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Free Evangeline Picks & Predictions — August 28, 2026

August 28, 20269 racesAll Evangeline picks

Results are in — see the official Evangeline chart and payouts (our top pick won 1 of 9)→

It's a hot one at Evangeline Downs this Friday — 91°F under clear skies with temperatures that'll have both horses and bettors reaching for the water cooler. The good news: conditions like this typically bake the dirt surface into something fast and consistent, which means front-runners and pace-pressers are going to be very dangerous all day long.

We've got a nine-race card on tap, mixing maiden claimers and claiming sprints on the main track with a pair of turf tests that should give the card some variety. Races 1 through 3 are open to everyone, so whether you're a TrackWiz subscriber or just getting your feet wet, you've got some solid material to work with heading into the afternoon.

The standout name on the free side of the card is Syntagma in Race 1, carrying an 89.12 TrackWiz rating into a maiden claiming sprint — one of the strongest ratings we've posted for any opener on this card. Flip over to the premium side and things get even more interesting, with a turf sprint in Race 8 and a 6/1 morning-line price in Race 7 that our models genuinely like.

3 Free Races at Evangeline

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint on the dirt where two horses tower over the field on the ratings — expect Syntagma and Vekowin to dominate the betting board and likely the race itself.

win4SyntagmaML 8/5

Syntagma is the clear class of this field according to TrackWiz analysis, posting an 89.12 rating that dwarfs every other entrant. The 8/5 morning line reflects that dominance, and trainer Keith G. Bourgeois puts her in a spot where she should face nothing she can't handle. Colby J. Hernandez gets the call and should be able to find a comfortable trip in a race where the pace scenario sets up favorably for a presser.

place6VekowinML 3/1

Vekowin is the logical main danger at 3/1 with a solid 82.48 rating and a top-end average speed figure of 54 — the best in the field. Trainer Isai V. Gonzalez has her positioned well, and if Syntagma has any issues at all, Vekowin is right there to capitalize. She's a strong exacta key underneath.

show8PairedML 4/1

Paired draws some interest at 4/1 with a 51.88 rating that puts her comfortably ahead of the lower half of this field. She's a reasonable show bet and a useful piece in the trifecta, particularly if the top two click at short prices and you need a longer shot to boost the payout.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Trainer Juan A. Larrosa throws a double-barreled punch in this six-furlong claiming race — Drilling Report leads the ratings and Iron in the Fire isn't far behind, making the barn the one to beat.

win8Drilling ReportML 9/5

Drilling Report is the standout in this field, carrying the highest TrackWiz rating at 88.83 and the top average speed figure of 55 among all entrants. A career win rate of 15% is respectable at the claiming level, and Isaac Castillo picks up the mount for Larrosa — a sharp pairing. The 9/5 morning line is short, but the numbers back it up.

place1TwofexusnexusML 5/2

Twofexusnexus comes in with an 83.48 rating and a career win percentage of 18%, tied for the highest in the race — that consistency is hard to ignore. Trainer Keith G. Bourgeois saddles her and Jose Luis Rodriguez is aboard, a workmanlike combination at this level. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's a natural exacta partner with the favorite.

show7Iron in the FireML 4/1

Iron in the Fire rounds out the Larrosa stable's double entry and brings an 18% career win rate that matches Twofexusnexus for best in the field. His 67.19 rating might be a tier below the top two, but at 4/1 he's a sensible trifecta inclusion, especially if you're betting Larrosa to sweep the top three spots.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The morning-line favorite Seraphina Sea is beatable here — Woodall Pass owns a significant ratings edge and the pace shape over a one-mile trip looks tailor-made for the top pick.

win4Woodall PassML 5/2

Woodall Pass carries an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field by a wide margin — and posts a 53 average speed figure that backs up the numbers. Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier stretches her to a mile, and Elio J. Barrera is a reliable rider who knows how to rate a horse on a two-turn trip. At 5/2, she's actually underpriced on the morning line relative to her separation from the field.

place2Security QueenML 4/1

Security Queen is the second-best rated horse in the race at 72.06, a significant step up from the rest of the bottom of the card. She's 4/1 on the morning line, which represents genuine value for a horse that could easily run second — or even win if things go sideways for Woodall Pass. Javier Antonio Hernandez handles the riding duties for trainer Cesar Govea.

show1Cincy's PlayerML 9/2

Cincy's Player at 9/2 offers a useful hedge in the trifecta with a 60.56 rating that places her third in the field. She's a mile specialist by trip today, and trainer Samuel Breaux keeps her competitive. Kevin Roman gets the mount and should have her close enough to the pace to factor.

