PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Feb. 7
Feb 6, 2020, 6:59 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
1-6-9-8
ADDED ATTRACTION will be very tough in here if he goes
SECOND
11-5-1-8
SKY PULPIT showed nothing in debut but should improve in second start
THIRD
4-5-10-1
HOT FUDGE LOUIE has a win at this trip over the track
FOURTH
10-6-8-2
TREBULSKI was in tough in last two; should fare better here
FIFTH
1-6-2-10
DECLARE WAR should do well if the race stays on the turf
SIXTH
1-6-2-5
NOMO RON has been hanging in there with tough runners
SEVENTH
2-6-7-10
SPIRITUAL WARFARE should be in the mix if he is on his A game
EIGHTH
5-4-1-2
ROCKNROLL ROCKET should take a step forward here at a square price
NINTH
11-5-1-2
CATCH THE DEVIL has taken a lot of action in two starts; tonight might be the night
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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.
⚾️: 6:10 PM CDT | 7:10 PM EDT
📺: @AppleTV +
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 | Spanish: 93.3 FM#BuiltForThis x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/ILoVlyqRQg
— Houston Astros (@astros) August 1, 2025
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
___________________________
*ChatGPT assisted.
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!