Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for March 28

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Monday, March 28 at Will Rogers Downs, including exacta and trifecta tickets.

Picks and Plays

Will Rogers Downs: Race 2: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 2:28 p.m. ET)

#7 Strong Woman (9-2) hasn’t hit the board in four starts, but she’s been competing exclusively against tougher maiden special weight competition at Remington Park. She actually finished midfield in a pair of sprints last year, beaten 4 3/4 lengths and 6 1/2 lengths while earning solid Brisnet Speed ratings of 52 and 55.

Dropping down to the $7,500 maiden claiming level might be all Strong Woman needs to spring a mild surprise on Monday. We’ll bet her to win and key her over #5 Shawk’s Lil Ava (3-1) in a cold exacta.

• $20 to win on #7 Strong Woman
• $10 Exacta: 7 with 5
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 3: Handicap (one mile, 2:56 p.m. ET)

#2 Drifting West (9-5) has placed against stakes competition and put together a flashy series of Brisnet Speed ratings last season, posting figures between 82 and 92 in all five of his starts. A versatile horse capable of performing well with a variety of running styles, Drifting West boasts a solid 10-3-1-2 résumé racing one mile, so Monday’s distance should perfectly suit the six-year-old gelding.

Drifting West recently returned from a layoff to finish fifth in a one-mile turf heat at Sam Houston. Returning to dirt off this season-opening sharpener should prime Drifting West for a winning performance at Will Rogers Downs.

#1 Tapage (3-1) and #5 Rockport Kat (2-1) can battle for spots in the exacta and trifecta.

• $10 Exacta: 2 with 1,5 ($20)
• $5 Trifecta: 2 with 1,5 with 1,5 ($10)
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 7: $5,000 Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 4:48 p.m. ET)

#3 Shipman’s Song (8-5) has placed against stakes company and brings a solid string of Brisnet Speed ratings to his first start of 2022. Two starts back, he posted a career-best 86 when nabbing a six-furlong allowance at Remington Park by 1 3/4 lengths.

Dropping down in class should make Shipman’s Song dangerous, so we’ll play him on top of an exacta using #2 Ronald Dale (3-1) and #7 Headedtothestars (4-1) for second place. Ronald Dale boasts a 3-for-4 record at Will Rogers Downs and is picking up ultra-hot jockey Kylee Jordan, while Headedtothestars won a $7,500 claimer at Will Rogers Downs just one week ago.

• $15 Exacta: 3 with 2,7 ($30)

Good luck!