PLAYING THE PONIES

Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 9

Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Feb. 9
Kentuckyderby.com.

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. If the races come off the turf due to rain, check out Twitter and I will update the picks. (These are the picks and format that are available on the free tip sheet at SHRP). I like the second, third, fifth, eighth and ninth races the best).

FIRST

7-2-5-4

RB BLASTFROMTHEPAST might have found the right spot here

SECOND

2-4-3-5

SPECIAL PRAISE could pull off a mild upset here

THIRD

2-5-6-1

GOLD BUYER is another Calhoun/Parker runner and should be tough

FOURTH

5-4-1-3

RARE POPPY was a beaten favorite in last but should bounce back

FIFTH

2-4-3-6

VOLLEY MOLLEY stretches back out and could take this at a nice price

SIXTH

6-4-1-2

SHES A TEXAN needed last and should fare better in this spot

SEVENTH

1-3-6-4

KITCHEN BOSS could turn the tables in this spot

EIGHTH

5-6-1-4

MARIA CHUCHENA was right there with solid fields in Oklahoma

NINTH

2-1-6-5

A PLACE REMEMBERED rates a slim edge in a competitive group

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