BetOnline is offering 12 cards across the US on Saturday. You can play the east or west coast, and there is racing in the deep south this afternoon as well.
If you are looking for twilight racing under the lights, then checking out Sam Houston Race Park and Charles Town has to be on your to-do list. The stakes racing isn’t that much to write home about.
The $200,000 Santa Ynez Stakes (Gr. 2) is the feature in the US this afternoon. That’s the only stakes race at Santa Anita Park on Saturday.
We’re at Gulfstream Park and Sam Houston Race Park for the ponies on Saturday. Sam Houston has nine races in the chamber worth $175,000 this evening. Head below for our best Sam Houston Race Park picks on January 8, 2022.
Race 2
Post Time: 7:23 p.m. CST
Distance: 6 Furlongs
Purse:$10,000
Our Sam Houston picks begin with Race 2 tonight. Look at He’s a Prince and Lonestar Chrome as serious contenders in this one.
He’s a Prince should have a chance late in the stretch. The gelding is looking for his first win after going 6th, 5th, 7th, 2nd.
In his most recent attempt, He’s a Prince placed 2nd behind Trail Driver by a neck for a $10,000 purse on November 15.
That was a solid attempt, with He’s a Prince bouncing back after finishing 7th on October 9 in the same class. After showing clear improvement, expect He’s a Prince to compete well.
Lonestar Chrome should be a tough opponent. He has finished 3rd, 5th, 3rd, 3rd, 5th in five career races.
Lonestar Chrome showed 3rd two races back on April 25 for a $13,000 purse. Following that attempt, Lonestar Chrome finished 5th on May 14 in the same class.
This looks easier than that and what he’s experienced in the past. Lonestar Chrome should be a winner based on recent form.
Race 5
Post Time: 8:47 p.m. CST
Distance:6 Furlongs
Purse:$19,000
Race 5 is a $19,000 purse covering 6 furlongs on the dirt. Consider Euroexit and Rosie’s Outlaw in this one. Both should have a reasonable chance of scoring at good value.
Euroexit is 3 for 16 in his career and has a decent chance for his 4th win. He’s finished 4th, 1st, 6th in his last three attempts.
Two races back, Euroexit won in an impressive 5 ½ length win in a $14,823 assignment on November 27. His team got too confident and entered him in the $70,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes on December 17.
That wasn’t the best attempt from Euroexit, finishing 6th in that one. He is going to be close, though Rosie’s Outlaw should provide better value.
Rosie’s Outlaw is 3 for 12 and consistently finishes well. In his previous three races, the gelding has gone 2nd, 1st, 3rd.
He beat Affluent Gentleman by 1 length in a $16,000 assignment two races back on October 23 at Remington Park. That was a good race from Rosie’s Outlaw.
He dropped to 3rd in her latest attempt on November 29 for a $24,255 purse. Not all that bad and Rosie’s Outlaw is dropping in class. At this price, he’s worth a look.
Race 9
Post Time: 10:37 p.m. CST
Distance: 6 Furlongs
Purse:$36,000
The final race at Sam Houston covers 6 furlongs for a $36,000 purse under the lights. Dream Pire and Soaring have to be involved in this one.
Dream Pire is winless in one race, though it was a pretty good effort from her on December 11. She placed 2nd behind Kim’s Texas Bling by 5 ¼ lengths in a $33,000 race and it was a good start to her career.
If Dream Pire can improve on that performance she is going to be a serious contender for the win in Race 9. Soaring should hang around with her, though.
Soaring has finished 9th, 4th, 2nd with a stakes race on her resume. She finished 4th in the $50,000 E. L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes on September 26 and then improved thereafter to place 2nd.
Soaring placed behind Cato’s Lady by a half-length in a $33,000 race on November 19. That was a pretty good look for Soaring. If she runs like that again, it should probably be good enough for a win.
