Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Light the Code is ready for debut

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, April 2 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a cold double bet.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus (up to $25 per day) on winning trifecta wagers every Tuesday in April and May.

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Will Rogers Downs: Race 3: $7,500 Claiming (six furlongs, 3:09 p.m. ET)

#1 Bring It On Baby (3-5) was much the best in a $7,500 claimer for Oklahoma-breds on March 20 at Will Rogers Downs. Making her 2024 debut, the five-year-old mare tracked the pace from second place before taking over to dominate by 3 1/4 lengths, earning a sharp 78 Brisnet Speed rating.

Hot trainer J. Alan Williams wins at a 20% rate with horses running back for the second time following a layoff, and jockey Elvin Gonzalez has gone 14-for-46 (30%) at Will Rogers Downs this meet. These stats, when coupled with Bring It On Baby’s strong form, suggest a second straight victory is in the offing.

We’ll single Bring It On Baby to start a double wager.

Selections

• #1 Bring It On Baby (3-5)
• #4 All Aflutter (6-1)
• #3 Gospel Carlotta (8-1)

Wagers

• $25 Double: 1 with 1

Will Rogers Downs: Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 3:36 p.m. ET)

First-time starter #1 Light the Code (3-1) has been cranking out fast workouts in preparation for his debut. On March 13, she worked a bullet half-mile from the Will Rogers Downs starting gate in :47 4/5. On March 20, she traversed the same track and distance in a bullet :47.

Trainer Joe Offolter (a 25% winner at Will Rogers Downs this meet) has gone 3-for-15 (20%) saddling first-time starters in Will Rogers Downs sprints since 2021, so Light the Code should be ready to spring a mild surprise against morning line favorite #4 Ponza (2-1), who has shown a tendency to settle for minor awards while compiling an 8-0-4-2 career record.

We’ll bet Light the Code to win, play him over Ponza in the exacta, and single him to conclude our double wager.

Selections

• #1 Light the Code (3-1)
• #4 Ponza (2-1)
• #5 Toothman (5-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #1 Light the Code
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 4
  Total: $25

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $20,000-15,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (about one mile on turf, 6:23 p.m. ET)

#5 Corporal Violette (5-2) has been facing tougher competition in Southern California, most recently finishing a troubled fifth (upgraded to fourth via disqualification) in a $32,000-$28,000 claimer sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita.

Tackling a $20,000-$15,000 allowance optional claimer at Turf Paradise should be more suitable for Corporal Violette, and hot jockey Glenn Corbett (a 22% winner at Turf Paradise this meet) is named to ride, so we’ll place a win bet on the five-year-old mare.

Selections

• #5 Corporal Violette (5-2)
• #7 Occurrence (7-2)
• #2 Dust Maker (3-1)

Wagers

• $30 to win on #5 Corporal Violette

Good luck!