Unlock the other 6 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — September 12, 2026

September 12, 20269 racesAll Albuquerque picks

It's a beautiful Saturday at Albuquerque — clear skies, 86 degrees, and a fast dirt track that should reward speed all afternoon. Nine races are on the card, mixing short-course quarter-horse sprints with a pair of allowance tests and a stakes race to close out the premium half of the day. Conditions are about as ideal as they get at altitude, so expect quick clockings and gates that need to be broken cleanly.

The card has real range today. You'll see maiden claimers firing off in the 330–400 yard range early on, then the action stretches out as the day develops — all the way to seven furlongs in Race 7 and 6½ in the Race 8 stakes. Whether you're here to grind the sprints or build a multi-race ticket around the longer routes, there's something worth attacking on every level of this card.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 350 yd · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claiming sprint at 350 yards where TrackWiz ratings separate the contenders — three horses cluster at the top while the rest of the field trails off sharply.

win8Chics VersionML 7/2

Chics Version tops our TrackWiz ratings at 71.56, the clear standout in this maiden field. Trainer Jorge Luis Sanchez, Jr. sends her out with jockey Oscar Andrade, Jr. aboard — a pilot who knows this strip well. In a maiden field this raw, having the top rating by a comfortable margin matters, and the 7/2 morning line looks like fair value given the edge she carries over the competition.

place3Jess Another HoneyML 3/1

Jess Another Honey comes in as the morning line favorite at 3/1 with a solid TrackWiz rating of 56.67 under jockey Francisco Zamora for trainer Zafer Vurgun. In a race full of first-timers with no speed figures to lean on, her rating gives her a legitimate claim to a piece of the exotics. If anything beats Chics Version, this filly is the most likely candidate.

show1Flashin OsbalditaML 9/2

Flashin Osbaldita rounds out our top three at a rating of 54.17, drawn favorably in the one-hole with Sergio Becerra, Jr. up for trainer Juan Meraz. The 9/2 morning line makes her a reasonable show anchor in any exotics construction, and in a chaotic 12-horse maiden sprint, having a reliable third option at a respectable price is worth including on your tickets.

Race 2

7:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

The TrackWiz numbers tell a surprisingly clear story here — one horse stands well above a competitive claiming field, creating a potential overlay opportunity at 8/1.

win11Noquit InhimML 8/1

Noquit Inhim is the play, and it isn't particularly close — a TrackWiz rating of 79.79 towers over this field. What makes the morning line of 8/1 puzzling is that his rating would be the top number in many open claiming events. Trainer Angel E. Dominguez puts Edgar S. Martinez in the irons, and a career win rate of 10% in claiming company suggests he earns his spots. If the public overlooks him because of the number, this could be the value bet of the early card.

place3Master of the CraftML 15/1

Master of the Craft draws plenty of interest despite a 15/1 morning line, posting a TrackWiz rating of 62.58 — second best in the field. Trainer David M. Gomez-Barraza gives him a shot over this 330-yard sprint, and Luis Martinez has the call. The price alone makes him worth a look in exactas underneath Noquit Inhim.

show1Chill PointML 3/1

Chill Point opens as the morning line favorite at 3/1 and carries a 59.42 TrackWiz rating plus a respectable 20% career win rate — the best win percentage in the field. Jose Luis Enriquez gets the mount for trainer Anthony Montoya. Even if she doesn't win outright, a 20-win-percentage horse in a claiming race nearly always competes, making her a reliable show anchor.

Race 3

8:20 PM EDT

Maiden · 400 yd · Dirt

Three horses are separated from the field by a wide rating gap in this maiden sprint, setting up a fascinating tri-exacta situation where the top contenders are clustered at the top of the morning line.

win11Daddys Big ChickML 9/2

Daddys Big Chick earns the win call with the highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 81.22, a number that stands out in any maiden field. Trainer Emilio Cadena, Jr. puts Brian Cobos Barraza aboard for the 400-yard test, and at 9/2 on the morning line she represents genuine value for a horse with this kind of rating edge. In maiden races where past performance is limited, raw ratings often tell the most honest story.

place10Dashingalltheway CsjML 8/1

Dashingalltheway Csj is the wild card here — a 77.82 TrackWiz rating combined with a 16% career win rate makes him the only horse in this field with a meaningful win record. That experience edge at 8/1 is hard to ignore, and trainer Mario Dominguez-Garcia sends him out with Jacob Enriquez up. For exacta players, flipping him over Daddys Big Chick is not an unreasonable ticket.

show12FranciscanML 10/1

Franciscan comes in at 10/1 with a strong 76.88 TrackWiz rating — nearly matching the top two contenders. Trainer Gene C. Garcia runs him at a longer price, and Alfredo Sigala takes the mount. If the top two set up a pace duel of sorts in this 400-yard sprint, Franciscan could steal a piece of the ticket at a double-digit price, making him a very attractive show play and tri anchor.

