We’re fully stepping into 2026 with 10 fast-track races at Parx, and the new year is already delivering competitive fields, sharp pace scenarios, and real opportunity from top to bottom. Rich and Terry break down the entire card with the same disciplined approach that closed 2025 strong — combining Smart Sheets insights, pace flow analysis, and experience-driven angles that matter most on a fast Parx surface.
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Terry’s Picks
PARX Racing – 1-05-2026
Race 1–Female
1 – Secret Oaks: Finished 3rd vs similar in only start; Rail post is winning at a18% clip; Has a high % winning trainer.
5 – Midnight Flight: Ran 3rd vs similar in last race; Drops in class today; Switches to a high % winning trainer and jockey.
4 – Natures Fury: Ran 2nd vs similar in last race; Has a high % winning trainer who wins 24% of the races when taking a horse from a sprint – sprint – route.
Longshot:
3 – Wanting Attention: Has a high % winning trainer who wins 24% of the route races-Lasix added.
Alternate:
10 – Storming Nun
Race 2–Female
12 – West Side Diva: Finished 3rd vs tougher in last race, winning 1 race out of the last 3 starts; Has a high % winning trainer.
9 – Shines Madelin: Finished 3rd vs similar in last race; Early speed running style helps chances; Can handle the distance.
7 – Second Best: Won last race at PARX Racing at today’s distance.
Longshot:
5 – Channel Loop: Has a high % winning trainer who wins 17% of the dirt races; May improve in 2nd start since layoff.
Alternate:
8 – To Be Loved by You
$.50 Pick 4: 5,7,8,9,12/6,9/3,5,7,9,10/6,9 – Cost $50.00
Race 3-
9 – It’s Authentic: Been knocking on the door finishing in the money in 5 races in a row, finishing 3rd vs tougher in last race; Drops in class today; Has a high % winning trainer.
6 – Imperial: Third as favorite last out; 31% winning trainer with success in beaten favorites; Switches to a high % winning jockey.
3 – Lion in the Sun: Finished 3rd vs tougher in last race; Drops in class today; Has a high % winning jockey.
Longshot:
2 – Warheaded: Drops in class today; Has a high % winning trainer who wins 21% of the Maiden Claiming races.
Alternate:
8 – Hard Performer
7 – Showpiece
Race 4–
9 – Compa: Finished in the money in 2 races out of the last 3 starts at PARX Racing, winning 1 race; Drops in class today; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
10 – Kuz It’s Chilly: Finished 3rd in last race; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
5 – We Miss Neil: Strong at PARX Racing, in the money 50% of starts; handles the distance with 25% in the money; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Longshot:
3 – One Improbable: Drops in class today; Highest speed figure at today’s distance; Best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters; Has a high % winning trainer.
Alternate:
7 – Wyatt Hunter
4 – Major Mischief
$.50 Pick 4: 3,5,7,9,10/2,6,8,9,10/3,11/8,10 – Cost $50.00
Race 5-
9 – Vanzzy: Strong at PARX Racing, in the money 55% of starts (27% wins); handles the distance with 58% in the money (33% wins); has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
6 – Ira the Icon: Finished in the money in 3 races out of the last 4 starts; Highest speed figure at today’s distance; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
10 – First Money: Finished 3rd vs similar in last race; Likes the distance.
Longshot:
8 – Jayjaydee: Likes PARX Racing, finishing in the money in 45% of the races, winning 23% of the starts; can handle the distance, finishing in the money in 65% of the races, winning 41% of the starts.
Alternate:
2 – Rackataptap
Race 6-
3 – Impressiveness: Best Dirt Speed is fastest among today’s starters; has high % winning trainer Jamie Ness and high % winning jockey Mychel Sanchez.
11 – Joseph Potato: Finished 2nd in last race; Has a high % winning trainer who wins 26% of the races when using 1st time Lasix and has a high % winning jockey.
4 – Filled With Desire: Strong at PARX Racing, in the money 57% of starts (19% wins); handles the distance with 55% in the money (13% wins).
Longshot:
6 – Housebuster Dude: Has a high % winning jockey; Can improve with Lasix & Blinkers added.
