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Sam Houston Race Park presents an eight-race thoroughbred card beginning at 1:00 PM CST, featuring a diverse mix of allowance, claiming, maiden, and ratings handicap competition. The card showcases the strength of the Houston-area thoroughbred colony with competitive fields across all distances and surfaces. The scratch watch has been active, with Quality Style (veterinarian scratch from Race 2), King of Grace and Adger (both from Race 4), Illustrator (trainer scratch from Race 5), and three turf entrants from Race 8 reshaping the betting landscape.
The meet continues to showcase the dominance of Hall of Fame trainer Steven Asmussen, whose powerful stable maintains exceptional form throughout the opening weeks. Leading jockey Stewart Elliott brings his Kentucky Derby-winning credentials to multiple key assignments, while the Asmussen family riding duo of Keith and Erik demonstrates exceptional excellence in this racing dynasty.
WEATHER AND TRACK CONDITIONS
Houston will experience cool, crisp conditions on January 31, with morning temperatures starting near 34.5°F before climbing to a high of approximately 44.6°F by early afternoon. Clear skies will prevail throughout the day, with north winds averaging 14.7 mph and gusts reaching 27.2 mph.
The main dirt track is anticipated to be rated fast, favoring horses with tactical speed who can secure favorable position early while conserving energy for stretch drives. The firm turf surface maintains the temporary rail positioned at 30 feet, creating approximately 80 feet of racing width with slight advantage for middle-post horses who can save ground on turns. Fast dirt conditions and firm turf will reward horses in peak fitness.
TRACK BIAS AND POST POSITION ANALYSIS
Sam Houston’s statistical profile reveals significant post position advantages that impact all race configurations.
Dirt Sprints (Under 1 Mile): Post two leads at 17.98 percent, post six shows 25 percent, post one contributes 15.17 percent, post five offers 13.56 percent, while post seven struggles at 6.38 percent.
Dirt Routes (1 Mile+): Post two dominates at 23.33 percent, post six follows at 20.75 percent, post four shows 13.33 percent, and post seven contributes 14.63 percent.
Turf Routes (1 Mile+): Post three leads at 16.67 percent, post two contributes 15.15 percent, and post six shows 13.64 percent. The 30-foot rail positioning creates advantages for middle posts while disadvantaging extreme outside draws.
RACE 1 – ALLOWANCE FILLIES AND MARES (5.5 Furlongs)
Post Time: 1:00 PM | Purse: $35,000 | Field: 5
Key Contenders
Swiftwind (Post 5) represents the powerful Steven Asmussen barn with son Erik Asmussen in the irons. The four-year-old Complexity filly exits an impressive course-and-distance victory demonstrating clear affinity for Sam Houston’s surface. Her recent form shows progressive improvement with four race wins from limited starts and $133,616 earned. Erik Asmussen brings 18.75 percent win rate and Eclipse Award honors as 2024’s Outstanding Apprentice. Post five provides tactical advantages in the five-horse field.
Blushing Belle (Post 2) enters for trainer Alan Love Sr. with veteran Mario Fuentes handling the reins. The six-year-old Connect mare finished solid second in similar company last time and possesses tactical speed to secure favorable position. Post two’s 17.98 percent win rate provides statistical advantage. Fuentes brings extensive Sam Houston experience.
Secondary Choices
Bling Baby (Post 4) represents Karen Jacks training with Stewart Elliott riding. The five-year-old Too Much Bling mare drops in class after competing in stakes company. The combination of proven trainer and Hall of Fame jockey merits respect for minor awards.
Quinquela (Post 3) enters for trainer Leonard Johnson with Weston Hamilton aboard. The four-year-old Vino Rosso filly shows modest recent performances, though Hamilton demonstrates exceptional early-meet form at 42.86 percent.
Longshots
Capetown Candy (Post 1) for trainer George Wayne F. shows distant winning chances despite recent workout indicating acceptable fitness.
RACE 2 – CLAIMING TURF (1 Mile)
Post Time: 1:27 PM | Purse: $16,000 | Field: 8 (Originally 9 – Quality Style scratched)
Key Contenders
Absolutely Certain (Post 1) represents trainer W. Bret Calhoun with Jose L. Alvarez handling the mount. The six-year-old gelding enters as morning line favorite reflecting handicappers’ respect for the Calhoun-Alvarez combination. Post one on turf can prove advantageous if Alvarez secures good position saving ground.
