Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Indianapolis price plays

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Oct. 26 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including horses to play in the $6,318 Super High 5 carryover.

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 October.
• 4% Cash Back on Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge: Opt in and receive 4% cash back on your Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) entry purchased through TwinSpires when you have previously competed in any BCBC qualifier, hosted by TwinSpires or any other operator.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $80 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 11/6 Churchill Downs CBC Bonus Feeder
• $40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Challenge
• $40 Mountaineer Challenge
• $80 Mountaineer Feeder to 11/13 Churchill Downs NHC Bonus Feeder

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:41 p.m. ET)

#5 Dixieland (4-1) showed some speed on her way to finishing fourth in a one-mile maiden special weight on turf at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Cutting back in distance could potentially unlock an improved performance from the daughter of Street Sense, and keep in mind, trainer William Walden wins at a 26% rate with horses switching from turf to dirt.

At 4-1, a win bet is in order.

Selections

• #5 Dixieland (4-1)
• #6 Cheeriness (9-2)
• #3 Holly Blue (3-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #5 Dixieland

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 4: $20,000 Maiden Claiming (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 3:43 p.m. ET)

#6 Tuxca (15-1) is dropping in class after finishing sixth, seventh, and ninth in her first three starts against maiden special weight competition. She brings competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and looks like a threat to outrun her odds under apprentice jockey Micah Meeks, who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance.

Let’s try a win bet on Tuxca.

Selections

• #6 Tuxca (15-1)
• #8 Tiny Tapper (8-1)
• #4 Call Her Majesty (8-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #6 Tuxca

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (one mile on dirt, 5:47 p.m. ET)

#7 Skip N Scoot (3-1) debuted with a respectable performance in a $20,000 maiden claimer sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He closed from nearly a dozen lengths off the pace to finish third by 4 1/2 lengths.

Now Skip N Scoot is tackling a maiden special weight for Indiana-breds. The 50 Brisnet Speed rating he earned in his debut fits well against this field, and his pedigree suggests he’ll improve while stretching out over one mile, so let’s bet Skip N Scoot to win and key him over #2 Tricked You (3-1) in an exacta.

Selections

• #7 Skip N Scoot (3-1)
• #2 Tricked You (3-1)
• #3 Blues Rocker (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #7 Skip N Scoot
• $10 Exacta: 7 with 2
  Total: $30

Carryover Watch

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 6: $6,318 Super High 5 carryover (4:45 p.m. ET)

Monday’s racing action at Horseshoe Indianapolis includes a $6,318 carryover in the 10-cent “Grand High 5” Super High 5.

The carryover is up for grabs in Race 6, a six-furlong $20,000 claimer. Here are five horses we suggest including on your tickets:

#1 Mighty Army (8-1): A trifecta finisher in five of his last six starts, Mighty Army exits a runner-up finish in a five-furlong allowance at Canterbury Park. He brings a sharp series of Brisnet Speed ratings to Horseshoe Indianapolis and looms as an intriguing contender while dropping into the claiming ranks for the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Fausto Da Silva and Tena Birdwell, who have gone 4-for-10 (40%) teaming up together over the last two months.

#3 Start Mo Up (15-1): It’s been a while since Start Mo Up last recorded a top-three finish, but the four-year-old gelding has been competing against tougher competition than he’ll face on Monday. Three starts back, he ran fifth in an $80,000 claimer at Churchill Downs, earning a 76 Brisnet Speed rating that fits well against this field. Don’t count him out of the mix at a big price.

#6 Instant Classic (20-1): Instant Classic has improved his Brisnet Speed ratings by leaps and bounds this season. Last time out, he earned a 79 when trouncing a $15,000 maiden claimer at Fairmount Park by 4 1/4 lengths. The par winning Brisnet Speed rating for Monday’s conditions is only 78, so if Instant Classic can repeat his last run against tougher competition at Horseshoe Indianapolis, he can challenge for a top-five finish under apprentice jockey Victor Lara, who rides with a five-pound weight allowance.

#7 Save My Town (5-1): Save My Town has been competing against fellow Indiana-breds, most notably winning a $12,500 claimer on Oct. 12 with a 79 Brisnet Speed rating. Save My Town often posts Brisnet Speed ratings in the 70-80 range and may be capable of stepping up against tougher competition on Monday.

#8 Large Risk (10-1): Since winning a $50,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs last year, Large Risk hasn’t factored in four starts against tougher competition. But perhaps dropping down sharply in class and distance at Horseshoe Indianapolis can yield a turnaround. He’s picking up hot jockey Emmanuel Esquivel (a 21% winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis this meet) and could outrun expectations at double-digit odds.

Good luck!