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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — August 14, 2026

August 14, 20269 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Delaware Park rolls out a nine-race Friday card under partly cloudy skies with temperatures sitting at a comfortable 83°F. No rain in the forecast means the dirt should be running fast and true, and that turf course — seeing action in three of today's nine races — figures to be in excellent shape for the runners who love the grass.

Today's card has a little of everything: maiden claimers, starter optional claimers, an allowance optional claiming feature, and a maiden special weight that always draws the ambitious young prospects. We've got three free previews to get you started and six premium deep-dives for the serious players ready to dig into the full card.

A few standout names caught our eye right away. Kerness K comes in as the morning-line favorite in Race 2, while Veola and Pom Pom both sit at 6/1 on the grass — the kind of prices that make multi-race ticket builders very happy on a day like this.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:25 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint with zero career wins across the entire field, making this one a ratings game — and one horse stands well clear of the pack on that front.

win4BaruML 6/1

Baru is the standout here on TrackWiz ratings, posting an 82.71 that laps the field by a wide margin — the next closest is Eclipseness at 58.33. Jose Corrales sends him out with Angel Cruz aboard, a reliable pairing at this level. He's flashed a 55 average speed figure in prior work, matching Imastarboy but carrying far superior overall metrics into this spot. At 6/1 on the morning line, there's genuine value attached to the top-rated horse in the field.

place6EclipsenessML 2/1

Eclipseness draws the morning-line favoritism at 2/1, and it's not hard to see why — Jamie Ness is a sharp conditioner who puts horses in spots to succeed, and Martin Chuan is a capable pilot. The 58.33 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and while Baru rates well clear, Eclipseness figures to be in the thick of the pace scenario over 5½ furlongs and is tough to leave off tickets.

show1Live From New YorkML 3/1

Live From New York opens at 3/1 with Carol Cedeno in the irons — Cedeno is one of the sharper jockeys on this circuit and the 3/1 line suggests connections have some confidence here. The 56.67 rating slots her just behind Eclipseness and she's a logical exotics anchor in a wide-open maiden field where anything past the top choice is speculative.

Race 2

4:54 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Kerness K is the class of this field on paper, but the place and show longshots offer legitimate value in the exotics if anything disrupts the favorite's expected cruise.

win5Kerness KML 4/5

Kerness K is as close to a morning-line steamroller as you'll see — 4/5 on the ML and a TrackWiz-best 90 rating, backed by a jaw-dropping 57% career win rate. Jamie Ness has this horse dialed in, and Martin Chuan is a terrific fit aboard. The 55 average speed figure is on par with the best in the field, and in a starter optional claiming sprint, there's no real pace pressure that should trouble a horse of this caliber.

place8Triple PassML 10/1

Triple Pass is the value angle here at 10/1 on the morning line despite posting a 61.19 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field. The 7% career win rate looks modest, but the overall performance metrics suggest a horse that runs consistently and hits the board. Carol Cedeno takes the mount, which is a positive sign, and at double-digit odds she's a legitimate exotics play behind the heavy favorite.

show6Plausible DenileML 12/1

Plausible Denile at 12/1 is interesting as a show play — the 57.86 rating puts her fourth in the field by TrackWiz numbers, essentially equivalent to Silver Slugger. Angel Cruz knows this oval well, and Greg Compton sends out a horse with a 55 average speed figure that matches the top of the field on that metric. In a race where the favorite is likely to dominate, the show pool on a 12/1 shot could offer real overlay value.

Race 3

5:25 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full, sprawling 15-horse maiden optional claiming mile on the turf — the biggest field on the card and a genuine puzzle, with three or four horses bunched near the top of the ratings.

win14Gran CampaneroML 7/2

Gran Campanero tops our ratings at 80.9 in this turf mile and draws a morning line of 7/2 that reflects legitimate confidence from connections. Jesus M. Rios rides for Angel Quiroz, and a 54 average speed figure is solid for this level on the grass. In full fields on the turf, pace scenarios can get complicated, but a horse with ratings this far clear of the median deserves top billing.

place10Plenty On TapML 12/1

Plenty On Tap is the value play of this race at 12/1 on the morning line — a 73.96 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, and this horse figures to be significantly underbet given that price. Tim Woolley is a patient conditioner, and Julio A. Hernandez has the turf experience to manage traffic in a field this size. The 54 average speed figure is respectable, and if the pace gets hot up front, a closer profile could pay big.

show11Orange RoadML 9/2

Orange Road opens at 9/2 with a 68.53 rating and gets McLean Robertson — a trainer who clearly knows how to place horses on this circuit. Cecily Evans rides, and the 55 average speed figure is actually the best of our top three picks in this race. As a show play in a 15-horse turf field, the combination of solid ratings and a reasonable morning line makes Orange Road a logical exotics anchor.

