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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — August 21, 2026

August 21, 20268 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Clear skies and a comfortable 75°F greet horseplayers at Delaware Park this Friday — about as close to a perfect racing afternoon as you'll find in late August. The kind of day where the track comes up fast and speed figures hold up from start to finish.

Eight races are on the board today, mixing claiming events, allowance company, and a maiden special weight that always carries some intrigue. The card leans heavily toward the one-mile-and-seventy-yards route distance, so pace scenarios and stamina are going to be recurring themes all afternoon.

TrackWiz has broken down the full card, and there's plenty to dig into — from a morning-line longshot posting one of our stronger ratings of the day to a sprint battle that sets up as a prime spot for our top-rated horse in Race 8.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:25 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A classic claiming mile with a clear TrackWiz rating gap at the top — but the morning line favorite isn't the horse our numbers like best, setting up a potential overlay situation worth exploiting.

win3CheeseML 7/2

Cheese (No. 3) tops our TrackWiz ratings at 86.35, a significant jump above the rest of this field, and posts an average speed figure of 52 to back it up. Emanuel Rosario gets the call, and at 7/2 on the morning line, there's genuine value here relative to the rating edge. Trainer W. Thomas McMahon sends this one out ready to fire, and in a claiming field where the numbers are this separated, we're happy to side with the top-rated runner.

place8Back Wall BanditML 2/1

Back Wall Bandit (No. 8) is the morning line favorite at 2/1 for a reason — an 18% career win rate is the best in this field and the TrackWiz rating of 76.07 is a solid second-best. Jaime Rodriguez aboard keeps things professional, and this horse's avg speed of 53 gives it a competitive edge through the mile-and-70-yard trip. If Cheese runs into any trouble, Back Wall Bandit is the most likely beneficiary.

show5Rules for ThreeML 10/1

Rules for Three (No. 5) is a sneaky inclusion at 10/1 on the morning line, carrying the second-best career win rate in the field at 16% and a TrackWiz rating of 58.61 that puts it solidly in contention for a piece. Jockey Deirdre A. Quinn has the rail positions sorted out in a big field, and at double-digit odds, tossing this one into your exotics is a low-cost hedge with meaningful upside.

Race 2

4:54 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A compact seven-horse dash at 5.5 furlongs where the pace figures to be honest — Ray of Lov owns the top rating by a wide margin, but Party On Rufus and Nano Man make this more than a one-horse show.

win4Ray of LovML 2/1

Ray of Lov (No. 4) is the standout here with a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 — best in the field by nearly nine points — and comes in at 2/1 on the morning line with Emanuel Rosario, one of the meet's sharper riders, in the irons. The avg speed figure of 54 ties three others at the top of the field, but the overall rating cushion is convincing. Trainer Nesvil Hernan Bailon puts horses on the board, and in a short sprint where gate speed matters, this is a horse we're comfortable anchoring our tickets around.

place5Party On RufusML 3/1

Party On Rufus (No. 5) carries a TrackWiz rating of 79.98 and matches the field's best average speed at 54, making it the most logical threat to Ray of Lov in a two-horse battle at the top. Ronaldo Rodriguez takes the mount for trainer Juan Bacallao Vega, and at 3/1, this horse is fairly priced — not a value play, but a legitimate piece contender that belongs on your exacta tickets underneath the top choice.

show6Nano ManML 5/2

Nano Man (No. 6) is interesting — a 5/2 morning line price suggests the market respects this one, and the avg speed figure of 55 is actually the best in the entire field. The TrackWiz rating of 64.13 is a step back from the top two, but in a sprint where raw speed can paper over other deficiencies, that 55 speed figure matters. Trainer Michael V. Simone doubles back with two in the race (Migratory is the other), so he'll want one of them to hit the board.

Race 3

5:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

Maiden Special Weight going a mile on dirt, and the Michael Stidham barn sends out TWO live contenders — Prima Donna and Toocoolforschool — setting up a tactical puzzle where the barn may dictate the outcome.

win5Prima DonnaML 4/1

Prima Donna (No. 5) leads our TrackWiz ratings among all runners at 85.62 and posts an average speed figure of 54 — tied for best in the field alongside her stablemate. The 4/1 morning line price represents real value given the rating edge, and trainer Michael Stidham's decision to run two here suggests both are fit — but Prima Donna's marginally higher rating makes her our top selection. Jockey Martin Chuan gets a live book to work with in what should be a competitive pace scenario over a mile.

place6ToocoolforschoolML 5/2

Toocoolforschool (No. 6) is the stablemate — same trainer, same average speed figure of 54, and a TrackWiz rating of 81.68 that would be the top number in most maiden fields. Carol Cedeno handles the riding duties and is live at this meet. At 5/2 on the morning line, this horse is likely to be bet down further, and if the pace sets up for the closers, Stidham could easily send two horses across the wire.

show8Raisin WeekendML 12/1

Raisin Weekend (No. 8) is our longshot inclusion for the exotics at 12/1 morning line — a TrackWiz rating of 69.19 is surprisingly strong for a runner priced this generously. Trainer Horacio De Paz also runs Love You Love You in here, but Raisin Weekend's numbers are substantially better. Julio A. Hernandez is capable of sneaking into a piece at a big price, and in a maiden field where the top two are stablemates, anything can happen in the stretch.

