Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Pace favors Vulin at 5-1

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, April 13 at Will Rogers Downs and Turf Paradise, including a 5-1 shot who figures to receive a favorable pace setup.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Will Rogers Downs: Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:15 p.m. ET)

#3 Violently Gone (8-5) debuted in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Remington Park last fall. Unfortunately, he reared at the start and unseated his jockey, which ended his race then and there.

Violently Gone will make his second start in this 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Will Rogers Downs. Trainer C.R. Trout has been on fire at Will Rogers this meet, going 7-for-13 (54%), so chances are Violently Gone is well spotted to break his maiden under red-hot jockey David Cabrera.

Let’s place a large win bet on Violently Gone.

Selections

• #3 Violently Gone (8-5)
• #4 Taking a Nap (5-1)
• #2 His Way (2-1)

Wagers

• $50 to win on #3 Violently Gone

Will Rogers Downs: Race 9: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 6:01 p.m. ET)

#1 Freebie West (7-2) ran okay when debuting in a six-furlong sprint over this track, distance, and class level on Feb. 9. After dueling for the lead and steadying between rivals, she stayed on to finish fourth by 3 1/2 lengths.

Both the runner-up and the third-place finisher returned to record next-out wins, so it’s safe to say Freebie West met a tough field on debut. Trainer Joe Offolter strikes at a lofty 21% rate with second-time starters, so there’s a good chance Freebie West will move forward on Monday and secure a maiden win of her own.

A win bet is in order, along with an exacta using #4 Doc’s Lucky Lady (5-1) and #5 Bridie’s Legacy (3-1) for second place.

Selections

• #1 Freebie West (7-2)
• #4 Doc’s Lucky Lady (5-1)
• #5 Bridie’s Legacy (3-1)

Wagers

• $22 to win on #1 Freebie West
• $4 Exacta: 1 with 4,5 ($8)
  Total: $30

Turf Paradise: Race 7: $6,250 Claiming (one mile on turf, 7:09 p.m. ET)

There’s very little pace in this field, which makes #6 Vulin (5-1) an intriguing contender. She’s considerably more tactical than deep-closing favorite #2 Chamaville (2-1), and when they met over this course, distance, and class level on March 23, they finished fourth and second, with Vulin coming home only half a length behind Chamaville.

A slow pace on Monday may give Vulin the edge she needs to turn the tables at a fair price. Let’s bet Vulin to win and key her over Chamaville in an exacta.

Selections

• #6 Vulin (5-1)
• #2 Chamaville (2-1)
• #3 English Danger (5-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #6 Vulin
• $5 Exacta: 6 with 2
  Total: $25

Good luck!