Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 8-1 shot at Turf Paradise

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, March 12 at Will Rogers Downs, Mahoning Valley, and Turf Paradise, including an 8-1 longshot.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• Cheltenham $10 Money Back: Receive refunds on win bets (up to $10) if your horse finishes second or third in any eligible race at Cheltenham on Tuesday through Friday.

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Will Rogers Downs: Race 1: $7,500 Claiming (five furlongs, 2:15 p.m. ET)

#6 Wheresthecartgirl (3-1) has faltered in a pair of recent $5,000 claimers against non-state-restricted competition over the bullring oval at Delta Downs. But against Oklahoma-breds at Remington Park, she previously won a $7,500 maiden claimer and finished second in a $7,500 claimer, earning decent Brisnet Speed ratings of 60 and 61.

Wheresthecartgirl has early speed and may prove tough to catch while tackling a $7,500 claimer for Oklahoma-breds at Will Rogers Downs. The fact pacesetters have won 57% of dirt sprints at Will Rogers Downs this meet cements Wheresthecartgirl as an appealing win choice.

Selections

• #6 Wheresthecartgirl (3-1)
• #2 Hangxiety (5-2)
• #5 Princess Ball (2-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #6 Wheresthecartgirl

Mahoning Valley: Race 7: Allowance (six furlongs, 3:43 p.m. ET)

#2 Officially Yours (5-2) was in hot form at the end of 2023. The Robert Gorham trainee led almost all the way to win a six-furlong maiden special weight at Mahoning Valley by 5 1/2 lengths, then dominated an allowance over the same track and distance by 4 1/2 lengths. The runner-up in the latter race, Oh Glorious Day, returned to win her next start against allowance competition by 4 3/4 lengths.

Officially Yours owns Brisnet Speed ratings of 79 and 77, numbers that suggest she’s a formidable win threat while tackling another six-furlong Mahoning allowance. We’ll keep things simple with a win bet on Officially Yours.

Selections

• #2 Officially Yours (5-2)
• #1 Hello Sweets (9-2)
• #6 Amy’s Star (2-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #2 Officially Yours

Turf Paradise: Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs, 6:48 p.m. ET)

Trainer Chad Story has been on fire at Turf Paradise this meet, going 5-for-8 (63%). Story has entered two horses in this maiden sprint for New Mexico-breds, and in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings #7 Ima Rascal (6-1) looks like a viable win contender after posting a 66 when second in a non-state-restricted $8,000 maiden claimer at Sunland Park two months ago.

But it’s worth noting Story’s go-to jockey Glenn Corbett (5-for-6, 83% teaming up with Story over the last two months) is named to ride the unraced Story trainee #6 Chicken Wing (8-1). Chicken Wing has put together a promising work tab capped off by a bullet three furlongs in :35 2/5 at Turf Paradise, so we’re willing to bet Chicken Wing can spring a surprise on debut.

Since Chicken Wing’s 8-1 morning line odds are enticing, we’ll bet him to win and call it a day.

Selections

• #6 Chicken Wing (8-1)
• #5 Lord Bo (9-2)
• #7 Ima Rascal (6-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #6 Chicken Wing

Good luck!