Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of July 5

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, July 5 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a 12-1 longshot.

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

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs, 3:01 p.m. ET)

#7 Indian Creed (8-5) has been cranking out fast workouts at Keeneland, including a bullet five furlongs from the starting gate in 1:00 2/5 and half a mile from the starting gate in a swift :47 2/5. Sire Jimmy Creed is responsible for a respectable 13% winners from first-time starters, and dam Bobbin’ Robin has previously foaled the stakes-placed juvenile Point Two, so Indian Creed has the pedigree to win from an early age.

The fast-working #5 Goodlookinjustice (5-1) can battle with #6 Shipcaptainncrew (9-2) to complete the exacta.

Selections

• #7 Indian Creed (8-5)
• #5 Goodlookinjustice (5-1)
• #6 Shipcaptainncrew (9-2)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 7 with 5,6 ($20)

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 8: Checkered Flag H. (six furlongs, 6:07 p.m. ET)

#2 Hungarian Princess (12-1) completely misfired in her 2023 debut, finishing 10th as the 13-10 favorite in the Shelby County H. over this track and distance. But her 15-7-5-0 lifetime record at Horseshoe Indianapolis includes a 4 1/2-length romp in the 2022 Checkered Flag, so Hungarian Princess is certainly good enough to win this race on her best day.

If you’re willing to overlook Hungarian Princess’s dull comeback run, her 12-1 morning line odds become very enticing. We’ll bet Hungarian Princess to win and single her to start a double wager.

Selections

• #2 Hungarian Princess (12-1)
• #10 Speedy Delivery (5-1)
• #3 Poetic Verse (9-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #2 Hungarian Princess (12-1)
• $10 Double: 2 with 3
  Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 9: Brickyard H. (six furlongs, 6:38 p.m. ET)

#3 Fortin Hill (6-1) dominated a $40,000 allowance optional claimer for Indiana-breds over this track and distance last year, and he’s since competed well against non-state restricted competition on the Kentucky circuit. Two starts back, he employed pace-tracking tactics to beat a quality field in a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at Keeneland by 2 1/2 lengths.

Fortin Hill misfired when stepping up sharply in class for the Churchill Downs (G1) last time out, finishing last of nine. But dropping into an ungraded stakes for Indiana-breds can send Fortin Hill back to the winner’s circle for hot trainer Paulo Lobo, a 24% winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis this meet.

At 6-1, Fortin Hill is worth betting to win and keying on top of #2 Nobody Listens (7-2) and #4 Chipofftheoldblock (4-1) in the exacta. We’ll also single him to conclude our double wager.

Selections

• #3 Fortin Hill (6-1)
• #2 Nobody Listens (7-2)
• #4 Chipofftheoldblock (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #3 Fortin Hill
• $5 Exacta: 3 with 2,4 ($10)
  Total: $30

Good luck!