Texas Racing Returns: Saturday Sam Houston Analysis

Texas racing is back at Sam Houston. The 2023 meet will be shorter than previous editions due to Texas racing refusing to join HISA. HISA is the recently implemented governing body to oversee horse racing.

With the refusal to join Texas is on a parimutuel island with an inability to regulate signals beyond state lines. This means a significant decrease in handle, and in turn, a shorter meet as purses are funded by revenue from tracks.

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 1

Post: 1:00 PM CT; $12k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

• #2 STELLA G (5-2) gets the top selection. She has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 POETIC UNION (12-1) is a price horse and seems to fit well enough here.
• #5 GRACES PACE (9-2) looks to be the class of the field. This one is well bred for this spot.
• #7 DIAMOND GRAND (8-5) should improve off the first start and could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 7

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 2

Post: 1:27 PM CT; $35k Maiden Special Weight going 1 mile on dirt; Entries: 7

• #3 LEXINGTON DIVA (7-2) is the top pick. She should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders. This one seems to fit well enough here.
• #2 SILVER CURRENCY (2-1) appears to be a major player in this race. She looks to be the class of the field. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #6 SWEET TRUFFLES (5-2) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one will likely be out on or near the lead and will look to hold off the charge to the wire.
• #7 CLAY'S CLOUD BURST (10-1) is a price horse and isn't without hope. She comes into the race in really good form. This one is well bred for this spot.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 6 – 7

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 3

Post: 1:54 PM CT; $15k Starter Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 11

• #3 KATIE'S KARAT (8-5) looks best here. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #10 PRETTY IN PINK (12-1) is a price horse and has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #4 LIL ASHLEY B. (3-1) looks to be the class of the field.
• #5 SKYKAT (4-1) isn't without hope. She will likely have a lot to do in the lane, but could get up with a competitive run.

Selections: 3 – 10- 4 – 5

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 4

Post: 2:21 PM CT; $75k Darby's Daughter Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #2 COME TO THE PARTY (3-1) gets the top selection. She has the top overall power rating in the group. This one looks to be the class of the field.
• #1 IZATIZ (8-5) appears to be a major player in this race. She has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.
• #5 WAVING BYE (2-1) makes a lot of sense on speed figures.
• #4 STELLIOT'S LEGACY (10-1) is a price horse that could be worth a look underneath on tickets to give a little juice to an otherwise formful race.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 5 – 4

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 5

Post: 2:48 PM CT; $10k Maiden Claiming going 5 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #1 LET FREEDOM BLING (9-5) is the top pick. She has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #10 MO SILVER (12-1) has run against company that may allow her to outrun her odds.
• #2 SHESABITSNAKEY (8-1) should improve off the first start and isn’t facing the toughest field.
• #8 WHERESTHECARTGIRL (20-1) is a bomb in a type of race that frequently produces balloon payments.

Selections: 1 – 10- 2 – 8

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 6

Post: 3:15 PM CT; $36k Allowance going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #1 GO WEST (6-1) looks best here. This one may benefit from a hot pace up front.
• #3 WISE ANCHOR (99-1) shouldn’t be this price based on the fields he’s run against. Probably a pipedream, but the price is too lush to pass up.
• #10 MISTER K (15-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He seems to fit well enough here.
• #12 TEXAS SKYWALKER (30-1) seems to fit well enough here among the also rans.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 10- 12

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 7

Post: 3:42 PM CT; $37k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 10

• #8 PERFECT STAR (2-1) gets the top selection. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. This one is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.
• #9 DON'TASK DON'TTELL (3-5) seems to fit well enough here. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #3 PEACOCK KITTEN (9-2) isn't without hope. He should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders. This one makes sense on speed figures.
• #10 ENTERTAINMENT (8-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest. He looks to be the class of the field.

Selections: 8 – 9 – 3 – 10

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 8

Post: 4:09 PM CT; $75k My Dandy Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion S. going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

• #2 BLING BLING BLING (3-1) is the top pick. This one could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #9 I'M A COWBOY (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #7 LITTLE JONY (20-1) has run against some quality foes.
• #4 LET'S TIE ONE ON (8-1) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 7 – 4

Sam Houston Race Park- Race 9

Post: 4:36 PM CT; $35k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 12

• #8 HARD GOLD (9-2) looks best here. He has races good enough to beat this group.
• #11 J F'S SENNA (8-1) appears to be a major player in this race. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #10 MY BOY BLING (7-2) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He looks to be the class of the field. This one should be part of the early pace in this spot.
• #5 NOISE COMPLAINT (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets.

Selections: 8 – 11- 10- 5

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