Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of July 4

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares Independence Day picks and plays for Tuesday, July 4 at Belmont Park, Finger Lakes, and Los Alamitos, including a cold double wager.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus on trifecta winnings excluding stake amount; up to $25 per day.
• Los Alamitos $1,000 Leaderboard: Place $10+ win bets at Los Alamitos to compete for your share of a $1,000 daily jackpot.

Picks and Plays

Belmont Park: Race 1: Port Washington S. (1 1/16 miles on turf, 1:05 p.m. ET)

#1 Runaway Rumour (6-5) ran strongly in the Mount Vernon S. racing one mile at Belmont Park last month, settling in third place behind a runaway leader before advancing to finish second. The five-year-old mare was only beaten a nose after leading in midstretch and finished 1 3/4 lengths clear of third-place runner #2 Sanura (7-5).

Runaway Rumour finished fast and fits well at this class level, setting the stage for a winning run against a small field. Sanura can complete a cold exacta, with #5 Whatlovelookslike (4-1) and #3 Golden Rocket (8-1) vying for a spot in the trifecta. We’ll play the latter ticket to capitalize on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Selections

• #1 Runaway Rumour (6-5)
• #2 Sanura (7-5)
• #5 Whatlovelookslike (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 1 with 2
• $5 Trifecta: 1 with 2 with 3,5 ($10)
  Total: $30

Finger Lakes: Race 8: Niagara S. (six furlongs, 4:38 p.m. ET)

#4 Lockbox (7-2) has been competing against older horses in non-state-restricted allowances at Finger Lakes, most notably winning a five-furlong dash during the spring. On that occasion, she posted a flashy 79 Brisnet Speed rating and pulled 3 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher #1 Waitwaitdonttellme (2-1), the morning line favorite in the Niagara.

The Niagara is restricted to three-year-old fillies bred in New York, so Lockbox might actually find this to be an easier spot than the allowances she’s been contesting. Let’s key her over Waitwaitdonttellme and #5 Isabel Luvs Gold (6-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #4 Lockbox (7-2)
• #1 Waitwaitdonttellme (2-1)
• #5 Isabel Luvs Gold (6-1)

Wagers

• $15 Exacta: 4 with 1,5 ($30)

Los Alamitos: Race 8: $16,000 Starter Allowance (six furlongs, 7:30 p.m. ET)

#5 My Destiny (1-1) has won five of her last seven starts, including a pair of sprints at Los Alamitos. Her two defeats came in stakes, including a fifth-place finish against an elite field in the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs last time out.

My Destiny returns to Los Alamitos off sharp workouts and should be tough to beat for trainer Herman Wilensky, a 22% winner with horses returning from layoffs of 46 to 90 days. A cold exacta keying My Destiny on top of #2 Indy’s Star (3-1) is a logical play.

We’ll also single My Destiny to start a double wager using #1 Elm Drive (7-2) in Race 9—the Great Lady M (G2)—as our lone runner in the second leg.

Selections

• #5 My Destiny (1-1)
• #2 Indy’s Star (3-1)
• #6 The Reign Song (6-1)

Wagers

• $15 Exacta: 5 with 2
• $15 Double: 5 with 1
  Total: $30

Good luck!