Daily Picks

Parx Racing Picks & Predictions — July 23, 2026

Thursday, July 23, 20268 racesParx Racing

It's a beautiful Thursday at Parx Racing — clear blue skies, 82°F, and a fast dirt surface that should reward horses who can get out and run. Eight races on the board today, all on the main track, and the conditions are about as ideal as you'll get in late July in Bensalem.

The card is headlined by a Starter Optional Claiming mile in Race 5, where Pink Rose carries the day's highest TrackWiz rating at 88.54 — a number that jumps off the page in this company. But don't sleep on the claiming wars in the earlier races, where Pastero, Mac Daddy Too, and Bootleg Runner give us three free best bet plays to kick off the afternoon.

Eight races, three free picks, five premium breakdowns — let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The morning line favorite isn't the top-rated horse here — TrackWiz numbers point to a significant upset scenario in this 6.5-furlong dirt claimer, with Pastero looming as a standout value at 6/1.

win5PasteroML 6/1

Pastero earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 82.71, a clear separation from much of the competition in what looks like a vulnerable group. Trainer Scott A. Lake knows how to spot the right spot for a claimer, and Dexter Haddock gets the call for this six-and-a-half furlong dirt test. Despite a modest 5% career win rate, the rating says this horse is running well right now, and 6/1 on the morning line is a genuinely appealing number if those figures translate to the gate.

place9Marchin Into AprilML 2/1

Marchin Into April comes in as the morning line favorite at 2/1, carrying a TrackWiz rating of 75.86 — second-best in the field behind Pastero. The 3% career win rate is a bit of a speed bump, but this horse figures to be competitive at this level and should be in the mix late at 6.5 furlongs on the Parx dirt.

show7Tiz the CoastML 5/1

Tiz the Coast opens at 5/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 62.52, which lands it third in this field — a solid enough position to anchor the exotics. Trainer Jose G. Gonzalez-Milian gets the mount over to Abner Adorno, a capable hand at Parx. The 51 average speed figure is on par with the field median, making this a reasonable show play to round out exacta and trifecta tickets.

Race 2

9:22 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Three horses are bunched within two points at the top of the TrackWiz ratings in this 6.5-furlong dirt claimer, setting up a potential photo finish between Mac Daddy Too, Pit Stop Man, and Young Squire.

win3Mac Daddy TooML 5/2

Mac Daddy Too posts the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 84.09 and matches the top average speed figure in the race at 54, shared with Pit Stop Man and Young Squire. Trainer Robert Mosco sends this horse out with Dexter Haddock in the irons — Haddock is one of the busiest and most effective riders on the Parx circuit. The 5/2 morning line makes this horse the likely post-time favorite, and the numbers back that up; this is a legitimate win contender, not just a public play.

place7Pit Stop ManML 4/1

Pit Stop Man is razor-close to the top at a 83.39 TrackWiz rating and also posts a 54 average speed figure, identical to the win pick. Martin Chuan gets the call for trainer Daniel J. McKenzie, and a 22% career win rate suggests this horse knows how to find the winner's circle. At 4/1 on the morning line, there's enough juice here to make Pit Stop Man a strong place play and a key part of any exacta combination.

show8Young SquireML 6/1

Young Squire rounds out a very tight top tier with a 82.71 rating — just fractions behind the top two — and boasts a 24% career win rate that speaks to legitimate competence at the claiming level. Francisco Martinez rides for trainer Howard R. Brown, Jr., and the 54 average speed figure matches the leaders. At 6/1, this horse offers real show value and deserves inclusion in trifecta keys.

Race 3

9:44 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Bootleg Runner is the rare 8/5 favorite that actually owns the top TrackWiz number in the field, but Will's Music is right there to make this race more interesting than the short price suggests.

win4Bootleg RunnerML 8/5

Bootleg Runner heads into this 6.5-furlong dirt claimer carrying an 83.07 TrackWiz rating — tops in the field — and a very impressive 22% career win rate for the claiming ranks. Bryan L. Torres, one of the more reliable riders at Parx, handles the mount for trainer Michael V. Pino, who consistently delivers at this level. With a 54 average speed figure and a morning line of 8/5, the market and the numbers agree: this is the one to beat, and it's going to take something special to knock it off.

place1Will's MusicML 6/1

Will's Music is the TrackWiz value play of the race, sitting at 6/1 on the morning line with a rating of 82.71 — essentially a coin flip versus the favorite in terms of raw numbers. Joezer Rangel rides for trainer Jennifer B. Shaw, and that 9% career win rate may actually understell the current form implied by the rating. This is exactly the kind of horse to use underneath in exactas when the price is generous.

show5David's KittenML 9/2

David's Kitten slots in as the show pick at 9/2 with a 79.7 TrackWiz rating, third-best in the field and a clear step ahead of the rest of the pack. Trainer Elliott Soto-Martinez deploys Melvis Gonzalez here, and the 52 average speed figure is competitive for this class level. With an 11% career win rate, this is a horse that's been around the block — plug it into your trifectas and don't overthink it.

