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Free Horseshoe Indianapolis Picks & Predictions — August 22, 2026

August 22, 202610 racesAll Horseshoe Indianapolis picks

It's a pleasant Saturday at Horseshoe Indianapolis — partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 75°F means conditions should be about as good as they get in late August. No weather excuses today. Horses that want to run will have every opportunity to run their race.

We've got a full 10-race card on tap, mixing dirt sprints and routes with some quality turf action, including two stakes races to anchor the back half of the card. The grass races are the ones to watch today — with the turf likely playing true and firm, front-runners and closers alike will have a fair shot.

Three of today's races are unlocked and free for all TrackWiz readers. The remaining seven — including both stakes, a pair of maiden special weights, and some tricky spots with serious value potential — are available to subscribers. Let's get into it.

3 Free Races at Horseshoe Indianapolis

Race 1

4:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 5.5-furlong dirt claimer where the top three on our ratings board are separated by just six points — expect a pace battle and a tight finish.

win5Jordans DealML 7/2

Jordans Deal tops the TrackWiz ratings at 75.62 and draws the 7/2 morning line, making this a solid value proposition at the top of the card. The Tim Eggleston barn has two runners in this spot, which often signals trainer confidence in the race setup. Despite a modest 7% career win rate, speed figure consistency at an average of 54 aligns with the pace requirements for 5.5 furlongs on the Horseshoe Indianapolis dirt. Fernando De La Cruz gets the call and should be able to put this one in a comfortable spot early.

place3BebecitaML 5/2

Bebecita is the 5/2 morning-line favorite and posts the second-highest rating in the field at 73.27, so there's real substance behind that chalk. The Jose Ramos Gutierrez/Martin Reyes combination gives this filly a capable pilot, and while a 9% career win rate raises some flags, her average speed figure of 54 keeps her very much in contention for a slice of the pie. In a race where the top two are this closely matched, she's a safe place-ticket anchor.

show4Innisfree PrayerML 15/1

Innisfree Prayer is a genuine overlay at 15/1 with a rating of 69.58 — that's only six points off Jordans Deal and easily good enough to hit the board in this field. Amir Mendoza is an active rider on the circuit, and a 20% career win rate from John Haran's barn suggests this horse knows how to finish. If you're constructing trifectas or exactas, ignoring a 15/1 shot rated third-best in the field would be a mistake.

Race 2

4:33 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Cloudy Star towers over this 5.5-furlong dirt claiming field on ratings, but two live closers lurk at appealing prices — the win looks chalky, but the exotics could pay.

win2Cloudy StarML 8/5

Cloudy Star enters as the dominant figure here with a TrackWiz rating of 89.12, the highest in the field by nearly five points, and the 8/5 morning line reflects that. A 28% career win rate is strong at this level — nearly one in three starts results in a win — and an average speed figure of 55 leads the field. Samuel Bermudez gets the mount for trainer Tomas Medina, a solid pairing that should keep this one close to the pace in the sprint distance.

place7CatatonicML 7/2

Catatonic rates second in the field at 84.17 for trainer Larry Rivelli, who has a knack for placing horses effectively at this level. The 7/2 morning line is fair given the rating gap to the top, but a 16% career win rate and that 84+ figure make her a near-certainty for the exacta if Cloudy Star does her job on the front end. Walter Rodriguez climbs aboard and should track the favorite into the lane.

show3Rockin RocioML 3/1

Rockin Rocio rounds out the TrackWiz top three at 82.71 for trainer Cipriano Contreras, and at 3/1 she's a reasonable show-ticket inclusion or exacta underlier. A 25% career win rate mirrors Cloudy Star's, and Evin Roman is an engaged jockey who can find position in smaller fields. If the pace gets hot up front, a closer with these figures is well-positioned to pick up the pieces.

