The Texas Thoroughbred Association is pleased to roll out a new program for the current meet at Sam Houston Race Park—specifically designed to reward the hard-working horses that make up allowance and claiming races. Without these horses, racing wouldn't happen.
The program is simple. The top twelve Accredited Texas Bred horses by money earned (excluding any purse money earned in stakes races) will be eligible for bonus money at the end of the meet.
By removing money earned in stakes races, day racehorses have a chance of earning a bonus.
"Providing owners with a realistic opportunity for increased earnings will keep these horses and their owners in the game," said Tracy Sheffield, Executive Director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.
Sheffield was very pleased with the enthusiastic support of this program from the Texas Racing Commission. "When the program was explained to him, a commission employee said, "Oh, rewards for blue collar horses—that's great!"
At the February 12, 2025, meeting of the Texas Racing Commission, the Commission approved the requests made by the Texas Thoroughbred Association for Horse Industry Escrow Account funding towards the current meet at Sam Houston Race Park. This show of support by the Commission was good news for Texas horsemen.
