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Evangeline Picks & Predictions — August 31, 2026

August 31, 20268 racesAll Evangeline picks

This card ran on August 31, 2026.

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Best bets at Evangeline, August 31, 2026

Race 15All YouML 3/15:00 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 6 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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Results are in — see the official Evangeline chart and payouts (our top pick won 4 of 8)→

Happy Monday from Evangeline Downs, where the skies are gray, the rain is falling, and the racing is anything but dull. We've got an 8-race card on tap for August 31st, and the late-summer Louisiana heat — sitting at 89°F even with the rain — means the dirt surface is going to be something to watch all afternoon. Wet, sealed tracks can play fast early before turning cuppy, and that changes everything about how you approach your tickets.

Today's card punches above its weight class. You've got four stakes races mixed into the program, including a pair of turf routes that'll be on everyone's radar given the weather. Turf races in the rain are a coin flip on whether the going gets officially soft or firm — so stay glued to the TrackWiz track condition updates as post time approaches. The full card has something for every type of bettor, from a maiden opener to a stakes-loaded back half that sets up nicely for multi-race wagers.

We're breaking down all 8 races today — the first three are on us, free to every reader. Races 4 through 8 are where the real fireworks are, and those are unlocked for TrackWiz subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden field at six furlongs where TrackWiz ratings split the field sharply — one horse grades out nearly 30 points clear of the rest, but first-time starters and limited form make this a tricky opener.

win5All YouML 3/1

All You (5) owns the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.08 — a significant edge over every other runner — and posts an average speed figure of 54, tying the top mark in the race. Trainer W. Bret Calhoun is a respected conditioner who knows how to have a first-out maiden ready, and the 3/1 morning line suggests the market agrees this is the one to beat. At six furlongs on the dirt, a horse with this kind of rating gap doesn't need a perfect trip to get the job done.

place6DolabellaML 5/2

Dolabella (6) is the second-highest-rated horse in the race at 57.50 and shares the top average speed figure of 54, putting her firmly in the tier just below the favorite. Thomas L. Pompell in the irons is a solid pilot for a maiden debut, and the 5/2 morning line makes her the public's second choice — a logical spot to land a piece of the purse in exotics.

show1The Red Wicked OneML 9/2

The Red Wicked One (1) comes in with a TrackWiz rating of 54.17 — third-best in the field — and draws the rail, which can be an asset in a sprint when pace unfolds favorably. Casey Fusilier is a known quantity at Evangeline Downs, and at 9/2 on the morning line, this one is worth slotting into your trifecta as a hedge against a scrambled early pace.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

5:27 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

A competitive allowance mile on the dirt where multiple horses carry legitimate win percentages, but the TrackWiz ratings separate a clear top three from the bottom half of the field.

win4Princess Is OliviaML 4/1

Princess Is Olivia (4) tops the field with a 26% career win rate — tied for the best among all entrants — and pairs it with a TrackWiz rating of 85.62 and a strong average speed figure of 55. Carlos Perez picks up the mount and the 4/1 morning line actually offers some value given how well she grades out. In a one-mile allowance, horses with this kind of combination of class and consistency are exactly what you want to be on.

place2Spare MeML 3/1

Spare Me (2) posts the second-highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 81.89 and also clocks an average speed of 55, matching the top contenders on that metric. Emanuel Nieves is a capable rider and trainer Alan Klanfer fields horses that tend to run their races. The 3/1 morning line is fair, and she fits naturally as the horse most likely to be there at the wire behind our top selection.

show6NomoretanlinesML 2/1

Nomoretanlines (6) catches the eye with a 26% career win rate — matching Princess Is Olivia for tops in the field — and draws the 2/1 morning line favorite tab despite a TrackWiz rating (77.72) that sits third. At a mile, that career win consistency matters, and trainer Brett A. Brinkman is well-represented at Evangeline. She's worth using in show spots and underneath in trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Our three free races today cover the opening stretch of the card, and there's a nice thread running through them: all three are on the dirt, all three are sprints or a mile, and with the rain already falling, early speed could either be rewarded or punished depending on how the track surface evolves. In Race 1, All You opens at 3/1 morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 87.08 — a respectable number in a maiden field where consistency is rare. Race 2 flips to a mile allowance and Princess Is Olivia (4/1 ML, 85.62 rating) will need to handle any pace pressure on a potentially tiring surface. By Race 3, we're back sprinting and Guns comes in as our highest-rated free pick at 87.81 — a short-priced morning line of 5/2 that still offers some value if the field sets up right.

