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Woodbine Picks & Predictions — August 22, 2026

August 22, 20269 racesAll Woodbine picks

This card ran on August 22, 2026.

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Best bets at Woodbine, August 22, 2026

Race 13PadraigML 3/11:00 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 7 races are for members.

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Last 30 days at Woodbine: our top pick won 7 of 24 races (29%) and finished in the money in 10.

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Rain is falling at Woodbine this Saturday, and that changes the conversation before we even look at a single speed figure. With 73°F temperatures and a wet track greeting horses and handicappers alike, today's 9-race card demands extra attention to surface preferences and pace scenarios — especially with three turf routes on the slate that could see late scratches or surface switches depending on how the footing holds up.

We've got a stakes race at seven furlongs in Race 7 headlining the afternoon, plus a mix of claiming, maiden, and allowance company that gives both casual players and serious bettors plenty to work with. The rain sets up a classic speed-favoring bias on the dirt — horses that can get to the front early and control their own destiny tend to thrive when Woodbine's main track goes wet.

Three races are open to everyone today, and our TrackWiz analysis identified strong angles in each one. The remaining six are part of our full premium card breakdown — including the stakes and both allowance optional claiming finales.

Best Bets

Race 1

1:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Padraig stands out as a clear class edge in this 5.5-furlong claiming opener, but the morning line favorite Interim Analysis and front-runner profiles elsewhere could set up a competitive pace scenario.

win3PadraigML 3/1

Padraig (#3) is the standout here on TrackWiz ratings, posting an 87.08 — more than 20 points clear of the next best horse in the field. That edge is reinforced by a 14% career win rate, well above the field average, and trainer Michael Wright, Jr. has the horse in good hands at this claiming level. Jockey Eswan Flores takes the call, and with that kind of rating separation, Padraig should be able to sit comfortably in the pace and make a decisive move. At 3/1 on the morning line, this is a square price for what looks like a clear top selection.

place1KnowingML 5/2

Knowing (#1) opens as the morning-line favorite at 5/2, and while the TrackWiz rating of 66.19 trails Padraig by a wide margin, this horse fits the race as a solid place contender. Pietro Moran gets the mount — a capable rider who can maximize position early in a short sprint. The 4% career win rate is modest, but in a field this compressed at the claiming level, Knowing has enough consistency to fill the exacta.

show2Big LewML 6/1

Big Lew (#2) is the show play here at 6/1 on the morning line, offering some exotic value against shorter-priced horses above. The TrackWiz rating of 62.86 puts Big Lew third in the field, and an average speed figure of 55 edges out several rivals. Desean Bynoe gets the call, and if Padraig and Knowing lock up the top two spots, Big Lew looks capable of hanging around for a piece.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

1:30 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden optional claiming dirt sprint with two horses — Party Hotline and C C Athena — separating themselves from the rest of the field on ratings, setting up what could be a two-horse race at the top.

win3Party HotlineML 2/1

Party Hotline (#3) is our top selection in this maiden field, carrying the highest TrackWiz rating at 88.54 and the leading average speed figure of 53 — matching C C Athena but in a horse who grades out significantly better overall. Trainer Todd Kettleson sends this one out with Pietro Moran in the irons, a sharp combination at this level. As the 2/1 morning-line favorite, the price isn't generous, but the rating edge over the rest of the field is real and hard to dismiss in a wide-open maiden race.

place1C C AthenaML 3/1

C C Athena (#1) is the natural place horse here, checking in with a 79.68 TrackWiz rating — second best in the race by a comfortable margin. Trainer Michael Mattine hands the mount to Austin Adams, and at 3/1 she offers better value than the favorite while still having the profile to finish in the top two. In a maiden field with this much uncertainty, landing the 1-3 exacta looks like the sensible play.

