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Retama Park Picks & Predictions — August 22, 2026

August 22, 202611 racesAll Retama Park picks

Results are in — see the official Retama Park chart and payouts (our top pick won 1 of 11)→

It's a blazing Saturday at Retama Park — clear skies, 98°F on the thermometer, and the kind of baked, fast dirt that quarter horse sprinters absolutely love. With 11 races on the card ranging from a lightning-quick 250 yards all the way out to 550 yards, there's something here for every type of bettor.

The card carries real weight today. We've got two Futurity races, a Derby, and a Stakes event spread across the back half of the afternoon — that's a lot of black-type action for a single card, and it means competitive fields, sharp connections, and some genuine wagering opportunities. The heat is a factor worth noting too: at 98°F, horses that handle warm weather and aren't fighting themselves in the gate will have a meaningful edge.

TrackWiz analysis has rated all 11 races and identified top picks across the full card. The first three races are free for everyone, and our premium subscribers get the complete breakdown on Races 4 through 11 — including the Futurity double and Derby.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 300 yd · Dirt

A wide-open 10-horse claiming sprint at 300 yards where the TrackWiz ratings reveal a massive gap between the top tier and the bottom half — expect the numbers to sort this one out quickly.

win8Volcom TacML 9/2

Volcom Tac draws our top rating in this field at 84.9 — a significant edge over everyone else on the board. Trainer Brittany N. Tellez keeps this one sharp, and jockey Froylan Tellez Ramirez knows this horse well, which is a partnership angle we always respect at a regional oval. The morning line of 9/2 offers real value given how far ahead of the field the TrackWiz model has this horse — don't let the 20% career win rate fool you in a race this short.

place3DorlenaML 3/1

Dorlena grades out second in the field with a 69.78 rating and earns the morning-line favoritism at 3/1, which tells you the market agrees she belongs near the top. Jockey Leonardo V. Reyes picks up the mount for trainer Arnold Lewis, and at the short 300-yard distance there's very little margin for error — Dorlena's overall profile suggests she'll fire cleanly. A solid place horse even if Volcom Tac gets rolling.

show4Poppin PursuitML 7/2

Poppin Pursuit carries a 55.83 rating and an impressive 50% career win rate, which stands out in a field where several runners are well below that mark. Trainer Ben Olaveson sends this one out with Luis L. Vivanco aboard, and at 7/2 on the morning line there's legitimate upside here. Use this one underneath in your exotics — the win percentage alone makes the show spot very defensible.

Race 2

12:11 AM EDT

Maiden · 440 yd · Dirt

A maiden sprint at 440 yards where none of these horses have broken their maiden yet, but the TrackWiz ratings show a clear three-horse tier pulling away from the rest of the field — this one may not be as mysterious as maiden races usually are.

win10Political AssasinML 9/2

Political Assasin (No. 10) tops this maiden field with an 84.9 TrackWiz rating — matching the ceiling of what we typically see at this level. Trainer Elida Bustamante sends this one out with Francisco Calderon in the irons, and the 9/2 morning line represents fair value for a horse that grades out significantly ahead of most of this field. In maiden sprints, raw ability tends to shine through, and our model sees this one as the class of the group.

place1Shes Team WildML 7/2

Shes Team Wild (No. 1) checks in at 78.48 on our ratings scale — second-best in the field — and gets the favorable rail draw to work with. Trainer Aracely Mejia sends this one out with Noe Villatoro up, and at 7/2 on the morning line she's right where the market expects her. If Political Assasin stumbles at the gate, this one has the profile to steal the win, making her a must-use in exactas.

show7Ym FlyinML 3/1

Ym Flyin (No. 7) rates at 75.27 and draws the public's attention as the morning-line favorite at 3/1 — which means the show spot here could pay very little if she runs her race. Trainer Enrique Alvarado and jockey Ali Rivera represent a capable combination, and at 440 yards there's enough ground to sort out any early traffic issues. She's the logical third wheel in your tri plays.

Race 3

12:41 AM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

Another maiden sprint, this time at 350 yards, where Cyber Intelligence has posted a standout rating that separates the top two from the rest of a competitive middle pack — a potential chalk race with a solid secondary tier to fill out your tickets.

win10Cyber IntelligenceML 5/2

Cyber Intelligence (No. 10) tops this field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest number on today's maiden card — and draws the morning-line favoritism at 5/2, which means the public is already on board. Trainer Gilberto Gonzalez hands Jose R. Herbert the reins, and at 350 yards the race will be decided in a blink — this horse's dominant rating suggests it gets out of the gate cleanest and fastest. Back this one with confidence as the win pick.

place5Back CheckML 9/2

Back Check (No. 5) rates at 61.55 — a clear step ahead of the mid-pack — and Raul Ramirez, Jr. gets the call for trainer Marc E. Jungers, a combination that carries some credibility. At 9/2 on the morning line there's reasonable value here for the place slot, and in a maiden race where anything can happen at the break, having a solid second option is key. This one profiles as your best exacta partner with Cyber Intelligence.

show1Hock AjetML 7/2

Hock Ajet (No. 1) earns a 59.41 rating and draws the rail — a neutral-to-slight advantage in a short sprint — with Rosendo E. Pina Garcia aboard for trainer Rene Talamantes. The 7/2 morning line puts this one right in the mix as a legitimate contender, and the rating gap between Hock Ajet and the rest of the field below is meaningful. Use in your trifecta as the third leg.

