Unlock the other 4 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Louisiana Downs Picks & Predictions — August 25, 2026

August 25, 20267 racesAll Louisiana Downs picks

Results are in — see the official Louisiana Downs chart and payouts (our top pick won 3 of 7)→

It's a warm Tuesday afternoon at Louisiana Downs — 88°F under partly cloudy skies — and the turf courses are front and center today. Four of the seven races are contested on the grass, so if you've been tracking turf form this meet, today's your day to cash in on that homework.

Seven races are on the board, mixing Starter Optional Claiming, straight Claiming, and Maiden company across both the dirt and turf. The fields are competitive top to bottom, and our TrackWiz ratings have a handful of heavy favorites lining up with ratings at or near 90 — but a couple of vulnerable short-priced horses and at least one live longshot make this card more interesting than the morning line suggests.

First post is approaching, so let's break down what you need to know.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:35 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A heavy favorite towers over this Starter Optional Claiming mile on the turf, but there's enough pace and intrigue in the supporting cast to keep the exotics interesting.

win1Madison RaeML 1/2

Madison Rae is the standout of the morning with a TrackWiz rating of 90 — a full 33 points clear of the next-best horse in the field. Trained by Jonathan Wong, who also saddles Sweet Darlin in this race, she carries a 29% career win rate and draws Isaac Castillo in the irons. At 1/2 on the morning line, there's no value to chase here, but her dominance on the numbers makes her the cornerstone of any exotic ticket in Race 1.

place3Stephanie StarfishML 10/1

Stephanie Starfish at 10/1 is a legitimate price play for the exotics. She owns a 25% career win rate — solid for this level — and her TrackWiz rating of 56.88 puts her comfortably in the conversation for a piece of the pie if anything goes sideways with the chalk. Trainer Jaime N. Gonzalez has her ready, and Harry Hernandez is a capable pilot on the Louisiana circuit.

show8Sweet DarlinML 6/1

Sweet Darlin brings the field's top average speed figure at 56, which stands out in a race where most of the runners are clustered at 52-53. She's also the stable companion to Madison Rae under trainer Jonathan Wong, meaning the connections know this field well. At 6/1 on the morning line and a 40% career win rate, she's a logical show play and worth including in trifectas.

Race 2

5:03 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Lost Da Vinci is a class-above favorite in this 6-furlong dirt claiming race, but a compact, competitive field means the place and show slots won't come cheap.

win2Lost Da VinciML 6/5

Lost Da Vinci sits atop the TrackWiz ratings at 89.71 — nearly 23 points ahead of the second-ranked runner — and the morning line reflects that superiority at 6/5. Emanuel Nieves, who has been active on this card, picks up the mount and pairs with trainer Patti Turner, who also runs Leaving Shadows in this race, suggesting strong barn confidence in the top pick. The 16% career win rate may look modest, but the overall profile and rating gap make him the most reliable option in Race 2.

place1Blame Me SeriouslyML 9/2

Blame Me Seriously earns the place slot on the strength of a 66.73 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and draws a favorable morning line of 9/2 for bettors looking to build around the favorite. Filemon T. Rodriguez is up for trainer Shane Wilson, and this one's career numbers suggest a capable performer at this level who can comfortably hold a piece in a short field of six.

show5Half Way ThereML 9/5

Half Way There closes out the show spot at a morning line of 9/5, which makes her the third choice on paper. Her TrackWiz rating of 58.57 and 16% career win rate slot her in neatly behind the top two, and at 6 furlongs on the dirt, Juan P. Vargas will have plenty of room to work with in a manageable field. She's a natural fit in the show position for trifecta construction.

