There is horse racing on the schedule in the US at the Bovada Racebook. You can a little of everything from harness, quarter horses, and thoroughbred events at Bovada. We’re well on our way to the Kentucky Derby, as the Road to the Kentucky Derby circuit continues to heat up.
We have our first triple 100-40-20-10 point day this coming Saturday. There are three big races, led by the $1,250,000 Arkansas Derby (Gr. 1) at Oaklawn Park. The $1,000,000 Florida Derby is always a big deal at Gulfstream Park as well.
We’ll provide our thoughts on the Arkansas Derby and Florida Derby on Saturday. For Thursday, we’re going to Turfway Park and Sam Houston Race Park. Sam Houston has nine races worth $178,000 on Thursday evening.
Head below for our best Sam Houston Race Park picks on March 31, 2022.
Race 1
Post Time: 4:00 p.m. CST
Distance: 5 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$16,500
The first event at Sam Houston is a $16,500 event covering 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt. Miss M J and Ain’t She Dahrlin should be top contenders for Race 1.
Miss M J is 3 for 10 and won back-to-back performances on February 12 and Mach 16. In her most recent attempt, Miss M J beat Stone Fox by 2 lengths in a $37,000 event.
That was a really nice start for Miss M J after a $13,000 win by 2 ¼ lengths on February 12. Ain’t She Dahrlin should be involved and provide Miss M J with pressure.
Ain’t She Dahrlin enters in good form, finishing 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd in her last four. She is coming off a solid place performance, finishing 6 lengths behind Oscarette in a $53,000 race.
Ain’t She Dahrlin was humming on a hat-trick before that loss. She had a $53,000 win by 2 ½ lengths on January 29 after a 5 ¼ length $17,000 win in January.
This looks like a good spot for Ain’t She Dahrlin to open the night with a win in Houston.
Race 3
Post Time: 4:58 p.m. CST
Distance:5 ½ Furlongs
Purse:$14,500
Race 3 covers 5 ½ furlongs on the dirt for a $14,500 purse on Thursday. Texas Whirlwind and Kim’s Texas Bling are slated to be top contenders for the most money in this one.
Texas Whirlwind is 1 for 10 and should be better suited for this race on Thursday. She is 2nd, 7th, 10th, 3rd, 2nd in her previous five attempts since winning on May 13.
In her latest attempt, Texas Whirlwind placed 2nd behind She’s an Angel by 1 length on March 17 in a $13,000 race. If Texas Whirlwind runs like that again, this should be another competitive ride.
Kim’s Texas Bling has finished 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 1st, 3rd in five races. After a 5 ¼ length win for a $33,000 prize on December 11, she went stakes racing.
After finishing 3rd in the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter Division Stakes on January 20, Kim’s Texas Bling is down to $14,500. This looks like a good race for Kim’s Texas Bling to go in Thursday night.
Race 4
Post Time: 5:28 p.m. CST
Distance: 7 Furlongs
Purse:$15,500
Race 4 covers 7 furlongs on the dirt for a $15,500 purse. Speed Effect and Remember Me Tony are going to have a big chance on Thursday.
Remember Me Tony is 2 for 26 and looking for better results tonight after failing to win since September 4. He’s gone winless in eight straight races.
In his most recent race, Remember Me Tony finished 5th for a $15,500 assignment. He’s finished 4th, 3rd, 4th, 5th in his previous four entries.
Speed Effect has 2 wins as well, though in 14 career races instead of 26. He’s finished 2nd, 1st, 9th in his previous three attempts.
Two races back, Speed Effect beat Carpe Eros by 3 lengths for a $17,500 prize. That was impressive, though fell off on March 17 in an $18,000 assignment.
I will back Speed Effect after dropping down to $15,500 on Thursday evening.
