Parx Racing Picks & Predictions — July 18, 2026

Ginster rates just a tick below Miss Novie at 56.67 and also comes from the Reid barn — interesting that Reid runs two horses in the same maiden, which can signal confidence in the stable overall. Mychel J. Sanchez gets the call here, and at 3/1 on the morning line, Ginster offers a fair price as the main rival to the top pick. In a short sprint, the rail post position could be an asset if he breaks cleanly.

Down the Farm rates third in the field at 54.17 and opens at a reasonable 9/2 on the morning line. Trainer Bobbi Anne Hawthorne sends out Magglio Sanchez, and while we have less public form to lean on, the rating differential in this race is tight enough that the third slot is genuinely up for grabs. A show ticket or trifecta inclusion at this price makes sense given how compressed the field is.

Et's Moon Maiden rates second in the field at 72.40 and carries one of the better average speed figures in the race at 54. Trainer Gustavo Chacon has her going at 5/1, which looks fair given her form edge over the lower half of the field. Andy Hernandez has been sharp at Parx, and if Sister Eve gets challenged up front, Et's Moon Maiden could be sitting pretty in the stretch.

Miss Jones brings a 23% career win rate — the second-highest among runners with meaningful race records — and rates third in the field at 68.94. Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. picks up the mount for trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, a combo that has shown the ability to place horses in contested claiming races. At 5/1, she's a logical show play if the top two draw clear.

Persuasive is right behind Divine Seeker in the ratings at 79.79 and brings an even more eye-catching 42% career win rate — the highest in the field. Trainer Jamie Ness is a volume conditioner who knows how to spot his horses, and Martin Chuan gets the mount. At 8/1 on the morning line, she's potentially the best value in the race — if you're thinking exotic plays, she absolutely needs to be in your picks.

Maximus Angelicus opens at 3/1 — the shortest price in the field — and rates third among our selections at 67.43. A 13% career win rate is modest, but trainer Robert E. Reid, Jr. clearly has confidence placing him here, and Yan Rodriguez is a capable pilot. He's the likeliest horse to be prominent throughout the race given the public support, which makes him a solid show anchor in trifectas.

Craving Carbs rates second in the field at 69.54 and brings the best career win percentage in the field at 25% — a horse that knows how to close out races. Trainer Michael V. Pino puts Emanuel Rosario up at 9/2, which looks like solid value for a place ticket. If Golden Chakra dominates up front, Craving Carbs looks well-positioned to be the best of the rest.

Extrasexyzqteepeye — yes, that's the name — rates third in the field at 58.14 and opens at 7/2, making her a reasonable show option. Trainer Susan L. Crowell has Abner Adorno in the irons, and while the career win rate of 10% is modest, the morning-line price is short enough to suggest the connections view this as a race she can hit the board in. A place/show ticket here covers the bottom of the exotic combinations nicely.

Malibu Warrior rates a distant but clear second in this field at 62.95, and his 28% career win rate is the strongest among the horses chasing Get Set. Trainer Jack Abrams uses Melvis Gonzalez here, and at 6/1 on the morning line there's real value in placing him on your ticket. If Get Set pulls away, Malibu Warrior looks like the logical bridesmaid.

Big Boys Answer brings a 25% career win rate — tied for the best in the field — and rates third at 49.77 despite a 9/2 morning line. Trainer Susan L. Crowell's runner gets Jean Aguilar in the saddle, and with a 53 average speed figure he can run with this group. He's a sensible show play and trifecta piece in what figures to be a three-horse race.

Twisted Ride rates 82.19 and matches Maximus Meridius stride for stride in terms of average speed at 56 — the highest figure in the field. Trainer Michael M. Moore puts Andy Hernandez up at 5/2, which is the shortest price in the race, suggesting the public is leaning his way. A horse with a 28% win rate and the best raw speed in the race is clearly dangerous, and he's a must-use in exactas.

Houghton Shuffle rates third at 76.81 and brings a 38% career win rate — the highest in this field — which speaks to a horse that tends to fire when the conditions are right. Trainer Bruce M. Kravets puts Yabriel O. Ramos up at 5/1, and with the highest average speed figure in the race at 56 matched by Twisted Ride, this horse has legitimate punch. He's a strong show play and deserves to be included in trifecta combinations.

Mister Me rates 81.06 and posts the best average speed figure in this race at 55 — that raw pace figure is meaningful over this distance where late kick matters. Trainer T. Bernard Houghton — a name you'll see multiple times on today's card — puts Frankie Pennington up at 6/1, which looks like solid value. A 33% career win rate in what appears to be a smaller sample also commands respect.

Our Notion rates third among our selections at 80.08 but carries just a 9% career win rate, suggesting he's competitive without often sealing the deal — which makes him a fitting show play. Trainer Jamie Ness runs him at 9/2 with Martin Chuan up, and Ness is sharp enough to have him ready on a big Parx card. The rating is strong enough to justify a show ticket and trifecta inclusion.

Bartlett rates 76.73 and brings a 42% career win rate — second only to Quasi Warrior in this field — and it's easy to see why trainer John C. Servis has him at 8/5. Frankie Pennington is a strong rider, and this horse has the profile of a consistent performer who will be near the front throughout. Even if he doesn't win, his credentials make him a near-lock for the place spot.

Gordian Knot rates 74.46 and carries the second-highest average speed figure in the race at 55, trailing only Bartlett. Trainer Jamie Ness has Martin Chuan aboard at 9/2, and a 30% career win rate is solid stakes credentials. He's the logical third wheel in an exotic structure here — a show ticket or trifecta box with the top two covers this race well.

Pachelbel rates 80.32 and brings a 25% career win rate into this seven-furlong trip, with an average speed figure of 54 keeping him competitive with the field's fastest. Trainer Michael M. Moore turns to Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. at 5/1, and that morning line looks like real value given his rating. He's a strong place play and needs to be in your exactas if you're betting the top two.

Icona Mama rates 74.18 with a 23% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 — matching the top tier of this field on raw pace. Trainer Flint W. Stites sends her out at 10/1 with Andrew Wolfsont up, and that double-digit price on a horse with legitimate speed figures is exactly the kind of value that makes exotic wagering worthwhile. She's our show pick and the best price to include in trifecta boxes.

Cool Million rates 66.71 — well clear of most of the field — and opens at 9/2 with a 21% career win rate and Eliseo Ruiz up for trainer Michael M. Moore. His average speed figure of 52 is slightly off the pace leaders, but his overall rating and experience at this level make him the clear second choice in our analysis. He's a natural place play in an allowance field this size.

Carentan rates 65.10 and carries an 18% career win rate with Angel R. Rodriguez up for trainer Steve Klesaris at 6/1 on the morning line. His 54 average speed figure is right in line with the top horses in the field, and Klesaris is a capable conditioner who doesn't miss spots. At 6/1, he gives you solid show value and is worth including in trifecta structures behind the top two.