Sam Houston Picks: Turf Edition Thursday on February 10
Sam Houston Race Park Picks - Thursday, February 10, 2022
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Race 1: 2-5-7-4
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Race 2: 7-2-5-1
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Race 3: 5-2-3-6
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Race 4: 6-3-1/1A-7
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Race 5: 2-7-6-8
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Race 6: 3-1-6-8
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Race 7: 7-1/1A-2-5
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Race 8: 1-7-5-6
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Race 9: 10-4-7-8
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**Most Likely Winner: Wheels #2 (Race 5)**
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**Best Value: Reunification #10 (Race 9)**
The Houston Racing Festival is now in the rearview mirror, but it was a record day for the handle on that Sunday in late January ... to the tune of $5.98 million. Now, SHRP is ready for another week of racing! This is a special Wednesday card, since last Thursday's was cancelled due to weather.
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." The well-tended John B. Connally Turf Course, in addition to great fields and a solid purse structure, is poised once again to offer major value. The team in the Bayou City is already trotting out another fabulous Meet.
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 Thursday 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: Wheels #2, 9/2):
Right now, trainer Karl Broberg is doing well at Sam Houston, and that should continue. I like that he has brought this colt by Will Take Charge to H-Town. He was part of the contingent that shipped up to Oaklawn Park back in November. The May Valley Farms homebred did not end up even getting close to being in-the-money, but lest we forget, this is a very tough place to play. Running in a MSW84k is not like anywhere else. Open company can be brutal … The best news is that his bloodlines look intriguing on the dam side—More Than Ready in the background. Richard Eramia is perfectly adequate on the grass, and here is his chance to shine. I am hoping for a good price on the tote … 4/1?
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #2
Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 9: Reunification #10, 8/1):
There was some very sad news this past week … Speightster had to be euthanized due to a fatal injury he suffered in his stall at Northern Dawn Stables in Ontario. An important producer, he will be missed. Here is one of his offspring, a 3-yr-old filly that is trained by Austin Gustafson. She has the benefit of getting her debut race out of the way, and betting on 2nd-outs is an angle that I like to use frequently. Horses in spots like these know what is going on, and can better adjust to pace, speed, and jockey cues. Ry Eikleberry, an expert on the grass who is also having a great Meet so far, gets the call. This is a rider upgrade, to be sure. With a sharp workout under her saddle, she should be a great price come post time. Dare we say it? Double-digit odds … one can hope. More importantly, let’s win one for Speightster … may he rest in peace.
Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #10 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)
Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 7: Turf, 5F, OC50kn2x, F&M 4+):
A “Turf Feature,” on this early evening card is this race—an OC50k sprint on the Connally Lawn. This is an 8-horse field, with a coupled entry that is added. Karl Broberg uses this strategy quite often, and there is no question that either Chikara #1 or Factual #1A can win in a spot like this one. Ry Eikleberry is going to take one of the mounts … and his riding is going along splendidly! The former is a mare by First Samurai that has extensive turf sprinting experience at Remington, while the latter has solid ALLW experience in her corner (plus is bred for the grass by The Factor). While I am afraid of what Eikleberry can do late in the game on this surface, I am much more interested in the exploits of Brent Davidson’s 5-yr-old by Twirling Candy (talk about a turf sire!) … the mare, Lady Gwen #7. This one is finally dropping down into some appropriate company, after a couple of “BT” attempts up in OKC and down in HOU. Gerardo Mora is not the same caliber a rider as Eikleberry, but I am banking on Davidson having his charge ready to fire. She could be quite fit, coming in 3rd off-the-bench. Here is the turf play …
Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 7 w 1/1A
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Enjoy some racing from “Deep in the Heart of Texas!” Best of luck on another run at Sam Houston! Be sure to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!