Daily Picks

Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — July 15, 2026

Wednesday, July 15, 202610 racesDelaware Park

It's a hot one at Delaware Park today — clear skies and 92°F on the thermometer, which means the main track should be baked firm and playing fast. Ten races are on the board, mixing claimers, maiden events, and an allowance optional claiming feature that has our attention from top to bottom.

With a mix of dirt sprints, route races, and three turf events on the program, there's something for every style of bettor today. The turf course is a welcome escape from the heat for some horses — but don't sleep on the dirt, where pace scenarios could get spicy in the afternoon sun.

TrackWiz has you covered across all ten races. Races 1 through 3 are unlocked for every reader, and our premium subscribers get the full breakdown on Races 4 through 10 — including exotic plays and pace projections.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A nine-horse claiming mile with a clear class standout at the top, but enough live prices underneath to make the exotics interesting — don't sleep on the pace scenario here.

win2Patton's TizzyML 5/2

Patton's Tizzy tops the TrackWiz ratings by a wide margin with an 87.81 — a full 24 points clear of the second-best horse in this field. Jockey Carol Cedeno gets the call for trainer Carlos M. Sepulveda, and the 18% career win rate on this horse gives you confidence it knows how to seal the deal. The average speed figure of 54 leads the field and at 5/2 on the morning line, this feels like exactly the kind of price where you take the best horse at a fair number.

place1Seeking UnityML 2/1

Seeking Unity draws the rail and comes in as the morning-line favorite at 2/1 under the always-reliable Paco Lopez. The TrackWiz rating of 63.79 is second only to Patton's Tizzy, and while the 16% career win rate is modest, Seeking Unity projects well as a horse that figures to be involved all the way around this one-mile oval.

show9Ocala DreamML 5/1

Ocala Dream rounds out our top three at 5/1 with trainer Erin C. McClellan sending out a horse that shows a 53 average speed figure — tied for the field's best among the non-top picks. The 61.67 TrackWiz rating and 15% career win mark make Ocala Dream a worthy exotic anchor, especially if Patton's Tizzy and Seeking Unity set the pace and leave the door open for a closer.

Race 2

4:52 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A first-level maiden sprint on the dirt where no horse has won, but the Gary Capuano barn is double-barreled and the morning-line speaks — expect this one to be decided up front.

win5Cha Cha BabyML 2/1

Cha Cha Baby is our top pick in this 5.5-furlong maiden, carrying the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 58.33 and the morning-line favoritism at 2/1. Trainer Gary Capuano sends this one out with an average speed figure of 55 — tied for best in the field — and the Emanuel Rosario booking is a sharp rider choice. In a race full of first-time starters with no speed figures, any edge in published figures stands out, and Cha Cha Baby has that edge.

place3MartiniwithatwistML 3/1

Martiniwithatwist is the other Capuano runner in here and shows the same 55 average speed figure as the stable's top pick, which tells you Capuano is genuinely bringing both horses ready to fire. At 3/1 on the morning line with Jose E. Vargas aboard, this one is our place selection and a natural inclusion in exactas — the barn has the ammunition to run 1-2.

show6CordovaML 3/1

Cordova draws the 6-hole with trainer Michael Stidham and Teshawn Hazelwood up, sporting a 56.67 TrackWiz rating that matches Martiniwithatwist. What separates Cordova as a show play is the 3/1 morning line — you're getting fair odds on a horse with a legitimate rating, and Stidham is a trainer who doesn't enter lightly. A solid exacta/trifecta underneath the Capuano pair.

Race 3

5:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Perugia looks like the class of this six-furlong claiming sprint, but a 2/1 favorite in a full field means there's live money underneath — particularly from the morning-line second choice with a trainer angle worth noting.

win7PerugiaML 2/1

Perugia is the standout in this race, posting an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark of the entire card through the first three races — while going postward at just 2/1 for trainer Jamie Ness and jockey Martin Chuan. The 21% career win rate pairs with a 54 average speed figure that matches the field's best, and Ness is a shrewd conditioner who knows how to place a horse in a spot like this. At 2/1 this isn't a screaming overlay, but when the ratings separate this clearly, you back the number.

place8Blue FashionML 3/1

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.

show5Compass FireML 4/1

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.

Our three free races today cover a nice cross-section of the card. In Race 1, Patton's Tizzy (morning line 5/2, TrackWiz rating 87.81) headlines a one-mile claiming sprint on dirt — on a fast-playing track, front-runners and pace-pressers tend to hold an edge, so watch how this field lines up early. Race 2 brings a maiden special weight over 5½ furlongs where Cha Cha Baby (2/1 ML) gets our nod, though with a rating of 58.33 this is a wide-open maiden heat where upsets are very much on the table. Race 3 is arguably the sharpest of the free trio: Perugia (2/1 ML, 88.54 rating) tops a 6-furlong claiming field and grades out as one of the stronger figures on the afternoon.

