Evangeline Picks & Predictions — November 14, 2026

Lil Kool Cricket (program #1) sits second in the ratings at 57.5 and brings the second-best recent speed figure at 12.00 sec/furlong, which keeps her in the conversation in a short sprint. J.R. Ramirez is an A- jockey who knows how to get the most out of maiden horses, and a 50% career in-the-money rate shows some talent in the pipeline. The Lasix note is a minor concern — she's not using it while four rivals are — but the speed figure and jockey upgrade make her a sound place ticket.

Hes Kinda Sweet (program #2) sits third in the TrackWiz ratings at 54.17 and carries the third-best recent speed figure at 12.68 sec/furlong for the group. The form is a little spotty — no placings in the last two starts — but in a wide-open maiden race where the top two are well clear of the rest, this horse makes sense as a show play to fill out trifecta coverage. The 9/2 morning line offers fair value.

Rio Rojo Ranchero (program #4) owns the fastest recent speed figure in the field at 11.50 sec/furlong — a meaningful edge in a 550-yard sprint — and that raw number keeps him squarely in the win picture as well. Rated 83.54 and second in the field, the horse brings a 33% in-the-money rate. With a morning line of 9/5, the market already respects this one. A solid underneath play with legitimate upset potential.

Easy D (program #6) is the class-drop angle in this race, dropping from $7,500 to $5,000 claiming, and comes in off a win last out on August 21. The third-fastest recent speed figure at 12.05 sec/furlong is good enough to be in the mix at the 550-yard distance, and trainer Samantha Pena earns an A grade — a nice connection when a horse is being pointed to a spot. The dirt record is a mild concern (one placing in four starts), but the class drop and recent win make this a value show option.

Jedi One (program #4) is the most compelling underneath play in this race — rated 79.2 and second in the field, with an impressive 60% career in-the-money rate and one win from five dirt starts. The jockey-trainer combination of Ubaldo Luna and Preston Jourdan has connected at a 22% win rate with 65% in-the-money over the past year, which is a strong partnership angle. At 8/1 on the morning line, there's genuine value here relative to the numbers.

Bb Jess Classified (program #3) is an interesting show play coming off a 162-day layoff — the connections may simply be looking to tighten the horse up — but it won the last time it raced on June 5, 2026, and the jockey-trainer combo of Adrian Morales and Leonel Hernandez hits at 17% wins and 55% in-the-money over the past year. The Lasix angle is real (not using it while eight rivals are), so manage expectations, but the talent and connections make this worth including in the exotics at 3/1.

One Famous Dlt (program #10) has the fastest recent speed figure in the field at 11.83 sec/furlong and has placed in the last four consecutive starts — a form streak that's hard to ignore. With four placings from eight dirt starts and a 50% in-the-money career rate, the consistency is real. Rated 81.76 and second in the field, the 2/1 morning line reflects the market's respect. If Alekca Cj stumbles, this horse will be right there.

Hesa John 316 (program #7) sits third in the TrackWiz ratings at 57.46, well behind the top two but ahead of the rest. The 40% career in-the-money rate provides a baseline of competence, and J.R. Ramirez is an A- jockey who tends to put horses in good positions. There's a gap between the top two and this horse, but in a ten-horse field at 300 yards, good post position and a sharp jockey can make up ground quickly. A reasonable show play for trifecta tickets at 9/2.

Raiseyourglasshigher (program #5) is rated 82.93, just over a point behind the top pick, with the third-fastest recent speed figure at 11.58 sec/furlong and three consecutive in-the-money finishes of its own. Three wins from 12 dirt starts and a 50% career in-the-money rate are solid numbers for this level. The claiming price bump — going up from $10,000 to $15,000 — is a mild concern, but the form trajectory justifies a strong place play.

Ana Maria (program #4) brings the second-fastest speed figure at 11.47 sec/furlong and has cashed in two of her last two starts, keeping the form alive heading into today. Three wins and 10 placings from 18 dirt starts is a durable record, and a 55% career in-the-money rate is among the best in this field. The only note is a short rest cycle at 28 days — the data suggests she's slightly better with 30 or more days off — but that's a thin margin and shouldn't disqualify her from the exotics.

Jrs Innocent Girl (program #2) is the clear second choice in the ratings at 79.1 and brings the second-fastest speed figure in the field at 12.19 sec/furlong. A 42% career in-the-money rate from prior starts is respectable for a maiden horse, and jockey Servando Ramirez earns a B+ grade. At 5/2 on the morning line, this filly figures to be right in the place and show discussions even if she can't match the top pick's raw speed.

First Lady Trump (program #8) is the third-ranked horse in the TrackWiz ratings at 72.56 and comes in with both a class drop (from $15,000 to $10,000) and a strong jockey-trainer combination — J.R. Ramirez is A- and trainer Arturo Solis Carrillo earns an A. The third-fastest recent speed figure at 12.56 sec/furlong is a step down from the top two, and zero placings from two Evangeline tries is a flag worth noting. Still, the connections are sharp enough to make this a credible show play in a relatively short field.