Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: How to bet Gulfstream’s mandatory-payout $24,168 Pick 6 carryover

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Aug. 10 at Finger Lakes and Presque Isle Downs, along with a ticket for the mandatory-payout $24,168 Pick 6 carryover at Gulfstream Park.

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 Rewards Points at Woodbine Mohawk: Opt in and receive 8x rewards points on all wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each racing day in August.
• 15% Odds Boost at GBI Racing: Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost (up to $25 per day) on your winning single-horse win wagers at select GBI tracks from Monday, Aug. 10 through Monday, Aug. 31.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $60 Presque Isle Downs Bet and Set Feeder to 8/16 Saratoga King of the Turf Qualifier
• $88 Presque Isle Downs Feeder to 8/14 Saratoga SSBC Bonus Feeder
• $40 Presque Isle Downs Challenge
• $80 Mountaineer Feeder to 8/21 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Bonus Feeder
• $40 Mountaineer Challenge

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Finger Lakes: Race 3: $5,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 1:53 p.m. ET)

This field hasn’t come up all that tough on paper. #1 Anmolo (2-1), runner-up at this track, distance, and class level on July 20, is a logical favorite to graduate for hot trainer Nirka Huertas, a 23% winner at Finger Lakes this meet.

Anmolo brings a sharp series of Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and has the tactical speed to work out a favorable trip.

#2 War Runner (6-1), a first-time starter, has a shot to round out the exacta at a bit of a price. Trainer James Acquilano has gone 0-for-11 with debuting runners in recent years, but five of them (45%) finished in the top three.

Selections

• #1 Anmolo (2-1)
• #2 War Runner (6-1)
• #4 Chicago Charlie (5-2)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #1 Anmolo
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 2
  Total: $30

Presque Isle Downs: Race 1: $10,000 Starter Optional Claiming (five furlongs on Tapeta, 3:30 p.m. ET)

#6 Kanazawa (3-1) was much the best in a recent start dashing 5 1/2 furlongs at this track and class level. She led all the way through quick pace fractions to score by 2 3/4 lengths, earning a sharp 80 Brisnet Speed rating.

We’ll count on Kanazawa to win again for hot trainer Juan Arriagada, a 28% winner at Presque Isle Downs this meet.

#1 Valiant Victoria (4-1), triumphant in four of her last five starts, can take home runner-up honors.

Selections

• #6 Kanazawa (3-1)
• #1 Valiant Victoria (4-1)
• #5 Miss Stones (5-2)

Wagers

• $24 to win on #6 Kanazawa
• $6 Exacta: 6 with 1
  Total: $30

Presque Isle Downs: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta, 3:57 p.m. ET)

#2 Love Yourz (5-2) is an unraced two-year-old filly from the barn of Miguel Clement, a 27% winner with first-time starters.

As a daughter of Girvin (who sires 17% winners from first-time starters), Love Yourz has the potential to shine from an early age. She enters off a bullet three-furlong workout over the Belmont Park training track and will be guided by hot apprentice jockey Taylor Kingsley, who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance. There’s a lot to like about Love Yourz’s chances.

A win bet is in order, along with a small exacta using #5 Sinking Coin (9-2) for second place. Sinking Coin is a second-time starter adding blinkers for hot trainer Ron Potts, who strikes at a 25% rate with horses running for the second time.

Selections

• #2 Love Yourz (5-2)
• #5 Sinking Coin (9-2)
• #3 Castle Dark (3-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #2 Love Yourz
• $5 Exacta: 2 with 5
  Total: $30

Carryover Watch

Gulfstream Park: Race 3: $24,168 Pick 6 mandatory payout (1:22 p.m. ET)

The Monday card at Gulfstream Park is highlighted by the mandatory payout of a $24,168 carryover in the 20-cent Rainbow Pick 6.

Here’s how we’ll approach the sequence:

Wager

• 20-cent Pick 6: 2,8 with 3,4 with 3,4,7 with 1,2,3 with 1,3,4 with 2,3,7 ($64.80)

Race 3: $12,500 Maiden Claiming (one mile and 70 yards on Tapeta)

#2 Workinclasskid (2-1) is a logical favorite while dropping in class out of $35,000 and $25,000 maiden claimers. But we’ll also use first-time starter #8 Flying Chief (7-2), since trainer J. Kent Sweezey strikes at a respectable 10% rate with horses debuting over one mile or farther.

Race 4:  $10,000 Claiming (one mile on dirt)

#3 Spirit of the Law (7-5) has been competing primarily on turf of late, but his two most recent dirt efforts were solid. Brisnet Speed ratings suggest he’s a formidable win threat, though recent $12,500 maiden claiming winner #4 To Joey (5-2) may be capable of challenging.

Race 5: $25,000 Maiden Claiming (five furlongs on turf)

#4 Wheelhouse (9-5) finished second in a recent start at this class level on Tapeta, but now he’s switching surfaces, which may or may not yield a win. As backup, we’ll use #7 Kingswearcrowns (5-2)—who is dropping in class out of a $35,000 maiden claimer—and #3 Four Courts (3-1), runner-up in all four of his starts sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs or less.

Race 6: In Summation S. (six furlongs on dirt)

This sprint for Florida-bred juveniles has drawn several promising debut winners. The fastest in terms of Brisnet Speed ratings are #3 Sum of Success (7-5) and #2 American Roadster (4-1), but #1 Boyhood Dream (9-2) could also factor while switching from Tapeta to dirt.

Race 7: Maiden Special Weight (seven furlongs on dirt)

First-time starter #1 Forgotten About (9-5) enters off quick workouts for trainer David Fawkes, a 20% winner with horses debuting in maiden special weights. But the well-bred #3 Kokomo Kitty (3-1) has likewise trained fast for her debut, and we shouldn’t underestimate #4 Camber (6-1), who is switching from turf to dirt for her second start.

Race 8: $25,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (1 1/16 miles on turf)

Two starts back, #2 City Minute (3-1) finished second to future Beverly D. (G2) runner-up Achieve at this course and class level. City Minute should bounce back to her best after misfiring in a stakes on Tapeta last time out, but you can also make a case for the stakes-placed #7 Spicy Princess (6-1) and the lightly raced #3 Defiant Lass (5-2) to factor at the finish.

Good luck!