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Free Retama Park Picks & Predictions — August 21, 2026

August 21, 202611 racesAll Retama Park picks

Results are in — see the official Retama Park chart and payouts (our top pick won 1 of 11)→

It's a scorcher at Retama Park today — 98°F under a blazing Texas sun — and that heat isn't just baking the fans in the grandstand. High temperatures can take a real toll on horses late in a race, making early pace and fitness levels even more critical than usual. Keep that in mind as you work through this card.

We've got 11 races on tap, all on the dirt, ranging from a quick 250-yard burst in Race 3 all the way out to the 870-yard routes in Races 1 and 4. The variety is real — Quarter Horse sprint specialists will need to punch off the gate hard, while the longer routes demand a different kind of stamina and tactical positioning.

The marquee event is Race 10, a Stakes race at 440 yards where Eagles Up sits at 7/2 on the morning line and carries our top TrackWiz rating for that race. But there's plenty of action worth your attention before you even get there.

3 Free Races at Retama Park

Race 1

11:45 PM EDT

Allowance · 870 yd · Dirt

A clear top-rated horse separates himself from the field in this 870-yard allowance, but two mid-range contenders make the exotics interesting enough to play.

win4Mr CanasML 9/5

Mr Canas owns the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.83 — a full 16 points clear of the next horse — and that kind of separation in an allowance field is hard to ignore. Trainer J. Ryan Basham sends him out at 9/5 on the morning line, which is reasonable given the talent gap. The 870-yard distance asks for a bit more stamina than a straight sprint, and nothing in this field looks capable of challenging his ceiling. Jockey Alejandro Landeros Zuniga gets the call and should have him in a comfortable spot throughout.

place7Ss KratosML 5/2

Ss Kratos checks in with a 72.83 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — and Noe Villatoro, a reliable pilot on this circuit, picks up the mount. The 5/2 morning line is fair for a horse that profiles as a solid runner-up if Mr Canas fires as expected. He's a logical place bet and an essential piece of any exacta construction.

show1Barbie Doll SpecialML 7/2

Barbie Doll Special brings a 25% career win rate into this spot, which is the best in the entire field and speaks to a horse who knows how to compete. Trainer John Boegner also has Blaze N Barbie entered, so he clearly likes this race, and the fact that Barbie Doll Special draws the better rating suggests she's the stable's main hope. At 7/2 on the morning line, she offers solid show value and fits well in the bottom of tri tickets.

Race 2

12:15 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 400 yd · Dirt

An all-maiden claiming dash at 400 yards where two horses separate from the pack on ratings, setting up a compelling top-heavy exotics race with some value lurking underneath.

win1One Sweet TequilaML 3/1

One Sweet Tequila posts the highest TrackWiz rating in this nine-horse maiden field at 87.08, and trainer Nestor Santana Jr. hands the reins to Jose R. Herbert for the 400-yard dash. In maiden claiming company, that rating edge is substantial — she's priced at 3/1 on the morning line, which represents genuine value given how far she stands above the competition. When the top-rated horse also offers double-digit odds in a soft field, that's a situation worth attacking with confidence.

place8ElectrikML 5/2

Electrik comes in second on our ratings at 74.75 and is the morning line second choice at 5/2, suggesting the market agrees there's a clear two-horse race developing here. Trainer Adan Guzman puts Noe Villatoro aboard, and this pair has been active on the Retama meet. Even if One Sweet Tequila fires, Electrik looks well-positioned to secure the runner-up spot and is a necessary part of any exacta or trifecta.

show3Rolands CartelML 5/1

Rolands Cartel rates third in the field at 61.98 and gets Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. — one of the more active and accomplished jockeys at this meet — in the irons for trainer Angel Almaguer. The 5/1 morning line gives you a little something extra if she manages to sneak into the top three in what should be a somewhat bunched finish behind the top two. She fits naturally as the show piece in trifecta tickets.

Race 3

12:42 AM EDT

Claiming · 250 yd · Dirt

A full ten-horse claiming field sprinting 250 yards with a legit top selection, a pair of live stalkers, and enough chaos at the bottom to keep the trifecta payouts honest.

win2Macho Man LetticiaML 7/2

Macho Man Letticia is the class of this field with a 86.35 TrackWiz rating and gets Eliazar T. Vera up for trainer Jose Dolores Camacho. The 7/2 morning line is slightly generous given that rating advantage, and Camacho has shown a knack for placing horses well at this level. In a 250-yard dash, gate speed and early separation are everything — and Macho Man Letticia's profile screams early foot.

place8Rude BoiML 9/2

Rude Boi rates at 74.51 and is tucked into a middle post at program number 8, which at 250 yards is close enough to the rail to not be a major concern. Trainer Abraham Rangel doubles up in this race with Political Policy, but our analysis points to Rude Boi as the stable's stronger entry. The 9/2 morning line makes him an overlay candidate if the top choice absorbs most of the win pool money.

show10Pyc Blue JessML 3/1

Pyc Blue Jess draws the outside post (10) but carries a 73.24 rating and a 14% career win rate — tied for the best in the field alongside Black Chilita. Trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III gives Noe Villatoro the mount, and Villatoro is one of the hotter riders on this card today. At 3/1 on the morning line, he's the shortest-priced show pick we're using today, but the talent justifies inclusion in all exotics.

