Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Federal Judge drops in class

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, May 19 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Presque Isle Downs, including a graded stakes winner dropping in class.

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 May.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $50 Parx Challenge
• $160 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 5/26 Churchill Downs BCBC Qualifier
• $30 Presque Isle Downs Challenge
• $100 Mountaineer Feeder to 5/24 Churchill Downs SFBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 3: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 3:12 p.m. ET)

Last year, #1 Federal Judge (2-5) dominated a Saratoga $62,500 allowance optional claimer and Keeneland’s Phoenix (G2) before finishing a respectable fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1).

Those efforts stamp Federal Judge as an overwhelming favorite to win his 2025 debut against easier competition at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Trainer Brad Cox wins at a 28% rate with horses returning from layoffs of 90 days or more, so the time off shouldn’t be a concern.

Let’s bet Federal Judge over #4 Latigo (4-1) in a cold exacta. The latter kicked off 2025 with a nose defeat in a 5 1/2-furlong handicap at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Selections

• #1 Federal Judge (2-5)
• #4 Latigo (4-1)
• #3 Molly’s Town (8-1)

Wagers

• $25 Exacta: 1 with 4

Presque Isle Downs: Race 6: $8,000 Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta, 5:45 p.m. ET)

During the first two weeks of the 2024 meet at Presque Isle Downs, trainer Lisa Allen compiled a stellar 3-for-4 (75%) record. Perhaps Allen can kick off the 2025 meet on a similarly hot note with #6 Get Even (5-1).

Get Even enters off a pair of prep runs on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing third in a $10,000 claimer and fifth in a $12,500 starter optional claimer. His form on Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs is better and includes back-to-back wins in $6,250 and $8,000 claimers sprinting six furlongs last year.

Returning to Presque Isle Downs may trigger a step forward from Get Even, so let’s bet him to win.

Selections

• #6 Get Even (5-1)
• #4 Where You Was (3-1)
• #3 Top Recruit (5-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #6 Get Even

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on turf, 5:47 p.m. ET)

Since 2022, trainer Brad Cox has gone 6-for-16 (38%) saddling first-time starters over the Horseshoe Indianapolis turf course. This flashy success rate identifies Cox’s three-year-old filly #8 Tarshea (9-2) as a threat to win her debut.

The beautifully bred daughter of Sottsass has the pedigree to shine on turf and enters off a series of quick half-mile workouts at Turfway Park. Let’s bet Tarshea to win and call it a day.

Selections

• #8 Tarshea (9-2)
• #9 Emoji (5-1)
• #4 Tutta Bella (20-1)

Wagers

• $30 to win on #8 Tarshea

Good luck!