PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 8
Feb 8, 2020, 6:30 am
Courtesy photo
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
2-7-4-1
Either half of the entry could come out on top here
SECOND
2-8-4-3
E RATED just missed in meet debut and should get it done here
THIRD
8-6-7-10
FLASH N GO gets back on the turf where he should improve
FOURTH
4-3-6-1
CLIPBOARD MONEY likely needed last and should be in the mix
FIFTH
2-9-6-4
BLUSHING KITTEN should get a solid pace to run at
SIXTH
6-8-2-4
GOOD FAITH has sharp works for debut and should be competitive
SEVENTH
10-1-3-6
ROGER BROWN is in sharp form and will be tough
EIGHTH
4-3-6-8
BOLD LEGEND is in sharp form and should be tough to handle
NINTH
4-8-9-1
EMPRESARIO was a sharp winner in last and should continue to improve
TENTH
6-10-13-2
NOVA NOTION has been close in last two; has been off since June but workouts are solid
Houston right-hander J.P. France will have surgery on his throwing shoulder Monday.
France opened the season in the majors but had been optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land and made one start there when he was placed on the injured list in early May.
France resumed throwing recently after being shut down for about a month, but had a setback this week leading to the decision to have surgery. The team did not provide any details about the nature of his surgery in its announcement Wednesday.
France was 0-3 with a 7.46 ERA in five starts for the Astros this season before his demotion.
His injury is the latest in a series of injuries to Houston's starting pitchers this season. The Astros opened the year without Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers because of injuries and José Urquidy and Cristian Javier both had Tommy John surgery earlier this month before ace Justin Verlander landed on the 15-day injured list with neck discomfort.
With only four pitchers currently in the rotation, the club could have really used France with an upcoming schedule that includes ten games in ten days on the road.
And with Garcia not expected back until late July, the Astros will have to get creative with their starters.