Keeler Johnson's picks and plays April 12

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $95 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, April 12 at Will Rogers Downs, including a trio of trifectas capitalizing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Midweek Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Will Rogers Downs.
• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus (up to $25 per day) on winning trifecta tickets.
• Scandinavian Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any race at Bergsaker (SWE), Axevalla (SWE), or Eskilstuna (SWE).

Picks and Plays

Will Rogers Downs: Race 1: $5,000 Claiming (1 1/16 miles, 2:00 p.m. ET)

#3 Skipperlitttlegirl (5-1) was compromised by a slow pace when kicking off her 2022 campaign in a $7,500 claimer for non-winners of three races lifetime racing one mile at Will Rogers Downs. Despite this unfavorable setup, Skipperlitttlegirl rallied hard to finish second by a neck, and she was ultimately awarded victory via disqualification.

This effort produced a 64 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest last-out figure posted by any horse in Tuesday’s field. Tuesday’s unrestricted $5,000 claiming class level should be suitable for Skipperlitttlegirl, and it’s worth noting trainer Timothy Martin has been hot at Will Rogers Downs, going 10-3-3-1 (30% wins, 70% in the money).

We’ll bet Skipperlitttlegirl to win, then key her over #1 Gp’s Amazing Grace (3-1) and #4 Awesome Sunset (9-5) in the exacta and trifecta.

• $15 to win on #3 Skipperlitttlegirl
• $5 Exacta: 3 with 1,4 ($10)
• $2.50 Trifecta: 3 with 1,4 with 1,4 ($5)
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 3: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 2:56 p.m. ET)

#7 Jodean (8-5) has finished second in all three of her starts this year. She kicked off the season with a pair of runner-up efforts sprinting five furlongs against $10,000 maiden claiming company at Delta Downs, after which she shipped to Will Rogers Downs and ran second in a $7,500 maiden claimer traveling six furlongs on March 29.

These efforts produced consistent Brisnet Speed ratings in the 61-65 range, stamping Jodean as the horse to beat on Tuesday. Hot apprentice jockey Kylee Jordan (a 35% winner at Will Rogers Downs) retains the mount, which means Jodean will benefit from a five-pound weight allowance.

#5 Lil Bean Machine (2-1) and #6 Mighty Happy (5-1) can round out the exacta and trifecta, but our first play will be a $10 win bet on Jodean in order to capitalize on the Midweek Bet Back promotion.

• $10 to win on #7 Jodean
• $5 Exacta: 7 with 5,6 ($10)
• $5 Trifecta: 7 with 5,6 with 5,6 ($10)
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 9: TRAO Classic Sprint S. (six furlongs, 5:44 p.m. ET)

#6 Mesa Moon (2-1) has cracked the trifecta in three straight allowance sprints at Oaklawn Park. On March 20, he was beaten only a neck in a 5 1/2-furlong dash, finishing third behind a pair of next-out winners.

Mesa Moon has placed three times against stakes competition and brings competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the table. Racing for the hot jockey/trainer duo of Floyd Wethey and Scott Young, Mesa Moon can parlay his strong recent form into a mild upset victory over multiple stakes winner #3 Shannon C (9-5), who is toting top weight of 124 pounds (six more than Mesa Moon) in his 2022 debut.

Thanks to the Midweek Bet Back offer, we can place a $10 win bet on Mesa Moon and receive a refund if he settles for second place. We’ll also bet him over Shannon C and #7 Tommyhawk (8-1) in the exacta and trifecta.

• $20 to win on #6 Mesa Moon
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 3,7 ($10)
• $2.50 Trifecta: 6 with 3,7 with 3,7 ($5)
  Total: $35

Good luck!