Thursday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Lone speed at 20-1

Racing at Aqueduct (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Thursday, June 26 at Horseshoe Indianapolis, Aqueduct, and Churchill Downs, including a 20-1 longshot.
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Best Bets and Quick Picks
Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (one mile on dirt, 2:41 p.m. ET)
#2 Globalist (2-1) ran well in his April 24 debut over this track, distance, and class level. After settling a couple lengths off the pace, he closed ground to finish second by a neck against Brotha Keny, who returned to win a $25,000 allowance optional claimer at Horseshoe Indianapolis.
Trainer Brad Cox wins at a 26% rate with second-time starters, and since Globalist has shown more tactical speed than deep-closing favorite #4 Steeze (9-5), we’ll count on Globalist to spring a slight surprise.
Selections
- #2 Globalist (2-1)
- #4 Steeze (9-5)
- #1 Coffee Talk (3-1)
Wagers
- $20 to win on #2 Globalist
- $10 Exacta: 2 with 4
Total: $30
Aqueduct: Race 6: $50,000 Maiden Claiming (1 1/8 miles on turf, 3:34 p.m. ET)
There’s almost no pace entered in this field, so we’ll take a shot backing #8 Jackpot Julie (20-1). On May 26, she dueled for command through the opening six furlongs of a 1 1/16-mile contest over this course and distance before tiring to finish eighth.
That effort marked Jackpot Julie’s first start off a long layoff. If she escapes with an uncontested lead in her second start back, she has a shot to spring an upset over deep-closing favorite #9 Starlight Dancer (8-5).
Selections
- #8 Jackpot Julie (20-1)
- #9 Starlight Dancer (8-5)
- #4 Purest Performance (7-2)
Wagers
- $15 to win on #8 Jackpot Julie
- $5 Exacta: 8 with 9
Total: $20
Churchill Downs: Race 6: $125,000 Allowance Optional Claiming (1 1/16 miles on dirt, 7:25 p.m. ET)
#6 Gowells Delight (6-5) has run well against fierce competition this year. She recorded top-three finishes in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and Rachel Alexandra (G2) behind future Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer, and she finished a pacesetting sixth in the Edgewood (G2) against four-time graded stakes winner Nitrogen.
Gowells Delight exits a runner-up finish in a one-mile $125,000 allowance optional claimer at Churchill Downs. She was beaten only a neck, pulled 15 lengths clear of the third-place finisher, and earned a career-best 93 Brisnet Speed rating. That’s the highest number belonging to any filly in Thursday’s field.
Chances are, Gowells Delight’s second try at the allowance level will yield a victory. Let’s bet her over #1 Cue the Duckboats (8-1) and #4 Chasten (5-2) in the exacta.
Selections
- #6 Gowells Delight (6-5)
- #1 Cue the Duckboats (8-1)
- #4 Chasten (5-2)
Wagers
- $18 Exacta: 6 with 4
- $12 Exacta: 6 with 1
Total: $30
Good luck!
Mystik Dan AND Thorpedo Anna run this weekend at @ChurchillDowns in the G1 Stephen Foster and the G2 Fleur de Lis! 🤩 @AshleyAnd502 talked to trainer @KennyMcPeek this morning about his 2024 Oaks/Derby duo. 🎤 pic.twitter.com/cqjcK9PKkS
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