PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, April 26
Apr 26, 2019, 6:06 am
Here are my selections for Friday night. 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).
FIRST
2-3-5-1
NO HABITS HERE should get to the front early and prove tough to catch
SECOND
2-1-3-5
HEZ DASHIN BIGTIME has not shown much but stretch-out should help
THIRD
5-4-2-3
DM MARY DEAL has been getting closer and this might be the night
FOURTH
4-5-3-6
EYE AM TUFF comes off s strong effort and fits well here
FIFTH
8-7-2-3
ILUMATOR is a first time starter with decent works
SIXTH
4-5-1-6
CY ME N YOU PROSPECT missed as a favorite last out and needs a cleaner trip
SEVENTH
10-4-5-8
COUNTRY HOT DOGGIN just missed in last and outside post should help
EIGHTH
1-10-3-9
CLASSY SEIS should be in a good spot for a break through
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Cam Smith hit two of Houston's five home runs and finished with four hits as the Astros routed the Athletics 13-3 on Tuesday night to halt their four-game winning streak.
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Jason Alexander, claimed off waivers from the Athletics last month, pitched six shutout innings for Houston before tiring in the seventh. Mauricio Dubón, Christian Walker and Cooper Hummel also homered for the Astros.
Smith and Dubón went back-to-back in the fourth.
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Smith connected for leadoff shots in the second and fourth. He drove in three runs and scored three times. The 22-year-old rookie has five major league homers — and two multihomer games.
Dubón followed Smith's second home run with his second this season for a 5-0 lead against A's starter JP Sears, who walked the bases loaded in the first before giving up a two-run single to Jake Meyers.
Smith finished off his first four-hit game with an RBI double in the eighth.
Alexander (1-0) threw a season-high 95 pitches in his 12th career start and first since Sept. 18, 2022, with Milwaukee. He allowed three runs — two earned — and three hits.