The opening trio gives us a nice cross-section of the day. Race 1 is a 300-yard Claiming sprint where Volcom Tac (9/2 morning line, 84.9 TrackWiz rating) draws our eye — short sprints on fast dirt reward horses that load cleanly and fire instantly, and this one fits the profile. Race 2 stretches things out to 440 yards for a Maiden field, and Political Assasin (9/2) carries the same rating into a spot where first-time class definition matters more than experience. Race 3 is our best of the free trio: Cyber Intelligence hits the board with an 87.81 rating — the highest of the three free picks — and is priced at a tempting 5/2 morning line in a 350-yard Maiden. On a day when the track is playing fast and honest, a horse with that kind of rating edge in a Maiden should be on every ticket.

The common thread through these early races? Speed off the break is paramount on a day this hot and this dry. Horses that rate near the front and don't get shuffled around in traffic are exactly what you want in short-distance quarter horse racing, and our free picks reflect that bias.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

1:11 AM EDT

Allowance · 250 yd · Dirt

This allowance sprint at just 250 yards is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it affair, and the TrackWiz ratings are tightly bunched at the top — three horses are separated by fewer than eight rating points, which could make for a very interesting photo.

win1Tunnel VisionnML 9/2

Tunnel Visionn (No. 1) leads the allowance field with an 84.9 rating and draws the inside post — critical at a 250-yard dash where the break is everything. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. is a capable pilot for trainer Martin Rodriguez, and with a 25% career win rate this horse has shown it knows how to convert. The 9/2 morning line is fair, but our model sees this one as the top selection — the rail draw in a sprint this short is a real bonus.

place10Dangit FrankML 5/1

Dangit Frank (No. 10) grades out second in the field at 77.68 and carries the same 25% career win rate as our top pick — these two are closely matched on paper. Trainer Mario J. Loza sends this one out from the outside post with Olvin Josue Martinez up, and at 5/1 there's value in using this one for the place slot. In a race decided in under four seconds, post position matters less than pure speed, and this one has the rating to hang with the top horses.

show6Ct QueenML 4/1

Ct Queen (No. 6) checks in with a 76.82 rating — essentially tied with the place pick — and gets Froylan Tellez Ramirez aboard for the Brittany N. Tellez barn, a combination we've noted multiple times tonight already. The 4/1 morning line suggests the market respects this one, and with a 16% career win rate, Ct Queen is more of a place-show type that can fill out your exotics at a reasonable price. Don't overlook this one in the trifecta.

Race 5

1:41 AM EDT

Allowance · 350 yd · Dirt

A nine-horse allowance at 350 yards with a clear top of the market — three horses rate well ahead of the rest, but the gap between second and third is narrow enough that this could get interesting for exacta players.

win2BetrueagleML 7/2

Betrueagle (No. 2) tops this allowance field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and goes at 7/2 on the morning line — solid value for the highest-rated horse in the race. Froylan Tellez Ramirez stays busy tonight aboard this Brittany N. Tellez trainee, and that familiar barn-rider combo has been a recurring theme on this card. The 20% career win rate is modest, but the raw rating here is the real story — this one grades out ahead of everyone at the distance.

place8Hes Your DaddyML 9/2

Hes Your Daddy (No. 8) rates at 78.21 with an impressive 33% career win rate — one of the better conversion numbers in this field. Oliver E. Martinez picks up the mount for trainer Raul Ramirez, and the 9/2 morning line represents a bit of value given the strong win percentage. This horse has proven it can compete at this level and get to the wire — a great place pill and exacta wheel option.

show1Lil Bolt of FireML 4/1

Lil Bolt of Fire (No. 1) comes in at 75.90 on the TrackWiz scale and draws the rail for trainer Adan Guzman with Noe Villatoro up. The 25% career win rate and 4/1 morning line make this one a legitimate contender that the public has noticed. Use on the bottom of your exacta or as the third leg of your tri — the rating and rail draw in a 350-yard sprint give this one a real path to the board.

