Sam Houston: Thursday Stakes Analysis January 20, 2022

Sam Houston often gets the limelight as one of the few tracks running in the evening during this time of year. On Thursday, the card will kickoff with 2 stakes races with the Darby’s Daughter and the My Dandy.

Top Connections

Steve Asmussen

Although JR Caldwell currently holds the top spot in the training standings, he is only 1 win ahead of a looming presence. Steve Asmussen, who broke the record for most wins by a trainer this summer at Saratoga, has 5 wins and undoubtedly the deepest bench on the Sam Houston backside.

The hall of fame trainer has built his record on destroying these smaller southern circuits such as Sam Houston and Remington Park.

Ry Eikleberry

Ry Eikleberry currently leads the jockey standings by 2 wins over Lane Luzzi. He is most well known in the Southwest circuit (Sunland and Turf Paradise) as well as the upper Midwest where he primarily rides at Canterbury Park. He has amassed over 2,00o career wins and holds multiple meet titles in both quarter horse and thoroughbred disciplines.

Stakes Analysis

Sam Houston Race 1

Post: 4:00 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 My Dandy Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

#3 PINKY RING BLING (2-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. This one seems to have the race locked up. As a player you have to decide if you are for or against this runner. If you side with this one, including any other option in the top slot is an ROI killer.

If you are not bullish on the super chalk some others to consider include #4 BODYMOOR HEATH (9-2) who should be forward early. #2 REGAL PRIZE (15-1) has good connections and a solid record at the distance. This one could pair nicely with the favorite as a vertical player. #1 MORO CODE (10-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions and is another in contention for the lower spots of the verticals.

Selections: 3-4-2-1

Sam Houston Race 2

Post: 4:27 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 Darby's Daughter Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

Race 2 looks much more wide open than the first. #4 EAGLE EXPRESS (6-5) is a major contender given the edge in a number of key categories including speed & class. #1 ITS A GEE THING (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & race flow. #2 AMAZONIAN QUEEN (4-1) wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle. #5 KIM'S TEXAS BLING (8-5) is worth a look here given edges in pace numbers which could put this one on the lead early.

Selections: 4-1-2-5

Thursday Analysis

Sam Houston Race 1

Post: 4:00 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 My Dandy Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 3-4-2-1

Sam Houston Race 2

Post: 4:27 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 Darby's Daughter Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 5

Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 4-1-2-5

Sam Houston Race 3

Post: 4:55 PM CT; Purse: $15,500 Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 11

In maiden claimers I am always skeptical of horses at short prices and will often take bigger swings with longshots. #4 SEA OF LIFE (12-1) has bloodlines that look solid compared to this group. #9 SHER'S TEXAS BLING (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & form. #1 JAN'S TURN TO WIN (4-1) and #1A KELLEY'S MANDATE (4-1) run as a couple entry and are proven as a good bet to hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 4-9-1-1A

Sam Houston Race 4

Post: 5:23 PM CT; Purse: $13,000 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#5 MISS M J (9-5) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & form. #2 HEAD OVER BOOTS (4-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & pace numbers. #4 HIGH DEF RIDGE (20-1) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts. #8 VIRGINIA STRONG (8-1) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 5-2-4-8

Sam Houston Race 5

Post: 5:52 PM CT; Purse: $12,000 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#1 TIZ ALLUPTOME NOW (6-5) has a great shot in the race given the speed & class. #5 RONALD DALE (7-2) wouldn't be a huge surprise in the winner's circle. #3 ZCAT'S CHATAIN (12-1) merits consideration in this spot given the connections. #7 LITTLE CHIEF (20-1) is a really interesting bomb for vertical inclusion.

Selections: 1-5-3-7

Sam Houston Race 6

Post: 6:19 PM CT; Purse: $15,500 Claiming, 5 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 9

#2 IGNIS (7-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #1 BLUE DARTER (8-1) seems undervalued at 8-1 and on paper wouldn’t be that difficult to see to the winner’s circle. #8 IMAGINARY MUSIC (10-1) is worth a look here given edges in record at the distance & pace numbers. #3 PICK UP THE FONE (7-2) will likely have the stamina to outlast these in the final jumps of the race.

Selections: 2-1-8-3

Sam Houston Race 7

Post: 6:47 PM CT; Purse: $39,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 9

#3 BOERNE (3-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & race flow. #5 SHES OUR FASTEST (5-2) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #1 FACTUAL (4-1) and #7 QUICK QUICK QUICK (9-2) are both contenders who make sense on paper based on a number of key handicapping metrics.

Selections: 3-5-1-7

Sam Houston Race 8

Post: 7:16 PM CT; Purse: $38,000 Allowance Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 9

#9 SUNLIT SONG (8-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating. #6 KENAI BOB (3-1) is worth a look here given the connections alone. #7 SINGAPORE FLASH (9-2) could get the perfect pace scenario to be dangerous here. #3 MOOJAB JR (7-2) makes some sense, but the price feels a bit overcooked.

Selections: 9-6-7-3 (Best Bet: #9 SUNLIT SONG)

Sam Houston Race 9

Post: 7:46 PM CT; Purse: $37,000 Allowance, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

#6 SAMS TIME (3-1) is with a great chance based on the horse's connections & power rating. #2 HORN OF PLENTY (5-2) is with a great chance based on the horse's current form. #3 INTIMIDATION (7-2) is a major player based solely on speed figures. #5 LIL CARPE (8-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 6-2-3-5

Sam Houston Race 10

Post: 8:16 PM CT; Purse: $16,500 Starter Optional Claiming, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 11

#10 HALF OURS TO KEEP (5-1) is a big upset possibility given edges in class & power rating. #7 DOBBINS G (6-5) has to be respected based on the connections and is probably the likeliest winner on paper. #6 YA GOTTA WANNA (10-1) is a major player based on speed figures. #3 PACIFIC TYPHOON (7-2) could get a perfect pace scenario today.

Selections: 10-7-6-3

Sam Houston Race 11

Post: 8:44 PM CT; Purse: $11,000 Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 13

#4 HE'S PRETTY LUCKY (5-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & power rating. #1A GOT KRAMER (9-2) is competitive with a lot of these. #11 AMERICAN MADE (12-1) has some sneaky tough races in the running lines and could be getting significantly easier foes in this spot. #1 HUNK OF A HIT (9-2) is with a great chance based on the horse's stamina & race flow.

Selections: 4-1A-11-1