How to play Sam Houston's Texas Champions Day

Accredited Texas bred horses take the stage this Saturday for Texas Champions Day at Sam Houston Race Park. Seven stakes races are carded in celebration each with a purse of $100,000. Although some precipitation resulted in off-the-turf racing the past few nights the forecast for Saturday looks like fast and firm conditions are to be expected. As always Sam Houston offers low 12 percent take out on all multi-race wagers.

Visit the Horse Racing Nation picks page for additional information on how to handicap Sam Houston, includingPower Picks which are free for the entire Sam Houston meet.

Race 2: The Richard King Turf Stakes kicks off the stakes action for 4-year-olds and up, going 1 1/8 miles on the grass. No. 6 Singapore Flash is heavily favored on the morning line at 2-5. He finished second in this race last year to Sunlit Song and has a record of 3 wins and 1 second from 4 starts on the Sam Houston turf course. Coming into this race off two back to back wins he is also the likely pacesetter and a replication of either of those two performances makes him the one to beat. 

For some value underneath consider No. 5 Lethal Move (10-1 ML). He steps up considerably in class having finished second last out in a claiming race however he closed from the back of the pack to photo with winner Jailhouse Kitten. He goes first off the claim for trainer J R Caldwell who is 19 percent with this move. Look for him to be running late if another horse presses Singapore Flash early. 

Picks: 6, 5

Race 3: In the Spirit of Texas Stakes for four year olds and up going 6 furlongs another short priced favorite looks tough to beat in No. 5 Mr Money Bags (1-2 ML). Like Singapore Flash Mr Money Bags has shown an affinity for Sam Houston with 4 wins and a second place finish from 5 starts. In his last four races where he’s been the post time favorite he’s won all of them. 

Looking at which horses may complete the exotics No. 1 Wonders of Hislove (10-1 ML) may be the one setting the pace. He won his first race back off a lengthy layoff on March 5 going this 6 furlong distance, albeit against much easier company. If he improves at all having that race off the bench he could still be around at the wire but it seems as though everyone else is running for second or third here. 

Picks: 5, 1

Race 4: The Groovy Stakes for 3-year-olds going 6 furlongs seems like a more competitive affair than the first two stakes races. According to the Horse Racing Nation Pace Report No. 7 Legally Lethal (5-1 ML) will be the speed of the speed. He was third on debut after taking pressure the whole way to No. 3 Take a Limo (9-2 ML) then returned to win last out in gate to wire fashion.

No. 8 Lucky’s Special (5-2 ML) may be the one supplying that pace pressure in here and things could set up well for the stalking Take a Limo. A hot pace would also do favors for No. 5 Chief Brady (3-1 ML) who is likely to be sitting the same stalking trip. 

Picks: 7, 3, 5, 8

Race 5: In the San Jacinto Turf Stakes for fillies and mares ages four and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, No. 1 No Mas Tequila (8-5 ML) was the one to bet last time at her 10.5-1 odds. She exits a win in the Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes over 5-Tahitian Breeze (9-2 ML) and 8-Zarelda (6-1 ML). The pace may set up favorably for her once again with likely early speed coming from Zarelda and No. 7 Discreet Smile (7-2 ML).

For an interesting longshot No. 3 Rosie Jane (10-1 ML) gets on the grass for the first time. Pedigree on both sides suggests she’ll handle the surface as well as the stretch out in distance.

Picks: 3, 1, 7, 8

Race 6: The Yellow Rose Stakes for fillies and mares ages four and up going 6 furlongs features a short but competitive field. No. 2 Lady Ave (3-1 ML) is the best price of the top contenders and enters off a four race win streak. She’s shown that she can handle pace pressure as well as different distances and still cross the wire first.

No. 5 Boerne (8-5 ML) was the one setting the pressured pace last time out alongside Zarelda in the Miss Bluebonnet Turf Stakes and now gets back to her preferred distance and surface. However, Lady Ave may be the speed of the speed to her inside. 

Picks: 2, 5

Race 7: In the Bara Lass Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going 6 furlongs No. 8 Tolonda (5-2 ML) and No. 2 Texas Thunder (4-1 ML) are likely to get acquainted early on the front end.

No. 5 Moro Lingerie (6-1 ML) showed some tenacity on debut to overcome bumping in the stretch and pace pressure in order to gut out the victory. In that first career start she also finished ahead of No. 4 Ima Sky Traveler (10-1 ML) and No. 1 Turn On the Bling (8-1 ML). She could get another perfect stalking trip in here.

No. 2 Texas Thunder has never finished worse than third in her four career starts and No. 8 Tolonda made her three year old debut a winning one over No. 7 Texas Ascot Queen (5-1 ML). 

Picks: 5, 2, 8

Race 9: The Star of Texas Stakes for 4-year-olds and up going one mile closes out the program and several contenders exit the H-Town Stakes which was won by Mr Money Bags. Second place finisher in that race No. 3 Algebra (9-2 ML) has been in excellent form so far this year and has already proven he can best others such as No. 6 Gold Pilot (3-1 ML), No. 8 Kenai Bob (4-1 ML), and No. 2 Direct Dial (7-2 ML). He seems like the “now” horse of the group and is projected to be on the lead early as well.