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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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.