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Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — September 11, 2026

September 11, 20269 racesAll Albuquerque picks

Clear skies and 87°F greet us at Albuquerque on Friday, September 11 — ideal conditions for a fast, sealed-up dirt track that should reward early speed throughout the card. Nine races are on the slate today, mixing Quarter Horse sprints with traditional Thoroughbred routes, and there's something for every type of player from the maiden openers to the featured stakes.

The headliner is Race 5, a Stakes sprint at 400 yards where Bp Moonlight draws the morning-line favoritism at 5/2. But don't sleep on the back half of the card — our ratings have Alexandra Elaine (Race 7) and In Spite of It (Race 9) posting two of the strongest scores of the afternoon, and both offer fair prices if the public lets them slip.

Three races are fully open to all TrackWiz readers today, covering the first three races on the card. The remaining six — including the stakes and every route race — are part of our premium breakdown. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 870 yd · Dirt

One horse dominates the ratings in this 870-yard claiming opener, but a pair of live longshots lurk underneath and could make this an interesting exacta.

win5Wedding GroomML 5/2

Wedding Groom (No. 5) is the clear class of this field by the numbers, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — more than 15 points clear of the next rival. A career win rate of 28% is elite for this level, and trainer Leroy A. Fincher sends him out as the morning-line favorite at 5/2, suggesting stable confidence. Jockey Aldo Arboleda gets the call, and with this kind of ratings edge in a 10-horse claimer, Wedding Groom is the best bet on the card for Race 1.

place4Shell GameML 8/1

Shell Game (No. 4) is quietly one of the better-structured plays underneath, carrying a 71.30 rating and an average speed figure of 56 — solid for this company. Francisco Amparan picks up the mount, and at 8/1 on the morning line, there's real value in including Shell Game in exactas beneath the favorite. The combination of a respectable speed figure and a competent rider makes this a natural place contender.

show8Kj DaddysgotthebluesML 9/2

Kj Daddysgottheblues (No. 8) has a TrackWiz rating of 69.53 — good enough for third in this field — even though the career win percentage of just 3% raises a flag. That win rate suggests a horse that hits the board but doesn't always close the deal, which is precisely why the show slot makes sense here. At 9/2 morning line, there's enough juice to include No. 8 in trifecta coverage.

Race 2

7:55 PM EDT

Maiden · 400 yd · Dirt

A wide-open maiden at 400 yards with a dozen first-time starters and no prior speed figures to lean on — this one comes down to pedigree signals, trainer intent, and ratings.

win4BreviloquentML 3/1

Breviloquent (No. 4) stands out from this field by a significant margin, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.08 in a race where the next-best horse checks in at 54.17. Trainer David M. Gomez-Barraza sends this one out at just 3/1 on the morning line, which confirms the barn knows it has a live shot. Oscar Andrade, Jr. is aboard — a capable hand for a debut runner — and in a maiden sprint where so many unknowns exist, the ratings edge is your best guide.

place8Fabulous PilotoML 9/2

Fabulous Piloto (No. 8) rates second in this field at 54.17 and comes in at a fair 9/2 morning line. Christian Ramos, who also has a mount in this race, gets the call for trainer Jorge A. Morales-Flores. In a wide-open maiden with no speed figures to differentiate, Fabulous Piloto's ratings position makes it the logical place horse behind the top pick.

show10Macallan 30ML 5/1

Macallan 30 (No. 10) holds the third-highest rating in the race at 53.33, separated by only a slim margin from Fabulous Piloto — so the show spot is genuinely competitive. Gabriel Medrano rides for trainer Wesley T. Giles, and the 5/1 morning line offers some overlay potential in the exotics. With this many first-time starters, having a third option in your trifectas is just smart bankroll management.

Race 3

8:20 PM EDT

Allowance · 400 yd · Dirt

This 400-yard allowance features a heavy ratings favorite and a pair of underliers with strong win percentages — pace will be lightning quick and positioning out of the gate is everything.

win9Woody RocksML 3/1

Woody Rocks (No. 9) carries an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — identical to the top score in Race 2 — but the career win rate of 42% is what separates this horse from the field. A 42% career win mark in allowance company is genuinely exceptional and signals a horse that consistently converts. Luis Martinez gets the mount, and trainer Tony E. Sedillo has the horse sitting at 3/1 on the morning line — a price that feels about right given the resume.

place2Beyond RimeML 8/1

Beyond Rime (No. 2) is the sleeper angle in this race, coming in with a 77.49 rating and a career win percentage of 33% — both figures that would top most fields at this level. At 8/1 on the morning line, this is where the value lies if you're building an exacta. Trainer Marc Anthony Ramirez has Jose Enrique Ortiz aboard, and a horse winning one in three lifetime deserves more respect than 8/1 implies.

show1Streakin Eye EffortML 6/1

Streakin Eye Effort (No. 1) brings a solid 74.83 rating and a 23% career win rate into this spot. Christian Ramos picks up the mount for trainer David M. Gomez-Barraza, a barn that also has the top pick in Race 2. The rail post can be tricky in short sprints, but Streakin Eye Effort's rating and consistency make it a reliable third wheel in trifecta tickets.

