Fair Grounds Free Picks – 03/21/2026
Best Bet | Race 2 Braken Poppa
Longshot | Race 4 Tamino
Vulnerable Favorite | Race 10 Lagynos
Pace Meltdown | Race 8
Race 1 | 1 1/16 Mile Turf
DRE Selections Top 4
#9 Royal Causeway | Power Score: 92%
#2 Mount Vernon | Power Score: 90%
#5 Prepped | Power Score: 88%
#1 Road Trippin | Power Score: 86%
Projected Pace:
#3 Classic Tap and #8 Taterpie forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Balanced turf route.
Key Signal:
Clocker Special + Key Race for #9 Royal Causeway.
Analysis
#9 Royal Causeway brings the strongest combination of recent work and Key Race form. #2 Mount Vernon is a major contender with strong connections.
#5 Prepped and #1 Road Trippin add depth in a competitive opener.
Race 2 | 1m70y Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#2 Braken Poppa | Power Score: 97%
#1 Thrill Seeker | Power Score: 90%
#4 Fade to Gold | Power Score: 88%
#6 What’s Love | Power Score: 86%
Projected Pace:
#1 Thrill Seeker and #5 Miss Amber Q forward.
Pace Advantage:
Speed.
Race Shape:
Controlled.
Key Signal:
Best Bet — Track-Proven + peak form #2 Braken Poppa.
Analysis
#2 Braken Poppa is a standout — Track-Proven, dominant recent effort, and clearly the horse to beat. #1 Thrill Seeker is the main alternative.
#4 Fade to Gold and #6 What’s Love complete the contenders.
Race 3 | 1 1/16 Mile Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#5 Marauder | Power Score: 91%
#4 Direct Strike | Power Score: 90%
#6 Double Entendre | Power Score: 89%
#8 Tiernanogue | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#7 Royal Seal and #5 Marauder forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Balanced route.
Key Signal:
Top overall fit for #5 Marauder.
Analysis
#5 Marauder fits best on overall profile and pace positioning. #4 Direct Strike is a logical challenger.
#6 Double Entendre and #8 Tiernanogue provide strong depth.
Race 4 | 6f Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#8 Rock Music | Power Score: 92%
#10 Tamino | Power Score: 89%
#5 Mouqeer | Power Score: 88%
#3 Great Moment | Power Score: 86%
Projected Pace:
#6 This Is Your Time and #7 Hot Days Ahead forward.
Pace Advantage:
Closers.
Race Shape:
Fast pace.
Key Signal:
Longshot value on #10 Tamino.
Analysis
#8 Rock Music is the logical top selection, but #10 Tamino offers strong value underneath and win upside.
#5 Mouqeer and #3 Great Moment add depth in a wide-open sprint.
Race 5 | 6f Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#10 Mister Banderas | Power Score: 93%
#4 Dapper Moon | Power Score: 90%
#6 Free Scrim | Power Score: 88%
#5 Achromedoutcat | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#1 Autie and #6 Free Scrim forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Fast sprint.
Key Signal:
Strong overall profile for #10 Mister Banderas.
Analysis
#10 Mister Banderas combines Track-Proven ability with strong connections. #4 Dapper Moon is a major threat off a Key Race.
#6 Free Scrim and #5 Achromedoutcat round out the contenders.
Race 6 | 1 1/16 Mile Turf
DRE Selections Top 4
#3 Way to Be Marie | Power Score: 92%
#1 Ready for Shirl | Power Score: 90%
#5 Cupids Crush | Power Score: 88%
#6 Sea To Sky | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#2 Sophie’s Cruiser and #5 Cupids Crush forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Balanced turf route.
Key Signal:
Track-Proven edge for #3 Way to Be Marie.
Analysis
#3 Way to Be Marie has the ideal profile for this setup. #1 Ready for Shirl is a logical alternative.
#5 Cupids Crush and #6 Sea To Sky provide depth.
Race 7 | 6f Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#9 Not to Worry | Power Score: 91%
#10 Mo the Merrier | Power Score: 90%
#3 Armet | Power Score: 88%
#4 Radar Lock | Power Score: 86%
Projected Pace:
#2 Impractical and #8 Bearister forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Fast sprint.
Key Signal:
Top selection #9 Not to Worry.
Analysis
#9 Not to Worry has the right blend of pace and form. #10 Mo the Merrier is a strong alternative.
#3 Armet and #4 Radar Lock complete the contenders.
Race 8 | 5½f Turf
DRE Selections Top 4
#1 Nine Part | Power Score: 92%
#5 Monsieur Candy | Power Score: 90%
#3 Hay Jude | Power Score: 88%
#9 Sounds Like Power | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#5 Monsieur Candy and #13 Buy the Rights aggressive early.
