Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Nov. 28, 2023

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Nov. 28 at Zia Park, including a cold double wager.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• 10x Points at Zia Park: Receive 10x reward points on all wagers (excluding show bets) at Zia Park on Mondays and Tuesdays through Dec. 19.

Picks and Plays

Zia Park: Race 4: Zia Park Championship S. (1 1/8 miles, 3:29 p.m. ET)

#2 Bye Bye Bobby (6-5) has won four of his last five starts on the New Mexico circuit, including three stakes. He also competed well against graded stakes competition in Southern California during the summer, running third in the Cougar II (G3) and second in the Pat O’Brien (G2).

Bye Bye Bobby is versatile in terms of running style and boasts a 2-for-3 record at Zia Park, so all signs suggest he’s sitting on a winning run in the Zia Park Championship. We’ll single him to start a cold double wager.

Selections

• #2 Bye Bye Bobby (6-5)
• #1 Promise Keeper (9-2)
• #3 Presidential (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 Double: 2 with 8

Zia Park: Race 5: Zia Park Princess S. (six furlongs, 3:57 p.m. ET)

#2 Tx Women for Arts (2-1), winner of the Prairie Gold Lassie S. at Prairie Meadows during the summer, is the morning line favorite in this six-furlong dash for juvenile fillies. But last time out, she finished 2 1/4 lengths behind #8 Curlin’s Magic (5-2) in the E. L. Gaylord Memorial S. at Remington Park.

Curlin’s Magic finished second by 1 1/4 lengths in the E. L. Gaylord Memorial, an effort flattered when the victorious Chi Chi returned to win the Juvenile Fillies Sprint S. at Gulfstream Park. Curlin’s Magic owns a pair of 84 Brisnet Speed ratings that stack up well against the Zia Park Princess field, so we’ll bet the daughter of Good Magic to win and single her to conclude our double wager.

Selections

• #8 Curlin’s Magic (5-2)
• #2 Tx Women for Arts (2-1)
• #5 Crown Thirty (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #8 Curlin’s Magic

Zia Park: Race 10: Zia Park Derby (1 1/16 miles, 6:17 p.m. ET)

#5 Red Route One (5-2) has held his own against tough competition this year. He’s won the West Virginia Derby (G3) and Bath House Row S. in addition to placing in the Rebel (G2), Southwest (G3), and Oklahoma Derby (G3).

Red Route One doesn’t have any tactical speed, but he’s got a big stretch kick and has every chance to run down morning line favorite #1 Slip Mahoney (7-5), winner of the Bourbon Trail S. and runner-up in the St. Louis Derby in his last two starts. Throw in #6 Two Rivers Over (12-1), winner of a $40,000 allowance optional claimer at Del Mar last time out, and we have the recipe for a compelling exacta play. 

Selections

• #5 Red Route One (5-2)
• #1 Slip Mahoney (7-5)
• #6 Two Rivers Over (12-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 5 with 1
• $10 Exacta: 5 with 6
  Total: $30

Good luck!