Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — August 23, 2026

Marksalot (5) is the strongest challenger with a rating of 72.08 and an impressive 25% career win rate — second only to Sheza Goin Comfort's 26% in this field. The average speed figure of 56 matches American Cherub's top mark, meaning this horse has the raw ability to keep pace at five furlongs. At 3/1, trainer Emilio Cadena Jr. has a live contender that could easily reverse the verdict if American Cherub has an off day.

Leonas Girl (6) rates 56.30 and posts an 11% career win rate in a field where the bottom half struggles to break double digits. Trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral is a high-volume conditioner at Albuquerque who knows how to place horses, and the 7/2 morning line offers fair value for a show ticket. This one is a natural trifecta closer with enough back class to land a piece.

Gangster (1) is separated from Carl Erskine by just 1.05 rating points (83.85 vs. 84.90) and goes as the morning-line second choice at 5/2. Miguel A. Perez handles the mount for trainer Jeff D. Hudson, and the rail draw in a one-mile route can be a significant advantage on a track where early position often matters. The tight ratings suggest this is a genuine battle for the top two spots.

Master Chief Mike (4) slots in third on our ratings at 75.53 — a meaningful step below the top pair but well clear of the rest of the field. Trainer Justin R. Evans sends this one out at 3/1, which is actually the shortest price of our top three picks and may reflect stable confidence heading into the race. Oscar Andrade Jr. has a strong book of business at Albuquerque and can coax an honest effort out of a maiden at a mile.

Runaway Goddess (1) rates 77.09 — second-best in the field — and gets the rail post, which at 5½ furlongs on dirt can help a horse conserve ground early and set up a strong finish. Trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral is one of the more active conditioners at Albuquerque and places horses well, and a 6% career win rate actually understates this one's consistency across the form cycle. At 7/2, this is a solid place play and natural exotic partner to Jawdropper.

Brandon's Girl (2) rates 70.87 and checks in third on our TrackWiz model, with trainer Sherry Armstrong keeping the horse sharp between starts. The 8% career win rate is middle-of-the-pack for this field, and Enrique Portillo Gomez gives this one a strong chance to find the show spot. At 3/1, the morning line is competitive pricing for a horse that profiles as a legitimate piece of the trifecta.

Venus Rocks (10) rates 70.98 — second in the field — and goes as the 5/2 morning-line favorite despite sitting behind Shenanigans Storm on our model. Trainer Dan H. Dennison and jockey Gabriel Medrano form a workmanlike combination, and the outside post at 10 in a sprint can actually free a horse to find its own running room early. If the market makes Venus Rocks the favorite by post time, the place pool could offer even more value.

Pleasin N Teasin (8) earns a 65.47 rating — third-best in the field — and goes at 8/1 on the morning line, which is a genuine overlay for a horse this well-positioned in the ratings hierarchy. Trainer Jeff D. Hudson knows how to spot a maiden in a winnable spot, and Jose Miguel Vazquez provides solid handling in the irons. At 8/1, this one is a prime show bet and a worthwhile trifecta inclusion.

Fear the Cruise (5) earns a 69.82 TrackWiz rating and carries a 14% career win rate — the highest in this field — making the place projection very defensible. Trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral runs the horse at a distance the rating says suits, and Francisco Zamora handles the mount from the five post. At 7/2, this is a legitimate place contender with more raw winning experience than anything else in the field.

American Secrets (4) rates 66.32 and boasts a 12% career win rate, slotting in neatly as the third wheel in our top picks. Trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral runs both American Secrets and Fear the Cruise here, which tells you he thinks the barn has multiple live options in the race. Gabriel Medrano gets the mount, and at 9/2 the morning line is fair for a horse likely to hit the board.

Eyecandothisallday (1) rates 72.98 — second in the field — and posts a field-best 22% career win rate, meaning this horse converts at a higher clip than anyone else entered today. Trainer Daniel Hernandez and jockey Gabriel Medrano have the rail and should get a clean trip in the early going. At 7/2, a horse winning at 22% is worth more than that number suggests, making the place pool very attractive.

American Ranger Bb (2) sits third in ratings at 72.89 — virtually identical to Eyecandothisallday — but brings a stunning 33% career win rate that towers over the rest of the field. Trainer Joel H. Marr has Luis A. Valenzuela up, and a horse converting at one-in-three historically is always dangerous in a six-furlong allowance sprint. At 3/1, this is a show lock candidate and a must-use in any trifecta construction.

Double Ride (4) is the longshot angle of this race at 15/1, posting a 69.58 TrackWiz rating — second in the field — that stands in stark contrast to the morning-line odds. The 14% career win rate is respectable, and trainer Alberto Amparan puts son Francisco Amparan aboard, a confident family booking. If the 15/1 holds near post time, this is one of the better overlay plays on the card in the place pool.

Probate (7) rates 60.77 and carries a 16% career win rate — one of the stronger conversion numbers in the field — while going at a reasonable 9/2 on the morning line. Trainer Alberto Amparan runs both Double Ride and Probate in this race, splitting the family stable, and Alfredo J. Juarez Jr. picks up the mount here. Having two horses in a race this competitive gives the Amparan barn a real chance of landing at least one piece.

Sombrero Negro (6) rates 57.96 — second in a field that drops sharply after Tinaja — and goes at a very attractive 7/2 on the morning line, giving the place pool real value if Tinaja runs as expected. Trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral is the most active conditioner at Albuquerque and knows how to spot a maiden in the right spot, and the 55 average speed figure ties for best among the mid-tier group. Enrique Portillo Gomez is an upgrade in the irons for a horse trying to break through.

Awsome Charlie (8) rates 54.70 — third-best among horses with speed figures on record — and goes at 5/1 on the morning line in a field this deep and spread out. Trainer Casey T. Lambert has Gabriel Medrano up, and a 53 average speed figure is in line with the competitive middle of this field. In a 12-horse maiden claimer, getting 5/1 on the third-rated horse in show tickets and trifecta boxes is exactly the kind of spot TrackWiz analysis is designed to find.