Daily Picks

Penn National Picks & Predictions — July 24, 2026

July 24, 20268 racesAll Penn National picks

This card ran on July 24, 2026.

Best bets at Penn National, July 24, 2026

Race 12CappettaML 6/15:45 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 6 races are for members.

A free account opens race 2 too. Premium opens all 8, with AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet, which splits one bet across the horses you like.

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

Join Free See plans · from $9.99

Penn National is running an eight-race card on Friday, July 24, under cloudy skies and a comfortable 79°F. The overcast conditions should keep the dirt track consistent throughout the afternoon, which is good news for pace handicappers who hate late-day sun drying out the surface unpredictably.

Today's card is a nice mix of claiming races, allowance tests, and a couple of turf miles that could produce some fireworks. The field quality is solid for a mid-week Penn National program, and TrackWiz analysis has surfaced some genuine value angles — including a pair of 8/1 morning-line shots we like quite a bit in the right spots.

Three races are fully open for all readers. The deeper breakdown — pace projections, exotic plays, and the full five-race premium analysis — is available to TrackWiz subscribers.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 6-furlong dirt claimer where the top two TrackWiz-rated horses are both sitting at 6/1 on the morning line — value hunters, take note. The pace scenario looks contested, which could set things up nicely for closers.

win2CappettaML 6/1

Cappetta tops our ratings at 82.71 and represents a solid value play at 6/1 on the morning line — the oddsmakers aren't giving this horse nearly enough credit. With a 15% career win rate in a competitive field, Cappetta has shown the ability to get the job done consistently. The average speed figure of 57 among the field leaders is within range, and trainer Kevin J. Fields puts runners in position to fire fresh. Emilio Flores gets the call, a capable hand who should be able to find a clean trip in a nine-horse field.

place4Fire Down BelowML 9/2

Fire Down Below jumps off the page with a 34% career win rate — by far the highest in this field — which tells you this horse knows how to hit the board. Trainer Amy Albright has her in at 9/2, and with a TrackWiz rating of 81.6, the underlying form backs up that win percentage. If Fire Down Below gets anywhere close to her best, a placing is very likely.

show1Great KisserML 6/1

Great Kisser opens at 6/1 with a solid TrackWiz rating of 68.44, which puts her comfortably in the middle tier of this field. A 14% career win rate is respectable, and trainer Bruce M. Kravets has the stable form to send horses into claiming races ready to run. At morning-line odds that seem generous relative to her rating, she's a reasonable exotic inclusion for show.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

6:14 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

This mile turf Starter Optional Claimer is headlined by a split between the morning-line favorite and our top-rated runners — the 5/2 shot isn't who TrackWiz likes best. Pace should be honest around two turns on the lawn.

win8Ruby RubyML 8/1

Ruby Ruby is our top pick at 8/1 — this is a genuine value play that the market is underestimating. She carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 79.79, and trainer John T. Kirby sends her out with Julio A. Hernandez, who knows how to get a turf miler into a good rhythm. The one-mile turf distance suits horses that settle early and build into their run, and Ruby Ruby's profile fits that pattern well. At 8/1 on the morning line, the overlay potential here is real.

place4PhoebeinwonderlandML 4/1

Phoebeinwonderland is the morning-line favorite at 4/1 and backs it up with a 74.34 TrackWiz rating, second-best in the field. Trainer Jose A. Gallegos and jockey Wesley Ho form a workmanlike combination, and a 10% career win rate on a horse with this level of ability suggests placing should be a regular outcome. She's a logical place key in exactas built around Ruby Ruby.

show6Dream OvertureML 5/2

Dream Overture draws plenty of attention as the 5/2 morning-line chalk, and a 25% career win rate shows she's a consistent performer. Trainer Demelza McMahon's runner has a 72.55 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field — and Angel R. Rodriguez is a strong booking. At short odds she's not where the value lives, but she's a safe show play and worthy of inclusion in trifecta coverage.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Our three free races today span both surfaces and give you a real feel for the card early. On the dirt, Cappetta opens things up in Race 1 at 6/1 on the morning line — that price should be appealing given the TrackWiz rating of 82.71, which outpaces what the oddsmakers seem to be projecting. On the turf side, Races 2 and 3 both go a flat mile and both feature horses we respect: Ruby Ruby at 8/1 in the Starter Optional Claiming is the kind of overlay you want to be on, while Endless Glow carries our highest free-race rating of the day at 85.62 and opens at a workable 4/1 in the Maiden Claiming.

The through-line connecting these three picks is straightforward: TrackWiz analysis favors horses with legitimate back-class and consistent speed figures over recent short-priced favorites who've been propped up by weak fields. All three of today's free picks fit that profile. Keep an eye on the turf course condition as post time approaches — a firm or good-firm rating would be ideal for both Endless Glow and Ruby Ruby.

Free with an account

Open the next race free

A free account opens the first 2 races at every track, and every race at our Track of the Day. No credit card needed.