Our three free previews cover Races 1, 2, and 3 — and they span claiming to maiden special weight, giving you a nice cross-section of the card. In Race 1, Cheese opens at 7/2 on the morning line and earns an 86-plus TrackWiz rating in a claiming event that looks very beatable. Race 2 flips to a short 5½-furlong sprint on dirt, where Ray of Lov comes in as the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and our highest-rated free pick of the day at 88.54 — worth keeping an eye on the early pace flow there. Race 3 features the maiden special weight, always the wildcard of any card, and Prima Donna at 4/1 looks like a solid overlay if the morning line holds.

With a fast, dry track expected to hold up all day, horses that can get position early without burning themselves out should have a clear advantage. All three free picks profile nicely under those conditions.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:54 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A deceptive allowance mile where the morning line favorites belong to the H. Graham Motion barn, but our TrackWiz ratings tell a very different story — a double-digit morning line price lands at the top of the board.

win2Violet's CharmML 12/1

Violet's Charm (No. 2) is the value play of the afternoon — 12/1 on the morning line, yet she carries our top TrackWiz rating in the field at 73.96. More importantly, she owns a 33% career win rate, the best among any horse in this race by a wide margin. Trainer William Downing puts her out there at a price the market is clearly underestimating, and at a mile and 70 yards on dirt, Jose A. Batista has enough horse to work with. Don't let the morning line fool you — this is a live longshot with a legitimate number.

place5Le ToucheML 9/5

Le Touche (No. 5) brings a 15% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 72.58 — essentially matching Violet's Charm at the top of the field — and comes in as the second choice at 9/5. Cipriano Gil is a steady hand, and trainer Jose A. Gallegos has this one prepped for a forward effort. In a race where the market consensus and our ratings disagree on the win pick, Le Touche is the safest place bet and worth anchoring your exactas around.

show4GipoiaML 8/5

Gipoia (No. 4) is the morning line favorite at 8/5, trained by H. Graham Motion — a name that commands respect at the allowance level. The TrackWiz rating of 59 is a step below the top two, and there's no average speed figure on file, which adds some uncertainty. Still, Motion's barn knows how to win these spots, and Jaime Rodriguez won't let this one drift quietly — use it in your show parlay but don't overweight it against the value at the top.

Race 5

6:26 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A massive 18-horse claiming field going a mile and 70 yards — the pace scenario is anyone's guess with this many runners, which makes trip luck a real factor and creates overlay opportunities in the exotics.

win5KernessML 7/5

Kerness (No. 5) is the morning line chalk at 7/5 and our top-rated runner at 75.01 — but the real headline is a 40% career win rate that is flat-out extraordinary for a claiming horse at this level. Trainer Wayne Potts keeps this horse sharp, and Jaime Rodriguez gets the call in what should be a well-positioned effort. The avg speed of 51 is a touch below some rivals, but when a horse wins at that clip historically, you trust the process.

place12ArjayML 8/1

Arjay (No. 12) is our value play in the place slot — 8/1 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 74.69 that is nearly identical to the win pick. Carol Cedeno is a capable pilot, and trainer Kerri Raven sends this one out with a 16% career win rate and an avg speed figure of 54 — among the better numbers in this deep field. In a wide-open 18-horse race, having a piece of Arjay at these odds is smart money management.

show16Mo RewardsML 5/1

Mo Rewards (No. 16) catches your eye with a 20% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 73.30, slotting in just behind the top two in our model. Trainer Jamie Ness runs two in here — Mo Rewards and Recker Point — and when a barn doubles up in a large field, at least one of them usually fires. At 5/1 on the morning line, Mo Rewards is the stronger number of the pair and worth a spot on your show tickets and trifecta constructions.

