Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: 12-1 at Churchill Downs

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Sept. 24 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Churchill Downs, 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 Rewards Points at Woodbine Mohawk: Opt in and receive 8x rewards points on all wagers at Woodbine Mohawk each racing day in September.
• 8x Rewards Points at Red Shores: Opt in and receive 8x rewards points on all wagers at Red Shores Charlottetown and Red Shores Summerside each racing day from Sept. 19 through Oct. 31.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $102 Belmont Park Bet and Set Feeder to 10/3 Keeneland KFC Qualifier
• $100 Belmont Park Feeder to 9/25 Churchill Downs KFC/BCBC Bonus Feeder
• $50 Belmont Park Challenge
• $82 Churchill Downs Bet and Set Feeder to 9/26 Laurel Park Autumn Challenge
• $40 Churchill Downs Challenge
• $150 Churchill Downs Challenge
• $200 Churchill Downs Feeder to 9/26 Churchill Downs KFC/BCBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 6: Maiden Special Weight (5 1/2 furlongs on dirt, 4:45 p.m. ET)

#11 Momimosa (5-1) is an unraced filly from the barn of Cipriano Contreras, who wins at a 21% rate with first-time starters. Also notable, Momimosa is a daughter of Mo Town, winner of the Remsen (G2) at age two and the sire of a decent 12% winners from first-time starters.

Momimosa doesn’t appear to be facing an overly formidable field in Race 6, so she’s a threat to score on debut. Let’s bet her to win and key her over second-time starter #3 Aint Having It (9-2) in an exacta.

Selections

• #11 Momimosa (5-1)
• #3 Aint Having It (9-2)
• #2 Hoosier Surprise (7-2)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #11 Momimosa
• $5 Exacta: 11 with 3
  Total: $25

Churchill Downs: Race 5: $150,000 Maiden Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 6:59 p.m. ET)

#3 Nashville Cowboy (9-2) showed some potential when debuting in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Ellis Park. He advanced into the teeth of a strong pace before tiring to finish sixth.

Nashville Cowboy is a half-sibling to a pair of horses who won stakes racing 1 1/16 miles or farther, so he has potential to improve while stretching out in distance for his second start.

Let’s bet Nashville Cowboy to win and key him over #2 Magical Mikel (2-1) in an exacta.

Selections

• #3 Nashville Cowboy (9-2)
• #2 Magical Mikel (2-1)
• #4 Scouting Report (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #3 Nashville Cowboy
• $5 Exacta: 3 with 2
  Total: $25

Churchill Downs: Race 8: Maiden Special Weight (one mile on turf, 8:26 p.m. ET)

#3 Bandolim (12-1) debuted on Sept. 3 in a one-mile maiden special weight over the unique European-style turf course at Kentucky Downs. He performed reasonably well, sticking within two lengths of the pace before weakening slightly to finish fourth, beaten four lengths.

Trainer Paulo Lobo wins at a 38% rate with horses running on grass for the second time, so Bandolim is eligible to move forward on Thursday. The switch to a typical grass oval at Churchill Downs could potentially unlock improvement as well.

At 12-1, Bandolim is worthy of a win bet.

Selections

• #3 Bandolim (12-1)
• #12 Circadian (3-1)
• #9 Quigley (6-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #3 Bandolim

Good luck!