Create a free account Sign in

Full Card Analysis

Race 3

6:43 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Maiden claimers on the turf are notoriously tricky — nobody in this 12-horse field has ever won a race, which means we're leaning hard on ratings and workout patterns. The top of our TrackWiz board is well-separated from the rest.

win11Endless GlowML 4/1

Endless Glow leads all runners with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and goes at 4/1 from post 11 for trainer Brandon L. Kulp. In maiden company, that kind of rating separation is meaningful — it suggests the underlying form metrics here are significantly better than the competition. Jockey Angel R. Rodriguez is one of the sharper sticks in the Penn National colony, and a maiden turf mile sets up nicely for a horse with Endless Glow's profile. Kulp has shown a willingness to spot horses in spots where they can win, not just compete.

place9Hop to ItML 5/2

Hop to It is the morning-line favorite at 5/2, and the 79.48 TrackWiz rating backs that up as second-best in the field. Trainer Tim Woolley sends out David Cora, a jockey with strong local knowledge of the Penn National turf course. In maiden fields, horses who generate legitimate speed figures despite not yet breaking their maiden often hit the board at a high clip — Hop to It fits that mold.

show8Holy FitML 4/1

Holy Fit sits third on our ratings board at 78.96 and shares the 4/1 morning-line price with Endless Glow — strong value for a horse this close to the top of the rankings. Trainer Mark V. Salvaggio drops this one into maiden claiming turf, and jockey Jomar Torres keeps the ride. With an average speed figure of 53 on the turf and a rating that's clearly superior to the bottom half of this big field, Holy Fit should be cycling through trifecta tickets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 4

7:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A short, sharp 6-furlong dirt claimer for fillies and mares where TrackWiz's top pick is a genuine overlay at 6/1, sitting well above the 2/1 morning-line favorite in our ratings. Expect early speed to set the table.

win7Desperate DreamsML 6/1

Desperate Dreams is the standout of this race by our metrics, posting an 82.71 TrackWiz rating — tops in the field — while opening at a generous 6/1 on the morning line. Trainer Mark V. Salvaggio has this runner in sharp form, and Jomar Torres is a confident choice in the irons. An 8% career win rate undersells the quality of her recent efforts, and with a speed figure average of 54, she's got the raw numbers to take over late in a 6-furlong sprint. The gap between her rating and the 2/1 morning-line favorite is a significant overlay angle worth playing.

place3Tap and a HugML 4/1

Tap and a Hug posts a 77.44 TrackWiz rating and holds a 16% career win rate — second-best in both categories in this field. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp and jockey Angel R. Rodriguez have developed a solid working relationship at Penn National, and at 4/1 there's legitimate value here. This one profiles as a stalker type who can pick up pieces if the speed duel up front heats up.

show2Maggie KML 5/1

Maggie K is an interesting place/show option at 5/1 for trainer Jose F. Bobadilla, carrying a 63.71 TrackWiz rating. With a 5% career win rate, she's not a horse you build win tickets around, but she has enough ability to land in the top three in a field this competitive. Manuel Aguilar gets the ride, and in a pace-contested sprint, a horse that gets a clean trip from post 2 can be dangerous at show odds.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

7:41 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

An Allowance Optional Claiming mile on the dirt with a clear class standout at the top — but the morning-line favorite is not where the best value hides. The secondary horses make this card interesting for exotics.

win5Miss Anna BellaML 2/1

Miss Anna Bella dominates this field with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — the highest of any horse on the entire Penn National card today. Trainer John C. Servis is a seasoned conditioner who spots horses in spots where they can excel, and a 22% career win rate speaks to this horse's consistent ability to get the job done. At 2/1 on the morning line, she's the deserved chalk, and Abner Adorno should be able to get her into a comfortable position on the front end or just off the pace in a 6-horse field. There isn't much to argue about here — this is a top-rated horse in a spot she can dominate.

place4Shkhara FireML 5/1

Shkhara Fire brings an 80.71 TrackWiz rating and a 12% career win rate, making her a formidable second option against Miss Anna Bella in this allowance field. Trainer Gina Perri — who also trains the top pick — has a nice barn going, and jockey Matilda Burnham is worth watching in this spot. At 5/1 morning line, the rating-to-odds discrepancy makes Shkhara Fire a live place bet in exactas under Miss Anna Bella.

show3Pure LureML 4/1

Pure Lure brings a 66.59 TrackWiz rating and a solid 16% career win rate for trainer Michael M. Moore. She posts the best average speed figure in the field at 55, which is a meaningful edge in a one-mile dirt race where sustained pace matters. Andy Hernandez takes the mount, and at 4/1 morning line, Pure Lure is a reasonable third wheel in your trifecta tickets — she's better than her price suggests at first glance.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 6

