Keeler Johnson's picks and plays June 20

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Monday, June 20 at Presque Isle Downs, including exactas and a trifecta.

Picks and Plays

Presque Isle Downs: Race 1: $12,500 Claiming (one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta, 1:30 p.m. ET)

In a race containing quite a bit of speed on paper, #3 Pauping (3-1) figures to receive a favorable setup. In his Presque Isle debut on May 24, Pauping shrugged off a layoff and a modest pace to rally and win a $12,500 claimer by three-quarters of a length over next-out winner #1 Flawless Bourbon (5-2).

Pauping can maintain his advantage on Monday, edging Flawless Bourbon, #4 Honorable (4-1), and #5 Declared (2-1) in the drive to the finish line. We’ll bet a trifecta accordingly.

• $5 Trifecta: 3 with 1,4,5 with 1,4,5 ($30)

Presque Isle Downs: Race 4: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (one mile on Tapeta, 2:51 p.m. ET)

#1 Thisladyis the Law (8-5) has been earning consistently solid Brisnet Speed ratings while facing much tougher company. She hasn’t cracked the trifecta yet, but dropping from a maiden special weight into a $7,500 maiden claimer can send the four-year-old filly to the winner’s circle under Presque Isle’s leading jockey Pablo Morales.

For second place in the exacta, we’ll use #5 Bunny Princess (4-1) and #6 Gio’s My Dad (5-1), both exiting placed efforts over this track and class level.

• $15 Exacta: 1 with 5,6 ($30)

Presque Isle Downs: Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta, 3:18 p.m. ET)

#1 Traveller (9-5) hasn’t missed the trifecta in two starts on Tapeta for high-percentage trainer Katy Cheeks. After finishing third in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight (his first start off a long layoff), Traveller stretched out for a one-mile and 70-yard heat over the same class level and finished second with a pacesetting trip.

Traveller was only beaten one length in the latter race while finishing nine lengths clear of the third-place finisher, in the process earning an excellent 82 Brisnet Speed rating that tops Monday’s field. Pablo Morales retains the mount, so we’ll bet Traveller over #2 Youmustbea Weasley (5-2) and #3 Ambushed (7-2) in the exacta.

• $15 Exacta: 1 with 2,3 ($30)

Good luck!