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Albuquerque Picks & Predictions — September 26, 2026

September 26, 20269 racesAll Albuquerque picks

It's a beautiful Saturday at Albuquerque — clear skies, 74°F, and a fast Dirt surface that should have every sprinter in the field firing at full capacity. Nine races are on tap today, mixing Quarter Horse-style short dashes with longer Thoroughbred routes, giving handicappers plenty of angles to work across the full card.

The card has real range. You've got maiden sprints at 350 and 400 yards, a mile-plus grind at 870 yards, and a Stakes showdown at 5½ furlongs headlining the back half of the afternoon. Whether you're hunting value in the claiming ranks or looking to single a Stakes contender in your exotics, there's something worth circling here.

TrackWiz analysis is locked in on three free races to get you started, with full premium coverage kicking in for the deeper, trickier half of the card.

Best Bets

Race 1

12:05 AM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

A wide-open 350-yard maiden sprint with first-time starters across the board — raw talent and TrackWiz ratings are the primary separators in what figures to be a chaotic opener.

win1Rrun Up the ScoreML 3/1

Rrun Up the Score draws the rail in post 1 and tops our TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 — a significant margin over the rest of this maiden field. Esgar Ramirez gets the call for trainer Vilma I. De La Cruz, and the morning line of 3/1 reflects the oddsmaker's confidence as well. In a short 350-yard dash where there's no time to make up ground, breaking clean from the inside with the top rating is a strong combination.

place2Fly Yulla YullaML 7/2

Fly Yulla Yulla rates second in this field at 78.28 and goes postward at a fair 7/2 morning line under Alfredo Sigala for trainer Gene C. Garcia. The nearly 9-point rating gap between her and the next tier of horses suggests she's a legitimate contender to hit the board if the top choice falters.

show4Alota DashML 9/2

Alota Dash (9/2) slots in at a TrackWiz rating of 57.08, a notable step above the muddled middle of this maiden field. Jose Luis Enriquez rides for trainer Taurino Gutierrez, and at nearly 5-to-1 morning line odds, she offers solid exotic value as a third wheel in trifecta and superfecta tickets.

Race 2

12:30 AM EDT

Maiden · 870 yd · Dirt

Two horses — Nap and The Tomahawk — separate themselves clearly from the rest of this 870-yard maiden field, setting up what looks like a two-horse race with one intriguing mid-pack contender.

win7NapML 3/1

Nap tops the TrackWiz ratings at 86.15 and posted an average speed figure of 55 — one of the better marks in this maiden field. Christian Ramos picks up the mount for trainer Sherry Armstrong, an experienced pairing for a horse that figures to be forwardly placed over the longer 870-yard distance. At 3/1 on the morning line, the value is fair for what looks like the class of the field.

place1The TomahawkML 9/2

The Tomahawk rates a strong 84.9 — just a whisker below Nap — and goes off at 9/2 with Francisco Zamora in the irons for trainer Adam Archuleta. The close ratings gap between the top two makes this a race where the exacta box is worth serious consideration, and The Tomahawk's morning line price gives you slightly better value on the place end.

show3Jaimes PaydayML 6/1

Jaimes Payday (6/1) rates at 56.79, a comfortable distance above the rest of the field below him. Cerapio Figueroa rides for trainer Paul Sedillo, and at 6-to-1 morning line odds this horse gives you a realistic shot at completing the exacta from underneath or anchoring a trifecta at a workable price.

Race 3

12:55 AM EDT

Allowance · 400 yd · Dirt

This 400-yard allowance features a legitimate top contender in London Lights, but a handful of horses with solid career win percentages make this more competitive than the top rating suggests.

win9London LightsML 7/2

London Lights owns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 86.35 and carries a 28% career win percentage — a strong foundation for an allowance runner. Joseph Belloc Jr. gets the mount for trainer Sebastian Gonzales, and the 7/2 morning line actually represents a bit of value given how much he separates from the field on our numbers. At 400 yards this is a pure speed play, and London Lights looks like the one to beat.

place7Jo BossML 9/2

Jo Boss rates at 71.97 with a 27% career win percentage — the second-best career win rate among the top contenders. Alfredo Sigala rides for trainer Anthony Montoya, and at 9/2 on the morning line, Jo Boss is the most logical horse to land on the board if London Lights gets into any kind of trouble at the break.

show10Pitchins Train BML 5/2

Pitchins Train B draws attention at 5/2 morning line despite a rating of 66.98 — suggesting the public is higher on this one than our numbers. Gabriel Medrano rides for trainer Jaime Dominguez, and the 18% career win percentage backs up the optimism. At that price, the show position is a hedge worth taking in exotics.

