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Penn National Picks & Predictions — October 29, 2026

October 29, 20267 racesAll Penn National picks

Best bets at Penn National, October 29, 2026

Race 14LachicafortequilaML 3/15:45 PM EDT

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Happy Thursday from Penn National, where a clear autumn sky and a comfortable 63°F greet us for a tight 7-race card. The firm, fast footing should play right into the hands of horses with proven dirt form, and with no weather variables muddying the picture, pace scenarios are going to matter a lot today.

The card is a classic Penn National mix — mostly claiming company with a starter optional claiming and an allowance race sprinkled in to keep things interesting. Speed figures are tightly bunched across several fields, which means pace dynamics and post position could be the difference-makers. Don't sleep on the middle of the card.

TrackWiz has full ratings on all seven races. The first three are free for everyone, and Races 4 through 7 are unlocked for subscribers. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A claiming opener where the TrackWiz ratings tell a clear story — Lachicafortequila carries a significant edge over the field, though Back Wall Bandit's morning-line favoritism sets up an interesting pace dynamic over six furlongs of Penn dirt.

win4LachicafortequilaML 3/1

Lachicafortequila tops our ratings at 87.08 — the highest in the field by a comfortable margin — and backs that up with a 14% career win rate that ranks among the best in this spot. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp puts her in with Angel R. Rodriguez up, and the 3/1 morning line feels like fair value given how she stacks up against this claiming field. Her average speed figure of 54 matches the class level here, and there's nothing in this field that figures to consistently outrun her.

place3Diamond EssenceML 9/2

Diamond Essence checks in with a 72.72 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and her 12% career win rate suggests she hits the board more often than she wins, making her a natural place play. Ricardo Chiappe has the mount at 9/2 on the morning line, and her average speed of 55 is the top mark in the race, which could matter late in a six-furlong sprint.

show5Back Wall BanditML 2/1

Back Wall Bandit is the morning-line favorite at 2/1, and while our ratings peg her third at 68.92, her 21% career win rate is the best in the field — she clearly knows how to win. The concern is whether her speed figures (avg 52) can keep pace with the top two, which is why we slot her in the show position rather than on top. She's worth including in exacta and trifecta tickets as a legitimate contender.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

6:14 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A compact five-horse claiming mile on the Penn dirt where Diamondinthesand looks like a clear standout, but the moderate morning-line prices on the rest of the field make this a race to approach with exacta coverage rather than just backing the favorite.

win5DiamondinthesandML 9/5

Diamondinthesand is the class of this field on every metric we track — an 88.83 rating leads the field, an 18% career win rate is tops here, and trainer Chuck Spina sends her out at 9/5 with Angel R. Rodriguez in the irons. The one-mile distance on dirt should suit her profile, and her average speed of 52 is in line with what's needed to compete at this level. At near-even money she's not a value play, but she's the right horse to build tickets around.

place3LerethaML 5/2

Leretha draws the 5/2 second choice on the morning line and backs it up with a 65.50 TrackWiz rating — second in the field. Trainer Kathleen A. Demasi keeps her competitive at this level, and the one-mile trip could play to her advantage if she's able to settle early and close. She's a logical place and exacta partner with Diamondinthesand.

show1IracebethML 3/1

Iracebeth sits third in our ratings at 63.22 and ships in for trainer Elisha Perez with Angel R. Quinones in the saddle — a jockey who's already busy on tonight's card. Her 8% career win rate isn't flashy, but her average speed of 55 is the best in the race, which suggests she may be capable of hanging around for a piece of the purse in a moderate mile.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

The free portion of today's card kicks off with three dirt sprints and a route that each bring their own angle. Lachicafortequila opens the day in Race 1 at 3/1 morning line with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — a solid number for a 6-furlong claiming opener on a track playing fair. In Race 2, Diamondinthesand is our marquee free pick, posting an 88.83 rating going a flat mile in a claiming field that looks beatable. That's the top number among the free races and worth a close look on the ticket. Race 3 brings Heaven Street in a starter optional claiming sprint — a format that often mixes form levels, so the 84.77 rating and 5/2 morning line represent a manageable favorite angle.

