Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of April 25

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares $90 worth of picks and plays for Tuesday, April 25 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Will Rogers Downs, including a trifecta in pursuit of the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Trifecta Tuesday: Receive a 15% bonus on trifecta winnings excluding stake amount; up to $25 per day.
• 10x Points on Harness Racing: On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, receive 10x reward points on all wagers at any harness track.

Picks and Plays

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 2: $12,500 Claiming (one mile, 3:01 p.m. ET)

#4 That Khenny (8-1) hasn’t been running great as of late, but he’s been facing significantly tougher competition and may improve while dropping to the $12,500 claiming level. Stretching out from sprint distances to one mile can also help; his only start over this distance yielded a 6 1/4-length romp in a $10,000 allowance optional claimer last September.

Trainer Genaro Garcia has won at a 25% rate to start the Horseshoe Indianapolis meet, and jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. has won at a 33% rate, so That Khenny has hot connections in his corner. At 8-1, That Khenny is worth a sizable win bet.

Selections

• #4 That Khenny (8-1)
• #7 Happy Camper (9-5)
• #2 Clearing Waivers (5-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #4 That Khenny

Will Rogers Downs: Race 4: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs, 3:35 p.m. ET)

Trainer Joe Offolter has been on fire at Will Rogers Downs this meet, going 9-for-31 (29%). Some bettors might be hesitant to back his first-time starter #1 Listen Distinctly (8-1) since Offolter wins at only an 8% rate saddling debut runners, but at Will Rogers Downs specifically he’s gone 3-for-9 (33%) with first-time starters since 2021.

Listen Distinctly has been posting sharp workouts at Will Rogers Downs, including a trio of bullet half-mile workouts from the starting gate in :47 and change. We’ll bet her to win and key her over stablemate #4 Jade Envy (12-1) and the experienced #7 Happy in Heels (3-1) in the exacta.

Selections

• #1 Listen Distinctly (8-1)
• #4 Jade Envy (12-1)
• #7 Happy in Heels (3-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #1 Listen Distinctly
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 4,7 ($10)
  Total: $30

Will Rogers Downs: Race 9: Highland Ice S. (six furlongs, 6:05 p.m. ET)

#2 Ernie Banker (2-1) has recorded three straight victories at Sam Houston, most recently surviving a pace duel to dominate a seven-furlong $30,000 starter optional claimer by 6 3/4 lengths. His three victories have produced Brisnet Speed ratings of 96, 88, and 94, stamping the six-year-old gelding as the horse to beat for trainer J. R. Caldwell and jockey Obed Sanchez, 40% winners together over the last two months.

The graded stakes-placed #3 Chipofftheoldblock (3-1) can complete a cold exacta. Then we’ll throw in a small trifecta adding #4 Tommyhawk (6-1) and #1 Dame Plata (9-2) in order to capitalize on the Trifecta Tuesday promotion.

Selections

• #2 Ernie Banker (2-1)
• #3 Chipofftheoldblock (3-1)
• #4 Tommyhawk (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #2 Ernie Banker
• $10 Exacta: 2 with 3
• $2.50 Trifecta: 2 with 3 with 1,4 ($5)
  Total: $35

Good luck!