Unlock the other 6 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

Century Downs Picks & Predictions — October 3, 2026

October 3, 20269 racesAll Century Downs picks

It's a crisp Saturday afternoon at Century Downs — 57°F under partly cloudy skies — and the dirt is playing fast, which sets up perfectly for the speed-friendly card we've got in front of us today. Nine races are on the board, and this one leans heavily toward stakes company, with five stakes events dotting the card from the opener all the way through Race 6.

The weather is ideal for horse racing. No rain, no wind concerns, and that firm footing should reward horses that like to roll early and control their own pace. Keep that in mind as you work through today's card — front-runners and pace-pressers figure to have a distinct edge.

TrackWiz has full analysis on all nine races, including three free previews to get you started and deep-dive premium breakdowns on the back half of the card where some of the most interesting wagering opportunities live.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:45 PM EDT

Stakes · 770 yd · Dirt

A 770-yard dirt sprint that looks like a one-horse show on paper, but the secondary spots are genuinely competitive and worth targeting in exotics.

win1Flight ClubML 1/5

Flight Club is the most dominant-looking runner on the card tonight, posting a TrackWiz rating of 90 against a field where no other horse cracks 55. With a 56% career win rate and a 1/5 morning line, trainer William H. Leech has clearly pointed this horse to a spot where it belongs. Jockey Alexander Marti gets the prime assignment here, and in a short 770-yard dash, getting away well and having the class edge is usually all that matters. Fade at your own risk — this is as close to a lock as the sport allows.

place5Krash On OkeyML 10/1

Krash On Okey draws some interest as the secondary play at 10/1 on the morning line, backed by a rating of 54.69 and a 14% career win rate. Trainer Clifton G. Dennis also saddles Rustys Gansito in this race, which gives the barn a two-pronged approach and suggests confidence in the stable's runners. In a short sprint where pace can shake things up, Krash On Okey is the most logical threat to finish directly behind the heavy favorite.

show3Splash Mountain MiaML 8/1

Splash Mountain Mia slots in third in our TrackWiz analysis with a rating of 53.11, just a tick behind Krash On Okey, and opens at 8/1 — fair value for a show ticket. Trainer Todd Kettleson has her at 10% career wins, modest but respectable in this company. In a five-horse field at a short sprint distance, landing in the top three is entirely achievable for a horse rated this close to the place pick.

Race 2

8:13 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

Midnight Moover comes in with a perfect record and the top rating, but a dead-heat battle of nearly identical figures between the top-three horses makes exacta and trifecta construction interesting.

win4Midnight MooverML 2/5

Midnight Moover is the most accomplished horse in this field by a clear margin — a 100% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 60 put this one ahead of the pack, and the 2/5 morning line reflects that reality. Trainer William H. Leech and jockey Alexander Marti are reunited here, the same team we're backing on top in Race 1, and an average speed figure of 54 matches up well with the competition. This is a horse that simply hasn't lost, and at 6 furlongs on dirt, there's no reason to expect that to change tonight.

place1Patriot's WordML 3/1

Patriot's Word at 3/1 is a legitimate contender with a 50% career win rate — the second-best strike rate in the field — and a matching average speed of 54. Trainer Karline Kingston has this horse fit and ready, and the near-dead-heat rating with Cowboy Now (56.67 vs. 56.66) signals how close these two are. If anything trips up the favorite, Patriot's Word is the most likely alternative in the winner's circle, making the place ticket a solid value play.

show2Cowboy NowML 6/1

Cowboy Now at 6/1 is a fascinating show play — a career win rate of 66% is the highest in the entire field, and that kind of strike rate doesn't happen by accident. The 56.66 rating is essentially a carbon copy of Patriot's Word, and with an average speed of 54 as well, the numbers suggest a very tight race behind the favorite. At the morning line price, Cowboy Now represents real value for anyone looking to structure a trifecta.

