Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play this 12-1 shot at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, June 16 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a 12-1 longshot.

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 June.
• 8x Points at Presque Isle Downs: Receive 8x reward points on all wagers (excluding show bets) at Presque Isle Downs each Monday and Tuesday in June.
• British Racing $10 Money Back: Receive up to $10 back on your first single-horse win wager if your horse runs second in selected British races from May 17 through Aug. 31.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $30 Parx Challenge
• $30 Horseshoe Indianapolis Challenge
• $120 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 7/5 Indiana Derby KDBC/NHC Qualifier
• $100 Mountaineer Feeder to 6/27 Churchill Downs SFBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs on dirt, 3:12 p.m. ET)

#4 Mess Hall (5-1) is an unraced three-year-old from the barn of Doug Cowans, who wins at a lofty 28% rate with horses debuting in maiden special weights.

A son of Travers (G1) runner-up Caracaro (who is siring 17% winners from first-time starters), Mess Hall posted a bullet five-furlong workout at The Thoroughbred Center last month and is worthy of a win bet at his 5-1 morning-line odds.

Selections

• #4 Mess Hall (5-1)
• #1 Charlie Tolu (5-2)
• #6 McMusic (9-5)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #4 Mess Hall

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on dirt, 4:14 p.m. ET)

#8 Magic Seeker (12-1) flashed early speed when debuting in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. She ultimately tired to finish last out of nine, but the daughter of champion juvenile Good Magic should find the competition easier at Horseshoe Indianapolis, opening the door for an improved performance.

It helps that trainer Brittany Vanden Berg wins at a 20% rate with shippers and with horses competing in maiden special weights.

Let’s bet Magic Seeker to win.

Selections

• #8 Magic Seeker (12-1)
• #2 Wanna Go Home (7-2)
• #1 Little Sam’s (6-5)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #8 Magic Seeker

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on turf, 4:45 p.m. ET)

#2 Tiempos Buenos (3-1) never factored in his debut on dirt, but the two-year-old gelding improved dramatically when trying turf for his second start. Disregarded at 79-1 in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Keeneland, Tiempos Buenos settled just behind the leaders, then stayed on for third place by 3 1/4 lengths.

That effort earned a 71 Brisnet Speed rating equal to the par winning number for Monday’s conditions at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Tiempos Buenos is a logical choice to take home top honors in his second grass run.

Selections

• #2 Tiempos Buenos (3-1)
• #5 Dreaming Smart (7-2)
• #8 Red Lad (9-2)

Wagers

• $40 to win on #2 Tiempos Buenos

Good luck!