Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Price play at Fair Grounds

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, March 16 at Will Rogers Downs, Sunland Park, and Fair Grounds, including an 8-1 shot dropping in class.

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.
• 5x Rewards Points at Woodbine Mohawk: Receive 5x rewards points on all wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each racing Monday in March.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $40 Fair Grounds Challenge
• $200 Fair Grounds Feeder to 3/21 Louisiana Derby/Jeff Ruby KDBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Will Rogers Downs: Race 1: $5,000 Claiming (one mile on dirt, 2:15 p.m. ET)

#1 Grace Given (1-1) finished second over this track, distance, and class level on Feb. 23, in the process defeating three of the four rivals she’ll face on Monday. She has tactical speed and figures to enjoy a perfect trip in a race without any clear pacesetters.

Let’s key Grace Given on top of a cold exacta using #5 Pure Connection (9-5), the third-place finisher on Feb. 23, for second place.

Selections

• #1 Grace Given (1-1)
• #5 Pure Connection (9-5)
• #3 Cams Hotrod (4-1)

Wagers

• $25 Exacta: 1 with 5

Sunland Park: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 3:17 p.m. ET)

#4 Jim Jim (5-1) looks like a threat to win on debut for trainer Gary Cross, who has gone 2-for-8 (25%) saddling first-time starters at Sunland Park since 2021.

Jim Jim is a son of Mr. Trieste, who sires a respectable 14% winners from first-time starters. Encouraging workouts at Sunland, including three furlongs from the starting gate in :36 4/5, cement Jim Jim as a compelling contender.

A win bet is in order.

Selections

• #4 Jim Jim (5-1)
• #5 Runnin Politician (3-1)
• #6 Southern Caine (9-2)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #4 Jim Jim

Fair Grounds: Race 7: $50,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 4:45 p.m. ET)

#4 La Norme de Jour (8-1) showed flashes of talent last summer, finishing second in a pair of maiden special weights at Ellis Park while earning Brisnet Speed ratings of 84 and 73. Those are the two highest numbers belonging to any of the experienced horses in Monday’s field.

La Norme de Jour kicked off 2026 with a last-place finish in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Fair Grounds. Dropping down in class and distance can help him rebound in his second start for trainer Bret Calhoun, who strikes at a 24% rate with horses running for the second time under his care.

Let’s bet La Norme de Jour to win and key him over unraced Triple Crown nominee #7 General Graham (3-1) in an exacta.

Selections

• #4 La Norme de Jour (8-1)
• #7 General Graham (3-1)
• #6 Editor (4-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #4 La Norme de Jour
• $5 Exacta: 4 with 7
  Total: $25

Good luck!