Alternate:
10 – Nilambar
1 – Relentlessness
Race 7–
10 – Borracho: Won 3 of 6 starts; drops in class; fastest dirt speed here; trainer wins 30% of second race after claim.
8 – Easy Action: Won the last 3 races in a row; Highest last race speed rating; Has a high % winning trainer.
7 – Liberty Star: In the money 61% at PARX (29% wins); trainer wins 42% dropping 2+ classes; strong jockey stats.
Longshot:
6 – Bad Advice: Finished 3rd vs similar in last race, winning the previous race; Can handle the distance.
Alternate:
3 – The Heights
5 – Frost Mountain
$.50 Pick 4: 7,8,10/3,4,6,9/5,11/5,8,12,13 – Cost $48.00
Race 8–Female
6 – Exciter: Second as favorite last out; 34% winning trainer with success in beaten favorites; Has a high % winning jockey.
9 – Rosie Warrior: Finished 3rd in last race; Early speed running style helps chances; Can improve with Lasix & Blinkers added; Has a high % winning trainer.
4 – Let’em Hate: Ran 2nd in last race; Best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters (tie); Has a high % winning jockey.
Longshot:
3 – Inanoceanoflove: Finished 3rd in only start; Can improve with Lasix added.
Alternate:
11 – Gurt’s Reward
10 – Extrasexyzqteepeye
Race 9-
11 – Double Your Money: Ran 2nd vs tougher in last race; Drops in class today; Strong win percentage for trainer and jockey.
5 – Secured Landing: Finished in the money in 6 races out of the last 7 starts at PARX Racing, winning 4 races; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
7 – Metalhead: Won 3 of last 4 starts; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Longshot:
9 – Hope’s Alive: He has won his last two races in a row and now goes for a hat trick; has a high % winning jockey.
Alternate:
1 – Sunday Spirit
Bet: $20.00 Win: 11 – $10.00 Exacta Box: 5/11 – $10.00 Exacta:11/1,5,7,9 – $3.00 Exacta Box: 5/7/11
Race 10-
8 – Nancy Made My Day: Finished 3rd vs tougher in last race; Early speed running style helps chances so the shorter distance; strong win percentage for trainer and jockey.
12 – Tuff Constitution: Switches to a high% trainer and jockey; Can go the distance.
13 – Nicole’s King: Drops in class today; Early speed running style helps chances so returning to a sprint will help: Has a high % winning trainer.
Longshot:
5 – Mose Perfect: Finished in the money in 3 out of 5 starts at PARX Racing; Has a high % winning trainer and jockey.
Alternate:
7 – Pogi
Best Bet of the Day at PARX Racing – 9th Race – #9 – Double Your Money
Rich’s Picks
Race 1: 1 Mile 70 Yards – Bias: Stalkers, 30% w2w – PP: Rail Bonus, 2+ Almost Fair
1 – SECRET OAKS – Biggest in race edge +10 LS and Top TOTAL PACE – 2nd race parability
4 – NATURES FURY – only YES horse – better 5 ways
5 – MIDNIGHT FLIGHT – Track dropper – Class dropper – Pino and Sanchez
8 – ALYVIA’S LIL GIRL – Big SIM FAV – could be lone E – better EP in last
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 1,4,5,8
Race 2: 1 Mile 70 Yards – Bias: Stalkers, 30% w2w – PP: Rail Bonus, 2+ Almost Fair
12 – WEST SIDE DIVA – TLRSP#+3 – SIM FAV –Pacesetter with better EP – better in 2nd up
9 – SHINES MADELIN – Top TOTAL PACE horse – Top C ZONE too
10 – WONDERFULVENEZUELA – biggest in race edge +8 LS – strong C ZONE
11 – JOYFUL JOYCE – rerun NOV 10 race and she has a good chance
$0.50 Pick 4: 9,10,12/3,4,6,9/3,4,9,11/9,10
Race 3: 6 ½ Furlongs – Bias: Stalkers, 36% w2w – PP: Strong Inside 3, 4+ Similar Discount
