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
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The Houston Astros kick off a pivotal weekend series against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park — and they'll do so with a familiar face back in the lineup. Carlos Correa, reacquired in a stunning trade deadline move on Thursday, is set to make his return to the Astros and will hit cleanup in his first game back with the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2012.
Correa rejoins a Houston club that sits atop the AL West at 62-47 and is coming off a resounding 9-1 win over Washington on Wednesday, fueled by Jose Altuve’s four-hit performance. The Astros are 27-23 on the road and enter Friday with the fourth-best on-base percentage in the American League (.321).
The Red Sox, meanwhile, have won six of their last 10 games and hold a 34-21 record at home. Boston enters the weekend third in the competitive AL East at 59-51. Outfielder Jarren Duran has been a spark plug, hitting .265 with 29 doubles and 12 triples on the year.
Houston will send right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5) to the mound, while Boston will counter with RHP Cooper Criswell (1-0).
Friday marks the first meeting of the season between these two clubs.
All eyes will be on Correa’s return in a stadium where he’s delivered countless postseason moments. Now, he begins the next chapter of his Astros career, joining a team counting on him to help fuel their playoff push.
Starting lineup
So how will Joe Espada deploy his new toys? Pena is back at shortstop and leading off, with Altuve hitting second and serving as the DH. Jesus Sanchez gets his first Astros, start hitting third, and playing left field. Correa begins his Astros reunion hitting fourth and playing third base.
Big night in Beantown.
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Yainer Diaz (C) will hit fifth, followed by Christian Walker (1B), and Taylor Trammell (CF). It's interesting to see Cam Smith hitting so far down the lineup at eighth. He'll play right field and finally, Mauricio Dubon will hit ninth and play second base.
Betting odds
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -134, Red Sox +113; over/under is 8 runs
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