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Parx Racing Picks & Predictions — July 22, 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 20269 racesParx Racing

It's a beautiful Wednesday at Parx Racing — 84 degrees, clear skies, and a fast Bensalem dirt track that should play right into the hands of speed horses all afternoon. Nine races are on the board, all on the dirt, ranging from maiden claimers to allowance optional claiming competition. In other words, there's something for every type of bettor on today's card.

Conditions like these tend to favor horses that can secure good position early and dictate their own pace. Keep that in mind as you build your tickets — the horses that can get to the front without burning too much fuel are going to have a serious edge today. Our TrackWiz ratings have identified some strong opinions across the card, including a couple of spots where the morning line may be leaving real money on the table.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:40 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 7-furlong dirt claimer where the TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear tier separation — Fast Motion sits atop the field by a meaningful margin, but the 6/1 runners lurking behind could make the exotics interesting.

win7Fast MotionML 7/2

Fast Motion (7) earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 86.35 — that's nearly 10 points clear of the next-best horse. Trainer James E. Nicholson, Jr. puts Bryan L. Torres in the irons, a solid combination at this level. The 7/2 morning line reflects the morning-line maker's respect, and that rating edge over a seven-furlong dirt strip gives Fast Motion the most convincing profile in the race.

place2Rolls Royce JoyceML 6/1

Rolls Royce Joyce (2) sports the second-highest TrackWiz rating at 76.86 despite being lumped in at 6/1 on the morning line — that's a mild overlay worth noting for place tickets. Trainer Ruperto A. Perez also saddles morning-line favorite Golden Philly, suggesting the barn shows up ready today. A 12% career win rate is modest, but in a contentious field the place slot is a realistic target.

show6Golden PhillyML 3/1

Golden Philly (6) is the morning-line third choice at 3/1 and brings the field's best career win percentage at 17% — she knows how to finish in the money. Jockey Kendry Rivera picks up the mount for trainer Ruperto A. Perez, keeping this runner in capable hands. At a projected short price, Golden Philly is best used underneath in exactas and trifectas rather than as a straight win bet.

Race 2

5:07 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Trainer Michael V. Pino sends out two live horses in this 7-furlong dirt claimer, setting up a potential stable exacta — but don't sleep on Popover Gal's eye-popping career win percentage making her a legitimate threat.

win1Tara's TalentML 4/1

Tara's Talent (1) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 — the highest mark among the seven horses here — and goes at a juicy 4/1 morning line despite that edge. Trainer Michael V. Pino has her paired with Mychel J. Sanchez, one of the more reliable riders in this circuit. With an average speed figure of 54 and a 13% career win rate, Tara's Talent checks the boxes both on paper and at the windows.

place3ThelastbulletsmineML 2/1

Stablemate Thelastbulletsmine (3) is the race's morning-line favorite at 2/1, also trained by Michael V. Pino, which signals the barn is double-barreling here. Her TrackWiz rating of 79.44 is second in the field, and at 7 furlongs on the dirt she figures to be forwardly placed. The key question is whether Tara's Talent edges her out — if so, the place spot looks like a strong landing zone for Thelastbulletsmine.

show6Popover GalML 3/1

Popover Gal (6) deserves a spot in your exotics based on one number: a 32% career win rate that absolutely jumps off the page. Trainer Alfredo Velazquez keeps her at a 3/1 morning line, and her TrackWiz rating of 74.44 is third-best in the field. She may not be the class of this bunch on ratings alone, but horses who win nearly a third of their career starts find ways to hit the board.

Race 3

5:34 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Judy's Flyer enters this 6-furlong dirt claimer as a heavy favorite and the TrackWiz ratings back it up — but Clearly Copper and She Can Scat make the underneath spots competitive and worth playing.

win2Judy's FlyerML 2/1

Judy's Flyer (2) carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 — a commanding number in a six-horse field — and trainer Scott A. Lake puts Francisco Martinez aboard, a sharp pairing at Parx. The 2/1 morning line makes her the chalk, and honestly, the data supports it. With a 14% career win rate and the class edge here, she's the anchor of every exotic and a legitimate straight win play.

place6Clearly CopperML 5/2

Clearly Copper (6) comes in with the second-best TrackWiz rating at 78.08 and shows the top average speed figure in the field at 54. Trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado has her at 5/2, which tells you the barn is expecting a big effort. A 16% career win rate adds credibility — she can win outright, but the place position is where she looks like a near-lock if Judy's Flyer fires.

show5She Can ScatML 5/1

She Can Scat (5) fits comfortably as the third piece of the puzzle here, rating 76.87 on the TrackWiz scale — right behind Clearly Copper and clear of the rest. At 5/1 on the morning line, she represents value as a show play or a place component in trifecta coverage. Trainer Howard R. Brown, Jr. puts Yan Rodriguez in the saddle, and the 53 average speed figure is competitive for this sprint distance.

