Daily Picks

Evangeline Picks & Predictions — June 26, 2026

Friday, June 26, 20269 racesEvangeline

It's a hot one at Evangeline Downs today — clear skies and 90°F on the thermometer, which means that turf course should be playing firm and fast all afternoon. Nine races are on the card, mixing maiden claimers, straight claimers, and a stand-alone allowance contest in Race 8 that gives the day a legitimate headliner.

The card splits nicely between five dirt routes and sprints and four turf appearances, so there's plenty of surface variety to work with. That firm turf under summer heat is worth keeping in mind — horses who prefer a bit of cushion under them may not love conditions today, while confirmed firm-turf types could get a real edge.

TrackWiz has rated all nine races, and the numbers surface some genuine standouts alongside a couple of spots where the morning line looks a little generous. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden claimer on the turf sees two horses separate themselves from the pack on ratings, but the morning line suggests the public may underestimate the top pick.

win2Mojane MetalML 5/2

Mojane Metal comes in with the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.81, standing clear of the rest in this maiden claimer on the grass. The 5/2 morning line makes this a digestible favorite for win tickets, and trainer Justin Jeansonne gets the call with Isaac Castillo in the irons — a combination worth noting. With an average speed figure of 51, the raw numbers aren't flashy, but in a first-time or lightly raced maiden field, consistency and rating edge matter most.

place3Mae's MajestyML 3/1

Mae's Majesty sits just a tick below Mojane Metal with an 86.57 rating, and trainer Antonio Alberto sends her out at 3/1 with Jansen Melancon — one of the more reliable riders in the Evangeline colony. Her average speed of 53 actually edges the win pick on raw figures, making her a legitimate threat to steal the top spot and a near-lock for the exacta.

show5Perfect Dixie LadyML 5/1

Perfect Dixie Lady checks in with a 76.41 rating, third-best in the race, and trainer Joe O. Duhon also saddles Nova Nova Nova in this spot — suggesting the barn likes their chances. At 5/1 on the morning line, she offers solid value for show and exotics, and her average speed of 50 is workable on a turf mile where late kick often matters more than early foot.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A short five-furlong dirt sprint for claimers where one horse stands well above the field on ratings despite not being the lowest odds on the board.

win8DrewmazingML 5/2

Drewmazing sports the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.81 — a significant gap over second-best Bind Faith at 71.30 — and draws Elio J. Barrera, who has been active and engaged at this meet. The 5/2 morning line is fair for a horse whose rating advantage is as clear as it gets in a field like this. His average speed of 55 ties for best in the race, and trainer Emile Schwandt puts him in a spot where the numbers scream confidence.

place6Bind FaithML 3/1

Bind Faith is the 3/1 morning line choice and brings a 71.30 rating to the table, second in the field. Jockey Casey Fusilier gets the mount for trainer Allen Landry, and the 55 average speed matches the top horses in this sprint. The 9% career win rate is modest, but in a five-furlong dash, raw speed and positioning off the break can make up for a lot.

show5Western AvenueML 8/1

Western Avenue at 8/1 is the value angle here — an 18% career win rate is actually the second-best in this field, and the 65.18 TrackWiz rating puts him solidly in third. Trainer Chad Ladner saddles him with Devin Magnon up, and the 55 average speed ties with the top closers. If the pace gets hot early, Western Avenue could be finishing best of all.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

An interesting one-mile dirt claimer where the ratings leader goes off at a modest price while the morning line favorite is actually a different horse — setting up a potential overlay situation.

win1My Special StarML 5/2

My Special Star tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 — the highest score in this field — yet is posted at 5/2, offering fair value for a horse with such a commanding edge. Harry Hernandez takes the mount for trainer Samuel Breaux, and while the 7% career win rate looks modest on the surface, that figure can be misleading in a claiming route where class level and recent form matter more. The 52 average speed is right in the mix for a one-mile test.

place5IwannabeamachomanML 5/1

Iwannabeamachoman sits at 74.33 on the ratings and shows a 14% career win rate, matching Mo Whiskey's mark at a longer price of 5/1. Trainer Sam B. David, Jr. gives the call to Javier Antonio Hernandez, and the 52 average speed is consistent with the top contenders. As a place horse, the risk-reward here is strong — the rating gap between him and the win pick is meaningful but not insurmountable for second.

show2PostupML 8/1

Postup at 8/1 is the longshot angle worth including in your exotics — a 66.37 rating puts him clearly in the conversation despite the generous morning line. Trainer Terry J. Romero sends him out with Kelvin Arana, and while the 50 average speed is a tick below the pace-setters, a one-mile route often rewards horses who can settle and finish. At those odds, he's a live show play in any exacta or trifecta structure.