Race 6

6:59 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A competitive allowance optional claiming mile that pits a top TrackWiz rating against a high career win percentage — Beautiful Blome leads our numbers but Jeanne Marie's class profile makes this a genuine two-horse affair.

win1Beautiful BlomeML 7/2

Beautiful Blome (No. 1) tops the field with a TrackWiz rating of 86.35 and an eye-catching 37% career win rate — among the most impressive records you'll see in any field today. Carol Cedeno is aboard for trainer Anthony Pecoraro, and at 7/2 on the morning line, this is a horse our model strongly endorses. The avg speed of 52 is workmanlike rather than flashy, but with a win rate that high, this is a horse that knows how to find the wire first.

place6Jeanne MarieML 4/1

Jeanne Marie (No. 6) is an intriguing rival — a TrackWiz rating of 84.50 that nearly matches the top pick, and a 55 avg speed figure that is the best in the field. Trainer Robert E. Reid, Jr. sends her out at 4/1 with Abner Adorno up, and that speed figure suggests she'll be a factor in the pace before the field turns for home. If Beautiful Blome gets into a speed duel, Jeanne Marie could be the one sneaking into the picture late.

show3Sweet LauraML 5/2

Sweet Laura (No. 3) checks in with a 29% career win rate — second-best in the field — and a TrackWiz rating of 79.38 that makes her a legitimate contender. Jamie Ness trains her, and Jaime Rodriguez is on board at 5/2 on the morning line, reflecting the market's respect for this runner. She fits naturally into exotic tickets here, and that win rate tells you this is a horse that consistently fires when the conditions are right.

Race 7

7:33 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A sprawling 15-horse starter optional claiming field where two horses — Alrasikh and Specialagentjonson — separate themselves from the pack on our ratings, creating a clear top tier worth building tickets around.

win4AlrasikhML 9/5

Alrasikh (No. 4) sits atop our entire race with an 86.72 TrackWiz rating, a significant gap above the rest of this deep field. Jose A. Batista gets the mount for trainer Victor Carrasco, Jr., and at 9/5 on the morning line, the market and our model are aligned here. An avg speed figure of 53 is solid throughout a mile-and-70-yard trip, and with an 11% career win rate that's likely understated by the quality of competition this horse has faced, Alrasikh is the confident top choice.

place2SpecialagentjonsonML 6/1

Specialagentjonson (No. 2) brings a TrackWiz rating of 82.71 — second-best in the field — and will be an attractive overlay at 6/1 if the market focuses too heavily on the top choice. William Downing trains this runner, and Julio A. Hernandez will look to sit just off the pace and pounce. The 8% career win rate looks modest, but the underlying speed and rating numbers suggest there's more talent here than the win percentage implies.

show6BabbleML 6/1

Babble (No. 6) rounds out our top three with a 72.47 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win rate — better win percentage than both horses ahead of it in our picks. Emanuel Rosario takes the mount for Nesvil Hernan Bailon, and an avg speed figure of 54 puts this runner in legitimate contention through the stretch. At 6/1 on the morning line, Babble is a fair price for a horse with these underlying numbers, making it a smart piece of trifecta wheels.

Race 8

8:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A sharp seven-horse sprint at six furlongs where Infastuation carries the highest TrackWiz rating of any horse on today's entire card — the question is whether 9/5 offers enough value or whether the secondary plays hold the edge.

win4InfastuationML 9/5

Infastuation (No. 4) posts an 88.83 TrackWiz rating — the single best number of any horse across all eight races today at Delaware Park. Carol Cedeno has the call for trainer Carlos M. Sepulveda, and a 16% career win rate with an avg speed figure of 54 rounds out a clean profile. At 9/5 on the morning line, this isn't a value bomb, but when a horse this far ahead of the field in our ratings shows up in a seven-horse sprint, you play it and move on.

place1Little CrybabyML 3/1

Little Crybaby (No. 1) looks like legitimate value in the place spot — a TrackWiz rating of 67.86 and a 16% career win rate on par with the favorite, and Jose A. Batista is as reliable as they come in these shorter races. Trainer Nesvil Hernan Bailon is active on the card today, and at 3/1 on the morning line, there's enough meat on the bone to justify this runner as a place bet anchor. In a six-furlong sprint, breaking alertly from the one-hole gives Little Crybaby first run at the lead.

show5Fast MotionML 12/1

Fast Motion (No. 5) is the interesting price play at 12/1 morning line — a TrackWiz rating of 62.50 and a 14% career win rate suggest this runner is competitive enough to sneak a piece at a big number. Trainer James E. Nicholson, Jr. has this one pointed here, and Bryan L. Torres has the mount. In a seven-horse field where the top two choices figure to dominate the wagering pools, Fast Motion at double-digit odds is exactly the kind of show ticket overlay that makes exotics profitable over time.

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A gorgeous late-summer day at Delaware Park, a solid eight-race card, and at least one standout horse in nearly every spot — it's a good day to be at the window. Start with the free previews on Races 1–3, and if you want the full picture including pace maps, exotic tickets, and the Race 8 top play, the complete breakdown is waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there — and bet smart.

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