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Monmouth Park Picks & Predictions — August 21, 2026

August 21, 20266 racesAll Monmouth Park picks

This card ran on August 21, 2026.

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Best bets at Monmouth Park, August 21, 2026

Race 15Gold StampML 9/52:00 PM EDT

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Results are in — see the official Monmouth Park chart and payouts (our top pick won 3 of 6)→

It's a beautiful Friday afternoon at Monmouth Park — 76°F, partly cloudy, and the kind of day where the Jersey Shore breeze keeps the turf course in prime shape. With three of today's six races contested on the grass, surface matters, and conditions look favorable for horses who can use that firmer turf footing to their advantage.

Today's six-race card mixes claiming and maiden action with a Starter Optional Claiming turf sprint in Race 3 that figures to draw a sharp crowd. The speed figures across the card are competitive, and our TrackWiz ratings have identified some strong overlays worth targeting — including a 6/1 longshot in Race 6 that's worth a serious look if you're hunting value.

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Race 1

2:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A 5-furlong turf sprint with a clear top rating in Gold Stamp, but three other horses within shouting distance make this more than a rubber stamp — price players have genuine chances.

win5Gold StampML 9/5

Gold Stamp is the class of this field by a comfortable margin, posting a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 — nearly 16 points clear of the next challenger. Francisco Martinez gets the call, and the horse sports an average speed figure of 55, tied for the top in the field. At 9/5 on the morning line, the public agrees this is the one to beat, and the numbers back it up. If there's a knock, it's a career win percentage of just 11%, so this horse has a habit of running well without always closing the deal — watch early to confirm it breaks cleanly.

place3Bella Bello BankerML 4/1

Bella Bello Banker (3) is the logical backup at 4/1, carrying a rating of 72.29 and an 18% career win rate — the best in the field. Trainer Juan Carlos Avila also sends out Lady Hathor in this same race, meaning the barn has double coverage and a tactical advantage. Carlos Eduardo Rojas rides, and at 4/1, the place price should be solid if Gold Stamp wins and this one fills out the board.

show6Gwen to WinML 9/2

Gwen to Win (6) at 9/2 is a sneaky include for exotics with a 68.79 rating and a 16% career win percentage that's above average for this field. Jose C. Ferrer handles the mount, a capable rider at Monmouth. This one's speed figure of 54 is in line with the main cluster of competitors, making her a tough out in a race where several horses are separated by only small margins.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

2:38 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Maiden claimers on dirt are always a puzzle, and this one's no exception — every horse in here is still looking for their first win, so past finishing positions matter less than raw ability and trainer intent.

win3ShozanML 3/1

Shozan (3) tops our TrackWiz rating at 56.67 and draws the morning line of 3/1 — the second choice behind the public's 8/5 favorite. Trainer Teresa M. Pompay also runs Yauprissy in this field, so she clearly likes the condition and distance. Without published speed figures available, we're leaning on the overall rating edge and the trainer's familiarity with the spot. Jose Antonio Gomez gets the mount, and he's been a solid presence at Monmouth this meet.

place2ExcellionML 7/2

Excellion (2) is our place pick with a rating of 55.83, just a whisker behind Shozan. Trainer Juan Carlos Avila has an active barn at Monmouth today, and Angel Morales takes the reins here. No speed figures on record could mean this is a first-time starter with a live shot — those Avila debuters have a way of showing up ready, and at 7/2, there's genuine place value if the pace sets up honestly.

show5Cuddy's LuckyML 8/5

Cuddy's Lucky (5) is the morning line favorite at 8/5, trained by Kelly J. Breen — a well-respected Monmouth conditioner — with Jose C. Ferrer in the irons. The horse has a logged average speed figure of 54, which is more race-ready data than most of this field can show. The public money will likely compress the win odds, but that speed figure edge makes this a safe show bet to anchor your trifecta structure.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

The three free races give you a solid cross-section of today's card. On the turf side, Gold Stamp (Race 1, 9/5 morning line) earns an 88.83 TrackWiz rating and looks like the class of a five-furlong claiming opener — short turf sprints tend to reward horses with clean early positioning, and today's conditions should suit. Allison Park carries that theme right into Race 3, posting the day's highest free-race rating at 89.12 in a Starter Optional Claiming turf sprint. Two sharp turf plays in the first three races is a nice way to start the afternoon.

Race 2 breaks things up with six furlongs on the dirt — maiden claiming territory, which is always a bit of a mystery box. Shozan tops our board at 3/1 on the morning line, though the 56.67 rating is the lowest of the day's top picks, which is a fair reflection of how wide-open maiden fields can be. Use the free analysis to understand the angles, but keep your exposure measured in maiden races.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

3:11 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Allison Park looms as a dominant favorite in this starter optional claiming turf sprint, but True Spun at 5/2 gives bettors a live alternative, and the 12/1 on Elsie's Smile deserves a second look.

win1Allison ParkML 8/5

Allison Park (1) is the standout of the day in Race 3, boasting a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 — the highest of any horse in the first three races. A career win percentage of 30% is elite for this class level, and an average speed figure of 56 ties for the top of the field. Patrick B. McBurney trains and Jose Antonio Gomez rides, a combination that should handle the 5-furlong turf distance well. At 8/5, the price is short, but the credentials demand respect.

place5True SpunML 5/2

True Spun (5) is the clear second choice at 5/2, and trainer Kathleen O'Connell saddles two horses in this race — a sign the barn is locked in on this condition. The horse carries a strong 78.71 rating with a 56 average speed figure matching Allison Park at the top of the speed charts. Pedro L. Cotto, Jr. has the mount, and at 5/2, this is genuine place value if Allison Park steps up as expected.

