Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Street Humor can surprise at Turf Paradise

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 13 at Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot switching from turf to dirt.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• New Players $200 Sign-Up Bonus: Open your TwinSpires.com account using the offer code BET200 to start earning a $200 bonus.
• Woodbine Mohawk 15% Trifecta Boost: Receive a 15% boost (up to $25 per day) on your winning trifecta wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each Monday, Thursday, and Friday through January.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $80 Parx Feeder to 1/18 Lecomte KDBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Turf Paradise: Race 3: $25,000 Claiming (4 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 3:25 p.m. ET)

#5 Good Bye Charlie (9-2) ran strongly in a 4 1/2-furlong $25,000 claimer at Turf Paradise last month, carving out the pace before staying on to finish second by half a length. He pulled 3 1/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher and earned a sharp 88 Brisnet Speed rating.

Pacesetters have won 47% of 4 1/2-furlong dirt dashes at Turf Paradise this meet, so Good Bye Charlie’s early speed is an asset. Let’s bet him to win and single him to start two double wagers.

Selections

• #5 Good Bye Charlie (9-2)
• #3 Poverty Bay (4-1)
• #6 Annie’s Boy (7-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #5 Good Bye Charlie
• $10 Double: 5 with 1
• $5 Double: 5 with 9
  Total: $35

Turf Paradise: Race 4: $8,500 Claiming (about one mile on turf, 3:55 p.m. ET)

#1 Echo Canyon (3-1) is a logical contender after finishing second in a 7 1/2-furlong contest over this course and class level on Dec. 30. That marked his first start since being claimed by hot trainer Robertino Diodoro, a 24% winner with horses running for the second time following a claim.

But don’t overlook #9 Street Humor (5-1) as an upset threat. He’s been competing on dirt as of late, but in the past he showed decent turf form in Southern California. One year ago, he ran second by a head in a 6 1/2-furlong $25,000 claimer over the Santa Anita grass.

Returning to turf for an $8,500 claimer gives Street Humor a chance to spring a surprise. Let’s bet him to win and play him alongside Echo Canyon in our double wagers. 

Selections

• #9 Street Humor (5-1)
• #1 Echo Canyon (3-1)
• #8 Orth (4-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #9 Street Humor

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $10,000 Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 4:25 p.m. ET)

#1 Ultimate (5-2) is the morning-line favorite after finishing third in a $12,500 starter allowance sprinting six furlongs at Turf Paradise on Dec. 30. But don’t underestimate #3 Minister of Soul (7-2), who finished ahead of Ultimate when they ran 2-3 in a 5 1/2-furlong $12,500 claimer on Dec. 17 at Turf Paradise.

Minister of Soul subsequently ran way below form in the Dec. 30 $12,500 starter allowance, finishing a distant ninth. But that marked his first start since being claimed by trainer Justin Evans, a 42% winner with horses running back for the second time following a claim.

On the expectation that Minister of Soul will rebound in his second start for Evans, we’ll bet him to win.

Selections

• #3 Minister of Soul (7-2)
• #1 Ultimate (5-2)
• #6 Strength of Autism (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #3 Minister of Soul

Good luck!