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Penn National Picks & Predictions — June 18, 2026

June 18, 20267 racesAll Penn National picks

This card ran on June 18, 2026.

Best bets at Penn National, June 18, 2026

Race 110AdamiscashinginML 6/15:45 PM EDT

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Last 30 days at Penn National: our top pick won 10 of 33 races (30%) and finished in the money in 20.

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Penn National is open for business on a beautiful Thursday afternoon — clear skies, 83°F, and a seven-race card that leans heavily on the turf early before shifting to the main track later in the day. With five of seven races featuring claiming or optional claiming conditions, there's plenty of movement in the ranks today, which means sharp angles and live longshots lurking throughout.

The turf strip gets a real workout — four of the first four races run on the grass — so pay attention to any late-breaking surface reports before you finalize your tickets. On a warm, dry day like this one, the turf should be playing firm and fast, which historically favors horses with early speed on Penn's relatively short turf course.

Three races are fully free for all TrackWiz readers, and our top-rated horse on the entire card is Dixie Preach in Race 7 — an 87.08 rating in a one-mile dirt Claiming that looks like the marquee spot of the afternoon.

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Race 1

5:45 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden claimer on the turf mile with zero career winners in the field — TrackWiz ratings split the field wide apart, pointing to a clear top trio but with plenty of chaos underneath.

win10AdamiscashinginML 6/1

Adamiscashingin tops the TrackWiz ratings at 82.71 in a race where no other horse cracks 75, and that edge is significant in a maiden field with no proven winners. Jockey Inoel Beato gets the call, and the 6/1 morning line on a horse with the highest rating in the field looks like a genuine value opportunity. The average speed figure of 54 is modest but leads all horses in this spot. In a wide-open maiden race, a clear ratings leader going off at a fair price is exactly the kind of overlay we target.

place11Endless GlowML 2/1

Endless Glow draws the morning-line favoritism at 2/1, and with a TrackWiz rating of 71.34 she's clearly respected by the book. Angel R. Rodriguez gets the mount for trainer Brandon L. Kulp, a barn that also saddles Rugged Smile in this same race — that dual entry speaks to Kulp's confidence in his string on this card. At the mile on turf, horses with some tactical versatility tend to hold their position, and Endless Glow profiles as a horse to include underneath.

show5Rugged SmileML 3/1

Rugged Smile at 3/1 is the second Kulp/Rodriguez entry and sports a solid 56.67 TrackWiz rating — good for third-best in the field. The stable clearly loaded up this race, which tells you something about how Kulp views his chances here. With a 53 average speed figure matching several others in the field, Rugged Smile gives you a live exotic piece at a fair price without breaking the bank.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

6:14 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

The Starter Optional Claimer on 5 furlongs of turf features a legitimate pace battle shaping up between several closers and pressers — Quercus stands out on ratings but Azami's elite career win percentage makes this a race worth watching closely.

win7QuercusML 4/1

Quercus sits atop the TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 — the highest number in this field — and goes postward at a juicy 4/1 morning line given that edge. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser also enters Azami in this spot, showing confidence in his horses against this group. Jockey Angel Cruz gets the mount and a 16% career win rate in the record supports the credentials. When the top-rated horse in the field is available at 4/1, that's where TrackWiz analysis points.

place6Whiskey LullabyML 3/1

Whiskey Lullaby rates at 78.67 and goes off at 3/1, making her the morning-line second choice — and the numbers back that up. A 15% career win rate is respectable in a field at this level, and jockey Emilio Flores has experience navigating tight 5-furlong turf sprints. She profiles as the most logical horse to follow Quercus across the wire, and at 3/1 there's no shame in including her in exactas.

show5AzamiML 5/1

Here's where it gets interesting — Azami sports a staggering 40% career win rate, the best of any horse on this card today. A 77.44 TrackWiz rating and 5/1 price make her a legitimate show-position hedge, but that win percentage screams live horse at any odds. Trainer Kreiser doubling up with two horses (Azami and Quercus) suggests confidence, and Wilfredo Corujo picks up the mount. Don't leave Azami out of your tickets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Our three free previews cover Races 1 through 3, and all of them land on the turf — a nice little thread that ties the early card together. In the opener, Adamiscashingin (6/1 morning line) draws our attention in a one-mile Maiden Claiming on the grass. Race 2 shifts to a five-furlong turf sprint for the Starter Optional Claiming field, where Quercus (4/1) earns an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and looks like a solid foundation for early multi-race wagers. Race 3 is another five-furlong turf Maiden Claiming, and Shiva Parvati posts our highest free-race rating of the day at 86.35 — she's the morning-line co-favorite at 7/2 and the horse we're most excited about in this opening trio.

