Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for Nov. 23

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $75 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Parx Racing, Zia Park, and Remington Park, including a pair of exacta plays.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Midweek Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Zia Park.

Picks and Plays

Parx Racing: Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 3:19 p.m. ET)

The first-time starter #6 Icy Cold (7-2) appears to have a live chance at victory in this maiden dash for two-year-olds. The chestnut gelding is a son of Uncle Lino (who sires 18% winners from first-time starters) out of Icy Demeanor, who has foaled four juvenile winners (including a stakes winner) from six starters.

Icy Cold has put together a flashy work tab for hot trainer John Servis, culminating with a bullet half mile from the Parx starting gate in :47 flat. His 7-2 morning line odds are enticing, so we’ll bet Icy Cold to win and play him over stablemate #11 Allevare (2-1) in a cold exacta.

$20 to win on #6 Icy Cold
$10 Exacta: 6 with 11
Total: $30

Zia Park: Race 4: Zia Park Juvenile S. (six furlongs, 3:21 p.m. ET)

#1 Feel the Fear (4-1) threw down a field-best 89 Brisnet Speed rating when springing an upset victory in the six-furlong Prairie Gold Juvenile S. during the summer. The son of Honor Code cruised home on top by two lengths over American Sanctuary, who returned to finish a solid fourth in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1).

Feel the Fear subsequently endured a troubled trip in the seven-furlong Clever Trevor S. at Remington Park, stumbling at the start before sprinting up to duel for the lead through fast fractions of :22.11 and :45.23. The fact he faded late to finish fifth in a race dominated by closers is forgivable. With a clean break in the Zia Park Juvenile, Feel the Fear can bounce back to the winner’s circle at a fair price.

Taking advantage of the Midweek Bet Back promotion, we’ll place a $10 win bet on Feel the Fear. California shipper #7 Aquitania Arrival (2-1) can complete the exacta.

$10 to win on #1 Feel the Fear
$10 Exacta: 1 with 7
Total: $20

Remington Park: Race 7: $25,000 Maiden Claiming (six furlongs, 6:18 p.m. ET)

#6 D J’s Imperio (15-1) could be a live longshot in this maiden claiming sprint for juveniles. The unraced gelding is a son of Belmont S. (G1) winner Empire Maker out of a mare by King’s Bishop S. (G1) winner Hard Spun, so he certainly has the pedigree to be a talented runner.

D J’s Imperio doesn’t bring the flashiest work tab to the mix, but hot trainer Rosa Ramirez (a 26% winner this year) has gone 2-for-4 (50%) saddling first-time starters since 2020. Throw in the presence of jockey Obed Sanchez (2-for-4 teaming up with Ramirez over the last two months), and D J’s Imperio is worth a win bet at 15-1.

$25 to win on #6 D J’s Imperio

Good luck!