Playing the Ponies
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Wednesday, Feb. 5
Feb 5, 2020, 6:45 am
Bigger Picture won Sunday's Connally Turf Cup. Coady photography
Here are my selections for Wednesday afternoon 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
8-5-2-4
WORLD offers no value on the win end but looks hard to beat here
SECOND
6-8-3-2
LITTLE AVENGER should close out a short priced Asmussen double
THIRD
5-4-8-6
RAMAAH stretches out off an OK debut and should handle the distance
FOURTH
9-10-6-4
APPOLINA's form in California wasn't bad; in the mix if it translates
FIFTH
8-1-4-12
HE'S A SUITOR was not bad in Delta debut and should improve
SIXTH
2-4-1-5
SHANGHAI SKIPPER should improve with a race over the surface under his belt
SEVENTH
5-6-1-10
TORNADO MAN came up short against a nice field in last; could get it done here
EIGHTH
5-6-7-2
MADIBA ships in from Delta and drops in class for Broberg
NINTH
10-7-4-9
CRITICAL DECISION was a beaten favorite against better in last
TENTH
4-2-9-10
ROSE LARUE ran a nice one in last and a repeat puts her in the mix
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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).