Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Aloha Kitten drops in class

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 21 at Turf Paradise, including a Southern California shipper dropping in class.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $4,500 Maiden Claiming (one mile on dirt, 4:25 p.m. ET)

#1 Lotsa Steel (2-1) is dropping in class off a runner-up finish in a $10,000 maiden claimer sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs at Turf Paradise. She owns the best Brisnet Speed ratings in this field and should be tough to catch while stretching out over one mile for hot trainer Kasey Kemper, a 38% winner at Turf Paradise this meet.

Let’s single Lotsa Steel to start a Pick 3, then bet her over #4 Oops (3-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #1 Lotsa Steel (2-1)
• #4 Oops (3-1)
• #8 Lookout Pass (4-1)

Wagers

• $8 Pick 3: 1 with 6,9 with 5 ($16)
• $14 Exacta: 1 with 4
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 6: $8,500 Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 4:56 p.m. ET)

#6 Pat’s Paddock Pick (2-1) and #9 Passion of Joe’s (5-2) look like the two key contenders in this $8,500 claimer. Pat’s Paddock Pick was beaten a nose after setting the pace over this track, distance, and class level on Nov. 26, while Passion of Joe’s exits a 2 3/4-length triumph in a $10,000 claimer dashing six furlongs at Remington Park.

Let’s use Pat’s Paddock Pick and Passion of Joe’s in our Pick 3, then box them in an exacta.

Selections

• #9 Passion of Joe’s (5-2)
• #6 Pat’s Paddock Pick (2-1)
• #4 Don Juan Bubba (8-1)

Wagers

• $5 Exacta: box 6,9 ($10)

Turf Paradise: Race 7: $6,250 Claiming (one mile on dirt, 5:27 p.m. ET)

#5 Aloha Kitten (5-2) is shipping in from Southern California, where she’s finished third in her last two dirt starts against $12,500 starter allowance and $10,000 claiming competition. Taking on easier foes at Turf Paradise can send Aloha Kitten to the winner’s circle in her first start for the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Daniel Vergara and Rafael Barraza.

Let’s single Aloha Kitten to conclude our Pick 3, then bet her to win.

Selections

• #5 Aloha Kitten (5-2)
• #8 Team Concept (7-2)
• #4 Prance (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #5 Aloha Kitten

Good luck!