The first three races on the card are fully unlocked for every TrackWiz reader, and they cover a nice range — a maiden claiming turf mile to open, a quick 5-furlong dirt sprint in Race 2, and a one-mile dirt claimer in Race 3. Our top picks in those races are Mojane Metal (5/2 ML), Drewmazing (5/2 ML), and My Special Star (5/2 ML), each earning an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — a dead-heat on the numbers that signals genuine competitive balance across all three. On a firm turf opener like Race 1, pace scenario matters a lot at a mile, and Mojane Metal rates as the horse most likely to control or stalk a manageable tempo. Drewmazing in the 5-furlong dash and My Special Star going two turns on the dirt round out a free-preview trio that offers real betting value before you even get to the premium portion of the card.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A sprawling eleven-horse field at six and a half furlongs creates a complex pace scenario, but two horses stand out on ratings to lead a wide-open exacta.

win8Flyin PrivateML 2/1

Flyin Private draws the morning line favorite's role at 2/1 and backs it up with a TrackWiz rating of 82.57 — second in the field but a tick behind Miracle On Central. Jansen Melancon is a top booking, and trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr. has him primed for this distance. The 54 average speed ties the best in the field, and an 11% career win rate in a large field like this is respectable — favorites in big fields often carry more risk, but the figures here hold up.

place1Miracle On CentralML 3/1

Miracle On Central tops the entire field with a 79.91 rating at 3/1, making him a legitimate threat to flip the top two in the exacta. Colby J. Hernandez pilots for trainer Keith G. Bourgeois, and while the 6% career win rate is modest, the rating edge over the mid-field horses is real. In a messy pace with this many runners, sitting just off the pace and pouncing late could be exactly his style.

show7ArnieML 12/1

Arnie is the eye-catching show pick here — a 12/1 morning line with a 73.96 rating that ranks third in the field and a career win rate of 33% that absolutely jumps off the page. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Justin Jeansonne, and that win rate suggests this horse knows how to finish. At those odds, Arnie is a must-use in trifectas and a legitimate value show play on its own.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The morning line favorite and the ratings leader are two different horses in this one-mile dirt claimer, which means there's a potential overlay at the top — and real value underneath.

win1You GoodML 5/2

You Good holds the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.81 and shows a strong 25% career win rate — one of the better marks in this field. Isaac Castillo takes the mount for trainer Sam B. David, Jr., and the 52 average speed is right in line with the contenders. Posted at 5/2 despite being the ratings leader, there's solid win value here compared to the morning line chalk.

place5NorthernreflectionML 8/5

Northernreflection is the morning line favorite at 8/5 and brings a 75.32 rating with the best average speed in the field at 53. Trainer Ricky Courville sends Kevin Roman out, and the 19% career win rate is strong. There's a case to be made she belongs on top, but our ratings have her second — a place bet is the sensible way to stay engaged with the morning line choice.

show3San Juan HillML 12/1

San Juan Hill is a sneaky value play at 12/1 — a 64.75 rating and a remarkable 40% career win rate, which is the best figure in the entire field by a wide margin. Trainer Edith A. Mojica has Alexis X. Batista up, and a horse that wins nearly half its starts doesn't belong at double-digit odds. Whether that win rate holds at this level or not, show bettors and exotic players should absolutely include San Juan Hill.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A full twelve-horse field on the Evangeline turf at seven and a half furlongs sets up as a pace puzzle, with the top pick coming from the outside part of the draw and carrying the best rating in a competitive spot.

win10Play MoML 4/1

Play Mo is the top-rated horse in this field at 83.67 and goes postward at 4/1 — a number that represents genuine value given the ratings edge. Casey Fusilier gets the call for trainer Allen Landry, who also sends out Highland Creek, suggesting the barn has serious firepower in this race. The 18% career win rate is solid, and a 53 average speed on the turf is right in the wheelhouse for this distance.

place7Highland CreekML 7/2

Highland Creek sits at 73.96 — third in the field — with a 20% career win rate and a 53 average speed, matching Play Mo stride for stride on raw figures. Jansen Melancon takes the mount, giving trainer Allen Landry a one-two punch in this race with top-tier jockey talent on both horses. At 7/2, Highland Creek is a logical place play and a key part of any exacta structure.

show6HegsML 2/1

Hegs is the morning line favorite at 2/1 with a 72.02 rating and a strong 21% career win rate, making this a case where our ratings suggest the public price is a bit short. Thomas L. Pompell rides for Brett A. Brinkman, and the 52 average speed is workable on the turf. As the third-best horse on our numbers and the morning line choice, he's a firm show play — though win bettors may find better value elsewhere.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A short seven-furlong dirt claimer features a clear ratings standout at a price that suggests the market may be giving the public something close to the right number — making the underneath horses the story.