We're handing out three free best bets today, and the common thread is horses with the tactical speed to exploit a track that's clearly favoring pace-pressers and front-runners. Judy's Flyer (Race 3, 2/1 ML) leads the way with the highest TrackWiz rating among our free picks at 88.54 — she's our most confident opinion on the entire card and a horse you'll want in your multi-race sequences. In the opener, Fast Motion (Race 1, 7/2 ML) offers a touch of value at morning line odds that look a bit generous given the figures, and Tara's Talent (Race 2, 4/1 ML) is another horse whose TrackWiz rating suggests the public may be underestimating her chances.

All three free races share the same 7-furlong or 6-furlong dirt sprint profile — exactly the kind of races where today's quick surface should play a decisive role. If you're focusing on just a few races today, these three are your starting point.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:01 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

This maiden claiming sprint on the dirt is a wide-open puzzle — all runners are still looking for their first win, and in a field like this, the TrackWiz ratings and workout patterns do the heavy lifting.

win4Pom PomML 5/2

Pom Pom (4) leads all horses with a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 and draws the services of Jesus M. Rios for trainer Miguel A. Rodriguez — a combination that knows how to put maidens in the winner's circle. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's respected without being hammered to a terrible price. The 51 average speed figure shows some prior form, and the ratings edge here is substantial enough to anchor your top selections.

place3Inner ExcellenceML 9/2

Inner Excellence (3) is the clear second choice in the TrackWiz ratings at 83.54, separated from the pack by a meaningful margin, and trainer Irving Rodriguez saddles her at 9/2. Rodriguez also has Sweetbitters in this race, but Inner Excellence's rating advantage makes her the preferred option from that barn. At nearly 5-1, she offers solid place value and should be included in all exotics.

show6AboltofsecondwindML 3/1

Aboltofsecondwind (6) is the morning-line second choice at 3/1 and posts a 72.13 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field and well clear of the lower-tier runners. Trainer Kathleen A. Demasi sends her out with Silvestre Gonzalez up, and a 52 average speed figure is right in the mix for this distance. In a maiden field where form is hard to project, a well-regarded morning line always carries some signal from the connections.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Brother Paul dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this Starter Optional Claiming event, but Twooutathreaintbad's elite career win rate and a couple of interesting pace angles make the underneath spots worth dissecting carefully.

win1Brother PaulML 4/1

Brother Paul (1) tops the field at 85.62 on the TrackWiz scale and goes off at a 4/1 morning line — that's a legit overlay if the ratings hold true. Trainer Erin C. McClellan sends him out with Inoel Beato aboard, and a 14% career win rate over seven furlongs on the dirt is a workable profile. At this rating gap over the field, Brother Paul is the clear top selection in a race where no single horse looks truly dominant on the morning line.

place5Petey MottoML 5/1

Petey Motto (5) rates 69.53 on TrackWiz — second-best in the field — and trainer Edward J. Coletti, Jr. has him out at 5/1 with Eliseo Ruiz up, a jockey who knows this track well. The 53 average speed figure matches the competitive mid-range of this field, and a 10% career win rate in a Starter Optional Claiming spot suggests he finds himself in an appropriate spot today. He's a natural fit for the place and show slots in your exotics.

show3King BarouML 10/1

King Barou (3) rates third in the field at 65.50 and gets a double-digit morning line of 10/1 that makes him a value play in trifectas. Trainer Miguel Penaloza teams with Kleiner A. Mejias, and a 14% career win rate shows this horse has competed effectively at various levels. In a pace scenario where the top selections might be sorting things out up front, King Barou could be picking up pieces late.

Race 6

6:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Ten horses go to the gate in this 5½-furlong dirt sprint, and while Compa owns the top TrackWiz number, there's plenty of firepower in the 70s and high 70s to keep the exotics wide open.

win4CompaML 4/1

Compa (4) posts the field's top TrackWiz rating at 85.62 and has the speed figures to back it up — an average of 54, tied for the field's best, and a 16% career win rate that shows he closes the deal. Trainer Felix L. Flores-Coba puts Silvestre Gonzalez in the saddle, and at 4/1 on the morning line Compa offers fair value without being underlaid. At 5½ furlongs the pace will be hot, and a horse with a 54 average speed figure has the raw material to go with the pace and hold.

place8Designed by SmartyML 6/1

Designed by Smarty (8) sneaks in with a 77.66 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and brings an impressive 20% career win rate that screams consistency. Trainer Erin C. McClellan also conditions Brother Paul in Race 5, showing up as a live barn today. The 55 average speed figure is actually the best in the entire field, and at 6/1 on the morning line, Designed by Smarty is quietly underpriced for the place spot.

show5Z Storm Is ComingML 5/1

Z Storm Is Coming (5) rates 76.82 on TrackWiz and owns a stellar 25% career win rate — one of the better conversion numbers on this card. Trainer Miguel A. Rodriguez puts Luis M. Ocasio up, and the 54 average speed figure matches the top tier of this sprint. At 5/1 on the morning line, Z Storm Is Coming has the profile of a horse that can compete at the top of this field and shouldn't be left off trifecta tickets.

