PLAYING THE PONIES

Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, Jan. 31

Fred Faour
Jan 31, 2020, 6:36 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

4-2-7-1
SEATTLE SOUNDER is lightly raced and should improve


SECOND
3-1-5-7
ORATORY GLORY should be in a good spot to clear this condition


THIRD
10-6-1-12
MINE BOSS is lightly raced, last was not bad and he should improve


FOURTH
4-6-2-3
REACHREACHREACH drops in class and fits well in this spot


FIFTH
10-7-11-2
T.J.B. OORAH comes from a hot barn and is bred to love the grass

SIXTH
5-4-9-1
FRANKALEE FUN did the heavy lifting in last before getting passed by the favorite late


SEVENTH
5-8-2-3
TIZ PLUS was in over his head in the last two; much better spot here


EIGHTH
2-8-9-3
TRULY BLING has good connections; distance should be a perfect fit


NINTH
3-1-7-2
KARATE HOTTIE is another sharp Broberg claim who will be tough


TENTH
5-7-4-1

GATOR VINDICATION was a sharp second here in last and might go all the way


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Here’s why Houston Texans team strategy is becoming increasingly divisive

The Houston Texans approach to the offseason has caused quite a bit of controversy among Texans fans and media. Some really like what the team is doing in free agency, while others are underwhelmed.

But the argument that keeps getting thrown around is whether the Texans are ready to win this season, or if the team will have to suffer through another disappointing season. Most would agree the Texans roster has a number of holes, but how will that roster look after the NFL Draft and hopefully a new franchise QB is taking snaps for the team?

The great thing about the NFL is how fast teams can turn things around and start winning. When we looked at the teams coming off a bad season and drafting around the Texans in 2021, many of them showed a huge improvement the following season.

The Lions were 3-13-1 in 2021, last year? 9-8. The Jaguars went 3-14 in 2021. Last year they won the AFC South and notched a playoff win over the Chargers. Look at the New York Giants, they went 4-13 in 2021. They improved to 9-7-1 and also won a playoff game just one year later. And don't get us started on the Jets. They went 4-13 in 2021, improved to 7-10 with bad QB play, and now Aaron Rodgers wants to play there.

The point being, most of these teams hired new coaches in the last couple of years, added some talent through the draft and free agency and started winning. Why are Texans fans and media so convinced they're in for another season of losing? Why can't the Texans be the team that turns things around and competes for a division title? Especially if they land a franchise QB as expected.

The AFC South isn't a very tough division. In fact, the Texans beat the Jags, Colts, and Titans just this year. Shouldn't we expect them to take a step forward with better players and DeMeco Ryans leading the way?

Be sure to check out the video above as we break it all down!

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