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Evangeline Downs presents a nine-race card this Friday evening with first post time scheduled for 5:30 PM CT. The Louisiana track continues its summer thoroughbred meet that runs through September 1, 2025. Tonight’s program features a mix of maiden special weight, claiming, and allowance races across distances from five furlongs to one mile on both dirt and turf surfaces.

Weather and Track Conditions

Current track conditions are listed as Fast for the main dirt surface and Firm for the turf course. However, specific weather forecasting information for today’s racing program was not available in current reports. Track management has made several surface-related adjustments, with temporary rail distances set at 20 feet for select turf races.

Race-by-Race Analysis

Race 1 – Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs, Dirt

This $34,000 maiden event for two-year-old fillies features a competitive field. Appeal draws consideration at 3-1 odds with trainer A. Ramirez-Rodriguez and jockey Timothy Thornton. The filly Perfect Delight shows speed figures that could be competitive at 12-1 odds, having recorded consistent efforts in recent starts. Belarsen, trained by Scott Gelner, represents another contender coming off previous racing experience.

The pace setup appears moderate with several fillies showing early tactical speed. Appeal figures to press the early fractions while Perfect Delight could offer value from an outside post position.

Race 2 – Claiming Race, 5 Furlongs, Turf

The turf sprint features claiming horses with Stayed in for Half emerging as a logical contender at 7-2 morning line odds. Trainer Karen E. Jacks sends out this runner with jockey E.J. Barrera aboard. The temporary rail setting at 20 feet may impact running styles and trip handicapping.

Race 3 – Turf Race

Mitole’s Limit stands out as the 7-5 morning line favorite with jockey Jansen Melancon for trainer Karen E. Jacks. This gelding shows solid recent form with a win, five seconds, and five thirds from nine starts, earning $47,900. Safe Bet represents a live longshot option at 4-1 odds with tactical speed that could be effective if the pace develops favorably.

Race 4 – Dirt Race

Mohaymen Holiday draws attention at 6-1 odds for trainer J.J. Gelner with jockey C. McMahon. The race experienced a scratch with Cigar Van removed from competition.

Race 5 – Turf Race

Race 5 at Evangeline Downs is a Maiden Special Weight event for two-year-old fillies contested at five furlongs on the dirt track with a purse of $34,000. This sprint distance often favors fillies with early speed and tactical positioning, particularly important in maiden races where inexperience can lead to traffic issues.

Key Contenders

Lady On Call emerges as a logical contender at 7-2 morning line odds for trainer P. Devereux Jr. with jockey C.J. Hernandez aboard. The combination of an experienced rider and trainer suggests this filly has shown enough in training to warrant favoritism consideration.

C C Fanta C appears as a shorter-priced option at 3-1 odds according to algorithmic analysis. Two-year-old maiden races often see significant market movements based on morning workouts and paddock inspection, making this filly worth monitoring for any support.

Sarah’s Rolling represents another legitimate chance at 5-1 odds. In maiden company, fillies making their second or third starts often show improvement from their debut efforts.

Secondary Choices

Miss Super Mo draws consideration at 6-1 odds as a potential pace factor. The five-furlong distance puts emphasis on early positioning, and fillies showing gate speed often find themselves in contention.

Boujie Bear at 10-1 odds provides a mid-range longshot option. Maiden races can produce surprise results, particularly when lightly raced fillies improve significantly from previous efforts.

Longshot Considerations

What A Hangover represents the longest shot with potential upside at 12-1 odds. While maiden races favor form players, the unpredictable nature of two-year-old development means longshots can fire at generous odds.

Educated Wish at 10-1 odds offers another double-digit option. Trainer and jockey combinations often provide clues in maiden company, particularly with fillies making return starts.

Pace Analysis

The five-furlong sprint distance typically produces moderate to fast early fractions. With multiple fillies showing potential early speed, the pace setup could favor closers if the early runners engage too aggressively. The dirt track conditions remain fast, which should allow for normal pace development.

Wagering Angles

The maiden nature of this race creates opportunities for higher payouts in exotic wagers. Consider using multiple contenders in exacta and trifecta combinations rather than focusing on a single winner. The 7-2 morning line on Lady On Call suggests she may offer value if her odds drift higher.

