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Evangeline Picks & Predictions — June 20, 2026

June 20, 20269 racesAll Evangeline picks

This card ran on June 20, 2026.

Best bets at Evangeline, June 20, 2026

Race 18Nola QueenML 5/26:30 PM EDT

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Last 30 days at Evangeline: our top pick won 13 of 56 races (23%) and finished in the money in 36.

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We're at Evangeline Downs on a cloudy Saturday with temps sitting around 83°F — comfortable racing weather for horses and bettors alike. Nine races are on the board today, mixing maiden specials, claiming routes, and a pair of allowance optional claiming spots that figure to draw some of the sharper horses on the grounds.

The card splits nicely between dirt and turf, with three turf races sprinkled through the middle and back half of the program. That turf chute at Evangeline can play quirky depending on how much moisture has been in the area, so keep an eye on the board for any late surface switches. For today, we're operating on the assumption that both surfaces are live and in play.

Three races are available free to all TrackWiz readers, and we've got six premium deep-dives locked in for subscribers. Whether you're here for a casual afternoon or building a full-card ticket, there's plenty to dig into.

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Race 1

6:30 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden sprint where TrackWiz ratings separate three contenders from the rest of the field — but with all horses at zero career wins and no speed figures to lean on, this one could go any direction.

win8Nola QueenML 5/2

Nola Queen tops the TrackWiz ratings at 57.5, the highest in the field, and the morning line of 5/2 reflects that the market agrees. Trainer Sturges J. Ducoing puts Timothy Thornton in the irons, a pairing worth watching in a maiden sprint at 4.5 furlongs where early foot matters. With no prior speed figures on file for any entrant, the ratings edge here is the most reliable separator we have, and Nola Queen has a meaningful cushion at the top.

place2Copy ThisML 3/1

Copy This sits just a tick behind at 56.67 on the TrackWiz scale and gets the services of Jansen Melancon, one of the more established riders on the Evangeline circuit. Trainer Robertino Diodoro also saddles Bar Car in this race, which hints at a barn with a live runner or two — and Copy This draws the rail at the 3/1 morning line, which is solid value if the pace sets up favorably.

show4Korner StompML 9/2

Korner Stomp rates out at 54.17 — third best in the field — and comes in at 9/2 on the morning line, making this one of the better-priced horses in the top tier of the ratings. Trainer Ricky Courville sends Julio Ramirez, Jr. to the post, and in a maiden special weight sprint where the pace is genuinely unknown, having a horse with a solid rating at a fair price rounds out any exotic ticket nicely.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

6:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Congrats Cadet looks like a class standout in this one-mile dirt claimer, but Fret No More's hidden rating and career win percentage make the bottom of the ticket more interesting than the morning line suggests.

win1Congrats CadetML 2/1

Congrats Cadet is simply the class of this field on paper — a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 that dwarfs the competition, and a 2/1 morning line that reflects that dominance. Trainer Cesar Govea sends Javier Antonio Hernandez to the post, and while a 14% career win rate isn't flashy, the raw rating here speaks loudly. At a mile on dirt, pace endurance matters, and Congrats Cadet's profile suggests a horse built for this distance.

place4Plum WineML 9/2

Plum Wine rates at 69.48 and carries a 13% career win percentage into the starting gate — right in line with the field average, but the 9/2 morning line offers a touch of value for a horse that should be placing. Juan P. Vargas takes the mount for trainer Henry B. Johnson, Jr., and with an average speed of 51, Plum Wine isn't blazing fast but figures to be consistent enough to fill the exacta at a reasonable price.

show8Fret No MoreML 12/1

Fret No More is the sleeper in this field — a 68.96 TrackWiz rating (second only to Congrats Cadet) paired with the highest career win percentage in the race at 17%. The 12/1 morning line feels like a significant overlay for a horse that rates this well. Timothy Thornton aboard for trainer Sturges J. Ducoing is a solid pairing, and at a mile, a horse with a history of closing can make a late run into the show spot or better.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Our three free previews today span the opening trio of races and give you a real taste of what this card has to offer. Nola Queen opens the day in a 4½-furlong maiden special weight on the dirt — short, fast, and exactly the kind of race where early speed can be decisive. In Race 2, Congrats Cadet is our top-rated free pick on the entire card with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating, and he gets a full mile on the dirt to show off his stamina. Round out the free plays with Crimson Red Road in the 5-furlong turf maiden — a surface that can be tricky to read early in the card, but our analysis points to this runner as the one to beat at a workable 3/1 morning line.