Pace Advantage:
Closers.
Race Shape:
Pace meltdown likely.
Key Signal:
Wide-open turf sprint.
Analysis
#1 Nine Part is the most balanced profile, but this race sets up for chaos. #5 Monsieur Candy is a major player.
#3 Hay Jude and #9 Sounds Like Power provide upset potential.
Race 9 | 1 1/8 Mile Dirt (G2)
DRE Selections Top 4
#2 Touchuponastar | Power Score: 96%
#3 Accelerize | Power Score: 91%
#4 Life and Times | Power Score: 89%
#5 Not This Boy | Power Score: 88%
Projected Pace:
#2 Touchuponastar controls.
Pace Advantage:
Speed.
Race Shape:
Controlled stakes pace.
Key Signal:
Elite Distance Proven + Track-Proven #2 Touchuponastar.
Analysis
#2 Touchuponastar is the clear standout with dominant metrics. #3 Accelerize is the main challenger.
#4 Life and Times and #5 Not This Boy add depth.
Race 10 | 1 1/16 Mile Turf (G2)
DRE Selections Top 4
#7 Program Trading | Power Score: 93%
#4 Lagynos | Power Score: 90%
#2 Montador | Power Score: 88%
#5 Tom’s Magic | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#1 Chasing the Crown and #2 Montador forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Balanced turf stakes.
Key Signal:
Value over favorite #7 Program Trading.
Analysis
#7 Program Trading offers the best overall value against a vulnerable favorite. #4 Lagynos is talented but beatable.
#2 Montador and #5 Tom’s Magic provide depth.
Race 11 | 1 1/16 Mile Dirt (G2)
DRE Selections Top 4
#5 Bella Ballerina | Power Score: 95%
#2 Newtown Pike | Power Score: 90%
#6 Life of Joy | Power Score: 89%
#7 Love and Trust | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#5 Bella Ballerina and #4 Luv Your Neighbor forward.
Pace Advantage:
Speed.
Race Shape:
Controlled.
Key Signal:
Dominant profile #5 Bella Ballerina.
Analysis
#5 Bella Ballerina is a standout with elite metrics. #2 Newtown Pike is the main threat.
#6 Life of Joy and #7 Love and Trust round out the contenders.
Race 12 | 1 3/16 Mile Dirt (G2)
DRE Selections Top 4
#3 Chip Honcho | Power Score: 92%
#5 Golden Tempo | Power Score: 90%
#9 Emerging Market | Power Score: 88%
#7 Blacksmith | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#3 Chip Honcho and #7 Blacksmith forward.
Pace Advantage:
Pressers.
Race Shape:
Balanced route.
Key Signal:
Top overall for #3 Chip Honcho.
Analysis
#3 Chip Honcho is the most complete profile. #5 Golden Tempo is a strong challenger.
#9 Emerging Market and #7 Blacksmith add depth.
Race 13 | 1 Mile Turf
DRE Selections Top 4
#1 Determined Dancer | Power Score: 91%
#6 Not That Simple | Power Score: 90%
#3 Prima Donna | Power Score: 88%
#9 Heavenly Melody | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#12 Raspberry and #3 Prima Donna forward.
Pace Advantage:
Closers.
Race Shape:
Fast turf pace.
Key Signal:
Top selection #1 Determined Dancer.
Analysis
#1 Determined Dancer fits best on overall profile. #6 Not That Simple is a major contender.
#3 Prima Donna and #9 Heavenly Melody complete the group.
Race 14 | 6f Dirt
DRE Selections Top 4
#1 Dirty Straight Up | Power Score: 94%
#11 My Touch | Power Score: 90%
#7 Slewssongofthenile | Power Score: 88%
#9 Soft Hands | Power Score: 87%
Projected Pace:
#1 Dirty Straight Up and #7 Slewssongofthenile forward.
Pace Advantage:
Speed.
Race Shape:
Controlled sprint.
Key Signal:
Strong finish profile #1 Dirty Straight Up.
Analysis
#1 Dirty Straight Up is the most reliable closer on the card. #11 My Touch is a strong alternative.
#7 Slewssongofthenile and #9 Soft Hands provide depth.
Free Horse Racing Picks by Track
Mahoning Valley Free Picks
Parx Racing Free Picks
Turf Paradise Free Picks
Fair Grounds Free Picks
Gulfstream Park Free Picks
Oaklawn Park Free Picks
Past results don’t guarantee future performance. Bet responsibly