J. Keeler Johnson
J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast who was drawn to the sport by Curlin's quest to become North America's richest racehorse.
Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Sainthood
Looking for a horse who’s bred to handle the Kentucky Derby distance, even if his pedigree isn’t particularly flashy? Look no further than Sainthood.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Soup and Sandwich
What do you get when you cross the bloodlines of the two most successful U.S. stallions of the last decade? You get Soup and Sandwich, an up-and-coming contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 18
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 18 at Aqueduct and Santa Anita, including a ticket for Santa Anita’s $197,942 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Dynamic One
One of the most expensive horses in the 2021 Kentucky Derby field is Wood Memorial (G2) runner-up Dynamic One, who brings an appropriately classy pedigree to the mix.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Highly Motivated
One year ago, many handicappers would have examined the pedigree of Highly Motivated and concluded he had little chance to win the 1 1/4-mile Kentucky Derby (G1). But times have changed.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 17
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 17 at Keeneland, Oaklawn, and Santa Anita, along with thoughts on mandatory Pick 6 dispersals at Gulfstream and Mahoning.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 16
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 16 at Gulfstream Park and Keeneland, including two singles for Gulfstream’s $526,932 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 15
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Thursday, April 15 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park, including a ticket for Keeneland’s $27,386 Super High Five carryover.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 14
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Wednesday, April 14 at Keeneland and Will Rogers Downs. A $53,696 non-jackpot Pick 6 carryover at Keeneland is high on the agenda.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 13
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Tuesday, April 13 at Mahoning Valley and Parx, including thoughts on an $8,271 Pick 6 carryover.
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Kentucky Derby roundup: April 12, 2021
Upsets reigned supreme in the final round of Road to the Kentucky Derby prep races. As the first Saturday in May marches closer, let’s review on the latest news and notes on the Derby trail:
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 12
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Monday, April 12, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: King Fury
There’s a reason why Lexington S. (G3) winner King Fury sold for $950,000 as a yearling: the up-and-coming colt boasts an elite pedigree unquestionably geared toward success in the spring classics.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Super Stock
Perseverance has paid off for Super Stock, who rallied boldly to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) and secure a place in the Kentucky Derby starting gate.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 11
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Sunday, April 11 at Keeneland, Oaklawn Park, Fonner Park, and Gulfstream Park.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 10
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Saturday, April 10 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 9
J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 9, including tickets for the Limestone Turf Sprint S. at Keeneland and horses to favor in the $50,324 Pick 5 carryover at Fonner Park.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays for April 8
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Thursday, April 8 at Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.
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Keeler Johnson's picks and plays of the day for April 7
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Wednesday, April 7 at Keeneland, Mahoning Valley, and Tampa Bay Downs.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 6
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Tuesday, April 6 at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including a trio of $10 win bets capitalizing on the Midweek Bet Back promotion.
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Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks roundup: April 5, 2021
Our close proximity to the first Saturday in May is evident by the red-hot action on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks trails. Nine qualifying races took place last week, producing a ton of news and notes.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 5
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson kicks off another racing week with picks and plays for Monday, April 5, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Bourbonic
Bourbonic’s pedigree has always indicated he would improve with maturity and thrive running 1 1/8 miles or farther. But does his pedigree contain enough speed breeding to win the Kentucky Derby?
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Rock Your World
Turf or dirt, it doesn’t seem to matter to Rock Your World, who won his first two starts on grass before emerging as a Kentucky Derby contender with a victory in the Santa Anita Derby on dirt.
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Vulnerable favorites to oppose in Gulfstream's $190,967 Rainbow 6 carryover
On a competitive Sunday of racing at Gulfstream Park, a pair of favorites in the Rainbow Pick 6 sequence appear vulnerable at short prices.
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Two horses to single in Santa Anita's $551,699 mandatory Rainbow 6 payout
Just 20 cents. That’s right—a couple of dimes can put you in the position to win a share of $5 million this Saturday.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 2
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Friday, April 2, including three stakes at Keeneland and a $505,627 Rainbow Pick 6 carryover at Santa Anita.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for April 1
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson is ready to start April on a winning note with picks and plays for Thursday, April 1 at Gulfstream Park and Sam Houston.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for March 31
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for a busy Wednesday of racing at Oaklawn Park and Penn National.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays for March 30
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for Tuesday, March 30 at Mahoning Valley and Parx.
