PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Jan. 17
Jan 17, 2020, 6:35 am
Coady Photography
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
1-8-6-5
Strong entry should be favored but price will be short
SECOND
3-1-2-4
DANCING WAVES takes a step up but fits here and will be a solid price
THIRD
2-4-1-3
ALWAYS GRACE drops in class and could upset the heavy favorite
FOURTH
6-2-3-10
SHELLEY'S DREAM has been knocking on the door but fits well here
FIFTH
1-8-10-2
SLEW TANG CLAN struggled in a tough group in last but this is a better spot
SIXTH
1-6-8-4
LONE STAR LADY heads a talented entry that should be in the mix
SEVENTH
5-3-6-10
LIL BIG MAN has been solid on the turf and could pop here at a price
EIGHTH
7-11-2-3
TA should improve in this spot and offers some value
NINTH
7-1-8-6
ALPHA TO OMEGA is consistent and should be in the mix
TENTH
10-12-14-9
JOMO should be a nice price in a race that should produce a good payoff
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Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 pm
Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
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The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
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Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Key moment
Smith’s RBI.
Key stat
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
Up next
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).