The first three races set the table nicely. All three go 6½ furlongs on the dirt, so pace scenarios and early speed are going to matter. On a clear, fast track like today, horses who can establish position without burning themselves up early have a real edge — keep that in mind as you handicap Pastero (6/1 morning line, 82.71 rating) in Race 1 and Bootleg Runner (8/5, 83.07) in Race 3.

The most intriguing free play of the trio is Mac Daddy Too in Race 2 — rated 84.09 and sitting at 5/2 on the morning line. That's a solid number for the price, and our analysis flags him as a legitimate contender, not just a chalk play. Three chances to get on the board before you even reach the premium races — not a bad way to spend your afternoon.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

10:06 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Hoppy Time dominates the TrackWiz ratings in a wide-open 7-furlong dirt claimer, but the morning line is forgiving at 5/1, which means there's real value attached to the top number in the field.

win4Hoppy TimeML 5/1

Hoppy Time scores an 84.17 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this ten-horse field by a comfortable margin — and a 13% career win rate that's respectable in the claimer ranks. Trainer Michael V. Pino puts Yan Rodriguez in the saddle, a combo that has been productive at Parx, and the 53 average speed figure holds up well in this company. Seven furlongs on the Parx dirt sets up nicely for a versatile horse, and 5/1 on the morning line means you're getting real value relative to the analytical edge here.

place1One ImprobableML 6/1

One Improbable opens at 6/1 with a 63.36 TrackWiz rating and a solid 15% career win rate, making this a legitimate contender in a field where several horses are fighting for the same real estate. Dexter Haddock gets the call for trainer Miguel A. Rodriguez, and the 53 average speed figure matches the mid-tier of this field comfortably. As a place play, One Improbable's combination of experience and competitive figures makes it a smart inclusion in exacta tickets beneath the top pick.

show5Fully CommittedML 7/2

Fully Committed rolls in at 7/2 on the morning line — the second-shortest price in the field — with a 58.9 TrackWiz rating and an 8% career win rate. Eliseo Ruiz handles the mount for trainer Wayne Potts, and while the rating doesn't scream standout, the public price reflects some confidence in this runner's consistency. Use it in trifectas as a solid show hedge against the more volatile longshots in this field.

Race 5

10:28 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Pink Rose stands out as a class act in this Starter Optional Claiming mile, posting a dominant TrackWiz rating and one of the most eye-catching career win percentages on today's card.

win2Pink RoseML 2/1

Pink Rose is a legitimate standout here, carrying an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — comfortably the best number in this field — paired with a 33% career win rate that's exceptional at any level of the game. Ruben Silvera gets the mount for trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero, and the 2/1 morning line reflects the widespread confidence in this runner's ability. At a mile on the dirt, the stamina test suits a horse that has been winning at a high clip, and our analysis sees no compelling reason to bet against this one.

place5Ambitiously PlacedML 6/1

Ambitiously Placed is the most intriguing horse in the field behind Pink Rose, posting a 77.41 TrackWiz rating and an outstanding 26% career win rate. Trainer Ruperto A. Perez sends out Dexter Haddock, and the 53 average speed figure ties the class of the field. At 6/1 on the morning line, this is a genuine value play for the place slot — if something goes sideways with the favorite, Ambitiously Placed has the numbers to take full advantage.

show8Warrior's RansomML 4/1

Warrior's Ransom carries a 73.27 TrackWiz rating into this race with a 17% career win rate and an Eliseo Ruiz-Michael V. Pino partnership that regularly fires at Parx. The 4/1 morning line puts this horse in fair territory for show purposes, and the 52 average speed figure is competitive in a field where the back half has some ground to make up. Round out your exotics with this one — it's a safe anchor for the trifecta.

