Keeler Johnson's picks and plays Jan. 9

Racing at Turf Paradise (Photo by Coady Photography/Turf Paradise)

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Monday, Jan. 9 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a couple of trifectas.

Picks and Plays

Mahoning Valley: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 1:41 p.m. ET)

First-time starter #7 Liam’s Quality (3-1) has been training at Horseshoe Indianapolis for Aaron West, a respectable 13% winner with debuting runners and a 29% winner at Mahoning Valley since 2020. Liam’s Quality has put together a flashy work tab highlighted by a bullet five furlongs in 1:00 2/5, and he isn’t facing the toughest field on Monday, so we’ll count on him to take home top honors.

Bet live racing at Mahoning Valley here

Loading tweet...

The similarly unraced #5 Danzing Chick (5-2) can complete the exacta for trainer Jason DaCosta, a 23% winner with first-time starters.

Selections

#7 Liam’s Quality (3-1)
#5 Danzing Chick (5-2)
#1 Taboo Hoo (7-2)

Wagers

$20 to win on #7 Liam’s Quality
$10 Exacta: 7 with 5
Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 6: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (one mile on turf, 4:15 p.m. ET)

Southern California raider #1 Lookintogeteven (8-5) has cracked the trifecta in four of her last six starts, including a couple of maiden special weights. Along the way, she’s posted consistent (and competitive) Brisnet Speed ratings in the 75-84 range.

Lookintogeteven might be an 0-for-23 maiden, but squaring off against easier competition at Turf Paradise looks like a recipe for success under hot jockey Harry Hernandez, the clear-cut leading rider by wins this meet.

#6 Barbie Wars (9-5) is a logical choice for second place after cracking the trifecta in three consecutive starts over this course and class level. #7 Golden Sun Drops (5-1) finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Barbie Wars last time out and can round out the top three.

Selections

#1 Lookintogeteven (8-5)
#6 Barbie Wars (9-5)
#7 Golden Sun Drops (5-1)

Wagers

$20 Exacta: 1 with 6
$10 Trifecta: 1 with 6 with 7
Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 8: Bell of the Ball S. (one mile, 5:09 p.m. ET)

#6 Joy in the Battle (5-2) is the morning line favorite after recording four consecutive victories, but three of those wins came on turf (a surface over which she’s 4-for-6), and her 1-for-9 record on dirt is a bit less inspiring.

Loading tweet...

In contrast, #5 Tiz a Macho Girl (9-2) has won her last three dirt starts with sharp Brisnet Speed ratings. She dominated the Washington Oaks at Emerald Downs by 6 1/4 lengths and more recently nabbed an allowance optional claimer racing one mile at Turf Paradise.

#7 Miss Hard Knocks (7-2) is another viable threat. She ran second to Joy in the Battle on turf last time out, but two starts back she won a one-mile allowance optional claimer at Turf Paradise.

Let’s bet Tiz a Macho Girl over Joy in the Battle and Miss Hard Knocks in the exacta and trifecta.