Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Jackie’s Player tries turf

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, Oct. 1 at Belmont Park, Presque Isle Downs, and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a 5-1 shot switching from dirt to turf.

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 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.
• $6,000 Split the 6 at Belmont Park: Opt in and place $10+ win wagers in selected races at Blemont Park to compete for shares of prize pools totaling $6,000.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $102 Belmont Park Bet and Set Feeder to 10/3 Keeneland KFC Qualifier
• $150 Belmont Park Challenge
• $40 Belmont Park Challenge
• $200 Belmont Park Feeder to 10/4 Keeneland BCBC/NHC Qualifier
• $40 Charles Town Challenge
• $80 Charles Town Feeder to 10/3 Keeneland BCBC/NHC Bonus Feeder

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Belmont Park: Race 4: Winter Memories (G3, one mile on turf, 3:46 p.m. ET)

#7 Shelzawa (9-2) has won two starts in a row for hot trainer Chad Brown, a 27% winner at Belmont Park this meet. She rallied to win a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Saratoga by one length over a next-out winner, then launched a last-to-first charge to take a $100,000 allowance optional claimer at the same course and distance by two lengths.

Shelzawa’s allowance win yielded a promising 91 Brisnet Speed rating, one of the highest numbers belonging to any filly entered in the Winter Memories. Hot jockey Flavien Prat retains the mount, so let’s bet Shelzawa to win and key her over #8 Sister Troienne (7-2) in an exacta.

Selections

• #7 Shelzawa (9-2)
• #8 Sister Troienne (7-2)
• #3 Crossover Capital (8-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #7 Shelzawa
• $5 Exacta: 7 with 8
  Total: $30

Presque Isle Downs: Race 3: $62,500 Allowance Optional Claiming (6 1/2 furlongs on Tapeta, 4:24 p.m. ET)

#5 Uncle Kef (2-1) is dropping in class after finishing second in the 6 1/2-furlong Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile S. at Presque Isle Downs. The winner, Bossy Wossy, is unbeaten in three starts.

Uncle Kef ought to find the competition more manageable on Thursday, so let’s key him over #3 Freedom Hall (3-1), #2 What’s Your Name (9-2), and #6 Full Tank (5-2) in an exacta.

Selections

• #5 Uncle Kef (2-1)
• #3 Freedom Hall (3-1)
• #2 What’s Your Name (9-2)

Wagers

• $7.50 Trifecta: 5 with 2,3 with 2,3,6 ($30)

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

#8 Jackie’s Player (5-1) showed speed when debuting in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis, but he tired down the homestretch to finish fifth.

Jackie’s Player is a son of Jackie’s Warrior, who sires 19% winners from first-time turf starters. His dam is Artilena, who has already foaled one turf winner. This pedigree suggests Jackie’s Player can take a step forward while switching to turf.

Throw in the fact trainer Brad Cox wins at a 29% rate with horses running long for the first time, and Jackie’s Player is worthy of a win bet.

Selections

• #8 Jackie’s Player (5-1)
• #1 Candy Novel (3-1)
• #3 Have Hope (9-2)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #8 Jackie’s Player

Good luck!