PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Wednesday, Feb. 19
Feb 19, 2020, 6:50 am
Here are my selections for Wednesday 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
4-5-1-2
LUCKY QUEEN takes a big class drop for a high percentage barn
SECOND
2-7-3-4
GOLIATH RIDGE was well back in meet debut but could pop in this spot
THIRD
6-3-4-1
REAL DE JALPA had a string of solid efforts at Hawthorne before last; back to dirt
FOURTH
4-11-1-2
TJB OORAH should improve off of even debut; Kitten's Joys usually love the grass
FIFTH
2-10-6-5
JESSICA'S ARCH has solid efforts vs. open company in New Mexico and solid record at SHRP
SIXTH
3-2-10-8
FIREWATER JAKE has some big efforts on tough circuits
SEVENTH
7-2-1-6
Lightly raced LONG WEEKEND has some sharp works for 2020 debut
EIGHTH
7-1-9-2
TOUCH EM UP did not show much at Oaklawn but prior races put him in the mix
NINTH
10-13-6-3
BRENDAS AN I FULL should be very tough if this stays on the grass
TENTH
1-6-10-3
CHACHING BLING has solid works, hot trainer and win early sire for debut
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José Soriano pitched 6 2/3 strong innings and Logan O'Hoppe hit a pair of two-run shots to end a long home run drought and help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Houston Astros 9-1 on Saturday night.
Soriano (5-5) struck out 10 and allowed one run on three hits and three walks. He has allowed just two runs in his last three starts covering 20 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts. He hasn't allowed a home run since April 22 — a span of 11 starts.
O’Hoppe hit his 15th homer and first since May 22 in the third inning to give the Angels a 6-0 lead. The catcher capped the scoring with his second of the game in the seventh.
Jo Adell reached with a one-out infield single off Astros rookie Brandon Walter (0-1) in the second and Luis Rengifo followed with his fourth home run for a 2-0 lead.
Nolan Schanuel was hit by a pitch and Mike Trout singled and scored from first on a double by Taylor Ward for a 4-0 lead.
Jose Altuve walked and scored on a two-out single by Christian Walker in the fourth for the Astros, but the Angels answered in their half when Zach Neto doubled with two outs and scored on Schanuel's single for a 7-1 lead.
Walter allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings in his fourth career start.
Key moment
The Angels never looked back after Rengifo homered in the second.
Key stat
Houston is 3-2 against the Angels this season and leads the overall series 133-85. That includes a 65-45 record at Angel Stadium.
Up next
Astros rookie RHP Ryan Gusto (4-3, 4.31 ERA) will start Sunday's rubber game against Angels RHP Kyle Hendricks (5-6, 4.79).