The racing action from Penn National on Friday features the PA Governor’s Cup Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Penn National picks for the entire card!
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Penn National Full Card Analysis
Penn National Picks: Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Stakes (08/15/2025)
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Penn National Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 5:45 PM ET; Claiming $18k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
• #5 GOLDEN EIB MICRPHN (2-1): Top pick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Proven competitor at this configuration.
• #4 PERIDOT PENDANT (9-5): Major Player. Likely to get forward position. Speed figures match this group well.
• #2 SONADORA GIRL (6-1): Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Aguilar and Castillo team up on this one.
• #3 LADRO DI FICHI (9-2): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 5 – 4 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 5, 4
Penn National Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 6:14 PM ET; Claiming $16k; About 5 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
• #1 CORRECTED PEDIGREE (5-2): Best bet of the card. Proven competitor at this configuration. Crispin and Perri team up on this one. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
• #4 GENTLE BREEZE (2-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Good race flow for this runner.
• #5 WIZARDOFEZ (10-1): Fringe Contender. Has been running well enough recently. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
• #3 RUN HELWIG RUN (6-1): Fringe Contender. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 1 – 4 – 5 – 3
The Plays
Win: #1 at 1-1
Exacta: 1/ 4,3
Pick 3 (races 2-4): #1 with #4, 5 with #2,4
Penn National Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 6:43 PM ET; Marshall Jenney Stakes $75k; 5 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
• #4 FIERCE AND STRONG (2-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Solid closing kick.
• #5 FORE HARP (7-2): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Trainer is having a great meet.
• #1 SMOOTH B (4-1): Contender. Potential to kick home late.
• #8 SHOSHANAH (10-1): Underneath. Trainer’s horses have been running. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 4 – 5 – 1 – 8
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 4, 5
Penn National Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 7:12 PM ET; PA Governor’s Cup Stakes $150k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 6 runners.
• #2 EMMANUEL (9-5): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Torres and Maker team up on this one.
• #4 BOAT’S A ROCKIN (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
• #6 UNCLE CAESAR (5-1): Underneath. Previous success in similar race types. Hernandez and Mcclellan team up on this one.
• #1 SPELLCAST (6-1): Underneath. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Could be griding down the competition late.
Selections: 2 – 4 – 6 – 1
The Plays
Win: #2 at 5-2
Exacta: 2/ 4,1
Penn National Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 7:41 PM ET; Starter Optional Claiming $21k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
• #5 CASA JUANITA (3-1): Top pick. Cora puts this one in with a chance. Barn has been solid.
• #3 PHABULOUS PHOEBE (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Top connections on the circuit with Torres and Mcclellan.
• #4 WARRIORS JEWEL (5-2): Major Player. Could wear these ones down late. Speed figs match up nicely.
• #6 SADIE’S GRACE (4-1): Underneath. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.
Selections: 5 – 3 – 4 – 6
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 5, 3, 4
Penn National Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 8:10 PM ET; Allowance $35k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
• #5 LEFTOVER SUSHI (3-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Stamina to outlast the competition.
• #2 DAKOTA SPRINGS (2-1): Major Player. Top connections on the circuit with Rodriguez and Kulp. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
• #6 GILDA’S GIRL (9-2): Contender. Previous success in similar race types. Barn has been sending out runners.
• #7 AURORALINNA (6-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 5 – 2 – 6 – 7
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 5, 2
Penn National Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 8:39 PM ET; Claiming $13k; 5 1/2 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
• #5 CARGO SHIP (9-5): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
• #1 FIRE DOWN BELOW (5-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Ramos and Albright team up on this one.
• #2 RIDLEY PARK (3-1): Fringe Contender. This one’s a fighter in the late stages. Potential to have this pace fall just right.
• #3 RAGING BEAR (6-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 5 – 1 – 2 – 3
The Plays
Win: #5 at 5-2
Exacta: 5/ 1,2
Penn National Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 9:08 PM ET; Claiming $12k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
• #6 BONITA LASSIE (7-2): Top pick. Decent form of late. Barn has been solid.
• #3 SHINELIKEADIAMOND (3-1): Major Player. Speed figures match this group well. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
• #1 QUEEN WIGGY (2-1): Contender. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish.
• #5 UPTOWN SERAPHINA (6-1): Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 6 – 3 – 1 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 5-2
Exacta Box: 6, 3, 1
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Friday Analysis
- Penn National Picks featuring the Grade the Pennsylvania Governor’s Cup Stakes
Saturday Analysis
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