Across those three races there's a consistent thread: horses that project to get favorable early positions without being pressed too hard. At a track like Evangeline, where pace scenarios on the front end tend to shape results, that's not a coincidence — it's an angle worth carrying through the rest of your card.

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Race 3

7:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

The turf opener at five furlongs throws a curveball — Crimson Red Road's rating leads the field by a comfortable margin, but Debriseason's morning-line favoritism sets up a fascinating pricing mismatch worth exploring.

win8Crimson Red RoadML 3/1

Crimson Red Road posts the field's top TrackWiz rating at 70.3, which is a significant gap above the 2/1 morning-line favorite Debriseason. Colby J. Hernandez gets the call for trainer Lee Thomas, who also has Charlie Prime in the race, suggesting the barn came ready. With an average speed of 55 — tied for the field's best — and that ratings advantage, Crimson Red Road at 3/1 represents genuine value over the chalk.

place2DebriseasonML 2/1

Debriseason draws the 2/1 chalk on the morning line, which is understandable given trainer Samuel Breaux's reputation, and Elio J. Barrera is one of the busiest riders on the card today. The 58.33 rating is solid, and an average speed of 54 on turf gives some confidence this horse has the tools for the surface. The concern is that the price is short for a maiden turf sprint, where first-timers on the surface can be unpredictable.

show5Star StrummerML 7/2

Star Strummer at 7/2 rates out at 55.83 — third in the field — and trainer Allen Landry sends Casey Fusilier to the post. There are no speed figures on file, which adds some mystery, but the ratings suggest this horse belongs in the conversation. In a turf maiden with multiple horses debuting on the surface, having a show play at a reasonable price helps anchor any multi-leg exotic.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 4

7:51 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Bolt's Treasure stands out as a massive ratings advantage in a bulky 14-horse maiden claiming field, but Youcandoitboy lurking at 10/1 with the second-best score in the field is the value angle that could reshape the exotics.

win10Bolt's TreasureML 8/5

Bolt's Treasure carries a 88.69 TrackWiz rating — the top mark in a field of 14 — and comes in as the 8/5 morning-line favorite. Trainer Isai V. Gonzalez puts Elio J. Barrera up, and with an average speed of 54 at seven furlongs on dirt, the horse should handle the distance. In maiden claiming races, a rating advantage this wide over the rest of the field is rare, and it's hard to construct a scenario where Bolt's Treasure doesn't factor.

place9YoucandoitboyML 10/1

Youcandoitboy is a genuinely interesting value play here at 10/1 — a 76.88 TrackWiz rating gives this horse the second-best score in the field, yet the morning line treats it like a long-shot. Javier Antonio Hernandez gets the mount for trainer Alan Klanfer, and an average speed of 53 is respectable in this company. If Bolt's Treasure has any trouble breaking from the 10 post, Youcandoitboy could steal a clear trip and push for the win.

show3Toms Lucky MoML 5/2

Toms Lucky Mo rates at 65.53 and draws the 5/2 on the morning line, which makes this a well-liked horse by the morning-line maker despite sitting third in our ratings. Julio Ramirez, Jr. takes the mount for Shelton J. Zenon, Sr., and while the average speed of 51 is modest, consistency in maiden claiming fields often matters more than peak figures. In a race this large, having a rated horse at a fair price in the exotics is sound handicapping.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 14 runners