Race 6

2:07 AM EDT

Futurity · 350 yd · Dirt

The Futurity at 350 yards features a heavy favorite that our model strongly agrees with — but the second and third spots in our ratings suggest this race is worth structuring vertically rather than playing it straight.

win2Jvm Hot VictoriaML 7/5

Jvm Hot Victoria (No. 2) is the standout of the night's Futurity card with an 89.42 TrackWiz rating and a 66% career win rate — those two numbers together make a very compelling case. The 7/5 morning-line chalk reflects a justified market opinion, and trainer Wendy Alejandra Garcia puts Rosendo E. Pina Garcia in the irons. Yes, the price is short, but when a horse combines elite ratings with a proven win rate, you back it — straight and in exotics.

place4Cholula HML 3/1

Cholula H (No. 4) grades out at 81.31 — second only to the favorite — and Alejandro Medina rides for trainer Gilberto Gonzalez, the same barn that saddles the chalk. At 3/1 on the morning line, this is the most logical place horse in the race and a natural exacta partner with Jvm Hot Victoria. The 0% career win rate in a Futurity context just means we're looking at a lightly raced youngster with a big upside profile.

show3Flying G LitosML 5/1

Flying G Litos (No. 3) checks in at 76.03 with Oliver E. Martinez riding for trainer Arnold Lewis — a reliable combination at this level. The 5/1 morning line is workable for show and trifecta purposes, and with a 16% career win rate, this one has at least shown the ability to compete. At 350 yards in a Futurity, young horses can surprise, and Flying G Litos has the rating to hit the board.

Race 7

2:33 AM EDT

Stakes · 350 yd · Dirt

The biggest field of the night — 12 horses in a Stakes sprint at 350 yards — with a genuine pace puzzle and a handful of legitimately rated horses mixed among some long shots who appear to be along for the ride.

win8Vp Dash for TexasML 9/2

Vp Dash for Texas (No. 8) leads this stakes field with an 84.9 TrackWiz rating and goes at 9/2 on the morning line — excellent value in a 12-horse stakes field. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. has been one of the more active riders tonight and picks up this mount for trainer Noe Rios. The 16% career win rate is modest, but in a field this large, the ratings edge is meaningful — and 9/2 is a genuinely playable price for the top-rated horse in a stakes race.

place7I Do Not RecallML 7/2

I Do Not Recall (No. 7) grades out at 78.44 with a 14% career win rate and gets Luis L. Vivanco up for trainer Richard G. Washington. The 7/2 morning line shows the market respects this one, and in a 12-horse stakes sprint there's legitimate pace pressure that could set things up nicely for a horse that gets a good trip. A strong place-and-exacta use against our win pick.

show3Ima ChiliML 3/1

Ima Chili (No. 3) carries an impressive 30% career win rate — one of the better conversion numbers in this stakes field — and Jose R. Herbert picks up the mount for trainer Zackery N. Rios. The 68.70 rating checks in third among our picks and third in the field overall, and the 3/1 morning line reflects legitimate market interest. With 12 horses at 350 yards, chaos is possible — Ima Chili's win rate says this horse knows how to get to the front in the photo.

Race 8

2:59 AM EDT

Allowance · 550 yd · Dirt

The longest race on tonight's card — 550 yards — which changes the pace scenario entirely and favors horses with a bit of stamina in their profile; the top two in our ratings are separated by just two points, setting up a genuine duel.

win3Top CowboyML 7/2

Top Cowboy (No. 3) leads the field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and goes at 7/2 on the morning line — fair value for the top horse at the longer 550-yard trip. Luis L. Vivanco takes the mount for trainer Marc E. Jungers, and the 20% career win rate is consistent with a horse that fires regularly at this distance. At 550 yards there's more time for this one's superiority to show itself compared to the blink-of-an-eye 250-yard sprints earlier on the card.

place1Lil Perry WagonML 2/1

Lil Perry Wagon (No. 1) is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with an 84.34 rating — only slightly behind our top pick — and carries the best career win rate among our top three at 32%. Froylan Tellez Ramirez rides for the Brittany N. Tellez stable, a connection that has appeared multiple times on this card with good results. The rail draw at 550 yards is a significant tactical advantage, and don't be surprised if this one ends up in the win photo instead.

show4Nine One WonML 6/1

Nine One Won (No. 4) grades out at 76.82 — third-best in this field — and Oliver E. Martinez takes over for trainer Raul Ramirez. The 6/1 morning line offers genuine value for the show spot, and at 20% career wins this horse has demonstrated the ability to hit the board. At the longer 550-yard distance, horses that can relax early and sustain their run have an edge, and Nine One Won's profile fits that description.