The first three races give us a solid foundation to work from. In the 350-yard Maiden opener, Rrun Up the Score (morning line 3/1, TrackWiz rating 87.08) gets our attention — on a fast, dry strip at altitude, early foot is everything, and our models like this one's profile. Over in Race 2, the 870-yard Maiden is the outlier distance of the day, and Nap (3/1 ML, 86.15 rating) stands out as a horse that should handle the added ground better than most of this field. Then Race 3 steps up to Allowance company at 400 yards, where London Lights (7/2 ML, 86.35 rating) represents a solid class-and-pace fit — a slight price edge at morning line makes this one interesting for tickets.

The common thread across the free picks? All three are on a firm, consistent Dirt surface under ideal conditions. No weather excuses, no slop to navigate — just raw ability and pace. That clarity is exactly when TrackWiz ratings tend to be most reliable.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

1:20 AM EDT

Maturity · 440 yd · Dirt

A competitive Maturity at 440 yards with a genuine top-end battle between Woody Rocks and Kj Bad Moon Rising — two horses with elite career win percentages that figure to fight it out in a race that should go off fast from the gate.

win4Woody RocksML 3/1

Woody Rocks tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 and brings a remarkable 45% career win percentage to the table — that's elite production for a short-course sprinter. Luis Martinez has the mount for trainer Tony E. Sedillo, and the 3/1 morning line is fair for a horse with this kind of career resume. Woody Rocks gets the slight nod on ratings in what should be a photo-finish affair.

place5Kj Bad Moon RisingML 5/2

Kj Bad Moon Rising is no slouch — a 85.47 TrackWiz rating paired with a field-best 47% career win percentage make this horse arguably the most accomplished runner in the race. Noe Garcia Jr. rides for trainer Wesley T. Giles, and at 5/2 on the morning line, Kj Bad Moon Rising is almost as short as the top pick. This exacta box at the top makes a lot of sense.

show7HarkenML 7/2

Harken goes postward at 7/2 with a 56% career win percentage — the highest in the entire field — though the 69.01 rating suggests some regression in recent form. James A. Flores rides for trainer Salvador R. Soto, and that win percentage is too good to ignore in exotics. A horse who wins more than half his races belongs in your trifecta tickets even if our ratings peg him third.

Race 5

1:45 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A 5-furlong maiden claiming race where our top two rated horses stand out clearly, though the bunched speed figures across the field make pace scenarios worth watching.

win7KidinthecandystoreML 5/2

Kidinthecandystore owns the top TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and posted an average speed figure of 54 — tied for the best in the field with Charming Smile. Luis A. Valenzuela takes the mount for trainer Stetson Rushton at a morning line of 5/2, which figures to shorten once serious money comes in. In a 5-furlong maiden claimer, a horse with a top rating and above-average speed figures is exactly the profile you want leading the ticket.

place1Dynamic SagaML 3/1

Dynamic Saga rates a strong 85.86 with an average speed figure of 53, and Miguel A. Perez rides for trainer Jeff D. Hudson. The 3/1 morning line is fair — this horse is likely to press or stalk early and make a strong run at the top spot in the stretch. The narrow gap between the top two horses makes the exacta box an attractive play.

show5Charming SmileML 7/2

Charming Smile posted a 54 average speed figure — tied for tops in the race — while rating at 56.93 on our scale. Enrique Portillo Gomez gets the call for trainer Miguel L. Hernandez, and at 7/2 morning line odds, there's genuine value if the top two horses set up a pace duel that leaves the door open for a closer.

Race 6

2:10 AM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

One Horse Town stands apart in this 5½-furlong maiden special weight, but a competitive morning line suggests the betting public could make this more interesting than the TrackWiz ratings indicate.

win3One Horse TownML 5/2

One Horse Town posts the top rating in the field at 87.81 with an average speed figure of 55, and Rodolfo Guerra picks up the mount for trainer Casey T. Lambert at a morning line of 5/2. In a maiden special weight — a higher-quality maiden condition where horses haven't run for a claiming tag — the top-rated horse with above-average speed figures deserves respect. The combination of ratings edge and a competent jockey-trainer setup makes One Horse Town the clear selection.

place4TravailML 3/1

Travail rates at 60.91 with a 53 average speed figure, and while that's a step below the top choice, the 3/1 morning line reflects legitimate public confidence. Enrique Portillo Gomez rides for trainer Sherry Armstrong, and Travail's speed figure puts him in range to contend for a piece of the pie if One Horse Town draws into a fight.

show2Trick PlayML 9/2

Trick Play checks in at 54.17 on our ratings with no speed figure on record — Aldo Arboleda takes the mount for trainer Terri Rust. The 9/2 morning line is workable for the show spot, and for those building trifectas in this race, Trick Play is a reasonable underneath option at a price that offers a slight overlay if the board shifts.

