Sam Houston Picks: Is Collusion Illusion the pick on March 3?

You must play SHRP ... 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. Sam Houston has at its disposal the well-tended John B. Connally Turf Course. In addition to great fields and a solid purse structure, they are now running 4 days a week until early April. The team at Sam Houston is carding another incredible Meet with roughly a month left of racing.

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 Wednesday 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 9: Causeway Storm #3, 7/2):

On the Connally lawn last time out, this gelding by Preferred Issue tried the turf for the 2nd time in his career. It wasn’t a total wash because he did end up 3rd. That was against a tough short-priced favorite trained by Robertino Diodoro, named Whiskey Over Ice. Now, returning to the grass, Kevin Scholl’s entry will take on another rival from that race, King Kongo. I believe that Scholl’s budding turfer deserves another shot, and the real question is … can he exhibit a strong turn-of-foot at the top of the lane? If he can, then he has a great chance at a square price. Jockey Richard Eramia has some sodbusting skill … let’s go for it!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Win, #3

Off-the-Pace Play of the Day: (Race 6: Catchusifyoucan #6, 20/1):

Betting a horse off-the-bench is a risky business, but sometimes you can find one that makes a good bit of sense. Looking at the totality of a field, instead on a given horse, can help you can perspective. In the OC50k Division, many are going up, coming down, or maintaining … speaking of class that is … What is particularly difficult is when you break your maiden at the MSW level, and then summarily leap into a tougher group like this one. I don’t really trust any of the ones that have already been here, so that’s why I am backing a runner like Bret Calhoun’s 3-yr-old filly. She showed promise at Lone Star last year as a freshman, then during the summer went to Churchill, running in a “BT” race that was out of her scope. Now, after a chance to mature over the winter, plus a work tab under her, she comes into this spot. She is going to be a massive price, but could catch this group napping with Jose Alvarez in the irons. Calhoun has a strong reputation as a conditioner, and his charge gets 1st time Lasix … another plus. Bet this one, who possesses the best sprinting name possible!

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager WPS #6 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Spotlight Race of the Day: (Race 8: Dirt, 6F, AOC50kn2x, 4+):

Every year, Sam Houston gets a visit from an “out-of-towner” that at one time or another was a budding star elsewhere. Collusion Illusion #3 is just such a runner, and it was not all that long ago that this son of Twirling Candy was competing in “Graded” Co. Back in 2020 when he was running for Mark Glatt, he won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby S. at Del Mar, and competed in the BC Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. A venerable competitor, the now-5-yr-old is in the barn of Greg Tracy. Ownership, which includes MyRacehorse, wanted to make a switch, and they did. I am going to take a stand against this Florida bred because I am much more interested in Frank Lucarelli’s Bobby Brinkley #6. This is a gelding that the Northwest-based trainer ran at Lone Star, Remington, and Sam Houston in 2020 through 2021. A Texas bred, he then sent him to Emerald Downs in Oregon for a pair of “Non-G” events. By Shanghai Bobby, he can handle the dirt or the turf, and this specific sprint should suit him well. The addition of Stewart Elliott makes this one an even better deal. If I could get 15/1 … I am hoping … then Lucarelli’s speedster is a significant overlay. He is not in for a tag, and of course, most of the betting attention will be focused on Tracy’s latest acquisition. A nice ice-cold Exacta sounds like a plan to me!

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 6 w 3

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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 !!!