Our three free races give you a nice cross-section of the card's early flavor. Chics Version (Race 1, 7/2 morning line) leads off a maiden claiming sprint at 350 yards — short enough that a clean break and a strong gate figure can be the whole ballgame. In Race 2, longshot alert: Noquit Inhim opens at 8/1 in a 330-yard claimer, and that TrackWiz rating of 79.79 suggests there's more underneath the hood than the morning line implies. Don't sleep on the value there. Then Race 3 gives us Daddys Big Chick in a 400-yard maiden — a tick more distance means stamina starts to factor in, and the 81.22 rating makes this one of the stronger-rated free picks on the day.

One angle tying these early races together: on a clear, fast-dirt day like today, first-time starters and short-field maiden races tend to play more honestly — speed figures hold up, and there are fewer pace-scenario wildcards to navigate. That's good news for handicappers leaning on our ratings as a baseline.

Send me tomorrow's free Albuquerque card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

8:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 350 yd · Dirt

This 350-yard claimer has a legitimate pace scenario brewing — several horses carry decent win percentages but only a few have the ratings to back it up, creating separation at the top.

win4Mrs Nibbler JessML 6/1

Mrs Nibbler Jess is the top-rated horse in this race by a meaningful margin at 82.71, and the 6/1 morning line looks like an overlay given that edge. Trainer Alex Garcia has Raul Ortega in the irons — a jockey comfortable on this strip. A 20% career win rate adds further confidence that this horse has competed and won at this level. The rating-to-price gap here is the kind of value TrackWiz analysis is built to identify.

place8Viva Le RebaML 7/2

Viva Le Reba posts a 73.24 TrackWiz rating and comes in as the 7/2 morning line choice — second best in the field. Trainer Mike Archuleta puts Edgar S. Martinez on board, and a 11% career win rate in claiming company is workable. She profiles as a horse that should be competitive throughout this short sprint, making her a natural place horse if Mrs Nibbler Jess gets the better of her at the wire.

show9Ram ZeeML 3/1

Ram Zee opens at 3/1 on the morning line with a 72.4 TrackWiz rating and a 10% career win rate. Trainer Daniel A. Cano sends out Brian Cobos Barraza, and the clustering of ratings between Ram Zee, Viva Le Reba, and Mrs Nibbler Jess suggests all three are genuinely competitive. At 3/1, Ram Zee might not offer the best win value but is a very reliable show bet and exacta complement.

Race 5

9:10 PM EDT

Allowance · 350 yd · Dirt

An allowance sprint with a standout at the top of the ratings but a legitimate secondary tier that could make the exacta a real puzzle — the top two horses here are separated from the field.

win8Rc Asticos KittenML 7/2

Rc Asticos Kitten leads the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35 and gets Raul Ortega — one of the busiest riders on this card — for trainer Jorge A. Morales-Flores. What catches the eye is the combination of a top rating AND a 7/2 morning line, meaning the market hasn't fully priced her as the standout she appears to be. A 7% career win rate is modest, but in an allowance field this competitive, raw class and preparation often matter more than win percentage.

place4One Dulce EagleML 3/1

One Dulce Eagle is the most compelling secondary profile on the card today — a 84.52 TrackWiz rating paired with a 33% career win rate is genuinely elite at this level. Trainer Armando Alamos gives Jose Luis Enriquez the mount, and the 3/1 morning line actually makes him a borderline win threat. If Rc Asticos Kitten stumbles, One Dulce Eagle is well-positioned to capitalize in this 350-yard dash.

show6Tempting Come BackML 6/1

Tempting Come Back brings a 74.12 TrackWiz rating into this race at 6/1 — a meaningful gap below the top two but well clear of the rest of the field. Jacob Enriquez takes the call for trainer Joel J. Gonzales, and a 9% career win rate in allowance company shows she's been around competitive horses before. At 6/1, she's the kind of show horse that adds real upside to a tri ticket without breaking the bank.

Race 6

9:35 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

The switch to six furlongs brings out the thoroughbreds, and there's a clear class standout here — though the secondary tier is tight enough to make exacta construction interesting.

win2Vanishing MoneyML 2/1

Vanishing Money carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 and an eye-catching 40% career win rate — that's not a typo, and it's the kind of number that demands respect in any race. Trainer Dick Cappellucci puts Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. aboard, and an average speed figure of 54 is competitive in this six-furlong allowance. The 2/1 morning line makes her the clear favorite, and our analysis fully agrees with the public's assessment here.

place4He's a GeniusML 5/2

He's a Genius posts a 81.73 TrackWiz rating at 5/2 on the morning line for trainer Dallas J. Barton with Francisco Amparan up. His average speed figure of 56 actually leads the entire field, suggesting he has the raw ability to run with Vanishing Money over this distance. At 5/2 he won't pay much, but as a place play he's about as safe as you'll find in a six-horse allowance.

show3EyecandothisalldayML 5/1

Eyecandothisallday checks in at 76.87 on the TrackWiz scale with a 20% career win rate and an average speed of 56 — matching the field's best. Trainer Daniel Hernandez has Miguel A. Perez in the irons, and the 5/1 morning line makes this horse the best show value of the top three. If Vanishing Money and He's a Genius both hit the board in front of her, Eyecandothisallday at 5/1 show is worth adding to your exotics.

