Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — July 15, 2026

Blue Fashion gets the Paco Lopez booking for trainer Michael V. Simone — a sharp combination at Delaware Park — and comes in with a 74.08 TrackWiz rating that makes this our clear place selection. The 53 average speed figure is consistent, and at 3/1 on the morning line, Blue Fashion rates as a logical stalker who could be sitting second or third into the stretch and ready to pounce if Perugia hits any interference.

Compass Fire at 4/1 with Jose A. Batista aboard for trainer Christopher Seale gives us our show selection, with a 68.75 rating that slots in nicely third in this field. What's interesting is the 20% career win rate — this is a horse that does win, and a 53 average speed figure keeps it competitive in a six-furlong sprint. A show play here doubles as solid trifecta coverage.

Battle Lou goes to the gate with program number 10 at 5/1 under Paco Lopez for trainer Ruperto A. Perez — yes, Lopez is double-booked here per the card, so confirm your program before betting. The 81.39 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and the 53 average speed figure gives Battle Lou legitimate form on the board. At 5/1, there's real value if Hopeygot gets beaten, and this one fits the place spot snugly.

Madefromliona draws the 14 hole at 3/1 for trainer Carl Doran with Daniel Centeno aboard, and the 76.81 TrackWiz rating makes this our third piece of the trifecta. The 53 average speed figure is consistent with the top horses in this field, and in a large maiden field on turf, the outside post can actually work in a horse's favor by avoiding early traffic. Solid exotic insurance at a reasonable price.

Guard of Honour is a fascinating place play at 8/1 for trainer Martin Hinckson with Shirley Esther Yancapallo Gomocio up, carrying a 73.60 TrackWiz rating that slots in second-best in the field. The 2% career win rate is low, but that actually reinforces the place profile — this horse has a history of running competitively without closing the deal, which is exactly the kind of résumé that makes sense in a place bet. Good value underneath So So.

It a Lee comes in at 12/1 morning line for trainer Kelly Lynn Deiter with Edgar Villasmil aboard, and the 73.23 TrackWiz rating is nearly identical to Guard of Honour — making this a legit show play at a price the public may overlook. A 14% career win rate is the highest among our picks, and the 52 average speed figure keeps pace with the field. If the top two finishers come from our selections, It a Lee at 12/1 in the show spot could pay a nice trifecta dividend.

Kinda Clever grabs the 7 hole at 5/2 for Hall of Fame trainer Michael R. Matz with Julio A. Hernandez doing the steering. The 62.62 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and Matz consistently sends horses out fit and ready — especially in maiden turf events where patience and preparation pay off. At 5/2 this is a logical main-event exacta partner with Hotter Than Fire.

Tiz Complex might be the most interesting show play on the card today, going at 6/1 with program number 13 for trainer Cathal A. Lynch and Daniel Centeno aboard. The 58.99 TrackWiz rating ranks third in this sprawling field, and a 53 average speed figure ties the best marks among the non-top picks. In a field this large, finding a 6/1 horse with legitimate ratings is how you build value into your trifectas.

Peridot Pendant is the morning-line favorite at 4/5 and draws a 86.30 TrackWiz rating — barely a whisker behind our win pick, which is why we're using this horse in the place spot rather than against it. The 50% career win rate is absolutely eye-popping and the highest figure on the entire day's card, and a 56 average speed figure leads all starters. Trainer Erin C. McClellan has this horse running at the peak of its form, and Emilio Flores gets the mount.

Awesome Pic at 4/1 gives us a sensible third wheel for this race, with trainer Enrique Hernandez sending out a horse rated 72.06 — third in the field by a solid margin. The 22% career win rate is the second-highest among the starters, and a 54 average speed figure matches the field's mid-tier. With the top two horses in our analysis running 1-2, Awesome Pic at 4/1 is the natural trifecta closer with Marvin Fernandez aboard.

Voluntary exits the barn of Michael R. Matz at 7/2 — a trainer whose maiden turf starters routinely run big figures right out of the gate. The 77.38 TrackWiz rating sits second in the field, and with Julio A. Hernandez aboard, Voluntary gets an experienced handler in a race where trip and positioning will matter. Matz has won with lesser-regarded horses at this level, making this a comfortable place selection.

Endorse is the morning-line second choice at 3/2, which makes it interesting that we're slotting this one into the show position — but the 68.34 TrackWiz rating tells the story. Despite the attractive morning-line price, two horses rate above Endorse in our model. That said, trainer Brittany T. Russell has this one in good order with Julio A. Hernandez in the saddle, and the 3/2 price means Endorse will likely be a bridesmaid in the betting — which is exactly the profile you want in a show slot.

Howgreatisnate is a legitimately exciting place play at 8/1 for trainer Andrew L. Simoff with Julio A. Hernandez up. The 79.79 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and a 28% career win rate tells you this horse knows the finish line. If Speedyness gets into trouble or faces a stronger pace battle than expected, Howgreatisnate has the raw ability to take the place money at a price that makes the exotic payouts worthwhile.

Shaft's Bullet rounds out our selection with a 76.79 TrackWiz rating for trainer Gary Capuano, with Emanuel Rosario guiding from post 4. A 33% career win rate is second among all starters in this field, and Capuano's operation is always respected in these allowance spots. At 8/1 on the morning line, Shaft's Bullet makes a compelling show bet and a value-added trifecta component if the top two run as expected.

Never Heather gets Paco Lopez for trainer Gregory D. Sacco at 7/2 — and any time you see Lopez booked for a Sacco maiden, you take notice. The 55.83 TrackWiz rating is second in the field, and the 54 average speed figure puts Never Heather in the conversation for honest contention. Sacco is a patient trainer who typically spots his maidens in exactly the right spot, so this one figures to be ready.

Yo Philly rounds out our ticket from the rail post at 6/1 for trainer Jamie Ness with Martin Chuan up — and Ness once again appears in today's finale, which is worth noting given his strong day on the card. The 51.67 TrackWiz rating and 52 average speed figure keep Yo Philly in contention for the minor awards, and the 6/1 morning line offers enough value to make this a worthwhile trifecta piece in a competitive maiden sprint.