Daily Picks

Presque Isle Downs Picks & Predictions — June 23, 2026

June 23, 20268 racesAll Presque Isle Downs picks

This card ran on June 23, 2026.

Best bets at Presque Isle Downs, June 23, 2026

Race 12Irish VictoryML 7/23:30 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.

Join Free See plans · from $9.99

Presque Isle Downs is rolling out an 8-race all-dirt card on Tuesday, June 23, and conditions couldn't be much better for the horses. Partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 69°F means no weather excuses today — whatever happens out there is purely on the horses and the handicapping.

The card is a nice mix of race types, from Maiden Special Weights and Maiden Claimers giving first-timers and lightly-raced horses a chance to find their spots, all the way up to an Allowance feature in Race 7 that shapes up as the marquee event of the afternoon. Eight races, eight chances to cash — let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

3:30 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A Starter Optional Claiming sprint at 5 furlongs that sets up as a two-horse battle at the top, with a clear class gap separating the contenders from the rest of the field.

win2Irish VictoryML 7/2

Irish Victory is the standout here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 86.35 that towers over the competition in this field. That 35% career win rate is legitimately elite for a claiming-level horse — nearly one in three starts ends in a win. Jockey Scott Spieth gets the call for trainer Aldana Spieth, a barn-and-rider combo that often signals tight communication and confidence in the horse's readiness. At 7/2 on the morning line, this is a horse that deserves shorter odds.

place5Half BirthdayML 9/2

Half Birthday has the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 78.39 and matches Irish Victory's average speed figure of 56. The 9/2 morning line offers solid value for a horse in Scooter Davis's barn — a trainer who also saddles the show pick today, suggesting Davis has this race wired. The modest 17% career win rate is the only caveat, but a place finish in this spot is well within reach.

show3Time for an AngelML 5/2

Time for an Angel comes in at 5/2 on the morning line, making her the public's second choice despite our analysis ranking her third. The 72.63 rating is legitimate, and with Rosario Montanez in the irons and Scooter Davis training, she's part of a powerful two-horse stable entry in terms of connections. She's worth including in exacta and trifecta tickets as a live show contender.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

3:57 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight going 6 furlongs on dirt, and with an all-maiden field where nobody has broken their duck yet, the pace scenario is wide open and the class hierarchy leans heavily on speed figures and works.

win6ViolentaML 2/1

Violenta sits atop our ratings at 88.54 — the highest mark in the field by a clear margin — and draws the morning-line favoritism at 2/1 for a reason. Her average speed figure of 55 is solid for this level, and trainer Randall R. Russell also has a second runner in the race, suggesting he's confident in his stock here. Walber Alencar gets the mount, and when the top-rated horse in a maiden field is also the favorite, you follow the data.

place2American SurferML 3/1

American Surfer is our place play at 3/1, backing up the highest average speed figure in the race at 57 — a tick better than even Violenta's. Trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer has a solid book of business and Rosario Montanez is a capable rider who can navigate traffic in a maiden sprint. The 79.40 TrackWiz rating makes this a confident second choice.

show4JenadriyahML 4/1

Jenadriyah slots in third in our ratings at 72.45 and shows an average speed figure of 56, putting her right in the mix pace-wise. Trainer Randall R. Russell also conditions Violenta, which is worth noting — Russell has two shots at this race and clearly has his string in good form. At 4/1, she's a fair price for the third slot in your trifecta.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Our free previews cover the first three races on the card, and there's some real meat here. Irish Victory opens the day in the Starter Optional Claiming sprint at 5 furlongs — that 7/2 morning line looks like it might underestimate her given a TrackWiz rating of 86.35. In Race 2, Violenta comes in as the 2/1 morning-line favorite in the Maiden Special Weight at 6 furlongs, and at 88.54 she carries the highest TrackWiz rating of the three free races — there's a reason she's got the chalk, but the value conversation is worth having. Mary Katherine rounds out the free picks in the mile Claimer in Race 3, offering a juicy 4/1 morning line with a solid 85.62 rating to back it up.

The through-line on this early trio is pace — all three races are on dirt and span sprint-to-route distances, so how the early fractions set up will be critical. Keep an eye on which horses show tactical speed; on a fast Presque Isle surface, front-runners that can control their own destiny without getting pressured are the play.

