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Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — September 23, 2026

September 23, 20269 racesAll Albuquerque picks

Rain is falling at Albuquerque today, and at 62°F the track is going to be playing a different tune than bettors saw earlier this meet. Nine races on the dirt, and every single one of them needs to be re-evaluated through the lens of a wet, potentially tiring surface. Horses that love to roll on the front end may find themselves digging into a surface that doesn't give them back what they put in.

The card spans the full spectrum — maiden claimers, straight claimers, a starter optional claimer, and an allowance closer to the end of the day that shapes up as the class race of the afternoon. Distances range from 5½ furlongs up to a mile, so pace scenarios are going to swing wildly from race to race. That's actually where the opportunity lives on a day like this.

TrackWiz has full ratings across all nine races. Three of those are open to everyone today — Races 1, 2, and 3 — and the remaining six are available to subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

12:05 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming opener where TrackWiz ratings create a clear two-tier split — one horse separates herself from a competitive mid-pack, but first-time winners are always a mystery on dirt.

win5Shenanigans StormML 2/1

Shenanigans Storm draws the morning-line favoritism at 2/1 for good reason — her TrackWiz rating of 88.54 towers over the field and represents a significant edge over the next-closest rival. Oscar Ceballos gets the call, and with trainer Luis C. Rojero sending her out, this figures to be a confident, forward-running effort. In a maiden field where no horse has broken their maiden yet, the horse with the highest composite score often dictates the pace scenario and controls the outcome. She's our top selection and the one to beat.

place6Pleasin N TeasinML 5/2

Pleasin N Teasin comes in at 5/2 on the morning line with a rating of 68.89, making her the logical second choice in a field where the middle tier is tightly bunched. Trainer Jeff D. Hudson puts Jose Miguel Vazquez aboard, a pairing worth noting in a short field. If the favorite hits any trouble early, she's the most likely to capitalize and hit the board.

show2Wash MoneyML 4/1

Wash Money at 4/1 posts a rating of 66.19 — the third-best in the field — and Dick Cappellucci is a savvy conditioner who knows how to spot horses in the right spots. Luis A. Fuentes is a reliable rider who can keep a maiden patient and pick up ground late. In a wide-open maiden event, she's a sensible exotics anchor for the third slot.

Race 2

12:30 AM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile claiming affair with a dominant top-rated horse facing a sneaky value threat and a proven winner with serious career win percentage — pace could be the key story going long.

win1PleaseusetheportalML 2/1

Pleaseusetheportal draws the rail and carries a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 — the highest in the field by a meaningful margin — with Miguel A. Perez up for trainer Carlos C. Gonzalez. At a mile on the dirt, stalking trips often pay off, and this horse figures to settle nicely before asking for run in the final turn. The 2/1 morning line reflects her status as the class of this field, and the rating supports going to the window with confidence.

place5Toma TodoML 4/1

Toma Todo at 4/1 is a horse who brings real results to the table — a 26% career win rate is the second-best in this field and shows he knows how to get the job done. Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. is an experienced rider who can manage a one-mile pace scenario, and trainer Trevor Rushton keeps his horses fit. His rating of 68.41 is solid and he's the most likely to run the favorite down if she falters.

show3John JohnML 5/1

John John sports a 15% career win rate and a rating of 57.95 with Eduardo Gallardo in the irons for trainer Victor H. Rodriguez-Flores. He may lack the ceiling of the top two, but at 5/1 he's a reasonable inclusion in exacta and trifecta tickets as a horse who is accustomed to competing at this level. In a route going a full mile, he could find his best stride late in the stretch.

Race 3

12:55 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Five and a half furlongs of dirt sprinting with a legitimate morning-line longshot threatening to upset the applecart — the pace here could be contested, and the horse with the cleanest trip wins.

win6ComfortafterchaosML 9/2

Comfortafterchaos arrives with a 25% career win rate — the best in the field — and a TrackWiz rating of 81.29 that puts her at the top of our board. Despite being sent off at 9/2 on the morning line, the combination of Cerapio Figueroa aboard and trainer Jose R. Gonzalez, Jr. gives this horse a professional team for a five-and-a-half furlong sprint. She has both the experience and the pure rating to handle this field, and her win percentage suggests she converts when pointing to a spot like this.

place2NogalML 10/1

Nogal is the most intriguing play on the ticket at 10/1 morning line — a TrackWiz rating of 76.88 that ranks second in the field is hidden behind a price that doesn't match her ability profile. Miguel A. Perez gets the mount for trainer Greg Green, and a 55 average speed figure ties for the field's best. This is your value bomb for the place slot, and she absolutely belongs in exacta combinations.

show8Silver TwilightML 3/1

Silver Twilight posts a 16% career win rate and a 76.53 TrackWiz rating — essentially a dead heat with Nogal in terms of our composite score. Kelsi Purcell is a capable rider, and trainer Danny Morales puts horses on the board consistently. At 3/1, she won't return a ton for show, but she's a safe trifecta leg who brings legitimate class to the sprint.