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Kentucky Derby and Oaks roundup: March 29, 2021
Five weeks out from the “Run for the Roses,” the action is really heating up on the Kentucky Derby and Oaks trails. Let’s look back on a busy Saturday of racing and recap the latest news and notes:
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Known Agenda
It’s safe to say Florida Derby (G1) winner Known Agenda loves running long, and from a breeding perspective, there’s no doubt where his stamina is coming from.
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Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Like the King
At first glance, it might seem as though Like the King is cut out for success racing on dirt. But dig deeper into his pedigree, and he suddenly seems just as likely to thrive over turf and synthetic.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 29
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his picks and plays for Monday, March 29, at Mahoning Valley and Turf Paradise, including trios of win bets and exacta plays.
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How to bet Mahoning's $343,877 mandatory-payout Pick 6 carryover
The racing week at Mahoning Valley kicks off with a bang on Monday. A $343,877 Pick 6 carryover is scheduled for a mandatory dispersal, and the sequence appears winnable on a modest budget.
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Essential Quality favored in wide-open Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5
Just under five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), the fifth and final Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool closed on Sunday with bettors seemingly uncertain which horse to establish as the favorite.
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Kentucky Derby Pedigree Profile: Rebel's Romance
A blowout victory in the UAE Derby (G2) has cemented Rebel's Romance's status as a Kentucky Derby (G1) contender, and his affinity for dirt racing isn't surprising when you dig into his pedigree.
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Three horses of note in Santa Anita's $431,411 Rainbow 6 carryover
The Sunday card at Santa Anita boasts a Rainbow Pick 6 carryover of $431,411. Here are a handful of non-favored runners worth considering if you want to add some value plays to your ticket.
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How to bet the mandatory Pick 6 payouts at Gulfstream and Turfway Park
A pair of Pick 6 jackpots will undergo mandatory dispersals on Saturday, including a rich pot at Gulfstream projected to reach $7.5 million.
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Betting Gulfstream's all-stakes Pick 4 on a tight budget
Suppose you want to bet Saturday’s all-stakes Pick 4 at Gulfstream Park. Now suppose you want to play the sequence on a tight budget, but still take aim at a big payoff. Is this possible? Absolutely!
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Top plays for the Florida Derby, UAE Derby, and Jeff Ruby Steaks
A trio of top-tier Kentucky Derby prep races will take place around the world this weekend. All three have drawn deep fields with a minimum of 11 entries. Let’s put together a $30 play for each race.
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Are there any singles in Turfway Park's March 27 all-stakes Pick 6?
Fans of multi-race wagers will be excited to hear how the half-dozen stakes on Saturday at Turfway are arranged in consecutive fashion, setting the stage for an all-stakes Single 6 (Pick 6).
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How to bet Penn National's $153,279 Hollywood Hi 5 carryover
The “Hollywood Hi 5” Super High 5 jackpot at Penn National continues to build, reaching $153,279 for Friday’s card. Let's play along on a $24 budget.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 26
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for Friday, March 26 at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park, including a trio of exacta tickets.
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The horses to bet in Turfway's Single 6 and Super Hi 5 carryovers
Thursday's Single 6 at Turfway Park (with an $87,115 carryover) concludes in Race 8, where a $1,436 Super Hi 5 carryover is set to be dispersed
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 25
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for Thursday, March 25 at Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 24
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for Wednesday, March 24 at Sam Houston and Turfway Park, including a trio of exactas.
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Three favorites worth opposing in Turfway’s $84,320 Single 6 carryover
The final week of racing at Turfway Park’s winter meet kicks off on Wednesday with an $84,320 carryover in the Single 6 pool.
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Keeler Johnson’s picks and plays of the day for March 23
Handicapper J. Keeler Johnson shares his weekday picks and plays for Tuesday, March 23 at Mahoning Valley and Will Rogers Downs.
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Looking for longshots in Mahoning Valley's $283,577 Pick 6 carryover
We’ve highlighted two races in Tuesday's Buckeye Pick 6 sequence at Mahoning Valley that seem more likely than others to produce major upsets.
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