Race 7

2:35 AM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A tightly contested 5-furlong claiming race with three legitimate contenders separated by fewer than 4 points in TrackWiz ratings — pace and position at the quarter pole could decide this one.

win6Captain FabulousML 5/2

Captain Fabulous tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 with a 17% career win percentage and an average speed figure of 55. Christian Ramos picks up the mount for trainer Raymond G. Valerio, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this is the highest-rated horse in the race at a fair price. The 17% career win rate in a claiming context is respectable, and the combination of top rating and a competent jockey makes Captain Fabulous the anchor of our ticket.

place2Hennessy Looker RfML 7/2

Hennessy Looker Rf rates a strong 84.77 — just off the top — and carries an average speed figure of 56, which is actually the best in the field. Alejandro Medellin gets the mount for trainer Tony P. Lello at 7/2 on the morning line. That 56 speed figure is worth noting: if raw speed translates on the day, this one could find herself in front and hard to catch.

show8Run for KidderML 3/1

Run for Kidder (3/1) rates at 83.91 with a 15% career win percentage and an average speed figure of 55. Oscar Andrade Jr. takes the mount for trainer Justin R. Evans, and while this is a competitive morning line favorite in many eyes, our ratings peg this horse third. Still, 3/1 with a top-three rating in a claiming race is a horse you don't leave out of trifecta tickets.

Race 8

3:00 AM EDT

Stakes · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Stakes company at 5½ furlongs and Leave Them Behind looks like the overlay of the card — a legitimate top-rated contender going off at a generous morning line price against a field that includes a heavily favored but lower-rated morning-line choice.

win1Leave Them BehindML 7/2

Leave Them Behind tops the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35 with a 37% career win percentage and an average speed figure of 57 — the best mark in the field. Enrique Portillo Gomez rides for trainer Sherry Armstrong, and the 7/2 morning line is generous for the highest-rated horse in a stakes field. A 37% career win percentage in stakes company is elite production, and the 57 speed figure suggests this horse can back it up on the clock.

place4Marking CanyonML 9/5

Marking Canyon goes off as the morning-line favorite at 9/5 but rates only 74.82 on our scale — well below Leave Them Behind. Aldo Arboleda rides for trainer Leroy A. Fincher, and the 35% career win percentage keeps this one in the conversation. The disconnect between public favor and our ratings makes Marking Canyon a horse to use on top for safety, but underneath in exactas against the top pick.

show8Dave's EnchantmentML 10/1

Dave's Enchantment is the value play here at 10/1 morning line with a 64.14 rating and a 29% career win percentage. Francisco Amparan rides for trainer Alberto Amparan, and an average speed figure of 57 matches the top horse in the field — that's an intriguing data point for a horse at double-digit odds. In a stakes race where upsets are more common than casual bettors expect, Dave's Enchantment earns a spot in your trifecta and superfecta tickets.

Race 9

3:25 AM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The finale goes 6½ furlongs in a claiming field where two horses rate well above the pack, but the presence of several speed-figure threats in the mid-range makes the race shape worth monitoring.

win9Forever SafeML 5/2

Forever Safe (5/2) owns a TrackWiz rating of 80.86 and a 28% career win percentage — the best career win rate among our top picks in this race. Alfredo J. Juarez Jr. takes the mount for trainer Dick Cappellucci, and an average speed figure of 54 is solid for this claiming level. At 5/2 on the morning line over 6½ furlongs, Forever Safe has the profile of a horse who can settle off pace and finish strong in the added distance.

place6In Spite of ItML 8/1

In Spite of It is the value standout at 8/1 morning line with a 79.79 TrackWiz rating — just a point behind the top choice and the best speed figure in the race at 56. Oscar Andrade Jr. rides for trainer Albert Valles, and a 16% career win percentage is respectable in a claiming field at this distance. If you're looking for an overlay in the exacta, In Spite of It is the most logical horse to beat the top selection.

show1Hot Rod MamaML 4/1

Hot Rod Mama (4/1) rates at 61.9 with a 17% career win percentage and an average speed figure of 54. Gabriel Medrano rides for trainer Candelario Villamar, and the 4/1 morning line gives you reasonable value for a horse sitting third on our ratings with a solid career foundation. A sensible include in trifectas to round out the ticket.

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Today's Albuquerque card is tailor-made for the conditions — fast Dirt, clear air, and a mix of race types that rewards sharp handicapping. Start with Rrun Up the Score, Nap, and London Lights as your free anchors, and let the Stakes showdown featuring Leave Them Behind headline your premium ticket building. Full analysis, pace maps, and exotic strategies are waiting for subscribers — check out TrackWiz's plans at /pricing and get in on the complete card before post time.

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