PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, March 23 (with bonus picks on Lousiana Derby Day at Fair Grounds)
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). I will be making an appearance from 7-9 at the ESPN area by the Jockey Club. Come by and say hello. I will have a couple picks I like I will share in person.
Also, it is Louisiana Derby Day at Fair Grounds. Below are a couple of plays:
FAIR GROUNDS
Race 10, New Orleans Handicap: This is a wide open race with lots of speed, stalkers and closers balanced out nicely. I am going to play No. 3 Souper Tapit across the board at 6-1. He lost all chance at the start of his last at Oaklawn, but his prior two efforts put him right there. Better start should put him in the hunt.
Race 13, Louisiana Derby: War of Will is the 6-5 favorite and has done little wrong. But he is also not all that fast; any one of several horses could improve. We will look at Sueno, who is improving and has been consistent. We will wheel him first and second in the exactas with several potential horses that could also improve including the favorite. So the bet will be 4 with 1-2-3-5-6-8-10-11 and 1-2-3-5-6-8-10-11 with 4.
SHRP SELECTIONS
FIRST
6-4-3-1
HI HEAT BOY has been nibbling and maybe feasts on the whole thing tonight
SECOND
2-3-6-1
SHES OUR FASTEST has been in tough and should be in the mix here
THIRD
4-1-6-2
TEXAS BELLE is in sharp form and will take some beating in this spot
FOURTH
3-4-1-2
DIRECT DIAL was in tough in last, has good speed and a recency edge over the favorite
FIFTH
2-3-9-6
IMA DISCREET LADY should get a nice stalking trip here and should be tough
SIXTH
6-3-1-4
MR MONEY BAGS has big goals and should turn in another big effort
SEVENTH
2-7-1-5
HIGHWAY SONG gets a little more distance and should thrive here
EIGHTH
8-9-6-1
COMMANDER MCDIVIT should stretch out just fine and should be in the mix