Roaring Rapids (Post 9) draws consideration from trainer Karen Jacks with Stewart Elliott riding. The five-year-old gelding benefits from Hall of Fame jockey with 17.62 percent career win rate. The wide draw requires Elliott to commit early to secure position.
Secondary Choices
Withering Gaze (Post 3) enters for trainer Mindy Willis with Floyd Wethey Jr. aboard. The four-year-old gelding occupies the statistically optimal post three position at 16.67 percent for turf routes. Willis finished second in 2025 trainer standings with 26 victories. Wethey brings 1,000+ career wins and extensive Sam Houston experience.
Royalist (Post 4) represents trainer Eduardo Cruz with Elvin Gonzalez riding. The four-year-old colt shows acceptable recent form and benefits from Gonzalez’s aggressive early-speed style.
RACE 3 – TEXAS-BRED MAIDEN FILLIES (5.5 Furlongs)
Post Time: 1:54 PM | Purse: $33,000 | Field: 6
Key Contenders
Midnight Breeze (Post 4) draws consideration as morning line favorite at even money. The four-year-old filly trains with Alan Love Sr. and will be ridden by Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez, who demonstrates exceptional early-meet form with 36.36 percent win rate. The pairing suggests connections possess confidence.
Speaking of Art (Post 1) enters for Karen Jacks with Floyd Wethey Jr. riding. The three-year-old filly represents stable proven effective with maiden fillies. Jacks demonstrates patient development approach that gradually prepares runners for winning efforts.
Secondary Choices
For the Home Front (Post 3) represents trainer Eduardo Cruz with Elvin Gonzalez aboard. The four-year-old filly draws statistically optimal post three position for sprints at 17.98 percent.
Cahills Redemption (Post 2) trains with Tina Rena Hurley and will be ridden by Rodolfo Guerra. The four-year-old occupies post two’s premium position with 17.98 percent advantage for dirt sprints.
RACE 4 – TEXAS-BRED ALLOWANCE MILE (1 Mile)
Post Time: 2:21 PM | Purse: $34,500 | Field: 7 (Originally 9 – Adger, King of Grace scratched)
Key Contenders
Heats Hero (Post 2) represents trainer Danny Pish with Weston Hamilton riding. The four-year-old gelding draws the premium post two position dominating dirt routes at 23.33 percent. Hamilton demonstrated exceptional early-meet form with 42.86 percent win rate. Pish maintained 66.67 percent success rate from limited early-meet starts.
Pollito Tito (Post 3) enters for Hall of Fame trainer Steven Asmussen with son Erik Asmussen handling the mount. The four-year-old gelding benefits from Asmussen family excellence. Erik’s 18.75 percent win rate and proven chemistry with father’s trainees make this duo dangerous in all situations.
Secondary Choices
Dapilot (Post 4) represents Danny Pish training with Lane Luzzi riding. The four-year-old gelding provides Pish with secondary entry. Luzzi brings veteran savvy to route navigation.
Yo Soy Roy (Post 5) enters for trainer Dick Cappellucci with Floyd Wethey Jr. aboard. The five-year-old brings experience advantage and veteran jockey credibility.
RACE 5 – RATINGS HANDICAP TURF (1 Mile)
Post Time: 2:48 PM | Purse: $34,500 | Field: 8 (Originally 9 – Illustrator scratched)
Key Contenders
Dimatic (Post 2) represents the powerful Asmussen barn with Keith Asmussen riding. The five-year-old horse enters as prohibitive 1-1 morning line favorite reflecting proven turf form and elite connections. Keith demonstrates solid Sam Houston statistics and benefits from father’s training expertise. Post two provides favorable positioning.
Mind Bolt (Post 5) trains with W. Bret Calhoun and will be ridden by Jose L. Alvarez. The five-year-old horse possesses competitive rating and benefits from proven connections. Morning line odds of 7-2 suggest legitimate danger to favorite.
Secondary Choices
Tap the Dot (Post 9) enters as third Asmussen barn representative with Erik Asmussen riding. The eight-year-old gelding brings extensive experience and demonstrated Sam Houston success. Morning line odds of 5-1 reflect legitimate contention.
Team Leader (Post 6) represents Mindy Willis training with Stewart Elliott aboard. The six-year-old gelding benefits from Hall of Fame jockey’s experience navigating turf routes.