Our three free races today are all short-format dirt sprints — the kind of racing Albuquerque does best. In Race 1, Wedding Groom tops our model at 87.81 and goes at a sensible 5/2 morning line in the claiming opener over 870 yards. Races 2 and 3 both land at 400 yards, where Breviloquent and Woody Rocks each post identical 87.08 ratings — a dead-heat of analytical confidence that makes both worth a close look.

One angle worth tracking across all three: in warm, clear conditions like today's, Albuquerque's main track tends to favor horses with clean gate breaks and confirmed early pace. All three of our free-race top picks have profiles that fit that mold. If the first couple of races confirm a speed-favoring bias, lean into it aggressively as the card develops.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

8:45 PM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

Twelve maiden runners going 350 yards with zero career wins among them — in a race this wide open, ratings and trainer patterns are the only anchors a handicapper can grab.

win8UnawareML 5/1

Unaware (No. 8) leads all runners with a TrackWiz rating of 72.44, a meaningful edge in a field where half the runners sit below 45. Trainer Marco A. Flores sends this one out at 5/1 on the morning line, and Sergio Becerra, Jr. gets the call — a jockey with experience navigating short-distance dashes. In pure ratings terms, Unaware has the most to work with and is our top selection in a very speculative race.

place6Candy BabyML 9/2

Candy Baby (No. 6) checks in at 68.60, just a few ticks behind the top pick, and carries a 9/2 morning line that makes her a legitimate place contender on value grounds. Esgar Ramirez rides for trainer Michael G. Valenzuela, and in a 350-yard dash, breaking alertly and rating near the top of this field is all that matters. Candy Baby has the tools to hit the board.

show3Silky Gray SilkML 4/1

Silky Gray Silk (No. 3) rates third in this field at 63.79 — a clear tier above most of the field — and sits at 4/1 on the morning line as the public's likely second choice. Jose Luis Enriquez and trainer Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores combine on a horse with a legitimate ratings case for the show slot. In a 12-horse maiden sprint, covering three deep in your trifectas is essential, and Silky Gray Silk earns that spot.

Race 5

9:10 PM EDT

Stakes · 400 yd · Dirt

A 10-horse stakes at 400 yards featuring a clear ratings leader and a barn that saddled both the top pick and a major contender — trainer Sebastian Gonzales could be the story of this race.

win6Bp MoonlightML 5/2

Bp Moonlight (No. 6) tops this stakes field with an 82.34 TrackWiz rating and a 23% career win rate that holds up respectably in stakes company. Trainer Sebastian Gonzales — who also saddles London Lights in this same race — evidently likes Bp Moonlight as the barn's best shot, and the 5/2 morning line backs that up. Joseph Belloc, Jr. gets the mount, and at 400 yards, a horse this well-rated at this kind of price is the kind of play you build your ticket around.

place3Naughty PoliticsML 7/2

Naughty Politics (No. 3) brings a 74.19 rating and a 22% career win mark into a stakes spot, which is a perfectly respectable stakes profile. Gabriel Medrano rides for Anthony Montoya, and the 7/2 morning line reflects the public's recognition of this horse as the main threat to the top pick. In a race where the favorite has a clear ratings edge, Naughty Politics is the most natural place horse on the board.

show8Kj Flying CowgirlML 8/1

Kj Flying Cowgirl (No. 8) rates third in this field at 64.59, a bit off the top two but comfortably ahead of most of the remaining runners. Trainer Wesley T. Giles has Luis A. Valenzuela in the irons, and at 8/1 on the morning line there's value in the exotics here. An 18% career win rate in stakes suggests a horse capable of hitting the board consistently — exactly what you want from a show pick.

Race 6

9:35 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short Maiden Special Weight field at 5½ furlongs where trainer Dick Cappellucci controls the two main contenders — a potential pace advantage that could shape the entire race.

win5Bitcoin BuyML 2/1

Bitcoin Buy (No. 5) tops this six-horse maiden field with a 58.33 rating and an average speed figure of 55, showing the horse has at least some form to build on. Oscar Andrade, Jr. gets the ride for Cappellucci, and the 2/1 morning line reflects both the horse's quality and the trainer's dual-entry leverage. In a short field where speed figures matter, Bitcoin Buy's combination of top rating and workout-backed speed gives it the edge.

place6Fruity SnackML 5/2

Fruity Snack (No. 6) is trained by Filiberto Quiroz — who also trains Trust Louie Q — and comes in with a 57.50 rating and an average speed figure of 54. Christian Ramos climbs aboard, and at 5/2 morning line this is nearly a co-favorite scenario. The speed figure is close enough to Bitcoin Buy's that if the pace gets complicated, Fruity Snack has the talent to pick up the pieces.

show4Comforts GemML 4/1

Comforts Gem (No. 4) sits third in the ratings at 55.00 with a 4/1 morning line, rounding out what amounts to a very tightly bunched top trio. Enrique Portillo Gomez rides for trainer Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr., and in a six-horse field the show pool isn't always the most profitable bet — but Comforts Gem earns a spot in your exacta and trifecta boxes given the close ratings spread.