Race 3

5:06 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile dirt allowance with a clear class standout at the top, but the second-best figure comes from a horse at 9/2 with a jaw-dropping win rate — pace scenario could be the decisive factor going a route.

win3Rich in FaithML 9/5

Rich in Faith is the play here and it isn't particularly close on paper — an 88.83 TrackWiz rating leads the field, and a 40% career win rate is elite at any level. Joseph D. Ramos gets a live mount for trainer Donna Riley, and the 9/5 morning line accurately reflects the perceived edge. Speed figures averaging 55 give her the edge in both raw pace and class, and one mile on the dirt should suit her profile nicely.

place6Sweet SaintML 9/2

Sweet Saint is an intriguing counter at 9/2 with a staggering 50% career win rate — when she runs, she tends to win, full stop. Samuel Bermudez inherits a horse for trainer Randy Klopp that rates 83.15 and clearly knows how to compete at allowance level. The slightly lower average speed figure of 52 compared to Rich in Faith is the one caveat, but in a slower-pace scenario that opens up on a one-mile route, that gap could close considerably.

show5YotowinML 5/2

Yotowin comes in at 5/2 on the morning line but rates third at 65.89, making her more of an exotics piece than a standalone win contender. Evin Roman rides for Rogelio Labra, and while an 11% career win rate isn't flashy, the 5/2 price suggests the market respects her more than the TrackWiz figure alone would indicate. She's a smart show-ticket play or bottom of the trifecta if the top two perform as expected.

Our three free best bets cover the early part of the card, and there's a clear thread connecting them: class and consistency. Jordans Deal (Race 1, 7/2 morning line) kicks things off in a 5½-furlong dirt claimer, and our TrackWiz rating of 75.62 puts him a step above most of this field. From there, Cloudy Star (Race 2) stands out as the strongest play of the opening trio — an 89.12 rating against similar company at the same distance is the kind of number that commands respect, even as the 8/5 favorite. In Race 3, Rich in Faith steps up to a one-mile allowance on dirt and brings an 88.83 rating with her. Allowance company weeds out the claimers and gives us a cleaner look at true ability — and our analysis likes what it sees here.

The 5½-furlong sprint distance dominates the early card, so pace will be a factor. If the speed is honest and contested up front, horses with a late kick could be getting overlooked in the wagering. Keep that in mind when you're building your early Pick 3 tickets.

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Race 4

5:39 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

This 7.5-furlong turf maiden special weight is wide open — most entrants are first-time starters without speed figures, making ratings and trainer patterns the primary handicapping tools.

win6Lady MaximumML 12/1

Lady Maximum draws the TrackWiz top rating at 64.06 and comes in at a juicy 12/1 on the morning line — that gap between rating rank and price is exactly the kind of overlay we target. She has a recorded average speed figure of 54 on her PPs, which is meaningful when many rivals are completely unknown quantities. Evin Roman is aboard for the Sergio Donjuan barn, and with debut runners on turf, connections who show speed figures already have a real edge over the majority of this field.

place2Mo Town Foxy BrownML 15/1

Mo Town Foxy Brown rates 63.28 — just a whisker behind Lady Maximum — and also shows a 54 average speed figure, giving trainer Genaro Garcia a horse with some form on the books. At 15/1, she's a massive overlay in a maiden field where the favorite Headline Act doesn't even have a speed figure to reference. Amir Mendoza is a capable pilot, and if this filly transfers her dirt form to turf, she could easily hit the board at a double-digit price.

show4Headline ActML 3/1

Headline Act is a Cox-trained runner at 3/1 who rates 56.67 — that's a respectable figure and the Brad Cox barn has a well-documented record of sending first-time turf starters out ready. Fernando De La Cruz gets the mount, and while there's no speed figure on record, Cox's barn alone makes this one worth including in show spots. She's likely where the public money lands, so pairing her under the longshots makes plenty of sense.

Race 5

6:12 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

Six furlongs of dirt maiden special weight action with a clear TrackWiz standout at near mid-range odds — the field is otherwise bunched closely enough that the place and show spots are genuinely competitive.

win6Dreamy DrusoML 9/2

Dreamy Druso tops this maiden field with an 84.90 TrackWiz rating — a full 15 points clear of the next-best horse — and the 9/2 morning line makes her legitimately appealing rather than a short-priced fade. Jose Ramos Gutierrez rides for trainer Michelle Elliott, and an average speed figure of 54 gives her a measurable edge in a race where two rivals have no speed figure at all. In maiden sprints, the combination of a dominant rating and existing form history is usually enough to make a strong case.

place1Well Hey ThereML 5/1

Well Hey There enters at 5/1 with the second-highest rating in the field at 69.57, which is a significant 15-point gap back from the top but still comfortably clear of the rest. Santo Sanjur rides for Robert Gorham, and her average speed figure of 54 keeps pace with the favorites on raw numbers. She's the natural place-ticket anchor in a field where the win contender stands out but doesn't make the underneath spots obvious.

show4Lexie's Lunar RockML 5/2

Lexie's Lunar Rock draws the 5/2 morning line, making her the public's second choice, and a rating of 57.50 with a 54 average speed figure backs that up to a degree. Joseph Bealmear takes the mount for Brian Schling, and while her rating doesn't scream dominance, the morning-line respect suggests connections believe she's ready to run. She's a fair show-ticket inclusion, particularly in trifectas where you need a bridge between the clear top and the muddy mid-field.

