riding with confidence after Bara Lass Stakes victory. 8% career rate with solid gate-to-wire execution.
TRAINER INSIGHTS
Steven Asmussen dominates with 35.29% early-meet win rate. Hall of Fame conditioner’s success derives from meticulous horse placement. Claiming entries typically represent clear class advantages.
Mindy Willis finished second in 2025 trainer standings with 26 victories. Excels at developing maidens gradually with Stewart Elliott partnership creating formidable team.
Dick Cappellucci recently achieved 1,000-career training victories. Expertly maneuvers horses through claiming ranks. Entries typically arrive fit and ready.
Sarah Nicole Davidson established as one of track’s most consistent trainers. Claiming horses demonstrate solid soundness with improvement patterns producing victories.