Race 5

8:18 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

Three horses — Storms of Life, Thundering Desire, and Kindling Embers — are tightly clustered atop the TrackWiz ratings in this 7.5-furlong turf claimer, setting up a genuine three-way battle that should produce a competitive pace scenario.

win7Storms of LifeML 5/2

Storms of Life leads the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 with Harry Hernandez in the saddle for trainer Sam B. David, Jr. The 5/2 morning line is a fair reflection of the horse's standing — solid but not prohibitive. A 13% career win rate is modest, but in a turf claimer at 7.5 furlongs, pace management often outweighs raw speed, and an average speed of 52 keeps this horse in the mix throughout.

place4Thundering DesireML 2/1

Thundering Desire is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with an 80.68 rating and an 18% career win percentage — one of the stronger win rates in the field. Timothy Thornton rides for W. Bret Calhoun, a trainer who puts horses in good spots, and the average speed of 53 is the best among the top three. The price will be short, but Thundering Desire is the type of reliable closer who finds the board even on a bad day.

show2Kindling EmbersML 8/1

Kindling Embers at 8/1 is the value case here — a 79.79 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win percentage that absolutely jumps off the page. Trainer Brett A. Brinkman sends Thomas L. Pompell up, and for a horse with a career win rate that high, 8/1 morning line feels like the market is underselling the talent. In a turf claimer where pace can be unpredictable, a horse with that kind of win percentage has a legitimate shot to run into the show spot or better.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 6

8:46 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Lil Bro Coop and Scallywag hold a clear edge over a large field in this seven-furlong dirt claimer, but the spread in morning-line prices between two horses with nearly identical top-end ratings creates some real betting intrigue.

win12Lil Bro CoopML 5/2

Lil Bro Coop tops the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating, matching Storms of Life from Race 5 but drawing a 5/2 morning line in a field where several horses are listed at 20/1. Isaac Castillo takes the mount for Juan C. Sanchez, and with a 7% career win percentage — low on the surface — the ratings edge is doing the heavy lifting here. At seven furlongs on dirt with an average speed of 53, this horse profiles as a presser who can maintain position into the stretch.

place1ScallywagML 4/1

Scallywag rates out at 80.87 — second in the field — with a 10% career win rate and a 4/1 morning line that makes this one of the more appealing exacta options on the card. Carlos Perez rides for Juan Munoz Cano, and with an average speed of 53, Scallywag figures to be competitive throughout. If Lil Bro Coop gets into a pace battle, Scallywag has the profile to swoop in late and fill the exotics.

show11Cypress GoldML 5/1

Cypress Gold rates at 68.8 and carries a 13% career win percentage — about average for this field — but at 5/1, the morning line puts this horse in an interesting spot. Jose Luis Rodriguez rides for Juan A. Larrosa, and the average speed of 52 is consistent. In a 12-horse field with several horses at 20/1, Cypress Gold gives the show slot some credibility in trifecta and superfecta plays without costing much.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 7

9:13 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

She's a Live Wire is the clear ratings leader in this allowance optional claiming turf sprint, but Bayou Bertie and Spa City Girl — the latter carrying a stunning 50% career win rate — give this race more depth than the short prices suggest.

win9She's a Live WireML 2/1

She's a Live Wire tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54 and comes backed by a 37% career win percentage, one of the strongest in the field. Harry Hernandez gets the call for trainer Shane Wilson, and an average speed of 57 ties for the field's best — that number on a five-furlong turf sprint is meaningful. The 2/1 morning line is what you'd expect for a horse this well-credentialed, and the combination of high win rate and top speed figure makes this a legitimate top choice.

place7Bayou BertieML 7/2

Bayou Bertie rates at 84.48 and brings a 33% career win percentage into the gate — this horse knows how to win. Timothy Thornton rides for Alan Klanfer, who also has Miss Dealority in the race, giving the barn multiple shots. The average speed of 57 ties for best in field, and the 7/2 morning line is fair value for a horse that could easily switch positions with the win pick depending on how the turf plays.

