Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of July 12

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, July 12 at Delaware Park, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Assiniboia Downs, including a trio of exactas.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Hoosier Park $10 Money Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any eligible race at Hoosier Park.

Picks and Plays

Delaware Park: Race 1: $20,000 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs, 12:30 p.m. ET)

#1 Wesley Thomas (6-1) raced within a few lengths of a decent early pace in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Delaware Park last month. While he ultimately faded to finish last of five, the early speed he showed figures to come in handy while dropping down to the $20,000 maiden claiming level.

Wesley Thomas is adding blinkers for his second start, and trainer John Robb strikes at a 36% rate with horses descending multiple levels down the class ladder, so there’s a lot to like about Wesley Thomas. We’ll bet him to win and key him over fellow class dropper #2 Chica Chuck (4-1) and the proven $20,000 competitor #4 Joey Tickles (3-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #1 Wesley Thomas (6-1)
• #2 Chica Chuck (4-1)
• #4 Joey Tickles (3-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #1 Wesley Thomas
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 2,4 ($10)
  Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on turf, 4:03 p.m. ET)

#1 Ouch Charlie (5-1) has been posting quick workouts for trainer Ethan West, including a bullet three furlongs from the Turfway Park starting gate in :35 3/5. West wins at an 18% rate with horses debuting on turf and has gone 1-for-3 (33%) debuting juveniles in turf sprints at Horseshoe Indianapolis since 2018, so Ouch Charlie is eligible to outrun his odds in this grass dash for two-year-olds.

We’ll bet Ouch Charlie to win and toss in an exacta using #4 Sambalover (9-2) and #7 Who’s Snow Trouble (5-1) for second place.

Selections

• #1 Ouch Charlie (5-1)
• #4 Sambalover (9-2)
• #7 Who’s Snow Trouble (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #1 Ouch Charlie
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 4,7 ($10)
  Total: $30

Assiniboia Downs: Race 3: Frank Arnason Memorial Sire S. (six furlongs, 9:25 p.m. ET)

Brisnet Speed ratings paint a clear picture of this six-furlong dash for Manitoba-bred three-year-old colts and geldings. #1 Private Frank (1-2) is clearly the fastest horse in the field, having posted ratings of 81 and 82 when winning maiden and allowance contests at Assiniboia Downs this year. And #3 I Love My Life (5-2) is obviously the second-fastest entrant, having posted ratings of 70, 70, and 73 while competing against non-restricted competition in his last three starts over this track.

None of the other runners have posted a Brisnet Speed rating higher than 66, so let’s bet Private Frank over I Love My Life in a large exacta.

Selections

• #1 Private Frank (1-2)
• #3 I Love My Life (5-2)
• #4 Kentucky Jake (6-1)

Wagers

• $30 Exacta: 1 with 3

Good luck!