PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Saturday, May 18
May 17, 2019, 6:55 am
PLAYING THE PONIES
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 doing an appearance at the track from 1-3 p.m. so please drop by. Also, it is Preakness Day so check elsewhere on this site for my plays.
FIRST
1-7-2-4
FLY TOOLE FLY should benefit from better post
SECOND
5-6-4-3
CAPTAIN VALOR looks very solid in this spot
THIRD
7-5-4-1
LA GRAN VALENTINA just missed in last and fits well here
FOURTH
3-6-5-2
LOTTA CASH ON THE FLY has not shown much but clean trip would help
FIFTH
9-6-1-3
ONE SWEET KO has improved in each start
SIXTH
7-6-2-5
MOMAS DEALING has two sharp efforts in a row
SEVENTH
9-4-2-7
SO BANG THE IVORIES was dull in last but deserves another shot
EIGHTH
8-6-4-5
JLS RUSTYSPECIALPIE has been off for a while but could surprise
NINTH
7-1-4-6
VIOLETA LUNA should improve off a decent debut
The Astros dropped a tough one Tuesday night, falling 4–2 to the White Sox after slipping behind early. But before anyone reaches for the panic button, take a breath — this team may not look like the dominant, late-inning machine from 2022, but there are still reasons to believe something bigger could be brewing.
In this episode, we unpack what this loss really means and why the bigger picture still matters. Despite a wave of injuries, the Astros are hanging a few games over the .500 mark — a feat that may be more impressive than it seems on the surface.
We take a closer look at Lance McCullers Jr., who’s no longer fighting for a spot at the back of the rotation. His stuff looks sharper, and his role as a solid No. 3 is starting to take shape. We also spotlight Ryan Gusto, a young arm who might quietly become a key piece down the stretch.
The offense hasn’t exploded the way fans hoped, but maybe that’s the point — Houston is still in the fight, and in some ways, overachieving considering the circumstances. Rookie Cam Smith is settling in nicely at the big-league level, and although Christian Walker has underwhelmed, Isaac Paredes has emerged as one of the top third basemen in the American League. Plus, let's not forget Yordan Alvarez should be returning in short order to give the offense a lift.
And yes, it’s early, but we can’t help but wonder… could this be the start of another World Series run? After all, the Astros were swept by the White Sox in 2017 — and we all remember how that story ended.
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zierlein weigh in!
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