Daily Picks

Evangeline Picks & Predictions — July 24, 2026

Friday, July 24, 20269 racesEvangeline

It's a hot, hazy Friday at Evangeline Downs — 91°F under a cloudy sky as the Louisiana summer does its thing. Nine races are on the card today, and the surface mix is worth noting right away: five of them go on the turf, including three of the premium-tier races. That kind of turf-heavy lineup opens the door for some interesting pace scenarios and form cycle angles that don't always show up on a straight dirt card.

The claiming ranks dominate the bottom half of the card, but we've got a Maiden Special Weight at a mile on dirt in Race 6 and a pair of Allowance-level tests to close things out — so there's legitimate class variety to work with from top to bottom. TrackWiz analysis covers all nine, with three races available free to every reader and full breakdowns on the remaining six for subscribers.

Best Bets

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden claimer on the turf where TrackWiz ratings separate two clear standouts from a muddled field — expect the top two in the market to battle it out with a mid-priced longshot lurking underneath.

win5The Boyz Real DealML 4/1

The Boyz Real Deal (No. 5) is our top-rated horse in this field by a significant margin, posting an 85.62 TrackWiz rating that towers over the competition. Carlos Perez gets the call, and with a 4/1 morning line in a maiden field this wide, there's genuine overlay potential here. The 5-furlong turf sprint suits horses with early energy, and nothing in this field flashes the combination of raw rating and market respect that this one carries.

place7DiodorusML 7/2

Diodorus (No. 7) is the second-highest rated runner at 74.64 and gets Thomas L. Pompell in the irons at a 7/2 price. Trainer Lee Thomas has two runners in this race, which is worth noting — when a barn doubles up, they usually know which one they like. With an average speed figure of 54, Diodorus profiles as a competitive pace presence in this short sprint.

show6Money DropML 6/1

Money Drop (No. 6) sits third in our ratings at 51.27, which in a maiden field with this much uncertainty makes him a reasonable exotics inclusion. Elio J. Barrera is a reliable rider at Evangeline, and the 6/1 morning line suggests the market hasn't fully overlooked him. At 5 furlongs on turf, early pace shapes the race — and Money Drop figures to be right there in the mix.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A 5-furlong dirt claimer where the morning-line favorite faces a serious TrackWiz rating challenge from post 6, setting up a potential pace duel between overlapping speed types and a potentially exciting stretch run.

win6Kitten GlovesML 3/1

Kitten Gloves (No. 6) is our top-rated horse in this field with an 87.08 TrackWiz score, and Jansen Melancon — one of the more accomplished riders at this meet — gets the mount. While the career win percentage sits at 11%, that's not unusual in claiming company where horses run frequently, and what stands out here is that her raw rating clears everyone by a meaningful margin. The 3/1 price under Melancon in a 9-horse dirt sprint is worth playing.

place1Hint HintML 9/2

Hint Hint (No. 1) leads all horses in the field with a 77.40 rating and draws the rail, which on a short 5-furlong sprint can be an advantage if the horse breaks cleanly. Kevin Roman takes the mount for trainer Isai V. Gonzalez, and a 9/2 price on the second-best rated runner in the field represents value worth protecting.

show7Jazzy GalML 6/1

Jazzy Gal (No. 7) rates third in our model at 72.71 and is trained by Lee Thomas, who again sends out a runner worth tracking. Elio J. Barrera rides, and at 6/1, this mare brings enough class to be a live show contender. Her career win rate of 11% is consistent with horses in this competitive claiming tier.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A mile turf Starter Optional Claimer with a clear 1-2 in the ratings, but Castle Island's morning-line favoritism at 2/1 creates a compelling overlay situation on the top two horses — pace scenario and distance suit the closers.

win7Red RoadML 5/2

Red Road (No. 7) tops our TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 for this Starter Optional Claimer on the turf, and Timothy Thornton gets the call for trainer Sturges J. Ducoing. What's compelling here is that Red Road's 15% career win rate is solid for this level, and the 5/2 morning line makes him the second choice despite carrying the highest rating in the field — that's a mild overlay. A mile on turf often rewards horses with late energy, and Red Road looks built for this kind of race.

place8SimplexityML 7/2

Simplexity (No. 8) is a close second in our ratings at 83.38 and posts the top average speed figure in the field at 55, which is meaningful at a mile on turf where sustained pace matters. Isaac Castillo is an active rider at Evangeline, and a 7/2 price on a horse with a 14% career win rate and strong figures is a legitimate place bet.

show6Castle IslandML 2/1

Castle Island (No. 6) is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 for trainer Juan Munoz Cano, and a 25% career win rate is the best in this field — that's not a number to dismiss. Carlos Perez is a capable rider, and while our ratings place Castle Island third at 69.86, the career form suggests a horse accustomed to winning. At 2/1 she's short for a show bet, but in exotics she anchors nicely.

