Unlock the other 6 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Evangeline Picks & Predictions — August 22, 2026

August 22, 20269 racesAll Evangeline picks

It's a scorcher out at Evangeline Downs today — clear skies and 96°F on the thermometer, which means a baked, fast dirt strip and turf that'll need watching as the afternoon wears on. Nine races are on the board, mixing claiming ranks, maiden events, and a pair of Allowance Optional Claiming spots that figure to draw the sharpest horses on the grounds right now.

The card has a little of everything: short sprints, a couple of mile routes, and two turf outings that add a wrinkle on what is otherwise a very dirt-friendly day. Pace scenarios are going to be critical in this heat — closers can wilt when the track is playing lightning fast, and front-runners who set soft fractions could be very dangerous.

TrackWiz has broken down all nine races. Races 1, 2, and 3 are fully open — free analysis for every reader. Races 4 through 9 are part of our premium full-card package, where we go deep on pace projections, exotic tickets, and multi-race sequences.

Best Bets

Race 1

10:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The morning line favorite is an underlay here — our ratings flip the script and point to genuine value at the top, with the top three finishers potentially all coming from double-digit morning line odds or longer.

win5Mo DivaML 6/1

Mo Diva tops our TrackWiz ratings in this field with an 82.71 — a full 15 points clear of the nearest competitor — and she brings a 16% career win rate that stands out in a claiming mile where most rivals are hitting single digits. Jansen Melancon gets the call, and he's riding one of the most potent books in the Evangeline colony. At 6/1 on the morning line, this is the kind of overlay that makes a one-mile claiming race worth attacking early. The pace scenario over a mile should set up nicely for a horse with her class edge.

place7Memory MakerML 2/1

Memory Maker draws the morning line favoritism at 2/1 and backs it up with an average speed figure of 54 — tops in the field — and a 12% career win rate. Trainer Isai V. Gonzalez puts him in a spot where he can be competitive, and Elio J. Barrera is a solid pick-up in the irons. If Mo Diva rolls, Memory Maker's raw speed makes him the natural candidate to fill the exacta.

show4Thats UnbelievableML 5/1

Thats Unbelievable at 5/1 rates just a hair below Memory Maker with a 66.86 TrackWiz score and comes in with the joint-best career win rate among the top contenders at 12%. Trainer Allen Landry knows how to place horses at this level, and Timothy Thornton gives the connections a reliable pilot. As an exotics anchor at a price, this one makes sense in the show slot.

Race 2

10:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Grand Oracle looks like a wrecking ball at short odds, but the interesting question is who fills out the ticket behind him in a sprint where pace could get honest.

win7Grand OracleML 8/5

Grand Oracle is the standout here — an 89.12 TrackWiz rating that dwarfs the field, a 14% career win rate, and the top average speed figure at 54. Trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr. puts him in a six-furlong dirt sprint where speed translates directly, and Jansen Melancon — one of the meet's top pilots — climbs aboard. Yes, the 8/5 morning line makes him a short-priced favorite, but the rating gap here is simply too wide to look away from.

place5PrinsipitoML 6/1

Prinsipito is quietly interesting at 6/1 despite a modest 4% career win rate — his 64.36 rating actually edges out La Motta Avenue and puts him in the conversation for the place slot. Trainer Jerry Eugene Tillis, Jr. rolls with Isaac Castillo, and the price alone is worth including him underneath Grand Oracle in exactas.

show3La Motta AvenueML 4/1

La Motta Avenue comes in at 4/1 with a 63.71 rating and a 12% career win rate — the best win percentage among the non-Grand Oracle contenders in this sprint. Javier Antonio Hernandez rides for trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr., who also has Grand Oracle in the race, and barn confidence matters. At 4/1 on the show end, she anchors a trifecta nicely.

Race 3

11:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A wide-open mile claiming affair where the morning line favorite doesn't match up with our ratings — and a 6/1 shot leads the TrackWiz numbers, setting up potential value across the board.

win2Call FernML 6/1

Call Fern checks in with an 82.71 TrackWiz rating that leads this field, yet she's listed at 6/1 on the morning line — a significant overlay versus Awree, who gets 7/5 despite rating more than 15 points lower. Trainer Phillip Mark Dison sends her a mile on dirt with Misael Alvarez up, and a 7% career win rate while running for this caliber of connections suggests she's been competitive without always getting the result. Our analysis says the morning line has this one backwards.

place3Mom's HandsML 5/2

Mom's Hands rates second in the field at 80.55 and draws 5/2 morning line odds, making her more fairly priced than the win pick but still a solid part of the ticket. Trainer John Ney goes with Juan P. Vargas, and the horse's strong rating at a one-mile distance suggests stamina isn't a concern. She's the logical bridge between the underlay favorite and the value play on top.

show1Perfect DelightML 7/2

Perfect Delight sits at 7/2 with a 68.89 rating and a 10% career win rate — solid numbers for the show position in a six-horse field. Trainer Lonnie Briley uses Isaac Castillo, and the horse has the kind of consistent speed profile (avg figure of 52) that keeps her in contention late in a one-mile trip. As a hedge underneath the top two, she fits.