The first three races set the table nicely for a day of careful handicapping. Shenanigans Storm draws our top rating in Race 1 at 88.54 — that's a strong number for a maiden claimer, and the 2/1 morning line suggests the market agrees. Race 2 shifts to a flat mile of dirt with Pleasusetheportal earning that same 88.54 rating at a matching 2/1 price, which tells you our model sees legitimate value at a fair number. Race 3 drops to 5½ furlongs with Comfortafterchaos posted at 9/2 — a touch of morning-line respect given to the field, but our 81.29 rating still points this way.

The wet surface is the X-factor tying all three free races together. On a drying or sealed track, early speed can get comfortable. On a genuinely sloppy Albuquerque strip, watch for horses with wider post positions to find cleaner ground, and keep an eye on how the first few races play out — that early pace data will tell you everything about how the afternoon unfolds.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

1:20 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A starter optional claiming mile that features a clear class standout at the top of the ratings but genuine competition from a pair of horses in the 70-point range — the inside post could be an asset in a two-turn trip.

win1SangerML 5/2

Sanger comes in with a 21% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — the class of this field by a wide margin. Miguel A. Perez, one of the more dependable riders on the Albuquerque circuit, gets the call for trainer Carlos C. Gonzalez, a pairing that carries real confidence at a one-mile distance. Sanger draws post one, which at a route distance can be an advantage in terms of saving ground around the far turn. The 5/2 morning line reflects a horse that figures to be in command late.

place3Rocks a Black SuitML 3/1

Rocks a Black Suit at 3/1 brings a 17% career win rate and a 70.84 rating — the second-strongest in the field — with Enrique Portillo Gomez handling the riding duties for Sherry Armstrong. In a seven-horse starter optional claiming event, the place spot is highly competitive, and this horse's composite profile suggests she runs her race consistently. She's the most logical pick to hit the board behind the top choice.

show6Ten FiguresML 6/1

Ten Figures enters with a 21% career win rate matching Sanger's mark and a rating of 70.25 from the outside post. Oscar Andrade, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Danny Morales, and a 55 average speed figure is the highest in the field. At 6/1, he offers some value in trifecta tickets as a horse who can measure up speed-figure wise even if the rating isn't at the top.

Race 5

1:45 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Dick Cappellucci saddles two horses in this five-and-a-half furlong claiming sprint, with his barn holding both the top-rated and the best-averaged speed runner — pace could collapse quickly and the closer profile wins.

win6HoldwhatyougotML 2/1

Holdwhatyougot is the horse to beat here — a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 at the top of the scale and an average speed figure of 55 with Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. in the saddle for the Cappellucci barn. At 2/1 morning line, she's not a huge overlay, but the numbers back her status as the most talented animal in this spot. A 11% career win rate is modest, but in a sprint like this, raw ability and a top rider often carry the day.

place1Marked CashML 4/1

Marked Cash brings a 14% career win rate and a 75.62 rating — second-best in the field — and also runs out of the Cappellucci barn with Oscar Andrade, Jr. up. Her average speed figure of 55 matches the top of the field, and in a short sprint, early position from post one can be decisive. If the favorite finds any trouble, this stablemate is perfectly positioned to benefit.

show4Nobody's PerfectML 6/1

Nobody's Perfect at 6/1 is a bit of a pace dark horse — a 62.52 rating with Rodolfo Guerra in the irons for trainer Greg Green. Her average speed figure of 52 is the lowest in the field, which could mean she's a closer who waits for others to tire in the sprint distance. At 6/1, there's enough juice on a trifecta ticket to make her worth including in the third slot.

Race 6

2:10 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint where no horse has won before, but two horses near the top of the TrackWiz ratings separate themselves clearly — one of them is drawing significant morning-line money.

win7Shiny ShoresML 5/2

Shiny Shores carries the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and draws 5/2 on the morning line — a fair price given that a horse of this caliber should be lining up against tougher. Alfredo J. Juarez, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral, a combination that's shown it can get the job done in sprint situations. Her average speed figure of 55 is the best among the starters, and in a maiden sprint where raw ability often decides the outcome, she checks all the boxes.

place4TinajaML 7/2

Tinaja at 7/2 has a 84.29 rating — essentially right on the heels of the top pick — with Aldo Arboleda aboard for trainer Alberto Amparan. In maiden events, the second-highest rated horse often lands the place check when the top selection wins, and Tinaja's profile makes her the most logical landing spot for the runner-up slot. She's a deserving part of any exacta construction.

show5I'm Just PlayingML 3/1

I'm Just Playing comes in at 3/1 with a rating of 73.05 and Christian Ramos guiding her for trainer Simon J. Buechler. In a wide-open maiden field, the third-best rating in the group is often good enough for the show position. Her 54 average speed figure keeps pace with the top contenders, and at 3/1, she's a sensible hedge in trifecta tickets.

