Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — September 16, 2026

Kj Loco Motion rates second at 78.43 and connects with jockey Jorge Nieto-Saenz for trainer Edwin A. Martinez. A gap of roughly seven points below the top pick still puts Kj Loco Motion well clear of the third-rated horse, making her the natural exacta partner. The 9/2 morning line is workable, and in a maiden sprint where anything can happen at the break, she's the most logical alternative if Apollitical Duchess misses.

Political Dreams brings a 74.88 rating into this spot and draws the 5 post with Gabriel Medrano — one of the more active jockeys on this card. Trainer Manuel Rodolfo Rodriguez has her listed at 5/2, suggesting morning-line makers see her as live despite a rating slightly below the top two. She's a sensible trifecta inclusion for those looking to box the top trio, especially given her near-even odds could mean the market has information we haven't fully accounted for.

Miss Madame is a razor-thin second at 84.78 — just 0.12 points behind La Tentatrice — and also averages a 54 speed figure on the route. Trainer Rafael S. Barraza is an interesting note here: he also saddles Siempre Naman in this race, splitting his barn between the second and third picks. Jockey Aldo Arboleda rides her at 5/2 morning line, and with two Barraza runners in the mix, the trainer clearly has confidence in this spot.

Siempre Naman, the second Barraza entry in this race, rates third at 73.22 — a meaningful step below the top two but still well clear of the remainder. The 8/1 morning line makes her the standout value in trifecta exotics, particularly given the trainer's dual-entry presence. Luis Ramon Rodriguez takes the mount, and in a maiden route where pace can spread the field, a third contender with solid rating backing is a worthy inclusion.

Citizen Barrett rates second at 85.18 with a 13% career win rate — one of the better strike rates in this field — and shows a 54 average speed figure, a tick better than Consecrated. Jockey Alejandro Medellin rides for trainer Jeffrey J. Trujillo at 7/2, and the career win percentage here tells you this horse has a habit of hitting the board. If Consecrated handles the pace pressure, Citizen Barrett is the most likely beneficiary of any early chaos.

American Secrets is the most intriguing piece of this trifecta at 5/2 with a 22% career win rate — the highest of any horse in this field. That win percentage stands out in claiming company and says this horse can compete at a higher rate than her 85.08 rating might suggest on its own. Gabriel Medrano rides for trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral, and in a race where the top three are separated by just over two rating points, she's far from a throwaway in the bottom slot.

Take Tres rates just a hair below at 56.67 but is notable for being one of the few horses in this field with an average speed figure on record — a 55 on the dirt at this distance. Jockey Cerapio Figueroa rides for trainer Rafael S. Barraza, who is clearly active on this card. An actual speed figure is a meaningful edge in a MSW field of mostly unknown quantities, and the 3/1 morning line is fair given that advantage.

Cyber Sword checks in at 55.83 with Oscar Andrade, Jr. aboard for trainer Robertino Diodoro — and that trainer name is worth noting as one of the more accomplished conditioners represented today. At 7/2 on the morning line, Cyber Sword sits in a fair price range to anchor trifecta exotics. In a compressed ratings race like this, the trainer angle can be a meaningful tiebreaker, and Diodoro's pedigree lends weight to this runner.

Go Water brings the second-highest rating in the race at 81.16 and sports a 3/1 morning line, with Miguel A. Perez riding for trainer Adam Archuleta. An 8% career win rate in claiming company isn't flashy, but a 55 average speed figure on this surface is consistent with a horse that can run near the front and hold on in a six-furlong test. If Max's Maxine gets any pace trouble early, Go Water has the profile to capitalize.

Chasenuinmydreams rates third in the field at 68.99 — a notable step below the top two, but still well clear of the rest — with a 13% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure. Francisco Zamora rides for trainer Sherry Armstrong at 7/2, and the career win percentage is one of the better marks in this field. She's a natural trifecta anchor for players who want coverage beneath the top two.

Don't Hit Me Bash enters at a 71.26 TrackWiz rating with a 14% career win rate and an average speed figure of 56 — the best speed output among the top contenders in this race. Jockey Alejandro Medellin rides for trainer Andres Gonzalez at a 3/1 morning line, and the higher speed figure suggests this horse could put pressure on the pace early. In a five-furlong sprint, a horse who runs a 56 speed figure and has double-digit win percentage is a natural exacta partner.

Rainbow Crest rates third at 59.47 with a 9% career win rate and a 55 average speed figure — good enough to show up in the exotics even if she's unlikely to threaten the top two in a straight fight. Francisco Zamora rides for trainer Bernadette Barrios at 6/1 morning line, which makes her a value inclusion in trifecta tickets. If the top two have any sort of trouble, Rainbow Crest's solid speed figure gives her the juice to sneak into the frame.

Hallie's Gal rates second at 76.29 and shows the best average speed figure in this field at 54 — a meaningful edge in a maiden route where raw speed can be the deciding factor over six furlongs. Luis Ramon Rodriguez rides for trainer Joel H. Marr at 5/2 on the morning line, making her the co-favorite with a legitimate case to flip the top two. Her speed figure advantage could be decisive if the pace sets up favorably for a closer.

M G Showoff rates third at 74.25 and represents Valdez-Cabral's second entry in this race, ridden by Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. The 9/2 morning line is fair value for a horse with the third-best rating in the field and a trainer who clearly believes in both of his runners here. The 51 average speed figure is a touch below the top two, but in a maiden claiming finale where the field is inexperienced, hitting the board at a price is a reasonable expectation.