Our three free races today span dirt sprints and a turf route, giving you a solid cross-section of the card before you decide whether to go deeper. Baru opens the day in Race 1 — a 5½-furlong maiden claimer on dirt — at 6/1 morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 82.71, which is strong for this company. Don't sleep on that price if it holds through post time. Race 2 belongs to Kerness K, the 4/5 morning-line favorite who earned a 90 rating — the top mark on the entire card. Chalk doesn't always win, but a 90 in a starter optional claiming sprint is hard to fade. Round out the free plays with Gran Campanero in Race 3, a mile on the turf where the pace scenario sets up nicely for a closer with a little class.

The common thread across these free picks: TrackWiz analysis likes horses that figure to get a clean trip from a forwardly placed position on this dirt, and on the turf, we're watching pace dynamics closely — three of today's grass races look like they could get hot early, which creates real opportunity for the right stalker or closer.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:54 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Perugia enters this starter optional claiming mile with a rating that separates her from the field — the question is whether any of the double-digit morning-line horses can sneak into the exotics.

win1PerugiaML 5/2

Perugia is the class of this field by a substantial margin — an 87.81 TrackWiz rating dwarfs the next closest, Miss Interpatation at 72.98, and she backs it up with a 26% career win rate. Jamie Ness and Martin Chuan is one of the sharpest trainer-jockey pairings on the Delaware circuit, and that collaboration at 5/2 on the morning line feels like fair value given how far she rates above the field. The 54 average speed figure is competitive, and at a mile on dirt, her overall profile projects as a clear top choice.

place9Miss InterpatationML 6/1

Miss Interpatation at 6/1 is the most intriguing place play on the card — a 40% career win rate is outstanding and suggests a horse who knows how to finish. Cipriano Gil rides for Michael V. Simone, and the 72.98 TrackWiz rating is well clear of the mid-pack. In a field where the top choice carries heavy favorite framing, Miss Interpatation at 6/1 offers solid place value.

show3Miti Fast FlowerML 10/1

Miti Fast Flower opens at 10/1 despite a 67.82 rating that slots her third in the field and a 21% career win rate that speaks to consistency. Kevin Gomez gets the call for Jesus Rodriguez, and a 51 average speed figure is in line with the pack. As a show play at double-digit odds, she offers excellent overlay potential in the exotics, particularly in trifecta coverage.

Race 5

6:27 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A full 15-horse starter optional claiming sprint on the turf sets up as a ratings battle at the top, with two 80-plus horses flanking the morning-line chalk in what could be an explosive exotics race.

win10VeolaML 6/1

Veola is our top pick at 6/1 — an 82.71 TrackWiz rating leads the field, and a 57 average speed figure is the best on the board in this race. Jamie Ness ships her in, and Edgar Villasmil takes the mount. A 10% career win rate on a consistent runner at this level in a turf sprint is the profile of a horse that can sit just off the pace and pounce late. The morning line undervalues her relative to her metrics.

place12RockytaML 6/1

Rockyta is razor-close to Veola on the ratings — 81.65 to 82.71 — and posts the highest average speed figure in the entire field at 58. Angel Cruz rides for Jose A. Gallegos, and at 6/1 this is far from a throwaway place play. A 12% career win rate is modest, but the raw speed numbers suggest a horse who runs hard every time and is capable of posting a career-best effort.

show8FahneeML 8/5

Fahnee opens as the morning-line second choice at 8/5 and holds the third-best TrackWiz rating at 72.71. Carol Cedeno gets the mount for Suzanne Stettinius, and a 56 average speed figure puts her right in the mix. The show position here is more of a safety net — if Veola and Rockyta both fire, Fahnee should be filling out your trifecta tickets.

Race 6

6:59 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight sprint at six furlongs where several horses are first-time starters or have limited figures to evaluate — separation at the top of the ratings is narrow, making this a tricky maiden puzzle.

win4Mad Eye's HonorML 5/2

Mad Eye's Honor draws the 5/2 morning line and tops our ratings at 57.5 in a tightly bunched field. Jason D. Smith sends him out with Martin Chuan, who has been reliable throughout this card. A 53 average speed figure is on par with the field's top runners, and in a maiden special weight where debut horses are always wildcards, backing the one who combines the best rating with the second-shortest price makes sense.

place3Sound CheckML 7/2

Sound Check at 7/2 is essentially a coin flip with the top choice on ratings — 55.83 to 57.5 is a negligible gap. Raul E. Mena has experience on this oval and Michael E. Gorham is a competent conditioner. The 53 average speed figure is consistent with the win pick, and at slightly longer odds, Sound Check is a natural place play in a race this tight.

show2First SergeantML 9/2

First Sergeant draws into this race without a recorded average speed figure in our data, which means he's likely a first-time starter or has limited public form — always a wildcard in maiden special weight races. Vincent Cheminaud is a polished jockey who can get a debut horse into rhythm, and Horacio De Paz sends out runners who are often ready fresh. The 9/2 morning line and a 54.17 rating suggest the connections are quietly confident.