Our three free best bet races — Races 1, 2, and 3 — give you a solid foundation to build your day. Mr Canas opens the card in the longest format on the card at 870 yards, a distance that should favor horses who can sustain their speed rather than just explode off the gate. At 9/5 on the morning line, he's the chalk, but our analysis gives him an 88.83 rating — the highest of the three free picks — suggesting the market has him about right.

In Race 2, One Sweet Tequila draws our attention in a 400-yard Maiden Claiming event at 3/1. That's a price worth respecting. Then in Race 3, the card's shortest race at just 250 yards, Macho Man Letticia at 7/2 offers a touch of value in a Claiming sprint where fractions of a second separate winners from also-rans. In this heat, gate speed and a clean break could be the whole ballgame.

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Race 4

1:09 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 870 yd · Dirt

A maiden claiming route at 870 yards where the morning line favorite doesn't match up with our top-rated selection — creating a potential value opportunity if the public money follows the wrong horse.

win7Asc JettazoomML 5/2

Asc Jettazoom tops this field with a 87.81 TrackWiz rating despite going off at 5/2 on the morning line — notably not the chalk. Trainer Jose Dolores Camacho sends out Diego Contreras, and this combination has been productive at Retama. The 870-yard distance is a real test for maidens, and Asc Jettazoom's ratings profile suggests she has the class ceiling to handle it. If the public focuses on the lower-rated morning line favorite, this could offer real value at the windows.

place4Bok Black DiamondML 3/1

Bok Black Diamond is the 3/1 morning line choice but rates second at 75.42 in our model — 12 points behind Asc Jettazoom. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. gets the call for trainer John Boegner, and Boegner is no stranger to winning maiden races at this track. She's a logical place play regardless of how the win pool shakes out, and pairing her underneath Asc Jettazoom in exactas looks like the smart play.

show3Muddys Jack and CokeML 2/1

Muddys Jack and Coke is priced as the 2/1 morning line favorite, yet our analysis rates her third in the field at 69.10. That divergence between public perception and our model is worth noting — she's not without talent, but she may be overbet at those odds. Including her in the show spot of trifecta tickets is the right way to use her: get paid if she runs into the board without putting win money on what looks like an overlay.

Race 5

1:36 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 440 yd · Dirt

A ten-horse maiden claiming 440-yard dash with three horses bunched closely in the ratings, setting the stage for a tight finish and potentially juicy exacta returns.

win5Btd Painted RivanneML 9/2

Btd Painted Rivanne edges this competitive field with a 78.63 TrackWiz rating and gets Ali Rivera up for trainer Gabriel Burke. The 9/2 morning line is above fair odds given her ratings position, meaning there could be overlay value here if bettors gravitate toward the slightly lower-rated morning line choices. In a 440-yard maiden dash, clean gate speed and a reliable jockey matter — Rivera is capable of delivering both.

place6Ms Easter DebML 3/1

Ms Easter Deb rates just one point behind at 77.69 and is actually the 3/1 morning line second choice, suggesting she'll absorb significant public action. Trainer Antonio S. Martinez puts Alejandro Landeros Zuniga in the irons — a solid combination for this level. The separation between her and Btd Painted Rivanne is so narrow that the order could flip on any given day; stacking them both in exactas in both directions is the prudent move.

show4JeremiahML 5/2

Jeremiah clocks in third on our ratings at 73.73 and is the morning line favorite at 5/2, which makes him the most interesting horse in the race from a wagering standpoint — the public loves him, our model slightly downrates him. Trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III pairs him with Claudio Ponce Aguilar, a competent rider. He fits as the show anchor in trifectas but we'd fade him on top given what looks like a modest overlay advantage for Btd Painted Rivanne.

