PLAYING THE PONIES
Sam Houston Race Park selections for Wednesday, March 13
Mar 13, 2019, 6:30 am
Courtesy photo
Here are my selections for Wednesday. 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 like the races on the second half of the card best of all, starting with race five.
FIRST
1-2-7-4
KITCHEN BOSS/JOYABLE
Entry looks double tough but might get a price behind them with the 2 horse
SECOND
7-6-4-3
GRACEFUL RULES should be tough in second start with new barn
THIRD
1-7-3-2
SNOOSE SASA wheels right back after chasing a horse in sharp form
FOURTH
1-5-9-10
SAMICEAN is always a threat on this turf course
FIFTH
5-10-3-2
XIROMA
Was a beaten favorite on a tough circuit in last and should be in the mix here
SIXTH
1-4-3-5
WILD WILL beat a tough crew at Oaklawn in last and could repeat
SEVENTH
9-5-2-1
IRREPLACEABLE did not show much in debut but bred to be very good
EIGHTH
2-5-4-1
EYE ON HARPER seems to be well spotted here and should be in the mix
NINTH
4-7-1-3
ARCH HALO is a first-time starter with OK works and good turf breeding
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
The Astros open a three-game set Tuesday night against the struggling Chicago White Sox, looking to put together a solid homestand and maintain their lead atop the AL West.
Houston enters the series at 36-29, including a 22-12 mark at Daikin Park, where they've consistently found ways to win behind timely hitting and quality pitching. They'll send Lance McCullers (1-1, 4.44 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can keep the momentum going against a White Sox team that has labored all year, particularly on the road.
Chicago comes in at 22-44 overall and just 6-26 away from home, though starter Shane Smith (2-3, 2.45 ERA) has been a bright spot in an otherwise dim season. He’ll be tasked with trying to quiet a Houston lineup that’s been inconsistent of late but remains dangerous when it clicks — the Astros are 20-3 in games where they score five or more runs.
Jeremy Peña continues to lead the way at the plate, hitting .316 with nine homers and 32 RBIs, while Jake Meyers is coming off a four-hit game on Sunday and is 11-for-35 over the past 10 games. If those two stay hot, Houston could have an edge against the young right-hander.
The White Sox have gotten recent production from Chase Meidroth and Miguel Vargas, but overall remain one of the most inconsistent offenses in the league. Like Houston, they tend to win when they hit — they’re 14-3 in games where they’ve scored at least five runs — but those games have been few and far between.
Both teams have shown flashes in recent days. Over their last 10 games, the Astros are 6-4 but have been outscored overall, while the White Sox are 4-6 despite a slightly better run differential. With Houston favored at -195 and an over/under of 8, the pressure will be on McCullers to set the tone early — and on the bats to back him up.
The teams will meet for the fourth time this season Tuesday night, with first pitch set for 8:10 p.m. ET.
*ChatGPT assisted.
___________________________
Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!