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

4:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile claiming route that features a genuine class standout hiding behind a modest morning line, with a pace scenario that figures to set up for a presser or closer.

win4Mary KatherineML 4/1

Mary Katherine is the class of this field with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating, well clear of anyone else in the race. Trainer Michelle Winters puts Hector Rafael Diaz, Jr. up, and Diaz is a capable hand around two turns. Her average speed figure of 53 ties a few others in the field, but it's the overall rating and the 4/1 morning line — that's overlooked territory for a horse with this profile — that makes her our top selection.

place1Hits DifferentML 9/2

Hits Different draws the rail and shows the top TrackWiz rating among the remaining contenders at 74.77. The 9/2 morning line is fair, and trainer John Fennessy has her primed for a route going a flat mile on dirt. A 7% career win rate isn't flashy, but this horse has the speed figure profile to run second in a field this deep.

show6Baytown StormML 3/1

Baytown Storm is the morning-line favorite at 3/1 and carries a 71.33 rating from our analysis. Israel O. Rodriguez is one of the busiest and most effective riders in the Presque Isle colony, and trainer Paul McEntee keeps the horse competitive. While we're fading her for the win in favor of Mary Katherine's superior rating, she's a strong show contender and worth covering in your trifecta.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 4

4:51 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This maiden claiming sprint is headlined by one horse who stands apart from the pack on our ratings, making it a potential single in multi-race wagers for those who like top-down plays.

win2So GrandML 5/2

So Grand is the dominant figure in this field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the only horse in the race to crack 60, let alone approach 90. Trainer Scooter Davis sends her out with Israel O. Rodriguez up, a top-shelf jockey booking that speaks to the connections' confidence. Her average speed figure of 55 is the best among horses who have a recorded figure, and at 5/2 on the morning line she still offers fair value given the edge she has on the field.

place6Alabama SleeperML 3/1

Alabama Sleeper comes in as our place selection at 3/1 morning line with a 56.67 rating — the second-best mark in the field and the top figure among the secondary contenders. Trainer Randall R. Russell has been active on this card, and Gaddiel A. Martinez is a reliable pilot. Her average speed of 54 gives her a legitimate chance to run second to So Grand.

show1Stark CountyML 7/2

Stark County draws the rail for trainer Keri Brion, whose barn has shown a knack for maiden runners. The 55.83 rating is close to Alabama Sleeper's, and a speed figure of 53 keeps her in the pace conversation. At 7/2, she's a reasonable inclusion in trifecta tickets as the third piece of what looks like a fairly defined top three.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

5:18 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A competitive 5.5-furlong claiming sprint where the top two ratings are separated by just five points, setting up a genuine pace duel between two horses with legitimate speed.

win4Smokin' HotML 4/1

Smokin' Hot earns top billing here with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and a 19% career win rate — best in the field on that measure among the top contenders. Antonio A. Gallardo picks up the mount for trainer Michael C. Pappada, who also runs Queen Anna T in Race 1 today, suggesting the barn is in a productive stretch. The 4/1 morning line represents real value for a horse who projects as the class of this field.

place2Mr. BonesML 3/1

Mr. Bones sits right behind at an 80.33 rating and comes in at 3/1 on the morning line. His average speed figure of 55 matches the field's top marks, and trainer John N. Poole has Huber Villa-Gomez in the irons — a capable journeyman who handles sprint distances well. With a 13% career win rate, he's a consistent type who profiles as a natural place finisher.

show3Paschal MoonML 9/2

Paschal Moon at 9/2 is the sneaky play in this spot with a solid 75.00 TrackWiz rating that puts her clearly in the top three. Edwin Gonzalez has the mount for trainer Dana Saul, and her 13% career win rate mirrors Mr. Bones' consistency. She's worth including in exactas and trifectas as a live show horse at a price that beats the likely pari-mutuel return on the top two.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

5:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

An eight-horse claiming mile that features a clear top two on the ratings but hides genuine value in the middle of the pack — including a massive longshot angle our analysis flagged.

