Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for Feb. 2

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $70 worth of picks and plays for Wednesday, Feb. 2 at Mahoning Valley, Gulfstream Park, and Penn National, including a win bet capitalizing on the Midweek Bet Back 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 Mahoning Valley.
• Rest of the World Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any race at Sha Tin (Hong Kong).

Picks and Plays

Gulfstream Park: Race 7: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming (five furlongs on turf, 3:37 p.m. ET)

Speed performs well in five-furlong turf sprints at Gulfstream, with pacesetters winning at a 46% rate. That’s why we’ll throw our support behind #3 Shekky Shebaz (4-1).

There isn’t a crazy amount of speed in Wednesday’s field, so Shekky Shebaz—a pure pacesetter—figures to enjoy a favorable trip. Third in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), Shekky Shebaz didn’t have the best luck in 2021, failing to win in four starts. But he did finish second three times and has been freshened since August, setting the stage for an improved showing in his first start off the layoff.

If Shekky Shebaz can shake loose up front under hot jockey Irad Ortiz, he can beat logical favorite #5 Extravagant Kid (8-5) to the winner’s circle.

• $20 to win on #3 Shekky Shebaz
• $4 Exacta: 3 with 5
  Total: $24

Penn National: Race 7: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 8:43 p.m. ET)

#6 She’s a Gunfighter (5-2) has placed twice against tougher company sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over the Penn National main track. On Nov. 17, she ran second by a neck in a $16,000 maiden claimer, and on Dec. 22, she again finished second by a neck while stepping up to the $25,000 level.

She’s a Gunfighter is the fastest filly in Wednesday’s field from a Brisnet Speed rating perspective and should be tough to beat while dropping in class. #1 Zealacious (3-1) and #5 Tina Burner (4-1), separated by a head when second and third in a $7,500 maiden claimer last month, can battle for exacta honors.

• $20 to win on #6 She’s a Gunfighter
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 1,5 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!