Sam Houston Picks: Texas Preview Night on February 19

Texas Preview Night for Thoroughbreds from the Lone Star State will be on full display with a 9-race card at Sam Houston Race Park  ... 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 SHRP. The well-tended John B. Connally Turf Course, in addition to great fields and a solid purse structure, is now running 4 days a week until early April. The team in H-Town is trotting out another fabulous Meet.

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action from Sam Houston! It is a good time for some of the best racing in North America has to offer. If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday 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 ...

Most Likely Winner: (Race 5: Singapore Flash #8, 5/2):

I am taking this gelding that is trained by J.R. Caldwell because he is a runner that is looking to make a class statement. Rise! Caldwell gave him an excellent “freshening” last time out in an AOC back on 20 Jan. This conditioner always seems to have a hot hand at Sam, and this one should be ready to roll against a rival like Sunlit Song. He bested that one, by the way, in that contest. Can he do it again? Lane Luzzi sure thinks so …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #8

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Direct Dial #2, 4/1):

The returning victor of last year’s H-Town S. is this salty 7-yr-old by Too Much Bling. What a sire this one is … and his offspring is going to once again tempt fate. He is up against some formidable opponents in Kenai Bob #4, Gold Pilot #6, and Mr Money Bags #7. Bill Farish of Lane’s End fame owns this one, and he employs Steve Asmussen. The HOF trainer is looking for this one to get back on track after a poor showing in the Stonerside Sprint Stakes during the Houston Racing Festival. Regular rider Stewart Elliott has the mount, and his Meet is going well. With so many TX celebs drawn-in, I am hoping that Farish’s horse floats towards 6/1 … that qualifies as an overlay. Bet ’em …

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #2 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Turf, Miss Bluebonnet Turf S., $75k, F&M 4+ TX Breds):

The TX Preview Night card looks well-drawn, and this race, named for the state flower is going to be a barnburner. On the John B. Connally Turf Course, this group of older females will be contesting the 2-turn distance. What we know is that Robertino Diodoro will probably saddle the race time favorite in Boerne #7. The Fed Biz mare is fairly classy, since last year she competed in a few of these “types” of races at Sam Houston and at Lone Star. Primarily a dirt horse, this female recorded an impressive score in an OC50k sprint back in January. Diodoro does not run many on the grass … being based at Oaklawn. Clearly, he thinks that there is enough form here to deliver what would be a signature win. With 18 starts under her, and an overall record of 7-4-1, it is easy to see why this one would be enticing. The presence of Ry Eikleberry, the Meet’s “Leading Rider,” is icing on the cake. I am willing to take a shot against this presumptive favorite, since I do not believe she has the sodbusting experience. Instead, I am much more interested in the conditioning ability of Karen Jacks, and her new acquisition, No Mas Tequila #4. She took over the feeding and racing duties back in June of last year. Of course, Jacks knows this daughter of Northern Afleet through and through, after she gave her up to Allen Milligan. Now, she has come home to roost … I feel like she has always run well in H-Town, and I like the addition of Leandro Goncalves. One other pick that is intriguing to me is the class climber … Kause I’m Devine #1. This 5-yr-old has some solid bloodlines for turf on the dam side, and even though she has only competed recently at the MSW level, there is form there. Her last full cycle at Remington Park was pretty consistent in open company. Jose Alvarez was aboard for all of it, and he has the mount once again. What a shot this one would be at 20/1 on the M/L! Let’s use all 3 of these in a Tri Box that could be one of my best scores ever …

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 1/4/7

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It is a Texas bred showcase … Preview Night! Best of luck on another run at Sam Houston! Be sure to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!