Race 6

6:45 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A deep, 11-horse starter optional claiming field going a mile on the turf — two horses rate 82-plus and should battle for supremacy, with a live closer lurking at a solid price.

win8ShankarML 4/1

Shankar earns the TrackWiz top rating at 84.85 and comes in at a reasonable 4/1 for trainer Tracey Wisner. A 25% career win rate is an excellent baseline at this class level, and an average speed figure of 54 holds up well on a turf mile where pace management matters. Joseph Romero has the call, and with connections who appear confident based on the entry, this looks like a well-placed spot for a horse with the figures to get it done.

place6ExplosivelyML 6/1

Explosively rates 82.71 — just two points behind Shankar — and comes in at 6/1 for trainer Randy Matthews, who also saddles the longshot Elevated Game in this field. Alberto Burgos rides a horse with a 13% career win rate, which might seem modest, but that average speed figure of 55 is tied for the field lead and suggests she can put up a big number on any given day. In a pace-honest turf mile, she could be the one closing into the stretch with a big run.

show4Canyon StreakML 8/1

Canyon Streak rates 72.03 and comes in at 8/1 for trainer Hugo Rodriguez with Alex Achard in the irons. A 22% career win rate is respectable, and a 54 average speed figure puts him squarely in the competitive zone for this class. He's the kind of horse that shows up in the money more often than his win total suggests, making him a smart show bet or exacta/trifecta fill at a double-digit price.

Race 7

7:19 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 5-furlong dirt maiden claiming sprint where all entrants are winless and speed figures are sparse — ratings and workout patterns drive the handicapping, and value is everywhere.

win5My ChickadeeML 7/2

My Chickadee tops the TrackWiz ratings at 55.83 and draws the 7/2 morning line, making her the co-morning-line favorite with good reason. Walter Rodriguez gets the mount for the Larry Rivelli barn — and Rivelli also sends out Back Back Back in this spot, a confident two-pronged stable entry. While there's no recorded speed figure on file, Rivelli's track record of placing horses effectively at this level is worth factoring in heavily.

place9C V AthenaML 9/2

C V Athena rates 54.17 for trainer Kenia Hernandez and comes in at 9/2 with Alexander Crispin aboard — she has a 54 average speed figure, which is among the few horses in this maiden claiming sprint with a documented baseline. That alone is a meaningful differentiator in a wide-open field, as it gives handicappers something concrete to work with. She should be included in all exotics as a natural partner with the top pick.

show10Back Back BackML 5/1

Back Back Back is the second Rivelli entry at 5/1 and rates 53.33, with a legitimate 55 average speed figure that leads the field on raw numbers. Marcelino Pedroza Jr. hops aboard, and whenever a trainer deploys two horses in the same race, the one with the higher speed figure often gets the tougher look. A 5/1 show ticket on a horse with the best recorded speed figure in the race is a worthwhile hedge.

Race 8

7:53 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

The stakes field at a mile on the turf is deep and contentious with 15 runners — two horses rated 73-plus at overlaid prices give shrewd bettors a genuine edge over the chalk.

win10Lady ChaosML 4/1

Lady Chaos tops the TrackWiz ratings at 75.97 and brings an eye-popping 66% career win rate to the gate — two of every three career starts have resulted in a victory, which is elite by any measure. She draws the 4/1 morning line for trainer Robert Dobbs Jr., and Irving Moncada has the call on a horse that averages a 56 speed figure, highest in the field. In a stakes mile on turf, a horse with that kind of closing efficiency and dominant win record is hard to fade.

place2Instilled ZipML 12/1

Instilled Zip is the value angle in this race — rated 73.96, just two points off the top, but priced at 12/1 on the morning line for trainer Anthony Granitz. A 33% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 make this horse every bit as credible as horses at half the price. Walter Rodriguez gets the mount, and in a full field of 15 where pace can get messy, a horse with legitimate ratings sitting at double-digit odds is exactly the kind of play that separates smart exotics bettors from the pack.

show3Sweet JannaeliseML 6/1

Sweet Jannaelise rates 64.81 for trainer Granitz — the same barn as Instilled Zip — which could mean they'll split the market but also that the connections like both. Mitchell Murrill rides at 6/1, and while a 14% career win rate and 53 average speed figure put her below the top two, she's a quality filler in trifectas and superfectas in a race this wide. Stakes fields with 15 runners create value in every exotic slot.

