PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Feb. 21
Feb 21, 2020, 6:36 am
Here are my selections for Friday night at Sam Houston Race Park. 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
6-5-2-1
LAZUR HESS has finished behind a couple of these in the past but looks sharp
SECOND
8-2-3-6
GAME DAY DECISION gets back on dirt and distance should suit him
THIRD
11-12-5-7
MORE THAN STATURE hooked a monster in last; prior race fits well here
FOURTH
1-5-4-6
ROCKNROLL ROCKET was an easy winner in last and could repeat
FIFTH
8-9-7-1
JADE D'ORO just missed in Delta debut and should be in the mix
SIXTH
6-3-4-8
SNEEM has yet to lose at this trip; new barn should keep him sharp
SEVENTH
3-10-4-7
BIG EGYPT is a shrewd claim who has already paid off; could win right back at this level
EIGHTH
5-4-7-6
LEBRON J has every reason to improve in start No. 3
NINTH
6-8-5-2
THREE TIME CHARMER had gate issues in last; better behavior could equal a win
TENTH
3-1-5-10
UNCAIL will be on the lead early and tough to run down
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The Houston Astros kick off a pivotal weekend series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park — and they'll do so with a familiar face back in the lineup. Carlos Correa, reacquired in a stunning trade deadline move on Thursday, is set to make his return to the Astros and will hit cleanup in his first game back with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2012.
Correa rejoins a Houston club that sits atop the AL West at 62-47 and is coming off a resounding 9-1 win over Washington on Wednesday, fueled by Jose Altuve’s four-hit performance. The Astros are 27-23 on the road and enter Friday with the fourth-best on-base percentage in the American League (.321).
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games and hold a 34-21 record at home. Boston enters the weekend third in the competitive AL East at 59-51. Outfielder Jarren Duran has been a spark plug, hitting .265 with 29 doubles and 12 triples on the year.
Houston will send right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5) to the mound, while Boston will counter with RHP Cooper Criswell (1-0).
Friday marks the first meeting of the season between these two clubs.
All eyes will be on Correa’s return in a stadium where he’s delivered countless postseason moments. Now, he begins the next chapter of his Astros career, joining a team counting on him to help fuel their playoff push.
Starting lineup
So how will Joe Espada deploy his new toys? Pena is back at shortstop and leading off, with Altuve hitting second and serving as the DH. Jesus Sanchez gets his first Astros, start hitting third, and playing left field. Correa begins his Astros reunion hitting fourth and playing third base.
Big night in Beantown.
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Yainer Diaz (C) will hit fifth, followed by Christian Walker (1B), and Taylor Trammell (CF). It's interesting to see Cam Smith hitting so far down the lineup at eighth. He'll play right field and finally, Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and play second base.
Betting odds
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -134, Red Sox +113; over/under is 8 runs
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