Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 6-1 at Sunland, Turf Paradise

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Jan. 26 at Sunland Park and Turf Paradise, including a pair of 6-1 shots.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Sunland Park: Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:25 p.m. ET)

#5 Made American (6-1) is an unraced colt conditioned by Martin Valdez-Cabral, who wins at a lofty 27% rate with first-time starters. The son of American Anthem is a full-brother to American Cherub, who won Sunland Park’s six-furlong LaSenora S. as a young three-year-old.

Made American has put together a sharp work tab highlighted by a bullet half-mile from the starting gate in :47 1/5. At 6-1, he’s a compelling win play.

Selections

• #5 Made American (6-1)
• #1 D C Call Me George (3-1)
• #7 Mighty Money (5-2)

Wagers

• $30 to win on #5 Made American

Sunland Park: Race 2: $8,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:51 p.m. ET)

Most of the entrants in this field have shown poor form so far. An exception is #7 Michiga (2-5), runner-up by half a length in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Zia Park last month. She has early speed and should be tough to catch while dropping in class for an $8,000 maiden claimer, especially since trainer Casey Lambert wins at a 22% rate with horses transitioning from maiden special weight to maiden claiming company.

Let’s bet Michiga on top of #1 Velvet Billet (15-1) in a cold exacta. Velvet Billet pulled up shortly after bumping at the start of a five-furlong maiden special weight at Zia Park, her only start to date. She’s still largely untested and may fare better this time around.

Selections

• #7 Michiga (2-5)
• #1 Velvet Billet (15-1)
• #2 Mischiefinthe Nile (10-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 7 with 1

Turf Paradise: Race 8: $12,500 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 6:27 p.m. ET)

#7 Valentine Rocks (6-1) has started twice against tougher competition. In a maiden special weight at Emerald Downs, he finished fifth. In a $20,000 maiden claimer for California-breds at Los Alamitos, he ran sixth.

In both those races, Valentine Rocks was gaining ground down the homestretch. Perhaps he’ll pass everyone while dropping in class for a $12,500 maiden claimer at Turf Paradise.

Let’s try a win bet on Valentine Rocks.

Selections

• #7 Valentine Rocks (6-1)
• #5 In a Pickle (2-1)
• #9 Bold Prospect (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #7 Valentine Rocks

Good luck!