Multi-race sequence players should consider this race as a potential single or key in Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers, using Lady On Call as the primary selection while including C C Fanta C and Sarah’s Rolling as backup options.

Suggested Selection

Lady On Call represents the most logical win selection based on trainer-jockey combination and morning line positioning. The Devereux-Hernandez partnership suggests this filly has shown enough in training to warrant confidence in maiden company.

For exotic play, key Lady On Call on top with C C Fanta C, Sarah’s Rolling, and Miss Super Mo underneath in exacta combinations. The trifecta offers value including the longer shots What A Hangover and Boujie Bear in the third position.

Race 6 – Dirt Race

Matzoh Ball appears well-positioned at 5-2 morning line odds with trainer C.J. Mouton and jockey J. Ramirez Jr. The field experienced changes with Ayden’s Edge scratched from the competition.

Race 7 – Dirt Race

Pip Squeek draws consideration at 3-1 odds for trainer E. Ramirez with jockey Timothy Thornton. This claiming event has seen scratches of Titanium Deal and Givemeasecond, both re-entered for future competitions.

Race 8 – Dirt Race

Autism Community emerges as a contender at 5-2 odds with trainer J. Wong and jockey C.J. Hernandez. The race features weight adjustments with Midnight Streak and Uninspired both carrying overweight penalties.

Race 9 – Dirt Race

Atlantic Storm shows as the 9-5 morning line favorite with trainer J.J. Gelner and jockey C. Fusilier.

Jockey Notes and Insights

Timothy Thornton appears on multiple mounts throughout the card and shows solid statistics with 155 mounts, 24% win rate, and 54% in-the-money percentage. Jansen Melancon partners with several Jacks-trained runners and maintains strong statistics with 145 mounts, 12% wins, and 37% place percentage. C.J. Hernandez rides in multiple races and represents a reliable option for bettors seeking consistent jockey performance.

Trainer Notes and Insights

Karen E. Jacks sends out multiple runners including the favored Mitole’s Limit and Stayed in for Half. Her barn statistics show 22 starts with 9% wins and 41% in-the-money performance. J.J. Gelner trains both Mohaymen Holiday and Atlantic Storm, providing multiple opportunities across the card.

Wagering Strategies and Value Plays

The Pick 3 and Pick 4 wagers offer potential value given the competitive nature of several races. Single-race exotic wagers like exactas and trifectas may provide better value than straight win betting in races with short-priced favorites.

Consider keying stronger contenders like Mitole’s Limit in multi-race wagers while using multiple horses in races with wide-open competitive fields. The maiden race presents opportunity for higher payouts given the uncertainty of first-time starters.

Expert picks

Race	Pick	Odds	Trainer	Jockey
1	3 Appeal	3-1	A Ramirez-Rodrigu	T Thornton
2	4 Stayed in for Half	7-2	K E Jacks	E J Barrera
3	4 Mitole’s Limit	7-5	K E Jacks	J Melancon
4	4 Mohaymen Holiday	6-1	J J Gelner	C McMahon
5	10 Lady On Call	7-2	P Devereux, Jr.	C J Hernandez
6	9 Matzoh Ball	5-2	C J Mouton	J Ramirez, Jr.
7	6 Pip Squeek	3-1	E Ramirez	T Thornton
8	7 Autism Community	5-2	J Wong	C J Hernandez
9	3 Atlantic Storm	9-5	J J Gelner	C Fusilier

Additional Expert Analysis

For Race 3, BettingNews.com also provided detailed analysis supporting 4 Mitole’s Limit as their top pick, with a superfecta combination of 4-5-1-6.

Key Observations

Most Confident Picks (shortest odds): Race 9 – Atlantic Storm (9-5) and Race 3 – Mitole’s Limit (7-5)

Longest Shot: Race 4 – Mohaymen Holiday (6-1)

Popular Jockeys: T Thornton appears in 2 races, C J Hernandez appears in 2 races

Popular Trainers: K E Jacks trains horses in 2 races