Our three free best bets today span the early part of the card and give you a solid foundation regardless of how deep you want to go. The Boyz Real Deal opens things up in a 5-furlong Maiden Claiming sprint on the turf in Race 1 — a tricky assignment for newcomers, but our ratings peg this one as more solvable than the morning line suggests. Race 2 shifts to dirt for a short Claiming sprint, and Kitten Gloves comes in as our top-rated runner in the field with an 87.08 score — that kind of number in a dirt claiming sprint at this level demands respect. Then Race 3 gives us our first route test of the day, a Starter Optional Claiming mile on the turf where Red Road draws our top rating at 87.81 and checks in at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. The thread connecting all three free picks: horses that figure to be forwardly positioned given the pace shapes we're projecting — always worth leaning into at a track like Evangeline.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A 6-furlong dirt claimer where the TrackWiz model lines up a clear top three — but Beach Trippin at 8/1 sneaks into our exotics as a live show contender with solid ratings behind a vulnerable morning-line favorite.

win9My ChulupaML 5/2

My Chulupa (No. 9) carries the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 87.24 and posts an average speed figure of 54 — strong for this claiming level. Casey Fusilier gets the mount, and at 5/2 on the morning line, the market is already on board. A 14% career win rate is respectable in a full claiming field, and the combination of top ratings and jockey form makes this our best bet in Race 4.

place8Gypsy SquallML 7/2

Gypsy Squall (No. 8) rates second at 81.80 and is trained by the prolific Lee Thomas, with Thomas L. Pompell up — the same jockey/trainer combo that shows up in our analysis more than once today, which tells you something about their activity level at this meet. A 16% career win rate is solid, and the 7/2 morning line on the second-rated horse in a 9-horse field is fair value for a place ticket.

show6Beach TrippinML 8/1

Beach Trippin (No. 6) at 8/1 on the morning line is our show pick and the value play of this race. Trainer Jonah Fuselier sends out Beach Trippin with Devin H. Magnon aboard, and the 78.65 TrackWiz rating slots this horse in third — meaningfully ahead of the rest of the field. With a 6-furlong distance that suits a horse with a 54 average speed figure, Beach Trippin is a legitimate exotics play and a worth-your-while show bet.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A mile turf claimer with three horses rated in the mid-to-high 80s creating a tight top tier, but our model separates them just enough to build a legitimate exacta wheel — the pace scenario at a mile on turf could compress the finish.

win9Deal With It DaddyML 5/2

Deal With It Daddy (No. 9) shares the top spot in our model at 87.81 and draws an outside post at a mile on turf, which gives Jamison Mudd room to find position. Trainer Shane Wilson spots this runner at a 5/2 morning line, and a 14% career win rate in claiming company is nothing to scoff at. The average speed figure of 54 pairs well with the distance, and our TrackWiz analysis gives this horse the edge in a closely matched top tier.

place4Golden ManeML 3/1

Golden Mane (No. 4) rates a tight second at 85.28 and sports a 16% career win rate with Isaac Castillo — a reliable Evangeline rider — in the irons. Trainer Jayde J. Gelner has this one pointed at a spot where the distance and surface match up well with a 54 average speed figure. The 3/1 morning line is fair, and in a race this competitive at a mile, Golden Mane is exactly the kind of horse you want underneath in exactas.

show2Hard LineML 4/1

Hard Line (No. 2) is third in our ratings at 84.44 and gets Jansen Melancon — one of the sharpest jockeys on this card — for trainer Keith G. Bourgeois. At 4/1, this is actually the longest-priced of our top three, which creates real value in the show pool. A 54 average speed figure at a mile on turf and a 13% career win rate round out a profile that screams 'solid third' in a tight field.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

A maiden special weight field going a mile on dirt — classiest conditions for non-winners today — where one horse blows the doors off the ratings and a pair of overlooked underlays could crash the exotics at generous prices.

win4Ocean's AppealML 3/1

Ocean's Appeal (No. 4) is the standout in this maiden field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — the top mark by a wide margin — and Colby J. Hernandez gets the call for trainer Randy J. Ellis. The 3/1 morning line is under the morning-line favorite C C Fanta C at 2/1, which actually makes Ocean's Appeal a mild overlay given the ratings gap. At a mile on dirt in maiden special weight company, our model strongly prefers this runner.

place6Metry MamaML 8/1

Metry Mama (No. 6) checks in at 63.78 in our ratings — a clear third-best in the field — but at 8/1 on the morning line, she's flying under the radar. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Shane Wilson, and a 54 average speed figure is right in the mix for maiden routes on dirt. The value here is real: a well-rated horse at a generous price in a spot where the top few could separate from the field.

show3Preach It SisterML 9/2

Preach It Sister (No. 3) rates at 55.86 and gets Javier Antonio Hernandez, one of the busier jockeys on today's card, for trainer Chadwick J. Mouton. The 9/2 price puts her between the favorite and longshots, and a 54 average speed figure suggests she can keep pace through the route distance. As a show play in maiden company where upsets happen frequently, she's a smart exotics hedge.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

