Unlock the other 5 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

Belterra Park Picks & Predictions — August 21, 2026

August 21, 20268 racesAll Belterra Park picks

It's a beautiful Friday at Belterra Park — clear skies, 81 degrees, and eight races on the board. The kind of afternoon where the dirt track should be running fast and consistent, giving speed horses a legitimate chance to wire the field. TrackWiz has the full card covered.

Today's card is a nice mix of maiden claimers, allowance company, and a pair of turf sprints that should draw sharp attention. The grass is in play in Races 4 and 8, and with conditions this clean, don't be surprised if those turf fields come in packed and competitive. We've got three free race breakdowns to get you started, plus full premium coverage of the back half of the card.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:35 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming opener where TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear top two separated from the rest of the field — but with five first-time-or-struggling maidens, anything can happen in the early going.

win5PlaykozML 2/1

Playkoz owns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 and posts the best average speed figure at 52 — a small but meaningful edge in a race where consistency matters. The morning line has her as the 2/1 favorite, which aligns perfectly with our model's assessment. Yarmarie L. Correa gets the call and has been active on the Belterra circuit, a positive in a short field like this. In a maiden field this thin, a horse with both the top rating and top speed number is a horse worth trusting.

place1StoptalkingsarahML 3/1

Stoptalkingsarah rates second in the field at 78.75 — a significant gap above the rest of the pack — and draws the rail with Sergio Figueroa up. Trainer Fernando Silva's runner matches the field's average speed at 51, which keeps her competitive even if she can't match Playkoz's ceiling. At 3/1 on the morning line, she's a logical include in any exacta or place wager.

show2Double SandyML 6/1

Double Sandy is a bit of a wild card here — no average speed figure in our data suggests limited or debut form, which makes her unpredictable. That said, her 51.67 TrackWiz rating puts her solidly third in the field, and at 6/1 she offers overlay potential for show tickets and trifecta coverage. Rafael Mojica, Jr. is a familiar face at this track and could coax a nice debut effort out of an unknown quantity.

Race 2

5:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

This five-furlong dirt claimer features two standout contenders separated by less than three points in TrackWiz ratings, setting up a potential duel between a pair of horses trained by the same barn — making pace and trip scenarios especially interesting.

win2Coda MiaML 3/1

Coda Mia tops the TrackWiz ratings at 85.35 and carries a 13% career win rate — solid for the claiming ranks. She matches Perfect Pink on speed (55 average) but edges her on our model, and trainer Sergio Donjuan saddles two horses in this race, which suggests he's confident in his stable's chances. At 3/1 on the morning line, she's fairly priced and represents the best all-around profile in the field.

place1Perfect PinkML 6/1

Perfect Pink is the sneaky play here — rated 82.71 by TrackWiz with the same 55 average speed as the top two, yet she's listed at 6/1 on the morning line. That's a meaningful overlay for a horse this close in the ratings. Trainer T.R. Haehn has her ready, and if the pace gets hot up front between the Donjuan runners, Perfect Pink could be sitting in a perfect stalking spot with Rishawn Blanche in the irons.

show6Economic HangoverML 7/2

Economic Hangover rates third in the field at 82.03 and carries a strong 13% career win rate — identical to Coda Mia. The drop to a 54 average speed is a minor knock, but at 7/2 she's not getting the credit her rating deserves. Yarmarie L. Correa rides, and she's been one of the more reliable pilots at this meet. A useful show ticket and exotic piece in what could be a fast-paced sprint.

Race 3

5:35 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint where there's a heavy favorite situation — Code of Valor's 88.83 TrackWiz rating towers over the field, but Bright Star's remarkable 50% career win rate makes this more than a single-horse race.

win1Code of ValorML 9/5

Code of Valor is the class of this allowance field, sporting an 88.83 TrackWiz rating that's more than 30 points clear of the third-best horse. His 22% career win rate is strong and respectable at the allowance level, and trainer Frank Lucarelli has him at 9/5 on the morning line — a price that reflects genuine favoritism. At 55 average speed, he matches the field leaders and projects as the one to beat in every scenario.

place2Bright StarML 2/1

Bright Star's 50% career win rate is the most eye-popping number on the entire race card — when this horse fires, it wins. The 2/1 morning line reflects that reputation. The TrackWiz rating of 56.21 lags behind Code of Valor, but in a five-horse field, class and winning habit can overcome rating gaps, especially if Code of Valor hits any trouble. Jane Elliott gets the mount, and Bright Star is an automatic include in the exacta.

show5ItsallaboutmebabyML 8/1

Itsallaboutmebaby is a live longshot at 8/1 with an 18% career win rate — not a horse to dismiss. The rating of 46.04 puts her mid-pack, but in a short five-horse field that number becomes more meaningful. Trainer Eric R. Reed sends her out with Rafael Mojica, Jr., an experienced hand who can navigate traffic and find daylight late in a six-furlong sprint. Worth a trifecta slice at the price.

