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Lang Named Sam Houston Director of Racing

Sam Houston Race Park has named industry veteran Bart Lang as its new Director of Racing. Lang will oversee the racing operations for Sam Houston Race Park, Retama Park in Selma, Texas and Zia Park in Hobbs, New Mexico. Each of the three racetracks are owned by Penn National Gaming. Inc.

Born in Timonium, Maryland, Lang's first job was working for Bonita Farm, grooming, hot walking and learning the essentials of horse care and training from the highly respected Boniface family. He had tenures in the racing offices of Oaklawn Park, Arlington Park and Hawthorne early in his career prior to becoming the first racing secretary at Lone Star Park. He was on board in the Fall of 1996 throughout the completion of the Grand Prairie racetrack's inaugural season in 1997. Lang directed all racing operations at Lone Star Park for both the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred meets through May 2020. Most recently, he has served as the stakes coordinator at Oaklawn Park.

Lang, 53, will be based at Sam Houston Race Park, beginning May 16.

“I'm excited about joining the team,” said Lang. “I have over 20 years in the Texas racing industry and know these horsemen and women very well. My tenure at Oaklawn Park has been very rewarding and it has been a pleasure working with many of the most prominent connections in the country.”

He will succeed James C. Leatherman who has accepted a position as a Texas state steward.

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Elliott, Asmussen, End Zone Athletics Take Sam Houston Titles

Jockey Stewart Elliott picked up his second leading rider title at Sam Houston Race Park as the meet wrapped up its 50-day stand Saturday. Elliott had the support of trainer Steve Asmussen, riding first call for the Hall of Fame conditioner as he piloted 296 mounts, winning 62 races with earnings of $1,490,006. The successful union between Elliott and Asmussen began in Houston two years ago and has continued at Lone Star Park and Remington Park.

“I have to thank Steve Asmussen and all the owners and trainers who gave me opportunities and put me on great horses,” said Elliott. “Also, to my agent Scott Hare, who did a great job, as always. I'm very appreciative to be in this position.”

Asmussen won his 14th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, following honors as top trainer in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Asmussen started 259 runners, finishing with a record of 51 wins, 41 seconds, 55 thirds and earnings of $1,554,306. He conditions Stonestreet Stable's homebred Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), who captured the richest race of the annual Sam Houston Thoroughbred season, the $400,000 GIII Houston Ladies Classic.

End Zone Athletics, Inc. clearly topped the owner standings, finishing with 22 wins, 29 seconds and 18 third-place finishes from 137 starters. The ownership group, founded by Karl Broberg, has been a force at Sam Houston for over a decade with previous titles in 2018 and 2020.

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Texas Summer Yearling Sale Slated for Aug. 29

The Texas Thoroughbred Association's 2022 Texas Summer Yearling Sale will be held Aug. 29, the TTA announced Monday. The sale, co-presented by Lone Star Park, will be held at the sale pavilion at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas.

“After the results of our 2021 yearling sale, we have a lot to look forward to with the 2022 Texas Summer Yearling Sale,” TTA Sales Director Foster Bridewell said. “The yearling market in Texas in 2021 was strong, thanks to our consignors, who brought quality physicals and pedigree to our sale, and thanks to the buyers who certainly loved the individuals on the grounds.”

The 2021 sale concluded with an increase in the total number of yearlings cataloged and sold, as well as a positive jump in the average and median sale prices. Texas sales graduates are eligible for the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park at two and the new Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby and Oaks for 3-year-olds at Sam Houston.

“There's really never been a better time to sell and buy racehorses in the Texas,” Bridewell said. “Thanks to the passage of HB 2460 in 2019, the Texas horse industry benefits from the infusion of $25 million per year, increasing purses and Accredited Texas-bred incentive awards. This is all thanks to Texas lawmakers who support racing in this state; it's truly a great time to bring horses to Texas to sell and for buyers to find quality prospects.”

The entry deadline for the 2022 Texas Summer Yearling Sale is June 24, and consignment forms are now available at www.ttasales.com.

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Ice Storm: Oaklawn Cancels Weekend Racing, Adds Dates In March

Due to the wintery weather spreading across the United States, Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. has cancelled racing from Friday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 6.

The Grade 3, $250,000 Bayakoa Stakes will be moved to Saturday, Feb. 12, sharing the card with the Razorback Handicap.

Dates have been added to Oaklawn's schedule on three Thursdays during the month of March: Mar. 17, Mar. 24, and Mar 31.

Both Sam Houston Race Park in Texas and Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. also cancelled their Thursday cards due to lingering effects of winter weather.

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