show6Frac's C E OML 5/2

Frac's C E O (#6) rounds out the ticket as our show play at 5/2 on the morning line, posting the highest average speed figure in the race at 54 — a tick above both Party Hotline and C C Athena. Trainer Patrick Dixon sends this one out with Jalon L. Samuel, and while the 55.53 TrackWiz rating leaves some distance between Frac's C E O and the top two, the speed edge is a real asset in a six-furlong sprint. Include this one in your trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Today's three free races each come with a clear top pick backed by solid TrackWiz ratings. Padraig opens the card in a 5½-furlong dirt claiming sprint — exactly the kind of short, sharp race where a wet-track speed bias can be decisive. In Race 2, Party Hotline draws our attention in the maiden optional claiming at six furlongs on dirt, and with an 88.54 rating and morning line of 2/1, there's real substance behind the market respect. Race 3 is the one to watch closely given the weather: Charmingly Evasive tops our board at 9/5 for a turf maiden special weight, but keep an eye on any surface change announcements — if this one gets moved to dirt, the handicapping picture shifts entirely.

The connective thread across all three free picks is pace. In wet conditions on Woodbine's dirt, the horses that can establish position early without burning themselves out are the ones who hold on. All three of our top picks have profiles that fit that mold, which is exactly the kind of situational edge worth leaning on on a rainy afternoon.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

2:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Turf

Charmingly Evasive looms as the class of this maiden special weight turf sprint, but a deep field with several lightly raced runners makes pace projections tricky and keeps the exotics interesting.

win7Charmingly EvasiveML 9/5

Charmingly Evasive (#7) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.83 — the highest mark in the race — and is trained by the formidable Mark E. Casse barn, which routinely produces sharp turf maidens at Woodbine. Emma-Jayne Wilson, one of the most experienced riders at the meet, takes the mount, which is a strong combination heading into this 6-furlong grass sprint. The 9/5 morning line makes her a short chalk, but when you have a Casse/Wilson combo with the top rating in a maiden turf field, the price is what it is.

place1Lakota LadyML 3/1

Lakota Lady (#1) is our place selection at 3/1, bringing a solid 76.37 TrackWiz rating that puts her comfortably second in this field. Romero Ramsay Maragh picks up the mount for trainer Blair A. Miller, and the inside post — which can be advantageous on the Woodbine turf course — is a potential bonus. With Charmingly Evasive likely getting pressed early, Lakota Lady has the profile to stalk and pick up the pieces for second.

show5HeadspinML 5/2

Headspin (#5) slots in as our show play at 5/2, sharing the top average speed figure of 55 in the race alongside Charmingly Evasive and Lakota Lady. Pietro Moran brings high-quality experience to the Kevin Attard barn, a trainer who consistently produces ready turf runners. At 5/2, Headspin offers fair value as a trifecta piece, and the Attard barn also has Beautiful Things in the race, giving them two chances to hit the board.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 4

2:36 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Adorable Angel carries a commanding rating into this 6.5-furlong claiming dirt race, but Sans Dancer at 8/1 is a legitimate upset threat and could make the pace setup uncomfortable for shorter-priced rivals.

win5Adorable AngelML 3/1

Adorable Angel (#5) is the clear top selection by TrackWiz analysis, posting an 87.08 rating — highest in the field — while also owning the best average speed figure at 55. A 12% career win rate at the claiming level shows she can get the job done, and trainer Daniel S. Harvey saddles a horse that looks ready to graduate at this spot. Jodeien Anderson takes the mount, and with the best raw numbers in the race over a route-ish sprint distance, Adorable Angel at 3/1 deserves to be your anchor.

place3Sans DancerML 8/1

Sans Dancer (#3) is the value angle here, sitting at 8/1 on the morning line despite owning a 73.07 TrackWiz rating — second best in the race. Trainer Steve Attard is a sharp conditioner at Woodbine, and Christoff Douglas is an experienced hand in these spots. The 9% career win rate is respectable in a tough claiming field, and at 8/1, Sans Dancer represents real overlay value for the place slot in your exotics.

show7SkydiggerML 4/1

Skydigger (#7) rounds out the show ticket at 4/1 morning line with a 62.87 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win rate — tied for the highest among the remaining horses below Adorable Angel. Romero Ramsay Maragh is on board for Robert P. Tiller, a trainer who knows how to get horses competitive at this level. In a seven-horse field, Skydigger has enough ability to hold third if the chalk and the value play take the top two spots.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

