Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for March 21

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Monday, March 21 at Turf Paradise and Will Rogers Downs, including trios of win bets and exactas.

Picks and Plays

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

#6 Headedtothestars (7-2) came to hand quite nicely at Remington Park last fall. The bay gelding showed tactical speed in a pair of $7,500 claimers for Oklahoma-bred non-winners of three races lifetime, finishing second on each occasion while earning respectable Brisnet Speed ratings of 68 and 75.

Headedtothestars will stick to the same class level for his 2022 debut, setting the stage for a competitive effort. He’s just as fast on paper as morning line favorite #7 Sooner Skuta (5-2), so let’s bet Heaedtothestars to win and play him over Sooner Skuta in the exacta.

• $20 to win on #6 Headedtothestars
• $10 Exacta: 6 with 7
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 3: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs, 5:19 p.m. ET)

#2 Kiki My Star (5-2) is the morning line favorite after hitting the board in four straight races over this track and class level. But her 0-for-7 record and tendency to settle for minor awards suggests she has less room for upside than some of her rivals.

#4 Rockin In (6-1) is an interesting alternative for hot trainer Lymon Perren, a 20% winner at Turf Paradise this meet. Rockin In debuted in a $20,000 maiden claimer at Turf Paradise last month, where she finished sixth after a troubled start. Dropping down the class ladder can help Rockin In produce a more competitive effort, and the fact Perren wins at a 34% rate in maiden claimers adds to the appeal.

Kiki My Star can battle with Northern California raider #8 Dizzy Lizzy (9-2) to complete the exacta.

• $20 to win on #4 Rockin In
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 2,8 ($10)
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 9: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 5:44 p.m. ET)

Trainer Roger Engel was on fire at Will Rogers Downs last year, compiling a stellar 35-12-14-1 resume. For the record, that’s 34% winners and 77% in-the-money finishers.

Engel can start the 2022 meet on a strong note with #4 Livingontulsatime (3-1). The son of Lord Nelson hasn’t shown much in two starts against maiden special weight company over the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway Park, but the competition figures to be easier at Will Rogers Downs, and switching to dirt is a positive. After all, Lord Nelson won three Grade 1 sprints on dirt.

There are a couple of other positives in Livingontulsatime’s favor. Monday’s heat will mark his first start as a gelding, and he’s getting a five-pound weight allowance courtesy of apprentice jockey Kylee Jordan. In short, Livingontulsatime looms as a logical choice to beat #2 Kaleo (6-1) and #3 Rainbow Gold (7-2) to the winner’s circle.

• $20 to win on #4 Livingontulsatime
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 2,3 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!