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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — June 24, 2026

June 24, 20269 racesAll Delaware Park picks

This card ran on June 24, 2026.

Best bets at Delaware Park, June 24, 2026

Race 14WeaverML 3/112:20 PM EDT

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Delaware Park gets a beautiful Wednesday to work with — clear skies, 78°F, and conditions that should have both the dirt and turf playing fast. That's good news for speed horses on the main track and for turf runners who appreciate a firm surface under their feet.

Nine races are on the board today, spanning maiden claimers, allowance company, and a cluster of Starter Optional Claiming events that give us some real pace scenario intrigue to dig into. The card spans sprints as short as 4½ furlongs all the way out to a mile and 70 yards on the turf, so there's plenty of variety to build tickets around.

Our TrackWiz analysis identified strong signals in several spots today — including a couple of plays where the morning line may be leaving some value on the table. Let's get into it.

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Race 1

12:20 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer over 4½ furlongs where experience is minimal across the board, but one horse separates himself with an actual speed figure on the sheet.

win4WeaverML 3/1

Weaver is the clear class of this field on paper — he's the only horse in the race carrying a meaningful average speed figure of 55, which in a field full of zeros is a significant edge. Paco Lopez takes the mount, and the Hall of Fame rider rarely wastes his time on longshots in maiden claiming openers. Trainer Cathal A. Lynch has him primed for this spot, and at 3/1 on the morning line, the TrackWiz rating of 56.67 tops the field. In a sprint where pace could be ragged, a horse with any prior form experience has a built-in advantage.

place3AlbaliML 4/1

Albali draws attention as the second-highest-rated horse in the field at 55 and goes with Jose A. Batista aboard for trainer Jorge Delgado. While there's no speed figure on record, the 4/1 morning line suggests connections believe he's ready to run, and in a weak maiden claimer, projection and training reports can carry more weight than past numbers.

show6Little DeuceML 5/1

Little Deuce at 5/1 is a reasonable exotics anchor for the third slot. Trainer Jamie Ness is a name worth noting at Delaware Park — he runs a competitive stable and tends to have his first-out horses ready. The 53.33 TrackWiz rating edges out the lower half of the field, making Little Deuce a solid safety net in trifecta coverage.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

12:52 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Hard Freeze looms as a dominant favorite in this maiden claimer, but the real question is whether anyone in the field can mount a serious challenge or if this turns into a solo procession.

win3Hard FreezeML 6/5

Hard Freeze is a cut above in this spot — a TrackWiz rating of 89.71 dwarfs everyone else in the field, and trainer Jamie Ness has him going postward at 6/5 on the morning line. He's already shown a 53 average speed figure, which matches the best in the race, but it's the overall profile and rating that screams class separation. Martin Chuan gets the call, and when Ness sends a horse out this short-priced in a maiden claimer, you pay attention. This looks like a wire-to-wire type on the front end.

place2Crazy MilesML 4/1

Crazy Miles at 4/1 is a first-time starter from the Gregory D. Sacco barn, which gives him some intrigue — Sacco is a respected trainer who rarely throws debut horses in without a solid foundation. His TrackWiz rating of 55 leads all horses without a recorded speed figure, and he lines up as the most logical beneficiary if Hard Freeze has any issues breaking from post 3.

show4Mack Runs PhillyML 6/1

Mack Runs Philly at 6/1 is an interesting third-slot candidate. No recorded speed figures, but the TrackWiz rating of 51.67 is respectable for this level, and trainer Edward T. Allard is a Delaware Park regular who knows how to target these spots. Carol Cedeno rides, and she's a sharp judge of pace who can put a horse in the right position early.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

The first three races on the card are open to all TrackWiz readers, and they offer a nice cross-section of what today's card has to offer. In Race 1, Weaver tops our ratings at 56.67 in a short 4½-furlong maiden claimer — a compact sprint where breaking cleanly from the gate is half the battle. Race 3's Cha Cha Baby draws our attention in a 5-furlong Maiden Special Weight on the dirt, where the MSW field often conceals a lightly raced horse with a bigger ceiling than the others.

But the marquee free pick is Hard Freeze in Race 2 — a 6-furlong maiden claimer where our model spits out a 89.71 rating, the highest of any free race on the card. At 6/5 on the morning line, the market already respects this one, but that rating suggests the short price may still be worth accepting. On a fast, dry track like we're expecting today, don't be surprised if this race gets wire-to-wired.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

1:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

A Maiden Special Weight sprint where the top two on the morning line are separated by a whisker in the ratings, setting up a genuine duel between a pair of well-connected first-timers.

win3Cha Cha BabyML 8/5

Cha Cha Baby draws the nod at 8/5 with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 59.0, and trainer Gary Capuano — a longtime Delaware Park fixture — clearly has confidence in this filly. Yedsit Hazlewood picks up the mount, and Capuano's first-out starters tend to be ready when they show up in MSW company. In a five-furlong dash, the horse that breaks cleanly and gets comfortable early is often the winner, and Cha Cha Baby's profile suggests she has the raw ability to do just that.