One thread connecting these three: on a clear, dry day like today, early pace pressure tends to hold up well at Penn National, especially in short sprints. Horses that can get to the front without burning up in the first quarter have a real edge. Keep that in mind when building your early Pick 3 ticket.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

6:43 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The Starter Optional Claiming conditions make this one trickier to handicap — eight horses, several with legitimate ratings clustered near the top, and a top-rated duo separated by less than a point heading into six furlongs.

win4Heaven StreetML 5/2

Heaven Street earns the top spot with an 84.77 TrackWiz rating and a 29% career win rate that screams consistency in this tier of competition. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser has a live barn, and Angel Cruz gets the call at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. Her average speed of 53 is modest but solid for this field, and the six-furlong sprint distance is one where pace scenario matters — from post 4, she's well-positioned to stalk and pounce.

place1Goodie GoomerML 4/1

Goodie Goomer is just a fraction behind at 83.80 in our ratings and pairs that with a 30% career win rate — actually the highest among the contenders. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp doubles up from Race 1 tonight with Angel R. Rodriguez aboard again, and her average speed of 55 is among the best in this field. At 4/1 she's a legitimate threat to win and a must-use in exactas.

show8Jace Is No JokeML 8/1

Jace Is No Joke comes in at 8/1 on the morning line and represents real value at that price with a 79.79 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the race. A 21% career win rate and a top-tier average speed of 55 suggest she's capable of mixing it with the top two, and trainer Bruce M. Kravets with Ricardo Chiappe up is a combo worth respecting. At 8/1 she's an excellent trifecta inclusion and a potential overlay if the crowd dismisses her.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 4

7:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This six-furlong claiming race is locked up at the top between two horses our ratings strongly prefer, while the 2/1 morning-line favorite Black Fly looks potentially vulnerable — setting up a solid value scenario for bettors willing to dig in.

win2Mega ChangerML 3/1

Mega Changer tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 and gets a prime shot here at 3/1 on the morning line with Dexter Haddock in the saddle for trainer Paulina Sinnefia. A 13% career win rate may look modest on the surface, but her average speed of 55 and top-line rating make her the most reliable horse in the field from a pure performance standpoint. Sinnefia also has Eleni in the race, giving the barn a two-pronged attack worth noting.

place3Midsummer MoML 5/1

Midsummer Mo is right behind at 84.17 in our ratings and goes postward at a generous 5/1 morning line — that's a price worth circling. Trainer Steve Epley Jr. sends her out with Andrew Wolfsont up, and her average speed of 55 matches the top runners here. A 10% career win rate suggests she runs well without always graduating, making her a natural fit for place and exacta wagering.

show6EleniML 3/1

Eleni checks in at 3/1 on the morning line, which is a fair price for a horse with a 56.57 TrackWiz rating — third in the field. Trainer Paulina Sinnefia has her barn represented at the top of this race, and if Mega Changer gets the trip she needs, there's a chance Eleni benefits from a favorable pace scenario. Her 8% career win rate is low, but this looks like a race where the show spot could be had at a solid overlay.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 5

7:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Backside Buzz looks like the horse to beat in this six-furlong claiming sprint, but a field that includes several horses with strong win percentages and a competitive pace scenario makes the underneath spots worth exploring for value.

win6Backside BuzzML 2/1

Backside Buzz leads all comers with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — commanding — and pairs it with an average speed of 56 that ranks among the best in the field tonight. Trainer Bruce M. Kravets doubles up in this race and sends her out at 2/1 with Yabriel O. Ramos aboard. A 14% career win rate is lower than you'd like at that price, but the rating dominance here is hard to argue with, and 2/1 is still a workable number in a claiming sprint.

place3Five DreamsML 4/1

Five Dreams is a TrackWiz value play at 4/1 on the morning line with a 76.71 rating and an average speed of 56 that ties for best in the field. Ricardo Chiappe takes the mount for trainer Bruce M. Kravets — same barn as the top pick — and her 20% career win rate says she converts regularly at this level. If anything compromises Backside Buzz early, Five Dreams is positioned to pick up the slack.

