Daily Picks

Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — May 25, 2026

Monday, May 25, 202610 racesAlbuquerque

Happy Memorial Day weekend at Albuquerque! We've got a full 10-race card on tap this Monday afternoon under cloudy skies and a comfortable 79°F — the kind of mild, dry conditions that tend to keep the dirt track consistent and fast. No rain in the picture means we're not expecting any surface surprises, so speed figures should translate cleanly and pace scenarios should play out close to form.

The card spans a nice mix of Claiming and Maiden Claiming sprints, plus a headliner in Race 9 — a 350-yard Stakes that brings out the quarter horse crowd and some of the quickest horses you'll see all meet. That's a race worth circling early. Throw in a couple of intriguing morning-line longshots in Races 6 and 7, and there's real value scattered across this card if you know where to look.

TrackWiz has ratings and analysis locked in for all 10 races. Races 1, 2, and 3 are free for everyone — a solid starting point. Premium subscribers get the full card breakdown, including the Stakes, the Maiden fields, and our multi-race wager strategies.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A clear class standout tops this 5 1/2-furlong dirt claimer, but a legitimate morning-line favorite lurks underneath and could keep the exacta competitive.

win5Regal's CharmML 5/2

Regal's Charm is the easy top pick here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — a full 15 points clear of the second-best horse in the field. Kelsi Purcell gets the call, and with a career win rate of 15% and the best average speed figure in the field at 56, this one checks every box. At 5/2 on the morning line, there's not a ton of value, but the class edge is real and hard to dismiss in a field this thin at the top.

place3Hotshot LukML 2/1

Hotshot Luk (3) comes in as the morning-line favorite at 2/1 with a strong 18% career win rate — the best in the field — and trainer Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr. already has another horse in the race, signaling stable confidence. The TrackWiz rating of 72.33 is solid for the level, and at 2/1, a place finish is a likely outcome even if Regal's Charm has too much class.

show4Annie Get Ur GunsML 5/1

Annie Get Ur Guns (4) checks in at 58.63 in the ratings with an average speed figure of 55, matching the top of the field alongside Regal's Charm. Jose L. Torres rides for trainer Arturo Chavez, and at 5/1 on the morning line, she offers enough upside to slot into exacta and trifecta coverage as a show hedge.

Race 2

7:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A deep six-furlong claimer with multiple horses bunched near the top of the TrackWiz ratings — the pace figures to be honest, and the closers may have a say late.

win1Be a ProML 3/1

Be a Pro (1) leads our TrackWiz ratings in this field at 87.08 and brings the best career win rate in the race at 21% — that kind of consistent winning punch is exactly what you want at the top of a claiming field. Luis A. Valenzuela takes the mount for trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral, a combination that gives this horse every chance to break on top from the rail and control the pace scenario. The average speed figure of 55 is right in line with the field, so this isn't a figure standout — it's a class and consistency play.

place7Speed Bump BobML 9/2

Speed Bump Bob (7) posts an 84.90 TrackWiz rating and matches a 15% career win rate alongside Shug's Rocket — respectable numbers for a horse going postward at 9/2. Luis Ramon Rodriguez rides for trainer Lillian N. Silva, and with an average speed of 56 — tied for the field's best — this one has the raw ability to hit the board even if Be a Pro draws clear.

show2Shug's RocketML 5/2

Shug's Rocket (2) at 5/2 is the third-best rated horse in the field at 78.47, and with a 15% career win rate and an average speed of 57 — the highest in the field — there's a legitimate case that the figures alone justify a show ticket. Trainer Bennie L. Woolley, Jr. sends this one out with Enrique Portillo Gomez up, and the speed figure edge could keep this one in the hunt through the stretch of six furlongs.

