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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — July 9, 2026

July 9, 20269 racesAll Delaware Park picks

This card ran on July 9, 2026.

Best bets at Delaware Park, July 9, 2026

Race 16Chill BeanML 7/212:20 PM EDT

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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

12:20 PM EDT

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.

win6Chill BeanML 7/2

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.

place3South BoundaryML 9/5

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.

show2Naomi an RuthML 5/1

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.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

12:52 PM EDT

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.

win4Miti Fast FlowerML 8/5

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.

place6Always ForwardML 2/1

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.

show1Mabee LuckynwildML 10/1

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.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

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.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

1:24 PM EDT

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.

win6MartiniwithatwistML 3/2

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.

place5Cat's MeowML 5/2

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.

show11Bourbon N MusicML 7/2

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.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

Race 4

1:56 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A claiming route where the morning-line favorite carries genuine top-end ratings but faces a deeper field than the odds suggest — Ocala Dream and Starship Mocha make this more than a one-horse show.

win6Patton's TizzyML 3/2

Patton's Tizzy posts the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.27 and is installed as the 3/2 morning-line choice, which tracks perfectly. Carol Cedeno takes the mount for trainer Carlos M. Sepulveda, and the 18% career win rate is solid for a claiming-level runner. The avg speed figure of 54 leads the field and at one mile on dirt, this one's combination of raw figures and morning-line support makes it the clear top pick.

place1Ocala DreamML 3/1

Ocala Dream draws post one with a 77.44 rating — second-best in the race — and Inoel Beato gets the call for trainer Erin C. McClellan. A 15% career win rate and an avg speed of 53 keep this one very much in the mix. The 3/1 morning line offers fair value if you're building exactas, and the inside post at one mile at Delaware sets this one up to get a clean trip early.

show4Starship MochaML 10/1

Starship Mocha is worth a closer look at 10/1 given a 62.41 rating and a career win percentage of 20% — best among the mid-tier group in this field. Trainer Mauricio Nunez sends this one out with Jesus Suarez, and the avg speed of 53 is right in the mix. At a double-digit price with that career record, this is a prime show-ticket inclusion and a sneaky exacta play against the top two.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 5

2:28 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

An allowance optional claiming route where two horses own clear ratings separation from the field — the pace setup between them will decide if there's any value underneath.

win6SpeedynessML 8/5

Speedyness tops the TrackWiz ratings at 89.12 and is backed by a 30% career win rate, making this one of the more compelling win plays on the card. The 8/5 morning line is deserved — Martin Chuan gets the call for trainer Jamie Ness, a trainer known for placing horses well at this level. At a mile and 70 yards on dirt with a solid avg speed of 53, the distance profile fits and the numbers say this one is the class of the field.

place3Quick to AccuseML 3/1

Quick to Accuse deserves respect here with an 82.43 rating and a 20% career win rate — strong credentials for an allowance optional claiming field. Julio A. Hernandez is one of the more reliable riders in the Mid-Atlantic and the 3/1 morning line offers genuine exacta value. The avg speed of 54 actually edges out Speedyness, meaning if the pace scenario sets up right, this one could push hard to the wire.

show1Shaft's BulletML 6/1

Shaft's Bullet brings a noteworthy 33% career win rate — tied for second-best in the field — and a 71.85 TrackWiz rating that's solidly third in the race. Emanuel Rosario aboard for trainer Gary Capuano is a pairing worth respecting, and at 6/1 on the morning line there's real value here for trifecta construction. An avg speed of 54 matches Quick to Accuse and puts this one in contention for a piece.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

3:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Turf

A massive 15-horse field on the turf creates a chaotic pace scenario — in races like this, horses with class and the ability to settle off a contested pace often emerge late.

win15Imperial SpyML 10/1

Imperial Spy is our top selection at 10/1 morning line — a genuine value play in a field this wide. The 76.88 TrackWiz rating leads all horses in this race, and trainer Ruperto A. Perez sends this one out with Eliseo Ruiz, a combination that merits attention. A 5% career win rate sounds modest, but in a 15-horse turf route at this class level, the raw ratings edge is the primary driver here — and at double-digit odds, this is squarely in value territory.

place5BabbleML 9/2

Babble draws the 9/2 morning line with a 67.38 rating and a 10% career win rate, handled by Christian Maldonado for trainer Nesvil Hernan Bailon, who also saddles a horse in Race 3. At nearly a mile and 70 yards on turf, this one's avg speed of 52 is workable, and the odds represent fair value in a chaotic field where hitting the board matters more than winning outright.

