Monday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Sunland Park Pick 3

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Monday, Feb. 23 at Sunland Park, including a Pick 3.

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Best Bets and Quick Picks

Sunland Park: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 2:51 p.m. ET)

Since 2025, trainer Justin Evans has compiled a perfect 3-for-3 record saddling first-time starters at Sunland Park.

This bodes well for #1 Conclave (4-1), an unraced four-year-old trained by Evans. The son of multiple Grade 1 winner Practical Joke has put together a lengthy work tab capped off by a bullet three furlongs in :35 at Sunland, suggesting he’s ready for a competitive debut under hot jockey Luis Negron.

Let’s place a win bet on Conclave and bet him over #3 Smoothwhskygoindwn (7-2) in a small exacta.

Selections

• #1 Conclave (4-1)
• #3 Smoothwhskygoindwn (7-2)
• #7 Citizen Barrett (8-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #1 Conclave
• $5 Exacta: 1 with 3
  Total: $30

Sunland Park: Race 4: $8,000 Starter Optional Claiming (6 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 3:43 p.m. ET)

#7 Axton (4-5) has won seven of his last eight starts, including four in a row since October. With consistently fast Brisnet Speed ratings in the 83-91 range under his belt, he looks tough to beat for the red-hot jockey/trainer duo of Alfredo Juarez Jr. and Dick Cappellucci.

Let’s single Axton to start a Pick 3.

Selections

• #7 Axton (4-5)
• #4 Good Lovin (9-2)
• #6 Magical Mark (6-1)

Wagers

• $15 Pick 3: 7 with 3 with 1,2 ($30)

Sunland Park: Race 5: $20,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (one mile on dirt, 4:09 p.m. ET)

After competing at the stakes level in six of his last seven starts (recording a bevy of top-three finishes in the process), #3 Bearings (8-5) should appreciate dropping in class for a $20,000 allowance optional claimer. His last three Brisnet Speed ratings (98, 93, and 96) stamp him as clearly the horse to beat for hot trainer Justin Evans.

#6 Bender (5-2) can complete the exacta.

Selections

• #3 Bearings (8-5)
• #6 Bender (5-2)
• #2 Count Dracula (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 3 with 6

Good luck!