Race 3

8:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The morning line points to one horse, but TrackWiz analysis flips the script — a big overlay is hiding in plain sight in this 6-furlong claiming sprint.

win3Gracie DaymakerML 8/1

Gracie Daymaker opens at 8/1 on the morning line but carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at a commanding 79.79 — nearly 17 points clear of the next-best horse. A 33% career win rate is the second-highest mark in this field, and trainer Ron Grieves has her primed for this spot. At 6 furlongs with an average speed of 53, she has the back class and the figures to justify a win bet even at a price that suggests the morning line missed her.

place1Seattle StingML 3/1

Seattle Sting is the second-rated horse in our analysis at 62.84 and opens at a more reasonable 3/1 despite posting a 16% career win rate in what appears to be tough, competitive company. Trainer David Nicholson and jockey Keimar Trotman make for a capable combination, and an average speed of 53 keeps Seattle Sting competitive with most of this field on raw ability. The place ticket here is a sensible hedge if you're on Gracie Daymaker to win.

show4Ladyace of SpeightML 2/1

Ladyace of Speight comes in as the morning-line favorite at 2/1 but ranks third in our TrackWiz model at 57.19 — a notable gap below the top two. Trainer Ron Grieves runs both Gracie Daymaker and Ladyace of Speight in the same race, and stables sometimes use one horse to set up the other. With a 9% career win rate, the show spot feels like the right level of expectation for this filly at today's odds.

The free portion of today's card gives you a solid foundation. Race 1 opens with Flight Club in a short-field stakes sprint at 770 yards — the morning line screams chalk at 1/5, and our rating backs it up at a max 90. Don't expect value there, but it's a good race to watch for pace clues on how the dirt is playing early. By Race 2, Midnight Moover draws attention in a 6-furlong stakes at 2/5 on the morning line — another short-priced favorite, but the field shapes up in a way that pace scenario could get complicated.

Race 3 is where casual players might find their most interesting free-look bet: Gracie Daymaker opens at 8/1 in a claiming sprint, and our analysis rates her just under 80 — that's genuine value against a morning line that's easy to overlook. On a fast dirt surface where front speed is rewarded, her profile warrants a serious look. These three free races give you a nice early read on today's track bias before committing deeper into the card.

Send me tomorrow's free Century Downs card before post time.

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

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:09 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

Two horses separate themselves from the field in a 6-furlong stakes, setting up what could be a thrilling duel between a heavy favorite and a live closer — with the rest of the field playing for minor awards.

win3BeyondthesunML 4/5

Beyondthesun earns the top spot in our analysis with an 88.95 rating and draws the 4/5 morning line for good reason. A 33% career win rate and an average speed of 54 — the highest in the field alongside Tequila Night — confirm this horse can back up the hype with actual numbers. Trainer James R. Brown has clearly placed this runner in a favorable spot, and jockey Antonio Ambrosio Reyes is a capable pilot for a horse expected to control or be close to the pace.

place4Tequila NightML 3/1

Tequila Night is dangerously close to the top-rated horse — an 87.08 TrackWiz rating against 88.95 is a razor-thin margin in any model. Matching the favorite on average speed at 54 and sharing the same 33% career win rate, trainer Mel Snow has this one rolling. At 3/1 on the morning line, Tequila Night looks like the value play in the race — a horse good enough to win that isn't being asked to win.

show2Fly to the SkiesML 8/1

Fly to the Skies is a curious show selection — no career wins recorded and a modest 48.33 rating — but in a race where the top two dominate and the rest of the field is unimpressive, she may be in the right spot to sneak into the trifecta. Trainer Barbara Heads gets Amadeo Perez in the irons, a jockey with experience navigating competitive fields. In a six-horse stake where a pace duel between the top two is possible, a fresh closer can pick up pieces at 8/1.