Race 3

8:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Stepn Into Traffic towers over this seven-furlong field on paper, but trainer Sherry Armstrong saddles two horses — setting up an interesting pace dynamic that could benefit closers.

win6Stepn Into TrafficML 3/1

Stepn Into Traffic (6) carries an eye-popping 33% career win rate — by far the best in this field — and ties for the top TrackWiz rating at 87.08. Luis A. Valenzuela pilots for trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral, a combination that has clearly found a level where this horse is well-suited. The 3/1 morning line is fair value given the performance profile, and seven furlongs should give this horse plenty of time to settle and strike.

place4Wild SteelML 5/2

Wild Steel (4) is the second-highest rated horse in the field at 81.93 and goes postward at a generous 5/2 on the morning line — posted for trainer Sherry Armstrong, who also has Brandon's Girl in the race. The dual-entry angle from Armstrong's barn could set up a pace scenario that benefits Wild Steel, and Alejandro Medellin is a capable pilot to navigate traffic and hit the board.

show5Discreet PleasureML 9/2

Discreet Pleasure (5) slots in third in our ratings at 64.01 and gets the services of Erick Medellin for trainer Bernadette Barrios, who runs horses regularly at this meet. At 9/2 on the morning line, there's real trifecta value here — the average speed of 54 matches several others in the field, and if the pace gets honest over seven furlongs, this horse has the profile to close into a show spot.

The first three races set up as a trio of dirt sprints on what projects to be a fast, fair track. Our top-rated horse on the day, Regal's Charm (Race 1, 87.81 TrackWiz rating, morning line 5/2), opens the card as a horse we're firmly behind at a price that isn't going to scare anyone away. In Race 2, Be a Pro checks in at 87.08 at 3/1 — a solid early-card spot where the pace scenario should set up nicely for a presser. Then Stepn Into Traffic (Race 3, 87.08, 3/1) stretches the distance out to 7 furlongs, and our analysis likes the class profile here against this Claiming field.

One thing connecting these free plays: all three top picks project as mid-pack to pressing types, and on a surface where early speed can be vulnerable through the turn at this route, that's a meaningful edge. Look for horses with tactical speed rather than pure front-runners in today's sprint distances.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

8:45 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Wide-open maiden claimer where nobody has broken their maiden yet — TrackWiz ratings separate two clear horses from the rest, but upsets are always on the table in maiden company.

win6West Is WestML 5/2

West Is West (6) tops the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark in this maiden claimer — and posts an average speed of 55, tied for best in the field. Trainer Jeffrey J. Trujillo puts Aldo Arboleda up, and the 5/2 morning line is fair for a horse that stands out on both rating and speed. In maiden claiming events, the top-rated horse hits at a high rate when the gap is this pronounced.

place3Bye Bye RussML 3/1

Bye Bye Russ (3) is a strong second in the field at 83.85 on the TrackWiz scale — only four points behind the top pick — and trainer Todd W. Fincher is a name that warrants respect at any level. Luis A. Valenzuela takes the mount, and at 3/1 on the morning line, this horse represents the best bridesmaid candidate in the race, especially if West Is West gets away cleanly.

show8FinancialML 9/2

Financial (8) is the third-highest rated maiden in the field at 54.17, which admittedly represents a sizable gap behind the top two — but in maiden claiming, anything can happen on any given day. Alejandro Medellin is one of the sharper riders at this meet, and the 9/2 morning line on trainer Simon J. Buechler's runner makes this a worthwhile show ticket for trifecta players looking to round out the bottom.

Race 5

9:10 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

An intriguing pace setup in this 5 1/2-furlong claimer — the top two TrackWiz-rated horses sit just one point apart, making this race closer on paper than the morning line suggests.

win3Rainbow CrestML 5/2

Rainbow Crest (3) leads our TrackWiz ratings at 83.87 and draws the services of Erick Medellin for trainer Bernadette Barrios, a barn that keeps horses fit and competitive at this meet. The 5/2 morning line is a slight overlay given the narrow rating edge over Nobody's Perfect, and an average speed of 54 is right in the mix for this field. At 5 1/2 furlongs, early position matters, and this horse profiles well for a quick, tactical sprint.

place1Nobody's PerfectML 6/1

Nobody's Perfect (1) presents a compelling place case at 6/1 on the morning line — that's considerable value for a horse rated 82.71, essentially co-top of the field with the win pick. Trainer Greg Green sends this one out with Miguel A. Perez, and an 11% career win rate is respectable for the claiming level. From the rail, pace dynamics could favor a horse that wants to be on or near the lead.

show6Blacksod BayML 7/2

Blacksod Bay (6) checks in third in our ratings at 75.30 and brings the best average speed figure in the field at 56 — that kind of raw speed number is a legitimate factor over 5 1/2 furlongs. Trainer Jeffrey J. Trujillo sends this one out at 7/2 morning line, and Aldo Arboleda knows how to ride a speed horse in a short sprint. A solid show ticket for exacta and trifecta construction.

