Playing the Ponies
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Jan. 24
Jan 24, 2020, 6:41 am
Playing the Ponies
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). We will be broadcasting live with the Blitz from 4-7 p.m. so please drop by.
FIRST
4-3-2-9
UPTOWN WTF romped in first start in Texas and could repeat
SECOND
6-7-1-2
NOLA'S SUGARPLUM might not have liked the Delta surface; fits well if she handles this
THIRD
2-6-8-3
MORO CHARLIE switches back to the main track and should contend
FOURTH
8-1-3-4
MUCHO DINERO has solid connections and should be in the mix
FIFTH
10-12-6-9
RAMAH had some quick works early and should be ready for debut
SIXTH
4-9-8-2
STUMBERG has a couple nice starts and Fair Grounds and fits well here
SEVENTH
5-3-6-1
WILD MOMENT shortens back up and should fare better at this distance
EIGHTH
1-8-9-4
GILES will be a short price but looks tough to handle here
NINTH
4-1-10-8
STARLING has a start over the surface and should improve
TENTH
7-5-4-10
BAZOOKA has been in could form and could upset the favorite
The Houston Astros announced on Monday that additional imaging has revealed that Jeremy Peña is dealing with a small fracture in one of his ribs.
Peña left Friday's game after being hit by a pitch in the ribs. The club originally believed they had avoided any fractures or breaks, but new information has informed them otherwise.
Update on Jeremy Peña: pic.twitter.com/jfCsCUKWFx
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 30, 2025
Peña is heading to the 10-day injured list retroactive to June 28. This news comes at an unfortunate time, with Jeremy posting the best regular season numbers of his career. He's currently slashing .322, .378, .489 with an .867 OPS.
Peña will miss the Rockies and Dodgers series at a minimum.
Story on Peña headed to the IL with quotes from Dana Brown.
“This isn’t one of those things where you have to be sidelined the whole time. Once the inflammation goes down, he might feel good enough to swing a bat.” https://t.co/ih2G09Jpcf
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) June 30, 2025
Let's hope the team doesn't rush him back too soon and create an even bigger problem. These quotes above from Dana Brown have me concerned. Playing through injuries can create bad habits, and Jeremy has clearly found his swing this season.