Race 7

7:22 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

If I Can Dream sets up as a clear favorite based on both morning line and TrackWiz ratings, but Penn Franklin's speed figures give the exacta a legitimate second option — and the 9/5 price on the top selection might still be worth taking.

win4If I Can DreamML 9/5

If I Can Dream (4) earns the field's top TrackWiz rating at 88.83 — the highest mark of any horse across the entire card today — and trainer Michael V. Pino has her primed at a 9/5 morning line with Dexter Haddock in the irons. That rating of 88.83 over a 6½-furlong dirt strip in a Starter Optional Claiming field is a dominant number. While the price isn't generous, the data is hard to argue with — this is a horse who projects as a legitimate win play.

place3Penn FranklinML 4/1

Penn Franklin (3) brings a 79.76 TrackWiz rating and a sharp 54 average speed figure — the kind of combination that wins at this level even at modest odds. Trainer Harold Wyner puts Andy Hernandez up, and a 4/1 morning line suggests fair value. With only a 6% career win rate, Penn Franklin doesn't always finish the job, but he's clearly competitive enough to challenge for the runner-up slot.

show6PsalmistML 5/1

Psalmist (6) comes in at 63.62 on the TrackWiz scale and rates as the third-best horse here on our numbers, which aligns well with the 5/1 morning line. Trainer Jacinto Solis teams with Ruben Silvera, and the 52 average speed figure is workable for a show spot in a six-horse field. At 5/1, Psalmist offers legitimate trifecta value without asking you to reach too far down the ratings.

Race 8

7:49 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Central to Success enters this Allowance Optional Claiming sprint as the dominant figure on paper, but Stately Girl's 20% win rate and Oriole Way's surprising average speed make the underneath bets more layered than the favorite-versus-field look suggests.

win6Central to SuccessML 2/1

Central to Success (6) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54 and is the 2/1 morning-line favorite in a field where that number represents a genuine class edge. Trainer Robert E. Reid, Jr. puts Mychel J. Sanchez up, and a 14% career win rate in Allowance Optional Claiming company tells you this horse belongs at this level. At 6 furlongs on the dirt with an average speed figure of 54, Central to Success is the straightforward top selection and the anchor of all exotics.

place3Stately GirlML 7/2

Stately Girl (3) rates 77.57 on TrackWiz — second in the field — and brings a robust 20% career win rate that suggests she's a consistent performer who finds the board regularly. Trainer Michael M. Moore has her at 7/2 with Andy Hernandez up, making her the obvious second choice. She's not far behind the top selection on our ratings, and in a short field of six, place tickets on Stately Girl are a sensible investment.

show2Oriole WayML 6/1

Oriole Way (2) might look like a stretch at first glance — a 50.33 TrackWiz rating and a 6/1 morning line — but dig into the numbers and you'll find a 56 average speed figure that is the highest in the field by a full point. Trainer Felix L. Flores-Coba also has her posting a 33% career win rate, which is elite conversion for any level. She may be outclassed on the overall rating, but that raw speed and elite conversion rate make her a legitimate show horse and a fun trifecta inclusion at 6/1.

Race 9

8:16 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A massive 13-horse field in this 6-furlong dirt claimer creates a complex pace scenario and wide-open exotics — Enforcer heads the TrackWiz numbers, but Little Lance and Mission First bring serious credentials to a race where chaos is always possible.

win5EnforcerML 3/1

Enforcer (5) rates 87.08 on TrackWiz — the top mark in a crowded 13-horse field — and goes at a 3/1 morning line with Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. riding for trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado. In a big field at six furlongs, pace can get messy, but a horse with an 87-plus rating and a 13% career win rate has the credentials to navigate traffic and come out on top. Enforcer is the clear top selection on this card's deepest race.

place2Little LanceML 7/2

Little Lance (2) earns an 80.41 TrackWiz rating — second in the field — and brings a 15% career win rate with an average speed figure of 54 for trainer Alfredo Velazquez. Jockey Dalila A. Rivera gets the call, and the 7/2 morning line positions Little Lance as the natural second choice. In a 13-horse sprint, finding the board is an art form, and a horse with this rating profile and a capable trainer-jockey team is a strong place and exacta play.

show9Mission FirstML 5/1

Mission First (9) rates 74.40 on TrackWiz and flashes an eye-catching 55 average speed figure — the best raw number among all 13 runners here. Trainer Ronald J. Dandy puts Kendry Rivera up, and a 17% career win rate gives Mission First a legitimate profile in this field. At 5/1 on the morning line, Mission First is underpriced relative to that speed figure, and should be sprinkled in trifecta and superfecta tickets throughout.

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Clear skies, a lightning-fast Parx dirt strip, and nine races packed with angles — this is a solid Wednesday card worth your full attention. Start with Judy's Flyer in Race 3 as your anchor play, build your sequences around Fast Motion and Tara's Talent in the openers, and let TrackWiz guide the rest. For pace projections, exotic ticket structures, and our complete take on all nine races — including If I Can Dream and Enforcer — the full analysis is waiting for you at TrackWiz Premium. Good luck at the windows.

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