PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Wednesday, March 11
Mar 11, 2020, 6:46 am
Coady photography
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
6-1-4-5
TWO STEPPING DISCO is worth a flyer in a struggling group
SECOND
1-2-6-4
BRIGHTEST was close in stakes company in last
THIRD
6-1-4-5
TROY OUNCE'S last race can be tossed; priors are worth a look
FOURTH
2-1-7-6
SHANGHAI WOMAN struggled in last but can be competitive with best effort
FIFTH
5-10-1-2
D'ROCKETMAN needed last; in the mix if the race stays on turf
SIXTH
6-1-5-3
PASTOR VAN stretches back out and should fare better at this distance
SEVENTH
1-3-5-4
Entry looks tough here; price will be short but either horse could win this
EIGHTH
1-4-8-6
MR TICKLE had his win streak snapped in last; could start a new one
NINTH
8-5-3-4
DECORATED FOR GOLD is consistent for a barn that is running well here
TENTH
9-10-2-6
CAT'S HONOR was in good form in Oklahoma; should be in the mix if ready off break
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
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).