Race 7

2:35 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong claiming sprint with three horses bunched between 83 and 87 on the TrackWiz scale — this one looks like a legitimate three-way battle down the stretch, and post position could matter.

win4El Chino VacaML 3/1

El Chino Vaca rates as our top pick with an 87.08 TrackWiz score and Miguel A. Perez — one of the circuit's busiest and most effective riders — in the irons for trainer Daniel Hernandez. His average speed figure of 55 ties for the field's best, and a 3/1 morning line represents fair value on a horse who has legitimate class over most of this group. In a six-furlong dirt sprint, a horse with these speed figures and a top-tier jockey often settles the argument down the lane.

place7GangsterML 7/2

Gangster at 7/2 posts an 83.88 rating and brings Christian Ramos aboard for Sherry Armstrong's barn, which has been active in placing horses competitively throughout the meet. Despite a career win rate of just 5%, the composite rating suggests this horse runs much better than that mark indicates — possibly unlucky or lightly raced. In a six-furlong sprint, pace dynamics could set up perfectly for a late-running type to grab the place.

show1Cross TemperML 9/2

Cross Temper is the experience play here — a 25% career win rate is the best in the field, and a 75.01 TrackWiz rating gives her legitimate credentials at 9/2. Rodolfo Guerra takes the mount for trainer Karina Aldavaz, and a 55 average speed figure keeps her right in the conversation on raw ability. She's a proven winner who knows how to hit the board, making her an ideal third leg in trifecta tickets.

Race 8

3:00 AM EDT

Allowance · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint featuring a pair of closely matched TrackWiz standouts separated by less than three points — the pace scenario in this five-and-a-half furlong event will decide whether the closer or the presser gets the win.

win7DreamilyML 7/2

Dreamily comes in with a 86.35 TrackWiz rating and draws 7/2 on the morning line — a solid price for the horse our analysis ranks on top. Enrique Portillo Gomez gets the mount for trainer Sherry Armstrong, a capable pairing at this level. Her 14% career win rate is modest, but in an allowance event where the quality of opposition matters more than sheer repetition, her composite score says she's ready to step forward. In a sprint, her average speed figure of 54 keeps her right with the field's best.

place2Group PhotoML 3/1

Group Photo at 3/1 posts an 83.19 rating and brings Oscar Andrade, Jr. aboard for trainer Todd W. Fincher, who is well-regarded for placing horses effectively in allowance company. A 20% career win rate is legitimate, and a 55 average speed figure is tied for the field's highest mark. If the pace heats up early, this horse has the tactical speed to sit just off the leaders and pounce in the stretch.

show8SongcatML 9/2

Songcat is an intriguing piece of this puzzle — a 33% career win rate is the joint-best in the field, and a 56 average speed figure is tied for tops. Luis A. Valenzuela takes the mount for trainer Joel H. Marr, and at 9/2, there's genuine value on a horse who converts at a high rate when given the right scenario. Her 74.34 TrackWiz rating makes her a comfortable third choice and a smart trifecta inclusion.

Race 9

3:25 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The biggest field of the day — ten horses going six and a half furlongs — and a genuine longshot angle lurks near the top of the TrackWiz leaderboard, making this race a prime trifecta target.

win7Gypsy WildcatML 5/2

Gypsy Wildcat heads our selections at 5/2 on the morning line with an 81.75 TrackWiz rating — second-best among this large field. Christian Ramos has been reliable in sprint situations, and trainer Martin Manuel Valdez-Cabral knows the Albuquerque strip well, having multiple horses in action today. Her average speed figure of 55 puts her at the top of the field, and in a ten-horse race going six and a half furlongs, a horse with this combination of class and speed figure often finds clean running room and gets the job done.

place4Wild SteelML 8/1

Wild Steel at 8/1 is the value play we're excited about — a 78.83 TrackWiz rating that ranks third in the entire field, yet she's going off at a much longer price than her ability warrants. Miguel A. Perez takes the mount for trainer Andres Gonzalez, and her average speed figure of 55 matches the best in the race. In a wide field where the favorites may set up a fast pace, a horse with this rating at 8/1 is exactly the kind of overlaid place ticket that pays handsomely.

show2JawdropperML 10/1

Jawdropper enters with a 76.88 rating — fourth-best in the field — and Francisco Amparan rides for his father Alberto Amparan, a family pairing that often sees strong communication in race planning. At 10/1, the morning line price doesn't reflect how competitive this horse's composite score is against this group. Include her in your trifecta tickets without hesitation.

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Nine races, a wet track, and some genuinely interesting top picks across the board — this is the kind of afternoon where doing your homework pays off more than usual. Shenanigans Storm, Pleasusetheportal, and Comfortafterchaos headline the free picks, and the premium card brings you six more races with full pace projections and exotic strategies. Unlock the complete card at TrackWiz — details at /pricing. Good luck out there, and watch that surface.

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