show3Foggy NoteML 3/1

Foggy Note (3) at 3/1 adds Kelly J. Breen's training touch to Luis R. Rivera, Jr.'s veteran presence in the saddle. The rating of 61.9 and a 55 average speed figure make this one competitive enough to earn a show check in a race where the top two are fairly established. For trifecta players, Foggy Note is a reliable underneath piece at a price that still offers some payout.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 4

3:44 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This 6-furlong dirt claimer has a clear TrackWiz top two, but keep an eye on the value lurking at double digits — this race has upset written all over it if the pace scenario favors closers.

win6Doin ThisML 5/2

Doin This (6) carries the top rating in the field at 87.81 and goes postward at a very fair 5/2 morning line. Jose C. Ferrer takes the mount for trainer Rory K. Huston, who also enters It'salljustadream, suggesting the barn is comfortable in this condition. The 54 average speed figure is consistent with the field, and while the career win percentage of 6% is modest, the overall rating edge here is significant — this horse is simply performing at a higher level than its win record suggests.

place2Sir Newtons LawsML 3/1

Sir Newtons Laws (2) is the second-best rated horse in the field at 76.55, and Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. — one of the more experienced riders at Monmouth — handles the mount for Anthony R. Margotta, Jr. The horse has a 54 average speed figure and a 10% career win rate. At 3/1, this is a legitimate contender to land in the exacta, especially if Doin This gets caught in a pace battle and needs something to run at.

show3It'salljustadreamML 12/1

It'salljustadream (3) is the race's sleeper at 12/1 on the morning line — don't let that price fool you. The horse posts a 71.4 rating, third-best in the field, and carries a 14% career win percentage with a 54 average speed figure. Trainer Rory K. Huston throws this one out alongside the top pick, and when a trainer doubles up in the same race, both horses are worth including. At double digits, the show parlay value here is exceptional.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 5

4:17 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five-furlong turf for maiden claimers — a wide-open condition where no horse has broken through yet, but April Spun's speed figure edge makes her stand out in what otherwise looks like a pick-em.

win6April SpunML 4/1

April Spun (6) is our top selection here with a TrackWiz rating of 85.62 — easily the best in a maiden field where the next-best is 64.95. The horse's average speed figure of 56 is three ticks faster than most of the competition, which is a meaningful edge in a short 5-furlong sprint where every length counts. Pedro L. Cotto, Jr. rides for Kathleen O'Connell, a trainer who already has True Spun in Race 3 today, showing she's got horses in peak condition. At 4/1, this is a legit play in a race where she brings the best pure numbers.

place5Imagine ErinML 6/1

Imagine Erin (5) at 6/1 is the value play in the place spot with a rating of 64.95 — second-best in the field and separated from the pack. Trainer Joann Bertone sends this one out with Kendry Rivera in the irons. All maiden claimers are unproven, but Imagine Erin's rating gap over the third-best horse (No Difference at 58.33) is enough to make her a confident place inclusion in your exotics.

show3No DifferenceML 2/1

No Difference (3) is the morning line second choice at 2/1 — the public's second favorite — and posts a 58.33 rating for trainer Antonio Arriaga. Ruben Silvera gets the call, and the horse's 53 average speed figure is consistent with the lower tier of the field. The 2/1 morning line suggests early money on this horse, but the show price might be compressed — use it underneath in trifectas where it offers structural value.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

4:47 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Eight horses, two of them virtually deadlocked at the top of the ratings — Curious Soul and Roscoe Pine set up a fascinating battle, and the 6/1 morning line on the top pick makes this race unusually beatable.

win5Curious SoulML 6/1

Curious Soul (5) earns the top rating at 82.71 and goes off at 6/1 — that's a rare combination where the numbers-best horse also offers legitimate overlay potential. Trainer Richard Vega saddles Dexter Haddock, and the horse's 20% career win percentage is the best among the top-rated contenders. An average speed figure of 56 is second-best in the field, trailing only Spoke and Gins and Tins at 57. The pace shape over 5 furlongs on turf often rewards horses who can rate and finish — Curious Soul's profile fits that profile.

place6Roscoe PineML 5/2

Roscoe Pine (6) at 5/2 is just a half-point behind the top pick at 82.26, making this effectively a two-horse race at the top. Pedro L. Cotto, Jr. — who's riding April Spun in Race 5 — also handles this one, giving him a strong book on the day. The 17% career win rate is solid, and while the average speed figure of 53 is slightly below Curious Soul, Roscoe Pine is clearly the most likely horse to fill the place spot if Curious Soul hits the front.

show8Gins and TinsML 7/2

Gins and Tins (8) represents the third leg of our recommended sequence and brings the top average speed figure in the field at 57, tied with Spoke. Luis R. Rivera, Jr. rides for Panagiotis A. Synnefias, and the 69.69 rating puts this one solidly in the hunt. At 7/2, the morning line price is fair, and in an eight-horse field with two horses rated virtually equal at the top, a firm third at this price makes for a useful trifecta anchor.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

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A firm turf course, mild temperatures, and a card loaded with sprint action makes for an engaging Friday at Monmouth. Gold Stamp and Allison Park are the headline plays in the free races, with Shozan as a watchable contender in the maiden dirt. For the complete pace analysis, exotic ticket construction, and the full case for Curious Soul as today's top value play, subscribers have everything they need inside TrackWiz. Good luck at the windows — let's make it a profitable Friday.

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