PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, Jan. 11
Jan 11, 2020, 6:50 am
Here are my selections for Saturday night. 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). We will be doing The Blitz from 4-7 at the track so please drop by.
FIRST
1-6-7-4
Won't get much value but Broberg duo looks very tough here
SECOND
6-2-1-5
FIFTEEN LOVE BACK offers nice value and a good record over the track
THIRD
1-3-8-4
SNEEM has three wins - all at this trip - and should be in the mix
FOURTH
3-7-6-8
DONTBEFOOLISH gets in with state breds and should like this spot
FIFTH
7-6-12-11
CULPER thrived in first start for new barn and should continue to improve
SIXTH
8-2-6-7
HURRY BACK has been close in a few spots and maybe tonight is the night
SEVENTH
1-11-12-13
EMPIRE OF GOLD has been sharp in two starts and might break through
EIGHTH
6-8-1-2
EURODEVILWOMAN has a string of runner-up finishes; maybe it's breakthrough time
NINTH
4-2-3-7
LOVE TO LEARN has been on some tough circuits and should be in the mix
TENTH
1-2-7-6
CATCH THE DEVIL has some decent works for the debut
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Colorado Rockies (27-51, fifth in the NL West) vs. Houston Astros (38-40, second in the AL West)
Houston; Tuesday, 8:10 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Austin Gomber (1-4, 4.36 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 52 strikeouts); Astros: Hunter Brown (4-5, 4.72 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 82 strikeouts)
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Astros -263, Rockies +215; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Houston Astros take on the Colorado Rockies after Alex Bregman had four hits against the Orioles on Sunday.
Houston is 22-19 at home and 38-40 overall. The Astros have the fourth-best team slugging percentage in the majors at .423.
Colorado is 27-51 overall and 11-27 on the road. The Rockies have the eighth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .397.
The matchup Tuesday is the third meeting between these teams this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jose Altuve has a .299 batting average to lead the Astros, and has 16 doubles and 12 home runs. Bregman is 16-for-42 with two RBI over the past 10 games.
Ryan McMahon ranks second on the Rockies with 31 extra base hits (17 doubles and 14 home runs). Hunter Goodman is 9-for-37 with a double, five home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Astros: 7-3, .284 batting average, 3.78 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs
Rockies: 3-7, .277 batting average, 6.60 ERA, outscored by 10 runs
INJURIES: Astros: Jake Bloss: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Victor Caratini: 10-Day IL (hip), Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (neck), Cristian Javier: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Tucker: 10-Day IL (shin), Jose Urquidy: 60-Day IL (forearm), Oliver Ortega: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bennett Sousa: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Penn Murfee: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Garcia: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lance McCullers Jr.: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kendall Graveman: 60-Day IL (elbow)
Rockies: Charlie Blackmon: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Adael Amador: 10-Day IL (oblique), Josh Rogers: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Elias Diaz: 10-Day IL (calf), Kris Bryant: 10-Day IL (rib), Jordan Beck: 10-Day IL (wrist), Lucas Gilbreath: 60-Day IL (elbow), Daniel Bard: 60-Day IL (knee), German Marquez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Antonio Senzatela: 60-Day IL (elbow)