Sam Houston Thursday: Texas Thoroughbreds Under the Lights

Texas may be all about football on Fridays in the fall. However, in March Thursdays are for the thoroughbreds at Sam Houston Race Park.

Thursday Night Full Card Analysis

Sam Houston Race Park Race 1

Post: 3:00 PM CT; Purse: $13,000 Claiming, 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #6 ATTAIN SUCCESS (5-2) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #5 G'S TURN (9-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed figures. This one also figures to be forward which should help.
• #4 FOREVAMO (2-1) appears to be the class of the field and has the top power rating in the group.
• #3 POP LIFE (8-1) is worth a look here as a bit of a distance specialist to spice up the verticals.

Selections: 6-5-4-3

Sam Houston Race Park Race 2

Post: 3:28 PM CT; Purse: $18,000 Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #8 MORE LIKE IT (4-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's class. This one is in great form as well. On turf that is a deadly combination.
• #3 GO SPEED RACER GO (7-2) has solid connections and should look to get the right type of trip for the track.
• #2 SPEED EFFECT (5-2) has the top overall power rating and should have plenty of kick late in the race to get passed those tiring on the front end.
• #9 GOLD VERMILION (6-1) is a major player based on speed figures.

Selections: 8-3-2-9

Sam Houston Race Park Race 3

Post: 3:57 PM CT; Purse: $18,000 Starter Optional Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 DOBBINS G (9-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #5 BOW AND ARROW (5-2) is probably the next most logical based on the class and power rating this one has earned in previous starts.
• #3 VICTORY BOULEVARD (4-1) has run against really solid foes in recent starts.
• #6 RIVER RULER (6-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 2-5-3-6 (Best Bet: #2 DOBBINS G)

Sam Houston Race Park Race 4

Post: 4:27 PM CT; Purse: $36,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 10

• #10 CAIRO WARRIOR (8-1) is a bit of an upset play for me here. It’s dangerous to go against buzz horses in the special weight ranks, but this one just makes sense on speed and stamina numbers.
• #7 BRENTLEY (9-5) is trained by Steve Asmussen and ridden by Stewart Elliott. The horse may be the likeliest winner, but be ready to choke down a short price.
• #3 WEST TEXAS RAIN (9-2) comes into the race signaling a potentially big performance. Maybe today is the maiden breaker.
• #9 TIZ LIFE (7-2) has hit the board at this distance and has faced really solid runners in previous efforts.

Selections: 10-7-3-9

Sam Houston Race Park Race 5

Post: 4:56 PM CT; Purse: $13,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #8 SHE'S AN ANGEL (6-5) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including class & power rating.
• #1 SEA OF LIFE (4-1) is a bit of a distance specialist and that matters at these quirky distances.
• #6 SHEZA HUNK (7-2) could be the early pace setter and may try to carry this field from start to finish.
• #3 TEXAS WHIRLWIND (6-1) is a nice price for solid connections that can pop at a price.

Selections: 8-1-6-3

Sam Houston Race Park Race 6

Post: 5:26 PM CT; Purse: $38,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

• #1 QUARKY (7-2) is in with a major shot holding speed & class.
• #8 TIN BADGE (8-1) could get an absolutely beautiful setup here.
• #2 THATSAFACTJACK (15-1) has run against better than the odds indicate.
• #3 VIATOREM (6-1) has a decent form line and loves these short little turf sprint. This one is a definite use in the lower rungs of verticals.

Selections: 1-8-2-3

Sam Houston Race Park Race 7

Post: 5:55 PM CT; Purse: $12,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 FINDING SILVER (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #1 WICKED REBEL (3-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #3 TEMPLE OF LIGHT (9-5) is worth a look here given edges in connections & record at the distance.
• #7 TENOR (6-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 4-1-3-7

Sam Houston Race Park Race 8

Post: 6:25 PM CT; Purse: $13,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 MUCHO BLING (5-2) merits consideration in this spot given edges in stamina & record at the distance.
• #9 MANI SURPRISE (3-1) is in with a great chance based on the horse's connections & early pace numbers.
• #8 OH SNAP (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #2 INFINITE JETSETTER (10-1) has the top overall power rating in the group at a really nice price.

Selections: 6-9-8-2

Sam Houston Race Park Race 9

Post: 6:55 PM CT; Purse: $17,500 Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #4 STELLACZAR (4-1) has edges in both speed & class and looks tough to beat today.
• #8 SIP (2-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #5 CHA CHA MISSION (5-2) has speed figures in the realm of the top pick and wouldn’t be a major surprise.
• #9 PAYDIEM (6-1) has a really solid power rating that suggests this one could at least be competitive.

Selections: 4-8-5-9

Betting News Free Handicapping Tools

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