Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of Sept. 26

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Presque Isle Downs, including a 10-1 longshot.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus on trifecta winnings excluding stake amount; up to $25 per day.
• Summerside 10x Points: Opt in and receive 10x reward points on all Summerside wagers (excluding show bets) on Tuesdays from Sept. 12 through Oct. 24.

Picks and Plays

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 5: $12,500 Maiden Claiming (one mile on turf, 4:34 p.m. ET)

There isn’t much speed entered in this grass route for fillies and mares, so we’ll side with #9 A Star for Cora (2-1), who rallied to finish second over this course and class level three weeks ago. The three-year-old daughter of Verrazano occasionally shows speed and may wind up sitting a perfect trip stalking longshot #10 Flat Out Fay (15-1), a sprinter stretching out in distance and trying turf for the first time.

A win bet on A Star for Cora will be our first order of business. #4 Razzaluna (9-2), who set the pace when finishing third in a race over this course, distance, and class level three starts back, can hold off late-running #8 La Village Lumiere (3-1) for second place. We’ll bet exacta and trifecta wagers accordingly, playing the latter to pursue the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Selections

• #9 A Star for Cora (2-1)
• #4 Razzaluna (9-2)
• #8 La Village Lumiere (3-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #9 A Star for Cora
• $7 Exacta: 9 with 4
• $3 Trifecta: 9 with 4 with 8
  Total: $30

Presque Isle Downs: Race 6: $25,000 Claiming (one mile and 70 yards, 5:15 p.m. ET)

There are a few quality speed horses in this two-turn Tapeta route, which could compromise morning line favorite #4 Dr. Steve (9-5), who has set the pace in each of his last six starts.

Let’s try to beat Dr. Steve with #7 Barnegat Light (10-1), a capable five-year-old gelding who has hit the board in each of his last three starts against $25,000 claiming competition at Presque Isle. He didn’t get a clear trip when finishing third in his most recent start, but won a $25,000 claimer three starts back.

Barnegat Light has tactical speed, but is tractable enough to comfortably stalk the pace, so a favorable trip may be in the offing under Presque Isle’s runaway leading jockey Pablo Morales. At 10-1, Barnegat Light is worth betting to win and keying over Dr. Steve in the exacta.

Selections

• #7 Barnegat Light (10-1)
• #4 Dr. Steve (9-5)
• #3 Mason Mania (4-1)

Wagers

• $14 to win on #7 Barnegat Light
• $6 Exacta: 7 with 4
  Total: $20

Presque Isle Downs: Race 7: Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile S. (6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta, 5:42 p.m. ET)

#5 Going Up (9-5) is the favorite after wiring the five-furlong Hickory Tree S. at Colonial Downs by 6 3/4 lengths with a powerful 100 Brisnet Speed rating, but he’s switching to Tapeta for the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial and must reckon with several other speed horses.

#3 Banneker (8-1) has upset potential. The son of accomplished juvenile Not This Time rallied from third place in a five-horse field to win his debut traveling six furlongs at Presque Isle by 4 3/4 lengths. His performance was flattered when distant third-place finisher Hector returned to win his next start.

Banneker is trained by Jack Sisterson, whose career win rate with first-time starters stands at only 9%. In contrast, Sisterson wins at a 19% rate with last-out maiden winners, so don’t be surprised if Banneker moves forward off his debut victory. The presence of jockey Pablo Morales adds to the appeal.

Let’s box Going Up and Banneker in the exacta, favoring the lower-paying combination with Going Up on top.

Selections

• #5 Going Up (9-5)
• #3 Banneker (8-1)
• #7 Gotts Got It (7-2)

Wagers

• $18 Exacta: 5 with 3
• $12 Exacta: 3 with 5
  Total: $30

Good luck!