Playing the ponies
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Friday, March 1
Mar 1, 2019, 8:01 am
Bigger Picture won the Connally Turf Cup. Coady photography
Here are my selections for Friday. 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). Lots of rain in the area so if the races come off the turf, ignore those picks.
FIRST
2-1-6-4
KING CLOUDY was a sharp winner in debut and should fit well here
SECOND
1-4-6-7
IRISH MISSLE might turn the tables in this spot in third off layoff
THIRD
5-1-11-8
SAMICEAN usually fires a good shot and has a strong record here
FOURTH
2-6-5-3
WHENTHEPENNYDROPS
Solid debut and should improve in start No. 2
FIFTH
11-9-1-8
GOOD MONGOLIA has been solid in both turf tries in Chicago
SIXTH
6-1-3-4
KINGSVILLE rolled in last and might have found a spot to repeat
SEVENTH
6-5-3-7
CORLUNA has reeled off a couple good wins and could do it again
EIGHTH
9-2-5-7
ASI FUE was solid in debut and should be in the mix
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The Houston Astros continue their road trip Wednesday night in Denver, looking to stay red-hot against a struggling Rockies team that can’t seem to buy a win at Coors Field.
Houston enters the second game of the series with a 51–34 record, sitting atop the AL West and riding a stretch of eight wins in their last ten games. Their offense hasn’t exactly been overpowering during this run — the team is hitting just .228 over that span — but timely power and elite pitching have carried the load. They’ll lean on both again Wednesday as right-hander Hunter Brown takes the mound.
Brown has emerged as one of the most dominant starters in baseball this season, posting an 8–3 record and an eye-popping 1.74 ERA with 118 strikeouts. His efficiency and command (0.89 WHIP) have kept opponents off balance all year, and he’ll face a Rockies lineup that’s shown occasional pop but little consistency. Colorado is just 19–66 overall, with only eight wins in 41 games at home.
Austin Gomber gets the ball for the Rockies in what will be just his fouth start of the season. The lefty owns a 6.14 ERA and has managed only five strikeouts in limited action, which could open the door for Houston’s power bats to do damage early. The Astros are 18–5 when they hit multiple home runs in a game.
Colorado will hope to build on the lone bright spot from Tuesday’s loss, a five-hit effort from rookie Jordan Beck, while Hunter Goodman continues to show some spark with five homers in his last ten games.
With the Astros heavily favored (-258) and looking to build further separation in the division, all eyes will be on Brown as he tries to keep the momentum rolling, and give Houston its 52nd win of the season.
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -258, Rockies +208; over/under is 11 runs
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