Picks for $500 Rebel KDBC Qualifier, $5,481 Pick 6 carryover

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares Sunday picks and plays for a TwinSpires tournament at Oaklawn Park and a Pick 6 carryover at Fair Grounds.

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.
• Gulfstream Park 2,000,000 Points Late Pick 5 Hit It & Split It: Hit the Late Pick 5 at Gulfstream Park each Sunday in February for a chance to split the two million rewards points prize pool each promotional day.
• Rebel Day 15% Profit Boost: Receive a 15% boost (up to $25 for the day) on your winning win, exacta, trifecta, and superfecta wagers at Oaklawn Park.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $500 Rebel KDBC Qualifier
• $200 Turfway Feeder to 3/1 Oaklawn KDBC Qualifier

Oaklawn Park: $500 Rebel KDBC Qualifier tournament

You can earn an entry into the 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC) by finishing high enough in the $500 Rebel KDBC Qualifier tournament on TwinSpires.com. Bet your entire $250 bankroll across at least six races at Oaklawn (minimum $20 per race) to climb the leaderboard.

All 12 races on the stakes-packed Sunday card at Oaklawn are eligible for tournament play. That includes Race 11, the $1.25 million Rebel (G2), an important Road to the Kentucky Derby qualifier featuring a deep and competitive field.

We recommend placing a $20 win bet on #4 Hypnus (10-1) in the Rebel. Described as “a beast” by trainer Kenny McPeek, the son of six-time leading North American sire Into Mischief debuted on Jan. 18 at Fair Grounds. In a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight, Hypnus closed to win by 2 1/2 lengths in a sharp time. If he improves second-time out (as McPeek trainees often do), Hypnus can upset the Rebel at enticing odds.

Another horse worth betting in the tournament is #7 Cornucopian (2-1) in Race 5, a six-furlong maiden special weight for three-year-olds. The unraced son of Into Mischief is a half-brother to three-time Grade 1 winner Guarana, which is one reason why he sold for $1.1 million as a yearling.

Cornucopian has put together a sharp work tab for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who wins at a 30% rate with horses debuting in maiden special weights. Under five-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., Cornucopian looks ready to shine first time out, so we suggest betting him over #2 Faust (4-1) in a cold $20 exacta. Faust finished third in his debut at Churchill Downs last fall, beaten 3 3/4 lengths by future Southwest (G3) winner Speed King.

Fair Grounds: $5,481 Pick 6 carryover

The Sunday card at Fair Grounds is highlighted by a $5,481 carryover in the $1 Pick 6.

Need a single to build tickets around? Try the first-time starter #5 Heavenly Sunset (7-2) in Race 4, a six-furlong maiden special weight for fillies and mares.

Heavenly Sunset has turned in sharp workouts at Payson Park for hot trainer Brad Cox, a 32% winner at Fair Grounds this meet and a 22% winner with horses debuting in maiden special weights. Since 2023, Cox has gone 4-for-9 (44%) saddling first-time starters in dirt sprints at Fair Grounds.

Cementing Heavenly Sunset as the filly to beat is the presence of jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr., a 38% winner teaming up with Cox over the last two months. We’re confident Heavenly Sunset will deliver a winning debut.

Good luck!