Daily Picks

Penn National Picks & Predictions — June 26, 2026

Friday, June 26, 20267 racesPenn National

Penn National saddles up for a seven-race Friday card under overcast skies and comfortable 79°F temperatures. The clouds are keeping the heat in check, which should mean a consistent, fair track throughout the afternoon — no baking sun to dry out the surface unexpectedly or put turf conditions in question.

The card opens on the grass with a one-mile claiming route and works its way through a mix of claiming races, a Starter Optional Claiming sprint, a maiden claiming field, and a legitimate allowance spot in Race 5. That allowance race is the class standout of the day — typically the deepest competitive test on any Penn card — and our TrackWiz ratings reflect it. Seven races, plenty of angles, and a few spots where the morning line looks beatable.

Best Bets

Race 1

9:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A turf mile with a clear class standout on top, but three horses within striking range make this more than a one-horse show — pace scenario and turf form will sort out the exotics.

win4Black FlyML 2/1

Black Fly comes in with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 and the best career win percentage at 12% — in a race where most rivals are hitting single digits, that combination stands out. Angel R. Rodriguez gets the call, and the 2/1 morning line reflects the market's respect for this horse's form. On a turf mile, class tends to hold, and Black Fly projects as the one to beat based on everything our analysis sees in this spot.

place3Yo LevenML 3/1

Yo Leven is the second-highest-rated horse in the field at 73.29 and lands at 3/1 on the morning line — a fair price for a horse that figures to be near the front of the pace conversation. Jomar Torres has a solid book of mounts today and keeps this one competitive. If Black Fly slips or gets into traffic trouble on the turf, Yo Leven is right there to capitalize.

show5Quiet CityML 7/2

Quiet City brings a 20% career win rate — best of the bunch on that metric — which tells you this horse knows how to fire. The 72.56 rating is just a tick below Yo Leven and the 7/2 morning line offers a touch of value for show tickets and exacta wheels. Trainer Elisha Perez has this one ready for a solid effort on the grass.

Race 2

10:14 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Wayne Potts sends out two of the five horses here, setting up a fascinating intra-barn dynamic at the top of the market — the pace should be honest and the real battle is between the chalk and two lightly regarded closers.

win4EleniML 9/5

Eleni tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.23 and sits as the morning-line favorite at 9/5 with David Cora taking the mount — a strong combination. She matches the field's best average speed figure at 54 and owns a profile that suggests she's equipped for this level. In a Starter Optional Claiming route on the dirt, consistency is king, and Eleni brings the most complete package to the gate.

place2Crimson RedML 5/2

Crimson Red is just a whisker behind at 87.81 and represents the stronger half of trainer Wayne Potts's two-horse entry — Sonny Leon, one of the sharper riders in this part of the country, climbs aboard. A 10% career win rate at 5/2 says this horse delivers often enough to trust for place. If Eleni gets pressured early, Crimson Red is positioned perfectly to swoop.

show1Gwen to WinML 7/2

Gwen to Win rounds out the Potts barn trifecta at the 7/2 morning line and owns an 11% career win percentage that compares favorably with most of this field. The 80.93 TrackWiz rating puts her clearly third in the pecking order, and Angel R. Rodriguez is a capable reinsman for this kind of spot. She's a sensible show selection and a useful piece in any tri or superfecta.

Race 3

10:43 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The morning-line favorite Go East comes in at 7/5 but owns the lowest TrackWiz rating of the top contenders — this could be a pace-dominated race where the crowd is following the chalk while better-positioned horses offer real value.

win8CappettaML 5/2

Cappetta posts the top TrackWiz rating in the race at 85.50 and goes at 5/2 with Emilio Flores in the irons — a pairing that deserves serious respect. A 16% career win rate is right in line with the class of this field, and the average speed figure of 54 matches the best in the race. Trainer Kevin J. Fields has a horse ready to roll, and our analysis sees Cappetta as the most complete contender on the dirt at six furlongs.

place1Bright ChargerML 8/1

Bright Charger opens at 8/1, making him a genuine value play for place tickets despite owning a strong 79.79 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field. A 13% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure say this horse is capable on any given day. Angel Cruz gives him a live shot, and if Cappetta is challenged early and fades, Bright Charger is the type to sneak into the exacta.

show5Fire Down BelowML 5/1

Fire Down Below brings the best raw numbers among the pace-pressing types — a 33% career win rate that leads the entire field and an average speed figure of 55, tied for best on the board. Trainer Amy Albright also saddles Mischief Warrior, so she clearly knows this distance and surface. At 5/1, Fire Down Below is a strong show anchor and a dangerous exotic piece if the pace sets up favorably.

Our three free previews cover Races 1 through 3 — the turf opener, the SOC sprint, and the second claiming dash of the day. Black Fly (2/1 ML) leads the charge in Race 1 with a TrackWiz rating of 88.54, the highest mark on the entire card. Eleni (9/5 ML, 88.23) is our top-rated dirt sprinter and draws the featured spot in Race 2, where the pace scenario sets up nicely for a closer. Cappetta (5/2 ML, 85.50) rounds out the free trio in Race 3 — a short-field claiming sprint where we see some pace vulnerability at the top of the order.

