Daily Picks

Evangeline Picks & Predictions — May 22, 2026

Friday, May 22, 20269 racesEvangeline

It's a warm Friday afternoon at Evangeline Downs — partly cloudy skies, 83 degrees, and nine races on the board. Conditions look clean right now, and that should mean a consistent dirt surface for the majority of today's card, with a couple of turf sprints and a turf mile adding some variety to the mix.

The card has a little something for everyone: maiden races, claiming company, and a pair of Allowance Optional Claiming events that tend to attract the classier horses on the grounds. That AOC turf mile in Race 8 catches the eye as a key late-sequence race, and Race 5's 5-furlong turf sprint could get spicy with pace angles in play.

TrackWiz has rated all nine fields from top to bottom. Three races are open to everyone today — Races 1, 2, and 3 — and our full-card premium breakdown covers the remaining six. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer over five furlongs of Evangeline dirt, but TrackWiz ratings carve out a clear top tier — the question is whether the morning-line favorite can convert that edge into a win first time out.

win5My Other HalfML 2/1

My Other Half (5) is the standout in this field by a wide margin, posting a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 — more than 23 points clear of the next rival. Jansen Melancon gets the call, and he's a reliable pilot who knows how to rate a horse in maiden company. With an average speed figure of 54 and a morning line of 2/1, the connections clearly expect a strong debut, and our analysis agrees. In a race full of first-timers with no speed figures to speak of, that consistent workout pattern and overall profile makes this one the play.

place2Paradise RidgeML 6/1

Paradise Ridge (2) earns our place nod with a rating of 65.29 and an average speed of 55 — actually the highest raw speed figure in the field. C.J. McMahon keeps the mount for trainer Richard L. Mocklin Jr., and while the 6/1 morning line suggests the market respects the horse without fully trusting it, there's legitimate form here. If My Other Half gets shuffled in traffic early in this nine-horse sprint, Paradise Ridge has the speed figure to punish.

show6Sid's ChicaML 5/2

Sid's Chica (6) rounds out the ticket at 5/2 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 57.5 and an average speed of 53. Trainer Chadwick J. Mouton sends her out with Javier Antonio Hernandez in the irons — a competent combination for a short sprint like this. She grades as the third-best rated horse in the field and offers enough consistency to land in the exotics.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Three horses are separated by just two points at the top of the TrackWiz ratings in this six-and-a-half furlong claiming sprint — expect a genuine pace duel up front and a tight finish.

win7Global StageML 2/1

Global Stage (7) tops our ratings at 88.08 and carries a 19% career win rate into this spot — solid numbers for the claiming ranks at Evangeline. Joel Dominguez gets the mount for trainer Juan Munoz Cano, and that combination has shown a knack for positioning horses well in these mid-distance sprints. Global Stage's average speed of 54 is respectable, and at 2/1 on the morning line, the market is pricing him right. He's the most complete package in the field.

place8Oncoming TrainML 5/2

Oncoming Train (8) is right on Global Stage's heels with a 87.81 rating and matches him on raw speed (avg 55). The 10% career win rate is modest, but in a placing context, this horse has the profile of a consistent competitor who hangs around the board. C.J. McMahon and trainer Richard L. Mocklin Jr. know this horse well, and at 5/2, the place payoff could still be worth chasing.

show4Bind FaithML 7/2

Bind Faith (4) rounds out the top three with a rating of 85.89, an average speed of 55, and a 9% career win rate. Trainer Allen Landry puts Casey Fusilier up, and Landry regularly saddles horses that fire hard in claiming company. At 7/2, Bind Faith is worth including in any exacta or trifecta construction — three horses essentially separated by less than two rating points makes this race a genuine tri opportunity.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short maiden sprint at four and a half furlongs featuring first-time starters wall-to-wall — no average speed figures available for any horse, so trainer and breeding clues carry extra weight here.

