Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of April 6

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, April 6 at Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park, and Charles Town, including a trio of exactas.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Hoosier Park $1,000 Pick 4 Hit It & Split It: Hit the late Pick 4 on Thursdays at Hoosier Park to win your share of a $1,000 weekly jackpot.

Picks and Plays

Aqueduct: Race 1: $25,000 Maiden Claiming (one mile, 1:20 p.m. ET)

#4 Franca (8-1) showed little in her debut racing 1 1/16 miles over the Aqueduct turf course, trailing throughout to finish last.

But that was a maiden special weight, and Franca is dropping in class for Thursday’s contest. She’s also switching surfaces, adding blinkers, racing on Lasix for the first time, and picking up apprentice jockey Madison Olver, who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance.

Hot trainer Rob Atras appears to be pulling out all the stops to help Franca produce a competitive showing in her second start. At 8-1, she’s worth betting to win and keying over #6 K D Kakes (3-5) in the exacta.

Selections

• #4 Franca (8-1)
• #6 K D Kakes (3-5)
• #5 Spatial Reality (9-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #4 Franca
• $10 Exacta: 4 with 6
  Total: $30

Gulfstream Park: Race 8: $35,000 Maiden Claiming (one mile on turf, 4:07 p.m. ET)

#4 Gentleman Gerry (3-1) ran strongly in a 1 1/16-mile contest over this course and class level on March 1. Despite running into traffic trouble throughout the race, Gentleman Gerry closed ground through decent finishing fractions to grab third place, beaten only 1 1/2 lengths.

With a clean trip on Thursday, Gentleman Gerry is eligible to visit the winner’s circle over second-time starter #2 Rough and Rowdy (7-2) and the class-dropping #7 Ensign Skip (4-1).

Selections

• #4 Gentleman Gerry (3-1)
• #2 Rough and Rowdy (7-2)
• #7 Ensign Skip (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #4 Gentleman Gerry
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 2,7 ($10)
  Total: $30

Charles Town: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (4 1/2 furlongs, 7:57 p.m. ET)

#6 Proud Performer (9-2) has a shot to spring a mild upset in her first start for trainer Barry King, who has saddled a winner and a runner-up from two starters at Charles Town since the beginning of 2023.

Proud Performer exits a couple of defeats sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs and 5 1/2 furlongs over the Turfway Park Tapeta track, in which she showed early speed before weakening down the homestretch. On Thursday, she’ll switch surfaces, add blinkers, and pick up apprentice jockey Justin Lewis (who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance), three factors that can trigger improvement.

Throw in the fact 51% of 4 1/2-furlong sprints at Charles Town have been won in gate-to-wire fashion since the start of the year, and Proud Performer is an appealing choice to beat #7 I’m Heading East (5-2) and #8 Irish Valentine (8-1) to the finish line.

Selections

• #6 Proud Performer (9-2)
• #7 I’m Heading East (5-2)
• #8 Irish Valentine (8-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #6 Proud Performer
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 7,8 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!