Race 3

5:31 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Trainer Daniel R. Cangemi sends out two horses in this 5-furlong turf claiming race, and his top gun Leisurely carries a commanding rating edge in a six-horse field.

win1LeisurelyML 2/1

Leisurely is the top-rated horse in the field at 88.54, a massive 24-point gap over second-ranked Garnet Jubilee. Trainer Daniel R. Cangemi also has Cajun Blast in the field, but it's Leisurely drawing the stronger 2/1 morning line that signals barn intent. Elio J. Barrera is a trusted hand in the saddle, and at 5 furlongs on the turf, this is a short, sharp race where early positioning matters — Leisurely's rating profile suggests she can handle it.

place3Garnet JubileeML 4/1

Garnet Jubilee is a logical price play in the place spot at 4/1, carrying a 64.66 TrackWiz rating and an 11% career win rate that represents the best winning percentage among the main contenders. Edward Santiago aboard for trainer Donald Melancon, and this one matches up well enough on speed — averaging a 53 — to threaten for the silver at a price worth playing in exactas.

show2Valdina DreamsML 9/5

Valdina Dreams is the morning-line second choice at 9/5 and rounds out the exotics as the show pick. Her TrackWiz rating of 58.15 doesn't match Leisurely's dominance, but it's enough to hold a spot in a six-horse field with limited depth. Trainer Danny W. Payne's filly averages a 54 speed figure and draws Javier Antonio Hernandez, making her a reasonable trifecta closer if the top two sort themselves out.

The first three races are unlocked for every TrackWiz reader, and they give us a nice early read on how the turf is playing today. Race 1 kicks things off at a mile on the grass with Madison Rae installed as the heavy 1/2 favorite — she carries a TrackWiz rating of 90, which is as strong as it gets on this card. Race 2 shifts to 6 furlongs on the dirt, where Lost Da Vinci (6/5 ML, 89.71 rating) sets up as a near-lock in a Claiming sprint. Then Race 3 brings us back to the turf for a short 5-furlong dash, and Leisurely at 2/1 looks like the most generous price of the early free trio with an 88.54 rating backing the call.

One thing to watch across these early races: the partly cloudy conditions and August heat at Louisiana Downs can firm up the turf as the day wears on, which tends to benefit horses with tactical speed rather than pure closers. That's a thread worth pulling as you structure your early tickets.

Send me tomorrow's free Louisiana Downs card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:59 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

An intriguing maiden claiming sprint on the dirt where the top choice is heavily favored but none of these runners have broken their maiden yet, leaving the door open for pace-scenario upsets.

win1Irish WhiskeyML 3/5

Irish Whiskey is the top-rated runner in the field at 90 and draws the most favorable morning line of 3/5, reflecting just how far ahead of this group she appears on the numbers. Trainer Juan Munoz Cano sends her out with Elio J. Barrera up — a strong jockey-trainer pairing on this circuit. In a maiden claiming race where no one has a win on their record, her speed average of 54 and decisive rating edge make her the play, even at short odds.

place8Miska MuskaML 7/2

Miska Muska draws the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 55.83 and gets Rey Williams in the saddle for trainer Jorge Lara. She's posted an average speed figure of 52 and carries a 7/2 morning line, suggesting the market also sees her as the main threat to the favorite. In maiden races, the second choice often hits the board more frequently than her win percentage implies — a solid place play.

show2Ay Ay RonML 8/1

Ay Ay Ron is the show pick at 8/1 on the morning line, offering some real value if you're building trifectas in a maiden race where chaos is always in play. His TrackWiz rating of 48.33 is third-best in the field, and Emanuel Nieves is an experienced rider who can nurse a maiden through a tough spot. For a race full of first-time winners waiting to happen, getting 8/1 on a horse with the third-best rating is a worthwhile speculative play.

Race 5

6:27 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Coboch is a heavy favorite in this 1-mile turf claiming race, but Twoko Bay lurks as a serious price threat with the second-highest rating in a nine-horse field.

win4CobochML 4/5

Coboch is the class of this field, plain and simple — a 90 TrackWiz rating, a 42% career win rate (the best in the field by a wide margin), and the top average speed figure at 55. Trainer Jonathan Wong has this horse sharp, and Isaac Castillo, who also rides in Race 1 today, will be looking to stay active in the winner's circle. At 4/5, there's minimal win value, but Coboch is the anchor of any multi-race exotic.