win4Powerful RoseML 9/5

Powerful Rose (4) heads our selections with the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 58.67 and a morning line of 9/5 — the market agrees this one is the one to beat. Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier also saddles Saratoga Speak, which suggests stable confidence lands with Powerful Rose, and Devin H. Magnon is a capable pilot who can get a first-timer into position quickly in a short sprint. When no past speed figures are available, the combination of market support and top rating makes this a reasonable lean.

place3Last Two DollarsML 2/1

Last Two Dollars (3) comes in just a tick behind at 58.33 and is the 2/1 morning-line second choice — the field is tight enough that the order at the wire could easily be reversed. Joel Dominguez is one of the more experienced riders at Evangeline, and trainer Henry B. Johnson Jr. knows how to prepare a first-time starter. The 2/1 price makes a place wager sensible if you want exposure to the second choice at a workable return.

show1Louisiana SisML 4/1

Louisiana Sis (1) is the third selection in our sequence at a 55 rating and 4/1 on the morning line. Trainer Ricky Courville also has Korner Stomp in the race, but the morning-line gap — 4/1 vs. 10/1 — tells you where the barn's confidence sits. The inside post in a short sprint can be a factor, and Kevin Roman gives her a fighting chance to hit the board.

Our three free picks today are spread across the early portion of the card, and there's a consistent thread worth noting: the opening races skew toward shorter distances on dirt, which puts a premium on early speed and clean breaks. My Other Half opens the day as a 2/1 morning line favorite in the 5-furlong Maiden Claiming, posting an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that leads the field by a comfortable margin. Global Stage carries similar morning line respect at 2/1 in the 6.5-furlong Claimer in Race 2, rated 88.08 — another strong number that suggests a top-end effort is within reach.

Race 3 is the outlier: a short 4.5-furlong Maiden Special Weight with Powerful Rose drawing attention at 9/5 on the morning line. The MSW tag means these are unraced or lightly raced horses competing for a step above the claiming ranks, so variance is higher — but a 58.67 rating still makes Powerful Rose our top selection. Keep your expectations measured in a short sprint with green horses, but the morning line respect is real.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A sprawling 12-horse claiming field going seven furlongs, where the TrackWiz ratings show one clear standout — but the crowded gate and wide-ranging experience levels make this trickier than it looks.

win7Lil Bro CoopML 5/1

Lil Bro Coop (7) is the top-rated horse in the race at 84.17, a significant gap above the rest of the field despite posting just a 5% career win rate. That low win percentage is the one flag, but trainer Juan C. Sanchez saddles him with Isaac Castillo, and at 5/1 on the morning line, the market is giving him a fair price rather than underlaying him. His average speed of 52 is competitive in this spot, and the seven-furlong distance should suit a horse with his profile. The rating gap is hard to ignore.

place2InstamaticalML 7/2

Instamatical (2) brings a 25% career win rate — the joint-highest in the field — and a TrackWiz rating of 75.39. That's a genuinely strong record for a claiming horse, and trainer Joe O. Duhon puts Juan P. Vargas up at 7/2 on the morning line. An average speed figure of 53 keeps him competitive throughout this distance, and his winning pedigree in the claiming ranks makes him a logical place ticket.

show10Highstakes HustlerML 5/2

Highstakes Hustler (10) checks in at 74.86 in our ratings with a 15% career win rate and an average speed of 54 — the top raw speed figure among the top-rated trio. C.J. McMahon takes the call for trainer Samuel Breaux, and the 5/2 morning line reflects a horse the market genuinely respects. In a wide-open field like this, a horse with speed figures to lead or press the pace and a solid rider on board is a natural show anchor.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the Evangeline turf in an Allowance Optional Claiming — the top two rated horses have legitimate class credentials, but a handful of value runners with high win percentages lurk underneath.

