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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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.