All three of today's free picks are going off at prices that reflect genuine competitive respect, not just chalk — the kind of odds where you're getting fair value if our numbers hold up. Dig into each race card for the full breakdowns on why these horses earned the top spot.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:12 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint where every horse is still chasing their first win — form lines are thin, which puts a premium on raw ability and trainer intent, and our ratings separate the field pretty decisively at the top.

win5The PiranhaML 5/2

The Piranha owns a commanding 85.07 TrackWiz rating in a maiden field where the next-closest horse (Bernie Says So) checks in at 58.33 — that's a substantial gap. Vladimir Diaz is a capable pilot and the 5/2 morning line actually represents reasonable value given the margin in our model. The average speed figure of 54 matches the best in the field, and trainer Mark Ippolito also sends out Mobot, which suggests the barn is confident enough to split their ammunition — The Piranha looks like the primary weapon.

place6Bernie Says SoML 2/1

Bernie Says So is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 — which is interesting given The Piranha's superior TrackWiz rating — and posts the field's best average speed of 55. Trainer T. Bernard Houghton conditions both this one and Letspumpthebrakes, and the public clearly prefers Bernie Says So to the stablemate. Wilfredo Corujo gets the assignment, and the 55 Brisnet-style speed average suggests enough raw ability to hit the board.

show3LetspumpthebrakesML 5/1

Letspumpthebrakes is the other T. Bernard Houghton runner and the second-best-rated horse behind The Piranha at 53.33, opening at 5/1. In a maiden race where form is uncertain and the top two choices can sometimes stumble over each other, the third option at a fair price makes sense for show plays and tri backups. David Cora handles the riding duties and the 54 average speed is workable for a horse still searching for breakthrough.

Race 5

11:41 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint with a standout speed angle at the top — Uncle Money's 46% career win rate is an outlier in this field, and the pace scenario should set up beautifully for a horse of his profile.

win6Uncle MoneyML 7/2

Uncle Money posts a 46% career win rate — more than double the next-best in the field — and pairs that with the field's highest average speed figure at 56 and a top TrackWiz rating of 86.35. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser has this horse dialed in, and Angel Cruz is a steady hand at 7/2. That morning line feels like an opportunity — if you believe the numbers, Uncle Money should be closer to even money.

place2Brother PaulML 7/2

Brother Paul is right on Uncle Money's heels with an 84.60 TrackWiz rating and owns a 16% career win rate that's respectable in allowance company. Inoel Beato takes the mount for trainer Erin C. McClellan, and the 7/2 morning line matches Uncle Money — making this a value-neutral ticket but a smart place bet given the horse's proximity in the ratings. If Uncle Money gets into pace trouble or tires late, Brother Paul has the profile to benefit.

show5Chilling HassleML 4/1

Chilling Hassle rates third in the field at 77.19 and holds a 16% career win percentage — consistent enough to trust for a show slot. Abner Adorno rides for trainer Kathleen A. Demasi, and the 4/1 price makes this a sensible hedge in the exotic plays. With Uncle Money and Brother Paul potentially going at each other early, Chilling Hassle could be picking up pieces late.

Race 6

12:10 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A small five-horse claiming field where the morning-line favorite (Marchin Into April at 2/1) has the weakest TrackWiz rating of the group — the public may be chasing a name while better options sit at fair prices.

win3Jethro ExcellenceML 4/1

Jethro Excellence leads all comers with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and brings a 16% career win rate in what is a relatively thin field. Scott A. Lake is a seasoned trainer who knows how to place horses, and Jomar Torres gets the assignment at 4/1 — which is a gift if the model is right about this horse. The 52 average speed figure is on the lower end, but TrackWiz's composite rating suggests there's more ability here than the raw figures show.

place2Bells RunML 5/2

Bells Run owns a 79.38 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and Emilio Flores rides at 5/2 on the morning line. A 7% career win rate is modest, but in a five-horse field the math shifts, and this horse's overall profile projects well for place. Trainer Frank Cifarelli has a reliable string, and Bells Run looks like a solid exacta partner with Jethro Excellence.

show5Rag Mama RagML 3/1

Rag Mama Rag brings a 16% career win rate — one of the better marks in the field — and opens at 3/1 with Wilfredo Corujo in the saddle. The 60.65 TrackWiz rating puts this one solidly in the middle of the pack, but the win percentage suggests a horse that fires regularly, making it a decent show anchor. Trainer Carl J. O'Callaghan fills out a competitive stable, and this one shouldn't be overlooked in trifecta wheels.

Race 7

12:39 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A wide-open ten-horse claiming sprint where the crowd's 5/2 favorite (My Detroit City) barely cracks the top three in our ratings — this looks like a race tailor-made for a value win from a horse the public is underestimating.

win8BruderML 8/1

Bruder is our top selection at 8/1 and it's a legitimate value case — an 79.79 TrackWiz rating tops the field and the horse puts up an average speed figure of 56, the best of anyone in this race. Yabriel O. Ramos gets on for trainer Todd M. Beattie, and a 14% career win rate is right in line with the competition here. The public is clearly looking elsewhere, but the numbers point squarely to Bruder as the most capable horse in this spot.

place1Prince of RainML 7/2

Prince of Rain owns a 66.84 TrackWiz rating, puts up a 54 average speed, and sports a 16% career win percentage — all respectable numbers in a field this wide. Wilfredo Corujo takes the call from the rail, and the inside post in a sprint can be a double-edged sword, but a tactical rider can make it work. At 7/2, Prince of Rain is an honest place horse and a natural exacta partner underneath Bruder.

show6My Detroit CityML 5/2

My Detroit City is the crowd's choice at 5/2 but ranks only third in our ratings at 66.13 — making this a horse to use in exotics rather than trust as a win bet. The 55 average speed figure is among the best in the field, and Inoel Beato gives this one a legitimate chance to hit the board. Trainer T. Bernard Houghton is active throughout the card today, and My Detroit City figures to run a competitive race even if we don't think it's the best horse.

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Bottom line for Friday at Penn: Black Fly and Eleni are the two names to circle right away — both carry the day's top TrackWiz ratings and offer fair morning line prices. The allowance in Race 5 is the card's marquee spot and premium subscribers get the full pace breakdown there. Seven races, a steady track, and enough competitive intrigue to keep things interesting from first post to last. Good luck out there — let's get some winners.

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