Race 6

9:35 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A fascinating betting race where the morning-line favorite — Stackers at 2/1 — has one of the lower TrackWiz ratings in the field, while our top pick opens at a generous 6/1.

win1Dashing AmericanML 6/1

Dashing American (1) is our top-rated horse in this field at 82.71, yet the morning line has this one out at 6/1 — that kind of disconnect between public pricing and analytical value is exactly where TrackWiz tries to find edge. Kelsi Purcell takes the mount for trainer Sherry Armstrong, and an 11% career win rate is solid for the claiming ranks. If Stackers gets bet down from 2/1 as expected and fails to fire — which happens regularly to horses priced below their ability — Dashing American is primed to steal the show.

place5Silver TwilightML 4/1

Silver Twilight (5) brings the best career win rate in the entire field at 25% — in a claiming race at this level, that sustained winning ability is a meaningful signal. Alejandro Medellin takes the mount for trainer Danny Morales at 4/1, and a TrackWiz rating of 69.66 ranks second in the field. The place pool here could offer real value if the public over-invests in the morning-line chalk.

show2StackersML 2/1

Stackers (2) is likely to be heavily bet despite a TrackWiz rating of just 47.69 — third-lowest in the field — and a career win rate of only 3%. We're not buying this one as a win play, but Luis Ramon Rodriguez is experienced and a show finish isn't out of the question if the pace falls apart. Include lightly in exotics as a hedge against the inevitable crowd favorite.

Race 7

10:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Mindblower enters this seven-furlong dirt claimer as our top pick but opens at 6/1 — a potential value overlay in a race where two other horses sit close on ratings and the pace scenario could get complicated.

win4MindblowerML 6/1

Mindblower (4) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 82.71 and brings a 16% career win rate — the best in this seven-horse field. Luis A. Valenzuela takes the mount for trainer Todd W. Fincher, a respected conditioner, and the 6/1 morning line looks generous for a horse with this kind of profile. Seven furlongs suits a horse that can rate and run, and this is a spot where the market may have underestimated the top-rated runner.

place3ApremontML 3/1

Apremont (3) comes in second on our ratings at 76.83 with an 11% career win rate and an average speed of 55 — matching the field co-leaders. Erick Medellin rides for trainer Bernadette Barrios, and at 3/1 on the morning line, this horse is likely to attract public support. The profile here is a pace-pressing type that can grind out a place finish even if Mindblower draws clear.

show2CrossrighthandsML 5/2

Crossrighthands (2) rates just a hair below Apremont at 76.42 with a 9% career win rate and an average speed of 55. Gabriel Medrano rides for Sherry Armstrong, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this is likely the public's top choice — which means show money could be thin. Still, the speed and rating make this a legitimate trifecta piece, especially if the pace gets honest over the route of ground.

Race 8

10:25 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Punkin Puddin rules the TrackWiz ratings in this six-furlong dirt claimer, but two other horses with solid ratings and experience make this a trifecta worth constructing carefully.

win6Punkin PuddinML 3/1

Punkin Puddin (6) leads the field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and posts an average speed of 56 — the best in the race. Luis A. Valenzuela picks up the mount for trainer Casey T. Lambert, and a 9% career win rate is modest but the rating says this horse is performing better than that number suggests. At 3/1 on the morning line, the value is fair — this is a horse that should be respected as the top contender in a manageable field.

place3Gypsy WildcatML 3/1

Gypsy Wildcat (3) is second in our ratings at 73.72 with a 12% career win rate and an average speed of 55 — consistent numbers across the board for a horse trained by Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral. Enrique Portillo Gomez takes the mount, and at 3/1 on the morning line — same odds as the win pick — this horse offers legitimate each-way appeal. A place finish here should be strongly considered.

show2B F T Rigged UpML 5/2

B F T Rigged Up (2) checks in third in the ratings at 63.20 and brings the most experience-backed win rate among the supporting cast at 14% career. Aldo Arboleda rides for Bennie L. Woolley, Jr., and the 5/2 morning line suggests the public sees value here too. With an average speed of 55 matching the top picks, this horse has the raw ability to factor into the trifecta.