An allowance optional claiming mile on turf with a wide-open top half — the morning-line favorite Precious Money at 2/1 faces a stiff TrackWiz challenge from our top-rated runner, setting up an intriguing value play at the top.

win7Clearly My StarML 5/2

Clearly My Star (No. 7) leads all runners with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and goes at 5/2 — a clear overlay given how much she separates from the field in our model. Harry Hernandez rides for Shane Wilson, a trainer with a capable barn at this meet, and a 16% career win rate in allowance-level company is a competitive mark. At a mile on turf in optional claiming conditions, top-rated horses in this tier tend to deliver — Clearly My Star is our strongest play in Race 7.

place6Precious MoneyML 2/1

Precious Money (No. 6) is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with a 75.32 TrackWiz rating, and Juan P. Vargas — a solid rider on this card — pilots for trainer Gary J. Husak. While our model places her second, the 8% career win rate is notably soft for a public choice, which may explain why we're fading her slightly for the win. She's a legitimate place player at 2/1, though the price limits show-bet value.

show1Thundering DesireML 7/2

Thundering Desire (No. 1) posts a 65.58 TrackWiz rating and gets Timothy Thornton for trainer W. Bret Calhoun — a name that carries weight at Louisiana tracks. The 25% career win rate is the best in this entire field, which signals a horse that has learned how to get to the wire first. At 7/2, the rail post in a mile turf race is manageable, and Calhoun's horses routinely run to their number.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

A 12-horse allowance sprint at 6 furlongs on dirt with a morning-line favorite backed by our highest rating, but the real story is a massive-priced longshot in Echo Down who our model slots as the second-best horse in the field at 15/1.

win1Buntus FocloraML 2/1

Buntus Foclora (No. 1) tops our ratings in this allowance field at 70.60 and draws the rail — in a 6-furlong dirt sprint, getting out clean from the one hole is critical, and Jamison Mudd is experienced enough to handle the position. Trainer Dane Noel, who also saddles Donegal Light in this race, clearly has confidence in Buntus Foclora at 2/1 on the morning line. An 11% career win rate is modest, but the combination of top rating and favorable pace position makes this our Race 8 selection.

place12Echo DownML 15/1

Echo Down (No. 12) is the value bomb of today's card, rating second in this field at 69.58 while going off at 15/1 on the morning line — that is a significant disconnect between our model and public opinion. Jansen Melancon gets the call for trainer Anthony Arey, and a 57% career win rate — the highest of any horse on the entire card today — is extraordinary. Yes, career win percentages can be inflated by small sample sizes, but that number demands attention, and at 15/1, this is your best longshot play of the afternoon.

show6White BulletML 3/1

White Bullet (No. 6) rates third in the field at 68.01 with a 33% career win rate — another strong percentage — and goes at 3/1 under Juan P. Vargas for trainer Jerry Eugene Tillis, Jr. With an average speed figure of 55, White Bullet matches the top tier of this field on pure running ability. The price makes her a compact show play rather than a win bet, but in a wide-open allowance field, third place is very much in play.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The finale goes 6 and a half furlongs on dirt in claiming conditions, and it's a genuine case where the odds-on morning-line favorite doesn't match up with our ratings — creating overlay value on our top pick at 6/1.

win3Julia's WarriorML 6/1

Julia's Warrior (No. 3) is our top-rated runner at 82.71 — the highest rating in this field by a meaningful margin — yet goes off at 6/1 on the morning line while Underhill's Tab gets sent out at 9/5. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Juan A. Larrosa, and a 23% career win rate is genuinely strong for a claiming horse at this level. When our model's top horse is nearly three times the morning line of the consensus pick, that's where value bets are born — Julia's Warrior is our Race 9 best bet.

place8Yockey's DrivethruML 5/2

Yockey's Drivethru (No. 8) rates second in the field at 75.09 and gets Colby J. Hernandez aboard for trainer Sam B. David, Jr. — a combination active throughout today's card. At 5/2, the price is fair for a horse with a 13% career win rate and an average speed figure of 54 at 6.5 furlongs on dirt. If Julia's Warrior fires at the top, Yockey's Drivethru profiles as a natural exacta partner underneath.

show4Sand StreetML 10/1

Sand Street (No. 4) is an intriguing show play at 10/1 — the third-highest rating in the field at 54.60 — with a 40% career win rate that stands out in this company. Carlos Perez rides for Juan Munoz Cano, who also trains Baron of the Nile in this race, and the 55 average speed figure matches the top tier on raw ability. At 10/1 for a show ticket, Sand Street represents real exotics value in a race where our model doesn't trust the favorite.

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Nine races, a turf-friendly card, and Louisiana heat that could wear on late runners — today at Evangeline Downs has plenty to dig into. Red Road in Race 3 and Kitten Gloves in Race 2 are the free-play anchors worth building around. Unlock the full card to get our pace projections, exotic structures, and the full breakdown on every contender — head to TrackWiz Premium and don't miss the post time. Good luck out there.

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