Johnson's North American free racing picks for Sept. 27

On an exciting Sunday of racing, handicapper Keeler Johnson provides free picks for Monmouth Park, Remington Park, and Santa Anita.

Monmouth Park

Race 1

#4 Waist Deep (2-1) wired the one-mile Sapling S. at Monmouth three weeks ago, but can he cut back to 6 furlongs for the Smoke Glacken? #5 Pickin’ Time (3-1) was a game runner-up in the Sapling after encountering trouble during the opening furlong. A gate-to-wire maiden winner sprinting 4 1/2 furlongs at Monmouth, Pickin’ Time can potentially turn the tables for jockey Joe Bravo and trainer Kelly Breen, high-percentage connections who have teamed up to strike at a 35% rate over the last 60 days.

Remington Park

Race 10

#7 Avant Garde (6-1) has won four straight races since being claimed in June by trainer Jesus Lander, steadily climbing the class ladder while improving his Brisnet Speed ratings with every start. The stoutly-bred son of Tonalist was particularly impressive in a Sept. 5 starter allowance race at Gulfstream Park, rating in traffic before unleashing an eye-catching burst of acceleration to dominate by 4 1/2 lengths. The 1 1/8-mile distance of the Oklahoma Derby (G3) should be well within reach for this up-and-coming sophomore.

Santa Anita

Race 8

The 6-year-old gelding #4 C Z Rocket (8-5) has enjoyed a career renaissance since being claimed in April by Peter Miller, rattling off four straight victories against increasingly tough competition. The son of City Zip parlayed a pace-tracking trip into victory in the Pat O’Brien (G2) at Del Mar last month, setting the stage for a sharp effort here in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2). In a race without much speed on paper, C Z Rocket can track the pace and roll to victory if he breaks alertly.

Race 10

Stretching out over 1 1/2 miles for the Tokyo City Cup (G3) should suit #3 Tizamagician (2-1) just fine. A son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow out of a mare by Dixie Union (sire of Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags), Tizamagician is bred to handle marathon distance. He fired off a career-best effort on Sept. 5 at Del Mar, wiring a one-mile allowance race with a 98 Brisnet Speed rating, and his tactical speed will be an asset in this seemingly paceless race.