. In 1937 Texas banned gambling which led immediately to the closure of Epsom Downs, some 14 miles as the crow flies from the present day Sam Houston Race Track, named after a former president of the Republic of Texas. Today the Sam Houston Race Park is the home of thoroughbred racing for many Houston racing fans in the state of Texas. Its inaugural meeting was held on 24th April 1994. Its season begins in January and extends through to March, but then it hosts quarter horse racing from March until May. It is able to make use of 2 tracks throughout the season; a dirt track of one mile with a 278 metre home straight, and a 7 furlong turf track with separate 7 furlong and 10 furlong chutes. Its principal races are the Sam Houston Oaks for fillies, the Spring Stakes, the Texas Heritage Stakes and the John B Connally Breeders Turf Cup which was launched in 1995 over 9 furlongs, but in 2016 was extended to 12 furlongs.

John B Connally winners since its inception in 1995
1995 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Marastani trained by Thomas Amoss and ridden by Curt Bourque
1996 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Western Trader trained by Bobby Barnett and ridden by Carlos Gonzalez
1997 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Scotts Scoundrel trained by Paul Pellerin and ridden by Ronald Ardoin
1998 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Chorwon trained by Hal Wiggins and ridden by Gerard Melancon
1999 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Chorwon trained by Hal Wiggins and ridden by Calvin Borel
2000 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Rod and Staff trained by Bobby Barnett and ridden by Robby Albarado
2001 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Candid Glen trained by Andrew Leggio and ridden by Elvis Joseph Perrodin
2002 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Candid Glen trained by Andrew Leggio and ridden by Elvis Joseph Perrodin
2003 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Candid Glen trained by Andrew Leggio and ridden by Elvis Joseph Perrodin
2004 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Warleigh trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Jeremy Beasley
2005 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Rapid Proof trained by Hal Wiggins and ridden by Brian Joseph Hernandez
2006 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Fort Prado trained by Jeff Trosclair and ridden by Robby Albarado
2007 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Mending Fences trained by Martin Wolfson and ridden by Quincy Hamilton
2008 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Scrappy Roo trained by Paul Nolan and ridden by John Locke
2009 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was not contested
2010 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Acting Zippy trained by William Don Bennett and ridden by Robby Albarado
2011 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Schramsberg trained by Chris Hartman and ridden by Chris Landeros
2012 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Papaw Bodie trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Rosie Napravnik
2013 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Swift Warrior trained by John Terranova and ridden by Jose Espinoza
2014 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Admiral Kitten trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Julien Peraroux
2015 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 9 furlongs was won by Coalport trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Miguel Mena
2016 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 12 furlongs was won by Da Big Horse trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Florent Geroux
2017 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 12 furlongs was won by Bigger Picture trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Jose Ortiz
2018 The John B Connally Turf Cup over 12 furlongs was won by Bigger Picture trained by Michael Maker and ridden by Jose Ortiz

ISBN 978-0-9957632-0-3

652 pages

774 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-1-0

352 pages

400 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-2-7

180 pages

140 former courses

ISBN 978-0-9957632-3-4

264 pages

235 former courses