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Evangeline Picks & Predictions — June 27, 2026

June 27, 20269 racesAll Evangeline picks

This card ran on June 27, 2026.

Best bets at Evangeline, June 27, 2026

Race 19Same PlayML 3/16:30 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 7 races are for members.

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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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It's a scorcher out at Evangeline Downs today — clear skies and 90°F on the thermometer, which means the dirt strip should be playing fast and firm all afternoon. Nine races are on the card, mixing claiming routes, maiden sprints, and an Allowance Optional Claiming turf dash that figures to draw some of the sharpest horses on the grounds.

The card leans heavily on turf with four grass races sprinkled across the afternoon, so keep an eye on any late surface changes — when temperatures spike like this in Louisiana, the turf can get firm in a hurry, and that can completely flip a pace scenario. TrackWiz analysis has flagged several horses today whose best figures came on firm going, so conditions are very much working in our favor.

Three races are open to all readers, and six carry our full premium breakdown. Whether you're playing a few exactas or building a multi-race sequence, there's plenty to dig into today.

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Race 1

6:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open turf claimer at 7½ furlongs where the TrackWiz model finds a clear top rating but the morning line tells a very different story — value hunters, take note.

win9Same PlayML 3/1

Same Play (No. 9) carries a dominant TrackWiz rating of 87.08, the highest in the field by a comfortable margin, and Jamison Mudd gets the call from the saddle. Trainer Jerry Delhomme sends this one out at a 3/1 morning line that looks like a gift given the model separation. At 7½ furlongs on the turf, pace scenarios tend to reward horses that travel kindly and finish — Same Play profiles as exactly that kind of runner.

place3Skenes CrewsML 6/1

Skenes Crews (No. 3) is an eye-catcher with a 50% career win rate — that's not a stat you see every day in a field like this. Jansen Melancon takes the mount for trainer Allen Landry, a solid local combo, and the 65.36 rating ranks second in the race. At 6/1 on the morning line, there's genuine place value here.

show6Single ShotML 12/1

Single Shot (No. 6) presents one of the more intriguing contradictions on the card — a 64.58 TrackWiz rating that slots third in the field, yet the morning line sits all the way out at 12/1. Career win percentage of just 6% explains some of the public skepticism, but in exotic tickets the rating alone makes Single Shot worth including as a live show option.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

6:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Three horses bunched near the top of the TrackWiz ratings make this 6½-furlong dirt claimer a genuine battle, with the pace likely to be honest and the outcome far from predetermined.

win3Little Bit O StormML 7/2

Little Bit O Storm (No. 3) posts the field's top rating at 86.35 and goes postward at a fair 7/2 morning line under Elio J. Barrera for trainer Joe O. Duhon. Duhon is an Evangeline barn worth watching, and Barrera is one of the more active and effective riders on the circuit. The average speed figure of 53 is competitive in this field, and the model likes this horse's overall profile at 6½ furlongs on the dirt.

place8R G GoldendreamML 3/1

R G Goldendream (No. 8) brings the best career win percentage in the race at 25% — a figure that screams consistent competitiveness. C.J. McMahon takes the mount for trainer Gary J. Husak, and the 84.96 rating is just a tick behind our top selection. The 54 average speed figure actually leads the field, making this horse a legitimate threat to grab the win and a near-lock for the place.

show4Ry RyML 5/2

Ry Ry (No. 4) rates third at 82.29 and comes in as the public's 5/2 morning-line favorite, suggesting the crowd isn't far off from the model here. Trainer Brett A. Brinkman teams with Thomas L. Pompell, and the 12% career win rate shows this horse has broken its maiden before — always reassuring in a claiming field. A tight top three makes show tickets built around these three an attractive option.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Our free picks today cover the first three races on the card and they span both surfaces, giving you a nice early read on how the track is playing. In Race 1, Same Play (morning line 3/1) tops our ratings at 87.08 on the turf at 7½ furlongs — a distance that tends to sort out the field nicely and rewards horses that can rate off the pace. Race 2 shifts to dirt for a 6½-furlong claiming sprint where Little Bit O Storm (7/2 ML, 86.35 rating) profiles as the most versatile speed horse in a pace scenario that could get contentious early.

Race 3 is the one that has us most intrigued among the free plays — a maiden claiming mile on the turf where Struck Out lands at the top of our ratings (87.81) despite a fair morning line of 5/2. Maiden turf routes at a mile are prime hunting grounds for value, and Struck Out's profile fits the profile of a horse ready to graduate. These three races set up nicely as a sequence if you're building Pick 3 tickets early in the card.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

7:24 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Maidens going a mile on the turf are always a puzzle, but one horse stands well clear of the field on the TrackWiz ratings scale — the question is whether the price holds up.

win6Struck OutML 5/2

Struck Out (No. 6) tops the field with an 87.81 rating and is the public's 5/2 morning-line choice — Jamison Mudd gets the assignment for trainer Emile Schwandt. In a maiden claiming field where every runner is looking for a first career win, the model separation here is meaningful. The 51 average speed figure is modest, but in a maiden turf route, running style and ground-saving trips often matter more than raw figures.

