Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Fairmount Park – Racing News and Analysis for July 18, 2026


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Fairmount Park — Saturday, July 18, 2026 — Condensed Handicapper Report

Fast track expected on a hot, humid mid-July afternoon in Collinsville. Rail speed favored in sprints; stalkers and closers get their best chance in routes. Active barns — Manley, Wainwright, Becker, Watkins — carry strong predictive weight throughout the card.

Race 1 — 1100f | Maiden Special Weight

Rory's Run (1) is the top selection from the rail at 2-1, representing a sharp Manley barn entry with tactical early speed. Mom's Missile (9) at 5-1 and Gail's Glory (7) at 4-1 are the most logical secondary threats. Tamor (5) at 4-1 is the Wainwright barn's preferred runner over stablemate Sculptor (4) and deserves inclusion in exotics.

Race 2 — 1320f | Claiming $5,000

Dundie (6) at 1-1 is the clear single for sequences — no win value but the most reliable leg on the card at this point. Via Del Corso (3) at 2-1 is the primary exacta partner, with Verrazano First (2) at 4-1 rounding out trifecta coverage. Use Dundie (6) on top and look elsewhere for value.

Race 3 — 1210f | Optional Claiming $20,000 (F&M)

Play against the 1-1 chalk Hot Dance (3) and side with Jet Pack (5) at 3-1 as the top selection — pace control from post five makes this an overlay against the short favorite. Hot Dance (3) remains the most likely finisher and belongs in exactas beneath Jet Pack (5). Too Much Tuesday (4) at 4-1 and Lit Miss Hat Trick (2) at 5-1 offer trifecta coverage underneath.

Race 4 — 1320f | Claiming $6,250 (n3l)

Recause (8) at 2-1 is the top selection, ideally positioned to close into a pace likely set by co-favorite Red Speedo (1) at 2-1. Red Speedo (1) remains the primary exacta threat if it gets clear early. Cravensworth (6) at 4-1 is the card's third-best value play — Bendezu aboard a capable barn at a fair price.

Race 5 — 1830f | Claiming $25,000

Redfield (4) at 2-1 is the single in the card's highest-level claiming event, anchoring all multi-race sequences through this leg. American Cause (2) at 3-1 is the pace-pressing danger and belongs in all exactas and trifectas. Camp Daddy (6) at 4-1 is a live closer for the Manley barn, and Category Ten (8) at 6-1 deserves trifecta and superfecta inclusion at the route distance.

Race 6 — 1830f | Claiming $5,000 (n4l)

Roussette (7) at 1-1 is the single — no win value, but a reliable closer from the Watkins barn that anchors sequences. Patch O'brien (4) at 2-1 is the pace-controlling danger and the primary exacta play beneath the favorite. Aspiring Comedian (5) at 8-1 is the best-priced realistic contender and the day's strongest overlay at this price level.

Race 7 — 1320f | Optional Claiming $20,000 (n2l) — FEATURE

Fight The Power (7) at 2-1 is the deserving feature favorite and a reasonable win bet at that price. Wildwood Bell (4) at 4-1 and Earl's Outlaw (8) at 4-1 are the primary exacta threats, with Illini Red (5) at 6-1 representing the afternoon's single best value play — a Manley barn runner with Aranguren in the card's richest race. Baby I'm Hammered (10) at 12-1 is the most interesting longshot, capable of a late run if the pace collapses.

Race 8 — 1320f | Maiden Claiming $6,250 (F&M)

Elsie's Legacy (7) at 3-1 is the top selection in a chaotic twelve-horse finale, favorably drawn at post seven. Our Juju (2) at 4-1 is the best-drawn secondary choice with the ideal inside post, and Tiny Tot Queen (9) at 5-1 gives the Manley barn a strong closer to end the card. Whitelick Road (12) at 4-1 from post twelve is the most intriguing anomaly of the day — a 4-1 morning line price from the worst draw in the race signals genuine ability and warrants a small win-pool speculative wager.

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


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