Betting The Races
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Feb. 1
Jan 31, 2019, 3:30 pm
Bigger Picture won Sunday's Connally Turf Cup. Coady photography
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. If the races come off the turf due to rain, check out Twitter and I will update the picks. (These are the picks and format that are available on the free tip sheet at SHRP)
FIRST
6-3-4-2
MORE THAN A MELODY will be a short price but looks solid here
SECOND
1-5-4-7
Another short-priced Asmussen runner who is hard to get around
THIRD
8-11-4-10
WHITE WALLS is really good at this distance on the turf and should be in the mix
FOURTH
5-7-6-2
We will take a flyer with some firsts, including WITT'S GRAND, who should be a big price
FIFTH
2-12-3-6
TELESCOPIC PLAN struggled in last but priors fit well in this spot
SIXTH
7-5-4-8
FOREST GIRL is in good form and will need to be sharp to beat RARE POPPY
SEVENTH
8-4-2-6
CHAT RAT is one of two Broberg runners in here and both look good
EIGHTH
8-11-9-1
TOMMY GROSSMAN faced a tough group in last and should fare better here
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The Houston Astros placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right foot Monday before his scheduled start against the Athletics.
The move, which is retroactive to Friday, comes after McCullers made seven starts this year in his return after missing two full seasons with various arm injuries.
Rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto will start in his place Monday as the AL West-leading Astros open a four-game series against the Athletics.
McCullers is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA this season. He allowed four hits and four runs while striking out six in five innings of a 4-2 loss to the White Sox in his last start on Tuesday.
The injury to McCullers is the latest in a string of injuries to the Astros rotation. Houston starters Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco are both out for the season after having Tommy John surgery and right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has been sidelined since April after breaking his right thumb in a batting practice mishap.
They also are missing right-handers Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier, who are both still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Astros recalled right-hander Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land to take his spot on the roster.