Keeler Johnson's picks and plays: Jan. 10

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 10 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trifecta capitalizing on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus on trifecta winnings excluding stake amount; up to $25 per day.

Picks and Plays

Mahoning Valley: Race 1: $5,000 Starter Allowance (1 1/8 miles, 12:45 p.m. ET)

#6 Zero Gravity (5-2) has thrived running long against $5,000 starter allowance company recently. He won a 1 1/4-mile heat on Sept. 28, ran third over one mile and 70 yards on Oct. 26, dominated over 1 5/8 miles on Nov. 2, and finished third over one mile and 70 yards on Dec. 5.

Racing 1 1/8 miles should be more suitable for Zero Gravity than one mile and 70 yards, so we’ll see if the eight-year-old gelding can spring the mildest of surprises over recent Mahoning Valley allowance winner #4 Bourbon Wisdom (2-1).

Selections

• #6 Zero Gravity (5-2)
• #4 Bourbon Wisdom (2-1)
• #3 Royal Dragoon (6-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #6 Zero Gravity
• $15 Exacta: 6 with 4
  Total: $30

Mahoning Valley: Race 6: Allowance (one mile and 70 yards, 3:05 p.m. ET)

#4 Sammy’s Smile (6-1) (scratch) has won three of his last four starts at the allowance level, including a one-mile contest on Nov. 12 at Mahoning Valley. On that occasion, Sammy’s Smile settled two to three lengths off the early pace before finishing up nicely to win by a head with a career-best 87 Brisnet Speed rating.

#2 Uptown (7-5) is a logical favorite after finishing second in a non-state-restricted allowance on Nov. 15 at Mahoning Valley, especially since all of Sammy’s Smile’s recent efforts have come against Ohio-bred company. But Uptown’s last effort produced an 86 Brisnet Speed rating, suggesting Sammy’s Smile is fast enough to challenge for victory at a much better price.

Selections

• #4 Sammy’s Smile (6-1)
• #2 Uptown (7-5)
• #1 Mo Dont No (5-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #4 Sammy’s Smile
• $10 Exacta: 4 with 2
• Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 3:56 p.m. ET)

#7 Sharp Attitude (7-5) debuted in the Arizona Breeders’ Futurity at Turf Paradise last month and ran strongly to finish second by 1 1/2 lengths, earning a 75 Brisnet Speed rating.

None of Sharp Attitude’s experienced rivals in Tuesday’s field have earned a Brisnet Speed rating higher than 69, so dropping in class should send her to the winner’s circle for hot trainer R. Kory Owens, who has gone 7-for-17 (41%) at Turf Paradise this meet.

We’ll bet Sharp Attitude over #1 Ms Flashy Harbor (5-1) and #2 Another Ten (5-1) in the exacta and trifecta, playing the latter ticket to take advantage of the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Selections

• #7 Sharp Attitude (7-5)
• #1 Ms Flashy Harbor (5-1)
• #2 Another Ten (5-1)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 7 with 1,2 ($20)
• $5 Trifecta: 7 with 1,2 with 1,2 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!