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 — September 24, 2026

September 24, 20268 racesAll Belterra Park picks

Belterra Park is rolling out an 8-race Thursday card under comfortable conditions — partly cloudy skies and a pleasant 68°F. That kind of autumn afternoon weather is exactly what this track plays best in, and with a mix of dirt sprints, route routes, and a pair of turf dashes on the menu, there's plenty of angles to dig into before the gates open.

The card leans heavily claiming, which means class drops, form cycles, and pace scenarios are going to do a lot of the heavy lifting today. Pay attention to how the early fractions set up — on a day like this with the surface likely playing fair to fast, front-runners who can steal a soft pace could be lethal, especially in the shorter sprints.

We've got three races open to all readers and five more in the premium tier. Whether you're here for a quick pick or building a full-card exotic ticket, TrackWiz has you covered from Race 1 through the finale.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:35 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A five-horse claiming sprint where the TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear top contender, but the morning line favorite and the highest win-percentage horse make this one worth watching all the way to the wire.

win3Economic HangoverML 5/2

Economic Hangover (No. 3) carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 87.81 — a significant edge over the rest — and posts at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. Guillermo Rodriguez gets the call for trainer Regulo G. Rodriguez, a familiar barn-jockey pairing that often signals confidence. The average speed figure of 55 tops the field, and in a short six-furlong sprint, that early zip can be decisive. Don't let the 12% career win rate spook you — the rating dominance here suggests this is a horse running well above that historical average.

place4MaggieML 2/1

Maggie (No. 4) draws in as the morning line favorite at 2/1 and backs it up with a 17% career win rate — best in this field — for trainer T. R. Haehn. Jockey Rishawn Blanche is in the irons, and a TrackWiz rating of 69.26 slots her firmly as the second-best horse on paper. She's a logical place play if Economic Hangover fires on all cylinders.

show5Banned From MidwayML 4/1

Banned From Midway (No. 5) is worth a spot in your exotics at 4/1 morning line. That 20% career win rate is the eye-catcher here — no other horse in the field comes close to that career strike rate — and trainer Wes Fletcher sends her out with jockey Yarmarie L. Correa. A rating of 59.91 puts her in the mix for minor awards in what projects as a competitive five-horse field.

Race 2

5:05 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

An all-maiden field going six furlongs on the dirt, and for once the two horses most likely to settle it are separated by real rating separation — but a sleeper at 8/1 could crash the party.

win4Dancer's ShadowML 7/2

Dancer's Shadow (No. 4) edges the field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating, nudging out Moore Gold by a slim but meaningful margin, and lands at a fair 7/2 on the morning line. Trainer James Alessi puts Carlos Jimenez aboard — a confident jockey booking in a short field. The average speed figure of 54 matches the top tier of this maiden claiming group, and in a six-furlong sprint where position early matters, Dancer's Shadow has the profile of a horse ready to break through.

place2Moore GoldML 2/1

Moore Gold (No. 2) is the morning line favorite at 2/1 and nearly matched Dancer's Shadow in the ratings at 82.0, making this a genuine top-two battle. Trainer Larry E. Smith sends out John McKee, and with an average speed of 54, Moore Gold has the raw ability to compete for the win and is a near-lock for a place check if she runs her race.

show6Silent CosmosML 8/1

Silent Cosmos (No. 6) at 8/1 is the price play in the show slot. A rating of 62.1 puts Silent Cosmos well clear of the bottom half of the field, and trainer James Butcher hands the mount to Orlando Mojica Jr. With the top two horses both potentially pressing each other, a closer-style runner getting a clean trip late could pick up the pieces — and 8/1 makes Silent Cosmos excellent value for exacta and trifecta construction.

Race 3

5:35 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

This maiden special weight field on the dirt stretches to 6½ furlongs, and one horse carries a commanding rating advantage — but the morning line favorite and a 4/1 shot make the exacta worth playing both ways.

win6StoptalkingsarahML 2/1

Stoptalkingsarah (No. 6) owns the race's top TrackWiz rating at 88.54 and is correctly installed as the 2/1 morning line favorite. Trainer Fernando Silva puts Rishawn Blanche on board — the same jockey who rides Maggie in Race 1, showing he's keeping busy on this card. The average speed figure of 52 ties for best in the field, and at 6½ furlongs, a horse with that combination of raw pace and top rating should handle the added ground. The rating gap over the third-best horse (Power Vision at 60.9) is substantial and hard to ignore.

place7Power VisionML 4/1

Power Vision (No. 7) at 4/1 is a logical place contender with a 60.9 rating and trainer Robert C. Cline sending out Yarmarie L. Correa, one of the busier jockeys on today's card. The average speed of 51 is on the lower end, but this is a maiden field with no standout closers, and Power Vision's positioning should allow for a clean late run to secure the place spot.

show3Daddys' Sasy GirlsML 5/2

Daddys' Sasy Girls (No. 3) connects with the Haehn barn — which also has runners in Race 1 — and Haehn has multiple entries today, suggesting the stable is live. Joe Stokes gets the ride at 5/2 odds, and a rating of 57.23 with the field's top average speed figure of 52 makes her a solid show play. She's close enough to the top two in the ratings to land a piece of this.