win3AchromedoutcatML 9/5

Achromedoutcat (3) leads our turf analysis with a 88.83 rating, a 22% career win rate, and an average speed of 56 — the highest raw figure in the race. Trainer Randy Degeyter Jr. also saddles Wise Anchor, but the morning line gap (9/5 vs. 10/1) makes the preference crystal clear. Joel Dominguez gets the mount — he's also booked on Astrologysprotege, but that horse rates 29 points lower, so Achromedoutcat is clearly the better ride in his book. At near even money, this one is a deserving short-priced favorite.

place1Strong PromiseML 8/5

Strong Promise (1) is no slouch — a 79.48 rating, 30% career win rate, and average speed of 56 matching the top pick. Jansen Melancon takes the mount for Allen Landry, and a 30% career win rate is genuinely elite in this company. The 8/5 morning line is tight, but on a per-dollar basis, the place return on a horse this consistent could still be worth playing. If the pace sets up to close, Strong Promise is positioned to capitalize.

show9Clear as a BeleML 8/1

Clear as a Bele (9) is the value piece in this exotics structure at 8/1 on the morning line — a 59.7 rating, 26% career win rate, and average speed of 56 matching the top two. Isaac Castillo rides for trainer David Terre, and that 26% career win figure tells you this horse competes and finishes. At 8/1, adding Clear as a Bele to your show tickets and trifecta boxes is a smart hedge with real upside.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A maiden claiming route at a mile on the dirt — one horse is rated nearly 10 points clear of everyone else, but the 7/5 morning line means bettors will have to stomach a short price.

win6Toms Lucky MoML 7/5

Toms Lucky Mo (6) is the standout at 89.42 — the highest TrackWiz rating on today's card to this point — and the morning-line favorite at 7/5. Trainer Shelton J. Zenon Sr. puts Julio Ramirez Jr. up, and despite a field full of maidens with limited records, this horse's overall profile dwarfs the competition. An average speed of 50 is modest for the level, but in maiden claiming company at a mile, it's about consistency and class — and Toms Lucky Mo has both on paper. The price will be short, but the rating gap justifies it.

place1S D's TakeoverML 9/2

S D's Takeover (1) is the most compelling alternative at 79.96 and 9/2 on the morning line — nearly 10 points above the third choice and priced generously given the rating. Trainer Russell C. Richard gives the mount to Theodrick Ledet, and with an average speed of 51 edging out several rivals, this horse has the raw materials to find the board. The inside post at a mile can be advantageous at Evangeline, and the place price should be worth taking if you're hedging against the heavy favorite.

show5Andys Plan BML 5/2

Andys Plan B (5) rounds out our selections with a 58.22 rating and the 5/2 morning-line second choice — a slight disconnect between price and rating that's worth noting. Trainer Juan C. Sanchez puts Harry Hernandez up, and an average speed of 50 keeps him competitive. He's perhaps overbet relative to his actual rating advantage, but the market clearly sees something here, and a horse this heavily supported in the show slot is worth including in your exotics.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

An MSW sprint at five furlongs with a mixed bag of first-timers and lightly raced horses — the morning-line favorite isn't the top-rated horse, which creates an interesting betting angle.

win5Artemis SparklesML 5/1

Artemis Sparkles (5) tops TrackWiz analysis with a rating of 70 — by far the highest in this maiden field — despite going off at 5/1 on the morning line. Joel Dominguez gets the call for trainer Allen Milligan, and with an average speed of 53 on a horse that already has a published figure, there's form here that most of the field can't match. The gap between Artemis Sparkles and the rest of the rated horses (next best is 56.67) is significant enough that this looks like a potential overlay in a spot where the market hasn't caught up.

place2Kingston LadyML 3/1

Kingston Lady (2) is our place selection at a 56.67 rating and 3/1 morning line — the second-best rated horse and one of two runners with published speed figures (avg 53). Trainer Eric Ramaekers has Javier Antonio Hernandez aboard, and at 3/1, she's actually the morning-line second choice, suggesting the public agrees on her credentials. She looks like the most natural bridesmaid if Artemis Sparkles runs as expected.