The common angle across all three free races: watch where the early speed lands in the gate. On a rain-affected Evangeline dirt track, horses that can sit just off the pace and pounce in the stretch often have the best of it. All three of our top picks fit that profile at least partially, which is why we like them today.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

5:54 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

A ten-horse allowance sprint at six furlongs where the morning line favorite also holds a massive TrackWiz rating advantage, though a pair of double-digit longshots carry sneaky credentials that could muddy the exotics.

win1GunsML 5/2

Guns (1) is the standout of this race — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating that clears the next-best contender by more than 20 points is a commanding edge in any field. He also carries a 17% career win rate and a solid average speed of 54, and trainer Allen Landry puts him on the front end with Casey Fusilier, a jockey who knows how to manage a speed horse at Evangeline. At 5/2, this is a confident top selection backed by the numbers.

place9BegforforgivenessML 7/2

Begforforgiveness (9) is the most interesting supporting piece in the race — a 64.22 TrackWiz rating pairs with a 25% career win rate and the top average speed figure in the field at 55, meaning she has the raw ability to challenge. Trainer Juan Munoz Cano has solid credentials, and Elio J. Barrera gives her a live shot to track down the favorite late if the pace gets honest. The 7/2 morning line is honest value for a place ticket.

show2WeitzmanML 12/1

Weitzman (2) is a genuine longshot angle at 12/1 despite a 57.36 TrackWiz rating that ranks third in the field and a 20% career win rate. Trainer Eric Ramaekers knows this circuit, and Javier Antonio Hernandez gives him a capable pilot. Use him underneath in your trifectas as a live third at a price that will pay nicely if the top two run as expected.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 4

6:21 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

Stakes company on the turf mile features a dominant favorite backed by eye-popping credentials, but the second and third choices in the ratings are live enough to make the exotics interesting.

win8Wicked as HaggartML 9/5

Wicked as Haggart (8) is simply a class apart in this field — a 50% career win rate is the highest in the race by a wide margin, and a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 clears the rest of the field by nearly 18 points. Jansen Melancon is one of Evangeline's top pilots and the Allen Landry barn puts runners in position to win. The 9/5 morning line is short, but when a horse this dominant steps into a stakes on the turf, you respect the résumé.

place6A Million MoonsML 5/1

A Million Moons (6) posts a 70.50 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and brings a 23% career win rate to the table with an average speed of 54, matching most of the top entrants. Trainer Henry B. Johnson, Jr. is familiar with this circuit and Colby J. Hernandez is a solid rider on turf. At 5/1 on the morning line, she's the logical place horse to pair with the favorite.

show3Boss of All BossesML 2/1

Boss of All Bosses (3) carries a 29% career win rate — the second-highest in the field — and a TrackWiz rating of 60.63 with a 54 average speed. Michael J. Maker is a nationally recognized conditioner and C.J. McMahon is a capable turf rider. The 2/1 morning line makes him likely overbet for win, but using him in the show spot of a trifecta with the top two is a reasonable structure.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 5

6:48 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

A high-voltage stakes sprint featuring two horses with elite TrackWiz ratings and nearly identical morning lines — this looks like a genuine two-horse battle at six furlongs, with separation between that duo and the rest of the field.

win5Six StringML 7/5

Six String (5) has the highest TrackWiz rating in the entire day's card at 89.42, and backs it up with the top average speed figure in this race at 56 and a sterling 42% career win rate. Timothy Thornton picks up the mount for the Allen Landry barn, and Landry has already sent out a strong contender in Race 1 — this is clearly a barn in form. The 7/5 morning line reflects the market's respect, and our analysis says the rating edge justifies trusting the favorite.

place1Secret FaithML 8/5

Secret Faith (1) is no pushover — a 68% career win rate is extraordinary and rates as one of the highest in today's entire card, backing up a TrackWiz score of 85.52 and an average speed of 55. Trainer Jayde J. Gelner has this filly primed, and Kendrick Carmouche is a big-meet rider who excels in sprints. At 8/5, the market loves her, and she's realistically the most dangerous threat to knock off our top pick.

show6Whisper Me a SmileML 5/1

Whisper Me a Smile (6) brings a 42% career win rate — matching Six String and far outdistancing the rest of the bottom half of this field — with a TrackWiz rating of 61.85. She's clearly the third wheel in what looks like a two-horse race at the top, but that win percentage says she knows how to finish. At 5/1, she's the logical show play for bettors looking to structure a trifecta around the top two.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

7:15 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 fur · Turf

An eleven-horse allowance sprint on the turf at five furlongs — a big, sprawling field with a clear top-rated contender, a legitimate second choice, and a double-digit longshot with sneaky credentials worth including in exotics.