show1Spa City GirlML 8/1

Spa City Girl is the eye-catcher in this field — a 50% career win rate is extraordinary and suggests a horse that has been placed in the right spots by trainer Ernie Witt II. The 71.35 rating is third in the field and the 8/1 morning line offers legitimate value for a closer profile that could hit the board in a short turf sprint. Emanuel Nieves has the mount, and if the pace collapses up front, Spa City Girl's win-rate pedigree suggests she'll be right there.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 8

9:40 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Peace of Justice and Justlikelouise are neck and neck at the top of the TrackWiz ratings in this six-furlong dirt allowance optional claimer, setting up what should be a two-horse battle — with Treasure Me lurking as the exotic fill.

win1Peace of JusticeML 2/1

Peace of Justice carries an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — highest in the field — and a 33% career win percentage that speaks to consistent competitiveness. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Joe O. Duhon, and with an average speed of 54, this horse fits the six-furlong dirt conditions well. The 2/1 morning line is fully justified, and in an allowance optional claiming field this tight at the top, the rating cushion is a meaningful separator.

place3JustlikelouiseML 9/5

Justlikelouise rates out at 83.9 and draws the 9/5 morning-line — technically the favorite in terms of price despite trailing Peace of Justice in our ratings. Thomas L. Pompell gets the mount for Brett A. Brinkman, a trainer who knows how to set horses up for allowance spots. The 12% career win rate is the only concern, but in a short field of seven at an allowance level, this horse is clearly in the right race and should be on your ticket.

show4Treasure MeML 7/2

Treasure Me rates at 72.13 with a 33% career win percentage — matching Peace of Justice's win rate but carrying a lower rating, which is why the 7/2 morning line makes sense. Jansen Melancon is one of the busier riders in the Evangeline colony and picks up the mount for Allen Landry. An average speed of 52 is a tick below the top two, but in a field of seven where the pace could set up for closers, Treasure Me has the profile to sneak into the show spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 9

10:07 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A large, chaotic 14-horse mile claimer on dirt where Witchology leads the ratings but the morning line has Lewis Memorial as the co-favorite — the pricing discrepancy between those two horses is the story of this race.

win8WitchologyML 9/2

Witchology tops the TrackWiz ratings at 84.9 despite coming in at 9/2 on the morning line — that gap between our rating and the market price is the value angle here. Elio J. Barrera takes the mount for trainer Scott Gelner, and while a 5% career win percentage is low, this is a horse that may have been running above its level. At a mile on dirt with an average speed of 51, Witchology's profile suggests a stalker who can sit off the pace in a big field and make a run in the final turn.

place9Lewis MemorialML 2/1

Lewis Memorial comes in as the 2/1 morning-line choice — the public's top pick — with a 78.11 rating and a 7% career win percentage. Julio Ramirez, Jr. has the mount for trainer Rosa E. Ramirez, and the average speed of 53 is one of the better marks in the field. At 2/1 in a 14-horse field at a mile, the price is a bit short for the uncertainty, but the rating and speed number justify a place play.

show4Senor SmokeML 5/1

Senor Smoke rates at 78.03 — third in the field — with a 9% career win rate and a 5/1 morning line that represents solid value in a race this deep. Thomas L. Pompell rides for Eduardo Ramirez, and an average speed of 53 keeps this horse in contention over the distance. In a 14-horse field where pace scenarios are nearly impossible to predict, having a well-rated show horse at 5/1 is exactly the kind of hedge that makes trifecta plays manageable.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 14 runners

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Bottom line: Congrats Cadet is the standout free play of the day, Nola Queen and Crimson Red Road round out a solid free opening trio, and the premium card is loaded with live longshot angles and multi-race sequence opportunities. It's a full nine-race day at Evangeline — good conditions, live fields, and plenty of ways to cash. Unlock the complete analysis at TrackWiz premium and make sure you've got every angle covered before the gates open.

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