Early-week plays at Sam Houston

Sam Houston features a 10-race program on Monday and Tuesday and TwinSpires.com is offering a $25 bonus to players who wager at least $50 on both days. Be sure to “opt in” from the contests & promotions page to take advantage.

With only a slight chance of showers both days, I’m optimistic all races will remain on turf.

Here is how I will be playing Sam Houston:

Monday

Race 4: #3 Caberneigh figures to be overbet (7-5 morning line) stepping up to a tougher spot after coming up a little short at short odds in the last two and #4 Mr Lexis (2-1) isn’t in top form presently. I like the chances of #5 Escalate (10-1), who displayed good turf form last summer and appears to be rounding back into peak condition following a couple of close efforts versus decent fields. The 5yo gelding should be stalking in midpack in his 3^rd start off the layoff and can get the jump on the late runners.

The bet: $10 Win & Place 5; $5 exactas 5 over 3,4 ($30)

Race 5: After dueling on contested paces in his last two start at Sam Houston, #2 Unresolved (5-1) appears to receive a much more favorable set-up today. Like the Steve Asmussen runner wire-to-wire from rail post.

The bet: $20 Win 2; $5 exactas 2 over 3,5 ($30)

Race 9: #1 Okie Chieftan (8-5) has relished the class drop to this level as lone speed in the last two starts but the gelding switches to a low-percentage barn and could face outside pressure today. #4 Hundred Proof (7-2) can sit the right trip just behind the speed and the Sam Houston specialist (5-2-1-2) looks poised to pick up another local win.

The bet: $20 Win 4; $5 exactas 4 over 7,8 ($30)

Tuesday

Race 3: #6 Plaska (4-1) can get the day off to a winning start. A convincing winner already this meet, he possesses superior BRIS Early Pace ratings and the class hike the $7,500 could help keep his price from being too low. I like the 5yo gelding wire to wire.

The bet: $20 Win 6; $5 exactas 6 over 4,5 ($30)

Race 7: 10-horse field has three front-runners, including Show Bound (9-5) in an outside post, and #8 Hundred Years (7-2) appears to be sitting on a win after opening the year with a couple of nice placings over track, recording top BRIS Speed and Pace numbers in those efforts.

The bet: $20 Win 8; $5 exactas 8 over 2,7 ($30)

Race 10: Willing to play against expected favorites with #8 Free Gift With Ad (10-1), who returns to a turf route. 4yo filly recorded a neck second in last two-turn turf test and finished a solid third versus open maidens in 2017 finale at Retama. Her last effort – a seventh in a 5 ½-furlong allowance – simply a tightener for this spot. Appears capable of firing at a price.

The bet: $20 Win & Place 8 ($40)

Good luck at Sam Houtston!