Race 6

2:03 AM EDT

Allowance · 300 yd · Dirt

A deep ten-horse allowance sprint at 300 yards where the top of the TrackWiz ratings clusters tightly, creating multiple legitimate win threats and rich trifecta possibilities.

win5The Fiscal ChickML 5/2

The Fiscal Chick tops our ratings at 87.81 in this ten-horse allowance and is the 5/2 morning line choice, meaning the market agrees. Trainer Esteban Rubio hands off to Nestor Duran, and at 300 yards everything is about burst speed out of the gate — a trait that correlates well with a high TrackWiz rating at this distance. With a 9% career win rate she's not a lock, but the class edge in this field is real.

place9Th Rum RunnerML 9/2

Th Rum Runner is our place selection at 84.90 — just three points behind the top choice — and comes in at 9/2 on the morning line, which looks like honest value. Trainer Arturo Archundia Garcia gives Jose Elias Villarreal the mount, and a 12% career win rate shows this horse has found the winner's circle before. If The Fiscal Chick gets crowded at the break, Th Rum Runner is perfectly positioned to grab the runner-up spot.

show8Ml PreciadoML 5/1

Ml Preciado rates third at 80.55 and is priced at 5/1 on the morning line — the deepest-priced horse in our top three, making her the value anchor of exotic tickets. Trainer Jose Misael Martinez puts Claudio Ponce Aguilar up, and the 11% career win rate suggests she's capable of delivering on her talent. In a race this competitive with three horses bunched within a few rating points, she belongs in the bottom of all trifecta combinations.

Race 7

2:30 AM EDT

Allowance · 300 yd · Dirt

An allowance sprint at 300 yards where the top pick carries a commanding ratings lead over a field loaded with experienced horses — though several have the career win percentages to make this genuinely competitive.

win4Chasing GloryML 3/1

Chasing Glory owns this race on our model with an 87.08 rating and an outstanding 25% career win rate — the best among the horses we're targeting. Trainer Ben Olaveson sends Luis L. Vivanco to the gate at 3/1 on the morning line. At 300 yards, horses that consistently find the winner's circle — like one that wins 1-in-4 — tend to be dangerous, and Chasing Glory's profile checks every box as the top selection here.

place2Love Lies BleedinML 4/1

Love Lies Bleedin rates at 70.32 and brings an impressive 22% career win rate to the table, proving this is a horse that competes hard even when not winning outright. Trainer Bradley C. Bolen puts Jose R. Herbert in the saddle at 4/1 on the morning line — a touch of value for a horse who should naturally find the top two. She's a strong exacta play underneath Chasing Glory and worth singling in the place spot of any trifecta.

show9This Eagles a LeaderML 5/1

This Eagles a Leader rounds out our ticket at 5/1 on the morning line with a 58.97 rating and a solid 16% career win rate. Trainer John A. Stinebaugh, who also has Goldd Card in this race, likely views this horse as a legitimate contender — and Ali Rivera is an experienced hand at this circuit. The 5/1 price gives you real trifecta value if the top two run as expected and Eagle sneaks into the board.

Race 8

2:57 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 550 yd · Dirt

The Starter Optional Claiming at 550 yards is a mid-card feature with a standout top choice, but a competitive group of closers makes the middle and bottom of trifectas worth playing deep.

win3Jess Perfect MoonML 7/2

Jess Perfect Moon is the clear top selection at 86.35 on our model and brings a 20% career win rate — tied for the highest among the horses in our analysis. Trainer Angel Almaguer puts Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. aboard at 7/2 on the morning line, and Urieta has been one of the most active jockeys on this card. The 550-yard distance adds a stamina element that experienced horses handle better, and a 20% career win rate at any level tells you this horse gets the job done.

place9Noble Fast ManML 9/2

Noble Fast Man rates at 69.69 and gets Eleazar Rivera Hernandez up for trainer Jose Antonio De La Rosa. The 9/2 morning line is fair and perhaps slightly generous given that Noble Fast Man checks in third-best on our ratings in a field that quickly drops off in quality. With a 9% career win rate in optional claiming company, the talent is there — the trick is converting that talent to a top-two finish, which looks very achievable in this spot.

show6Dont Let Me DownnML 3/1

Dont Let Me Downn carries a 64.48 rating and a 12% career win rate into this optional claiming event. Trainer Richard D. Sedillo sends Ruben Delarosa Jr. out at 3/1 on the morning line, making him the second shortest-priced horse in our show selection. That's slightly compressed value, but the talent justifies a show wager — and pairing him with the top two in trifectas is where the real payoff opportunity lives.

