Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Win bets at Mahoning, Parx

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 22 at Mahoning Valley and Parx Racing, including a trio of win bets.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• 10x Points on Harness Racing: Earn 10x reward points on all harness racing wagers (excluding show bets) every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday during the month of January.

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Mahoning Valley: Race 2: $5,000 Claiming (one mile, 1:12 p.m. ET)

#5 Tiger Trail (4-1) has shown speed in sprints, and since August he’s used that speed to win a trio of $7,500 and $8,000 claimers against Ohio-breds at Thistledown and Mahoning Valley.

Stretching out over one mile should place Tiger Trail on the lead, and if he shakes loose through slow fractions while dropping into a $5,000 claimer for Ohio-breds, he may prove difficult to run down. It’s worth noting trainer Saul Morales wins at a 60% rate with horses running long for the first time.

Let’s place a win bet on Tiger Trail.

Selections

• #5 Tiger Trail (4-1)
• #1 Josh’n (7-2)
• #6 That’s the Way (8-5)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #5 Tiger Trail

Parx Racing: Race 5: $25,000 Maiden Claiming (six furlongs, 1:53 p.m. ET)

This $25,000 maiden claimer for Ohio-bred three-year-old fillies hasn’t come up especially deep on paper, so let’s support the first-time starter #9 Our Lady in Red (5-1), who shouldn’t need to be a superstar to challenge for victory on debut.

Our Lady in Red enters off a swift half-mile workout in :47 4/5 from the Parx starting gate, suggesting she has talent. Trainer Edward Coletti Jr. wins at a respectable 15% rate with first-time starters, matching the win percentage compiled by the progeny of Our Lady in Red’s sire, Red Vine.

There’s a lot to like about Our Lady in Red, so at 5-1 she’s worthy of a win bet.

Selections

• #9 Our Lady in Red (5-1)
• #1 Breezy Dance (2-1)
• #3 Swans Island (3-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #9 Our Lady in Red

Mahoning Valley: Race 7: Maiden Special Weight (one mile, 3:33 p.m. ET)

#5 Alligator Arms (5-2) has been freshened since last spring, when he ran second and third in $12,500 and $20,000 maiden claimers sprinting at Laurel Park. As a son of Shaman Ghost out of a Tiznow mare, Alligator Arms is bred to shine running long, so Monday’s one-mile distance should suit the four-year-old gelding just fine.

Throw in the fact Alligator Arms has the blazing hot jockey/trainer duo of Luis Rivera and Anthony Farrior in his corner, and a mild upset appears well within reach. We’ll bet Alligator Arms to win and key him over #2 Shortly (3-1) in an exacta.

Selections

• #5 Alligator Arms (5-2)
• #2 Shortly (3-1)
• #6 Echolite (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #5 Alligator Arms
• $5 Exacta: 5 with 2
  Total: $25

Good luck!