Keeler Johnson's picks and plays April 19

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $100 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, April 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Turf Paradise, including a pair 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 Parx Racing.
• 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 Alborg (SWE), Hagmyren (SWE), or Momarken (SWE).
• Horseshoe Indianapolis Opening Week Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any race at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Picks and Plays

Turf Paradise: Race 3: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (one mile, 5:25 p.m. ET)

#4 Benissimo (3-1) has been throwing down consistent Brisnet Speed ratings in the 67-72 range while competing against some tough competition. The son of Pioneerof the Nile ran third in the Riley Allison Derby and eighth in the Mine That Bird Derby during the winter at Sunland Park before coming home third in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight over the same track.

Benissimo most recently ran third in a $30,000 maiden optional claimer racing one mile over the Turf Paradise turf course. Returning to dirt while sticking to the same class level and distance can trigger a winning effort from Benissimo, especially since hot trainer Justin Evans wins at a 23% rate with horses transitioning form turf to dirt.

Former Southern California campaigner #5 Sweet Savant (7-2) is a logical choice to complete the exacta.

• $20 to win on #4 Benissimo
• $10 Exacta: 4 with 5
• Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 7: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs, 5:30 p.m. ET)

#11 Too Bad Justice (8-5) showed talent in three starts over this track last fall. After finishing second in a pair of 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weights, Too Bad Justice carved out the pace in the six-furlong Crown Ambassador S. before faltering to finish second.

Too Bad Justice owns the three highest Brisnet Speed ratings in Tuesday’s field and figures to fire a winning shot for trainer Marvin Johnson, who wins at a solid 15% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more. Cutting back to five furlongs should only benefit Too Bad Justice, who has the tactical speed to be prominent from the outset.

#8 Shineonbrad (3-1) and #4 Kordell (20-1) can battle for places in the exacta and trifecta. The latter horse is a first-time starter trained by Joseph Davis, who went 3-for-6 (50%) debuting runners over this track last meet.

• $25 to win on #11 Too Bad Justice
• $5 Exacta: 11 with 4,8 ($10)
• $2.50 Trifecta: 11 with 4,8 with 4,8 ($5)
  Total: $40

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs, 6:00 p.m. ET)

#4 Courthouse Cove (5-2) owns the two highest Brisnet Speed ratings in this field of three-year-old maidens. After cracking the trifecta in two of his three starts against maiden claiming company at Fair Grounds, Courthouse Cove traveled to Hawthorne and ran third in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight, matching the career-best 78 Brisnet Speed rating he posted on debut.

Courthouse Cove has plenty of tactical speed and should find the competition manageable at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Take note, his run at Hawthorne was flattered when the winner came right back to nab an allowance.

#3 Onyourmarkgetsetgo (9-2) and #10 Rubinstein (9-2), shipping in after competing against maiden special weight company at Oaklawn Park and Turfway Park, respectively, can complete the exacta and trifecta.

• $18 to win on #4 Courthouse Cove
• $4 Exacta: 4 with 3,10 ($8)
• $2 Trifecta: 4 with 3,10 with 3,10 ($4)
  Total: $30

Good luck!