Horseshoe Indianapolis Picks & Predictions — July 2, 2026

Crickenberger sits just a whisker below the top at 84.17 and is a natural play underneath at 5/1. Emmanuel Esquivel gets the mount for trainer Cipriano Contreras — a trainer who also has a runner in this field, suggesting confidence in both horses. The 14% career win rate may not jump off the page, but the rating places this horse firmly among the top contenders, and 5/1 is a fair price for a horse this close to the top selection.

Sassy Katie at 6/1 is our show option with a 76.88 rating — third-best in the field and a clear jump above the mid-pack. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. rides for trainer Robert Pompell, and a 26% career win rate is outstanding for a horse at this price. The 53 average speed figure is solid on turf, and Sassy Katie gives you a legitimate trifecta anchor at a price that makes the ticket worth building.

Thousands of Hopes is the value angle here — a 79.79 rating virtually identical to the top selection, but offered at 8/1 on the morning line. That disconnect is where the money is. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. rides for trainer Genaro Garcia, and that 25% career win rate is the best in the field among the top-rated horses. The average speed figure of 55 is the highest number in the entire race — don't let the 8/1 price fool you.

Forever Greedy rounds out the exotics at 2/1 — shortest price among our picks — with a 71.35 rating that puts this horse clearly in the top tier. Joseph D. Ramos rides for trainer Tianna Richardville, and the 15% career win rate is consistent. The public loves this horse, but the ratings suggest it's the third-best runner in the field, making it a solid show bet and a reasonable trifecta part rather than a win investment.

Fletcher Bay is our place selection at 6/1, posting a 70.51 rating — a solid second-best in the field. Emmanuel Esquivel rides for trainer Cipriano Contreras, whose barn has been active across this card. The 54 average speed figure matches the top of the field, and a 10% career win rate in claiming company isn't unusual for a horse whose best performances suggest a higher ceiling. Good value at the price.

D Day Sky at 5/2 is the public's second choice but our third option — worth noting because the 56.69 rating is good without being dominant. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. picks up the mount for trainer Peter Eurton, a name that carries weight. With only a 5% career win rate, this horse may be more of a place/show animal than a win threat, which makes the show bet particularly appropriate here.

El Payasito checks in at 82.43 — a strong second-best rating — and goes as the 5/2 morning-line favorite, actually shorter than our win pick. Amir Mendoza rides for trainer Genaro Garcia, and the 54 average speed figure matches the top of the field. In maiden claimers, morning lines can be tricky, but the ratings say Officer Gambill has the edge — El Payasito is a must-use underneath and a legitimate contender to swap positions on the board.

Dotties Blue Money at 10/1 is the longshot angle in our picks, carrying a 69.05 rating that puts this horse third in the field — well ahead of the rest. Joseph D. Ramos rides for trainer Devarus Douglass, and in a wide-open maiden claimer, that separation from the middle of the pack matters. The 52 average speed figure is solid for a sprinter, and at 10/1, Dotties Blue Money gives trifecta players excellent value in the third slot.

Haziel sits at 79.03 — a strong second-best — and goes off at 9/2 as one of the shorter prices in the race. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. picks up the mount for trainer John L. Langemeier, and the 53 average speed figure adds a tick of comfort on the turf surface. In maiden fields this large, having a horse with a clear rating edge at a fair price is a gift — Haziel is a must-use in exotics.

Pink Picture at 6/1 posts a 69.09 rating — third-best in the field and well clear of the mid-pack cluster. Evin A. Roman rides for trainer Rogelio Labra, and the 52 average speed figure is consistent with a turf route profile. With sixteen horses in the gate, the trifecta payouts could be massive, and Pink Picture at 6/1 gives you legitimate upside as the show leg of any ticket.

Dont Ya See at 8/1 is our place pick with a 64.13 rating — a distant second but still the clear second-best horse in the field on our numbers. Isidro Banuelos rides for trainer Cody Gates, who also saddles A Political Elmo in this race. At a quarter-mile sprint, position out of the gate is everything, and Dont Ya See's rating suggests the talent to hold second if the chalk performs as expected. The 8/1 price makes this an outstanding value underneath.

Hh Chasing Cj rounds out our picks at 6/1 with a 63.73 rating — nearly identical to Dont Ya See and well ahead of the rest of the field. Yovani Flores-Munoz rides for trainer Shawna Martin, and in a seven-horse sprint field where the top three on ratings are this clearly separated from the bottom four, the trifecta becomes a near-chalk play at the top with value prices in the second and third spots.