Keeler Johnson's Freeplay Game Selections for Apr. 25

Test your handicapping acumen with daily Freeplay games on TwinSpires! These free-to-play handicapping contests challenge you to pit your abilities against fellow horseplayers in a fun, no-pressure environment. You can hone your skills, share your plays on social media, and maybe even claim a prize—now that’s a winning combination!

Need some help getting started? Racing analyst Keeler Johnson is ready to share his plays for this week’s contest action:

Apr. 25: Saturday Special

Prize

$100 Bonus Cash

Goal

To pick the top three finishers in Saturday’s Bachelor S. at Oaklawn Park.

Analysis

#7 Eight Rings (5-2 on the morning line) posted a 100 Brisnet Speed rating in his debut last summer and subsequently claimed a six-length victory in the American Pharoah (G1). The son of Empire Maker is cutting back significantly in distance for his 2020 debut, but he’s been training up a storm for Hall of Fame conditioner Bob Baffert, who is 5-for-9 at Oaklawn so far this winter. A winning effort should be in the offing for this Triple Crown nominee, who has the tactical speed to be prominent from the outset.

The similarly speedy #9 Long Weekend (3-1) is 3-for-4 lifetime and had little difficulty crushing the Gazebo S. by 4 3/4 lengths over this track and 6-furlong distance last month, stamping the Tom Amoss trainee as Eight Rings’ stiffest opposition.

#3 Echo Town (9-2), a powerful allowance winner over this track and distance on Mar. 13, can round out the top three:

The Play

1st: #7 Eight Rings (5-2)
2nd: #9 Long Weekend (3-1)
3rd: #3 Echo Town (9-2)

Apr. 25: Featured Race: Carousel S.

Prize

$1,000 Bonus Cash

Goal

To pick the top four finishers in Saturday’s Carousel S. at Oaklawn Park.

Analysis

Three-time Grade 1 winner #1 Bellafina (8-5) hasn’t won in more than a year, but she wrapped up her 2019 campaign with a couple of gallant runner-up efforts against top company, including a close beat in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1). A versatile filly capable of racing effectively from anywhere in the pack, Bellafina has been training sharply for her 4-year-old debut and should be tough to beat while dropping in class.

#8 Mia Mischief (9-2) looks clearly second-best. Winner of the Humana Distaff (G1) last spring, the daughter of leading sire Into Mischief kicked off her 2020 season with an easy allowance victory over the same track and 6-furlong distance as the Carousel.

Four-time stakes winner #2 Midnight Fantasy (5-1) brings competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the mix with hot jockey Martin Garcia in the saddle, making her a logical contender for third place. We’ll complete our play with #3 Sunny Dale (6-1), a pure speedster with three straight wins to her credit: