Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 3

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Parx Racing, including a pair of stakes.

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

Parx Racing, Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (6 1/2 furlongs, 1:16 p.m. ET)

In a field that doesn’t appear overly tough on paper, #5 Lightning Ridge (10-1) offers appeal. The unraced gelding has posted a few bullet workouts at Fair Hill, capped off by half a mile in :47 4/5, so he appears to have some speed. Just as importantly, trainer Keri Brion wins at a 21% rate with first-time starters.

At 10-1, Lightning Ridge is worth betting to win and keying over fellow first-time starter #7 Norlander (4-1) and the stakes-placed #9 Veeson (3-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #5 Lightning Ridge (10-1)
• #7 Norlander (4-1)
• #9 Veeson (3-1)

Wagers

• $18 win: #5 Lightning Ridge
• $6 Exacta: 5 with 7, 9 ($12)
  Total: $30

Parx Racing, Race 9: Parx Juvenile S. (seven furlongs, 3:31 p.m. ET)

#8 Recruiter (5-2) is undefeated in three starts for hot trainer Cathal Lynch, a 30% winner at Parx over the last year. Recruiter ran especially well in the six-furlong James F. Lewis III S. at Laurel Park in November, beating next-out winner Honeyquist by 2 3/4 lengths with a 99 Brisnet Speed rating.

Recruiter is slated to be ridden by jockey Mychel Sanchez, a 57% winner teaming up with Lynch over the last two months. A typical performance from Recruiter can send him to the winner’s circle over Pennsylvania Nursery S. winner #5 Winning Time (7-2), Future Stars S. runner-up #4 Daydreaming Boy (9-2), and Whistle Pig S. winner #1 Ninetyprcentmaddie (4-1).

We’ll single Recruiter to kick off a double, then key him on top in the exacta and trifecta. The latter ticket aims to capitalize on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Selections

• #8 Recruiter
• #5 Winning Time
• #4 Daydreaming Boy

Wagers

• $10 Double: 8 with 10
• $10 Exacta: 8 with 5
• $5 Trifecta: 8 with 5 with 1, 4 ($10)
  Total: $30

Parx Racing: Race 10: Parx Futurity (seven furlongs, 3:58 p.m. ET)

#10 Girl Trouble (2-1) has really come to hand in her last two starts for hot trainer Robert Reid Jr., a 22% winner at Parx over the last year. The daughter of Fast Anna obliterated a $75,000 allowance optional claimer sprinting seven furlongs at Parx by eight lengths, then cut back to six furlongs and trounced the Future Stars Filly Division S. over the same track by six lengths.

These blowout victories produced Brisnet Speed ratings of 87 and 86, the two highest numbers in the Parx Futurity field. A similar effort on Tuesday should yield a third straight victory for Girl Trouble.

#6 Interpolate (3-1) and #7 Majestic Creed (15-1) are the two we’ll add for an exacta.

Selections

• #10 Girl Trouble
• #6 Interpolate
  
• #7 Majestic Creed
  

Wagers

• $12 Exacta: 10 with 6
• $8 Exacta: 10 with 7
  Total: $20

Good luck!