Sam Houston Picks & Predictions — May 28, 2026

Lickadee Split rates out at 56.67 — just 1.66 points behind the top pick — and comes in at 3/1, which actually feels like slight value given how close these two are on our model. Eduardo Luviano has the mount for trainer Marcelo Reyes Jr., and in a sprint this tight, any small advantage at the break could flip the finishing order. This is a legitimate win threat being used as the place pick.

Last Corona to Open sits at 55.00 on the TrackWiz scale and 4/1 on the morning line — the third of three horses within 3.5 rating points of each other. Oliver E. Martinez takes the mount for trainer Ramiro Barajas Villarreal, who also saddles a horse in Race 2, showing he's well represented on this card. In a race this compressed at the top, this one is a must-use in trifecta combinations.

Cartelito Pool at 8/1 is the most intriguing ticket in this race — a 78.28 TrackWiz rating that would top most other fields on the card, and yet the morning line has it at a generous price. Luis L. Vivanco takes the mount for trainer Isidro Hinojosa, and if Muddys Jack and Coke hits any kind of trouble in the first few strides, this is the horse with the profile to capitalize. At 400 yards there's more room for the race to develop than in the shorter sprints.

Indian Cartel checks in at 63.18 — a solid third-best rating in this field — and Claudio Ponce Aguilar is one of the busiest riders on the card, maintaining a strong presence throughout the day's races. Trainer Ricardo Aguirre is another multiple-entry barn on the card, showing confidence in his runners. At 9/2, this is a reasonable show price for a horse firmly within striking distance of the top two.

Sea Me Fly at 6/1 is the clear second-best in this field on our TrackWiz model with a 51.67 rating, and Angel A. Fierro takes the mount for trainer Martin Rodriguez. While the gap to Spirit Bok is large, Sea Me Fly looks comfortably clear of the horses beneath it — making this a solid place play and a worthwhile exacta partner at a price that pays.

Mary Anns Corona at 49.17 and 5/1 on the morning line slots in as a workable third wheel — Luis L. Vivanco gets this one for trainer Winston Lewis. The rating holds up better than most of the bottom half of the field, and at 5/1 there's enough price to make the show position worthwhile in trifecta construction. Keep this one in exotics rather than straight win tickets.

Super Freakee rates out at 55.83 for trainer Jose Ivan Martinez, who also runs a horse in Race 9 — another multi-entry barn showing confidence in the stable. Olvin Josue Martinez takes the mount, and at 7/2 this is a price worth pairing with Jr Dreamgirl in the exacta rather than fighting the favorite. The gap between these two and the rest of the field is real on our model.

Chiquito Pool comes in at 51.67 — tied with Cut the Line for third-best in the field, but our model gives the nod to Chiquito's overall profile in the context of this race. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. gets the ride for trainer John Boegner, and at 6/1 this is a reasonable show price to round out trifecta tickets. Use it under the top two but don't overthink the spot.

Cowgirl Cool 123 sits at 57.50 on our model — very close to the top pick — and is the 5/2 morning-line favorite, meaning the market has essentially picked the wrong horse as the chalk from our perspective. Alejandro Medina gets the mount for trainer Salvador G. Flores, and while we're playing Relentless Prissy on top, Cowgirl Cool 123 is close enough that reversing the exacta is prudent at these prices.

Xcessive Celebration at 55.83 and 7/2 is the third of three horses packed within three points of each other at the top of this field. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. brings this one in for trainer Joseph D. Manucy — who also trained Hypnotik in Race 2 — showing a barn active and comfortable at this meet. In a 250-yard race where the top three are nearly interchangeable on ratings, using all three in your trifectas is the smart play.

Bicycle Johnny at 75.90 and 7/2 is a strong second wheel in this race — the second-highest rating on the card today, in fact, which speaks to how loaded the top of this field actually is. Oliver E. Martinez gets the mount for trainer Ricardo D. Romero, and at 440 yards the two horses at the top of the ratings should have enough runway to separate from the field late. This is a confident exacta partner underneath Going for Gold.

Oh Eagle Rose at 59.79 and 6/1 is comfortably the third-best rated horse in this field, a meaningful step ahead of the horses below it. Angel A. Fierro picks up the mount for trainer Brian Stroud, who also runs Madame Monroe in Race 1 — another multi-race barn comfortable at Sam Houston. At 6/1 this is a value show spot and a necessary trifecta inclusion to maximize return on the top two.

Shez a Smokeshoww rates out at 55.83 and is listed at 7/2 on the morning line — a meaningful gap below the top pick, but well clear of the rest of the field. Gilberto Linares gets the call for trainer John A. Stinebaugh, who has multiple entries across the card and knows how to place a horse at Sam Houston. Use this one to anchor exactas under Jess Sissy Cartel at a price that makes the ticket worthwhile.

Pink Jett at 54.17 and 9/2 rounds out the top three on our model and offers a reasonable show price to close out the card. Oliver E. Martinez takes the mount for trainer Victor Oviedo, and with the top two horses so clearly separated from the rest of the field, getting Pink Jett into your trifectas at 9/2 is the sensible way to structure your final-race tickets. A solid way to finish the night at Sam Houston.