PLAYING THE PONIES

Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, March 7

Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, March 7
Coady Photography

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
7-2-4-5
HIGH SPIRITS is in sharp form and could take this


SECOND

1-2-7-6
RB RICH LYKE ME rates a slim edge in a very talented group


THIRD
2-7-8-6
CYPRESS POINT stretches out off a strong effort and will be tough to catch


FOURTH
4-1-7-3
STALEMATE has not shown a lot but class drop should help


FIFTH
1-10-7-3
BRAZOS ANGEL was in tough in last; slim edge in wide open affair

SIXTH
2-4-1-6
SILVER CITY TRICK freaked in meet debut; could roll again


SEVENTH
7-6-2-1
DANCE KINGDOM drops in class and stretches out; worth a look


EIGHTH
1-3-5-7
GRADE ONE has a pair of sharp starts this meet and should be in the mix


NINTH
1-7-4-5
ADDED ATTRACTION has been in top form this meet


TENTH
9-10-8-2
CADDO FOX chased a nice one in debut and should be in the mix


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The Rays beat the Astros, 8-4. Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images.

Yandy Díaz hit a three-run homer, among Tampa Bay's four home runs in the game, and the Rays beat the Houston Astros 8-4 on Wednesday to win their three-game series.

Díaz's shot in the bottom of the eighth followed Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe homering back-to-back in the fifth and Curtis Mead's first of the season in the fourth.

All four homers were hit off Hunter Brown (6-3), who had allowed just two homers in his nine previous starts.

Taj Bradley (4-3), who gave up a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes in the first, went six innings, allowing just those two runs. Paredes had two home runs in the loss, and now has 10 on the season.

Key moment

Rays manager Kevin Cash was ejected for the first time this season in the top of the eighth inning. After the Astros cut the Rays’ lead to a run on a home run from Mauricio Dubón and a second homer from Paredes, Yainer Diaz was called out on a checked swing. The Astros called for a review, saying the ball hit Diaz. Cash was arguing it shouldn’t be reviewed. The call was confirmed.

Key stat

Yandy Díaz celebrated playing in his 800th career game, 711 with the Rays, with his seventh home run of 2025. He is the 33rd Cuban-born player to play in 800 major league games, including the sixth active player with Aroldis Chapman (817), Yasmani Grandal (1,307), Yuli Gurriel (943), Jose Iglesias (1,212) and Jorge Soler (1,056).

Up next

The Rays send right-hander Drew Rasmussen (2-4, 2.93 ERA) to the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays at home Friday night.

The Astros head home to open a key divisional series Thursday against the Mariners. Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1, 7.88 ERA) will make his fourth start since the 2022 playoffs after a rocky return from the injured list.

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