Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Finger Lakes opening day

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 27 at Finger Lakes and Turf Paradise, including a trio of exactas.

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• $40 Parx Challenge
• $80 Mountaineer Feeder to 4/30 Churchill Downs Bonus Feeder
• $40 Mountaineer Challenge

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Finger Lakes: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (4 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 1:24 p.m. ET)

Trainer Anthony Ferraro excelled during the first two days of the 2025 meet at Finger Lakes, going 4-for-10 (40%). Perhaps he can nab a win on opening day of the 2026 meet with #2 White Sport Coat (2-1).

White Sport Coat has only run once on dirt, finishing second after pressing the pace in a seven-furlong $25,000 maiden claimer at Tampa Bay Downs. That effort earned a 73 Brisnet Speed rating, the co-highest number belonging to any of the horses entered in Race 2.

White Sport Coat’s tactical speed should serve him well while cutting back to 4 1/2 furlongs. Let’s bet him to win and key him over #6 Spanimax (5-2) in an exacta.

Selections

• #2 White Sport Coat (2-1)
• #6 Spanimax (5-2)
• #3 Stevie Wonderful (4-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #2 White Sport Coat
• $15 Exacta: 2 with 6
  Total: $30

Finger Lakes: Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (4 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:51 p.m. ET)

#7 Khali’s Storm (2-1) hails from the barn of Chris Englehart, who went 3-for-4 (75%) during the first two days of the 2025 meet at Finger Lakes.

Khali’s Storm enters off six straight top-three finishes in maiden claimers at Aqueduct. Two starts back, she ran second with a 76 Brisnet Speed rating equal to the par winning number for Monday’s conditions at Finger Lakes.

We’re confident Khali’s Storm can outsprint #4 Good Mission (3-1), who finished a close second dashing 5 1/2 furlongs over this track and class level when last seen in November. A win bet and an exacta are in order.

Selections

• #7 Khali’s Storm (2-1)
• #4 Good Mission (3-1)
• #5 Signal Chat (10-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #7 Khali’s Storm
• $15 Exacta: 7 with 4
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 9: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (one mile on turf, 8:21 p.m. ET)

A pair of California raiders look strong in this spot.

#1 Holly Goquickly (2-1) has run well over the Santa Anita turf this year, recording a trio of top-four finishes in $50,000 maiden claimers while earning Brisnet Speed ratings of 73, 78, and 76 that exceed the par winning number (70) for Monday’s conditions.

#7 Radiant View (4-1) hasn’t run since November, but two starts back she finished sixth (beaten only 3 1/2 lengths) in a one-mile maiden special weight on turf at Del Mar, earning a 75 Brisnet Speed rating.

Let’s bet Holly Goquickly to win and key her over Radiant View in an exacta.

Selections

• #1 Holly Goquickly (2-1)
• #7 Radiant View (4-1)
• #4 Believe in Her (20-1)

Wagers

• $15 to win on #1 Holly Goquickly
• $15 Exacta: 1 with 7
  Total: $30

Good luck!