Penn National Picks & Predictions — August 5, 2026

Black Jack Shellac at 5/2 sits just a fraction behind Crown Apple with a rating of 57.50, and the Erin C. McClellan/Inoel Beato combination is a recurring one on tonight's card — suggesting the barn is live. An avg speed figure of 53 matches the top pick, and at a morning line that implies competitive ability, a place ticket here represents solid coverage in a race that could easily see these two finish 1-2.

Bourbon Time at 10/1 is a genuine longshot in the morning line but earns a show mention with a TrackWiz rating of 52.12 — third-best in the field. Trainer George R. Albright sends him out with Yabriel O. Ramos, a jockey who is clearly getting around tonight, and the added distance at 1 1/16 miles might suit a horse whose avg speed figure of 52 hints at stamina over pure speed. The 10/1 price makes him an interesting trifecta piece if the top two hold form.

My Last Dime at 3/1 is a clear second-best in this field with a rating of 56.67, and trainer Elliott Soto-Martinez has her prepped for a meaningful effort with Bryan L. Torres up. Her avg speed figure of 51 is a touch lower than some rivals, but the ratings edge over the bottom half of the field is real, and a place ticket behind the heavy favorite is the play if you want to stay involved without chasing a short win price.

Little Miss Linda draws the rail at 4/1 for trainer Flint Stites, who is one of the busiest conditioners on tonight's Penn National card. Her TrackWiz rating of 55.00 is third in the field, and while her avg speed figure of 51 isn't flashy, Stites knows how to get maiden claimers running. An inside post in a 6-furlong sprint can be an asset if she breaks sharply, and at 4/1 she's worth a small show investment or as part of a trifecta key.

Music Clarification at 5/2 is the morning-line second choice and earns her spot with a TrackWiz rating of 69.22 — a legitimate second-best in the field. Trainer Kathleen A. Demasi also saddles Landofhopeandreams in this race, so she has two chances, and Music Clarification is clearly the stable's A-runner with the better rating and odds. An avg speed figure of 54 matches the top pick, and an 8% career win rate in a claiming field suggests she's hit the board before and can do it again.

Blast of Mischief at 5/1 is a solid show play with a rating of 67.43 and the best career win rate in the field at 14% — a number that matters when assessing who knows how to close out a race. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp sends him out with Angel R. Rodriguez, and the 5/1 price gives you real show value if the top two hold their form. An avg speed figure of 54 keeps him in the conversation, and his win percentage suggests he's a horse that has been here before.

Bejuco at 8/1 is the value play for place, with a TrackWiz rating of 58.24 that sits comfortably third in this field despite being well off the pace in the morning line. Trainer Erin Carpio sends him out with Inoel Beato, and while a 2% career win rate is eye-catching in the wrong direction, his avg speed figure of 55 matches the best in the field. The disconnect between his speed and his win rate suggests trip trouble or bad luck in prior starts — a horse with that speed who hasn't won is often sitting on a breakthrough.

Ballinaclash at 5/1 brings a 20% career win rate to the gate — one of the stronger hit rates in this field — and trainer Phil Schoenthal sends him out with Joshua J. Radosevich. His TrackWiz rating of 51.84 and avg speed figure of 54 are middle-of-the-pack, but a horse who has won one in five starts in this company is a reliable exotic piece. At 5/1 morning line with a proven ability to find the winner's circle, he's worth including in your trifecta.