place3Smarty's BackML 5/1

Smarty's Back (No. 3) rates second at 72.63 for trainer Edith A. Mojica, who saddles Thomas L. Pompell. The 5/1 morning line represents solid place value for a horse with a genuine shot to land second money in this field. At a mile on the turf, pace setup can create a wide-open scenario and Smarty's Back looks like a horse that could sit a comfortable mid-pack trip and close.

show8Don PabloML 7/2

Don Pablo (No. 8) rates third overall at 66.74 under Elio J. Barrera for trainer Shelton J. Zenon, Sr., and the 7/2 morning line keeps this one near the top of the betting board. The 53 average speed figure is among the better in the field, and Barrera's ability to navigate a turf route of 10 horses is a real asset. A strong exotic play for show coverage in what figures to be a multi-horse finish.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 4

7:51 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

First-time starters and lightly-raced maidens collide at 6 furlongs on the dirt, creating a classic high-variance puzzle — but TrackWiz analysis spots a clear standout at a price that makes sense.

win9Cajun CupidML 2/1

Cajun Cupid (No. 9) leads all horses with an 82.57 TrackWiz rating and draws the 2/1 morning-line favoritism — not a bad price for a horse that profiles this cleanly atop the ratings. Kelvin Arana handles the riding duties for trainer Samuel Breaux, who knows this track well. With an average speed figure of 53 in a field where several runners show no recorded figure at all, Cajun Cupid brings a measurable edge in speed as well.

place1UninspiredML 10/1

Uninspired (No. 1) might have an unfortunate name, but a 76.88 TrackWiz rating at 10/1 on the morning line is anything but. Carlos Perez teams with trainer Juan A. Larrosa — a consistent Evangeline shipper — and the 52 average speed figure shows this horse has real experience to draw on. The double-digit morning line makes Uninspired a genuine overlay play for exacta and place tickets.

show10Maximus AmarML 7/2

Maximus Amar (No. 10) draws a 7/2 morning line that suggests public support, and the 55.83 TrackWiz rating places this runner third in the field. Trainer Ricky Courville sends out Emanuel Nieves, and while no average speed figure is available, the morning-line respect alone keeps this one squarely on the exotic radar in a maiden sprint with multiple unproven runners.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 5

8:18 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A short, competitive claiming field going a mile on the dirt, but one horse separates himself significantly on the TrackWiz model — the 8/5 chalk may actually be worth backing.

win7Im Singled UpML 8/5

Im Singled Up (No. 7) is the class of this field by a wide margin, posting an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — the highest of any horse on the entire Evangeline card today. Harry Hernandez handles the ride for trainer Antonio Alberto, and at 8/5 on the morning line, the public is already on board. A 14% career win rate and a 52 average speed figure both support this as a legitimate single in pick sequences.

place2Molto VinoML 3/1

Molto Vino (No. 2) brings a 16% career win rate — the best in the field — along with a 71.9 TrackWiz rating that slots comfortably second. Carlos Perez rides for trainer John Bernard, and at 3/1 on the morning line this horse shapes up as the most logical place alternative. The 51 average speed figure suggests a relentless, grinding style that can stay competitive going a full mile.

show4Rusty's SunriseML 9/2

Rusty's Sunrise (No. 4) rates third in the field at 67.46 under Jose Luis Rodriguez for trainer Isai V. Gonzalez. The 9/2 morning line is fair for a horse sitting in the second tier of this claimer, and a 51 average speed figure matches several rivals. In a race where the top two look well established, Rusty's Sunrise figures to compete for the minor share of the purse and earns a spot in show and exotic plays.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

8:46 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden special weight mile on the turf brings out first-timers and lightly-raced horses, but TrackWiz analysis identifies a sharp top trio with the win pick standing clear of the pack.

win5Charging OvatimeML 5/2

Charging Ovatime (No. 5) is our top pick with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest on the entire card — and comes in at a morning line of 5/2 under Harry Hernandez for trainer Shane Wilson. The 54 average speed figure leads the field among horses with recorded figures, providing a real edge in a turf maiden where raw speed can separate runners. This profile fits the bill for a horse ready to break its maiden first out at this level.

place6Ocean's AppealML 6/1

Ocean's Appeal (No. 6) rates second at 81.52 and comes in at 6/1 on the morning line under Javier Antonio Hernandez for trainer Randy J. Ellis. A 53 average speed figure is right in the mix with the top horses, and the double-digit-ish morning line creates genuine value for place bettors. In a turf mile where closers can take advantage of pace scenarios, Ocean's Appeal deserves respect as a legitimate contender.

