Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for Jan. 18

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $120 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Parx Racing, Mahoning Valley, and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta aimed at pursuing 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.

Picks and Plays

Parx Racing: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (6 1/2 furlongs, 1:19 p.m. ET)

#6 Misty Mauve (8-5) posted a flashy 89 Brisnet Speed rating when finishing second in her debut sprinting seven furlongs at Parx. After racing off the early pace, the Graham Motion trainee rallied gamely to finish just 2 1/4 lengths away from victory and 7 1/2 lengths clear of the third-place runner.

Motion wins at a solid 19% rate with second-time starters, and Misty Mauve will race on Lasix for the first time on Tuesday, so all signs suggest she can produce a winning effort. #4 Reid’s Fangirl (9-2), third in a $30,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs two months ago, can complete the exacta.

• $20 to win on #6 Misty Mauve
• $10 Exacta: 6 with 4
  Total: $30

Mahoning Valley: Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (one mile, 2:08 p.m. ET)

#8 Maximum Impact (5-2) exits a trio of midfield finishes at Oaklawn Park, where he’s been competing against maiden special weight and $40,000 maiden claiming company. Along the way, Maximum Impact has posted a series of encouraging Brisnet Speed ratings.

Maximum Impact is the fastest horse on paper at Mahoning Valley, where he figures to find the competition a bit easier. Trainer Norman Cash wins at a 19% rate with shippers, and jockey Malcom Pierce (a 20% winner in route races) is named to ride, so Maximum Impact looks like the one to beat.

Let’s bet Maximum Impact to win and key him on top in the exacta.

• $20 to win on #8 Maximum Impact
• $5 Exacta: 8 with 1,3 ($10)
  Total: $30

Parx Racing: Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (one mile, 2:40 p.m. ET)

#4 Uncle Gary G (5-1) showed excellent tactical speed in a $16,000 maiden claimer sprinting seven furlongs at Laurel Park last month. After leading clearly for the first six furlongs, Uncle Gary G weakened late to finish second with a respectable 69 Brisnet Speed rating.

Uncle Gary G will face fellow Pennsylvania-breds on Tuesday, potentially offsetting the jump into maiden special weight company. He’s eligible to shake loose up front while stretching out over one mile, and hot jockey Kendrick Carmouche (4-for-7, 57% at Parx so far this year) is named to ride. What’s not to like?

#7 Icy Cold (7-2), placed twice over this class level at Parx, can complete the exacta.

• $20 to win on #4 Uncle Gary G
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 7
  Total: $25

Turf Paradise: Race 8: $10,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (7 1/2 furlongs on turf, 6:14 p.m. ET)

#2 American Bourbon (5-2) has won her last two turf starts at Golden Gate Fields in decisive fashion. On Sept. 18, she wired a $12,500 claimer over 1 1/16 miles by four lengths. And she did the same in a $20,000 claimer racing one mile on Dec. 11.

Conditioned by high-percentage trainer Jonathan Wong (a 27% winner at Turf Paradise), American Bourbon is slated to be ridden by Harry Hernandez, a 36% winner when teaming up with Wong. Her Brisnet Speed ratings are competitive, and her pacesetting speed sets the stage for a clean trip, so let’s play American Bourbon on top.

#1 Loopy (5-1), #6 Prance (9-2), and #8 Chewy Chewy Good (5-1) can complete the exacta and trifecta.

• $20 to win on #2 American Bourbon
• $3 Exacta: 2 with 1,6,8 ($9)
• $1 Trifecta: 2 with 1,6,8 with 1,6,8 ($6)
  Total: $35

Good luck!