Evangeline Picks & Predictions — September 4, 2026

Red Road (2/1) is the morning line favorite with a solid 78.22 rating, but the 14% career win percentage signals a horse who finishes close without always sealing the deal. Timothy Thornton has handled tougher spots, and trainer Sturges J. Ducoing keeps this one competitive — expect Red Road to be right there at the top of the stretch, making place a natural landing spot.

Cinco Richie at 6/1 brings a 75.28 TrackWiz rating that puts her squarely in the mix, even with a modest 8% career win figure that suggests she needs everything to set up right. Juan P. Vargas gets a turf-friendly trip from post 4 for trainer Karen E. Jacks, and at 6/1 she's an attractive show bet that adds upside to any exotic ticket at a price worth including.

Persuasion (5/2) comes in as the morning line second choice with a 57.5 rating and the backing of trainer Shane Wilson, who also saddles Grey Strat in this race. Harry Hernandez handles the riding duties, and a 53 average speed figure puts her in the mix at a sprint distance where pace control can be the difference. As the second-highest rated horse in the field, she's a natural place contender.

Andrea Lee (7/2) rounds out the ticket with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating and a respectable 53 average speed figure under trainer Joe O. Duhon, who also has Rosie's Getaway in here. Colby J. Hernandez picks up the mount, and in a maiden field with this much uncertainty, a horse rated this high with a recognized barn behind her is worth including in all your exotic tickets.

Ocean Jackpot (9/2) is a strong place candidate with a 78.78 rating and a 20% career win percentage that shows consistent competitiveness at this level. Isaac Castillo pilots the Ronnie Averett trainee from post 11, a wide draw that at a short turf sprint can actually work in your favor if pace develops on the inside. The 55 average speed figure is right in the mix, and 9/2 is a workable price for place money.

Echo Down at 4/1 brings an eye-catching 50% career win percentage — by far the highest in this field — and a TrackWiz rating of 76.01 that makes this horse a credible show anchor. Thomas L. Pompell rides for trainer Anthony Arey, and a 55 average speed figure on this surface says the form translates. If Echo Down is anywhere near peak form, a show hit at 4/1 is a comfortable wager.

Fret No More (12/1) is a compelling place play that the morning line dramatically undervalues — a 73.96 TrackWiz rating is legitimate second-best in this field, yet the public is being offered 12/1. Timothy Thornton handles riding duties for Sturges J. Ducoing, and a 54 average speed figure is the highest in the race. If Im Singled Up runs to form but something gets between them at the wire, this is the most likely beneficiary.

Megans Millions (5/2) is the morning line second choice at 66.87 rating, which slots her as a reasonable show contender even if she lacks the top-line numbers to challenge for the win. Jose Luis Rodriguez takes the mount for Isai V. Gonzalez, and at a mile on dirt, patient riders can find late running room. Her place in the exotic sequence is as a show hedge on trifecta tickets.

Footprint (4/1) comes in as our place pick with a 79.2 rating and a 15% career win percentage, working with Carlos Perez aboard for trainer Juan Munoz Cano. Post 10 can be tricky in a 12-horse turf field, but Perez has the experience to navigate traffic and put this horse in a position to threaten for second late. At 4/1, the place return on a horse rated this high is worth the investment.

Hidden Profit (15/1) is the value gem on this card — a 69.58 TrackWiz rating and a staggering 31% career win percentage at morning line odds of 15/1 make this horse look dramatically overlooked. Edward Santiago rides for trainer Mikayla Ivy-Wright, and while the public may overlook this runner in a crowded 12-horse field, the win percentage alone says this horse competes. Show tickets and trifecta inclusions at 15/1 are easy to justify.

I Got the Hint (5/2) is a rock-solid place play with a 74.83 rating and a 25% career win percentage that matches Ninth Ward Bobby O's career strike rate. Jansen Melancon is sharp at sprint distances for Allen Landry, and a 55 average speed figure puts this horse right in the speed zone at 5½ furlongs on dirt. As the second-best rated horse in the field, she's a natural complement to our win pick in exactas.

Mingling Mo (5/1) rounds out the show position with a 53.01 rating and a 55 average speed figure that places her right in the middle of the speed pack. Carlos Perez rides for Ronnie P. Ward, and a 16% career win percentage is respectable in allowance company. At 5/1 she's a sensible show bet and a useful trifecta fill-in, particularly if the pace favors a horse who can settle early and rally.

Toms Lucky Mo (4/1) is our place selection with a 77.85 TrackWiz rating and Kelvin Arana aboard for trainer Shelton J. Zenon, Sr. The 4% career win rate is a flag, but much like No Rematch, this horse's place in the ticket is about rating strength relative to the field rather than raw win conversion. At a mile on dirt, Arana should be able to place this horse in a good stalking position and chase down the leaders for a piece of the pie.

Piastri (5/2) brings a 76.53 TrackWiz rating and Harry Hernandez piloting for trainer Jonas Gibson — a combination that should keep this horse competitive throughout the mile. An 11% career win percentage is modest, but the 52 average speed figure at a distance where pace can moderate means Piastri profiles as a consistent finisher. At 5/2, the show payoff may not be huge, but as the third-highest rated horse in the field, the confidence is there.