win8EquinamousML 4/1

Equinamous tops our ratings at 85.62 and carries a 17% career win rate, which is strong in a claiming route. Israel O. Rodriguez gets the mount for trainer Cathy Carr Rozantz, and Rodriguez has been one of the most active riders on the Presque Isle card today. At 4/1 on the morning line, Equinamous is our confident top choice in a race where a mile suits closers and pressers equally.

place4Vino RosatoML 3/1

Vino Rosato is the second-best horse in the field according to our analysis at 82.48 and brings a 20% career win rate — tied for the top mark in this field. Trainer Tim Girten and jockey Gaddiel A. Martinez form a workmanlike partnership, and her average speed of 51 actually understates what the rating suggests about her ceiling. At 3/1, she's a strong place play and a logical exacta partner with Equinamous.

show2Whispering SeaML 10/1

Whispering Sea is the show value play of this race at 10/1 on the morning line — easily the biggest overlay among our top three selections today. Her 73.30 rating is actually third-best in the field, and a 16% career win rate indicates she fires regularly. Trainer Marco Ccamaque has her primed with Carlos Barbosa up, and a price like 10/1 on the show end of a trifecta is the kind of overlay that builds bankrolls over time.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 7

6:12 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A sprawling 11-horse allowance going a mile and 70 yards — the deepest field on the card — but our ratings poke one horse well clear of the pack despite a field full of solid win percentages.

win11Night NurseML 7/2

Night Nurse owns an 86.35 TrackWiz rating that leads this big field comfortably and backs it up with a 26% career win rate — the highest in the race. Addiel J. Ayala gets the mount for trainer John N. Poole, and the 7/2 morning line makes her an accessible price given how clearly she stands out on our metrics. Going a mile and 70 yards is a test of stamina as much as speed, and her profile says she's up to the challenge.

place5Alluring BeautyML 6/1

Alluring Beauty is our value selection here at 6/1 on the morning line, with a 71.34 rating that puts her third in the field while carrying a 20% career win rate. Trainer Riley Mott is a name that commands respect, and Antonio A. Gallardo is one of the top riders on today's card. As a price play, she represents exactly the kind of horse you want underneath a strong top pick in exactas.

show8Haut Les CoeursML 3/1

Haut Les Coeurs comes in at 3/1 as the second choice on the morning line with a 67.19 rating, and her 20% career win rate matches Alluring Beauty's. Victor Severino rides for trainer Michael C. Pappada, a barn that appears multiple times on today's card. While our ratings prefer her behind Night Nurse and Alluring Beauty, the public's affection for her at 3/1 is understandable and she's a safe show anchor in trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

Race 8

6:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

The nightcap is a wide-open claiming route where the morning-line favorite barely cracks 50 in our ratings — and our top pick comes at a big price, making this race a prime target for value hunters.

win7Youreawizard HarryML 8/1

Youreawizard Harry is our top selection at a 79.79 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark in a race where the next-best horse sits at 64.65. That gap is meaningful. Carlos Barbosa rides for trainer Kevin Rice, who also has two other starters on today's card, suggesting the barn is going well. The 12% career win rate is modest, but at 8/1 on the morning line, this is a horse whose ratings profile is significantly undervalued by the public.

place4SnovemberML 7/2

Snovember checks in second on our ratings at 64.65 and shows a 53 average speed figure that's competitive at this level. Trainer Debbie Schaber puts Addiel J. Ayala up, and Ayala has had multiple opportunities on the card today. The 7/2 morning line is fair for a horse who profiles as the second-best in the field according to our numbers.

show2Red FernML 3/1

Red Fern comes in as the 3/1 morning-line favorite, though our analysis has her rated third in the field at 50.55. She carries an 11% career win rate and an average speed figure of 52. Israel O. Rodriguez takes the mount for trainer Darien Rodriguez — a jockey-trainer combination that appears frequently on this card, which often signals a barn in positive form. She's a reasonable show hedge even if we're skeptical of her favoritism.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 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 for today at Presque Isle: Violenta is the highest-rated free pick on the card and the horse to beat early, while Irish Victory and Mary Katherine offer value at their respective morning lines. The back half of the card is loaded with opportunity — especially for multi-race players — and our full premium analysis has everything you need to attack it intelligently. Unlock the complete card breakdown at /pricing and let's make a day of it.

← All Presque Isle Downs picks & predictions