show2OneofthegoodguysML 7/2

Oneofthegoodguys slots in at 7/2 and earns her way into the trifecta conversation with a 75.81 TrackWiz rating and a 17% career win rate. Trainer Cody Beattie keeps her competitive in this tier, and Inoel Beato has the mount on a horse whose average speed of 55 fits the pace of this race. At 7/2 she's not a huge overlay, but her consistent rating puts her firmly in the show picture.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

8:10 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

Stepping up to allowance conditions, this six-furlong race features a fascinating trio at the top of the TrackWiz ratings separated by just five points — Tocik Hall, Suyay, and Uncle Money — and a pace scenario that should produce a genuine speed duel.

win4Tocik HallML 5/2

Tocik Hall is our top-rated horse in Race 6 at 87.81 and draws the 5/2 morning line for a reason — that 50% career win rate is extraordinary and sets him apart from everyone else in this field. Trainer Flint W. Stites taps Mychel J. Sanchez, one of the more accomplished jockeys on tonight's card, and his average speed of 56 is tied for best in the race. At allowance level, a horse who wins half his starts is the definition of a class standout.

place5SuyayML 7/2

Suyay comes in at 7/2 with an 84.95 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate — both elite numbers for this field. Trainer Ricardo A. Murillo has Inoel Beato up, and her average speed of 56 mirrors the top two. She's the most dangerous horse in the race if Tocik Hall gets pressured early, and at 7/2 there's legitimate win potential here too — don't just fade her to the place spot.

show6Uncle MoneyML 4/1

Uncle Money at 4/1 rounds out what looks like the logical trifecta key from the top of our ratings at 82.34. A 44% career win rate is the second-best figure in the race and a remarkable number at any level — this horse clearly fires on a consistent basis. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser has Angel Cruz up, and his average speed of 56 keeps him squarely in the mix. If the race sets up as a three-way battle, Uncle Money figures to be right there at the wire.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 7

8:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a wide-open eight-horse claiming sprint where the top of the TrackWiz ratings doesn't align with the morning-line favorite — creating a potential overlay situation at the top and real value in the underneath spots.

win1Souper VinnieML 7/2

Souper Vinnie leads the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35 from post 1, and while his 10% career win rate is modest, this is a case where our analysis strongly diverges from the morning line — he's priced at 7/2 in a spot where the ratings say he's the best horse in the field. David Cora gets the mount for trainer Bruce M. Kravets, who is active on tonight's card and clearly sending out live horses. An average speed of 53 is workable for this claiming level, and the inside post gives him every opportunity to find a ground-saving trip.

place2Golden CookieML 5/2

Golden Cookie comes in as the morning-line second choice at 5/2 with a 79.63 TrackWiz rating — second in the field. Her 13% career win rate and average speed of 55 suggest she's quick enough to press the pace and hang on for a piece. Trainer Krista Nicole Hetrick puts Martina Rojas up, and this combination merits respect in what figures to be a compact pace scenario in a six-furlong sprint.

show7My Man MoneyML 9/2

My Man Money sits at 9/2 on the morning line with a 74.67 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the race — and brings a 16% career win rate that's respectable in this company. Trainer Panagiotis A. Synnefias sends him out with Julio A. Hernandez up, and his average speed of 54 keeps him competitive with the top two. At 9/2 he's a natural trifecta inclusion, and if the pace up front gets contentious, he's the type who could be finishing strong.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

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Penn National is putting on a workmanlike card today — no fluff, just competitive claiming and allowance races on a perfect autumn afternoon. Diamondinthesand is the top-rated play among the free picks, and the premium half of the card has real multi-race value worth chasing. Check your free best bets, and if you want the full-card breakdown with pace angles and exotic strategies, subscribers have everything they need waiting for them. Good luck out there — may the winner's circle be within reach.

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