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Evangeline Picks & Predictions — July 25, 2026

July 25, 20269 racesAll Evangeline picks

It's a hot, muggy Saturday at Evangeline Downs — 91°F under a cloudy Louisiana sky — and the track is putting out a 9-race card that's got something for everyone, from maiden claimers on the grass to a legit allowance optional claiming finale on turf. Summer racing in Cajun Country doesn't always get the headlines it deserves, but today's card is worth your full attention.

The surface mix is interesting — three turf routes sprinkled across the card alongside six dirt tests at varying distances. When the heat bears down like this and the turf is not listed as firm, pace scenarios can get scrambled fast, so we'll be watching how the early fractions play out in Race 1 before making any sweeping bias calls.

TrackWiz has crunched the numbers on all nine races. The first three are free for every reader — no subscription needed — and our top-rated horse on the day is Mojane Metal in the opener, coming in with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating and a morning line of 2/1 on the turf.

Best Bets

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden claimer on the turf sees one horse separate itself dramatically on the ratings, but a trio of mid-field contenders could make the exotics interesting.

win9Mojane MetalML 2/1

Mojane Metal draws the morning-line favorite role at 2/1 for good reason — a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 towers over this field by a full 16 points. Isaac Castillo gets the call for trainer Justin Jeansonne, a pairing worth noting in a turf maiden event at 7.5 furlongs. With an average speed figure of 52, the raw numbers are modest, but the rating model sees something here that the rest of the field simply can't match. Lay the short price if you must, but the margin of superiority justifies the chalk.

place3DijonML 3/1

Dijon comes in as the second-choice on the morning line at 3/1 and backs it up with a 72.1 rating — second-best in the field by a comfortable margin. Colby J. Hernandez pilots for trainer Lee Thomas, and Dijon's average speed of 54 leads all horses in this race, giving him a real edge if the turf sets up for early pace.

show8The Get OutML 12/1

The Get Out is the value play in this spot at 12/1 on the morning line, offering live longshot appeal in the exotics with a 55.76 rating that quietly ranks third in the field. Carlos Perez takes the mount for trainer Juan C. Sanchez, and at that price, including this one in tri boxes is worth a small investment given how unpredictable maiden turf events can be.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A competitive claiming sprint on the dirt where the top two rated horses are nearly inseparable, but a legitimate longshot lurks in the show spot with credentials worth a second look.

win3Dark VectorML 3/1

Dark Vector tops the TrackWiz ratings at 80.85 and goes as the 3/1 morning-line choice, a fair price for a horse with the best average speed figure in the field at 56. Jansen Melancon — one of Evangeline's reliable pilots — gets the mount for trainer Michael Hewitt, a solid barn-and-jockey combo in a straight claiming spot. The 4% career win rate is low, but speed figures and ratings suggest Dark Vector has been competitive against tougher; dropping into this spot could be the unlock.

place4More Than CuteML 8/1

More Than Cute is only a tick behind at 79.79 on the ratings and is priced generously at 8/1 given how close those numbers are to the top selection. Trainer Jerry Eugene Tillis Jr. saddles this one — notably, he also runs American Tact — and a career win rate of 8% in what looks like a tough trip history leaves room for upside. The 54 average speed figure is right in the mix, making More Than Cute an excellent place-ticket anchor.

show1MaxxusML 15/1

Maxxus is the surprise of the show spot, going off at 15/1 but owning a 66.61 rating that clears the mid-field horses easily. Trainer Jonah Fuselier sends out Devin H. Magnon in what looks like a live price in a race where the top two could hook each other early, leaving the door open for a closer to sneak into the money.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight sprint on the dirt that has a clear class standout at the top, but a cluster of closely matched mid-range horses should make the place and show spots genuinely contested.

win1Tiffany TapML 9/2

Tiffany Tap carries an 84.9 rating — more than 27 points clear of the next-best horse — and gets Harry Hernandez aboard for trainer Shane Wilson in a 6-furlong maiden special weight. That rating gap in a field of first-time and lightly raced horses is significant; the 9/2 morning line may actually represent fair value given the separation from the rest. The 53 average speed figure is respectable, and if Wilson has this filly ready to fire, she should be tough to beat.

place6Dr. RedML 5/2

Dr. Red opens at 5/2 and lands a 57.5 rating — third in the field, but clearly in the mix behind Tiffany Tap. C.J. McMahon rides for trainer Ricky Courville, and a 53 average speed figure puts Dr. Red right on par with the top selection on raw numbers. If the favorite stumbles or gets caught wide, this one looks like the natural second horse.

show5Comedy HallML 3/1

Comedy Hall checks in at 3/1 with a 56.67 rating and the highest average speed figure in the field at 54, which is a subtle but real edge in a sprint. Isaac Castillo takes the mount for Brett A. Brinkman — a barn that also runs Funhouse here — and the trainer's multi-entry presence in the race adds intrigue. At 3/1, Comedy Hall is worth using in exotics as a show alternative if the favorite dominates.

