SHRP: Houston Racing Festival All-Stakes P3 January 30

Sunday's Houston Racing Festival is going to be the highlight of the day! SHRP is ready for another superb card, highlighted by the Grade 3 Houston Ladies Classic! With low takeouts at 12% for wagers like the Daily Double and Pick 3s, 4s, 5, and the Space City 6, there is absolutely no reason to not be playing at "Sam."

With the excellent John B. Connally Turf Course, great fields, and a solid purse structure, the team in the Bayou City is ready to trot out a fabulous Meet. It was some record-setting weeks as far as handle, so let's see what is in-store this time around!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action from SHRP! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Sunday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Do not forget to follow us on Twitter ... @Horseracing_USA ...

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ALL-STAKES PICK 3 … Low Takeout 12%

LEG 1: (Race 6: Turf, 1 Mile, Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile S. $200k, 3)

It is Houston Racing Festival time, and that means a good mix of “Non-G” and “Graded” events on what is the only Sunday of the SHRP Meet. Kicking off a nice juicy Pick 3, we are going to the John B. Connally Turf Course, and the next installment of what is now called the Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile S. A $200k affair for 3-yr-old colts, this “BT” was added to the program a few years back. Some very solid runners have routed through this contest, and will so again. When it comes to shipping into Sam Houston, no one has had more success than conditioner Mike Maker. He has a trio of competitors drawn-in for this contest. Each of them … Pure Panic #6, Stolen Base #7, and Grantham #10 all look stout in their own way. Of these, I am inclined to back Geo Franco’s ride, ole #7, because he is on a colt, I particularly liked in the Bourbon S. (G2) back at Keeneland in October. There is no question that this son of Bodemeister was up against a tough crowd in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), not only because of all the “gate issues” and “betting shenanigans,” but also with such a competitive field. Coming back to the work tab, and entering into this spot all looks promising to me. I would not say that Franco is a Gaffalione or Rosario on the grass, but he could be perfectly adequate trying to get this late-running 3-yr-old into position. I think he has a big chance, and I will be “Singling” him in this spot to get things rolling. Onward and upward …

Selections: 7 (Single)

LEG 2: (Race 7: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Houston Ladies Classic S. (G3), $400k, F&M 4+)

The “feature” on this Sunday racing in Houston is this challenging HLC. In the past, this race has been the jumping off point for some impressive careers. Letruska proved last year that you can come through the Grade 3, and then elevate your game further. My sense is that Pauline’s Pearl #3, a Stonestreet Stables homebred, is the horse to beat. She has the back class that others do not, and Steve Asmussen has her in the proper spot to start 2022. The daughter of Tapit shipped out to Hobbs, New Mexico last time out for the Zia Park Oaks, and she did not disappoint against 5 others. Her tactical ability is strong too, and that just adds to the argument that the HOF trainer has the chance to add another HLC to his haul. With Joel Rosario in-town to ride, she will probably have her way this crowd. For those reasons, I think a “Single” is in order. Moving right along …

Selections: 3 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 8: Turf, 1½, John B. Connally Turf Cup S. (G3), $200k, 4+)

Not too long ago, the John B. Connally Turf Cup switched from 1 1/8th to a distance test of 1½. It was a shrewd decision, and kept those fickle folks who assign the “graded” status at the G3-level, from dropping this one down. Always an expansive field, this year’s edition is once again fairly deep. I have saved enough money along the way in the Pick 3 to make a significant investment. When it comes to a top selection, I want to take a hard look at Mike Maker once again, and his entry, Tide of the Sea #3. I think this 6-yr-old is well-bred by the now deceased English Channel, and has the background to take on this group. Gaffalione is a strong grass rider, and can make a difference late in the game. With an overall record of 19/5-5-1, he looks to add to the haul … I want to include all of Maker’s entries, in order to make the sweep … so, let’s have Malthael #7, Ajourneytofreedom #11, and the AE, Parrot Head #12. That should help us gets this one home … Just for good measure, I also want to use Joe Sharp’s Logical Myth #8. That is a horse that scratched the other day at the Fair Grounds, and instead is shipping into Sam Houston. I like the spot quite a bit, and the hot-riding Adam Beschizza is rolling into H-Town to try on a surface he excels at. When it comes down to it, this will be my top play! Let’s go cash a nice low-takeout, All-Stakes Pick 3 ticket!

Selections: 3/7/8/11/12 (5-Deep)

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Ticket: 7 / 3 / 3-7-8-11-12

1.00 ALL-STAKES P3 TICKET COST: $5.00

Enjoy some action from Sam Houston Race Park! Help celebrate the Houston Racing Festival … Be sure to catch us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!