Sam Houston: Stakes spot plays for Jan. 30

A six-pack of stakes action, with two of the graded variety, will headline a fine Sunday of action at Sam Houston.

Race 5 – Pulse Power Turf Sprint

Eight will go postward in the five-furlong turf dash, and I will side with #4 Bad Beat Brian (8-5) as my top pick on the entire card. Trained by Mike Maker, the Jack Milton gelding has been in very good form since being reclaimed by this barn four back, and the powerful late runner will storm by the field inside the final furlong with Gaffalione in the silks. He will be a single of mine in all plays.

Race 6 – Texas Turf Mile

I liked what I saw in both of the runs by #10 Grantham (6-1) in advance of his stakes bow, and the son of Declaration of War was going to get the nod while also making his turf debut. But the Maker trainee reportedly did not ship in from Turfway.

Race 8 – John B. Connally Turf S. (G3)

Stayers will go 1 1/2 miles on the green in the co-feature. #10 Dyn O Mite (20-1) has upset appeal to me as the one to catch on the stretch-out for Desormeaux. The four-year-old son of Goldencents is of stakes quality, and I have a hunch that he will endure the 12 furlongs on Sunday while loose on the lead early on. The Kentucky-bred bay is worth a flier at his morning-line number with Stewart Elliot in the controls.

Race 10 – Jersey Lilly Turf S.

An overflow field of 14 fillies and mares will vie in the 1 1/16-mile turf affair. #12 Empress Eleanor (15-1) wasn’t done any favors drawing far outside in the field, but the Correas trainee has fine form and very good value in the well-matched field.

The lightly-raced Empire Maker mare possesses a consistent turn of foot in a field with some speed signed on, and the dark bay also owns a measure of tactical foot to avoid a horrific voyage as well. James Graham will guide the top-three contender at a big number.