Sam Houston Picks: Late Pick 4 Ticket on Thursday March 10

Playing SHRP is a great example of regional racing along the Southwest Circuit ... 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 wager. This evening we have you covered with a Late Pick 4 ticket that is sure to bring some value!

In addition to great fields and a solid purse structure, Sam Houston is now running 4 days a week until Closing Day in early April. Join track announcer Nick Tammaro, and his sidekick, Trey Stiles of NHC fame, for "SHRP-e Time," as they rundown all of their selections. In addition, J.N. Campbell's selections will be featured on the Simulcast, as a bonus ... Let's get some winners!

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action from SHRP! It's 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 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 ...

LATE PICK 4 …

LEG 1: (Race 6: Dirt, 6F, ALLW37kn1x, F&M 4+)

The .50 Late Pick 4 at Sam Houston has a low-takeout, and at 12%, you cannot argue with that … Late in the afternoon we are going turf, dirt, turf, dirt … and it promises to have some true value present! I like these ALLW37kn1x because they can be hotly contested, and no time like the present to think more broadly. I have deep respect for the claiming and spotting ability of Karl Broberg, but I am wondering if M/L favorite, Take Charge Woman #7 is ready for her close-up … her open company ALLW close-up, that is … Broberg picked her up in the Racing Office earlier this month after she won a pair of races for Danny Caldwell and Martin Villafranco. Her state bred experience at the Meet can be put to use, but I think Ry Eikleberry is going to have his hands full. She will take money, but not from me (Note, Broberg also enters Upgrade Me #2) … Instead, I much prefer the back class of a runner like Karen Jacks’ Happy Sailor #1. Breaking from the rail, something the filly by Midshipman has not done in 8 career starts, might be a positive. If pro Leandro Goncalves can exit the gate in an orderly fashion, apply the jets, then this one could be the play. I like her, and will be betting her to “win.” The only other entry that even remotely piques my interest, is Ronnie Cravens’ Lady Fly Like Jet #4. The mare by Jet Phone was pretty impressive facing open company for the 1st time since last year. Cravens really knows how to get his lot ready, and I think the smart-riding, Ernesto V.J, is ready to see this one home. Let’s use this pair against Broberg’s uncoupled entry (we are also spurning Steve Asmussen’s own uncoupled attempt in Encouraging #5 and Miss Americana #8), and move on …

Selections: 1/4 (2-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 7: Turf, 1 Mile, AOC50kn2y, F&M 4+)

Moving right along to the Connally Turf Course ... a finely groomed surface ... I would expect it to come in as “firm,” when it comes to the ground department. This is a tough, but tasty OC50k for older females … Going a pair of turns, I have noticed that those that are forwardly-placed seem to have the best chances to slam the door. Keeping that particular point on the front-burner (pun …), I would imagine that most bettors will see this as a match race between Ronnie Cravens’ Quinn Ella #3 and Steve Asmussen’s Arm Candy #9. Both look capable, and deserve to be included in any multi-race wager.  They both competed in the Jersey Lilly $75k during the Houston Racing Festival, and went 2-3 … The Cravens entry does not nearly have the class rating when compared with Asmussen’s filly by Twirling Candy. That pedigree is just stellar routing on this surface, and clearly the HOF conditioner wanted to give his 4-yr-old a break, before bringing her into this spot. If she runs like she is capable of doing, then I really do not see anyone that can best her. I continue to be duly impressed with the lawn chomping skills of Stewart Elliott, and he gets the call. Barring traffic troubles, the only other female that could give these connections a tough time, is J.R. Caldwell’s Quick Quick Quick #1 with Lane Luzzi in the saddle. The hard-knocking 7-yr-old just keeps going. But I see her more as a turf sprinter, than a runner that can extend out in a spot like this one. I am going with the Asmussen “Single,” and he should be ready to roll. Based on this selection, I am going against my observation that the Connally favors those that are rating 1-2 off the lead … This entry just has too much turn-of-foot, and her class is undeniable … “Single.”