Race 9

3:24 AM EDT

Allowance · 350 yd · Dirt

One horse separates from the field by a wide margin in this allowance sprint, but the bottom of the race features some eye-catching career win percentages that could scramble the exotics.

win4Ring a Ling DingML 5/2

Ring a Ling Ding is the standout of the entire card in Race 9 — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating paired with a jaw-dropping 38% career win rate. Trainer Richard D. Sedillo sends Nestor Duran to the gate at 5/2 on the morning line, and with nearly 4-in-10 career starts resulting in wins, this horse has a competitive profile that's hard to fade. At 350 yards, there's very little time for things to go wrong, and Ring a Ling Ding's resume screams horse-to-beat.

place8Lil Kool MargeML 3/1

Lil Kool Marge rates at 61.22 and brings a 28% career win rate — second-best among our picks in this race — for trainer Esteban Rubio with Ali Rivera in the irons. The 3/1 morning line is fair for a horse with that kind of historical win frequency. Even against a standout like Ring a Ling Ding, Lil Kool Marge has the proven ability to compete and find the board.

show2GettsomeML 9/2

Gettsome rounds out the ticket at 9/2 on the morning line with a 53.96 rating and an 18% career win rate for trainer Isidro Hinojosa. Luis L. Vivanco picks up the mount, and this combination is workmanlike without being flashy. The 9/2 price gives show bettors a little extra on top of what should be a reliable top-three effort from a horse that wins nearly 1-in-5 starts.

Race 10

3:51 AM EDT

Stakes · 440 yd · Dirt

The stakes race at 440 yards is the marquee event of the evening — a legitimate three-horse battle at the top of the ratings with career win percentages that signal real elite competition.

win5Eagles UpML 7/2

Eagles Up is our top selection in the stakes with an 86.35 rating and an elite 35% career win rate — meaning more than 1-in-3 trips to the post has ended in a win. Trainer Marc E. Jungers, who unusually has three horses in this race, sends Luis L. Vivanco to the gate at 7/2 on the morning line. Jungers clearly has strong confidence in this barn's chances in the stakes, but our model identifies Eagles Up as the stable's top contender. That combination of high rating and high win percentage in a stakes race is exactly what you want from a top selection.

place2Dr Pepper 123ML 5/1

Dr Pepper 123 rates at 81.98 — just four and a half points behind Eagles Up — and carries a 25% career win rate for trainer J. W. Plunkett. Luis Angel Flores Garcia handles the riding duties at 5/1 on the morning line, which looks like potential overlay value in a race where the public may concentrate heavily on the chalk. In stakes company, horses with 25% win rates have proven they belong, and Dr Pepper 123 belongs right in the mix here.

show8Shakers No SecretML 2/1

Shakers No Secret is the 2/1 morning line favorite but rates third among our selections at 80.24 — a meaningful gap behind the top two on our model. The 26% career win rate is strong, and trainer Marc E. Jungers once again doubles up (he has three in this race), which means he's spreading risk across multiple live threats. Including Shakers No Secret in the show spot captures the scenario where public perception was right, but our model had the top two in the correct order.

Race 11

4:17 AM EDT

Maiden · 330 yd · Dirt

The nightcap is a maiden 330-yard dash where one horse stands alone at the top of the ratings while the place and show contenders offer legitimate value at attractive prices.

win5Kj Money MakerML 5/2

Kj Money Maker heads into this maiden event with the highest TrackWiz rating on the entire card — a perfect 87.81 — and gets Raul Ramirez Jr. up for trainer Marc E. Jungers. Jungers had three runners in the stakes race and clearly knows how to prep horses, and pairing him with Ramirez in a maiden dash at 330 yards is a potent combination. No horse in this field comes within 20 points of Kj Money Maker on our ratings, making this one of the cleaner plays on the card despite the maiden status.

place1FlaxenML 9/2

Flaxen rates at 66.24 — second-best in the field by a healthy margin — and is assigned to Rigoberto Camarillo Ortega for trainer J. Ryan Basham, who also had Mr Canas in the opener. Basham runs a tight operation and his horses show up ready. The 9/2 morning line makes Flaxen an attractive place bet in a race where the win pool is likely to be top-heavy, and she fits perfectly in the exacta underneath Kj Money Maker.

show8Rocknnroll 701ML 3/1

Rocknnroll 701 rates at 56.67 and is priced at 3/1 on the morning line — which means the market values him slightly more than our model does relative to Flaxen. Trainer Zackery N. Rios puts Jose R. Herbert in the irons, and Herbert is no stranger to finding the board at Retama. As a show selection in a maiden race, a 3/1 price is below ideal value, but the talent is there to hit the board if the top two run as expected.

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Bottom line: this is a full, diverse card with something for every type of bettor. The free plays — Mr Canas, One Sweet Tequila, and Macho Man Letticia — give you a running start, but the real meat of the day is in those premium races, capped by the Stakes showdown in Race 10. Stay hydrated, pace yourself through the card, and don't let the heat make your decisions for you. Full analysis is waiting for subscribers at /pricing.

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