Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of Aug. 31
![Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of Aug. 31](/img/li/keeler-johnsons-picks-and-plays-of-aug-31-1.jpg)
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Thursday, Aug. 31 at Saratoga, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Kentucky Downs, including tickets for the With Anticipation (G2).
- Hoosier Park $1,000 Pick 4 Hit It & Split It: Hit the late Pick 4 on Thursdays at Hoosier Park to win your share of a $1,000 weekly jackpot.
- Colonial Downs Thursday Leaderboard: Place $10+ win bets on Thursdays at Colonial Downs to compete for your share of a $2,500 weekly jackpot.
- Saratoga $10 Money Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second or third in select races Wednesday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 6 at Saratoga.
- Del Mar Daily Double Down: Receive a 25% bonus (up to $25 per day) on winning daily double wagers on Thursdays and Fridays at Del Mar. Your base wager amount must be minimum $2.
Picks and Plays
Saratoga: Race 7: With Anticipation (G3, 1 1/16 miles on turf, 4:34 p.m. ET)
#2 Spirit Prince (3-1) might be a maiden, but he ran well in his debut over this course and distance on July 22, rallying from a couple lengths behind a slow pace to finish second by half a length. The winner, Noted, came right back to win the Sapling S. at Monmouth Park.
There are many speed horses entered in the With Anticipation, so Spirit Prince figures to receive a favorable pace setup. He’s adding blinkers (opening the door for further improvement) and picking up accomplished turf rider Flavien Prat, so Spirit Prince is shaping up as a formidable win threat even while stepping up in class.
#7 Nomos (4-1) and #8 Carson’s Run (7-2) can battle for a place in the exacta.
Selections
- #2 Spirit Prince (3-1)
- #8 Carson’s Run (7-2)
- #7 Nomos (4-1)
Wagers
- $20 to win on #2 Spirit Prince
- $5 Exacta: 2 with 7,8 ($10)
Total: $30
Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (one mile, 4:45 p.m. ET)
#6 Greewhiz (9-2) showed some talent in his debut sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs over this track and class level, tracking the pace and launching a mid-race move into contention before weakening in the homestretch to finish fifth by 2 1/2 lengths.
There’s very little speed in Thursday’s field, so Greewhiz figures to shake loose on an easy lead while stretching out in distance and adding blinkers. From there, he can spring a mild surprise under jockey Fernando De La Cruz, a 28% winner teaming up with hot trainer Genaro Garcia over the last two months.
#2 Captain’s Best (7-2), runner-up in his debut over this track, distance, and class level on Aug. 10, can complete the exacta.
Selections
- #6 Greewhiz (9-2)
- #2 Captain’s Best (7-2)
- #9 Dattts Life (3-1)
Wagers
- $20 to win on #6 Greewhiz
- $10 Exacta: 6 with 2
Total: $30
Kentucky Downs: Race 10: Maiden Special Weight (one mile on turf, 6:28 p.m. ET)
Since 2020, trainer Brian Lynch has compiled a stellar 4-for-7 (57%) record saddling two-year-olds at Kentucky Downs, which includes a 1-for-1 (100%) record with first-time starters. This bodes well for Lynch’s unraced juvenile #4 Tapitoro (9-2), a stoutly bred half-brother to Woodbine Mile (G1) winner El Tormenta.
Tapitoro has put together a lengthy work tab in preparation for his debut and is slated to be ridden by James Graham, who has gone 2-for-8 (25%) teaming up with Lynch over the last two months. There are enough positives in Tapitoro’s favor to warrant betting him to win and keying him over #6 Copper Missile (4-1), #9 Channeler (12-1), and #12 Raguel (12-1) in the exacta.
- #4 Tapitoro (9-2)
- #6 Copper Missile (4-1)
- #12 Raguel (12-1)
- $18 to win on #4 Tapitoro
- $4 Exacta: 4 with 6,9,12 ($12)
Total: $30