The turf bias angle is worth keeping in mind across all three: on a firm, fast grass course in warm, dry conditions, pace scenario often tightens up, and horses who can settle just off a contested pace tend to close efficiently. Watch for that pattern as the early races develop.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

6:43 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Another maiden turf sprint with zero career winners across the board, but Shiva Parvati's TrackWiz rating towers over the field and creates a clear hierarchy in what could otherwise look like a guessing game.

win9Shiva ParvatiML 7/2

Shiva Parvati checks in with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — best in the field by nearly 17 points over the next closest — and goes off at 7/2, which offers a touch of value for a horse this dominant on paper. The Kulp/Rodriguez combo is rolling today across multiple races, and this figures to be one of their stronger chances. A 53 average speed figure matches the top of the field, and in a 5-furlong turf sprint the pace should play right into Shiva Parvati's profile.

place1Pom PomML 5/2

Pom Pom is the morning-line favorite at 5/2 with a 69.01 TrackWiz rating — the second-best in the field — and trainer Miguel A. Rodriguez puts Anthony Salgado up. With a 51 average speed figure, she's consistent, and as the public's top choice she'll be tough to ignore for place bets even if Shiva Parvati dominates. Her presence at the top of the market adds structure to the race and makes the exacta a logical target.

show2Natures FuryML 9/2

Natures Fury at 9/2 slots in third on the TrackWiz ratings at 67.03, which is tight behind Pom Pom and gives you a live show contender at a price. Trainer John C. Servis is a recognizable name for turf routes and puts Abner Adorno in the irons. Matching Pom Pom stride for stride on ratings, Natures Fury rounds out the top three naturally and is a solid show-ticket inclusion.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 4

7:12 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 fur · Turf

This allowance turf sprint packs the best overall talent on the card so far — several horses post career win rates above 30%, and the pace scenario on 5 furlongs should be fast and decisive.

win5WittyML 2/1

Witty is the 2/1 morning-line choice and backs it up with an 80.83 TrackWiz rating, the top number in this field. The 34% career win rate is strong and her average speed figure of 58 is the best on the board — a full point ahead of the next competitor. Jockey Jeiron Barbosa gets the mount for trainer Elizabeth M. Merryman, and with the combination of class, speed, and a top rating, this is a horse you build your allowance tickets around.

place8Fierce and StrongML 9/2

Fierce and Strong at 9/2 rates at 79.11 — just a tick behind Witty — and brings a 33% career win rate that speaks to reliability. Julio A. Hernandez is up for trainer Michael W. Salvaggio, Jr., and the 56 average speed figure keeps her competitive with the pace setters in a short sprint. At nearly 5/1 on the morning line, she's a solid place play and worth stacking in exacta boxes.

show4Showstopper CopperML 8/1

Showstopper Copper opens at 8/1 on the morning line despite a 77.22 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate — that's a price disconnect worth noting. Angel R. Rodriguez rides for trainer Thomas H. Lingenfelter, and with a 55 average speed figure she shouldn't be far back at any stage of this sprint. At 8/1, she's your value show ticket and a sneaky exacta piece if the pace sets up right.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 5

7:41 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A short maiden claiming sprint on dirt where the morning-line favorite and the top-rated horse don't match — creating a divergence that opens the door for a value-priced winner.

win3Serendipitous BidML 2/1

Serendipitous Bid holds the best TrackWiz rating in the field at 68.80 and is the 2/1 second choice — making this a case where our analysis aligns with the market for good reason. Jockey Inoel Beato picks up the mount for trainer Erin C. McClellan, and a 54 average speed figure is competitive with the top horses in this spot. In a slim six-horse maiden field on dirt, a horse with clear rating and pace credentials deserves top billing.