Our three free races today cover a nice cross-section of the card — a maiden claimer on turf to kick things off, a dirt claimer in Race 2, and a maiden special weight on the dirt in Race 3. These aren't throwaway spots. Mojane Metal (Race 1, 88.54 rating) sets the tone on the grass, and if the turf is playing favorably early, that's a signal worth carrying into the rest of the card. Dark Vector (Race 2, 80.85) faces a straightforward 7-furlong dirt test against fellow claimers, and our TrackWiz model likes the pace setup. Then Tiffany Tap closes out the free portion in Race 3 — a 9/2 morning line shot in a maiden special weight that our rating (84.9) suggests might be slightly underestimated by the oddsmakers.

Taken together, these three races give you a solid feel for how the track is playing today — both on dirt and turf — before you dig into the deeper part of the card.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A full 12-horse claiming field on the dirt where one horse stands head and shoulders above on ratings, though the race shape could get complicated with this much early pace potential in the field.

win3Little EmML 5/1

Little Em is the standout here with an 84.17 TrackWiz rating and a 40% career win rate — the best in this field by a wide margin — making the 5/1 morning line look like genuine value. Timothy Thornton rides for trainer Sam B. David Jr., and those career numbers tell a story of a horse that has been consistently getting the job done. An average speed figure of 53 is right in line with the top contenders, and in a claiming event, class and winning consistency tend to win out.

place1RidearoundsalleyML 2/1

Ridearoundsalley opens as the 2/1 morning-line favorite and holds a 79.07 rating with a 20% career win rate, which is solid in a field this deep. Jansen Melancon takes the mount for Allen Landry, a respected connection at this meet, and the 53 average speed figure keeps Ridearoundsalley competitive on pure ability. The favorite tag might suppress the price a bit, but in a deep field like this, securing a place ticket on this one is sensible.

show10Stormy LouML 7/2

Stormy Lou is the third piece of a logical exacta and tri sequence at 7/2 with a 70.96 rating and an 18% career win rate. C.J. McMahon gets the call for Randy Degeyter Jr., and the 52 average speed figure is a touch below the top two but not prohibitively so. At 7/2, Stormy Lou offers a bit of value as a show horse in what figures to be a well-contested race throughout.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A 5-furlong turf claimer where our top-rated horse is going off at 8/1 despite owning the highest TrackWiz score in the field — this one has value play written all over it.

win5Lake MarieML 8/1

Lake Marie tops the field with a 79.79 rating but is priced at 8/1 on the morning line, which represents one of the better overlays on today's card. Isaac Castillo rides for trainer Yovani Munoz, and a 17% career win rate with an average speed figure of 55 — tied for the top figure in this field — makes the numbers work. In a short 5-furlong turf sprint where pace is everything, Lake Marie's speed profile should have her on or near the lead. This is the kind of spot where TrackWiz analysis finds real value.

place4Cajun CatalinaML 7/2

Cajun Catalina is right behind at 65.58 in the ratings and owns a 23% career win rate — tied for the highest in this field — making the 7/2 morning line a reasonable assessment. Jose Luis Rodriguez rides for trainer Lee Thomas, and the 55 average speed figure matches the top horses stride for stride. On a short turf course, positioning matters, and Cajun Catalina looks built for it.

show3Ocean JetML 9/5

Ocean Jet is the lukewarm morning-line favorite at 9/5 but lands third in our ratings at 64.11, suggesting the market may be overvaluing this one slightly relative to our model. Harry Hernandez rides for Ronnie Averett, and the 56 average speed figure is the best in the field outright — so Ocean Jet's raw speed can't be dismissed. Including this one in exotics as a show hedge makes sense; just don't pay the short price to win.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A starter optional claimer on the dirt sprinting 5.5 furlongs, and this one has a clear standout at the top — but the battle for place and show money looks genuinely fierce between two horses with nearly identical win percentages.

win1Sweet DarlinML 2/1

Sweet Darlin is the most dominant top selection on today's card in terms of the gap between her and the field — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating with a 42% career win rate that speaks for itself. Harry Hernandez takes the mount for trainer Jonathan Wong, and an average speed figure of 56 is tied for the top mark in this field. At 2/1, the price isn't screaming value, but when a horse has a 42% win rate historically and is clearly the class of the field, you pay the toll.

place7Cajun CattitudeML 3/1

Cajun Cattitude goes at 3/1 with a 75.65 rating and a 46% career win rate — actually the highest win percentage in the field — which makes this horse dangerous even behind the top selection. Lane J. Luzzi gets the call for Justin Jeansonne, a barn that clearly knows how to get horses ready, and the 55 average speed figure keeps Cajun Cattitude right in the conversation on raw ability.

