Tuesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Thistledown’s Super High 5 carryover

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Tuesday, July 28 at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Assiniboia Downs, along with a ticket for the $355 Super High 5 carryover at Thistledown.

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.
• 15% Odds Boost at Horseshoe Indianapolis: Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost (up to $25 for the day) on your winning single-horse win wagers at Horseshoe Indianapolis each racing Tuesday in July.
• $2,000 Exacta Hit It & Split It at Presque Isle Downs: Opt in and hit two exactas at Presque Isle Downs for a chance to split a $2,000 prize pool each racing Tuesday in July.
• 25% Double Down at Assiniboia Downs: Opt in and hit two double wagers to receive a 25% boost on all winning double wagers at Assiniboia Downs each racing Tuesday and Wednesday until July 29.
• 15% Odds Boost at GBI Racing: Opt in to receive a 15% odds boost (up to $25 per day) on your winning single-horse win wagers at select GBI tracks from Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $40 Horseshoe Indianapolis Challenge
• $88 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 7/31 Saratoga SSBC Bonus Feeder
• $60 Presque Isle Downs Bet and Set Feeder to 8/2 Saratoga BCBC Qualifier
• $40 Mountaineer Challenge
• $80 Mountaineer Feeder to 8/7 Saratoga KDBC/BCBC Bonus Feeder

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 3: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs on dirt, 3:12 p.m. ET)

#1 I’m Game (7-2) debuted with an eighth-place finish in a six-furlong maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. Although she never factored, she earned a 71 Brisnet Speed rating not far off the par winning number (77) for Tuesday’s conditions at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

I’m Game figures to find the competition easier at Horseshoe Indianapolis, and take note, trainer Rusty Arnold wins at a respectable 18% rate with second-time starters. Arnold’s strong 4-2-1-0 (50%) record at Horseshoe Indianapolis this meet cements I’m Game as a logical contender.

Let’s place a win bet on I’m Game and key her over #4 Glamorize (2-1) in an exacta.

Selections

• #1 I’m Game (7-2)
• #4 Glamorize (2-1)
• #6 Aunt Sheryl (9-2)

Wagers

• $24 to win on #1 I’m Game
• $6 Exacta: 1 with 4
  Total: $30

Assiniboia Downs: Race 2: Maiden Special Weight (five furlongs on dirt, 9:00 p.m. ET)

#6 Beer Budget (3-1) is a threat to win on debut for trainer Michael Nault, who strikes at a powerful 32% rate with first-time starters.

As a daughter of Speculating (who sires a solid 14% winners from first-time starters) out of Runaway Delite (who broke her maiden at age two), Beer Budget has the pedigree to shine from an early age. The presence of jockey Antonio Whitehall (a 21% winner teaming up with Nault over the last two months) adds to the appeal.

A win bet is in order.

Selections

• #6 Beer Budget (3-1)
• #5 Circle the Bird (8-1)
• #3 C J’s Mayzee (2-1)

Wagers

• $30 to win on #6 Beer Budget

Assiniboia Downs: Race 3: $7,500 Maiden Claiming (seven furlongs on dirt, 9:25 p.m. ET)

#6 La Canonica (7-5) is dropping in class after finishing fourth in a couple of maiden special weights at Assiniboia Downs. She brings competitive Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and looms as a logical favorite.

Let’s key La Canonica on top of #4 Moonshine Boogie (4-1) in a cold exacta. The latter filly exits a close runner-up finish at this class level three weeks ago.

Selections

• #6 La Canonica (7-5)
• #4 Moonshine Boogie (4-1)
• #1 Little Tribune (5-1)

Wagers

• $20 Exacta: 6 with 4

Carryover Watch

Thistledown: Race 8: $355 Super High 5 carryover (4:20 p.m. ET)

Fans of Thistledown will be happy to hear Tuesday’s 20-cent “Buckeye 5” Super High 5 features a $355 carryover.

The prize pool is up for grabs in Race 8, a $5,000 claimer for fillies and mares who haven’t won two races in the last year. The six-furlong dirt dash has drawn 10 horses, and we favor the chances of #3 Airforce Lightning (5-1).

Wager

• 20-cent Super High 5: 3 with 1,4 with 1,4,5,7 with 1,2,4,5,6,7,8 with 1,2,4,5,6,7,8 ($24)

Airforce Lightning showed ability competing in a couple different conditioned $5,000 claimers last year. She dominated a six-furlong sprint at Horseshoe Indianapolis, rallying after a hopping start to triumph by 4 1/2 lengths. She then stretched out over one mile on Tapeta at Turfway Park, where she closed nicely to finish third by a neck.

Airforce Lightning misfired in her first two starts of 2026, finishing seventh in a $5,000 claimer and fourth in a $12,500 claimer. But after switching to the care of trainer Rey Juarez-Mendoza, she rebounded in a big way.in a recent $7,500 claimer for non-winners of three races. Facing five rivals sprinting six furlongs at Thistledown, Airforce Lightning dropped back partway through the race, but re-rallied in the homestretch to finish third, beaten only 2 1/2 lengths.

Dropping back down to the $5,000 level may unlock a winning performance from Airforce Lightning. We recommend keying her on top in the Super High 5.

Underneath, we’ll emphasize #1 Quick Recovery (7-2) and #4 Special Beach (4-1).

Quick Recovery has made five straight starts at this class level at Thistledown this year, recording a quartet of top-four finishes. She brings consistently sharp Brisnet Speed ratings to the table and retains the services of hot jockey Jose Bracho, a 23% winner at Thistledown this meet.

Special Beach has likewise competed well in $5,000 claimers at Thistledown this year, recording four straight top-four finishes leading up to Tuesday’s contest. Her Brisnet Speed ratings are strong, and she may produce a peak performance while picking up apprentice jockey Jefferson Skerrett, who rides with a seven-pound weight allowance.

Good luck!