Sam Houston Saturday: Star Studded Stakes Despite Poor Handle

The Saturday card from Sam Houston Park features John B. Connally Turf Cup. The Texas track continues to suffer from a lack of handle due to their ongoing dispute with HISA. However, the racing Saturday is a star studded affair nonetheless.

Sam Houston Park- Race 1

Post: 1:10 PM CT; $36k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 MONEY RUN (7-2) gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #1 B W P SPIRIT (3-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 RANGER REX (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. He should be part of the early pace in this spot. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #8 U. S. ARMY (6-1) has numbers that fit here.

Selections: 7 – 1 – 4 – 8

Sam Houston Park- Race 2

Post: 1:40 PM CT; $37k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 BIZZY LEGS (2-1) is the top pick. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #2 CAUSE TO CRUISE (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be the class of the field.
• #6 RANDELLO (7-2) could be in with a shot in this race. He is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #7 CHARLIECANDO (5-1) isn't without hope, but will need some pace assistance to get the job done.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 6 – 7

Sam Houston Park- Race 3

Post: 2:10 PM CT; $35k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #3 DOUGH BOY (3-1) gets the top pick on value. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 BLINGO (5-2) is an equally worthy runner, but slightly less value than the top pick.. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #2 LITTLE JONY (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be the class of the field. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #7 SPARRA (15-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 2 – 7

Sam Houston Park- Race 4

Post: 2:40 PM CT; $18k Claiming going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 11

• #2 CLARESTOWN (5-2) gets the top selection. He has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #5 SPERLE (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He makes sense on speed figures. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Rossi and Luzzi.
• #11 HALEYS SAILOR (10-1) is a price horse and should be competitive in this spot. He has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
• #1 DREWPOWER (7-2) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 11- 1

Sam Houston Park- Race 5

Post: 3:12 PM CT; $36k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 UNION DATA (3-1) looks solid here. He has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 HERN (7-5) is a reasonable favorite. He goes out for the Asmussen barn and gets Elliott in the irons.
• #3 OPTIMAL TRIP (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.
• #5 FIND NEW ROADS (6-1) has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.

Selections: 1 – 4 – 3 – 5

Sam Houston Park- Race 6

Post: 3:42 PM CT; $100k Bara Lass S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #7 STELLIOT'S LEGACY (10-1) is a price horse and looks best here. She should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #12 IZATIZ (5-1) has races good enough to beat this group. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #9 WAVING BYE (8-1) seems to fit well enough here. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #10 FAST TRACK (3-1) has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Elliott.

Selections: 7 – 12- 9 – 10

Sam Houston Park- Race 7

Post: 4:12 PM CT; $100k Groovy S. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #4 BLING BLING BLING (6-1) gets the top selection. He looks to be the class of the field. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #10 VIETNAM VICTORY (9-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 6 furlong distance. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #7 LIL SWEET THANG (7-2) has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been running against solid foes.
• #2 HARD GOLD (15-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 4 – 10- 7 – 2

Sam Houston Park- Race 8

Post: 4:55 PM CT; $100k Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile S. going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 8

• #6 PRIVATE CREED (8-5) is the top pick. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Asmussen and Elliott.
• #3 WORTHINGTON (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He makes sense on speed figures.
• #5 ANDTHEWINNERIS (5-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #2 SEND THE BOSS (15-1) is a price horse and seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He goes out for the combination of Calhoun and Alvarez.

Selections: 6 – 3 – 5 – 2

Sam Houston Park- Race 9

Post: 5:25 PM CT; $300k Houston Ladies Classic S. going 1 1/16 miles on dirt; Entries: 7

• #5 PAULINE'S PEARL (9-5) looks best here. She has really consistent pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race. This one should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
• #6 SIXTYTHREECALIBER (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #7 MOON SWAG (8-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She makes sense on speed figures.
• #3 SHE CAN'T SING (7-2) runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 7 – 3

Sam Houston Park- Race 10

Post: 5:55 PM CT; $200k John B. Connally Turf Cup S. going 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 12

• #9 SPOOKY CHANNEL (5-2) is the top pick. He has the top overall power rating in the group. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #10 ANOTHER MYSTERY (9-2) is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #5 BEMMA'S BOY (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #12 BAY STREET MONEY (6-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He comes into the race in really good form. This one goes out for the Maker barn and gets Carmouche in the irons.

Selections: 9 – 10- 5 – 12

Watch and Wager on Horse Racing

Horse racing runs 365 days a year and has offerings across the globe. To watch and wager on the action check out affiliate betting sites including DRF Bets, TVG (BetOnline), and TwinSpires.

Betting News has several free tips and tools that can assist all levels of bettors in finding horses to build wagers around.