show1MadoriaML 7/2

Madoria (1) posts a 55.83 rating with an average speed of 54 — the highest raw speed figure among the top three selections — and goes at 7/2 with Carlos Perez for trainer Kirby Leonard. The inside post in a five-furlong sprint isn't always a gift, but a horse with speed figures that compete with the top of the field and a competent jockey can overcome it. At 7/2, she's a solid show anchor and worth including in trifecta tickets.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

The feature looks to be this 14-horse allowance optional claimer on a mile of Evangeline turf — deep field, wide-open ratings in the middle, but two horses separate from the pack at the top.

win8Red RoadML 5/2

Red Road (8) leads our turf analysis with an 81.59 rating, a 16% career win rate, and the top average speed figure in the field at 54. Timothy Thornton rides for trainer Sturges J. Ducoing, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this is the market's top choice as well — TrackWiz and the public are aligned. A mile on turf rewards horses that relax early and finish strong, and Red Road's speed and rating profile suggest he has the engine to do exactly that in a big field.

place6Mr. FavershamML 12/1

Mr. Faversham (6) is the value angle in this race — a 73.96 rating is second-best in the field, but his morning line of 12/1 represents a significant disconnect. Joel Dominguez takes the mount for trainer Juan Munoz Cano, who also saddles Publius in this race. With an 18% career win rate and consistent speed figures (avg 52), Mr. Faversham has a profile that suggests the 12/1 price is generous. If he fires his best on the turf, the place payoff at that number could be substantial.

show9HegsML 9/2

Hegs (9) checks in at 67.42 with a 22% career win rate and average speed of 52 for trainer Brett A. Brinkman. Thomas L. Pompell gets the call, and this horse's 22% career win figure is one of the better marks in a deep field. At 9/2, Hegs offers a fair return in the show position and is a natural fit for trifecta construction given the strong win percentage and middle-tier rating.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Six furlongs on the Evangeline dirt to close out the card — Allen Landry sends out two horses from the same barn, and both rank at the top of our analysis, setting up a fascinating pace and betting scenario.

win7Pineapple WillyML 5/2

Pineapple Willy (7) is our top selection at a 87.81 rating, backed by a 25% career win rate and an average speed of 54. Jansen Melancon gets the call for trainer Allen Landry, who also has He's Exaggerating in the race — a barn with two live shots in the same sprint is a barn that's firing. At 5/2 on the morning line, Pineapple Willy is the one Melancon chose to ride, and that's a meaningful signal. The combination of top rating, strong win percentage, and the pick of the stable's jockeys makes this one our best bet of the nightcap.

place1He's ExaggeratingML 7/2

He's Exaggerating (1) earns our place nod at 80.66 — second-best in the race — with a 16% career win rate and average speed of 54 matching the top pick. Casey Fusilier takes the mount for Landry's second entry, and while Melancon opted for stablemate Pineapple Willy, Fusilier is a capable pilot who won't let this horse get lost in the nine-horse field. The inside post could help him secure early position in a sprinting distance, and a barn this confident entering two horses clearly expects fireworks.

show4Running BayouML 4/1

Running Bayou (4) brings a 74.23 rating and 4/1 morning line with Joel Dominguez aboard for trainer Isai V. Gonzalez. The 5% career win rate is admittedly low, but a rating of 74 says the horse competes — it may just need a bit of luck and a clean trip to convert. An average speed of 53 is solid, and Dominguez is one of the busiest and most successful riders at this meet. In a race where the top two are from the same barn, a third horse to anchor trifectas at 4/1 makes a lot of sense.

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Today at Evangeline, My Other Half, Global Stage, and Powerful Rose headline the free selections — all three face favorable conditions on a clean dirt track in warm weather. For the full card, Toms Lucky Mo stands out as the day's highest-rated contender, and Lil Bro Coop represents the kind of longshot value angle that can make a Friday profitable. Subscribers get the complete Race 4–9 breakdown, pace scenarios, and wagering strategies — all available at /pricing. Good luck at the windows.

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