Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Penn National – Racing News and Analysis for July 31, 2026


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Penn National — July 31, 2026 Quick Reference

Fast main track, good-to-firm turf. Front-runners and pace-pressers favored on dirt; inside posts carry a significant edge in turf routes. Angel R. Rodriguez and Brandon Kulp are the dominant jockey-trainer forces on the card.

Race 1 — Alw 37000n1x | 1 Mile Dirt

Clarely Tom (4) gets a prime middle draw and rates as the top value at 5-1 in a spot where pace could collapse. Intogage (5) is the public choice and deserves place coverage, with Amy's Music (6) as the main secondary threat from a sharp barn. Backside Buzz (7) is the best longshot in the race at 4-1 from an outside post that is manageable in a one-turn mile.

Race 2 — OClm 8000 | 11.5 Furlongs Dirt

Hope's Alive (5) is a legitimate favorite over this marathon distance with a prime mid-field draw. What Does It Take (3) at 4-1 offers the best value in the race from a clean inside post. Run Happy Pappy (7) is the secondary choice, though the outside post in a marathon is the main concern, and The Best Distance (2) at 6-1 is worth a small exotic play.

Race 3 — OClm 16000 | 11 Furlongs Turf

Lucky Esther (9) is the card's top win bet at 4-1, backed by one of the finest turf training operations in the Mid-Atlantic. Phoebeinwonderland (8) is the morning line favorite and must overcome a mid-outside post in a twelve-horse field, while Ecliptical Gina (6) and Roberta (2) both carry significant post position advantages and round out the exotic coverage. Eleanor Rigby (5) at 8-1 and Song To Remember (7) at 8-1 are worth including in trifectas and superfectas given the large field.

Race 4 — Alw 37000n1x | 1 Mile Dirt

Itty Biddy City (1) is the card's second-best win value at 4-1, combining the prime rail post with a sharp rider. Come As You Are (7) is the public choice and must be respected, with Remembrall (5) and Shubagail (3) at 6-1 as the most credible secondary threats. Take Charge Boo (8) at 8-1 with a live rider is the most interesting longshot if the pace shapes up favorably.

Race 5 — Clm 5000n3l | 1 Mile Dirt

Sacred Love (1) is a clear top selection from the rail with the strongest trainer-jockey combination in this six-horse field. Briscoe County (3) is the most legitimate rival at 3-1, with Gold Lady (6) at 4-1 the best alternate win bet if the pace favors closers. Iracebeth (2) at 6-1 cannot be fully dismissed in a small field where form reversals are common.

Race 6 — OClm 40000b | 11.5 Furlongs Dirt

Gordian Knot (1) holds the ideal rail post in the card's richest race and is from one of the top barns on the circuit. Brindano (10) at 4-1 is the best value play on the back half of the card despite the outside draw, and the exacta between these two in both combinations is the evening's single best two-horse exotic investment. Kissthemoon (4) and Roll On Jesse (7) at 6-1 are the primary trifecta components, with Big Boys Answer (5) at 12-1 worth a superfecta inclusion.

Race 7 — Clm 5000n2l | 11 Furlongs Dirt

Sounds Like Fun (5) edges the co-favorite nod with the stronger trainer-jockey combination at 2-1. Showmance (6) is the co-favorite and deserves equal exotic coverage, making the exacta between the two in both directions the primary wager. Jake's Affection (3) and Grande Felino (4) at 5-1 are the most viable trifecta alternates in this thin six-horse field.

Race 8 — Clm 8000b | 11 Furlongs Dirt

Ade (2) is the top selection with a near-rail post and legitimate morning line favoritism. Mary's Reward (3) at 5-1 is the evening's closing value play, backed by the barn and rider combination that has been the most productive force on the card all night. Patient Fi (1) at 4-1 from the rail is a dangerous alternate who could control the pace wire to wire, and Cynthia Gail (7) at 6-1 rounds out barn coverage as the secondary entry from the same connections as Mary's Reward (3).

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