Fair Grounds Free Picks – 03/07/2026
Best Bet | Race 2 #3 Corona de Oro
Longshot | Race 5 #8 Cruisin Chuck
Vulnerable Favorite | Race 10 #1 Shot Gun Shack
Pace Meltdown | Race 7
Race 1 | 6f Dirt
Projected Pace: Fast — Multiple speed types should ensure honest early fractions.
DRE Selections Top 4
#2 Dogwood Blessing | DRE Win: 24.8%
#1 Your Ladyship | DRE Win: 22.1%
#6 Fly Ty | DRE Win: 19.3%
#10 Naykesh | DRE Win: 16.7%
#2 Dogwood Blessing gets the nod based on the strongest overall profile and should secure a comfortable stalking position behind the early pace battle. The runner’s recent performances indicate steady improvement and a trip just behind the leaders could provide the perfect setup. #1 Your Ladyship is drawn well along the rail and should be part of the early tempo, making the runner the most logical pace rival to the top choice.
#6 Fly Ty has competitive speed figures and should remain within striking range throughout the race if able to secure a clean outside trip. #10 Naykesh adds additional pace pressure and could prove stubborn if able to establish position early.
Race 2 | 1 1/16 Miles Dirt
Projected Pace: Moderate — A controlled tempo likely with one runner dictating terms.
DRE Selections Top 4
#3 Corona de Oro | DRE Win: 34.6%
#2 Cromwell | DRE Win: 25.7%
#1 Diamond Eyed Jack | DRE Win: 19.2%
#4 Hitchcock | DRE Win: 14.5%
#3 Corona de Oro stands out clearly in this field with a strong class and speed advantage along with a powerful recent workout that signals a prime form cycle. The colt should sit just off the pace before taking command approaching the far turn. #2 Cromwell brings the most consistent form lines in the field and appears the primary threat if the favorite encounters any traffic or pressure.
#1 Diamond Eyed Jack benefits from a hot jockey and should be involved early if able to secure the rail advantage. #4 Hitchcock exits a barn that has been running well recently and could improve with the right stalking trip.
Race 3 | 1m 70y Dirt
Projected Pace: Balanced — Several runners capable of showing tactical speed.
DRE Selections Top 4
#6 Same Play | DRE Win: 26.9%
#2 Poppa Magic | DRE Win: 22.8%
#3 Macho Beanie | DRE Win: 21.1%
#4 Ice’m Up Boys | DRE Win: 16.5%
#6 Same Play holds the strongest overall ranking and benefits from a trainer angle that has historically produced profitable results. The runner should settle mid-pack before launching a late move. #2 Poppa Magic arrives off a strong recent workout and could press the pace from the start.
#3 Macho Beanie brings a hot jockey and competitive figures that make the runner a legitimate contender if the race becomes tactical. #4 Ice’m Up Boys should secure a favorable stalking trip and could prove dangerous turning for home.
Race 4 | 6f Dirt
Projected Pace: Fast — Multiple early speed runners should contest the lead.
DRE Selections Top 4
#4 Lagoon | DRE Win: 27.7%
#3 One Giant Leap | DRE Win: 22.9%
#1 Thunderhawk | DRE Win: 20.1%
#7 Midnight Pranks | DRE Win: 17.2%
#4 Lagoon receives top billing after a sharp recent workout and should enjoy a stalking trip behind the projected speed duel. The runner’s consistent form suggests another strong performance today. #3 One Giant Leap appears capable of pressing the pace early and could become dangerous if allowed to dictate the tempo.
#1 Thunderhawk owns a powerful trainer angle that has produced a strong win percentage in similar spots. #7 Midnight Pranks exits a productive barn and could improve sharply if able to sit just off the leaders.
Race 5 | 1 Mile Turf
Projected Pace: Honest — Several runners possess tactical speed.
DRE Selections Top 4
#8 Cruisin Chuck | DRE Win: 25.8%
#1 Deerfield | DRE Win: 22.4%
#4 Breakaway | DRE Win: 19.8%
#11 Untethered | DRE Win: 16.6%
#8 Cruisin Chuck offers strong value with a fast recent workout and should benefit from a pace scenario that allows the runner to settle just behind the leaders. #1 Deerfield brings a hot jockey and should be part of the early pace picture.