Our free coverage kicks off with Economic Hangover in Race 1, a 6-furlong dirt claimer where our model has him rated at 87.81 — solid for this level. Race 2 brings the maiden claimers to the dirt sprint distance, and Dancer's Shadow at morning-line 7/2 looks like a legitimate overlay if the price holds. Then in Race 3 — the marquee of the free slate — Stoptalkingsarah tops the entire card with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating going 6.5 furlongs in the Maiden Special Weight. MSW races can be tricky, but when we see this kind of rating separation at the top, that's a signal worth respecting.

One thread tying these three together: all are sprints or short routes on the main track, and if Belterra's dirt is playing with any kind of speed bias today — which is not unusual in September — the horses who can establish early position without burning out are the ones to watch. All three of our free picks project favorably in that regard.

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 Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf with all maidens and a morning line favorite that the TrackWiz model doesn't love — which opens the door for some serious overlay opportunities at longer prices.

win3Super SmoothML 15/1

Super Smooth (No. 3) is the TrackWiz top pick at a juicy 15/1 morning line despite owning the field's highest rating at 62.44. That disconnect between model output and market price is exactly the kind of spot TrackWiz analysis is built to surface. Trainer Daniel Simpson sends out Orlando Mojica Jr., who is riding multiple horses on this card, and an average speed figure of 55 is tied for best in the field. Five furlongs on turf is a sharp, quick test where pace and positioning are everything — Super Smooth has the numbers to be a major price winner.

place6Not Like UsML 20/1

Not Like Us (No. 6) is another overlay play at 20/1, rating in at 62.29 — essentially a dead heat with Super Smooth at the top of the TrackWiz model. Trainer Evan Fletcher sends out Yarmarie L. Correa, who is one of the most active jockeys on this card. If you're building a trifecta or exacta around two longshot contenders, this is a rare maiden turf race where the top two rated horses are both well above their morning line prices.

show7Lion GuardML 7/2

Lion Guard (No. 7) is the most reasonably priced of the TrackWiz top three at 7/2, with a rating of 60.64 and trainer Daisy K. Olivo giving the mount to Caitlyn Stoddard. An average speed of 53 is competitive in this group, and at 7/2, Lion Guard represents the safer landing spot for show-ticket bettors who want to anchor the bottom of their exotic plays with a horse that projects to hit the board.

Race 5

6:35 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

One horse enters this six-furlong claiming sprint with a dominant rating, but the morning line runner-up carries a career win percentage that demands respect and sets up a compelling top-two battle.

win1Modern MissML 8/5

Modern Miss (No. 1) is the best-rated horse in today's entire card at 89.12 and is installed as the 8/5 morning line favorite — deservedly so. Trainer Jerry Antonuik sends out Yarmarie L. Correa, who is having a busy book of business today, suggesting connections have genuine confidence. An average speed figure of 55 leads the field, and even with an 11% career win rate, the sheer magnitude of the rating edge here makes Modern Miss a prime win selection in this claiming company.

place4Nueva LunaML 2/1

Nueva Luna (No. 4) presents a fascinating angle — a 50% career win rate is a remarkable number that speaks to a horse who competes well when conditions align. Trainer Ismael Bahena sends out Gabriel Lagunes, and the average speed figure of 56 actually leads the entire field by a tick. At 2/1 on the morning line, Nueva Luna is no bargain, but the career win percentage and top speed figure make her the clear place target if Modern Miss gets first run.

show6Blue OpalML 5/2

Blue Opal (No. 6) checks in at 5/2 morning line with a solid 66.38 rating — third-best in the race — and Brooke Bays picks up the mount for trainer Inocencio Quezada. An average speed of 55 matches Modern Miss at the top of the field, and with an 8% career win rate that suggests consistent effort without necessarily finishing first, Blue Opal profiles as a dependable show horse and exotic play in this six-horse field.

