Wednesday’s Best Bets and Quick Picks: Play these 8-1 shots

Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares best bets and quick picks for Wednesday, May 7 at Thistledown and Horseshoe Indianapolis, including a pair of 8-1 shots.

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• New Players $200 Sign-Up Bonus: Open your TwinSpires.com account using the offer code BET200 to start earning a $200 bonus.
• 5x Points on Harness Racing: Receive 5x points on all wagers at harness tracks (excluding show bets) each Wednesday and Thursday from May 7 through May 29.
• Assiniboia Downs 25% Double Down: Hit two double wagers in a single day at Assiniboia Downs to receive a 25% boost on all winning double wagers at Assiniboia (up to $25 for the day) every Tuesday and Wednesday in May.

Today’s TwinSpires tournaments include:

• $50 Parx Challenge
• $100 Horseshoe Indianapolis Feeder to 5/18 Churchill Downs SFBC Qualifier
• $100 Evangeline Downs Feeder to 5/24 Churchill Downs SFBC Qualifier

Best Bets and Quick Picks

Thistledown: Race 7: $50,000 Claiming (six furlongs on dirt, 3:50 p.m. ET)

#4 Twisted Justice (8-1) is an intriguing longshot in her first start since being claimed by David Wolochuk, who has gone 8-for-16 (50%) saddling new claiming acquisitions in recent years.

Twisted Justice showed pacesetting speed when finishing second by a neck in a $5,000 claimer at Tampa Bay Downs last month. The fact she’s stepping up into the $50,000 claiming ranks may scare away some bettors, but take note, Wednesday’s contest at Thistledown is restricted to horses bred in Ohio, which will help offset some of the apparent class hike.

Indeed, the 79 Brisnet Speed rating Twisted Justice earned at Tampa is three points higher than the par winning number for Wednesday’s conditions, suggesting Twisted Justice is worthy of a win bet.

Selections

• #4 Twisted Justice (8-1)
• #1 Queenofthebuckeye (5-2)
• #2 Authoritarian Girl (9-5)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #4 Twisted Justice

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 7: Maiden Special Weight (six furlongs on dirt, 5:16 p.m. ET)

#8 Don’t Call Me Babe (4-1) has yet to race on dirt, but she’s cracked the trifecta in a couple of maiden special weights on turf and synthetic in Kentucky, earning sharp Brisnet Speed ratings along the way.

Don’t Call Me Babe’s pedigree suggests switching to dirt won’t be an issue, and it’s worth noting trainer Brendan Walsh compiled an excellent 14-for-50 (28%) record at Horseshoe Indianapolis last year.

At 4-1, a win bet is in order. We’ll also single Don’t Call Me Babe to start a double wager.

Selections

• #8 Don’t Call Me Babe (4-1)
• #9 Palm Desert (6-1)
• #5 Spinning Glory (3-1)

Wagers

• $20 to win on #8 Don’t Call Me Babe
• $10 Double: 8 with 7
  Total: $30

Horseshoe Indianapolis: Race 8: $20,000 Starter Optional Claiming (one mile on turf, 5:47 p.m. ET)

#7 Risk Manager (8-1) spent the winter at Fair Grounds, where he won a $30,000 maiden claimer racing one mile on turf in December. In four straight starts he posted Brisnet Speed ratings in the 81-86 range, which stack up nicely against the par winning number (82) for Wednesday’s conditions at Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Risk Manager ran well in $50,000 and $40,000 allowance optional claimers over the Horseshoe Indianapolis turf course last year, finishing second and third, so returning to this course for a $20,000 starter optional claimer should set the stage for victory at enticing odds.

We’ll single Risk Manager to conclude our double wager and bet him to win for good measure.

Selections

• #7 Risk Manager (8-1)
• #4 Gewurtztraminer (9-2)
• #8 Gamer (3-1)

Wagers

• $25 to win on #7 Risk Manager

Good luck!