Playing the ponies
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Feb. 22
Feb 22, 2019, 6:56 am
Sam Houston Race Park
Here are my selections for Friday. 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
1-2-9-7
SLUFFYS GIZMO heads an intriguing entry
SECOND
3-7-5-2
TRUE WISDOM flashed speed going longer for strong connections
THIRD
2-8-5-4
CHASE FOR THE GOLD ripped off a nice maiden win in last and could repeat
FOURTH
7-1-3-4
RARE POPPY has been a money burner of late but is in a good spot
FIFTH
2-6-7-1
LITTLE SNIP has been facing tough customers and fits well here
SIXTH
8-1-6-4
ARCH VALUE freaked in last; similar effort probably takes this
SEVENTH
6-4-5-2
SARGE'S DAUGHTER caught a tough group in last and should be prominent early
EIGHTH
8-3-5-9
PURELY BOY likely needed last and could pop at a price
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The Astros know how to win these games, and it shows
Jun 29, 2025, 4:28 pm
Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.
Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.
Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.
The offensive outburst came in support of Colin Rea (5-3), who allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The only blemish on his line was rookie Cam Smith’s two-run homer in the third, which briefly gave the Astros a 2-1 lead.
Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.
Key moment
Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.
Key stat
McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.