9 – IT’S AUTHENTIC – SIM FAV and Top TOTAL PACE – YES horse – class drop – bullet work
3 – LION IN THE SUN – ITM 7/11 at PARX – has shown EP and LP – just needs to combine
6 – IMPERIAL SPY – Ness and Silvera coming in from Laurel
4 – THE HERO CODE – track dropper – some of the most back class
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 3,4,6,9
Race 4: 6 Furlongs – Bias: Early Speed, 37% w2w – PP: Inside 3 Best, 4+ Similar Discounts
9 – COMPA – Top TOTAL PACE +8 – could be better in the 3rd up with some back speed
4 – MAJOR MISCHIEF – TLRSP#+6 – could also be better in the 3rd up
3 – ONE IMPROBABLE – has some early speed and this is the right distance 5/0-3-0
11 – STILLWATER MOON – SIM FAV that just needs to return to Nov 17th form
$0.50 Pick 4: 3,4,9,11/9,10/3,6,7,10/3,7,8
Race 5: 1 Mile 70 Yards – Bias: Stalkers, 30% w2w – PP: Rail Bonus, 2+ Almost Fair
9 – VANZZY – 4 Speed Number Increases – better ATB in last – SIM FAV and Top TOTAL PACE
10 – FIRST MONEY – last race might have been a little better last out
2 – RACKATAPTAP – much better middle out in last and ran tons faster
6 – IRA THE ICON – Left Arrow pacesetter potential in a race of middle back types
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 2,6,9,10
Race 6: 6 Furlongs – Bias: Early Speed, 37% w2w – PP: Inside 3 Best, 4+ Similar Discounts
7 – PLEASE PAT MY BACK – Top Rated 1st versus noes – nice back works
10 – NILAMBAR – 2nd rated 1st timer – strong Belmont work
3 – IMPRESSIVENESS – closest to a YES hors from the experienced horses
6 – HOUSEBUSTER DUDE – some back speed – 1st Lasix and Lone E if he gets it
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 3,6,7,10
Race 7: 6 ½ Furlongs – Bias: Stalkers, 36% w2w – PP: Strong Inside 3, 4+ Similar Discount
8 – EASY ACTION – TLRSP#+8 with Top TOTAL PACE +6 and SIM FAV
7 – LIBERTY STAR – Lone PC – better EP – should be better in 3rd up – Sanchez and Pino
3 – THE HEIGHTS – comes in from Laurel and Delaware – 2nd race upside
10 – BORRACHO – all or nothing at Parx 13/3-0-0 – has some ES
$0.50 Pick 4: 7,8/3,6,9,11/5,7,9,11/6,8,12
Race 8: 6 ½ Furlongs – Bias: Stalkers, 36% w2w – PP: Strong Inside 3, 4+ Similar Discount
6 – EXCITER – could be pacesetter as MSW dropper
11 – GURT’S REWARD – 2nd race parability vs all noes – Penn Shipper with 1st Lasix
3 – INANOCEANOFLOVE – Top TOTAL PACE – some speed with first time Lasix- 2nd race
9 – ROSIE WARRIOR – another Penn Shipper with EP and 1st time Lasix and a 3 YO
$5 Exacta Key Box: 6/3,4,9,11
Race 9: 6 ½ Furlongs – Bias: Stalkers, 36% w2w – PP: Strong Inside 3, 4+ Similar Discount
11 – DOUBLE YOUR MONEY – only YES horse w/ TLRSP#+7 – class drop –TOTAL PACE +5
7 – METALHEAD – Parx success – 4/2-1-0 – with some EP
5 – SECURED LANDING – Sanchez and Ness – PARX 7/4-2-0 – elsewhere 4/0-1-0
9 – HOPE’S ALIVE – Penn Shipper with ES – anything close to the last race and lookout
Race 10: 6 ½ Furlongs – Bias: Stalkers, 36% w2w – PP: Strong Inside 3, 4+ Similar Discount
8 – NANCY MADE MY DAY – TLRSP#+10 – Top TOTAL PACE – strong PAR+
13 – NICOLE’S KING – SIM FAV – winner 2/3 at the distance
6 – GOLDEN CANDY – trainer Pino wins 32% dropping off the claim – alpha for a 30% winner
12 – TUFF CONSTITUTION – can’t leave Sanchez and Ness of your ticket
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 3,6,12,13
