Penn National Picks & Predictions — May 20, 2026
It's a wet Wednesday at Penn National — rain is falling and temperatures are hovering around 76°F, which means the dirt strip is going to be a factor in every single race today. Seven races are on the board, split across dirt and turf, and that weather matters more than usual when you're trying to separate contenders from pretenders.
The turf in Races 2 and 3 will be the big question mark early. Depending on drainage, we could be looking at a firm-to-yielding surface that scrambles pace scenarios and flips form entirely. TrackWiz analysis accounts for that uncertainty — we'll flag where the rain creates opportunity and where it creates noise.
From maiden special weights to allowance company to a headline claiming battle on the main track, there's something on this card for every type of player. Let's break it down.
Best Bets
Race 1
2026-05-20T21:45:00Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt
A wide-open maiden sprint where the morning-line favorite looks vulnerable and our ratings split the field into two clear tiers — buckle up for a potential upset.
Remembrall (#2, Angel R. Rodriguez up) tops our TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 — a solid separation from the rest of this maiden field — despite carrying a 3/1 morning line that's actually fair value given the competition. Trainer Elisha Perez sends this one out with purpose, and Rodriguez is an active rider on the Penn National circuit who knows how to handle first-time starters. The average speed figure of 53 is comparable to several rivals, but the overall rating edge here is significant. Closest challenger Endless Glow (#6) comes in with an 80.93 rating and is the 2/1 chalk, so if Remembrall doesn't fire, that's your logical backup.
Rating board at 36.7. Ridden by Leonardo Corujo. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 12.04 sec/furlong.
Race 2
2026-05-20T22:14:00Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf
Three scratches thin out the turf mile field, and the surviving horses create a clear ratings divide — Mr. Hustle and Gangly shape up as a two-horse battle at the top.
Mr. Hustle (#1, Wilfredo Corujo) leads our TrackWiz analysis with an 86.35 rating and a 14% career win rate in a field where most rivals are clustered in the 40s and 50s. Trainer Charles A. DeMario is sending this one into a soft spot after the three scratches, and Corujo is a capable handler on the turf. The 7/2 morning line looks generous given how this field has thinned out. Gangly (#3) at 5/2 is the main rival — a 22% career win rate is the best in the active field — so don't ignore him in exotics, but Mr. Hustle's ratings edge makes him our top selection.
Rating board at 81.0 • 22% career wins. Ridden by Angel Cruz. For past year, Jockey has a 19% win rate and finished in the money in 50% of races. Has placed in the last 2 races.
Rating board at 58.7. Ridden by Jose E. Vargas. Has placed in 4 of the last 6 races. Jockey & Horse combo has a 15% win rate and finished in the money in 49% of races.
Race 3
2026-05-20T22:43:00Claiming · 5 fur · Turf
With four scratches culling the turf sprint field, Highs N Goes stands out on ratings but faces a pace setup that could play right into Heavy Timber's hands.
Highs N Goes (#12, Angel R. Rodriguez) tops our TrackWiz ratings at 84.17 — a wide margin over the remaining active field — and carries an 18% career win rate that ties for best among starters. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp fields this one at 5/1 on the morning line, which looks like value for a horse that grades out this clearly. The average speed figure of 56 matches Heavy Timber for the field's best, and Rodriguez is a strong booking. Heavy Timber (#4) at 7/2 is the main threat with a matching 56 average speed and a 75.33 rating — if the pace scenario sets up for closers, he's dangerous. Still, Highs N Goes is the play.
Rating board at 75.3. Ridden by Dexter Haddock. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 11.67 sec/furlong. Has placed in 3 of the last 4 races.
Rating board at 69.9. Ridden by David Cora. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.09 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 21% win rate and finished in the money in 64% of races.
Three races are open to every TrackWiz reader today, and they cover a nice cross-section of the card. Remembrall kicks things off in Race 1's Maiden Special Weight sprint — an 87.08 TrackWiz rating at 3/1 morning line is the kind of value angle we love in maiden dirt sprints, especially on a track that's playing to early speed. In Race 2, Mr. Hustle draws our attention at 7/2 in a 1 1/16-mile turf claimer — though keep an eye on that turf condition, because rain-softened going at a mile-plus changes everything about pace projections and closer viability. Then in Race 3, Highs N Goes at 5/1 is our highest-odds free pick of the trio, a potential overlay in a short 5-furlong turf sprint where pace can get chaotic in wet conditions.
The thread connecting all three free picks: TrackWiz analysis is leaning toward horses that can handle pace pressure without needing a perfectly clean trip — exactly what you want when the weather is throwing curveballs.
Full Card Analysis
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Rain, turf questions, and a deep dirt card make this a tricky Wednesday at Penn National — but tricky cards are where good handicapping pays off. Remembrall, Mr. Hustle, and Highs N Goes headline the free plays, while Craving Carbs and the rest of the premium card await subscribers. Get the full breakdown, pace projections, and exotic strategies at /pricing — first post comes fast.