PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 15
Feb 15, 2020, 6:55 am
Here are my selections for Saturday 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
1-4-2-6
UPTOWN FLYING FLYNN just missed in last and could get it done
SECOND
1-3-2-4
Three-pronged entry could easily sweep the top three spots here
THIRD
4-3-2-1
MADIBA deserves another look shortening up from an OK effort at a mile
FOURTH
5-8-7-2
SWISS DOT likely needed last; past efforts are good enough to win this
FIFTH
5-7-8-9
GILES was a beaten favorite in last but similar effort could get it done
SIXTH
2-5-3-7
LITTLE CODE has some solid efforts and should be in the hunt if race stays on the grass
SEVENTH
8-3-1-2
PRINCE JET gets Lasix off a speed and fade debut; should be tough to catch
EIGHTH
8-4-9-1
COMPLETE SENSE should be in the mix if she goes; if not KERTARA looks solid
NINTH
4-5-2-1
TAKE CHARGE WOMAN has solid works for debut and could be ready
TENTH
2-5-10-3
MO AMERICAN is a son of Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh; should be tough
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The Astros know how to win these games, and it shows
Jun 29, 2025, 4:28 pm
Kyle Tucker launched a three-run homer and matched a season high with four hits against the team that traded him in December, and the Chicago Cubs routed Houston 12-3 on Saturday night to stop the Astros' five-game winning streak.
Tucker also scored four times to pace a Cubs lineup that pounded out 15 hits, including three by Dansby Swanson. Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch and Nico Hoerner also went deep.
Chicago hit three homers in an inning for the second time this season during a seven-run fourth. Busch and Hoerner had back-to-back solo shots to put the Cubs on top 3-2, and Tucker’s drive made it 7-2.
The offensive outburst came in support of Colin Rea (5-3), who allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. The only blemish on his line was rookie Cam Smith’s two-run homer in the third, which briefly gave the Astros a 2-1 lead.
Smith, part of the package Houston received for Tucker, finished with two hits and has homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Lance McCullers Jr. (1-3) came off the injured list and allowed eight runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings.
Isaac Paredes, also part of the Astros' trade return for Tucker, hit his 17th home run.
Key moment
Tucker’s three-run homer in the fourth that put the Cubs ahead 7-2.
Key stat
McCullers has a 10.89 ERA in five home starts this season, but hasn’t allowed an earned run in three road starts.
Up next
Houston LHP Framber Valdez (8-4, 2.88 ERA) opposes RHP Jameson Taillon (7-5, 4.77 ERA) when the series concludes Sunday.