Lone Star Picks & Predictions — May 24, 2026

Perdido Star is the most fascinating horse in this field — a 25% career win rate that stands entirely alone in a field of otherwise winless maidens signals legitimate class. Trainer Jon W. Newbold sends him out with Isaiah Wiseman at 6/1 on the morning line, and at a 60.21 rating, he sits third in the field but brings a résumé the others simply can't match.

Leah's First rates 59.03 for W. Bret Calhoun — a trainer who also saddles Lit Up in this race, giving him two looks at the pace. David Cabrera picks up the mount, and at 4/1 the price is workable for a show play or as the third leg in a win-place-show sequence anchored by Bint Al Dandy.

Gormley's Kitten rates 74.62 — second in the field and a meaningful step above the rest of the pack outside the top two — and ships in with a 53 average speed figure for trainer Donna Hjort. Iram Vargas Diego gets the mount at 5/1, offering real value for place tickets in what could be a two-horse race at the top.

Into Sense is an interesting watch at 8/1 on the morning line — the third-highest rating in the field at 73.88 and backed by the Asmussen family connection with Erik in the irons and Steven M. training. The 51 average speed figure is the lowest among our top three picks, but the class of the barn combined with that rating warrants show consideration and a place on exotic tickets.

Bringonthebubbly rates 63.98 — third in the field — but carries a 14% career win rate and a 53 average speed figure that should keep her involved throughout. Iram Vargas Diego gets the mount for Jerry Gourneau, and at 5/1, she's an excellent value play in the exacta beneath Doublebarrelvinny.

The Girl in Red is worth including in your exotics at 7/2 on the morning line — she rates 58.81 and brings a 20% career win rate that's among the better win percentages in this field. Trainer W. Bret Calhoun is a sharp conditioner and Jose L. Alvarez handles the mount from the inside post, which could prove advantageous in a sprint distance.

Binary Code is nearly identical on our model at 87.24 — just a whisker behind Won More Time — and Iram Vargas Diego rides for trainer Tristan Ashford at 2/1, making Binary Code the morning-line favorite. The 10% career win rate is modest, but this horse clearly belongs in a race like this, and the tight rating gap means he's a near-automatic place selection.

Grind Jim rounds out our top three at 81.42 — a meaningful step below the top two but still well clear of the rest of the field — and comes in at 9/2 on the morning line with Alfredo J. Juarez Jr. up for trainer Jaime Castellanos. The 7% career win rate is modest, but the rating gap to the fourth horse is substantial, making Grind Jim a reliable show option for exactas and trifectas.

Kochan rates a close 84.9 — just fractions behind Oban — with a matching 53 average speed figure and the steady hand of Isaiah Wiseman for trainer Terry Eoff. The 9/2 morning line offers a touch more value than Cutting Class, and if the pace sets up favorably, Kochan is a prime candidate to swoop into the exacta.

Cutting Class opens at 5/2 — the second-shortest price in the race — with an 80.2 rating and a 51 average speed figure for trainer George R. Bryant and jockey Lane J. Luzzi. The shorter morning line suggests public money is coming, and while our model ranks him third, the rating gap to the fourth horse in this field is massive. He's a secure show play and a necessary inclusion on trifecta tickets.

Twenty One Skidoo is the value bomb in this race at 10/1 on the morning line — a 56.54 rating that clears the rest of the field outside of Brilliant Plan, with Weston Hamilton up for trainer Kari Craddock. A 14% career win rate isn't flashy, but if Brilliant Plan runs into any trouble, Twenty One Skidoo is the most logical beneficiary and an excellent play in an exacta with the favorite.

Remember Big Jim rates 50.95 for trainer Dick Cappellucci and gets the reliable Ramon Vazquez at 8/1 on the morning line. A 15% career win rate suggests he's no stranger to hitting the board, and with the top of this field so heavily concentrated at the front, Remember Big Jim is a sensible show anchor and a trifecta inclusion at a price.

Clarisit rates a strong 82.71 — second in the field with a 54 average speed figure — and comes in at 6/1 on the morning line, which is where the value in this race lives. Weston Hamilton rides for trainer Tina Rena Hurley, and at that price against a short-priced favorite, Clarisit is the prime candidate to fill out exacta combinations.

Love Me Some Candy opens at 7/2 and rates 77.19 — third in the field — with a 53 average speed figure for trainer Ronnie E. Cravens III and jockey Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez. The price is short enough that she'll attract public attention, but the rating legitimately supports her being here. She's a natural show play in the nightcap and a key trifecta piece with Eagle Vision on top.