win10Crimson Red RoadML 5/2

Crimson Red Road (10) is the easiest top pick of the race — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating stands well above the competition and pairs with a 20% career win rate and the highest average speed in the field at 55. Trainer Lee Thomas knows this track and Colby J. Hernandez is an effective pilot, especially in short turf sprints where positioning off the break matters. The 5/2 morning line is fair for the top-rated runner in this wide field.

place5ArchtopML 7/2

Archtop (5) is a compelling supporting piece — a 50% career win rate is the best in the entire field by a significant margin, and the 69.72 TrackWiz rating slots him solidly in the second tier. Trainer Sam B. David, Jr. is a known Evangeline conditioner, and Timothy Thornton is a top-shelf rider. The 7/2 morning line offers fair value for a horse whose career win percentage screams class.

show9Me PromesaML 10/1

Me Promesa (9) checks in at 10/1 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 67.09 — third-best in the field — and an average speed of 54 that's respectable on this five-furlong turf course. Alexander Castillo is a capable rider, and trainer Alfonso Balderas may have this one flying under the radar. In an eleven-horse turf sprint where pace can get chaotic, a closer with a top-three rating at double digits is exactly the kind of horse to sprinkle into your exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

Race 7

7:43 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

A nine-horse stakes sprint on the dirt that features a clear top-rated contender at a playable price, but a 46% career win horse lurking at 5/1 could make the pace scenario treacherous — this is a race that could produce a very nice exacta.

win2El DineroML 5/2

El Dinero (2) owns the top TrackWiz rating in the race at 87.81 and matches the field's best average speed figure at 56 while posting a 30% career win rate. Trainer Patrick Devereux, Jr. is putting him in against quality, and Colby J. Hernandez is a reliable pilot in a stakes sprint. At 5/2 on the morning line, there's honest value here for a horse this well-rated at a distance that should suit his profile.

place5He's Just LuckyML 5/1

He's Just Lucky (5) is the most intriguing supporting play in this race — a 46% career win rate is the highest in the field and speaks to a horse who consistently finds the winner's circle, backed by a 81.61 TrackWiz rating and an average speed of 56. Jansen Melancon is one of Evangeline's best and trainer Allen Landry is clearly having a big card today. At 5/1 on the morning line, the win percentage alone makes this a horse you want underneath in your exotics.

show3AchromedoutcatML 3/1

Achromedoutcat (3) rates third on TrackWiz at 69.19, carries a solid 26% career win rate, and matches the top horses in the field with an average speed of 56. Trainer Randy Degeyter, Jr. is a familiar name at Evangeline, and C.J. McMahon is experienced in stakes company. The 3/1 morning line makes him the third choice on paper, and he rounds out a logical trifecta structure behind the top two.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 8

8:13 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

The finale at Evangeline is a turf-mile stakes with a dominant favorite going off near even money — but Moonie Pie at 5/2 has the credentials to make this a two-horse battle, and Kalil at 9/2 gives exotics players a live third option.

win3Highly WickedML 6/5

Highly Wicked (3) enters as the standout of this race with a 89.71 TrackWiz rating — among the highest marks on today's card — and an extraordinary 52% career win rate that speaks to genuine class and consistency. Trainer Sam B. David, Jr. is sending out a second runner in this race, which tells you the barn is confident in both, but the 6/5 morning line says the market knows which one is the ace. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. gets the call and an average speed of 54 on the turf mile rounds out a profile that's hard to fade.

place8Moonie PieML 5/2

Moonie Pie (8) is the most logical threat to our top selection — an 82.75 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the race, a 30% career win rate is strong, and Elio J. Barrera is a turf-savvy rider who should have her well-positioned at the mile distance. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's not a throwaway; she's a genuine contender who could easily reverse the result on a different day. Use her on top in your exotics as insurance.

show6KalilML 9/2

Kalil (6) sits fourth on TrackWiz at 65.21 with a 25% career win rate and an average speed of 52, which is slightly below the top contenders but workable in a turf-mile that can produce wide-open pace scenarios. Timothy Thornton is one of the better riders on the card, and trainer Jeff Delhomme gives him a horse with a fighting chance to hit the board at 9/2. In a stakes finale where the trifecta can pay well, including Kalil as a show horse is solid ticket construction.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

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Eight races, four stakes, rain on the track, and some genuinely intriguing pace scenarios to untangle — this is a solid Monday card at Evangeline. Our top free plays are All You, Princess Is Olivia, and Guns to get you started. Subscribers get the deep dive on Six String, Highly Wicked, and the full exotic ticket breakdowns for the stakes-heavy back half. Upgrade your TrackWiz account to unlock everything before the first post. Good luck out there — watch that track condition board.

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