Race 9

10:50 PM EDT

Stakes · 350 yd · Dirt

The day's marquee event — a 12-horse stakes sprint at 350 yards that shifts into quarter horse territory, where gate speed and raw sprint ability reign supreme over pace scenarios.

win7Teller Perry MrlML 3/1

Teller Perry Mrl (7) leads our TrackWiz ratings for this stakes field at 84.18 and goes postward at a fair 3/1 on the morning line. Flavio Lozano gets the call for trainer Jose Ignacio DeHerrera — who also saddles Apollitical Crown and Apollitical Boogie J — giving the barn multiple live shots in the race. A 17% career win rate in stakes company over the ultra-short 350-yard distance speaks to consistency at this level, and our numbers say this is the horse to beat.

place4Naughty PoliticsML 5/1

Naughty Politics (4) is second in our ratings at 81.26 and brings an excellent 26% career win rate — one of the better marks in this field. Gabriel Medrano takes the mount for trainer Anthony Montoya at 5/1 morning line, and that price represents genuine value for the second-best-rated runner in a stakes field. In a 350-yard dash where margins are razor-thin, this one has the profile to finish right alongside the winner.

show12Hes My SweetheartML 15/1

Hes My Sweetheart (12) is our show selection and a legitimate value play at 15/1 on the morning line despite a 69.58 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field. The career win rate of 60% is absolutely eye-catching and suggests this horse knows how to win at this distance, even if the rating doesn't quite match the top two. Trainer Juvencio Canales spots this one well, and at 15/1, a show ticket here offers outstanding overlay value for trifecta players.

Race 10

11:15 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claimer to close the card, and Ghost Goddess stands out clearly at the top of our ratings — though Danjerus Cloud and Pleasin N Teasin make this a trifecta worth playing deep.

win4Ghost GoddessML 5/2

Ghost Goddess (4) tops the TrackWiz ratings in this maiden field with an 87.81 — the same elite number that Regal's Charm and West Is West carried earlier in the card. Enrique Portillo Gomez takes the mount for trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral, who also saddles Charlizeangelbaby, and an average speed of 55 is the joint-best in the field. The 5/2 morning line is fair, and this is the kind of maiden that our ratings suggest is ready to break through.

place3Danjerus CloudML 7/2

Danjerus Cloud (3) comes in second in the field at 68.77 with Kelsi Purcell taking the mount for trainer Sherry Armstrong — a sharp combination that places horses in good spots regularly at this meet. The 7/2 morning line is reasonable for a filly that profiles as the legitimate second choice on ability, and an average speed of 53 is respectable for the class level. A place finish here should be expected if the top pick fires.

show2Pleasin N TeasinML 8/1

Pleasin N Teasin (2) slots in at 66.77 in our ratings — just one point below Danjerus Cloud — making this an incredibly tight call for third. Luis Ramon Rodriguez rides for trainer Jeff D. Hudson, and an average speed of 54 puts this one right in the mix with the field. The 8/1 morning line is the interesting part: if the public loads up on the top two, Pleasin N Teasin could offer exceptional show pool value to close out the card.

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Bottom line: Albuquerque is serving up a clean, fast-track afternoon with legitimate top picks in Regal's Charm, Be a Pro, and Stepn Into Traffic to kick things off — all free to read right now. The Stakes in Race 9 is the marquee spot, and we've got longshot angles in Races 6 and 7 that could pay off big if the pace sets up right. Subscribers get the full picture, including ticket builds and pace maps for every race. Good luck out there — race smart, and enjoy the holiday card.

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