Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for Jan. 25

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at Sunland Park and Turf Paradise, including a cold trifecta aimed at pursuing the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Midweek Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in select races at Mahoning Valley.
• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus (up to $25 per day) on winning trifecta tickets.

Picks and Plays

Sunland Park: Race 5: $12,500 Maiden Claiming (six furlongs, 4:09 p.m. ET)

#8 Express Warrior (8-1) looks like a live longshot while debuting for hot trainer Joel Marr, a 30% winner at Sunland this meet. Marr wins at a lofty 31% rate with horses debuting in maiden claimers, suggesting Express Warrior will be primed for a competitive effort.

Certainly Express Warrior has shown some speed in the mornings; on Jan. 9, she blazing half a mile from the Sunland Park starting gate in :47 4/5. Let’s bet Express Warrior to win, then play her over cold exacta and trifecta tickets using #9 War Rite (4-1) and #5 Mamie’s Warrior (5-2) underneath.

• $20 to win on #8 Express Warrior
• $7 Exacta: 8 with 9
• $3 Trifecta: 8 with 9 with 5
  Total: $30

Sunland Park: Race 6: $8,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs, 4:37 p.m. ET)

#4 Rollin in Diamonds (5-2) has shown a bit of tactical speed in two starts against maiden special weight company. The three-year-old gelding failed to sustain his speed on either occasion, finishing seventh both times, but he’s eligible to produce a stronger showing while dropping down into the maiden claiming ranks.

After all, hot trainer Todd Fincher (a 24% winner at Sunland this meet) wins at a terrific 41% rate with horses descending from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company. We’ll bet Rollin in Diamonds to win before keying him over #5 American Solo (4-1) and #9 Go Red Rascal (6-1) in the exacta.

• $20 to win on #4 Rollin in Diamonds
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 5,9 ($10)
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 5: $6,250 Starter Optional Claiming (one mile on turf, 4:49 p.m. ET)

#7 My Cowboy (3-1) might be a 10-year-old veteran with 97 starts under his belt, but there’s no reason why he can’t challenge for victory on Tuesday. Two starts back, the son of Cowtown Cat was much the best in a $10,000/$8,500 claimer over this course and distance, leading all the way to trounce his pursuers by 2 1/2 lengths.

My Cowboy hasn’t missed the board in four starts since being claimed by hot trainer Jose Silva Jr., a 20% winner at Turf Paradise this meet. Throw in jockey Israel Hernandez (2-for-3 riding for Silva over the last two months), and My Cowboy is an appealing win choice.

#4 Playoff Bound (9-2) can rally to complete the exacta.

• $20 to win on #7 My Cowboy
• $10 Exacta: 7 with 4
  Total: $30

Good luck!