win4It's Been RealML 8/5

It's Been Real carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.12 and goes as the 8/5 morning line favorite — the numbers and the odds are aligned here. Thomas L. Pompell rides for trainer Raymond Prejean, and the 54 average speed is tied for best in the field. A 7% career win rate looks low, but in a small seven-horse field with this ratings separation, the sample context matters and the figures say he's the one to beat.

place5Show RespectML 5/2

Show Respect checks in at 74.76 on the TrackWiz ratings and matches It's Been Real's 54 average speed — meaning this is a horse who can run with the top pick on raw figures. Carlos Perez rides for Samuel Breaux at 5/2 on the morning line, and a 12% career win rate in this company is solid. The place bet here is a strong play for anyone wanting to keep the favorite onside while getting a better number underneath.

show1InawinnerML 8/1

Inawinner at 8/1 is a live show ticket — a 65.36 rating puts him third in the field, and the 16% career win rate is actually the second-best mark in this race. Harry Hernandez gets the mount for trainer Ronnie P. Ward, and a 52 average speed is within range of the top two. In a seven-horse field where pace could collapse on itself late, Inawinner has the profile of a horse who sneaks into the exotics.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Turf

An allowance field on the Evangeline turf mile is headlined by one horse whose rating and win percentage lap the field — making this one of the most straightforward races on the card.

win6Wicked as HaggartML 7/5

Wicked as Haggart is the standout of the entire Evangeline card — a 89.42 TrackWiz rating leads the field by a wide margin, and a 45% career win rate is frankly extraordinary. Jansen Melancon takes the mount for trainer Allen Landry, one of the most active and reliable barns at this meet. The 7/5 morning line is short, but the gap between this horse and the rest of the allowance field makes the price understandable — this is a horse you build exotics around.

place1A Million MoonsML 6/1

A Million Moons offers solid place value at 6/1 with a 59.41 TrackWiz rating and a 26% career win rate — the second-best win percentage among the pick horses. Harry Hernandez takes the mount for Henry B. Johnson, Jr., and the 53 average speed on the turf mile is competitive. With the favorite likely to draw most of the betting handle, there could be overlay value in the place pool here.

show2Freddie by a NoseML 9/2

Freddie by a Nose rounds out the show picks with a 55.25 rating and the best career win rate among the bottom three picks at 28%. Carlos Perez rides for Juan Munoz Cano, and the 52 average speed is a tick below the top contenders but workable on the grass. In a race dominated by one horse, the place and show slots are up for grabs — Freddie by a Nose has the credentials to claim one of them.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A massive fourteen-horse maiden claiming field on the dirt sprint is a bettor's puzzle, but two horses separated from the pack with near-identical ratings — and neither is the morning line favorite.

win7Faye L.ML 8/1

Faye L. tops the TrackWiz ratings at 79.79 despite being posted at 8/1 on the morning line — that gap between our numbers and the public price is exactly the kind of overlay we look for. Jose Luis Rodriguez rides for trainer Isai V. Gonzalez, and the 53 average speed is tied for best in the field. In a maiden claimer this deep, having the top rating and a favorable price makes Faye L. the clear win selection.

place11Candy Girl MissML 5/1

Candy Girl Miss is virtually deadlocked with the win pick at a 79.55 rating — separated by just 0.24 points — and goes as the 5/1 second choice on the morning line. Juan P. Vargas takes the mount for trainer Jacoby Landry, and the 53 average speed matches Faye L. exactly. This is a horse who could just as easily win this race, making her a must-use on top in the exacta and an obvious place bet.

show8Custom ValueML 7/2

Custom Value brings a 73.66 rating into this spot — third-best in the field — at 7/2 morning line odds that actually make her a public pick. Junior Inirio rides for Shelton J. Zenon, Sr., and the 53 average speed matches the top two. She's well-supported by the oddsmakers, and our ratings confirm the placement — include her in trifectas alongside the two higher-rated overlays above her.

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Bottom line: Evangeline serves up a full nine-race Friday card under clear summer skies, with firm turf and a deep dirt program giving handicappers plenty of angles to attack. Mojane Metal, Drewmazing, and My Special Star are your free best bets to start the day. For the full card — including It's Been Real, Wicked as Haggart, and our multi-race exotic strategies — subscriber analysis is live now. Check out TrackWiz Premium if you're not already on board. Good luck out there.

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