The first three races give you a nice cross-section of today's themes. Syntagma opens the card as the 8/5 morning-line choice in a 7-furlong maiden claimer, and that 89.12 rating is no accident — on a surface that figures to favor horses with early foot, this one is worth building around. Race 2 shifts to 6 furlongs with Drilling Report at 9/5, a claiming event where pace scenario is everything; in this heat, horses that can settle and pounce late have a real edge over those who burn energy early. Then Race 3 stretches out to a mile of dirt, where Woodall Pass (5/2) gives us our first look at how the field handles distance on what should be a quick track.

One angle to watch across all three free races: the combination of clear skies and extreme heat at Evangeline tends to produce honest early fractions that can soften up front-runners by the stretch. Horses with a proven ability to rate off the pace — or come from just off the leader — have historically fared well in these conditions. Keep that in mind as you build your tickets.

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Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claiming sprint with ten runners, but Bayou Time's ratings advantage and sharp speed figures make this look like a prime opportunity for trainer Keith G. Bourgeois.

win6Bayou TimeML 5/2

Bayou Time posts an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — tops in this field — and backs it up with a 55 average speed figure that only First Flame matches in this field. Trainer Keith G. Bourgeois already has My Touch in the race, but Bayou Time is clearly the barn's A-game entry. Elio J. Barrera rides, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this horse is worth making a win bet around.

place10PerennialspromiseML 9/2

Perennialspromise comes in rated 72.46, which puts her solidly in the second tier of this field, well ahead of the mid-pack contenders. Trainer Shane Wilson sends her out with Harry Hernandez in the irons, and a 52 average speed figure gives her a legit shot to hold second at 9/2. She's a natural play underneath Bayou Time in the exacta.

show4Dr. DeanML 3/1

Dr. Dean at 3/1 is actually the morning-line second choice despite ranking third in our ratings at 71.10 — the public sees something they like here. His 51 average speed figure is modest, but trainer Benard Chatters puts him in this spot for a reason. He's a solid trifecta piece and worth a look if you think the morning line has him properly placed.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A full field of maidens goes a mile on the turf — Ocean's Appeal owns the top rating but faces a legitimate threat from Prytania, making this one of the more nuanced betting races on the card.

win10Ocean's AppealML 9/2

Ocean's Appeal leads all comers with an 84.90 TrackWiz rating in what shapes up as a competitive maiden special weight on the grass. At 9/2 on the morning line, there's actual value here for the top-rated horse — that's not always the case. Trainer Randy J. Ellis puts Jansen Melancon on board, a jockey who handles turf routes comfortably, and the one-mile distance should play to Ocean's Appeal's strengths as a closer.

place9PrytaniaML 7/2

Prytania is the second-highest rated horse in the field at 76.00 and comes in as the 7/2 morning-line second choice — the market agrees with the ratings here. Isaac Castillo has the mount for trainer Andy L. Rogers, and while the 51 average speed figure is on the modest side, turf races at a mile can be won with tactical speed and a clean trip. She's a natural exacta piece.

show2Play On PlayerML 2/1

Play On Player at 2/1 is the morning-line favorite but ranks third in our ratings at 61.93 — that's a gap worth noting. She's the public's choice, but TrackWiz analysis suggests there may be better value higher up the board. She's still a reasonable show bet and trifecta inclusion given the betting public's support.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Knocked Out brings the best career win percentage in the field at 35%, but Beamer's ratings edge tells a different story — this claiming sprint sets up as a genuine battle between market logic and raw numbers.

win1BeamerML 9/2

Beamer tops the TrackWiz ratings at 84.90 and carries a 23% career win rate that demonstrates consistent competence at this level. Trainer Jacoby Landry sends her out with Thomas L. Pompell aboard, and the 54 average speed figure matches several rivals — so the class edge in the ratings is the separating factor. At 9/2 on the morning line, she offers real value if you trust the numbers over the morning-line favorite.

place5Yuma's ShadowML 3/1

Yuma's Shadow rates second in the field at 77.38 with a 25% career win rate — one of the more accomplished records in the field. Trainer Isai V. Gonzalez pairs her with Elio J. Barrera, a combination that's shown up repeatedly today in a positive way. She's 3/1 on the morning line and looks like the most natural second-place finisher in the race.

show7Anslie's GumdropML 6/1

Anslie's Gumdrop rates 76.97, just a hair behind Yuma's Shadow, with an 18% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure that keeps her squarely in the mix. Casey Fusilier gets the mount for Allen Landry, and at 6/1 this is a legitimate value play in the trifecta. If the pace devolves into a war up front, she could be the one sitting off it and running on late.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Cajun Ami is the square on the toteboard at 6/1 but carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the field — this one-mile claiming race has a potential overlay hiding in plain sight.