place8Twoko BayML 4/1

Twoko Bay earns the place slot with an 80.73 TrackWiz rating — a strong second in a nine-horse field — and gets Harry Hernandez for trainer Gary M. Scherer. He's averaged a 54 speed figure and carries a 14% career win rate, which is respectable in a turf routing field like this. At 4/1 on the morning line, there's genuine exacta value keying him underneath the favorite.

show6GasolineML 6/1

Gasoline is an interesting show option with a 63.47 TrackWiz rating and a 17% career win rate — one of the better win percentages outside the top two. Lane J. Luzzi picks up the mount for trainer Tristan Ashford, and at 6/1, Gasoline has enough ability to claim a piece of the exotics if the chalk runs into any pace trouble over a mile on the turf.

Race 6

6:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Two heavy hitters dominate this 7-furlong dirt claiming race — New Destiny and Golden City both carry elite ratings, setting up what could be a fascinating stretch duel between the two most dangerous horses in the field.

win1New DestinyML 4/5

New Destiny earns the top TrackWiz rating at 90 and is installed as the 4/5 morning-line favorite, giving Misael Alvarez a prime opportunity aboard for trainer Jorge Lara. She carries a 17% career win rate, which is solid at this level, and an average speed figure of 53 that fits this distance comfortably. In a short six-horse field, she has every advantage on the numbers.

place6Golden CityML 8/5

Golden City is the real threat in this race, posting an 82.56 TrackWiz rating and a stellar 23% career win rate — the best in the field. Emanuel Nieves takes the mount for trainer Ronnie E. Cravens III, and at 8/5 on the morning line, the market is essentially calling this a two-horse race. Her average speed of 53 matches New Destiny stride for stride, making her the most dangerous rival and a confident place selection.

show2Plum WineML 9/2

Plum Wine rounds out the top three with an 81.15 TrackWiz rating — nearly as strong as Golden City — and draws Javier Antonio Hernandez for trainer Henry B. Johnson, Jr. Her average speed of 51 is slightly below the top pair, but in a race where only six horses enter, the show spot is easier to secure, and at 9/2 she offers trifecta value if either of the top two stumbles.

Race 7

7:23 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open 12-horse maiden special weight on the turf at 7.5 furlongs — no prior winners in the field and no horse over a 72 rating, making this one of the toughest cards of the day to forecast.

win8BernardoML 7/2

Bernardo leads all horses in Race 7 with a 72.17 TrackWiz rating and draws Juan P. Vargas for trainer Karen E. Jacks. He averages a 53 speed figure and carries a 7/2 morning line — fair value given his rating edge in a maiden field where the gaps are relatively small. In a maiden special weight, trainer quality and jockey communication matter, and Vargas has the experience to handle a 12-horse turf field.

place6Wise DecisionML 5/2

Wise Decision is the morning-line second choice at 5/2 and earns the place slot with a 60.42 TrackWiz rating. Trainer Steven M. Asmussen — a nationally recognized conditioner — gives this one an automatic bump in credibility, and Alexander Castillo is in the irons. The average speed figure of 54 matches Renegade Red for the field's best, and Wise Decision projects as a closer who could benefit from a fast early pace in this 12-horse field.

show1Classic SensationML 9/2

Classic Sensation rounds out the show picks with a 57.5 TrackWiz rating and a 9/2 morning line that suggests some market support. Filemon T. Rodriguez handles the mount for trainer Steven Duke, and at 7.5 furlongs on the turf, the added distance relative to sprint races should suit a horse with a 52 average speed figure who may need time to find her best stride. In a 12-horse maiden field, anything can happen, and she's a reasonable trifecta dart at that price.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Louisiana Downs serves up a solid seven-race card today, with Madison Rae and Lost Da Vinci headlining the free picks and a loaded back half for subscribers to dig into. The turf-heavy slate and the warm afternoon conditions make pace and surface form the keys to unlocking this card. Full analysis — pace projections, exotic breakdowns, and the complete ratings grid — is waiting for TrackWiz subscribers. Good luck out there, and bet smart.

← All Louisiana Downs picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 7 races free