Keeler Johnson's picks and plays May 8

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, May 8 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a pair of trifectas.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• $10 Money Back Mondays: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second or third in any eligible race at Will Rogers Downs or Parx Racing, every Monday from April 3 through May 15.

Picks and Plays

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 2:30 p.m. ET)

In a field that hasn’t come up especially deep on paper, first-time starter #6 Juancho (3-1) offers appeal. Trainer Cipriano Contreras wins at a solid 17% rate with horses debuting in maiden special weights, and Juancho enters off an encouraging work tab capped off by a bullet half-mile from the Horseshoe Indianapolis starting gate in :48 2/5.

We’ll bet Juancho to win and key him over #7 Philip Snow (9-5) and #8 Zappinit (7-2) in exacta and trifecta tickets.

Selections

• #6 Juancho (3-1)
• #7 Philip Snow (9-5)
• #8 Zappinit (7-2)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #6 Juancho
• $10 Exacta: 6 with 7
• $5 Trifecta: 6 with 7 with 8
  Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 3:32 p.m. ET)

Triple Crown nominee #3 Magic City (8-5) is a half-sibling to graded stakes winners Warrant and Ms Locust Point, so he’s a logical favorite while debuting for high-percentage trainer Brad Cox. But it’s worth noting Cox has gone 0-for-8 debuting three-year-olds at Horseshoe Indianapolis since 2021.

Perhaps we can beat Magic City with #2 Fast Forward (6-1). The son of Bolt d’Oro raced within 2 1/2 lengths of a quick pace in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland last month. While he ultimately faded to finish ninth, Fast Forward is eligible to produce a sharper finish while shipping to an easier circuit.

At 6-1, Fast Forward is worth betting to win and keying over Magic City and #1 Regal Rey (3-1) in the exacta and trifecta.

Selections

• #2 Fast Forward (6-1)
• #3 Magic City (8-5)
• #1 Regal Rey (3-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #2 Fast Forward
• $5 Exacta: 2 with 1,3 ($10)
• $2.50 Trifecta: 2 with 1,3 with 1,3 ($5)
  Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 4:03 p.m. ET)

Since 2013, trainer Tianna Richardville has gone 1-for-49 (2%) saddling first-time starters. But three of the last 10 second-time starters saddled by Richardville have visited the winner’s circle, generating a 20% win rate.

This bodes well for Richardville’s #6 Go Forever (9-2). The three-year-old gelding finished a decent fourth in his debut over this track, distance, and class level, earning a 64 Brisnet Speed rating that tops Monday’s field.

We’ll bet Go Forever to win and key him on top of the first-time starters #8 Doc Bennett (6-1) and #3 Forever Lasting (3-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #6 Go Forever (9-2)
• #8 Doc Bennett (6-1)
• #3 Forever Lasting (3-1)

Wagers

• $18 to win on #6 Go Forever
• $6 Exacta: 6 with 3,8 ($12)
  Total: $30

Good luck!