Sam Houston Race Park on Wednesday announced its purse schedule for the 2021 meet for Thoroughbreds that opens Jan. 8 and runs for 46 dates through April 3.

The track projects daily purses will average $248,000. The stakes schedule will be worth $2.2 million, with the Houston Ladies Classic and John B. Connally Turf Cup - both Grade 3 events - to be run Jan. 31. 

Sam Houston will announce its full stakes schedule in October. As for overnight purses, maiden special weight races will be worth $36,000 and allowances will start at $37,000, according to the press release. 

Sam Houston will race Thursday through Saturday and pick up Wednesday cards Feb. 10.    

“We had an exceptional meet in 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its early cancelation,” Dwight Berube, general manager of Sam Houston, said in a release. “Our goal throughout this year was to move forward and offer our loyal horsemen and women even better opportunities for 2021. We are very excited about the upcoming racing season!”

Stall applications are due Nov. 6 and the stable area will open Nov. 28. Training starts Dec. 1.