Our free picks today center on Races 1, 2, and 3 — a maiden claimer, a short dirt sprint, and an allowance test that shapes up as the marquee early race. Playkoz opens the day at 2/1 in the maiden claimer and carries an 88.54 TrackWiz rating, which is strong for this level. In Race 2, Coda Mia gets a five-furlong dirt sprint perfectly suited to her profile. Then comes Race 3, where Code of Valor is the name to know — a 9/5 morning line favorite posting an 88.83 rating in allowance company. On a fast, dry Belterra oval, pace figures to be a factor all afternoon, and these three picks are all positioned to benefit from it.

The pace scenario in Race 3 especially sets up well for a closer-to-the-pace runner, and the allowance conditions suggest a field that hasn't fully run out of conditions — which usually keeps the competition honest. These are the plays we feel good about putting in front of every TrackWiz reader today.

Send me tomorrow's free Belterra Park card before post time.

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

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

Five-furlong turf maiden with a genuine three-way battle at the top of the ratings — Anthony the Great, Creating Havoc, and High Honors are separated by fewer than 12 points, making this a wide-open grass sprint with real exotic potential.

win3Anthony the GreatML 3/1

Anthony the Great leads all TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 and ties for the highest average speed in the field at 55, giving him a strong dual advantage. Trainer Armando Hernandez sends him out at 3/1, which is slightly more attractive than the 2/1 on morning-line favorite High Honors. Frank Reyes is a capable pilot who should have him in a good position on the front end of this short turf sprint. The combination of top rating and competitive speed makes him our top selection.

place5Creating HavocML 8/1

Creating Havoc is the value angle in this race — a 75.75 TrackWiz rating that's virtually identical to High Honors (75.40), yet she's listed at 8/1 on the morning line. That price gap is hard to justify on the numbers alone. Trainer Heriberto Villalobos clearly thinks she's ready, and Javier Tavares gets the call. On a five-furlong turf sprint, pace shape can create big upset potential, and Creating Havoc at 8/1 is worth serious attention.

show4High HonorsML 2/1

High Honors rates third at 75.40 with a 55 average speed — identical to the win pick — and gets the second-lowest morning line in the field at 2/1. Oscar Villarreal is up for trainer Anna M. Meah, and High Honors fits the profile of a horse the public will chase hard. The rating is legitimate, making her a safe show play and a must-use in trifectas even if we prefer her rivals at the prices.

Race 5

6:35 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

Maiden special weight routing at a mile on dirt where the TrackWiz model strongly disagrees with the morning line — our top pick is 12/1 on the board while the favorite is rated fifth in the field, setting up a prime overlay situation.

win5Storm SearchML 12/1

Storm Search is the standout value call of the day — she tops the TrackWiz ratings at 73.96 yet opens at 12/1 on the morning line in a five-horse field. That kind of gap between model output and public price is exactly what TrackWiz is built to find. Trainer Dale Carrington loads her with Orlando Mojica, Jr. in the irons, a solid combination, and at a mile she has the distance to overcome any early traffic. The public is fading her; our analysis says don't.

place2Betty WhoML 6/1

Betty Who rates second in the field at 68.78 and is listed at 6/1 — another horse the market seems to be underestimating. Trainer Ramon Salcedo saddles her with Luis A. Hernandez, and while her 52 average speed is modest, it's in line with most of the field. At a route distance, a closer profile often outperforms speed-heavy rivals, and Betty Who's rating puts her in a legitimate contending position for the place spot.

show3Candle's LegacyML 9/5

Candle's Legacy is the 9/5 morning line favorite and rates third at 62.05 — which makes her a solid show ticket if not necessarily the most compelling win play. Trainer William D. Cowans sends her out with Dylan Machado, and the 52 average speed is the same as Betty Who. She'll likely be heavily bet, so the show payoff may be thin, but she's a reasonable anchor in trifecta tickets for conservative bettors.