The common thread across these three? In this heat, on a firm dirt track, horses with tactical speed — the ability to sit just off a fast pace rather than burn early — are worth prioritizing. Keep that in mind as you build your tickets.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:56 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden claiming field of 14 on the turf, where no horse has ever won — class of the field is hard to pin down, but TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear three-horse tier at the top worth zeroing in on.

win7HopeygotML 7/2

Hopeygot draws program number 7 and heads to the gate at 7/2 for trainer Karin Wagner with Paco Lopez securing the mount — and that jockey booking alone grabs your attention in a race like this. The 86.35 TrackWiz rating leads all 14 starters, and the 54 average speed figure is among the field's best in what is otherwise a formless maiden. On turf at 7.5 furlongs, pace scenarios get complicated, but Lopez knows how to navigate traffic and position a horse for a late run.

place10Battle LouML 5/1

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.

show14MadefromlionaML 3/1

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.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

So So carries a massive ratings advantage into this one-mile-plus claiming event, making this one of the day's more top-heavy races — the real question is whether the supporting cast can challenge for the minor awards.

win1So SoML 2/1

So So checks in with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — the field's best by a comfortable margin — going postward at just 2/1 for trainer Michelle Castillo and jockey Wesley Ho. What stands out about this horse isn't just the rating but the consistency: a 52 average speed figure over multiple efforts tells you this horse is not a one-run flash. The 7% career win rate is worth noting as a potential concern, but at this level in a claiming race, the rating edge is hard to ignore.

place4Guard of HonourML 8/1

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.

show3It a LeeML 12/1

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.

Race 6

7:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A massive 16-horse maiden claiming field on the turf — chaos is real in a race this size, but three horses separate themselves clearly from the pack and warrant full attention.

win8Hotter Than FireML 7/2

Hotter Than Fire is our top selection, drawing program 8 at 7/2 for the powerful Jamie Ness barn with Paco Lopez aboard — that's one of the sharper trainer-jockey tandems at this meet. The 86.35 TrackWiz rating towers over almost the entire field, and a 53 average speed figure in a maiden turf event is respectable. In a 16-horse field, gate position and early positioning matter, and Lopez is exactly the kind of tactician you want navigating that kind of traffic.

place7Kinda CleverML 5/2

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.

show13Tiz ComplexML 6/1

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.

Race 7

7:32 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A tight six-furlong Starter Optional Claiming sprint where the top two choices are separated by less than a point in the ratings — this shapes up as a genuine two-horse battle with some value underneath.

win1Miguel's BelleML 3/1

Miguel's Belle is our top selection at 3/1 for trainer Michael V. Simone with Paco Lopez in the irons — a confident booking from a sharp outfit. The 87.08 TrackWiz rating just edges out the morning-line chalk, and a 55 average speed figure leads the entire field. A 17% career win rate in a starter optional claiming event suggests a horse in good form, and Lopez's comfort factor at Delaware Park makes this our strongest selection in the race.

place4Peridot PendantML 4/5

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.

show3Awesome PicML 4/1

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.

Race 8

8:04 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

An all-maiden turf mile where the ratings cluster in the middle of the pack — but Reppazz stands alone at the top, and the supporting cast offers some genuine value at fair odds.

win9ReppazzML 4/1

Reppazz surfaces as our top selection at 4/1 with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this 12-horse field by a meaningful gap. Ricardo Chiappe picks up the mount for trainer Juanita Bennett, and a 54 average speed figure in a maiden turf mile is among the best in the field. Chiappe knows his way around a turf course and Reppazz offers real value at 4/1 given the ratings separation here.

place4VoluntaryML 7/2

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.

show7EndorseML 3/2

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.

Race 9

8:36 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

The allowance optional claiming feature looks like it shapes up as a pace test over a mile and 70 yards, with the morning-line favorite carrying elite ratings but facing a determined band of horses with serious win percentages.

win1SpeedynessML 3/2

Speedyness heads to the gate at 3/2 for trainer Jamie Ness with Martin Chuan up, posting an 89.27 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark of the entire day's card across all ten races. A 30% career win rate is outstanding at any level, and Ness sends this one out sharp after what our analysis suggests is a horse in top condition. At 3/2 the price isn't generous, but with ratings this dominant, Speedyness is the anchor of any ticket you build in Race 9.

place2HowgreatisnateML 8/1

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.

show4Shaft's BulletML 8/1

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.

Race 10

9:08 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The finale is a first-level maiden sprint on the dirt where Dream Eagle's ratings stand out clearly — but the supporting cast makes this competitive enough that exactas and trifectas deserve attention.

win3Dream EagleML 5/2

Dream Eagle breaks from the 3-hole at 5/2 for trainer McLean Robertson with Jose A. Batista up, carrying an 87.81 TrackWiz rating that's the highest in this eight-horse maiden field by a wide margin. The 55 average speed figure ties for the field's best among horses with published figures, and Robertson has this horse pointing to a sharp debut or return. In a field where half the starters lack usable speed figures, any edge in published form is magnified — and Dream Eagle has a clear one.

place2Never HeatherML 7/2

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.

show1Yo PhillyML 6/1

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.

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Bottom line: Delaware Park is serving up a full ten-race card under a blazing July sun, and the fast conditions set the stage for some sharp plays. Perugia is our standout among the free picks, and Speedyness headlines the premium side as the highest-rated horse on the card. Don't miss the full analysis — subscribers get pace breakdowns, exotic ticket strategies, and every angle we've found. Check out TrackWiz premium and make today count.

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