Race 9

3:25 AM EDT

Derby · 400 yd · Dirt

The Derby is the marquee event of the evening — nine horses going 400 yards with two standouts at the top of the market, including a horse with a stunning 88% career win rate that looks like the best value on the night.

win9Karma Cha ChingML 2/1

Karma Cha Ching (No. 9) is our top selection for the Derby with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating and a 45% career win rate — that combination is elite by any measure. Trainer Esteban Rubio sends this one out with Nestor Duran up, and the 2/1 morning line reflects a well-deserved market opinion. In a field where the talent drops off sharply after the top two, this is as confident a win play as you'll find tonight — the numbers line up from every angle.

place1Shes Ec to TemptML 5/2

Shes Ec to Tempt (No. 1) brings one of the most eye-popping stats of the entire card — an 88% career win rate — which almost demands a place ticket regardless of the 80.08 rating. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Jose A. Garcia from the rail, and the 5/2 morning line is fair. This horse's career record suggests it almost always hits the board, making it the safest place play of the night.

show3Chloes ManML 9/2

Chloes Man (No. 3) checks in at 74.69 — third in this Derby field — with Gilberto Linares riding for trainer Oscar Nunez. The 9/2 morning line offers solid value for a horse that clearly belongs in the mix, and the 25% career win rate suggests this one has run with quality horses before. Use Chloes Man on the bottom of your Derby exotics — the rating gap between this horse and the mid-pack is real.

Race 10

3:51 AM EDT

Futurity · 350 yd · Dirt

The second Futurity of the night at 350 yards features a fascinating ratings twist — the TrackWiz top pick does NOT align with the morning-line favorite, creating a potential value spot for players willing to trust the model over the chalk.

win7Coronas First CowboyML 4/1

Coronas First Cowboy (No. 7) tops our model at 85.62 and carries a spectacular 71% career win rate — the best conversion number in the entire Futurity field. Luis L. Vivanco rides for trainer Marc E. Jungers, and the 4/1 morning line means this one is going off at higher odds than the chalk despite grading out ahead of him in our ratings. When a horse has won nearly three out of every four career starts and the market is undervaluing it, that's where TrackWiz analysis earns its keep.

place1Ruse Man CrystalML 2/1

Ruse Man Crystal (No. 1) is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with an 82.32 rating and a 66% career win rate — those are genuinely strong numbers that explain the public's affection for this horse. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. rides for trainer Jose A. Garcia, who also trains our Derby winner pick tonight. This one is a near-automatic place ticket, and if the model is wrong about Coronas First Cowboy, Ruse Man Crystal is the most likely alternative winner.

show6Mallboro RojoML 12/1

Mallboro Rojo (No. 6) is where the value lives at 12/1 — a big price for a horse that rates at 61.01 with a 40% career win rate that's genuinely impressive. Rosendo E. Pina Garcia gets the call for trainer Rene Talamantes, and that win percentage in a Futurity context means this one has already learned how to compete. At 12/1, tossing this one in the third spot of your trifecta costs very little and pays very well if it fires.

Race 11

4:17 AM EDT

Allowance · 330 yd · Dirt

The card closes with an allowance sprint at 330 yards that features a clear top horse by the numbers — and a value play in second that could make the exacta and trifecta very interesting at the right price.

win6Fabulous CasinaML 5/2

Fabulous Casina (No. 6) closes out the card as the top-rated horse of the closing allowance with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — tied with Cyber Intelligence from Race 3 for the best maiden/allowance number of the night. Froylan Tellez Ramirez continues a busy evening for the Brittany N. Tellez barn, and at 5/2 the morning line is fair for a horse this dominant on the numbers. A 29% career win rate at the allowance level shows this one has converted at a solid clip — back it with confidence to close out your card.

place1BailleysML 6/1

Bailleys (No. 1) draws the rail and brings a 37% career win rate — the highest among our picks in this race — along with a 79.05 TrackWiz rating that puts it comfortably in second. Luis L. Vivanco picks up the mount for trainer Ben Olaveson, and the 6/1 morning line is genuine value for a horse with this kind of win percentage and a solid rating. The rail at 330 yards is a real tactical edge, and the price makes Bailleys an excellent exacta partner underneath the favorite.

show4Magic ApolliticalML 4/1

Magic Apollitical (No. 4) grades out at 76.11 with Rosendo E. Pina Garcia up for trainer Rene Talamantes — another connection we've seen deliver tonight. The 4/1 morning line is reasonable for the show spot, and a 21% career win rate at the allowance level means this horse is no stranger to the winner's circle. Round out your closer trifecta with this one — the rating, the jockey, and the trainer combination all point in the right direction.

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Bottom line: this is a meaty 11-race card at Retama Park with genuine stakes-level action baked into the back end. Cyber Intelligence is our best free play, Jvm Hot Victoria is the card's top-rated horse overall, and Karma Cha Ching is the Derby contender we're watching closest. For the full pace breakdown, exotic tickets, and every premium race — subscribe to TrackWiz and get the complete picture before first post. Good luck out there today.

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