Garrity's Sunday 1.30 Sam Houston Race Park Picks: Four stakes races at a racetrack doing it right

We like what the folks who run Sam Houston Race Park in Texas have been doing, much of which is a useful reminder that what horseplayers desire is pretty simple: we want good races with deep, competitive fields, and we want fair takeout rates. Anyone who claims that a five-horse affair with a 28% rake is a good gambling proposition is either woefully uninformed, or has never made a bet in his life.

Unfortunately, there’s far too much bad racing out there, most notably in California, where the declining horse population has shrunk fields to the point where the races are frequently unplayable. But Sam Houston has been a pleasant exception to this trend, as track management there has worked very hard the past few years to make their races more attractive to bettors, especially with regard to takeout: the 12% vig on their multi-race wagers (Double, Pick 3, Pick 4, etc.) is worth our pari-mutuel support all by itself, especially when compared to the takeout rates at other tracks, some of which approach an extortionate 30%. As horseplayers, we have an obligation to support tracks doing the right thing.

So we think it is both timely and appropriate to salute and support the good work by the good people down in Houston, and to do so in the best way possible: by betting on the races there. And it’s an excellent day to do it, as the Houston Racing Festival will be run this afternoon, with a terrific 11-race card featuring six stakes races. We are pleased to have plays in four of those races. The forecast in Houston is excellent today, with sunny skies and a high of around 70, and we expect fast dirt and firm turf. Let’s go.

Sam Houston Race Park, Race 6, 5:23 pm ET
$75,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, 1 mile, Turf, 3-Year-Olds

Eleven sophomore colts line up for the Bork. We normally avoid playing horses coming out of Breeders Cup races, but we’re making an exception here, for 7-Stolen Base, who was last seen finishing seventh in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in November. He was never really a threat in that race, but he ran pretty well, we think, especially considering the company he was facing (Modern Games, the winner that day, would be 1/100 if he were entered here). And we also like that Stolen Base has shown the ability in his four career starts to finish strongly, as the prevalence of speed in this field figures to favor his come-from-behind running style. We will bet Stolen Base to win at 3-1. The bet: Sam Houston, Race 6, $30 to win on 7-Stolen Base.

Sam Houston Race Park, Race 7, 5:53 pm ET
Grade 2 Houston Ladies Classic, 1 ⅛ miles, Dirt, Fillies & Mares 4 & Up

The Houston Ladies Classic drew a field of seven. We like 7-The Mary Rose, who comes off a big win in an allowance race at Oaklawn Park. We like that she is in good form, but what we like even more is her running style: she has ample early speed, while the rest of the field does not; we think this gives her a tactical edge that will put her in the winner’s circle. We will bet The Mary Rose to win at 3-1. The bet: Sam Houston, Race 7, $30 to win on 7-The Mary Rose.

Sam Houston Race Park, Race 8, 6:23 pm ET

Grade 3 John B. Connally Turf Cup, 1 ½ miles, Turf, 4 & Up

Twelve older horses line up to run a mile and a half on turf in the Connally Turf Cup. We like one at a price, 3-Tide of the Sea, who excels at the distance – he’s won or placed four times in his seven tries at 12 furlongs – and whose pace-pressing running style should play well behind what we expect to be moderate early fractions. That gives him an edge over several logical contenders, whose deep-closing running style may end up being a liability in a field with little early speed. We will bet Tide of the Sea to win at 10-1. The bet: Sam Houston, Race 8, $30 to win on 3-Tide of the Sea.

Sam Houston Race Park, Race 9, 6:53 pm ET

$75,000 Stonerside Sprint, 6 furlongs, Dirt, 4 & Up

The Stonerside Sprint is another Sam Houston stakes that drew a full field, and the fact that none of the twelve runners looks to be a clear standout makes it a good betting race. Our pick is 1-County Final, who should get a good stalking trip from his rail post, sitting just behind the pacesetters early, moving to the front around the far turn, and holding off the closers late. We will bet him to win at 3-1. The bet: Sam Houston, Race 9, $30 to win on 1-County Final.

That’s all for today. Until the next time, enjoy the racing, be safe, and, as always, good luck at the windows.