Race 6

7:05 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A competitive allowance optional claiming route on the turf where win percentages are scattered across the field but Geraldraydaplegray's rating stands clearly apart — though several horses with 18-23% career win rates could make this an interesting betting race.

win2GeraldraydaplegrayML 7/2

Geraldraydaplegray tops the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35 — nearly 18 points ahead of the second-best horse — and carries a 20% career win rate that confirms this isn't just a model projection, it's a horse that converts. Trainer Sergio Donjuan is sending him out at 7/2, a fair price given the rating dominance. Kevin J. Jimenez gets the ride, and on a one-mile turf course, a horse with this kind of rating edge should be stalking the pace and pouncing late.

place6Game PointML 5/2

Game Point rates second in the field at 68.43 and posts an 18% career win rate — respectable in an optional claiming allowance. Trainer Matthew P. Sims has him at 5/2 on the morning line, which means the public isn't sleeping on him either. Dylan Machado guides him around the turf course, and his 54 average speed ties several rivals. The rating and price combination make him the natural place pick in exotic wagers.

show7Gucci ManML 5/1

Gucci Man rates third at 64.96 with a 19% career win rate and opens at 5/1 — a sneaky attractive price for a horse with legitimate numbers. Trainer Richard Estvanko also saddles Ocean Pointe in this race, splitting his attention, but Gucci Man's profile stands on its own. Jane Elliott rides, and on a one-mile turf route there's plenty of real estate for a horse like this to find a comfortable trip and finish cleanly for show money.

Race 7

7:35 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong dirt maiden where Lumpster and Darrowby headline a fairly straightforward top two — but the gap to the third horse suggests a pace duel between the two favorites that could set things up for a closer.

win4LumpsterML 2/1

Lumpster tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54 — the highest in any maiden field today — and at 2/1 on the morning line he's listed as a near co-favorite with Darrowby despite a meaningful rating advantage. Trainer Michael Evans II hands the reins to Rolando Aragon, a solid pairing. His 53 average speed is one tick below Darrowby's 54, but the overall rating gap makes him the more complete profile in this field. He's the right horse to anchor your exotics.

place3DarrowbyML 9/5

Darrowby rates second at 80.4 and posts the highest average speed in the field at 54 — she's the one who could make this a genuine pace duel if she breaks sharp and gets to the front. Trainer Jimmy Corrigan sends her out as the morning line 9/5 favorite, and Yarmarie L. Correa rides. If she can dictate terms early and hold off a late-charging Lumpster, the place spot is a lock. Either way, she's a must-use in your top two exotics.

show5Camping SieteML 3/1

Camping Siete rates third in the field at 69.08 and is a comfortable 3/1 on the morning line. Trainer Ismael Bahena pairs her with Orlando Mojica, Jr., and a 52 average speed might mean she's content to sit off a fast pace and pick up the pieces if the top two use each other up. In a maiden sprint with two horses that could go at each other hard early, a closer at 3/1 with the third-best rating is exactly the kind of show play you want in your trifecta.

Race 8

8:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

The nightcap is a five-furlong turf maiden that flips the morning line on its head — our top pick goes at 6/1 while the favorite Cataenjo rates third in the field, making this a prime spot for TrackWiz to find real value at the windows.

win5Juno PalaceML 6/1

Juno Palace tops the TrackWiz ratings at 64.71 in a closely-bunched field and draws 6/1 on the morning line — a notable overlay against a morning-line favorite we don't agree with. Trainer Sergio Donjuan sends her out with Guillermo Rodriguez, one of the more active jockeys at this meet. Her 54 average speed is competitive, and on a short five-furlong turf dash, early position and rating edge matter more than anything. This is the kind of value spot our model is built to surface.

place1CataenjoML 9/5

Cataenjo is the public's 9/5 choice and she rates second in the field at 58.67 with the highest average speed in the field at 55 — that speed number is legitimate. Trainer Larry Rivelli and jockey Frank Reyes are a solid combination, and she'll likely be on or near the pace early. Even if we prefer Juno Palace at the top, Cataenjo is a natural place inclusion given her speed advantage and the public support that will keep her honest.

show6Sister WifeML 7/2

Sister Wife opens at 7/2 and rates third at 55.83 — a tight grouping with Surely This Time (54.17) that makes the middle of this field tricky to separate. Trainer Thomas L. Van Berg is a respected horseman, and John McKee gets the mount. Her 53 average speed is the lowest among the top-three rated horses, but in a five-furlong turf sprint with a pace scenario that could scramble, having a third angle in your trifecta at a reasonable 7/2 price makes practical sense.

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: Code of Valor is our marquee free play of the day in Race 3, with Playkoz and Coda Mia rounding out a solid early card. The full premium breakdown covers Races 4–8 with pace analysis, exotic structures, and value angles — including a closer look at that 12/1 shot in Race 5. Good luck at the windows today, and as always, bet smart.

← All Belterra Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free