Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — July 9, 2026
It's a wet one at Delaware Park today. Rain is falling as post time approaches, with temperatures sitting at 81°F and the track taking on moisture that could reshape the entire pace scenario from top to bottom. Any time you've got a softening dirt surface, you want to pay close attention to how horses have handled off-track conditions in the past — and that's exactly where TrackWiz analysis earns its keep.
We've got a nine-race card on tap, mixing Claiming and Maiden company in the early going before stepping up to Allowance and Starter Optional Claiming competition in the back half. There's also a pair of turf routes that will be worth watching closely — if the turf course is playing firm despite the rain, that changes the value equation considerably on Races 6 and 8.
Three races are fully open for all readers today, and our top picks in those free races include a 7/2 shot and a morning-line favorite we genuinely like. Stick around — there's real opportunity on this card if you know where to look.
Best Bets
Race 1
Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt
A wide-open dirt mile at the claiming level, but one horse's TrackWiz rating stands well above the rest — look for a clear top choice to sort out a muddled field.
Chill Bean is the clear standout here by TrackWiz metrics, posting an 86.35 rating that towers over the competition in this claiming opener. The 7/2 morning line represents solid value for a horse with that kind of edge, and Julio A. Hernandez gets the call in what should be a manageable pace scenario at one mile. With a career win rate of 12%, the win column may not come easy, but the raw quality separates this one from the field.
South Boundary draws the morning-line favoritism at 9/5 for a reason — a 71.05 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field. Emanuel Rosario is a capable rider who can put a horse in position, and if Chill Bean hits any trouble, South Boundary looks like the natural beneficiary. At a mile on dirt, this one profiles as a solid each-way play.
Naomi an Ruth is the value component of the exotic tickets here, carrying a 64.63 rating and a career win rate of 33% that is notably the best in the field. The 5/1 morning line suggests the market may be underestimating the career form. Angel Cruz has the mount and this horse's win percentage alone makes her worth including in trifecta combinations.
Race 2
Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt
The favorite looks dominant on paper in this dirt route, but there's a legitimate secondary battle shaping up behind her that could make the exotics very interesting.
Miti Fast Flower enters as the class of the field with an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — top mark in the race — and backs it up with a 23% career win rate. The 8/5 morning line is short but reflects real ability at a mile and 70 yards on dirt. Kevin Gomez picks up the mount and the pace scenario over this distance should set up well for a horse with this kind of rating profile.
Always Forward checks in at 2/1 on the morning line with a 58.82 rating — respectable for the level — and Jorge F. Hernandez is an experienced hand for trainer Jose Corrales. The 8% career win rate is modest, but this one consistently runs in the money and at 2/1 there's legitimate value if you're structuring exactas underneath Miti Fast Flower.
Mabee Luckynwild is the longshot angle worth noting at 10/1, carrying a 52.10 rating and a 14% career win rate. Trainer Pedro Nazario saddles this one with Emanuel Rosario aboard, a combination that knows Delaware Park well. At that price in a six-horse field, sliding this one into show position on your tickets is a low-cost hedge with upside.
Race 3
Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf
Five furlongs on the turf for maiden special weights is a tricky puzzle — this large field of first-timers and lightly raced types will hinge heavily on workouts, trainer intent, and morning-line confidence.
Martiniwithatwist opens as the 3/2 morning-line favorite and earns that status with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 59.17. Trainer Gary Capuano is a skilled conditioner on the Mid-Atlantic circuit, and the fact that this one has posted an avg speed of 55 — one of only two horses in the field to show any figure — is a meaningful data point in a race full of unknown quantities. Jose E. Vargas gets the call, and at 5 furlongs on turf, early tactical position is crucial — this one has the profile to break sharply and control the pace.
Cat's Meow is trained by H. Graham Motion, one of the premier turf trainers in the country, which is a major angle in a maiden turf sprint. The 5/2 morning line and 57.50 rating slot this one in right behind the favorite on paper, and with Kevin Gomez up, expect a polished, professional effort. Motion's first-time turf starters historically run well fresh, making this a natural place selection.
Bourbon N Music at 7/2 with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating gives you the third-best figure in a deep field, and Carol Cedeno is a sharp jockey who can get a young horse to relax over a short turf sprint. Trainer Anthony Pecoraro brings this one in at a competitive price for a wide-open maiden, and sticking this runner in the show slot of your trifecta keeps the ticket alive if the top two hold their positions.
The first three races give us a solid cross-section of today's card and a chance to establish some early angles. On the dirt, we're watching how the sealed or muddy surface rewards pace-presser types over pure front-runners — early speed can tire faster on a tiring track, and closers who are comfortable in slop can sneak up late. That context makes Chill Bean (Race 1, 7/2 morning line) an interesting play, and Miti Fast Flower (Race 2, 8/5) brings a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 that stands out in the early Claiming company.
Race 3 flips to a 5-furlong turf sprint for Maiden Special Weight horses, where Martiniwithatwist opens at 3/2. The lower TrackWiz rating of 59.17 here reflects genuine uncertainty in a maiden field — these are unproven runners, and one or two hidden form lines could scramble the result. Fade the false chalk, find live underlays, and use the free picks as your foundation before diving into the premium half of the card.
Full Card Analysis
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Rain, soft ground, and nine races of Delaware Park action — today's card rewards preparation. Chill Bean and Miti Fast Flower headline the free picks on the dirt, while Martiniwithatwist gives us an intriguing turf opener to dissect. For the full breakdown — pace scenarios, exotic tickets, and our takes on Imperial Spy and Maximo Madness at big prices — the complete analysis is waiting for subscribers. Check out TrackWiz Premium and make sure you're fully loaded before the gates open.