place5Whitten WayML 2/1

Whitten Way is a fascinating second pick here — she's trained by the same Gary Capuano barn as Cha Cha Baby, and both connections know what they have. With a 58.33 TrackWiz rating and the second-lowest morning line in the field at 2/1, she's expected to run. Emanuel Rosario is a capable rider, and if the two Capuano horses run one-two, that's not a coincidence — it's a stable sending both barrels.

show1AminettaML 4/1

Aminetta at 4/1 rounds out a solid exotics ticket under trainer Michael R. Matz, a Hall of Famer who rarely puts a horse in a spot he doesn't think it can handle. Her 55.0 TrackWiz rating is third-best in the field, and Julio A. Hernandez keeps the mount. At a price, she's worth using in trifecta boxes to hedge against any surprise result from the Capuano duo.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 4

1:56 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A loaded five-furlong turf sprint where the morning-line favorite isn't the top-rated horse — Flee at 6/1 owns the best TrackWiz number and could be the value play of the afternoon.

win5FleeML 6/1

Flee tops the TrackWiz ratings at 82.71 despite being posted at 6/1 — that kind of gap between market price and internal rating is exactly the spot TrackWiz loves to flag. Trainer Michael V. Simone sends him out with a 12% career win rate for the horse and an average speed figure of 53 in company that fits. Paco Lopez is aboard, and he rarely takes throwaway assignments. On a five-furlong turf sprint, tactical speed is crucial, and Flee's profile suggests he has the tools to stalk the pace and pounce.

place8Pretty ShyML 7/2

Pretty Shy at 7/2 has earned her place on the ticket with a 77.4 TrackWiz rating and a 9% career win rate. Trainer Gregory D. Sacco places his horses thoughtfully, and the Starter Optional Claiming condition suggests Pretty Shy fits comfortably within the class band here. An average speed figure of 53 is consistent with the field, and Wesley Ho is a solid pick-up rider for a horse that probably wants to track the pace.

show4Queen WilhelminaML 9/5

Queen Wilhelmina is the morning-line favorite at 9/5 with Paco Lopez — wait, Lopez is also on Flee? That's a double-check item for bettors, as the program has both horses listed under Lopez. Queen Wilhelmina carries a 69.91 TrackWiz rating and a 4% career win rate, but with just a 53 average speed figure, she may need the race to set up perfectly. Still good enough for third-slot coverage in exotics at her profile.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 5

2:28 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Izzy's Rock Star shows up in this dirt claiming sprint with a towering rating and a 25% career win percentage — this looks like a horse dropping into a spot designed to give him a confidence win.

win8Izzy's Rock StarML 9/5

Izzy's Rock Star is in a class of his own by the numbers — a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 is more than 30 points clear of anyone else in the field, and a 25% career win rate is elite company for the claiming ranks. Paco Lopez picks up the mount for trainer Andrew L. Simoff, which is a powerful jockey-trainer combo at this level. His 52 average speed figure is right in the zone for this distance and company. At 9/5, he's the deserving chalk.

place5Zippy Do Da DayML 6/1

Zippy Do Da Day at 6/1 offers real value as the second-best-rated horse in the field at 58.53 under Raul E. Mena for trainer Jose A. Ramirez. His 4% career win rate looks modest, but the 53 average speed figure is solid and his rating suggests he's been running better than his win count shows. This is the kind of overlooked runner who hits the board consistently without getting to the winner's circle.

show7Major MayhemML 7/2

Major Mayhem at 7/2 is a legitimate contender for the show spot — a 47.3 TrackWiz rating with a 5% career win rate and an average speed figure of 53. Sara Hess has the mount, and trainer Mario Roberto Lopez knows the Delaware Park circuit. He's capable of pressing the early pace and hanging on for a piece, making him a solid trifecta inclusion against a heavy favorite.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 6

3:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Turf

Three horses are bunched tightly at the top of the TrackWiz ratings in this turf route, creating a fascinating scenario where the public may undervalue a very live 3/1 shot against the 9/5 favorite.

win7Eldest SonML 3/1

Eldest Son tops the TrackWiz ratings at 83.98 and goes at a very reasonable 3/1 on the morning line with Paco Lopez aboard for trainer Michael V. Simone. His 21% career win rate is respectable for a router, and an average speed figure of 54 fits comfortably in this field's range. Simone and Lopez have multiple horses in today's card, showing the barn is hot and targeting the right spots. On a turf mile-plus trip, tactical positioning matters, and Lopez is one of the best at reading a turf pace.

place1Magical WaysML 6/1

Magical Ways at 6/1 is an excellent value play for second — an 82.71 TrackWiz rating and an 18% career win rate from the Jamie Ness barn, who also has Hard Freeze among today's top picks. Martin Chuan rides, and Ness has clearly pointed Magical Ways toward a turf route where his form cycle sets up well. The gap between his rating and his morning line is worth exploiting in exacta construction.

show6EjtimaaML 9/5

Ejtimaa draws significant respect here — a 38% career win rate is the second-highest among all horses on today's card, and an 81.85 TrackWiz rating puts him right in the thick of things. Trainer Michael Dini sends him out at 9/5 as the morning-line favorite, and Julio A. Hernandez is an experienced turf rider. He's more of a value play for show than win given where our analysis lands him, but he's clearly dangerous.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 7