Race 9

8:27 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 mi · Turf

The nightcap stakes on turf goes a mile with a sprawling 16-horse field — Hard Luck Prayer is the class of the field on ratings, but a massive longshot overlay at 12/1 makes the exotics especially tantalizing.

win3Hard Luck PrayerML 4/1

Hard Luck Prayer rates 76.72 — the top mark in the field by more than five points — and the 4/1 morning line is fair for a horse with a 37% career win rate. Andres Ulloa pilots for trainer Robert Gorham, who sends out two runners in this spot, and a 54 average speed figure holds up well against the deepest stakes field of the day. In a chaotic 16-horse turf mile, having the highest-rated horse at a manageable price is the best positioning you can ask for.

place13Our JalapenoML 12/1

Our Jalapeno is the standout value play in this race — rated 70.99 with a legitimate 55 average speed figure (tied for second-best in the field), yet priced at 12/1 on the morning line. Evin Roman rides for Robert Dobbs Jr., and a 2% career win rate is anomalously low for a horse whose raw figures suggest much better. In large turf fields where pace scenarios are unpredictable, a closer with speed figures this strong can easily pop at a big price, making her a compelling exacta and trifecta partner.

show7Tail GunnerML 5/1

Tail Gunner rates 69.83 at 5/1 for trainer Granitz and boasts the highest average speed figure in the entire race at 56 — that kind of raw speed is significant in a pace-sensitive turf mile. Alex Achard has the call, and a 25% career win rate tells you this horse has been to the winner's circle before. He's the natural show anchor for exotic tickets and a legitimate threat to find the board if the pace setup plays into his hands.

Race 10

8:57 PM EDT

Maiden · 300 yd · Dirt

A 300-yard maiden quarter-horse sprint to close out the card — short, explosive, and completely unforgiving, with an overwhelming TrackWiz favorite and two live prices lurking underneath.

win2Eos Running RoxieML 9/5

Eos Running Roxie dominates the TrackWiz ratings at 88.83 — a full 18 points clear of the next-best horse — and the 9/5 morning line reflects that dominance. In a 300-yard race, there's almost no room for tactical adjustments; the horse that breaks sharpest and runs the best figure wins, and Roxie's ratings suggest she does exactly that. Luz Daniel Martinez handles the mount for trainer Anthony Cunningham, and with no speed figure history available for any runner in the field, the ratings gap here is the most reliable edge handicappers have.

place4Miss Ktb 23ML 8/1

Miss Ktb 23 rates 70.77 for trainer Tim Eggleston and comes in at 8/1 on the morning line — that's a significant overlay relative to her second-best rating in the field. Eggleston runs multiple horses across today's card, signaling a confident barn, and Rolando Del Rio Pina gets the call on a horse that rates 18 points clear of third place. In a field where figures are universally absent and the race is over in a heartbeat, leaning on the second-rated horse at 8/1 is smart ticket construction.

show8Gv Black PantherML 5/1

Gv Black Panther rates 65.02 and comes in at 5/1 for trainer Jessica Vazquez — third-best in the field by our numbers but priced more aggressively than that standing suggests. Giovani Vazquez-Gomez takes the mount in what looks like a family-connected entry, and those situations sometimes come with insider prep knowledge that doesn't show up in the public form. At 5/1 for a horse rated third in an 11-runner 300-yard maiden, she's worth the show ticket and a trifecta slot.

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Today's Horseshoe Indianapolis card has something for every kind of player — straightforward spots in the openers, turf stakes with legitimate value at mid-range odds, and a couple of maiden races where doing the homework pays off. Our top free plays are Jordans Deal, Cloudy Star, and Rich in Faith. For the full picture — pace scenarios, exotic tickets, and all seven premium races including both stakes — subscribers have everything waiting for them. Good luck out there, and as always, bet what you can afford to lose.

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