8:10 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A 6-furlong Starter Optional Claimer on the dirt where our top two rated horses are also the two lowest-priced horses on the morning line — rare alignment that suggests the market and TrackWiz are largely in agreement. Still, value lurks in the show spot.

win6Medium CoolML 5/2

Medium Cool is the standout here with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and a strong 25% career win rate — the best combination of raw ratings and winning consistency in this field. Trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado sends out a horse that has earned its spots, and jockey Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. is a savvy rider who excels in short sprints. At 5/2 morning line, the odds aren't huge, but the rating-to-price relationship is fair, and in a 6-horse field this kind of edge can be decisive. Medium Cool looks like the dominant force here.

place2EleniML 2/1

Eleni is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and carries an 83.43 TrackWiz rating — second only to Medium Cool in this field. Trainer Paulina Sinnefia has her primed for a big effort, and David Cora is a reliable jockey who knows how to ride a front-runner or a presser in sprint company. If Medium Cool draws the heat early, Eleni is perfectly positioned to sweep past at the top of the stretch for the place.

show5QuercusML 4/1

Quercus rates third at 80.51 and opens at 4/1 for trainer Timothy C. Kreiser — one of the steadier barns in the Penn National circuit. A 15% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 give this horse legitimate credentials in a 6-horse field. Martin Chuan gets the call, and at 4/1, Quercus is an ideal show play or trifecta inclusion when the top two are getting all the win action.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 7

8:39 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

A mile dirt Allowance field where our top pick is a significant overlay at 8/1, sitting just a hair above the 2/1 morning-line favorite in our ratings. The pace setup over a route of ground should spread the field and favor a legitimate closer.

win6Ridley ParkML 8/1

Ridley Park is the TrackWiz value play of the race, opening at 8/1 while posting a 79.79 rating — virtually identical to the field's top-rated horse. Trainer Carlos M. Johnson ships in Emilio Flores for the mount, a confident jockey choice in an allowance field. An 18% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 — tops in the field — suggest this horse has the tools to run a big mile on the Penn National dirt. If the pace develops honestly over the route, Ridley Park should be rolling late at a price that makes him extremely attractive in exactas and trifectas.

place4Good Man DanML 2/1

Good Man Dan is the 2/1 morning-line favorite with a 78.7 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate, making him a legitimate contender even if TrackWiz likes Ridley Park fractionally more. Trainer Mark Beecher puts Angel R. Rodriguez on board — the top jockey in this colony — and a 53 average speed figure is par for the course in this allowance spot. Good Man Dan should be close to the pace and give you a strong shot at the board.

show7Face the FactsML 5/1

Face the Facts has the best career win rate in the field at 26%, which is a significant data point in an allowance race where class and consistency matter. Trainer Jamie Ness is a nationally respected conditioner who wins at a high rate when pointing horses in slots like this. At 5/1 morning line with a 73.59 TrackWiz rating, Face the Facts is a solid show play and deserves a spot in your trifecta tickets.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 8

9:08 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a 6-furlong Starter Optional Claimer on the dirt with a clear top choice by our ratings and a wide-open battle for the place and show spots among some live overlays. The 5/2 morning-line favorite and TrackWiz's top pick happen to align, which doesn't happen every race.

win4Cloud in the WindML 5/2

Cloud in the Wind leads this field convincingly with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest mark of the entire Penn National card tonight. A 24% career win rate demonstrates this is a consistent winner, and trainer Bruce M. Kravets knows this horse well, keeping Ricardo Chiappe in the irons for continuity. At 5/2 on the morning line, the price is fair for the quality, and in a 6-furlong sprint the draw from post 4 is workable. Cloud in the Wind looks like the horse to beat.

place7Shining SpiritML 3/1

Shining Spirit opens at 3/1 with an 80.22 TrackWiz rating and an excellent 23% career win rate — among the best in the field. Trainer Erin C. McClellan sends her out with Emilio Flores, who should be able to put her in a stalking position early. With a 55 average speed figure, Shining Spirit has the raw speed to press the pace and respond when Cloud in the Wind fires. At 3/1, she's a strong place play and an ideal exacta partner.

show2SheherhersML 8/1

Sheherhers is the longshot show play of the race at 8/1 morning line, with a 69.88 TrackWiz rating that's third-best in the field. Trainer Flint W. Stites gives her to Maicol J. Inirio, and a 14% career win rate with a 55 average speed figure means she's not just making up the numbers here. In a competitive 8-horse sprint where the top two draw most of the attention, Sheherhers represents genuine show value for bettors looking for a tick of upside in their trifecta coverage.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: Penn National is serving up a genuinely playable card today with real value scattered across both surfaces. Cappetta, Ruby Ruby, and Endless Glow are the free best bets to anchor your early plays. Subscribers get the full picture — including Miss Anna Bella, the day's top-rated horse, and pace-based exotic breakdowns for the back half of the card. Good luck out there, and as always, bet within your means.

← All Penn National picks & predictions