Keeler Johnson's picks and plays April 10

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Monday, April 10 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including exactas and a trifecta.

Picks and Plays

Will Rogers Downs: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 2:35 p.m. ET)

#4 Majestic Liaison (2-1) suffered a poor start in his debut sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over this track and class level last month, but launched a steady outside rally to finish second by a neck. The three-year-old gelding still has upside and can graduate with a clean break on Monday.

First-time starter #5 Holcombe (5-1) can battle with the lightly raced five-year-old #6 Kick It Again Bob (3-1) to complete the exacta.

Selections

• #4 Majestic Liaison (2-1)
• #5 Holcombe (5-1)
• #6 Kick It Again Bob (3-1)

Wagers

• $15 Exacta: 4 with 5,6 ($30)

Turf Paradise: Race 3: $4,500 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs, 5:23 p.m. ET)

#8 Seafaring Wildcat (7-5) is the morning line favorite after hitting the board three times over this track, distance, and class level. He has lots of early speed, but his overall form seems well established at this point, and he’s not necessarily a certain winner at the short odds.

#7 Midnight Daddy (8-1) offers appeal as a live longshot. He’s finished eighth in his first two starts against $20,000-$12,500 and $10,000-$8,500 maiden claiming competition at Turf Paradise. He worked a quick three furlongs in :35 4/5 at Turf Paradise last week and is eligible to move forward while dropping down in class and cutting back a quarter-mile in distance from his last start.

We’ll bet Midnight Daddy to win and key him over Seafaring Wildcat and #6 Good Boy Roy (4-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #7 Midnight Daddy (8-1)
• #8 Seafaring Wildcat (7-5)
• #6 Good Boy Roy (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #7 Midnight Daddy
• $7 Exacta: 7 with 8
• $3 Exacta: 7 with 6
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 4: $30,000-$20,000 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs, 5:52 p.m. ET)

#7 Above the Stars (3-1) hasn’t missed the trifecta in two starts and ran particularly well over this track, distance, and class level on March 12. After dueling for the lead through intense fractions of :21.32 and :44.49, Above the Stars battled on to finish second, beaten half a length by a pair of late runners.

If Above the Stars escapes with an easier lead in his second start at Turf Paradise, he can deliver victory over the fast-working first-time starter #1 Star So Far (4-1). We’ll also use #6 Blessed Angel (5-2), who finished just three-quarters of a length behind Above the Stars on March 12.

Selections

• #7 Above the Stars (3-1)
• #1 Star So Far (4-1)
• #6 Blessed Angel (5-2)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 7 with 1,6 ($20)
• $5 Trifecta: 7 with 1,6 with 1,6 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!