show7MentorML 10/1

Mentor carries a 25% career win rate — one of the better marks in this field — with a 67.15 rating and Carol Cedeno up for trainer Kelly J. Breen. The 10/1 morning line is generous for a horse with that kind of career form, and in a large-field turf route where traffic trouble is always a factor, a horse with this profile landing third is a very reasonable outcome. A strong trifecta inclusion at a price.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 15 runners

Race 7

3:32 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short, sharp 5.5-furlong dash on dirt where two horses post elite ratings and a monster career win percentage could swing the result — this one has the look of a two-horse race with a solid third lurking.

win4Peridot PendantML 3/2

Peridot Pendant is the top pick and it's easy to see why — an 89.27 TrackWiz rating leads the field and is paired with a jaw-dropping 50% career win rate. Trainer Erin C. McClellan sends this one out with Emilio Flores, and at 3/2 on the morning line, the market agrees this is the one to beat. An avg speed of 56, tied for best in the race, confirms this one has the raw foot for a 5.5-furlong dirt sprint.

place5Glows in the DarkML 5/2

Glows in the Dark is perhaps the most fascinating horse on the entire card — a 62% career win rate is extraordinary and the 83.67 TrackWiz rating is second only to the top pick. Jose A. Batista rides for trainer Christopher Seale, and at 5/2 the morning line gives you a live horse at a workable price. The avg speed of 54 is slightly below the top two, which is the only reason this one slots in second rather than first.

show2TennesseehoneybeeML 9/5

Tennesseehoneybee checks in at 9/5 on the morning line with a 74.03 rating and a 31% career win rate — extremely competitive numbers for the show position. Cipriano Gil gets the call for trainer Jose A. Gallegos, and the avg speed of 56 matches the top pick in the race. This one could easily hit the board or better — including it in all your exactas and trifectas at 9/5 creates excellent multi-race ticket value.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 8

4:04 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi 70 yd · Turf

A full allowance turf route with a deep 12-horse field — the ratings are compressed in the middle of the pack, but a double-digit-priced horse emerges on top when you dig into the numbers.

win12Maximo MadnessML 10/1

Maximo Madness is our top selection here at 10/1 morning line, and the value angle is real — a 76.88 TrackWiz rating leads all runners in this allowance turf field. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp sends this one out with Angel R. Rodriguez, and a 15% career win rate with an avg speed of 53 rounds out a profile that deserves more attention from the morning-line makers. In a field where favorites are beatable and no horse screams certainty, this is the kind of double-digit overlay that builds bankrolls.

place3Racey RubyML 5/1

Racey Ruby brings a 33% career win rate — tied for the best among horses with meaningful starts — and a 67.44 rating that sits comfortably in second place in the field. Daniel Centeno rides for trainer Michael L. Catalano, Jr., a sharp combination for a turf route. An avg speed of 54 and a 5/1 morning line make this one the clearest value in the place spot, with a realistic chance to pop the upset at the top of the ticket.

show10Put a Rock On ItML 10/1

Put a Rock On It at 10/1 morning line is a sneaky show inclusion with a 63.61 rating and a 17% career win rate. Trainer Kieron Magee sends this one out with Ismerio Villalobos, and the avg speed of 55 is the highest in the field — a meaningful figure for a turf route where late pace fractions can be decisive. At a price that would pay nicely, this one is worth a slot in your trifecta.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 9

4:36 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint on dirt to close out the card — the morning-line favorite has a commanding edge on the TrackWiz ratings, but a handful of horses with actual speed figures on their lines add intrigue underneath.

win6Chestertown JaneML 8/5

Chestertown Jane is the standout at 8/5 on the morning line, backed by a dominant 89.12 TrackWiz rating that clears the field by a wide margin. Trainer Benjamin W. Perkins, Jr. is a well-regarded conditioner who knows how to prepare maidens, and Jose A. Batista gets the call from a favorable post position. The avg speed of 53 leads all horses in the race who have posted a figure, and in a maiden claiming sprint, that kind of number usually translates directly to a front-running or stalking victory.

place5ConfrontationalML 8/1

Confrontational checks in at 8/1 on the morning line with a 56.26 rating — second-best in the field — making this one a genuine value play in the place spot. Eddie Dominguez rides for trainer Pedro Nazario, who has horses on this card and knows the Delaware circuit. An avg speed of 52 backs up the ratings figure and suggests this one is fit and ready to run a solid race behind the favorite.

show4Cloud KissesML 2/1

Cloud Kisses is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 with a 55.10 TrackWiz rating and an avg speed of 51. Trainer Steven Dye puts Teshawn Hazelwood up, and while the odds may compress this one's exacta value, sticking Cloud Kisses in the show slot of the trifecta is a sensible move. The figures are close enough between the second and third picks that board position comes down to pace and post-race tactics on a sprint day.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

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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.

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