PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 22
Feb 22, 2020, 6:04 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
8-7-5-4
MS PUEBLO WEST drops in class and should be in the mix
SECOND
2-7-5-6
MEGANS LAD has been running on the turf but has run well on dirt in the past
THIRD
6-3-4-7
CURLIN'S JOURNEY has been chasing talented runners; should like this spot
FOURTH
4-6-5-7
SWASHBUCKLER should like the drop in class
FIFTH
12-9-6-7
EMPIRE OF GOLD keeps coming close; this might be the night
SIXTH
12-2-9-8
CORLUNA is a consistent turf runner who should be a decent price
SEVENTH
3-2-5-4
STILLATUNE seemed to figure things out at Delta Downs
EIGHTH
11-13-2-8
MR MONEY BAGS makes turf debut but should handle the surface just fine
NINTH
5-3-2-6
GOOD JUDGEMENT dusted a nice group at Oaklawn and will be tough
TENTH
7-8-3-9
FIANCEE should be favored but the 8 could have a say as well
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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.