Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Khantaro d’Oro can win return

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 14 at Turf Paradise, including a Pick 3 play.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 4:25 p.m. ET)

Former Southern California competitor #2 Dagger Ranch (8-5) has cracked the trifecta in his last two starts racing one mile against $30,000 maiden optional claiming competition at Turf Paradise. A runner-up finish last time out yielded an 80 Brisnet Speed rating, the highest number in Tuesday’s field.

Cutting back to six furlongs shouldn’t bother Dagger Ranch; his dam, Indian Blessing, was voted 2008 champion female sprinter, and trainer Dan McFarlane wins at a 22% rate with horses make the route-to-sprint transition.

Let’s single Dagger Ranch to start a Pick 3.

Selections

• #2 Dagger Ranch (8-5)
• #4 G G Gilley (5-1)
• #5 Yellow Jacket (6-1)

Wagers

• $10 Double: 2 with 5,8 ($20)
• $5 Pick 3: 2 with 5,8 with 7 ($10)
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 6: $4,000 Claiming (4 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 4:56 p.m. ET)

#8 Boss of Themoss (7-5) is a logical favorite after rallying to win by a half-length over this track, distance, and class level on Dec. 4. But don’t underestimate #5 Chasing the Vision (3-1).

Pacesetters have won 44% of 4 1/2-furlong dirt sprints at Turf Paradise this meet, and Chasing the Vision brings plenty of early speed to the table. He’s set the pace in each of his last four starts at Los Alamitos in California, winning twice while finishing second by a neck in his two defeats. One of his wins came in a $4,000 claimer.

We’ll use Boss of Themoss and Chasing the Vision equally in our Pick 3, then add a win bet on Chasing the Vision. 

Selections

• #5 Chasing the Vision (3-1)
• #8 Boss of Themoss (7-5)
• #3 Tribunal Love (6-1)

Wagers

• $10 to win on #5 Chasing the Vision

Turf Paradise: Race 7: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (about one mile on turf, 5:27 p.m. ET)

#7 Khantaro d’Oro (8-5) has shown some talent on turf in Southern California, cracking the trifecta three times against maiden special weight competition. He hasn’t raced in nearly a year and has been gelded in the interim, but fast workouts (including a bullet five furlongs in :58 4/5 at Turf Paradise) suggest he’s ready for a winning comeback under hot jockey Karlo Lopez.

Let’s single Khantaro d’Oro to conclude our Pick 3, then bet him heavily to win for good measure.

Selections

• #7 Khantaro d’Oro (8-5)
• #3 Pure Cane Sugar (5-1)
• #5 The Man the Myth (6-1)

Wagers

• $40 to win on #7 Khantaro d’Oro

Good luck!