3:05 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Little Lola is a heavy favorite in this maiden optional claiming dirt sprint and looks every bit the part, though several lightly raced first-time starters add a layer of unpredictability to the exotics.

win7Little LolaML 8/5

Little Lola (#7) is the standout in this field with an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark by a clear margin — and an average speed figure of 55 that ties the top of the field. Trainer Todd Kettleson, who also has Party Hotline going in Race 2, has a knack for presenting ready maiden runners, and Fraser Aebly is a steady professional who can rate a horse perfectly in a six-furlong dirt sprint. The 8/5 morning line is short, but the rating and form profile justify the favoritism.

place5Let It All OutML 5/2

Let It All Out (#5) comes in with the second-best TrackWiz rating among horses with measurable speed figures at 57.50, and Robert P. Tiller is a respected Woodbine trainer who regularly lands horses in the money in these spots. Daisuke Fukumoto picks up the mount, and the 5/2 morning line makes this a fair-value place play beneath the heavy favorite. If Little Lola handles the front end, Let It All Out has the profile to track and secure second.

show3IllyML 7/2

Illy (#3) is our show selection at 7/2, posting a 55.83 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 55 that matches Little Lola — the top mark in the field. Trainer Michael P. De Paulo sends this one out with Jalon L. Samuel, and while Illy trails the top two on overall ratings, the raw speed number suggests competitive ability in a six-furlong sprint. At 7/2, Illy is a reasonable trifecta inclusion if you're trying to beat back some of the longer shots.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

3:36 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open one-mile maiden turf affair with ten runners and no horse in the field carrying better than a 57 TrackWiz rating — this is as competitive as maiden races get, and the exotics could pay handsomely.

win4MerckxML 3/1

Merckx (#4) tops our win selection at 3/1 on the morning line, carrying a 56.67 TrackWiz rating and the best average speed figure in the field at 55. Trainer Dale A. Desruisseaux also saddles Countryman in this race, giving the barn two chances, but Merckx is the one we want. Jose Luis Campos is an experienced rider who can handle a full field on the turf mile, and in a race where nothing grades out as a clear standout, Merckx's speed edge and tactical versatility give him the edge.

place2Nicki Knows BestML 7/2

Nicki Knows Best (#2) is our place play at 7/2 for the Mark E. Casse barn — one of the premier turf operations in Canada — with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating that checks in just behind Merckx. Sahin Civaci gets the call, a jockey who has been sharp for Casse throughout the meet. Without a recorded average speed figure, there's some uncertainty here, but Casse turf maidens at Woodbine command respect and Nicki Knows Best is priced right for the place slot.

show6RoseML 4/1

Rose (#6) rounds out the show ticket at 4/1 for the Kevin Attard barn, which like Casse is a proven turf operation at Woodbine. Pietro Moran — one of the busiest and most capable riders at the meet — picks up the mount, giving Rose a strong pilot for a one-mile turf route. With no average speed figure on record, this is a projection play, but the Attard/Moran combination and the 4/1 morning line make Rose worth including as a third horse in trifectas.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 7

4:08 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

Creed's Gold is the dominant favorite in this seven-furlong dirt stakes, but Reagan's Flame at 3/1 is a legitimate threat and Bessie Abott at 15/1 could turn the trifecta into a big score.

win8Creed's GoldML 6/5

Creed's Gold (#8) is simply in a different tier than this field — a 89.71 TrackWiz rating, an average speed figure of 58 (which leads everyone by at least three points), and a scorching 37% career win rate make this the most dominant profile on the card today. Trainer Mark E. Casse sends out the morning-line favorite at 6/5 with Sahin Civaci in the irons, and the combination of raw speed and high-class consistency screams 'top choice' in a stakes race. Yes, the price is short, but the numbers back it up emphatically.

place6Reagan's FlameML 3/1

Reagan's Flame (#6) is the main danger to Creed's Gold, posting an 83.05 TrackWiz rating and an impressive 31% career win rate — the second-highest in the field. Trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. ships in with Edgard J. Zayas aboard, a sharp combination that regularly competes at the stakes level. At 3/1, Reagan's Flame represents the most credible threat to the favorite and is worth keying as your place horse in win-place tickets.

