Playing the Ponies
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, April 12
Apr 12, 2019, 6:15 am
Eyesa Jess Jumpin will be in action Friday at Sam Houston Race Park. Coady Photography
Here are my selections for Friday, the opening night of the Quarter Horse meet. These are not meant to be in exact order, but merely the four horses I think have the best chance to win. For beginners, I suggest exacta boxes with three horses, using two of mine and one of your own. And you can always pick up a copy of Acing Racing 2016 to learn everything you need to know. (These are the picks and format that are available on the free tip sheet at SHRP). Also, the Blitz will be broadcasting live from 4-7 p.m. so please stop by and say hello.
FIRST
4-7-5-10
MIGHTY VALENTINO has been close a few times and distance should suit him
SECOND
6-8-3-2
COUNTRY HOT DOGGIN offers nice value and could surprise
THIRD
4-5-1-7
BAC IN TIME was competitive in California before two strong wins in Iowa
FOURTH
8-6-7-4
GONE REGARDLESS has been close in several tough heats
FIFTH
5-8-7-2
EYESA JESS JUMPIN is a win machine with 6 in 9 career starts
SIXTH
3-1-8-2
FAR RIGHT was in with some terrific 2 year olds last year and should fit here
SEVENTH
7-6-1-2
ZOOMIN PATRIOT should be tough in this spot if ready
EIGHTH
7-5-4-2
MR CORONA CRYSTAL faced top runners last year and fits well here
NINTH
9-4-6-3
PAINT ME A SINNER has reeled off three in a row and draws a favorable post
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
First baseman Jon Singleton was released Tuesday by the Houston Astros.
Singleton had hit .171 with a .239 on-base percentage, no homers and two RBIs in 17 spring training games. The 33-year-old batted .234 with a .321 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 42 RBIs while playing 119 games last season.
The Astros signed Singleton to a $10 million, five-year contract in 2014 just before he made his major league debut, and after he had served two suspensions in the minor leagues for positive marijuana tests.
He batted below .200 in 2014 and 2015 before getting sent to the minors. He spent the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons in the minors and then tested positive for marijuana a third time.
Singleton requested his release from the Astros after receiving a 100-game suspension for that third positive test. He left the game before returning to organized baseball in the Mexican League.
He got back into the majors in 2023, first with the Milwaukee Brewers and later with the Astros.
Singleton agreed on March 8 to a contract paying $850,000 while in the major leagues and $425,000 while in the minors.
Jon Singleton cleared waivers and will be released by the Astros, source tells @TheAthletic. There is still a chance he re-signs with the Astros, but Singleton will explore his options.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 25, 2025