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The Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet is published daily and provides consolidated analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.

Welcome to Friday night racing under the lights at Sam Houston Race Park. The eight-race card features competitive turf fields and challenging dirt sprints loaded with local Texas-breds and shippers.

• Weather Forecast: Clear skies, temperatures in the upper 50s by first post, and minimal wind. With no recent precipitation, expect a fast dirt track and a firm turf course.
• Track & Post Bias: The main dirt track typically plays fair, but 5.5-furlong sprints offer a slight statistical edge to inside/middle posts. On the firm turf (especially at one mile), tactical speed is paramount; deep closers will struggle unless early fractions are suicidal. Turf post positions outside of post eight are challenging and require a perfect trip.

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Race Summaries

Race 1 (5.5 Furlongs, Dirt, 6:30 PM)

• Pace Notes: Expect a sharp opening quarter with Six Iron and Take My Money contesting the pace from the bell.
• Key Contenders: Six Iron (2) drops in class and has a favorable inside draw to dictate terms. Take My Money (4) has the tactical speed to track just off the flank.
• Secondary & Longshots: Tiz Considered (6) draws outside but can grab a minor share. Uptowneagleslanded (3) is an inconsistent veteran who could be rolling late at a price if the leaders duel too aggressively.

Race 2 (1 Mile, Turf, 6:56 PM)

• Pace Notes: A moderate tempo is expected as El Chavo stretches out to secure early position, tracked closely by Special Agenda.
• Key Contenders: El Chavo (5) is primed for a big effort from a high-percentage barn. Special Agenda (3) is a major threat with a strong late kick tailored to this turf profile.
• Secondary & Longshots: Marc (1) gets the rail to save ground mid-pack. Friday Night Fever (7) has flashed potential in workouts and could swoop in if the favorite gets trapped.

Race 3 (1 Mile, Dirt, 7:22 PM)

• Pace Notes: A paceless race. Heavenville may find himself on the lead by default, establishing a slow tempo that hinders deep closers.
• Key Contenders: Heavenville (2) drops into a realistic spot and holds a massive tactical advantage. Tiburon (5) ships in with decent form to track the favorite.
• Secondary & Longshots: T Bones Trick (6) can rate effectively to grind out a placing. Quarterback Dak (4) occasionally pops a big speed figure and offers exotic value.

Race 4 (1 Mile, Dirt, 7:52 PM)

• Pace Notes: A contested, taxing opening half-mile is likely between forwardly placed Mo Hope and Bayou Boy.
• Key Contenders: Mo Hope (3) projects a dream stalking trip just off the duel. Bayou Boy (8) possesses enough gate speed to clear the field despite the outside post.
• Secondary & Longshots: Haskelled (4) is highly consistent and will run well late. King Adolis (1) gets the rail and benefits if the front-runners compromise each other.

Race 5 (1 Mile, Turf, 8:18 PM)

• Pace Notes: The break is crucial for the 11-horse field. Hattie Jane has excellent rail speed, while Easy Kiss and Wolfberry must use early energy to avoid going wide.
• Key Contenders: Hattie Jane (1) controls her own destiny on the lead. Easy Kiss (10) has a poor draw but superior class lines to navigate a tricky trip.
• Secondary & Longshots: Wolfberry (11) has shown brilliant late acceleration in drills. My Blue Line (GB) (8) offers an intriguing European turf pedigree as a wild card.

Race 6 (Sprint, Dirt, 8:44 PM)

• Pace Notes: Fast and furious. Ring Seeker and Aggies Creed will lock horns early, favoring any horse that can sit just off the speed.
• Key Contenders: Ring Seeker (1) drops from tougher company. Aggies Creed (2) is razor-sharp and will apply heavy pressure.
• Secondary & Longshots: Texas Creed (5) is the logical alternative perfectly positioned to stalk the duel. Bling Mountain (6) is a deep closer needing a total pace collapse.

Race 7 (7 Furlongs, Dirt, 9:14 PM)

• Pace Notes: Old Homestead has elite speed and will try to go wire-to-wire, while Dimatic prefers to rate.
• Key Contenders: Dimatic (5) is a classy individual projecting a perfect stalking trip. Old Homestead (1) has the stamina to carry his speed the full seven panels.
• Secondary & Longshots: Lightning Struck (4) is a highly consistent board-hitter. Blue Light (6) steps up in class but has been training brilliantly.

Race 8 (1 1/16 Miles, Turf, 9:40 PM)

• Pace Notes: Rowdy American will flash early speed, with Air of Ghurair pressing the issue closely in this massive field.
• Key Contenders: Rowdy American (4) is a proven commodity at this distance. Air of Ghurair (7) is rounding into form with excellent stamina.
• Secondary & Longshots: Fiftyshadesofnauti (6) comes from a high-percentage barn and will roll late. Big Bang Boom (8) takes a steep class drop and could wake up against softer company.

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Jockey & Trainer Insights

• Jockeys: Stewart Elliott is heavily favored on live runners and is incredibly dangerous saving ground on the turf. Deshawn Parker excels at timing late runs. Ernesto Valdez Jiminez is riding with supreme confidence on mid-priced mounts.
• Trainers: Steven Asmussen brings a powerful battalion, with his turf route runners demanding respect. Mindy Willis has her claiming sprinters perfectly conditioned. W. Bret Calhoun is a stable to watch in the maiden special weight events.

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Consensus Picks

Race 1 Win: Six Iron (2) – 45% confidence

Place: Take My Money (4) – 30% confidence

Show: Tiz Considered (6) – 15% confidence

Alternative: Holiday Run (1) – 10% confidence

Race 2 Win: El Chavo (5) – 40% confidence

Place: Special Agenda (3) – 30% confidence

Show: Marc (1) – 20% confidence

Alternative: Friday Night Fever (7) – 10% confidence

Race 3 Win: Heavenville (2) – 50% confidence

Place: Tiburon (5) – 25% confidence

Show: T Bones Trick (6) – 15% confidence

Alternative: Quarterback Dak (4) – 10% confidence

Race 4 Win: Mo Hope (3) – 35% confidence

Place: Bayou Boy (8) – 30% confidence

Show: Haskelled (4) – 20% confidence

Alternative: King Adolis (1) – 15% confidence

Race 5 Win: Hattie Jane (1) – 40% confidence

Place: Easy Kiss (10) – 25% confidence

Show: Wolfberry (11) – 20% confidence

Alternative: My Blue Line (GB) (8) – 15% confidence

Race 6 Win: Texas Creed (5) – 35% confidence

Place: Ring Seeker (1) – 35% confidence

Show: Aggies Creed (2) – 20% confidence

Alternative: Bling Mountain (6) – 10% confidence

Race 7 Win: Dimatic (5) – 45% confidence

Place: Old Homestead (1) – 35% confidence

Show: Lightning Struck (4) – 15% confidence

Alternative: Blue Light (6) – 5% confidence

Race 8 Win: Rowdy American (4) – 40% confidence

Place: Air of Ghurair (7) – 30% confidence

Show: Fiftyshadesofnauti (6) – 20% confidence

Alternative: Big Bang Boom (8) – 10% confidence