show8Spare MeML 9/2

Spare Me (No. 8) turns heads with a 57 average speed figure — the highest in the entire field by a comfortable margin. Emanuel Nieves rides for trainer Alan Klanfer, and the 76.58 TrackWiz rating slots third overall. At 9/2 on the morning line, the public isn't completely overlooking this horse, and that speed figure alone makes Spare Me a serious factor in any exacta or trifecta construction.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 7

9:13 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A dirt maiden claimer at 6 furlongs where one horse dominates the TrackWiz model while the rest of the field is tightly bunched — don't overthink this one.

win6SamuelML 5/2

Samuel (No. 6) tops the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and draws a 5/2 morning line under the capable Jansen Melancon for trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr. The 54 average speed figure is the best among horses with recorded figures, and Melancon is one of the more reliable riders at Evangeline. In a maiden claiming sprint, a horse with this kind of model separation and legitimate speed figures deserves to be your top selection.

place8One Grand SlamML 3/1

One Grand Slam (No. 8) rates second at 68.0 and draws a 3/1 morning line under Thomas L. Pompell for trainer Mike Shamsie. The 53 average speed figure is competitive, and the morning-line position suggests the public sees what TrackWiz sees here. With Samuel as the clear top pick, One Grand Slam looks like the most natural place finisher in what could be a single-file finish at the top.

show1Man of the HillML 4/1

Man of the Hill (No. 1) posts a 55.0 TrackWiz rating and sits third in the field, drawing a 4/1 morning line under Jose Luis Rodriguez for trainer Lee Thomas. The 51 average speed figure is modest compared to the top two, but in a maiden claiming field, post position rail advantage and a clear trip can overcome speed figure gaps. A solid show ticket inclusion for exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 8

9:40 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

The Allowance Optional Claiming race at 5 furlongs on the turf is the classiest spot on the card, featuring a deep field where the top two TrackWiz ratings are separated by less than a point — buckle up.

win1Dynamite TonightML 4/1

Dynamite Tonight (No. 1) leads all runners with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and comes in at 4/1 on the morning line for trainer Samuel Breaux under Harry Hernandez. The 20% career win rate is the strongest in the field among horses with meaningful starts, and the 54 average speed figure is right at the top of the pack. At a short 5-furlong turf sprint, speed and tactical position off the rail gate are everything — Dynamite Tonight checks both boxes.

place8Lafitte's LegacyML 3/1

Lafitte's Legacy (No. 8) is within a whisker of the top rating at 84.83 and comes in at 3/1 under Colby J. Hernandez for trainer Sam B. David, Jr. A 25% career win rate shows this horse wins its share, and the 54 average speed figure matches Dynamite Tonight evenly. This race could easily flip, making Lafitte's Legacy a legitimate win contender and a near-lock for place coverage in your exotics.

show10Imperial BanditML 8/1

Imperial Bandit (No. 10) rates third at 73.04 under Elio J. Barrera for trainer Chasey Deville Pomier, and the 8/1 morning line represents solid show value in a race this deep. The 54 average speed figure keeps pace with the top two horses, and Barrera's experience on turf sprints at Evangeline is a meaningful edge. A 9% career win rate suggests this horse has been competitive without always closing the deal — exactly the profile of a strong show finisher.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 9

10:07 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Closing out the card is a maiden claiming sprint on the dirt where the TrackWiz model finds a standout at a very playable price — a strong way to end the evening.

win8One Sure HitML 5/2

One Sure Hit (No. 8) leads the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — identical to the top marks posted by Samuel and Struck Out earlier on the card — and comes in at 5/2 on the morning line under Isaac Castillo for trainer Sarah Martinez. The 54 average speed figure leads this maiden claiming field, and Castillo is a sharp rider capable of getting the most from a horse positioned to win first off a good form cycle. This is our strongest value play of the late card.

place7Chief Dust MakerML 2/1

Chief Dust Maker (No. 7) is the 2/1 morning-line favorite and carries a 64.22 TrackWiz rating — second in the field. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Ronnie Averett, and the 54 average speed figure ties One Sure Hit at the top of the speed figures. The public making this horse the chalk suggests a strong perceived edge; our model prefers One Sure Hit, but Chief Dust Maker is a genuine threat to lead this field home and looks like a near-lock for the place.

show4Mr PayrollML 7/2

Mr Payroll (No. 4) rates third in the field at 47.65 under Alexis X. Batista for trainer Joe O. Duhon. The 53 average speed figure is competitive among the mid-tier horses, and Duhon is a trainer who understands this track inside and out. At 7/2 on the morning line, Mr Payroll offers fair value as a show ticket in what figures to be a one-two punch from the top two picks — rounding out a natural trifecta sequence.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

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Bottom line: Evangeline is putting on a full nine-race show today under clear Louisiana skies, and TrackWiz has you covered from the jump. Same Play, Little Bit O Storm, and Struck Out are your free best bets to start the afternoon, with Im Singled Up as our highest-rated horse on the card in the premium races. The full breakdown — pace projections, exotic tickets, and all nine races — is waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there, and let's cash some tickets.

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