Top Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday, February 9, 2022

I only agreed with the morning line twice for my Wednesday picks for Delta Downs, Penn National Race Course, and Sam Houston Race Park. One was in the first race at Delta Downs, while the other was the last race at Sam Houston.

All the rest were at more profitable odds, including a 5/1 sleeper at Penn National and a 10/1 moneymaker at Sam Houston.

You can review the entire race-cards for all three tracks at one of our best horseracing wagering sites.

Good luck!

Let’s start on the main track with race one, a five-furlong claiming race for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares four years old and upward that have never won two races. It looks like the 3/1 morning-line favorite is the right pick: Julio Choice, ridden by veteran jockey Timothy Thornton.

This four-year-old filly finished in the money six of her nine career starts, winning one—her graduation run last month here at Delta Downs. And that puts her in the statistical lead of this nine-horse field.

Thirty-year veteran of horse racing, Brian A. Huval trains Julio Choice for owner Jonathan LeBlanc.

Race four is a five-furlong allowance optional claiming race on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward. My money’s on the fourth-favored (at 6/1) Carbon Stryker, with Joel Dominguez in the irons.

This four-year-old gelding moneyed 13 of his 19 career starts, winning four, including the My Dandy Division of the Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes (Black Type) a year ago last month at Sam Houston Race Park.

Regularly ranked in the top 100 for wins since 2016, Eduardo Ramirez trains Carbon Stryker for MAT Investments, LLC.

Race six is a five-furlong allowance race on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward that have never won two races. I’m betting on the 5/1 underdog, Jamaican Me, with Joe Stokes aboard.

This five-year-old gelding moneyed four of his five career starts, winning one. Yes, the favorite has the percentages on his side (two starts, two money finishes, one win). But if history is any indication, I believe we’ll see Jamaican Me in the lead for that last furlong.

Allen Landry trains Jamaican Me for owner Maximo LaMarche. Landry has tapped Stokes to saddle Jamaican Me for all five of his pro races.

We’ll begin on the main track with race five, a six-furlong claiming race for fillies and mares four years old and upward that have never won two races. I’m backing the second-favored (at 5/2) Katesaluckygirl, piloted by veteran jockey Tyler Conner.

This four-year-old filly moneyed six of her nine career starts, winning one.

Not only does she have better statistics than the morning-line favorite, but Katesaluckygirl has performed more successfully in her post-grad races.

Longtime horse racing veteran Michael W. Salvaggio, Jr. trains Katesaluckygirl for owner Daniel McConnell.

Race six is a six-furlong claiming run on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward. I’m betting my two dollars on the fourth-favored (at 4/1) Calculated Thinkin, with top jockey Julio A. Hernandez aboard.

This seven-year-old gelding moneyed 34 of his 48 career starts, winning 13. Calculated Thinking has moneyed this last nine races, five of those wins. Yeah, he’ll do.

Ranked regularly in the top 100 for wins, earnings, or both since 2004, Timothy C. Kreiser trains Calculated Thinkin for Golden Flame Racing.

Race seven is a six-furlong claiming race on the main track for fillies and mares four years old and upward that have never won four races. I’m calling this one for the 5/1 sleeper, Kirby, ridden by Joseph Trejos.

This four-year-old filly finished in the money six of her 17 career starts, winning three, including her last two.

Kenton Charles Morris trains Kirby for owner Dalton Peart.

We’re beginning with race two, a one-mile starter optional claiming race on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward. A coupled entry is the 10/1 deep underdog in this nine-horse field, and I say bet the second half of the 1/1A entry to win.

Both Pop Life and Three Run Homer have Rodolfo Guerra listed as jockey, but whoever rides Three Run Homer (the 1A part of the coupled entry) into the starting gate is bound to be visiting the winner’s circle to get his picture taken with a horse.

A six-year-old gelding, Three Run Homer has a slight statistical edge on the 5/2 favorite (Close to Midnight), with 13 money finishes in 33 career starts, eight of them wins.

Both Pop Life and Three run Homer are trained by Cesar Govea for L & G Racing Stable.

Race six is a seven-furlong allowance race on the dirt track for four-year-olds and upward. I’m betting on the first half of the 1/1A coupled entry in this race, Maxi Moon.

Both of the coupled entries are listed to be jockeyed by Ry Eikleberry, but as long as Maxi Moon makes it to the starting gate, Maxi Moon’s your best chance—regardless of jockey.

This four-year-old gelding moneyed ten of his 15 career starts, winning five. In comparison, the favorite—Have a Plan—moneyed seven of his 20 career starts, winning four.

Longtime horseracing veteran Karl Broberg trains both Maxi Moon and Pop Life for End Zone Athletics, Inc.

If for some reason Maxi Moon doesn’t make it to the starting gate, bet the second-favored (at 4/1) Mau Mau, ridden by Gerardo Mora.

Trained by Danny Pish for Eleven One Racing Stables, this five-year-old gelding moneyed six of his 16 career starts, winning four, including his two most recent.

Race seven is a six-furlong allowance optional claiming run on the main track for three-year-old fillies. As competitive as this nine-horse field looks, I’m going to stick with the 5/2 morning line favorite, Texas Ascot Queen, piloted by Lane J. Luzzi.

This filly finished in the money two of her three career starts, winning both her second maiden attempt back in July at Lone Star Park, and then a claiming race just last month. She’ll do.

Longtime horse racing veteran J. R. Caldwell trains Texas Ascot Queen for Indigo Racing.