Race 7

7:33 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A maiden claiming sprint on the turf with a big, sprawling field — our top-rated horse is hiding in a double-digit program number at a price that makes her a genuine value.

win12Pom PomML 6/1

Pom Pom lands at 6/1 on the morning line but carries the field's top TrackWiz rating at 82.71 — a significant separation from the second-best horse. Jesus M. Rios rides for Miguel A. Rodriguez, a pairing worth respecting on the turf. A 52 average speed figure is in line with the leaders in this field, and in a maiden claiming turf sprint, a horse with this kind of ratings edge at 6/1 is exactly the kind of overlay TrackWiz analysis looks to exploit.

place7Forty Seven SmokerML 5/1

Forty Seven Smoker is a fascinating place play — a 75.88 rating that's second-best in the field, paired with a 56 average speed figure that actually leads the entire race. Vincent Cheminaud is a strong turf jockey and Mark Shuman puts horses in spots to succeed. At 5/1, the morning line undervalues what our metrics say is a horse with real ability, and the speed figure advantage at five furlongs on the grass is a legitimate edge.

show4Sassy SangriaML 8/5

Sassy Sangria opens as the morning-line favorite at 8/5 despite ranking third in our ratings at 67.67. Carol Cedeno gets the mount for Kerri Raven in what figures to be a pace-pressing role over five furlongs on the turf. While we prefer Pom Pom and Forty Seven Smoker at the top, Sassy Sangria's favoritism makes her a logical exotics anchor — the show position captures her likely board-hitting upside even if she doesn't win.

Race 8

8:05 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance optional claiming sprint at six furlongs where a morning-line longshot carries the field's top rating — setting up a potential upset of the heavily bet 7/5 favorite.

win2Dream EagleML 6/1

Dream Eagle is the pick at 6/1 despite the heavy morning-line presence of Oak Brook Lady — and the reasoning is simple: Dream Eagle's 82.71 TrackWiz rating is the best in this six-horse field, and McLean Robertson knows how to place horses in conditions they can win. Jose A. Batista gets the mount, and a 55 average speed figure matches the field's top tier. Betting against a heavy favorite when the ratings strongly disagree is exactly the kind of value play that separates sharp handicappers from recreational bettors.

place6Stately GirlML 5/2

Stately Girl opens at 5/2 with a 65.58 rating and a 16% career win rate that reflects a consistent, reliable runner. Julio A. Hernandez rides for Michael M. Moore, and a 54 average speed figure is solid at this level. In a small six-horse field, a horse with her profile is hard to leave out of exacta and trifecta tickets — she figures to be involved throughout the race.

show4Oak Brook LadyML 7/5

Oak Brook Lady is the morning-line favorite at 7/5 and carries a perfect 100% career win rate — though that likely reflects limited career starts rather than an unbeatable record. Cecily Evans gets the mount for McLean Robertson, who also saddles the win pick, giving the barn a two-horse entry angle worth noting. The 59.33 rating lands her third in the field, and while our analysis prefers Dream Eagle on top, Oak Brook Lady's favoritism and consistency make her a difficult horse to leave out of show coverage.

Race 9

8:44 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The finale sets up as a tight three-horse battle at the top of the ratings in a dirt claiming sprint — the top pick at 7/2 actually carries the field's best number, making this a strong closing best bet.

win6God With UsML 7/2

God With Us leads our ratings at 86.35 — the top mark on the entire card in a claiming race — and opens at a generous 7/2. Carol Cedeno is one of the sharpest jockeys around this oval and Carlos M. Sepulveda conditions a horse that carries a 12% career win rate, suggesting a consistent performer who fits nicely at this class level. A 54 average speed figure is second-best in the field, and in a seven-horse sprint, a horse with ratings this strong at morning-line value is a clear best bet to close out the card.

place4Inter MiamiML 9/5

Inter Miami opens as the second choice at 9/5 with a 77.58 rating and a 21% career win rate that backs it up. Marvin Fernandez rides for Bruce M. Kravets, and the 55 average speed figure — highest in the race — suggests a horse with real tactical speed in a five-and-a-half furlong sprint. If God With Us gets rank or encounters traffic, Inter Miami has the raw speed to seize the advantage.

show5Win No JokeML 8/1

Win No Joke at 8/1 is an intriguing show play — a 76.28 TrackWiz rating is essentially equivalent to Inter Miami's 77.58, yet he opens at more than four times the odds. Emanuel Rosario gets the mount for Somraj Singh, and while the 8% career win rate is modest, the overall metrics suggest a horse running better than his win count implies. At 8/1 in the show pool, this is a potential overlay that sharp players will want on their tickets.

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Nine races, a fast Delaware dirt track, and three live turf preps — this is a card with plenty of angles for every type of player. Start with Kerness K as the anchor of your free plays, keep an eye on Baru's opening price, and let Gran Campanero show you what she can do on the grass. Ready for the full card? Subscribers get every race, every pace scenario, and every ticket structure waiting for them inside TrackWiz. Good luck out there — race smart.

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