Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Captain Barbossa can win return

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, June 30 at Finger Lakes and Prairie Meadows, including an 8-1 shot returning from a layoff.

Today’s special offers from TwinSpires include:

• New Players $200 Sign-Up Bonus: Open your TwinSpires.com account using the offer code BET200 to start earning a $200 bonus.
• 8x Points at Woodbine Mohawk: Receive 8x reward points on all wagers (excluding show bets) at Woodbine Mohawk each Monday in June.
• British Racing $10 Money Back: Receive up to $10 back on your first single-horse win wager if your horse runs second in selected British races from May 17 through Aug. 31.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $30 Parx Challenge
• $40 Presque Isle Downs Challenge
• $120 Presque Isle Downs Feeder to 7/5 Indiana Derby KDBC/NHC Qualifier
• $100 Mountaineer Feeder to 7/14 Ellis Park MMBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Finger Lakes: Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (one mile and 70 yards on dirt, 2:56 p.m. ET)

#1 Fines Creek (5-2) has spent his first six starts competing against New York-breds at Aqueduct. He’s shown some ability along the way, cracking the trifecta in $25,000 and $30,000 maiden claimers racing one mile.

Those efforts earned Brisnet Speed ratings of 64 and 61, which stack up well against this field at Finger Lakes. Let’s count on Fines Creek to deliver victory over #5 Yoheda Money Maker (7-2) and #3 Solo Flight (3-1).

Selections

• #1 Fines Creek (5-2)
• #5 Yoheda Money Maker (7-2)
• #3 Solo Flight (3-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #1 Fines Creek
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 3,5 ($10)
  Total: $35

Prairie Meadows: Race 5: $30,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 6:42 p.m. ET)

#4 Captain Barbossa (8-1) has only run once. In a five-furlong $50,000 maiden claimer at Prairie Meadows last August, he dueled for the lead before tiring to finish fifth.

Captain Barbossa has been freshened for nearly 11 months and is adding Lasix for his return against easier competition, setting the stage for a strong showing. Let’s bet him to win and key him over #6 Cash’s Pal (9-5) in the exacta.

Selections

• #4 Captain Barbossa (8-1)
• #6 Cash’s Pal (9-5)
• #2 Cause I’m Rollin (5-2)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #4 Captain Barbossa
• $10 Exacta: 4 with 6
  Total: $25

Prairie Meadows: Race 8: $5,000 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs on dirt, 8:00 p.m. ET)

#1 Escape Map (5-2) has finished second in three straight starts: a $10,000 maiden claimer at Fonner Park and a pair of $5,000 maiden claimers at Prairie Meadows. In one of her Prairie Meadows efforts, she earned a 67 Brisnet Speed rating higher than the par winning number (66) for Monday’s conditions.

Escape Map’s early speed is an asset, and breaking from the rail sets the stage for a ground-saving trip. This looks like the perfect spot for Escape Map to graduate, so let’s bet her to win and add an exacta using #5 High Class Lady (2-1) for second place.

Selections

• #1 Escape Map (5-2)
• #2 High Class Lady (2-1)
• #3 Hot and Nasty (8-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #1 Escape Map
• $15 Exacta: 1 with 2
  Total: $30

Good luck!