Race 6

7:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Nine go a mile on the turf in this wide-open claiming field, and the TrackWiz model separates two horses from the pack while the morning line throws out a confusing web of co-favorites.

win7Tutta BellaML 5/2

Tutta Bella (No. 7) owns an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this nine-horse turf field — and is priced at 5/2 on the morning line. Trainer Sergio Baez sends out Yarmarie L. Correa, who is having an exceptionally full card today and has earned that level of trust from multiple connections. A career win rate of 12% is ordinary, but the rating separation over the rest of this field is substantial, and a mile on turf rewards horses with sustained quality — which the model says Tutta Bella has.

place8Cajun GalML 5/2

Cajun Gal (No. 8) is an interesting place play at a shared 5/2 morning line with the top pick. Trainer James Tsirigotis Jr. hands the mount to John McKee, and a 74.47 rating makes Cajun Gal clearly the second-best horse on the TrackWiz model in this nine-horse field. The 4% career win rate is a concern for win tickets, but she's a logical place contender who should get a clean trip from the outside post over a mile of turf.

show2ShakrevengeML 3/1

Shakrevenge (No. 2) at 3/1 brings a 62.3 rating and Guillermo Rodriguez in the irons for trainer Joel Campbell. While the 7% career win rate is modest, Rodriguez is one of the more active jockeys on this card today. In a nine-horse turf mile, pace dynamics can get messy, and a horse with Shakrevenge's rating — sitting third-best in the field — is a sensible show play to anchor the bottom of your exotics.

Race 7

7:35 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Eight horses go a mile on the dirt in a claiming field where the TrackWiz model clusters three horses tightly at the top, making the exacta and trifecta the smartest bets on the race.

win8DontkissdaministerML 5/2

Dontkissdaminister (No. 8) leads the TrackWiz model at 86.06 and is priced at a fair 5/2 morning line. Trainer Ronald T. Hale Jr. sends out Orlando Mojica Jr., who is active throughout today's card — a strong booking signal. A 14% career win rate is solid in claiming company, and while the average speed of 52 is shared by several horses, it's the overall rating edge that makes Dontkissdaminister the top selection. A mile on dirt suits horses who can sustain pace, and this one has the profile to do exactly that.

place5Iconic RockML 6/1

Iconic Rock (No. 5) is a genuine price play at 6/1 morning line with an 82.71 rating — second-best in the race and only 3.35 points off the top. Trainer Eider Martinez puts Eder Luis Martinez in the saddle, keeping it in-house, which is often a sign of a barn that believes in its horse. A 5% career win rate is low, but the rating suggests Iconic Rock is running better than that number implies and is poised to break through or at minimum grab a piece.

show4Line to GainML 9/2

Line to Gain (No. 4) rates third in the field at 80.8 and is priced at 9/2 on the morning line — solid value for a show play. Trainer Heriberto Villalobos sends out Frank Reyes, and an average speed figure of 54 is among the better marks in this field. With a 7% career win rate, Line to Gain isn't a natural win horse, but in a field where the top three rated horses are clustered within six points of each other, the trifecta using Dontkissdaminister, Iconic Rock, and Line to Gain in any order is a compelling play.

Race 8

8:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf to close out the card, and one horse separates herself clearly on the TrackWiz model while a pair of 8/1 or better runners lurk as potential upset artists.

win7SisterlithicML 5/2

Sisterlithic (No. 7) is the standout of the race with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — matching the top marks seen elsewhere on today's card — and is reasonably priced at 5/2 on the morning line. Trainer Timothy E. Hamm sends out Joe Stokes, and an 18% career win rate is one of the best marks in this eight-horse field. The average speed figure of 56 ties for best in the race, and five furlongs on turf is a quick, punchy test where a sharp horse can wire the field before anyone gets organized. This is one of the stronger win plays on the entire card.

place2Grace CandyML 8/1

Grace Candy (No. 2) is the overlay of the race at 8/1 on the morning line despite owning the field's second-highest TrackWiz rating at 70.93. Trainer Eduardo Caramori has multiple runners on today's card, and Guillermo Rodriguez — one of the more active jockeys today — picks up the mount. An average speed figure of 55 is competitive, and a 7% career win rate doesn't tell the whole story when the model says this horse is clearly the second-best in the field. At 8/1, Grace Candy is an exceptional place value play.

show8Chica LindaML 7/2

Chica Linda (No. 8) brings a 61.81 rating, an average speed figure of 56 that matches the top of the field, and trainer Eider Martinez — who also saddles Iconic Rock in Race 7 — puts Eder Luis Martinez aboard. A 10% career win rate is respectable in this company, and at 7/2 morning line, Chica Linda has the raw speed to keep up through five quick furlongs of turf and land a piece. She's a logical show ticket and rounds out an attractive trifecta with the top two picks.

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

A comfortable autumn afternoon at Belterra, a fair main track, and a card loaded with claiming intrigue — it's a solid Thursday to be at the races. Stoptalkingsarah is our top-rated horse on the free slate, while Modern Miss leads the way in the premium tier. Grab the free picks, and if you want the full-card pace breakdowns and exotic strategies, go premium before the first post. Good luck out there — let's cash some tickets.

← All Belterra Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free