place6The Beast MasterML 8/5

The Beast Master is the morning-line favorite at 8/5, which tells you the betting public is very high on this Brandon Kulp runner. A 59.0 TrackWiz rating and 54 average speed figure make him competitive, and Angel R. Rodriguez — who's been busy all card for the Kulp barn — gets the call. Fading him entirely seems risky given the market support, so slotting him for place in exotics is the pragmatic play.

show2Little Boss ManML 6/1

Little Boss Man at 6/1 shows a 51.67 TrackWiz rating and draws the Lingenfelter barn, which also saddles Black Jack Shellac in the same race. The 6/1 morning line offers some price in a field where the top two horses are heavily backed, and in a six-horse field you only need three horses to run their race for show tickets to cash. A legitimate third option in a race the market has already compressed at the top.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 6

8:10 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The Starter Optional Claimer at 6 furlongs on dirt features two horses — Clarely Tom and Panagiotis — who are significantly outrating their competition and look poised to separate from the field late.

win6Clarely TomML 8/1

Clarely Tom is the value play of the race — the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 79.79 and a blistering 40% career win rate, yet the morning line has him at 8/1. That's an enormous price for a horse who wins at that clip and rates this well. Wilfredo Corujo takes the mount for trainer Flint W. Stites, and a 55 average speed figure puts Clarely Tom right in the mix on the pace. When a 40% career winner is double-digit morning-line odds in a field this beatable, TrackWiz says you take the price.

place7PanagiotisML 6/1

Panagiotis rates second in the field at 78.21 — barely a point and a half behind Clarely Tom — and at 6/1 is another price that looks a bit generous. Julio A. Hernandez rides for trainer Dimitrios K. Synnefias, and a 16% career win rate is respectable at this claiming level. He's the natural exacta partner to Clarely Tom and projects as the most likely bridesmaid if the top pick gets to the front.

show2Iron Sharpens IronML 3/1

Iron Sharpens Iron at 3/1 is the public's favorite here, though the 51.65 TrackWiz rating lags well behind the top two. A 12% career win rate and 53 average speed figure keep him honest, and Melvis Gonzalez gets the mount for trainer Jacinto Solis. He's the kind of horse who benefits if the top two get into each other — worth putting in the show slot of a trifecta as a safety net.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 7

8:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The nightcap is a one-mile dirt claiming affair where Dixie Preach and Ocala Dream own the two best TrackWiz ratings by a comfortable margin — this one shapes up as a two-horse race at the top.

win5Dixie PreachML 3/1

Dixie Preach is the TrackWiz top choice at 87.08 — the single highest rating across the entire card today — going postward at an attractive 3/1 morning line. A 7% career win rate might seem modest, but the rating gap between Dixie Preach and the rest of the field is substantial, and Jomar Torres gets the call on a horse that sets the pace benchmark. At 3/1, this is a legitimate best bet to close out the card, combining the top rating with fair odds.

place3Ocala DreamML 2/1

Ocala Dream rates at 81.53 and is the 2/1 morning-line chalk — making her the public's top choice despite rating second to Dixie Preach. Inoel Beato gets the mount for trainer Erin C. McClellan, and a 13% career win rate with a 52 average speed figure keeps her very much in the picture going a mile on dirt. For place tickets and exactas, she's the automatic underneath partner to Dixie Preach.

show4DebateML 4/1

Debate at 4/1 and a 70.43 TrackWiz rating represents the clearest third option in a race where the top two horses are closely matched. Yabriel O. Ramos rides for trainer Robert A. Wolfe, Jr., and an 8% career win rate in a claiming field tells you this horse has competed enough to know what it takes. At 4/1, Debate is the show-position anchor in your trifecta and gives you a logical bridge if the top two cross the wire together.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

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It's a compact but action-packed Thursday at Penn National. Our three free best bets — Shiva Parvati, Quercus, and Adamiscashingin — give everyone a strong starting point on the turf-heavy early card. For the full picture, including Dixie Preach's pace scenario breakdown in the day's marquee Race 7 dirt mile, the complete exotic ticket strategy, and every premium analysis, subscribers have everything they need waiting for them. Good luck at the windows today.

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