Sam Houston: Templar Red might get right setup; wagering available on DRF Bets

Templar Red started her racing career later in life, but has shown a real knack for the game and will start as a chief contender in Friday’s featured eighth race at Sam Houston Race Park.

She goes in a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at a mile and 70 yards. A field of nine has signed on, including Mrs. Krinkles, who is looking for her third straight win, and Waterworks, who has been working sharply at Oaklawn Park. First post for the nine-race program is 1 p.m. Central.

Friday’s card can be played at DRF Bets and will be the meet’s first card to be exported to sites around the United States. The development comes after the Texas Racing Commission approved the widespread distribution of the track’s signal following a Tuesday court ruling concerning the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Sam Houston’s signal had been limited to tracks in Texas and international sites like Canada to start the meet due to an impasse between the commission and HISA.

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Templar Red launched her career last year at 5 and in her second start won a maiden special weight race in September at Remington Park. The race was her first at two turns. She enters Friday’s card off a runner-up finish in a first-level allowance at a mile on Dec. 10 at Remington. Templar Red, who is making her first start at 6, has run no worse than fourth in her five career starts. The daughter of Secret Circle races for her breeder, Jim Plemmons. Trainer Kari Craddock has given the mount to Leandro Goncalves.

Templar Red has tactical speed and might get a stalking trip when she starts from post 8.

Mrs. Krinkles is stretching back out around two turns after winning back-to-back sprint races at Remington Park and Sam Houston. She is proven at this configuration, as her maiden win came at a mile last season at Sam Houston. Mrs. Krinkles led throughout when winning her maiden and on the return to two turns could show the way when she starts from post 5 under Floyd Wethey Jr. Federico Villafranco trains the mare for Danny Caldwell.

Waterworks shows a series of strong five-eighths works at Oaklawn for Friday’s allowance, among them a bullet move in 1:00.80 on Jan. 17. She figures to be prominent when she starts from post 2 under jockey Stewart Elliott.

Sam Houston offers a reduced 12 percent takeout on all multi-race wagers.

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