Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Multi-race wagers at Turf Paradise

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Jan. 7 at Turf Paradise, including a cold Pick 3 play.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $4,500 Claiming (one mile on dirt, 4:06 p.m. ET)

#2 Luther Pass (8-5) was much the best in a $15,000 claimer for non-winners of two races at Turf Paradise last month, closing from midfield to dominate the 6 1/2-furlong dash by 4 1/2 lengths.

Tackling a $4,500 claimer for non-winners of three races should suit Luther Pass just fine, especially since he won over this one-mile distance three starts back. Throw in the fact he campaigns for the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Karlo Lopez and Justin Evans (36% winners teaming up together over the last two months), and Luther Pass ranks as the horse to beat.

Let’s single Luther Pass to start double and Pick 3 wagers.

Selections

• #2 Luther Pass (8-5)
• #7 Harbor Thunder (5-1)
• #1 Fayruz Tribute (8-1)

Wagers

• $10 Double: 2 with 7
• $10 Pick 3: 2 with 7 with 6
  Total: $20

Turf Paradise: Race 6: $6,250 Claiming (one mile on dirt, 4:35 p.m. ET)

#7 Johnny Dar (7-2) displayed sharp form in two starts on dirt during the summer at Turf Paradise. First he finished second in a one-mile and 70-yard $7,500 claimer, earning an 82 Brisnet Speed rating. Then he stretched out over 1 1/4 miles and won a $7,500 claimer by eight lengths with an 80 Brisnet Speed rating.

Johnny Dar looks like a great fit for a one-mile $6,250 claimer at Turf Paradise. The par winning Brisnet Speed rating for these conditions is 80, so we’ll give Johnny Dar preference to defeat morning-line favorite #6 Populist (3-1).

In addition to an exacta, we’ll single Johnny Dar to start a double wager.

Selections

• #7 Johnny Dar (7-2)
• #6 Populist (3-1)
• #3 Herecomegeorgieboy (6-1)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 7 with 6
• $10 Double: 7 with 6
  Total: $20

Turf Paradise: Race 7: $10,000 Claiming (6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 5:04 p.m. ET)

Last time out, #6 Zazen (8-5) put forth a good try in a $50,000 allowance optional claimer sprinting five furlongs at Turf Paradise. She raced third at every call and was right in contention at the eighth pole before tiring slightly to finish 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.

Even in defeat, Zazen earned an 81 Brisnet Speed rating five points higher than the par winning number (76) for Tuesday’s conditions. She looks mighty tough to beat while dropping into a $10,000 claimer, so let’s bet her over #4 Awesome Taylor (6-1) in an exacta and single her to conclude our double and Pick 3 wagers.

Selections

• #7 Zazen (8-5)
• #4 Awesome Taylor (6-1)
• #3 Holy Tutta Bella (7-2)

Wagers

• $10 Exacta: 7 with 4

Good luck!