Race 7

10:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Seven furlongs for maiden claimers, and a huge rating gap at the top creates a situation where the win pool could be one-dimensional — but the place and show plays offer intriguing value.

win2I'm Just PlayingML 7/2

I'm Just Playing dominates this maiden claiming field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — a significant gap over the next-best horse. Christian Ramos gets the mount for trainer Simon J. Buechler, and an average speed figure of 54 is right in line with the field's top runners. At 7/2 on the morning line, the price is fair but not generous given the rating advantage — still, you don't fade horses this clearly superior in maiden company.

place5Shiny ShoresML 5/2

Shiny Shores is the one horse in this field with the speed figure to challenge — an average of 55 leads the entire race card entry and she carries a 68.16 TrackWiz rating. Trainer Ramon D. Gallegos puts Alfredo Sigala in the irons, and the 5/2 morning line makes her the public's second choice. Over seven furlongs, her speed profile could sustain into the stretch in a way that shorter-distance types can't.

show1Air Sport OneML 9/2

Air Sport One opens at 9/2 with a 56.96 TrackWiz rating and an average speed of 54 — matching the win pick. Trainer Roberto Fournier has a presence throughout today's card, and Enrique Portillo Gomez takes the mount. At 9/2, Air Sport One is a legitimate show play for bettors who want to build out a tri, offering a reasonable price on a horse whose speed figure keeps him in the conversation over this distance.

Race 8

10:25 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Stakes action at 6½ furlongs, and a genuine class confrontation — the top-rated horse brings an elite win percentage that should frighten the rest of this field.

win6Bye Bye VickiML 5/2

Bye Bye Vicki is our best bet of the night — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating, a 40% career win rate, and the field's best average speed figure at 56. Trainer Todd W. Fincher is a name that resonates in Quarter Horse and short-distance stakes circles, and Christian Ramos has been sharp throughout this card. At 5/2, she's not a longshot, but this is a horse whose numbers justify favorites-window confidence in a stakes spot.

place3Awesome GloryML 6/1

Awesome Glory sits at 6/1 on the morning line with a 77.52 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate — a solid profile that makes her look underpriced at that number. Trainer Daniel Hernandez puts Jose Miguel Vazquez aboard, and an average speed figure of 55 keeps her competitive over 6½ furlongs. If Bye Bye Vicki is the win play, Awesome Glory at 6/1 for the place is where the value lives in this race.

show4Caprock CutieML 7/2

Caprock Cutie rounds out our tri with a 75.97 TrackWiz rating and a 28% career win rate — the second-highest win percentage in the field. Trainer Dick Cappellucci again sends out a contender with Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. up, the same rider-trainer combo that topped Race 6. The 7/2 morning line is modest for a stakes show play, but the win percentage and trainer angle make her a reliable ticket anchor.

Race 9

10:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The closer at 5½ furlongs features a top-rated horse at a fair price, but enough depth in the field — particularly in the 20-plus percent career win rate tier — to make exacta building worth your time.

win9Cherry RiverML 5/2

Cherry River comes in with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — matching the highest mark on the card today — paired with a 23% career win rate and a consistent average speed of 55. Luis A. Valenzuela gets the mount for trainer Stetson Rushton, and at 5/2 this is one of the more confident win plays on the card. The combination of elite rating, proven win percentage, and a skilled jockey in a manageable 10-horse field is hard to argue against.

place6Chief RenegadeML 7/2

Chief Renegade opens at 7/2 with a 65.56 TrackWiz rating, a 21% career win rate, and a field-leading average speed figure of 56. Trainer Jose A. Gonzalez gives Jose Miguel Vazquez the call, and the speed figure edge is meaningful over 5½ furlongs where pace can be a factor. If Cherry River is the class of the field, Chief Renegade's raw speed gives him the best shot at running her down — or at least grabbing the place.

show1Shug's RocketML 9/2

Shug's Rocket is a legitimate show anchor at 9/2 on the morning line — a 59.18 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win rate for trainer Arthur Ray Lucero with Jose L. Torres up. His average speed of 55 keeps him right in the mix over this trip, and a horse that wins 16% of his career starts in claiming company usually competes when given a fair shot. At 9/2, the show price should be generous enough to build a profitable tri ticket.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: Albuquerque is in great shape today, the card has legitimate interest from the first gate break to the stakes finale, and our ratings have flagged some real value — including an 8/1 play in Race 2 worth a serious look. The three free picks are live, but the full edge is in the premium analysis. Dig in, build your tickets, and let's have a good day at the track.

← All Albuquerque picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free