Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Moonshiner at Turf Paradise

Racing at Turf Paradise. (Photo by Coady Photography/Turf Paradise)
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, Nov. 11 at Mahoning Valley, Horseshoe Indianapolis, and Turf Paradise, including a pair of exactas.
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- $100 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 11/15 Churchill Downs Claiming Crown NHC Qualifier
- $100 Mountaineer Feeder to 11/22 Churchill Downs CBC Qualifier
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Best Bets and Quick Picks
Mahoning Valley: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs on dirt, 1:11 p.m. ET)
#1 Distant Galaxy (5-2) has only run once on dirt, finishing sixth (upgraded to fifth via disqualification) in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He was beaten only 6 1/4 lengths.
Distant Galaxy may find the competition a bit more manageable at Mahoning Valley, where he’ll be ridden by Erik Barbaran, who currently leads the Mahoning Valley jockey standings with 17 wins. His win percentage this meet is a lofty 26%.
Let’s load up with a win bet on Distant Galaxy.
Selections
- #1 Distant Galaxy (5-2)
- #2 Go Collector (9-2)
- #6 Stepnoski (7-2)
Wagers
- $35 to win on #1 Distant Galaxy
Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 4: Allowance (one mile on dirt, 3:43 p.m. ET)
#9 Grand Mahogany (3-1) comfortably won his debut in a one-mile maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis, then took his game to Keeneland, where he ran third in a 1 1/16-mile $100,000 allowance optional claimer.
Grand Mahogany should find the competition easier while returning to Horseshoe Indianapolis, where trainer William Walden has compiled an excellent 32% win rate this meet. Let’s bet Grand Mahogany to win and key him over #2 Swamp King (7-2) and #1 Horse of the Sea (6-1) in an exacta.
Selections
- #9 Grand Mahogany (3-1)
- #2 Swamp King (7-2)
- #1 Horse of the Sea (6-1)
Wagers
- $18 to win on #9 Grand Mahogany
- $6 Exacta: 9 with 1,2 ($12)
Total: $30
Turf Paradise: Race 4: $30,000 Maiden Optional Claiming (five furlongs on dirt, 4:39 p.m. ET)
California raider #3 Moonshiner (1-1) is a logical choice to win this five-furlong dash for juveniles. He’s finished second, third, and fourth in his last three starts at Santa Anita and Del Mar, all maiden special weights for California-breds.
With a couple of 81 Brisnet Speed ratings on his record, Moonshiner is far and away the fastest horse entered in Race 4. Let’s bet him over #1 Mo Grey (5-1) and #4 Golden Agenda (4-1) in an exacta.
Selections
- #3 Moonshiner (1-1)
- #1 Mo Grey (5-1)
- #4 Golden Agenda (4-1)
Wagers
- $15 Exacta: 3 with 1,4 ($30)
Good luck!
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