#4 Breakaway has shown steady improvement and should remain within striking distance throughout the race. #11 Untethered adds further depth and could improve second time out if able to secure a favorable trip.
Race 6 | 6f Dirt
Projected Pace: Fast — Early pressure likely from several pace types.
DRE Selections Top 4
#1 Perennialspromise | DRE Win: 26.5%
#8 I Got the Hint | DRE Win: 23.3%
#5 Reaux Ban Da Man | DRE Win: 19.7%
#4 Soft Hands | DRE Win: 16.9%
#1 Perennialspromise receives the top ranking with a balanced speed and class profile that should allow the runner to secure an ideal stalking trip. #8 I Got the Hint benefits from a powerful trainer angle and could press the pace from the outside.
#5 Reaux Ban Da Man arrives off a sharp recent workout and could take a step forward today. #4 Soft Hands rounds out the contenders with a tactical running style that keeps the runner competitive throughout.
Race 7 | 5½f Turf
Projected Pace: Fast — A potential pace duel among several early runners.
DRE Selections Top 4
#4 Hey Bertie | DRE Win: 24.7%
#13 Quantum Burst | DRE Win: 22.1%
#3 Epic Style | DRE Win: 20.4%
#10 I’m Mo Joke | DRE Win: 18.2%
#4 Hey Bertie receives top billing thanks to a strong jockey angle and tactical speed that should secure a favorable position just behind the leaders. #13 Quantum Burst arrives from a barn that has been running well recently and could challenge late.
#3 Epic Style has competitive figures and should remain involved throughout the race. #10 I’m Mo Joke brings distance success over this trip and could capitalize if the early leaders weaken.
Race 8 | 6f Dirt
Projected Pace: Fast — Several runners possess early speed.
DRE Selections Top 4
#7 A Hint of Scandel | DRE Win: 26.1%
#5 Lafitte’s Legacy | DRE Win: 22.8%
#2 Drewrelius | DRE Win: 19.6%
#3 Double Deals | DRE Win: 17.3%
#7 A Hint of Scandel receives the top ranking and should enjoy a stalking trip behind the early leaders before launching a decisive move. #5 Lafitte’s Legacy benefits from a strong trainer-jockey combination and should be involved throughout.
#2 Drewrelius brings competitive figures and could challenge if able to secure a clean trip. #3 Double Deals rounds out the contenders with consistent form that keeps the runner in the mix.
Race 9 | 1 1/16 Miles Turf
Projected Pace: Moderate — Tactical runners likely to control the tempo.
DRE Selections Top 4
#7 Aggressive Lime | DRE Win: 27.4%
#1 Bohemian | DRE Win: 22.9%
#6 Indigo Woods | DRE Win: 19.7%
#3 Struck At Midnight | DRE Win: 16.8%
#7 Aggressive Lime receives the top ranking thanks to a strong trainer angle and a tactical running style that fits the projected pace scenario. #1 Bohemian brings a hot jockey and should be involved early.
#6 Indigo Woods exits a sharp recent workout and could improve significantly with the right trip. #3 Struck At Midnight has proven effective over this surface and remains a dangerous late threat.
Race 10 | 5½f Dirt
Projected Pace: Fast — Several runners expected to contest the lead early.
DRE Selections Top 4
#1 Shot Gun Shack | DRE Win: 36.8%
#9 Temple of Peace | DRE Win: 23.4%
#8 Jayjayjay | DRE Win: 19.6%
#3 Alwaysfreaky | DRE Win: 14.9%
#1 Shot Gun Shack enters with a clear class and speed advantage and appears strongly placed while dropping into a more favorable level. The runner should sit just behind the early speed before taking command turning for home. #9 Temple of Peace brings a strong trainer angle and could challenge if the favorite fails to fire.
#8 Jayjayjay benefits from a hot jockey and could be part of the early pace picture. #3 Alwaysfreaky adds additional depth and could improve with the right trip.