Race 5

9:37 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

Chi Chi Time is as prohibitive a favorite as you'll see — but at 1/9, the race is really about who grabs the place and show spots, making secondary betting the story here.

win4Chi Chi TimeML 1/9

Chi Chi Time has a 100% career win rate and the maximum TrackWiz rating of 90, paired with a 1/9 morning line that tells you everything you need to know about public perception. Trainer Pat Jarvis and jockey Kimal Santo have clearly done something right — this horse simply hasn't lost. An average speed of 54 leads the field, and at 7 furlongs, a horse this dominant typically controls its own destiny from start to finish.

place1Red CharityML 8/1

Red Charity at 8/1 is the most interesting secondary play in this race — a 75.76 rating is well clear of the third-best runner, and a 40% career win rate is legitimately elite. Trainer Carson Frey and jockey Jose Mariano Asencio combine on a horse that, in any other field, might be the outright favorite. At this price, the place ticket on Red Charity against a horse going off at 1/9 is arguably the best value in the race.

show3Sixty SixML 10/1

Sixty Six slots in third in our model at 66.30 with a 14% career win rate and an average speed of 52, keeping pace with most of the field. Trainer David Nicholson has a history of placing horses in competitive positions, and jockey Kyle Carter should be able to secure a trip close enough to the pace to benefit if things get messy up front. At 10/1, Sixty Six is a worthwhile trifecta piece in a race where the win side is solved.

Race 6

10:05 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A genuinely competitive 7-furlong stakes with four horses capable of winning — the pace scenario here could be chaotic, and the horse that gets the best trip stands to benefit enormously.

win1PuttingonthefoilML 2/1

Puttingonthefoil leads our TrackWiz analysis at 87.99 and draws a fair 2/1 morning line in what is the most evenly matched race on the card. A 30% career win rate and an average speed of 54 show this horse performs consistently at a high level, and trainer Gonzalo Anderson also saddles Thatswhatimherefor — a two-horse barn entry that could influence early pace dynamics. Jockey Antonio Whitehall gets the top pick, and in a race this tight, the horse with the highest rating often finds a way.

place2River SevenML 7/2

River Seven is only 1.64 rating points behind the top pick at 86.35 — essentially a dead-heat in predictive terms — and brings an average speed of 55, the best in the field. Trainer Joan Petrowski has a 27% career winner in this spot, and Antonio Ambrosio Reyes is an accomplished rider who can exploit pace gaps. At 7/2, backing River Seven for place is a smart position in a race where any of the top three could legitimately hit the board first.

show4ChaseML 5/2

Chase at 5/2 on the morning line and an 81.09 TrackWiz rating makes a strong case for inclusion in exactas and trifectas. Trainer Robert Henson and jockey Amadeo Perez are a formidable pairing, and an average speed of 55 — matching River Seven for the field lead — shows Chase has the raw ability to mix it up with the best horses here. In a race this competitive, the show position might be the most reliable ticket on the board.

Race 7

10:33 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

February stands head and shoulders above this claiming field on raw ratings, but at 2/1 in a seven-horse race, there's legitimate supporting value underneath.

win6FebruaryML 2/1

February tops the TrackWiz leaderboard in this claiming sprint with an 88.54 rating — a dominant 12-point gap over the second-best horse — and an average speed of 54 that is the best in the field. Trainer Dino K. Condilenios has a horse carrying a 23% career win rate, solid for a claiming level, and jockey Kimal Santo steps into the irons on the class of the field. At 2/1 on the morning line, this is genuinely good value for the top-rated horse on the card tonight.

place2LicoriceML 7/2

Licorice at 7/2 is a legitimate contender for the place spot — a 76.32 rating is well above the pack and the horse shows an 11% career win rate in what appears to be competitive prior company. Trainer James R. Brown places another runner in this race (Quality Command), suggesting barn confidence, and jockey Antonio Ambrosio Reyes has the experience to navigate a seven-horse field at 6 furlongs. At these odds, the place ticket on Licorice pairs nicely with a straight win bet on February.

show3Rose of TexasML 3/1

Rose of Texas opens at 3/1 with a 71.51 rating and an 18% career win rate — the second-highest strike rate in the field behind only February. Trainer Jason Coney and jockey Brian Boodramsingh are a capable combination, and an average speed of 53 keeps Rose of Texas squarely in contention on figures. In a race where the top two choices could engage in a pace duel, a horse with this kind of sustained ability can easily hold on for third.

