PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 1
Feb 1, 2020, 6:07 am
Coady Photography
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
7-3-1-9
HIGH MAINTENANCE just missed in debut, gets Lasix and more distance. Looks tough
SECOND
5-3-4-6
JAGER ON THE ROCKS ships in from California and should be in the mix
THIRD
6-3-2-1
HERBS LOVE switches barns but should still be very tough
FOURTH
4-1-3-6
MY AUNT MIMS won for fun at this distance and could do it again
FIFTH
1-9-2-6
EXCITING has been close in tough heats at Remington Park
SIXTH
2-7-8-5
SHAWN AGAIN occasionally flashes speed and catches a struggling group
SEVENTH
3-9-7-8
FIANCEE looks very tough in this spot at a short price
EIGHTH
5-2-4-1
NOCTURNAL MISSION is improving and has faced tough runners
NINTH
3-4-8-5
FIGHT ON PENN has not shown much of late but might have found the right spot
TENTH
5-3-6-8
EMPRESSIVE REWARD is always close and might finally break through
Jose Altuve homered twice and drove in a season-high four runs and Jeremy Peña tripled for his 500th career hit to help the Houston Astros to a 9-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night.
It was tied with two outs in the fourth when Jake Meyers singled off George Kirby (0-1) before Cam Smith walked. Mauricio Dubón’s single on a grounder to right field scored Meyers to put Houston on top 3-2.
Peña then sent two more home with his triple off the wall in left-center to make it 5-2 and chase Kirby.
Altuve’s solo shot came with no outs in the fifth to push the lead to 6-2. He connected again with one on and two outs in the sixth to make it 8-2 and give him his 12th career multihomer game.
Houston’s Lance McCullers Jr. allowed five hits and two runs with a season-high eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in his longest start this season. Shawn Dubin (1-0) got the last two outs of the fifth for the win.
Kirby allowed six hits and five runs with four strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings in his season debut after sitting out with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
Seattle played without Julio Rodríguez after the center fielder was scratched from the lineup about 30 minutes before the first pitch. Manager Dan Wilson said Rodríguez had back tightness and is day to day with the issue.
Dylan Moore homered and Rowdy Tellez had two hits and an RBI on a night the AL West-leading Mariners went 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
Tellez gave the Mariners an early lead with an RBI single with two outs in the first. Seattle made it 2-0 when Moore homered to open the second inning.
Altuve hit a sacrifice fly to tie it in Houston’s two-run second.
Key moment
Peña’s triple in the fourth padded the Astros' lead and ended Kirby’s night.
Key stat
Peña is the fifth player in franchise history to reach 500 hits while playing shortstop, joining Roger Metzger (839), Carlos Correa (778), Craig Reynolds (767) and Adam Everett (530).
Up next
Houston RHP Ryan Gusto (3-2, 4.85 ERA) opposes RHP Emerson Hancock (1-2, 6.21) when the series continues Friday night.