PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 23
Feb 23, 2019, 5:41 pm
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Here are my selections for Saturday. 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
8-1-3-4
RISKY VAZ needed last start and should improve in this spot
SECOND
5-1-4-3
MULA CHAMULA tries turf for the first time and should do just fine
THIRD
6-7-2-4
NOBLE GAMBLER has not shown much but fits in this spot
FOURTH
1-2-6-4
Competitive group where MR MONEY BAGS rates a slim edge
FIFTH
6-8-9-7
Will take a flyer on HIGH HEAT BOY in a struggling group
SIXTH
5-3-7-8
COWGIRLS LIKE US will be a short price but looks very tough
SEVENTH
2-5-1-8
Will take a shot against the favorite with SING PRADA SING
EIGHTH
5-4-2-1
JACK WITH SEVEN should fare better on the main track
NINTH
9-12-5-7
AWESOME WILD GIRL disappointed in last but should bounce back
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José Soriano pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Logan O'Hoppe hit a pair of two-run shots to end a long home run drought and help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-1 on Saturday night.
Soriano (5-5) struck out 10 and allowed one run on three hits and three walks. He has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 20 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 22 — a span of 11 starts.
O’Hoppe hit his 15th homer and first since May 22 in the third inning to give the Angels a 6-0 lead. The catcher capped the scoring with his second of the game in the seventh.
Jo Adell reached with a one-out infield single off Astros rookie Brandon Walter (0-1) in the second and Luis Rengifo followed with his fourth home run for a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Schanuel was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout singled and scored from first on a double by Taylor Ward for a 4-0 lead.
Jose Altuve walked and scored on a two-out single by Christian Walker in the fourth for the Astros, but the Angels answered in their half when Zach Neto doubled with two outs and scored on Schanuel's single for a 7-1 lead.
Walter allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings in his fourth career start.
Key moment
The Angels never looked back after Rengifo homered in the second.
Key stat
Houston is 3-2 against the Angels this season and leads the overall series 133-85. That includes a 65-45 record at Angel Stadium.
Up next
Astros rookie RHP Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.31 ERA) will start Sunday's rubber game against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.79).