Our three free races all land on the dirt, and there's a common thread worth flagging: in this kind of oppressive August heat, horses that have shown the ability to rate just off the pace — rather than gun it from the gate — tend to hold up late when the track gets cuppy or deep in the stretch. Keep that in mind as you look at Mo Diva in Race 1 and Call Fern in Race 3, both at 6/1 on the morning line with identical TrackWiz ratings of 82.71. Those odds suggest the public may be underestimating similar profiles.

Race 2 is where the value conversation gets trickier — Grand Oracle opens as the 8/5 favorite at 6 furlongs and carries our highest free-race rating at 89.12. That's a strong number, but short-priced favorites in Louisiana claiming sprints can be vulnerable when pace heats up early. Grand Oracle is still our top play, but approach the win pool with eyes open.

Send me tomorrow's free Evangeline card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:51 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

An eleven-horse maiden special weight sprint is always chaos, but our ratings have a clear standout hiding at a big price — a genuine longshot angle in a wide-open debut field.

win5Runaway JuryML 12/1

Runaway Jury is the TrackWiz top-rated horse in this field at 73.96 — a significant margin over the 5/2 morning line choice Pastinaca — yet she's posted at 12/1 on the morning line, making her a legitimate overlay in a field where no horse has hit the board yet. Jockey Kevin Roman gets the assignment for trainer Ricky Courville, and an average speed figure of 53 gives her a tangible edge over several first-time starters with no recorded figures at all. In maiden specials, speed figures from workouts and early races are everything — and Runaway Jury's numbers jump off the page here.

place3PastinacaML 5/2

Pastinaca draws the 5/2 morning line and backs it up with the best average speed figure in the field at 55 — tied with the win pick but with higher public confidence behind her. Trainer Joseph M. Foster puts Alexander Castillo up, and for a maiden sprint, the combination of a strong figure and fair price makes her a natural underneath Runaway Jury in the exacta.

show2All About Da BasteML 7/2

All About Da Baste offers a 55.83 rating with Juan P. Vargas in the irons for trainer Patricia G. West, and at 7/2 morning line she's the third choice the public seems to trust. With no average speed figure on record, she's more of an unknown quantity than our top two, but her TrackWiz score and fair odds make her a reasonable exotics inclusion in a chaotic 11-horse maiden field.

Race 5

12:18 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

This maiden claimer on the turf features two horses that rate significantly above the field, setting up a potential duel at the wire — but there's a 10/1 shot worth keeping in the exotics.

win7DiodorusML 2/1

Diodorus leads all comers with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating and draws the 2/1 morning line — a rare case where the public and our numbers are aligned. Thomas L. Pompell rides for trainer Lee Thomas, and an average speed figure of 55 is tied for best in this turf field. In a maiden claiming event where talent gaps can be enormous, a near-9-point edge over the second-rated horse is meaningful — this is as close to a standout as you'll find in this spot.

place1The Boyz Real DealML 7/2

The Boyz Real Deal rates a strong 85.30 — just 3+ points off Diodorus — and comes in at 7/2 morning line with Carlos Perez aboard for Ronnie P. Ward. An average speed figure of 55 matches the top choice, meaning if Diodorus has any issues, this one has the raw numbers to capitalize. He's the natural place horse and fits well in a vertical ticket with the top pick.

show3Bellastone CountryML 10/1

Bellastone Country at 10/1 is the longshot angle worth including on the show end — a 71.05 rating puts her firmly third in this nine-horse field, and trainer Juan Munoz Cano has been active on the Evangeline turf. Elio J. Barrera takes the mount, and with an average speed figure of 53, there's real form behind the big price. In maiden claiming turf sprints, price outliers with legitimate figures deserve a spot in your trifecta.

Race 6

12:46 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A competitive five-and-a-half furlong claiming sprint where the morning line underestimates our top-rated runner — a potential overlay with a strong pace setup and a field that includes multiple 20%+ career winners.

win4Going the DistanceML 8/1

Going the Distance tops our TrackWiz ratings at 79.79 and carries the best average speed figure in the field at 55, yet the morning line has him at 8/1 — a significant overlay in a field this competitive. Trainer Allen Landry puts Jansen Melancon in the saddle, arguably the sharpest combo on the grounds, and a 23% career win rate shows this horse knows how to finish in the money. The pace in a five-and-a-half furlong sprint at Evangeline typically sets up for closers, and if Going the Distance can stalk the speed, he should be flying late.

place2Stormy LouML 3/1

Stormy Lou rates second in the field at 74.91 and brings an impressive 23% career win rate to a sprint where consistency matters. Trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr. goes with C.J. McMahon, and an average speed figure of 54 is near the top of the field. At 3/1 morning line she's more fairly priced than the win pick, but she's still worth leaning on as the most likely closer to Going the Distance at the wire.

show7SecuredML 4/1

Secured checks in at 68.29 on the TrackWiz scale with a 17% career win rate and an average speed figure of 53 — solid across the board for the show slot. Trainer W. Bret Calhoun sends him out with Timothy Thornton, and the 4/1 morning line makes him a cost-effective addition to trifecta tickets. In a field where several horses cluster in the 60s on our ratings, Secured's consistency gives him a slight edge for the bronze.