show7Bessie AbottML 15/1

Bessie Abott (#7) is the longshot angle worth including in trifectas, sitting at 15/1 on the morning line despite a respectable 69.58 TrackWiz rating — third best in the field. Trainer Mark E. Casse has two runners here, and while Creed's Gold is clearly the stable's top hope, Bessie Abott with Fraser Aebly up is no throwaway. A 22% career win rate shows she can compete, and at 15/1, landing her in the third spot on your trifectas could turn a modest investment into a significant return.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 8

4:40 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Americathegreat and Edey figure to dominate this allowance optional claiming turf mile, with the Casse and Attard barns locking horns at the top — a matchup that makes the exacta particularly appealing.

win6AmericathegreatML 9/5

Americathegreat (#6) leads our selections with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest on the card today — and a 14% career win rate in what is typically a tough allowance optional claiming field. The Mark E. Casse barn is the pre-eminent turf operation at Woodbine, and Romero Ramsay Maragh is one of the circuit's most accomplished turf riders. At 9/5 on the morning line, Americathegreat doesn't offer much overlay value, but the rating, connections, and surface profile all point to a winning effort.

place4EdeyML 3/1

Edey (#4) is the natural foil to Americathegreat, posting an 85.42 TrackWiz rating and checking in at 3/1 on the morning line — offering genuine value relative to the top pick. Trainer Kevin Attard is another elite turf conditioner at Woodbine, and Luis R. Reyes gets the mount. With a 16% career win rate and a strong rating, Edey has every right to run second or even challenge for the top spot, making this one of the more enticing place plays on the card.

show7OntologyML 7/2

Ontology (#7) completes the ticket at 7/2, carrying a 70.8 TrackWiz rating for the Kevin Attard barn with Pietro Moran in the irons — giving Attard a second chance in the race. A 14% career win rate at the allowance level shows Ontology is competitive, and in a seven-horse turf field, finishing third is a realistic outcome. At 7/2, the show price could be value in a trifecta under two higher-rated stablemates and rivals.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 9

5:12 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Maximum Fifty enters as the class of this allowance optional claiming dirt sprint with the top rating and a remarkable career win rate, but Rock Hard Rose and Chromeplated Heart make this more than just a one-horse show.

win6Maximum FiftyML 9/5

Maximum Fifty (#6) is the most impressive profile in this nine-horse field — an 88.83 TrackWiz rating headlining an extraordinary 52% career win rate that stands alone on this card. Trainer Robert P. Tiller, who regularly fields competitive horses at the allowance level at Woodbine, sends out this horse with Daisuke Fukumoto in the irons. The 9/5 morning line is warranted given the dominant win percentage and top rating, and Maximum Fifty figures to be tough to beat at 5.5 furlongs on the dirt.

place1Rock Hard RoseML 5/1

Rock Hard Rose (#1) is our place selection at 5/1, bringing a strong 84.17 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field — along with a very solid 25% career win rate in allowance company. Emma-Jayne Wilson, one of the most decorated riders in Woodbine history, picks up the mount for trainer Steven Chircop. If Maximum Fifty is as good as the numbers suggest, Rock Hard Rose has the class and rating to comfortably secure second, making 5/1 an appealing place price.

show3Chromeplated HeartML 3/1

Chromeplated Heart (#3) slots in as our show play at 3/1, with the highest average speed figure in the field at 56 — a meaningful edge in a sprint where raw pace matters. Trainer Debra E. Rombis sends out this horse with Jeffrey Ian Alderson in the irons, and while a 12% career win rate trails some rivals, the speed figure edge is a concrete asset over 5.5 furlongs. A 69.78 TrackWiz rating puts Chromeplated Heart solidly third in the field, making this a natural trifecta inclusion.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

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Rain at Woodbine means today rewards preparation more than guesswork. Padraig, Party Hotline, and Charmingly Evasive (weather permitting) are our free best bets to get you started. Creed's Gold in the Race 7 stakes is the marquee play for premium members, with full pace, exotic, and multi-race coverage rounding out the card. Stay sharp, account for the wet track at every turn, and good luck out there.

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