Selections: 9 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 8: Dirt, 1 Mile, AOC50kn2x, 3)

The Main Track beckons, as 7 runners will be contesting 2-turns, and it is safe to say that we have a battle royale on our hands here. With 3-yr-old colts, anything can happen, and I am thinking that it was a good decision to save some spots on my ticket for a contest like this one. It appears that all 3 entries that are drawn to the outside have ability, and should take money. Bret Calhoun comes to H-Town once again, and his colt by Classic Empire, Durango Jess #5, is a Tom Durant homebred that broke his maiden last time out @SHRP in a MSW36k. Cutting back to a 6F sprint was apparently just what he needed … now, Calhoun is heading into deeper waters in class and distance. As for the other 2 outside of his post position, you might want to get behind Steve Asmussen’s True Diamond #6 and Austin Gustafson’s Federal Hill #7. The HOF conditioner’s entry is making the leap from MC50k Co., and the son of Shackleford did not disappoint when he broke his maiden on debut. I always wonder when I see an entry like this one … is this horse for real? Did they catch an easy field? Hard to tell, sometimes … My sense is that we cannot leave him off because this is Asmussen, and he comes to play. As for Gustafson’s colt, this gelding by Constitution already has tested OC50k Co., and even though he failed at a short price, maybe the switch from turf to dirt will do the trick. Ry Eikleberry is back this week at Sam Houston, and he will continue to ride exceedingly well. Just to cover ourselves, I am pretty interested in how Karen Jacks’ Dude Perfecta #1 and Lee Rossi’s Sperle #2 will fare in this tough one. They have advantages that should not be overlooked, and I like that these trainers are making the surface switch too. Jockeys Richard Eramia and Freddy Manrrique are holding their own during this Meet, and they will be handling classy mounts. Rossi’s charge is a CJ Thoroughbreds homebody, and you can never count out this breeding/racing organization. I like their panache … let’s include all 5, and head to the bell lap!

Selections: 1/2/5/6/7 (5-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 9: Turf, 5F, Clm25kn2x, 4+)

Concluding on the grass is always a fitting end to a sequence because you know that the blades can cause a bevy of issues … from traffic troubles to settling snafus … it is always a mixed bag. There are some conditions attached to this contest, which bring together a large group of 10 … 4-yrs-old and up is the standard. This “Claiming Game” bout has everyone marked for either a $25k or $30k tag. Everything is on the block, in other words. Turf sprinting can be about the gate, and those that miss that opportunity not only get invariably left behind, but the ground they have to make up is seriously difficult. There is a reason that Kentucky-based Wesley Ward teaches his novices to break quickly. In this spot, I am willing to admit that Steve Asmussen’s entry, Invincibility #1, might just be that … especially when you consider how hot the barn is going right now. Factor in that prospect, plus this well-bred colt by American Pharoah is owned by Bloom Racing, and you wonder why they would leave him unprotected? It is probably because of his poor ALLW Co. efforts, but he still is worth backing on a horizontal wager like this one. As for a top selection, I am going to put my weight behind Scott Young’s Hooves Your Daddy #9 (yes, that is this gelding’s name …). The outfit is racking up scores, and with Floyd Wethey Jr. aboard, I like that this one ran well in MSW CO. last time at Sam Houston on the Connally. The homebred by Majesticperfection is going to be there in the end; I can feel it in my bones. Back to the point about raucous endings on the grass, I also want to add in one other entry that has a “shot.” The exploits of trainer Paul Duhon are well-known around the Bayou City this time of year. Anytime I see that he is entering a turf race like this, I take notice. With Iram Diego in the saddle, you never know what a runner like Hog Wild #5 will do. Last summer at Louisiana Downs, this son of Tizway missed in several claiming contests, finishing 2nd on 4 occasions. With only 1 “Sam” effort this Meet, that makes him fresh and ready in my book. Using a long shot (M/L 20/1) does not seem like a poor idea at all. Those 3 should get us home … let’s go “hog wild,” and cash this ticket!

Selections: 1/5/9 (3-Deep)

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Ticket Config: 1,4 / 9 / 1,2,5,6,7 / 1,5,9

.50 P4 TICKET COST: $15.00

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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 !!!