RACE 6 – ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING FILLIES (6 Furlongs)
Post Time: 3:15 PM | Purse: $34,500 | Field: 6
Key Contenders
Mojo Promise (Post 1) enters as Steven Asmussen’s first runner with Erik Asmussen riding. The three-year-old Into Mischief filly represents exceptional breeding and powerful barn preparation. Asmussen’s 35.29 percent early-meet strike rate indicates horses arrive primed. Post one provides rail-skimming opportunities if securing good position.
Chamonix (Post 4) represents Asmussen’s second entry with brother Keith Asmussen riding. The three-year-old filly provides barn with tactical options. Keith demonstrates solid statistics and benefits from father’s training expertise.
Secondary Choices
Tiz a Ten I See (Post 3) trains with Austin Gustafson and will be ridden by Deshawn Parker. The three-year-old filly draws premium post three position. Parker shows solid early-meet form.
Serious Rock (Post 2) enters as Gustafson’s second representative with Freddy Jose Manrrique riding. The three-year-old filly occupies post two’s optimal 17.98 percent position for dirt sprints.
RACE 7 – STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING (7 Furlongs)
Post Time: 3:42 PM | Purse: $14,500 | Field: 7
Key Contenders
Love Pack (Post 3) enters as prohibitive 4-5 morning line favorite for trainer Barry Hodgson with Elvin Gonzalez riding. The four-year-old gelding demonstrates clear class advantage over this starter optional claiming field. Gonzalez’s aggressive early-speed style suits the gelding’s tactical approach.
Cawkab (Post 7) represents Steven Asmussen training with Erik Asmussen riding. The seven-year-old gelding brings extensive experience and proven Sam Houston success. The Asmussen combination makes this duo dangerous despite advancing age and outside post assignment.
Secondary Choices
Ghost Cowboy (Post 4) trains with Danny Pish and will be ridden by Lane Luzzi. The seven-year-old gelding possesses experience advantage. Morning line odds of 6-1 suggest exotic value.
Bergheim (Post 5) enters for Jayde J. Gelner training with Deshawn Parker riding. The four-year-old gelding shows acceptable recent form and draws favorable middle post.
RACE 8 – CLAIMING TURF FILLIES AND MARES (1 Mile)
Post Time: 4:09 PM | Purse: $17,000 | Field: 8 (Originally 11 – Athena d’Oro, Balmorhea, Hollywoodboulevard scratched due to off-turf)
Key Contenders
Colormecairo (Post 3) enters for Steven Asmussen with Keith Asmussen riding. The five-year-old mare draws premium post three position leading all turf posts at 16.67 percent. The Cairo Prince mare benefits from Asmussen family excellence and optimal positional advantage.
Get Ready Gal (Post 1) represents Karen Jacks training with Erik Asmussen riding. The five-year-old mare benefits from proven trainer-jockey partnership and rail position enabling ground-saving trip. Jacks demonstrates consistent success with claiming-level turf runners.
Secondary Choices
Balmorhea (Post 2) trains with Tristan Ashford and will be ridden by Iram Vargas Diego. The four-year-old filly draws favorable post two position and benefits from competent connections.
Utsira (Post 4) represents Ronnie Cravens III training with Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez riding. The six-year-old mare benefits from hot jockey assignment as Valdez-Jiminez maintains 36.36 percent early-meet strike rate.
JOCKEY AND TRAINER INSIGHTS
Leading Jockeys: Stewart Elliott (18 wins, 33.33% early-meet rate) continues dominance with Hall of Fame credentials and tactical brilliance. Erik Asmussen emerges as breakout star with 18.75% career rate and Eclipse Award honors as 2024 Outstanding Apprentice. Keith Asmussen adds family excellence with technical proficiency. Weston Hamilton showcases explosive form at 42.86% from seven mounts. Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez leads with 36.36% early-meet strike rate.
Leading Trainers: Steven Asmussen dominates with 35.29% early-meet strike rate and over 10,000 career victories. Danny Pish demonstrates 66.67% early-meet rate from selective placements. Karen Jacks finished 2025 second in trainer standings with 26 victories. Mindy Willis brings 26 wins from 2025 with particular effectiveness in claiming turf races. Austin Gustafson maintains 17.54% success rate with turf expertise.