Race 8

11:01 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Big Curl comes in as the class of an allowance optional claiming mile-plus test, but the supporting cast is deeper than typical, with two horses in the 78-81 rating range lurking at enticing prices.

win2Big CurlML 4/5

Big Curl earns the maximum TrackWiz rating of 90 and opens as the 4/5 favorite in what looks like a spot tailor-made for a dominant effort. Trainer Tim Rycroft has this horse posting a 20% career win rate at the allowance level, and jockey Enrique Alonzo Gonzalez gets the call on the class of the field. At 1 1/16 miles — the longest race on tonight's card — an average speed of 52 means pacing strategies will matter, and a horse with this rating profile typically has the stamina to sustain it.

place6Bakk N BeautifulML 9/2

Bakk N Beautiful at 9/2 is the most interesting supporting play in this race — an 80.94 TrackWiz rating trails only Big Curl significantly, and an average speed of 55 is actually the best in the entire field. Trainer Makayla Edwards has placed this horse in a spot where the pace figures suggest she could make a big late move, and jockey Antonio Ambrosio Reyes knows how to time a run at this distance. The place ticket at 9/2 is where the value lives in Race 8.

show7Tiz ThunderML 6/1

Tiz Thunder rounds out our top three at a 78.75 rating with a 33% career win rate — the highest strike rate in this field by a significant margin. Trainer Mel Snow and jockey Amadeo Perez are experienced hands who know how to get a horse into the money at a route distance, and an average speed of 53 is respectable. At 6/1 on the morning line, Tiz Thunder is a live show horse and a smart trifecta inclusion in what could be a strung-out pace scenario.

Race 9

11:29 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Dirt

Nine horses entered at 7.5 furlongs creates a tricky pace puzzle — two horses share nearly identical top ratings, and the right trip at the right time could produce a generous exacta.

win8Kangaroo CoastML 3/1

Kangaroo Coast tops the TrackWiz leaderboard at 85.68 with a 3/1 morning line, making this a horse worth backing at a fair price against a large field. A 17% career win rate and an average speed of 53 are respectable numbers at the claiming level, and trainer Colleen O'Hagan has this horse in a spot where the class figures line up well. Jockey Keimar Trotman is active on tonight's card and will be motivated to close out the night strong.

place6SportscarrML 9/2

Sportscarr is only 0.78 rating points behind Kangaroo Coast at 84.90 — essentially a statistical coin flip — and opens at 9/2 on the morning line with an average speed of 54, one tick ahead of our win pick. Trainer Rod Heggie and jockey Desmond Bryan make for a less heralded but capable team, and a 14% career win rate in what is clearly a tough spot speaks to consistent form. If the pace unfolds favorably, Sportscarr has every tool needed to beat Kangaroo Coast outright, let alone finish second.

show3Quinto SolML 4/1

Quinto Sol at 4/1 and a 73.92 rating is a clear tier below the top two but well above the rest of the nine-horse field, which makes the show ticket a logical construction piece. Trainer Gonzalo Anderson and jockey Antonio Whitehall are a well-connected pairing in this meet, and an average speed of 53 keeps Quinto Sol competitive on figures. In a nine-horse field at an awkward distance like 7.5 furlongs, depth of the top-three is your friend, and this horse provides it.

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: Century Downs is serving up a stakes-loaded Saturday with ideal conditions for speed. Flight Club and Chi Chi Time are the marquee names, but Gracie Daymaker at 8/1 is the kind of play that makes a card memorable. The free picks get you through the early races — for pace breakdowns, exotic strategies, and full analysis on Races 4-9, the complete card is waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there today.

← All Century Downs picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free