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
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For the Houston Rockets, it's already been an exciting offseason, with the team trading for NBA superstar Kevin Durant earlier this week. The Rockets also inked extensions with big man Steven Adams and head coach Ime Udoka in recent weeks.
Apparently the action isn't slowing down as the Rockets have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with guard Fred VanVleet.
Senior ESPN NBA analyst Sham Charania is reporting that VanVleet intends to sign a 2-year, $50 million contract with Houston.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell ESPN. Rockets are declining VanVleet's $44.9 million team option and land the new deal with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/rwtEUptBQT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Charania is also reporting that VanVleet has a player option for the 2026-2027 season.
In 60 games, VanVleet averaged just over 14 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.
This is a team-friendly deal for the Rockets that gets them below the luxury tax line, helping them avoid the repeater tax. It also opens up the full $14.1 million mid-level exception to add more talent to the roster. For VanVleet, it's more total money and an extra year of security.
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