Doug Henwood – The Numbercruncher will provide the Selections for Harrah’s Philadelphia for 2026 on Nahupicks.com

SUNDAY AUGUST 16, 2026

DOUG HENWOOD’S PICKS (The NumberCruncher)
 

 

 

 

 

Race 1

2-3-5-1

(#2) LANDDOWNUNDER – looks like best speed of these (55.0) and right there with the others coming home.  George Napolitano is hot, at the moment, so let’s get the day going with a win.

 
Race 2

6-3-7-1

(#6) STRAIGHT UP COOL – 2/2 in the care of trainer Dean Eckley.  Moving up again but shows a group-best 26.3 closing quarter in his last race & that was after using his speed most of the way.  Can make the jump in class.

Race 3

5-1-4-3

(#5) POMPEO HANOVER – made the jump to this level last time & raced well.  Should be well positioned & his 27.3 closing number two starts back is clearly the best for this bunch.  

Race 4

 1-7-2-4

(#1) KASHED UP A – looks like between 1&7.  Edge based on inside post & recent consistent form  27.2 closing number is actually one tick behind #7 HESA KINGSLAYER N.  Playing both in the early P4, of course.


Race 5

1-3-2-6

(#1) MARDI GRAS MAN – most likely winner on the card.  Sizzling hot at the moment & still fits in the condition for this NW3 event so “the beat goes on”.  Should be another jog-burger.

 
Race 6
1-4-8-7
(#1) BARON MICHAEL – an AHDC race. Driver William Clark wins his share & BARON MICHAEL shows a group-best 28.3 closing number in his last race.
Race 7

6-4-2-3

(#6) SUDDEN IMPACT – capable &scored last time at this NW7650 level. Drops, shows best speed (55.0) & closing number of 27.3 is only one tick behind the best in here which comes from #4 RENAISSANCE DEO

 
Race 8                                                                                                                                                                         .   

3-6-7-2

(#3) MOONWARDS HANOVER – another AHDC race.  My pick is racing well, draws much better & shows group-best 29.1 adj closing quarter (July 5).

 

Race 9

4-2-8-5

(#4) PAPIS PISTOL – takes another drop & simply looks much better than these.  Shows us a 53.3 front half over at Pocono on July 11 & we see several sub-1:50 miles on the program.  Things have not gone as planned & now we see trainer Sam De Pinto  removing the Lasix.  Still, it would take a serious issue to de-rail driver George Napolitano from simply going right down the road to a victory today. 


Race 10

1-7-6-3

(#1) MARKET BASED – racing only “OK” but this seems like a weaker bunch of NW$5000 types.  Rail draw too & a group-best 27.4 adj closing quarter places this guy as my top selection.
 
Race 11
6-3-4-5
(#6) CAPTAIN CRUSADER A – this is a pretty big drop.  We see a 55 flat front half (tied as best) and a 26.4 adj closing quarter (best).  
 
Race 12
1-2-7-4  
(#1) DONTMESSWITHLES – touted him last week & just missed at 17-1.  Looks good again.  2nd best speed (54.2) and tied as best closer with #2, both with a 27 flat number.
 
Race 13
2-6-7-8
(#2) TOAST OF THE TOWN – been facing stakes company lately so these are easier.  The numbers say he’s the best speed (54.0) and 2nd best closer (27.0) which is 2 ticks behind top closer in the race, #6 EVERLAST STING DEO. 
 
Race 14
3-2-4-6
(#3) WOODMERE DEALER – takes 2nd condition drop in a row.  Fits here & that drop may be enough to generate a better result.  Tied as best closer (27.3).
 

Most Likely: R5 – #1 MARDI GRAS MAN 

                                                                                                                                          r

Value Play: R11- #6 CAPTAIN CRUSADER A 

Deep Crunch: R7 – #6 SUDDEN IMPACT

Early Pick 4 – 23/36/15/17 – $8.00 for 50 cents

Pick 5 – 1/148/46/36/24 – $12.00 for 50 cents

 
Late Pick 4 – 1367/36/12/26 – $16.00 for 50 cents