Keeler Johnson's picks and plays May 11

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares picks and plays for Wednesday, May 11 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Parx Racing, including trios of win bets and exactas.

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 Parx Racing.
• Rest of the World Bet Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second in any race at Happy Valley (Hong Kong).
• Exacta Insurance: Receive refunds on exacta bets (up to $10) if your two selected horses finish in the first three home (but not in the winning order) at Thistledown. Offer applies to straight exacta bets only.

Picks and Plays

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (4 1/2 furlongs, 2:30 p.m. ET)

#6 Amira Wins (7-2) ran reasonably well in a two-furlong maiden special weight on April 25 at Parx Racing, finishing third by 2 1/2 lengths. We can think of it as a good training run for Wednesday’s test over a meaningfully longer distance.

As a daughter of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Always Dreaming out of a Candy Ride mare, Amira Wins brings a classy pedigree to the table. She’s also adding Lasix and picking up hot apprentice jockey Thiago Canuto (4-1-1-1 to start the Horseshoe Indianapolis meet), which means Amira Wins will benefit from a seven-pound weight break.

We’ll bet Amira Wins to win, then key her over #3 Baytown Jagger (5-1) and #4 Huntertown (2-1) in a small exacta.

• $20 to win on #6 Amira Wins
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 3,4 ($10)
• Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs, 3:32 p.m. ET)

#6 Seachrome (8-5) ran strongly in her debut over this distance at Keeneland one month ago. Overlooked at 8-1 in a maiden special weight, Seachrome was always prominent and led in midstretch before settling for second place by a neck.

This effort produced a 70 Brisnet Speed rating, two points higher than the par winning figure for Wednesday’s conditions. Seachrome is picking up hot jockey Samuel Bermudez (a 21% winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis) for her second career start, setting the stage for a winning effort.

#2 Lady Mine (7-2) and #3 Shaymyname (3-1) can battle for exacta honors.

• $20 to win on #6 Seachrome
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 2,3 ($10)
  Total: $30

Parx Racing: Race 8: $15,000 Claiming (6 1/2 furlongs, 4:04 p.m. ET)

#4 Makeajoyfulnoise (7-2) hasn’t missed the trifecta in her last eight starts despite frequently switching barns. She’s been particularly hot at Parx over the last two months, wiring a $7,500 claimer by 10 3/4 lengths before employing pace-pressing tactics to nab a $12,500 claimer by four lengths.

Makeajoyfulnoise is stepping up in class again, but her combination of red-hot form and tactical speed figures to be formidable. There isn’t a crazy amount of pace in this field on paper, so we’ll bet Makeajoyfulnoise to win and key her over #7 Back Channel (3-1) in the exacta.

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

Good luck!