Race 7

1:13 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The step up in class to allowance optional claiming at six furlongs brings out a deep field — but one horse leads our ratings at a price that demands attention, with the top-three rated runners all within striking distance of each other.

win7Key ManML 5/1

Key Man leads our TrackWiz ratings in this AOC sprint at 84.17 — just ahead of a tight cluster of talented horses — and posts a 28% career win rate that ties for second-best in the field. Casey Fusilier takes the mount for trainer Allen Landry, a barn that knows how to prep a horse for this level, and an average speed figure of 55 matches the top speed horses in the race. The 5/1 morning line on a top-rated horse in a class where favorites regularly disappoint is exactly the kind of spot TrackWiz analysis targets.

place1Pretty FastML 2/1

Pretty Fast draws the 2/1 morning line and earns it — an 81.19 rating is second in the field, a 24% career win rate is strong, and an average speed figure of 55 ties for best in the sprint. Trainer Juan Munoz Cano puts Elio J. Barrera up front, and in a six-furlong dirt race, early speed can be the whole game. If Key Man finds traffic or gets a tough trip, Pretty Fast is right there.

show2Tickle Me UnclemoML 4/1

Tickle Me Unclemo at 4/1 morning line is the most interesting show horse on the card today — a 40% career win rate is extraordinary for this class level and signals a horse that consistently fires. Trainer Joe O. Duhon doubles up in this race with To the Chief, and Harry Hernandez rides. An average speed figure of 54 and an 80.43 TrackWiz rating means this one could easily run first or second — the show bet is insurance on a horse who might outrun his position.

Race 8

1:40 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

One-mile allowance optional claiming on the turf with a pair of horses that clearly separate from the field on our ratings — the rest of the runners are fighting for scraps in this one.

win2SouthscapeML 7/2

Southscape rates at 86.35 — comfortably the highest mark in this eight-horse turf mile — and Colby J. Hernandez gets the call for trainer Samuel Breaux. An average speed figure of 54 is solid for a turf route, and while the 10% career win rate looks modest, AOC turf horses often carry form that doesn't show cleanly in raw win percentages. At 7/2 morning line, Southscape is the clear class advantage in this field and our top selection.

place7Slick and FastML 5/2

Slick and Fast rates third in the field at 71.79 and draws one of the better post positions with Timothy Thornton up for trainer Sam B. David, Jr. The 5/2 morning line actually makes him the second betting choice, and an average speed figure of 54 keeps him competitive at this distance on turf. He's the bridge between Southscape and the rest of the field, and his 17% career win rate shows he's a horse that knows how to hit the board.

show3Bons Temps RouleML 6/1

Bons Temps Roule at 6/1 is a compelling show inclusion with a 22% career win rate — best in this field — and trainer Juan A. Larrosa is active and capable at Evangeline. Harry Hernandez aboard gives him a capable pilot, and his 53 average speed figure is in the mix for this turf route. The win rate alone signals a horse that competes hard, and at a fair price, he's a smart addition to trifecta tickets.

Race 9

2:07 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Ten horses go five-and-a-half furlongs on the dirt in this closing claiming event — our top-rated runner holds a significant edge in the ratings, but a competitive pace could scramble the order home.

win7Julia's WarriorML 3/1

Julia's Warrior leads all runners with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — nearly 20 points clear of Alvarado Cat — and comes in at 3/1 morning line with Harry Hernandez up for trainer Juan A. Larrosa, who also saddles Ampitup in the same race. A 22% career win rate in claiming company and an average speed figure of 55 tied for best in the field paint a picture of a consistent, high-performing claimer. The rating edge is dominant enough that even a compromised trip might not be enough to beat her.

place2Alvarado CatML 5/2

Alvarado Cat is the logical place contender at 5/2 morning line — a 68.57 rating is a clear step below Julia's Warrior but well ahead of the rest. Trainer Jonah Fuselier sends him out with Devin H. Magnon, and a 21% career win rate and average speed figure of 55 make him competitive in this field. He's a natural horse to stack underneath Julia's Warrior in exactas.

show6DrewmazingML 4/1

Drewmazing at 4/1 morning line comes in with a 66.69 TrackWiz rating and a 9% career win rate — modest on the surface, but his average speed figure of 55 ties for best in the race, which is a notable disconnect. Trainer Emile Schwandt puts Isaac Castillo up, and if the pace gets hot early in the sprint, Drewmazing's raw speed could position him perfectly for a strong showing. He's the right price for a show ticket in a wide-open bottom half of this field.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: Evangeline is serving up fast conditions, big heat, and a nine-race card with legitimate angles in every single leg. Grand Oracle is our most confident free play, Mo Diva and Call Fern offer real value at 6/1, and the premium races — especially that turf maiden and the AOC pair — are where we see the most overlay opportunity today. Full card analysis, pace projections, and exotic tickets are waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there — stay hydrated, and let the horses do the sweating.

← All Evangeline picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free