Race 7

10:00 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The top-rated horse in this Allowance Optional Claiming mile-route carries an imposing ratings edge, but a pair of speed-figure-capable rivals and a public favorite with a 50% win rate complicate the pace scenario.

win4Alexandra ElaineML 5/2

Alexandra Elaine (No. 4) leads this field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark on the entire card tonight — and a career win percentage of 28% in allowance optional claiming company. The average speed figure of 57 is the best in the race, and trainer Bart G. Hone puts Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. on board at 5/2. When you combine the top rating, best speed figure, and a competent jockey-trainer combo, this is a strong best bet.

place6Pink PacificML 5/1

Pink Pacific (No. 6) rates second in this field at 71.08 with an average speed figure of 57 — matching the top pick stride for stride in the speed department. Trainer Gary W. Cross has Alejandro Medellin in the irons, and the 5/1 morning line makes Pink Pacific an excellent value underneath. A 26% career win rate suggests this horse knows how to compete, and the speed figure support makes the place bet attractive.

show1Lucky VegasML 8/1

Lucky Vegas (No. 1) is an eye-catching profile as our show pick — a 46% career win rate is elite, and an average speed figure of 56 keeps it competitive. Trainer Sherry Armstrong has Enrique Portillo Gomez up, and while the 69.16 rating sits third in the field, the career win rate is actually the best in the race. At 8/1 on the morning line, Lucky Vegas offers real longshot value and belongs in every trifecta in Race 7.

Race 8

10:25 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The public is leaning hard on a 2/1 morning-line favorite with only a middling rating, while the TrackWiz numbers point squarely to a 4/1 overlay as the horse to beat in this Allowance Optional Claiming sprint.

win3AlbertusML 4/1

Albertus (No. 3) tops this field with an 85.62 rating — well clear of the morning-line favorite McKinzie Street, who checks in at just 44.96 despite being installed at 2/1. A 30% career win rate and an average speed figure of 56 further bolster the case. Trainer Alberto Amparan puts his own son Francisco Amparan in the irons, a family operation that's clearly motivated — and at 4/1 we may be getting an overlay on the best horse in the race.

place6Fire BreatherML 5/2

Fire Breather (No. 6) is a fascinating piece of this puzzle: a 50% career win rate is the best in the race by a significant margin, and the 77.09 rating is second in the field. Trainer Timothy Mark Gleason sends this one out at 5/2, and Aldo Arboleda — who also rides the top pick in Race 1 — gets the mount. A horse winning half its career starts at this level belongs in every exacta, and the place bet at 5/2 represents solid value.

show2ApuroML 5/1

Apuro (No. 2) has the third-best rating in the race at 60.71 and the highest average speed figure in the field at 58 — a number that stands out. Trainer Clinton Crawford has Oscar Andrade, Jr. in the irons, and a 15% career win rate isn't flashy, but the speed figure says this horse can run. At 5/1, Apuro is worth including in trifectas as the horse most likely to throw in a career-best effort.

Race 9

10:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a claiming sprint with a clear ratings standout facing a field that includes a morning-line favorite with a higher win percentage — expect some public money to create an overlay on the TrackWiz top pick.

win5In Spite of ItML 7/2

In Spite of It (No. 5) posts the highest TrackWiz rating in this race at 86.35, and while the career win percentage of 17% is modest, the ratings edge over the field is what drives the selection. Oscar Andrade, Jr. gets the mount for trainer Albert Valles, and the 7/2 morning line is a fair price for the horse the numbers favor most. In a seven-horse claiming field at 5½ furlongs, the pace should set up for a horse with this kind of rating to get the job done.

place3Lady AdmiralML 5/2

Lady Admiral (No. 3) brings a 78.62 rating and a career win percentage of 33% — the highest in this field and a genuine sign of a horse that converts at the claiming level. Luis A. Valenzuela rides for trainer Stetson Rushton, who also saddles Running Commentary in this race. The 5/2 morning line on Lady Admiral reflects public confidence, and that win rate alone makes her a must-use in the exacta.

show2Robin RedML 3/1

Robin Red (No. 2) rates third in the field at 64.83, carries a solid average speed figure of 56, and posts a 23% career win rate that holds up respectably in claiming company. Trainer Trevor Rushton puts Luis Ramon Rodriguez up, and the 3/1 morning line means the public already respects this one. The combination of a credible speed figure, a decent win rate, and a top trainer makes Robin Red the natural show ticket in the nightcap.

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It's a well-rounded card at Albuquerque today with sharp plays scattered from gate to wire. Wedding Groom, Breviloquent, and Woody Rocks headline the free analysis, while the premium card is anchored by Alexandra Elaine, In Spite of It, and the Stakes intrigue surrounding Bp Moonlight. Good luck at the windows — and if you want every angle, every ticket, and every pace projection, the full breakdown is waiting for you at TrackWiz Premium.

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