3:32 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

Collection Day's TrackWiz rating towers over this dirt route field, but Striking Sparks at 2/1 is the morning-line second choice who could make this a real race if the pace sets up favorably.

win6Collection DayML 3/1

Collection Day is the standout in this Starter Optional Claiming mile-and-70-yard event — his TrackWiz rating of 87.08 leads the field by nearly 20 points, and Paco Lopez takes the mount for trainer Michael V. Simone, who is having himself a productive card today. A 15% career win rate with an average speed figure of 52 shows he's been competitive, and at 3/1 on the morning line, he's not being bet down to a ridiculous price. The combination of elite rating, Lopez, and a Simone barn in form makes this a strong play.

place3Striking SparksML 2/1

Striking Sparks at 2/1 is the market's choice for the main rival, and the 67.19 TrackWiz rating backs that up — it's the second-best number in the field. A 20% career win rate is solid for the claiming ranks, and trainer Jose S. Rodriguez saddles two horses today, which suggests a confident barn. Cipriano Gil has the mount, and if Striking Sparks can sit just off the early pace in a route, he has the class to be there at the turn for home.

show2The Best DistanceML 7/2

The Best Distance at 7/2 completes the exotics picture nicely — a 58.9 TrackWiz rating and a strong 22% career win rate make him the most accomplished winner in the field by that metric. Wesley Ho rides for trainer Jose A. Gallegos, and an average speed figure of 52 is consistent with what's needed here. The name alone suggests a horse that fits a distance of ground, and the connections clearly think this mile trip is his spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 8

4:04 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Turf

Brat Pack enters this turf mile allowance as a dominant favorite with an elite rating, but a 12-horse field with multiple live longshots means exotics could get interesting late.

win1Brat PackML 7/5

Brat Pack owns the highest TrackWiz rating on today's entire card at 89.42, which is a massive number in any company. H. Graham Motion is one of the most decorated turf trainers in the Mid-Atlantic, and Jorge Ruiz takes the mount on a horse with a 20% career win rate and an average speed figure of 55 — the joint-best in this field. The 7/5 morning line is short, but it reflects a legitimate edge. Motion doesn't run horses unless they're ready, and when he spots them in turf allowance company at Delaware Park, the win rate speaks for itself.

place6GridlockML 7/2

Gridlock at 7/2 is the TrackWiz value pick for second — a 72.22 rating and an 18% career win rate with an average speed figure of 55, matching Brat Pack on that metric. Paco Lopez is back in the irons for trainer Michael V. Simone, who is seemingly everywhere on this card. His profile says he can track a big favorite and be there in the stretch for a piece, which is exactly what you want in an exacta underneath a heavy chalk.

show12SalagadoolaML 9/5

Salagadoola at 9/5 is an interesting morning-line second choice with a 61.75 TrackWiz rating and a 26% career win rate — that win percentage is third-best in this 12-horse field. Trainer Wayne Potts sends him out with Martin Chuan up, and an average speed figure of 52 is serviceable for turf mile competition. He's worth including in trifectas as the third slot given his win rate and the ability of Potts to have horses ready when they show up in allowance spots.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 9

4:36 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

Lexington Pike is a massive morning-line favorite in this six-furlong maiden special weight closer, and our analysis fully agrees — his rating is in a completely different tier from the field.

win2Lexington PikeML 3/2

Lexington Pike is trained by Michael L. Catalano, Jr., one of the sharpest maiden special weight conditioners in the region, and Angel Cruz takes the mount on a horse posting an 89.27 TrackWiz rating — the best in the race by a wide margin. His 52 average speed figure provides the only real benchmarking data in a field full of first-timers, giving him a proven edge before the gate even opens. At 3/2 on the morning line, the market knows what it has, but that rating premium is well-earned.

place4Stogie JoeML 7/2

Stogie Joe at 7/2 is the top-rated first-time starter in the field behind Lexington Pike, with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating and Paco Lopez aboard for trainer Josue Arce. Lopez choosing this horse in a competitive maiden field is a strong signal — he sees something in the morning works or training reports that aligns with our numbers. Without a speed figure to point to, it's a projection play, but Lopez's presence makes it a compelling one.

show6CompatriotML 4/1

Compatriot rounds out the ticket at 4/1 for trainer Michael Stidham, who is no stranger to placing horses correctly in maiden company. The 55.0 TrackWiz rating and Julio A. Hernandez in the saddle give this horse a legitimate profile for a piece of the purse. In a race where the top pick is a heavy favorite, the 4/1 show price on a Stidham-trained horse with the third-best rating is worth a look in exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

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Bottom line for today at Delaware Park: Hard Freeze is the standout free pick with one of the highest ratings on the card, and Flee at 6/1 in Race 4 is the value angle worth keeping an eye on. The turf should be playing well in this heat, and the pace setups across the back half of the card make for a compelling multi-race sequence. Full card analysis, pace projections, and exotic breakdowns are waiting for you — check out /pricing to unlock everything. Good luck today.

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