Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Oct. 4, 2023

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, Oct. 4 at Aqueduct and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a pair of Grade 2 stakes.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Hoosier Park $10 Money Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any eligible race at Hoosier Park.
• Horseshoe Indianapolis $3,000 Late Pick 5 Hit It & Split It: Hit the Late Pick 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis every Wednesday in October to win your share of a $3,000 bonus jackpot.

Picks and Plays

Aqueduct: Race 5: Miss Grillo (G2, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 3:10 p.m. ET)

#8 Gala Brand (3-1) is 2-for-2 and defeated males in the With Anticipation (G3) at Saratoga last month. Among her beaten rivals that day was next-out Summer (G1) winner Carson’s Run.

Gala Brand’s secret weapon is a strong stretch rally that’s proven effective regardless of whether she’s chasing a fast or slow pace. She’ll be tough to beat while returning to the filly ranks in the Miss Grillo, so let’s take a shot keying Gala Brand over impressive Saratoga maiden winner #7 Memorialize (5-1) in a cold exacta.

Selections

• #8 Gala Brand (3-1)
• #7 Memorialize (5-1)
• #4 Gold Lightning (10-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 8 with 7

Aqueduct: Race 7: Pilgrim (G2, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 4:14 p.m. ET)

#9 Spirit Prince (9-2) might be a maiden, but he’s faced stakes-caliber competition. In his debut racing 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga, he finished second by half a length against next-out Sapling S. winner Noted. Then in the With Anticipation (G3) over the same course and distance, Spirit Prince ran third behind the above-mentioned filly Gala Brand and next-out Summer (G1) winner Carson’s Run.

Spirit Prince has a strong chance to graduate in the Pilgrim, though we can’t underestimate #3 Agate Road (3-1), who unleashed a terrific rally from behind a slow pace to break his maiden racing 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga. The Todd Pletcher trainee gained 5 3/4 lengths through the final furlong alone to win by a neck.

Let’s box Spirit Prince and Agate Road in the exacta.

Selections

• #9 Spirit Prince (9-2)
• #3 Agate Road (3-1)
• #4 Tifareeh (10-1)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: box 3,9 ($20)

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 10: Cardinal H. (1 1/16 miles, 7:08 p.m. ET)

#7 Bluelightspecial (9-5) beat #8 Louder Than Words (9-2) by 7 1/4 lengths when they met in a May 18 allowance racing one mile at Horseshoe Indianapolis. But Bluelightspecial unexpectedly faltered in her most recent start, finishing fourth in the Aug. 2 First Lady H., while Louder Than Words has rattled off four consecutive victories since that May 18 allowance.

It’s possible Bluelightspecial has regressed since the spring while Louder Than Words has improved, so we’re willing to bet Louder Than Words can turn the tables at enticing odds.

Selections

• #8 Louder Than Words (9-2)
• #7 Bluelightspecial (9-5)
• #9 Sassy Katie (10-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #8 Louder Than Words
• $10 Exacta: 8 with 7
  Total: $30

Good luck!