Sam Houston: How to bet the $56,649 Houston Hi-5 carryover

The Houston Hi-5 carryover continues to grow at Sam Houston Race Park. The jackpot-style Super High 5 wager was offered twice on Wednesday, but no unique tickets were sold, elevating the carryover to $56,649 for Thursday’s card.

With a minimum bet amount of just 20 cents, the Houston Hi-5 is more affordable to play than many other Super High 5 wagers. Even still, the non-jackpot payoffs can be solid—Wednesday’s offerings returned $5,580.40 and $1,438.86, respectively.

Thursday’s Houston Hi-5 action kicks off in Race 5, a six-furlong maiden special weight for Texas-bred three-year-olds. Overall, the race looks pretty straightforward. #10 Rush the Colors (5-2) finished second over this track and class level on Jan. 16, beaten just a neck after dueling for early supremacy. The 76 Brisnet Speed rating he received is among the highest in Thursday’s field, suggesting Rush the Colors will be dangerous in his second start off a four-month layoff.

Underneath, #8 Bonham (9-2) is a horse to emphasize. While he hasn’t run as fast as Rush the Colors, he’s nevertheless finished second twice over this track and class level. Adding blinkers for high-percentage trainer Austin Gustafson (a 32% winner this meet) stamps Bonham as an obvious candidate to finish in the money.

Another runner who figures to be in the hunt is #4 Silence d’Oro (7-2). Although he could only finish fifth by 12 1/2 lengths in his debut at Remington Park last November, the son of Silentio ran a better race than it appears at first glance. Facing open company, Silence d’Oro got burned up setting fractions of :21.60 and :45.37 in a race won by future Remington Springboard Mile S. winner Senor Buscador. Silence d’Oro will face easier company at Sam Houston and should be capable of achieving a top-four finish.

Capitalizing on the affordable nature of the Houston Hi-5, let’s key Rush the Colors on top, emphasize Bonham and Silence d’Oro underneath, and spread deep for the final two lots of our tickets.

20-cent Super High 5: 10 with 4,8 with 4,8 with 1,2,6,7,9,11,12,13 with 1,2,6,7,9,11,12,13 ($22.40)
20-cent Super High 5: 10 with 4,8 with 1,2,6,7,9,11,12,13 with 4,8 with 1,2,6,7,9,11,12,13 ($22.40)
Total: $44.80

The Houston Hi-5 is also available to play in Race 12, a $7,500 maiden claiming race for fillies and mares. Although the race drew just 10 entries, it looks considerably tougher to handicap than Race 5, with at least three or four runners bringing solid win credentials to the mix. Bettors are advised to think outside the box and spread deep if they want to assemble a winning ticket.

Good luck!