Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Ellis Park – Racing News and Analysis for August 14, 2026


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Ellis Park — Friday, August 14, 2026 — Quick Reference Card

Hot, fast main track favors early speed; turf playing good to firm with inside posts carrying an edge at 11+ furlongs. Elite trainer-jockey pairings from national outfits are the key angles throughout the card. Follow Florent Geroux's mounts in Races 7, 8, and 9 as the day's highest-value sequence.

Race 1 — 1,760f | Dirt | Claiming $16,000 n2l

Midnight Vengeance (6) is the top selection, likely to control the pace and wire the field if left alone on the front end. Politics (1) from the rail and Hutchinson (4) from mid-pack are the main threats. Fitzgerald (2) at 6-1 is a useful trifecta saver from a sharp claiming barn.

Race 2 — 1,320f | Dirt | Maiden $30,000 | Fillies

Valentine Eve (4) is the clear top choice backed by the most powerful barn in American racing. Grace Marie (6) and Southern Way (3) are the logical underneath horses. Going Shopping (7) at 6-1 is worth including in trifecta tickets as a price alternative.

Race 3 — 1,760f | Turf | Maiden Optional Claiming $50,000 | Fillies

Donie Maronie (7) is the Casse first string confirmed by jockey assignment, making her the top selection in the large field. Que Sera (2) from the inside post and Doctor Approved (8) at 5-1 are the best alternatives. Dovetail (4) at 12-1 and Just Liberty (12) at 8-1 are legitimate longshot adds given their connections.

Race 4 — 1,320f | Dirt | Maiden $30,000 | Males

Bienville (7) is the Asmussen stable's top entry and the primary selection in a wide-open sprint. Ridge Of Fire (3) from the favorable 3-post is the co-favorite threat. Hellacious (2) at 8-1 is the longshot of note — elite jockey accepting an 8-1 maiden claimer mount signals connections believe this horse is ready.

Race 5 — 1,760f | Turf | Claiming $30,000 n2l | Males

Galatina (9) is the morning line favorite with a top jockey booking and a trainer who specializes in turf routes at this level. Transatlantic (7) and Sussudio (3) from favorable posts are the key alternatives. Royally Sassy (6) at 12-1 with a sharp turf rider is worth a small win bet for value.

Race 6 — 1,320f | Dirt | Maiden Special Weight | Fillies | $100,000

Moona Lisa (12) from one of the most powerful training operations in the sport with an elite jockey is the top selection despite the wide draw. Love Divine (5) from the ideal 5-post is the main rival and a co-top choice. Wild Impulse (8) at 15-1 as the secondary Asmussen entry is the longshot of the day — a barn that wins with both horses in two-entry races, and 15-1 is a generous price.

Race 7 — 1,870f | Turf | Claiming $30,000 n2l | Males

Taunting (12) is the heavy morning line favorite and deserves respect despite the wide draw in a 14-horse field. Da Prince Is Right (5) at 4-1 from the prime 5-post with the day's best trainer-jockey combination on turf is the value selection and a strong win bet alternative. Gallic Charm (2) at 6-1 from the inside is the best-priced each-way option.

Race 8 — 1,430f | Dirt | Optional Claiming $80,000 | Males | $106,000

Nakatomi (9) is the market favorite, but Billal (2) at 10-1 is the best single wager on the entire card — a Hall of Fame trainer and elite jockey at a double-digit price in the day's feature is an opportunity that cannot be ignored. Dreaminblue (8) at 3-1 is the logical third contender. A win bet on Billal (2) and an exacta in both directions with Nakatomi (9) is the recommended structure.

Race 9 — 1,870f | Turf | Maiden $50,000 | Males

Breakaway (9) at 5-1 is the top selection based on the card's strongest trainer-jockey combination in a maiden turf route. Pursuit Of Freedom (2) at 4-1 from the ideal inside post with a veteran route rider is the co-top choice and the most advantageously drawn horse in the field. Mr. All In (3) at 6-1 from the 3-post and Conquering Force (4) at 10-1 are the best underneath options for trifecta construction.

Before wagering, check the Latest Race Scratches, Changes, and Conditions post for any last-minute scratches or race changes.


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