Evangeline Picks & Predictions — July 9, 2026

Provoker (No. 1) is nearly a co-top selection with a 79.01 rating — only 0.78 points behind the win pick — and draws the rail post under Harry Hernandez for trainer Andy L. Rogers. At 5/2 on the morning line, the public has correctly identified this horse as a key contender, and the average speed figure of 52 is competitive. The slight ratings edge belongs to Kisses for Cooper, but Provoker is absolutely the horse to beat if the top pick falters.

Liberty Simone (No. 3) rounds out our trifecta at a 7/2 morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 59.94 — a clear step above the mid-pack in this maiden field. Trainer John Bernard keeps her in a competitive but winnable spot, and the 53 average speed figure is tied for best in the race alongside Kisses for Cooper and Global Dawn. At 7/2, she's not a longshot play but offers a reasonable price for a horse with legitimate numbers to close out the trifecta.

Yuma's Shadow (No. 6) is one of two horses trained by Isai V. Gonzalez in this field, and at 4/1 with a 70.9 TrackWiz rating, she's the most logical alternative to the chalk. A 21% career win rate — best in the field — is a genuinely impressive number in claiming company, suggesting this horse knows how to get the job done when conditions align. Kevin Roman takes the mount, and the 53 average speed figure should keep her in contention through the stretch.

Dolly's Guitar (No. 7) opens at 3/1 on the morning line with a 53.13 rating and a 19% career win rate — solid numbers for a claiming mare at this level. Trainer Juan A. Larrosa runs her at a distance and surface where the average speed figure of 54 suggests she can keep up with the pace scenario. She's not the flashiest option in the field, but a board-hitting horse at 3/1 has a place in your exotic wagers.

The Petitioner (No. 1) is our place selection at a 9/2 morning line with the second-highest rating in the field at 59.32 — a clear separation from the rest of the field behind Chicanery. Trainer Henry West, Jr. has multiple runners on today's card and knows this oval, while Edward Santiago provides capable handling in the irons. At 9/2 in a race where the favorite figures to clear the field, the real value is in using this horse in exactas underneath the chalk.

Noisemaker (No. 5) is an interesting show inclusion at 6/1 morning line with a 51.67 TrackWiz rating — not a huge number, but enough to place above the middle of the pack in a thin maiden field. Trainer Samuel Breaux keeps the horse competitive in this spot, and with several others in this field carrying limited speed figures or no published speed data, Noisemaker has a realistic shot at a piece. An honest 6/1 in a race where the favorite does the heavy lifting is worth a small show investment.

Yankeestrolgy (No. 4) offers a solid exacta partner at 9/2 with a 61.95 TrackWiz rating and — notably — the highest average speed figure in the field at 55. Trainer Samuel Breaux keeps this horse pointed at a mile on the dirt where that raw speed advantage can matter late in the trip when pace scenarios stretch out. Carlos Perez, who gets the mount, has appeared on multiple races today and brings local circuit knowledge to the assignment.

Clearly Majestic (No. 6) at 15/1 on the morning line might be the most intriguing board price on the entire card for trifecta players — a 30% career win rate that leads the field by a wide margin is not something you typically find attached to a double-digit morning line. The 61.24 TrackWiz rating is competitive in this company, and Thomas L. Pompell gets the mount for trainer Raymond Prejean. At 15/1, even a small trifecta share on Clearly Majestic could pay handsomely.

Cc Cola (No. 5) is the place selection at 9/2 on the morning line with a 77.84 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field and a strong figure for an allowance turf event. Trainer Brett A. Brinkman runs this horse at a distance and surface that suit her profile, and the 53 average speed figure is consistent with the top contenders in this race. A 12% career win rate in allowance company is modest, but in place position at 9/2, she's a smart exacta investment.

Grand Windfall (No. 2) draws in at 5/2 on the morning line and carries a 25% career win rate — tied for best in the field — alongside a 63.99 TrackWiz rating that makes her a legitimate contender. The W. Bret Calhoun barn puts two horses in this race (Grand Windfall and All Star Tout), and when a top trainer doubles up, at least one runner often shows up ready. Colby J. Hernandez takes the mount, and the 53 average speed figure is right in the mix for a mile on the grass.

Lucky Juan (No. 1) is the most interesting ticket in this race — a 69.47 TrackWiz rating that comfortably separates from the rest of the field behind the top pick, combined with a 6/1 morning line that suggests the public may be underrating this horse. Javier Antonio Hernandez gets the call for trainer Brett A. Brinkman, who also runs Tujaques in Race 1 and knows what it takes to condition a horse at Evangeline. The 53 average speed figure is solid, and at 6/1, this is a value play for the exacta.

She's Wild Again (No. 2) opens at 8/5 on the morning line — the morning line favorite — yet carries a TrackWiz rating of just 58.49, which ranks third in the field behind Tiz a Hero and Lucky Juan. That disconnect between public money and our ratings is worth noting; trainer Juan A. Larrosa gets Carlos Perez up on a horse with a 53 average speed figure, and if pace unfolds favorably, she can certainly hit the board. Use her in the show slot of your trifecta, but be cautious about investing heavily at a price that exceeds what the numbers justify.