win7Cajun AmiML 6/1

Cajun Ami is the TrackWiz top pick at 82.71 — well clear of the field — and the 6/1 morning line makes this a genuine value play, not just a chalk bet. Isaac Castillo rides for trainer Eduardo Ramirez, and the 53 average speed figure is solid for this level. At a mile on the dirt, a horse with Cajun Ami's ratings advantage should be able to find cover early and unleash a strong stretch run.

place1Play MoML 3/1

Play Mo is the 3/1 morning-line favorite and rates second in the field at 75.83, backed by a 17% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure. Trainer Allen Landry keeps Jansen Melancon in the irons — a strong jockey-trainer combination at Evangeline. He's a logical exacta pairing with Cajun Ami, and if the favorite runs his race, he should be right there at the wire.

show3Take Charge J JML 5/2

Take Charge J J at 5/2 rates third in the field at 69.40 and goes for trainer Eric Henry with Emanuel Nieves up. The 16% career win rate is consistent without being flashy, and a 53 average speed figure keeps him competitive. He's likely to be well-backed by the public and represents a solid trifecta anchor if you're playing the top two to run one-two.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

She's a Live Wire dominates the figures in this five-furlong turf allowance optional claiming, but the 9/5 morning line means you'll need to build your ticket around her rather than bet her to win on her own.

win4She's a Live WireML 9/5

She's a Live Wire is the clear TrackWiz top selection at 88.83 and boasts a 30% career win rate — impressive for a horse at the allowance optional claiming level. Her average speed figure of 57 is the best in the entire field, and trainer Shane Wilson has Harry Hernandez in the irons. On a five-furlong turf sprint, raw speed and early quickness matter most, and she profiles as the most likely horse to be on or near the lead.

place5Diamond EmpressML 4/1

Diamond Empress comes in at 74.05 in the ratings with a 23% career win rate and a 56 average speed figure that keeps her competitive with the favorite. Isaac Castillo rides for Cesar Govea, a capable combination, and at 4/1 she offers fair value as the main danger to She's a Live Wire. She's the natural exacta play underneath the morning-line chalk.

show1Bet TowinitML 3/1

Bet Towinit at 3/1 rates third in the field at 63.08 and brings a 56 average speed figure — matching Diamond Empress — along with a 15% career win rate. Trainer Allen Landry puts Timothy Thornton in the saddle, and on a short five-furlong turf sprint, early positioning is crucial. If She's a Live Wire and Diamond Empress are doing battle up front, Bet Towinit could be sitting in the right spot to sneak a piece.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The closing race of the night is a loaded maiden claiming sprint where the top-rated Provoker and second-rated Onedayatatime post the two strongest ratings in an 11-horse field — but the morning line has them reversed, setting up a sharp betting angle.

win11ProvokerML 3/1

Provoker tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 and goes off at 3/1 on the morning line despite being rated above Onedayatatime — a subtle edge worth exploiting. Harry Hernandez handles the mount for trainer Andy L. Rogers, and a 52 average speed figure is competitive in this maiden claiming context. Over seven furlongs, a horse with this kind of ratings edge should be able to sit a trip and have energy in reserve for the stretch drive.

place1OnedayatatimeML 2/1

Onedayatatime is the 2/1 morning-line favorite and carries an 84.34 rating — second best in the race — for trainer Jonathan Charles with Julio Ramirez Jr. in the irons. The public clearly prefers her despite TrackWiz ranking her just below Provoker. She's still a strong exacta play, and if the morning-line logic holds, the 2-11 exacta could pay very nicely given that Provoker is the longer price.

show4Cookie BrookieML 9/2

Cookie Brookie at 9/2 rates a solid third in the field at 76.91, a meaningful gap above the rest of the pack. Trainer Scott Gelner sends her out with Elio J. Barrera — who's had a busy night across this card — and the 51 average speed figure keeps her in range at seven furlongs. She's the trifecta piece that makes sense when the top two dominate the early discussion.

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Bottom line for August 28 at Evangeline: the fast, heat-baked dirt is your compass today. Syntagma in Race 1, Drilling Report in Race 2, and Woodall Pass in Race 3 are your free best bets — all backed by strong TrackWiz ratings and conditions that suit their running styles. For the full nine-race breakdown, pace analysis, and exotic ticket strategies, subscribers have everything they need waiting inside. Good luck out there, and as always — bet smart.

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