show6Dr Stricklands AceML 6/1

Dr Stricklands Ace pairs with Cajun Cattitude at a matching 46% career win rate, which is remarkable — these two horses have essentially won at identical rates throughout their careers. Elio J. Barrera rides for trainer Edith A. Mojica at 6/1, and the 74.14 rating is a clear third in this field. This horse rounds out what looks like a natural 1-7-6 sequence worth playing in exactas and trifectas.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint on the dirt where the morning-line favorite doesn't match the top-rated horse — creating a layering effect in the betting that could make the exotics very playable.

win8Princess Is OliviaML 5/2

Princess Is Olivia leads all horses in this allowance field with an 87.81 rating and a 27% career win rate, while posting the best average speed figure in the group at 56. Carlos Perez rides for trainer Juan Munoz Cano — a pairing that knows this oval — and at 5/2, the price is reasonable for a horse who profiles as a clear class standout on our numbers. In a step-up allowance spot, those speed figures and that win percentage carry real weight.

place2My Boy VanderML 4/1

My Boy Vander is priced at 4/1 with a 78.95 rating and a 14% career win rate, and the 55 average speed figure puts him right in the mix with the top contenders. Lane J. Luzzi rides for trainer Jayde J. Gelner, and if the pace gets hot early, this horse figures to be in a good spot to pick up the pieces from just off the pace. At 4/1, this is a solid place-ticket play.

show3Brisa VelozML 2/1

Brisa Veloz draws the 2/1 morning-line favorite slot but lands third in our ratings at 71.67 — a meaningful gap below the top two horses. Jansen Melancon pilots for Antonio Alberto, and a 54 average speed figure is competitive without being exceptional at this level. Fade Brisa Veloz to win at the short price, but keep this one underneath in tri and exacta plays.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full 11-horse allowance optional claimer on the turf going a mile — the deepest and most complex race on the card — with a clear top selection but a compelling second horse offering legitimate win potential at a much bigger price.

win2AntiphonML 5/2

Antiphon sits atop the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and goes at 5/2 on the morning line, with Harry Hernandez up for trainer Shane Wilson. A 16% career win rate is modest, but the rating model has this horse well clear of the competition, and the 54 average speed figure is right in line with the front group in an 11-horse turf mile. At 5/2 in a race this deep and complex, Antiphon offers acceptable fair-value pricing.

place4MyglorybeeML 5/1

Myglorybee is the most interesting horse on the place side — a 81.6 rating, a 29% career win rate, and a 54 average speed figure all check out, and Timothy Thornton has the mount for trainer Joe O. Duhon. That 29% career win rate is the highest in this field, which suggests a horse that has consistently finished the job. At 5/1, Myglorybee is priced as a potential win horse and is well worth anchoring your exotics.

show11Causeway BennyML 6/1

Causeway Benny closes out the show spot at 6/1 with a 72.94 rating and a 23% career win rate — both meaningful numbers in a wide-open field like this. Lane J. Luzzi rides for Justin Jeansonne, and with an average speed figure of 53, Causeway Benny figures to be competitive late in a one-turn mile on turf. The 6/1 price adds genuine value if you're spreading in trifectas.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Closing out the card, a maiden claimer on the dirt where the top-rated horse is going off well below her implied worth relative to the morning line — a sharp play to end the night.

win4Outtasight SeesterML 5/2

Outtasight Seester tops the card's final race with an 87.81 rating — the highest of any horse in this maiden claimer — and goes as the 5/2 morning-line choice, which is a solid overlay given the rating gap. Isaac Castillo rides for Justin Jeansonne, a sharp trainer in maiden events, and the 54 average speed figure leads all horses in this field. In a race full of horses with limited or zero wins, that combination of ratings, speed, and connections makes Outtasight Seester the clear top selection.

place2Lucky JuanML 9/2

Lucky Juan is the natural second horse in this spot — a 74.17 rating and a 9/2 morning line with Javier Antonio Hernandez aboard for Brett A. Brinkman. The 53 average speed figure is right behind the top pick, and Brinkman is a trainer known for placing horses effectively in maiden claiming conditions. If Outtasight Seester wins, Lucky Juan looks like the most likely runner-up.

show6ProvokerML 9/5

Provoker gets the 9/5 morning-line favorite tag from the bettors' perspective but sits third in our ratings at 72.44 — making this a case where the market and our model agree on the horse but disagree on exactly how much daylight separates her from the top. Harry Hernandez rides for Andy L. Rogers, and a 53 average speed figure is consistent with the top contenders. Lay Provoker to win at the short price, but use her underneath in exotics.

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Bottom line: Evangeline is serving up a competitive 9-race card in the Louisiana heat, and our top plays — Mojane Metal, Dark Vector, and Tiffany Tap — are live and free right now. If you want the full-card breakdown, pace angles, and exotic strategies for all nine races, subscribers have it all waiting. Good luck at the windows today — let's make it count.

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