Race 6

10:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Two horses with very different profiles — a ratings king at a generous price versus a morning line second choice with a 25% win rate — collide in a 7-furlong Parx dirt claimer that could produce a sharp exacta.

win1Mr. MendelssohnML 9/2

Mr. Mendelssohn heads into this spot with the top TrackWiz rating at 84.9, a 54 average speed figure that matches the field's best, and an 11% career win rate. What makes this the pick is the price: at 9/2 on the morning line, the market isn't fully on board with the analytical edge, which is exactly the kind of situation TrackWiz analysis is designed to identify. Silvestre Gonzalez takes the mount for trainer Jose M. Santaella-Calderon, a proven combination at this level.

place7Star Man BobML 2/1

Star Man Bob draws a lot of attention at 2/1 on the morning line — the shortest price in this field — and it's easy to see why with a 25% career win rate and an 82.72 TrackWiz rating. Trainer Ilias Tapsas and jockey Dalila A. Rivera team up here, and the 54 average speed figure is exactly where it needs to be. The morning line price won't offer much overlay, but Star Man Bob is a must-use in exactas as a bridesmaid if the top pick gets up.

show9Save a PrayerML 5/1

Save a Prayer comes in at 5/1 on the morning line with a 69.87 TrackWiz rating and an 18% career win rate — both figures that command respect at this level. Abner Adorno rides for trainer Stacy Machiz, and the 53 average speed figure sits right in the middle of the pack. When two horses are gobbling up significant win-pool share, a closer like Save a Prayer becomes a terrific trifecta show play for the savvy bettor.

Race 7

11:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Walk Away Joe has the top rating in a ten-horse field going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt, but Legal Deal and Bob John Ray set up a very playable trifecta underneath the top selection.

win8Walk Away JoeML 5/1

Walk Away Joe posts the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 84.17 and a 16% career win rate in a field full of experienced claimers going around two turns. Trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado is a sharp conditioner on the Parx grounds, and Ruben Silvera is a capable closer who should appreciate the added ground of 1 1/16 miles. The 5/1 morning line gives you legitimate value on the top number in the race — this is our primary play in Race 7.

place4Legal DealML 6/1

Legal Deal is a fascinating angle at 6/1 with a 78.96 TrackWiz rating and, perhaps most impressively, a 24% career win rate that suggests a horse that consistently finishes its races. Francisco Martinez rides for trainer Jack Abrams, and the 53 average speed figure is competitive around two turns. The combination of a high win percentage and a solid TrackWiz rating at a generous price makes Legal Deal an excellent place overlay.

show5Bob John RayML 4/1

Bob John Ray comes in at 4/1 with a 68.75 TrackWiz rating and a remarkable 30% career win rate — the highest win percentage among today's picks across the entire card. Martin Chuan gets the ride for trainer Jamie Ness, and while the rating doesn't crack the top two, three decades of winning habit don't just disappear. At two turns, seasoned horses with high win rates have a habit of finding daylight late — use Bob John Ray to anchor your trifecta.

Race 8

11:34 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The largest field on the card — twelve runners going 7 furlongs on Parx dirt — puts a premium on pace handicapping, and Keeping It Country's top rating and solid win percentage make it the clear TrackWiz selection in what promises to be a chaotic opener.

win2Keeping It CountryML 9/2

Keeping It Country tops this twelve-horse field with an 84.9 TrackWiz rating — tied for the best single-race rating we've seen all day — and backs it up with a robust 25% career win rate. Trainer Daniel J. McKenzie gets Martin Chuan in the irons, a combination that clicks regularly on the Parx circuit, and the 53 average speed figure is right in the meat of this field's range. At 9/2 on the morning line, this feels like a horse the sharp money should be gravitating toward, and our analysis strongly agrees.

place9Frost MountainML 6/1

Frost Mountain opens at 6/1 with a 78.96 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate — strong credentials in a sprawling twelve-horse claimer. Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. rides for trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, and the 54 average speed figure is one of the best in the field. In big fields, horses with consistent speed figures and winning track records tend to outrun their prices; Frost Mountain fits that profile here.

show5AhsadML 2/1

Ahsad comes in as the second choice at 2/1 on the morning line, carrying a 78.7 TrackWiz rating and a 14% career win rate. Frankie Pennington handles the mount for trainer John T. Kirby, and the 53 average speed figure slots this horse right in the competitive zone. The public is taking a shine to Ahsad, and while the price will be short, the rating supports its inclusion in trifectas — it's a reliable anchor for the show slot in a wide-open field.

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A fast Parx surface, a clear summer afternoon, and a card anchored by one of the highest-rated horses we've seen at this meet — Pink Rose in Race 5 is the marquee play, but there's value scattered across all eight races today. Start with our three free picks (Pastero, Mac Daddy Too, Bootleg Runner), then let the full Premium breakdown guide your multi-race tickets. Good luck out there — the dirt is fast and the windows are open.

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