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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — August 28, 2026

August 28, 20268 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Results are in — see the official Delaware Park chart and payouts (our top pick won 2 of 8)→

Delaware Park rolls out an eight-race card on Friday, August 28, under partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 78°F — just about ideal conditions for a day at the track. The turf course figures to be in great shape, which matters plenty today with three races scheduled on the lawn.

It's a well-rounded card mixing Claiming, Allowance, and Starter Optional Claiming events across distances from a quick six furlongs to a route at a mile and seventy yards. In other words, there's something here for every kind of bettor, whether you like sprinters, closers, or turf specialists.

TrackWiz analysis has strong opinions on several races today, including a couple of spots where the morning line looks beatable. Let's dig in.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A wide-open mile on the dirt with a heavy favorite in Town's Warrior going against two sneaky live longshots — the TrackWiz model sees a big gap at the top but legitimate chaos behind it.

win9Town's WarriorML 5/1

Town's Warrior (#9) carries the highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 84.17 — a full 22 points clear of the second-best horse — and Ricardo Chiappe gets the call in the irons. Trainer Bruce Kravets has two horses in this race, which often signals stable confidence, and the 5/1 morning line represents genuine value for the top-rated runner. At a mile on the dirt, stamina matters, and this horse's profile sets up well for the route distance.

place5Skimble ShanksML 10/1

Skimble Shanks (#5) is the sneaky play here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 62.08 while sitting at 10/1 on the morning line — that's a significant overlay. Also trained by Kravets, the barn clearly likes both of its entries, and Yabriel Ramos keeps the mount. A 15% career win rate in a field where most rivals are below 13% adds to the case for this undervalued closer.

show2Seeking UnityML 7/2

Seeking Unity (#2) gives you a reliable piece at 7/2 with an 18% career win rate — the best in this field — and Michael Simone is a steady hand at the barn. The 53.07 rating puts her solidly in the middle of the pack, and Jaime Rodriguez is one of the more active riders at this meet. For exotic players looking to build underneath, Seeking Unity offers security at a fair price.

Race 2

4:52 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Anderman looks like the clear class standout in this six-furlong dirt sprint, but Gonzalo at 8/1 could complicate matters if the pace sets up for a closer.

win3AndermanML 2/1

Anderman (#3) is hard to ignore with the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54, a 25% career win rate, and an average speed figure of 54 — tied for the best in the race alongside Good News Rocket. Trainer Maxine Correa sends him out from the favorable inside-outside post at 2/1, and Martin Chuan is a capable handler on the front end. When the model, the win rate, and the speed all point the same direction, you listen.

place5GonzaloML 8/1

Gonzalo (#5) is a legitimate value play at 8/1 on the morning line, packing a 23% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 67.92 — second-best in the field by a comfortable margin. Paul Luna rides for Pedro Nazario, and Gonzalo's speed figure of 53 matches the middle of the pack. If Anderman gets any pressure early, this horse's closing profile could be the difference between a long shot ticket cashing and a near-miss.

show6MetodoML 6/1

Metodo (#6) rounds out our exotics with a 25% career win rate — matching Anderman for best in the field on that metric — and a solid 54.22 rating from the TrackWiz model. Jesus Rios pilots for Angel Quiroz, and at 6/1 there's real place-show value here. The speed figure of 52 is workmanlike for the distance, and if the top two set a hot pace, Metodo could be picking up the pieces late.

Race 3

5:22 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Turf

Turf routing over a mile and 70 yards with a tight three-way battle at the top of the ratings — Capitaine, Galatown Guy, and Mentor all have legitimate claims, making the pace scenario and post position key.

win1CapitaineML 3/1

Capitaine (#1) earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 87.08 and is trained by the well-regarded Cathal Lynch, who also saddles Grey Biggsy — a sign the barn is active and firing. Jose Batista gets the call, and a 14% career win rate is respectable for a route on the turf. The 3/1 morning line is fair value for the top-rated runner, and the inside post in a turf mile can be a real asset if the rail is the place to be.

place6Galatown GuyML 2/1

Galatown Guy (#6) brings the most impressive career win percentage in this race at 33% — a number that commands respect in any field. Trainer Michael Catalano Jr. is no stranger to the winner's circle, and Ajhari Williams keeps it simple from post 6. The 81.30 rating is just a tick behind Capitaine, making this horse the most logical alternative if the favorite underperforms.

show5MentorML 3/2

Mentor (#5) is the morning-line favorite at 3/2 for a reason — a 20% career win rate, a solid 71.17 TrackWiz rating, and Kelly Breen training are a strong combination. Jaime Rodriguez is double-booked in this race (also riding Ramses the Great), so confirm the jockey assignment at post time. Even if Mentor trails the top two in the ratings, the short price means he'll be in the mix and is a safe show anchor for trifecta players.

The first three races on the card are open to everyone, and they present a solid foundation for the day. Town's Warrior tops our free selection in Race 1 at a mile on the dirt — a 5/1 morning line that immediately catches our eye as potential value. Race 2 shifts to a six-furlong dirt sprint where Anderman comes in as the 2/1 morning line favorite, backed by a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 that suggests this horse deserves the short price. Then Race 3 kicks off the turf action with Capitaine in a Starter Optional Claiming route at a mile and seventy yards — a distance that separates the grinders from the quitters, and one where our model rates this horse at 87.08.

The common thread through the free races? The dirt looks like a speed-favoring surface to watch early, while the turf route in Race 3 sets up as more of a pace-scenario puzzle. Take note of how the early races play out — it'll tell you a lot about where the edges are deeper in the card.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:54 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint where every horse is winless, making this more of a puzzle than most — the TrackWiz model separates the field by debut profile and workout data rather than race record.

win7Daddy MoneybagsML 2/1

Daddy Moneybags (#7) sits atop the TrackWiz ratings in this maiden field at 58.33 and draws in at the 2/1 morning-line favorite, suggesting the market agrees with our model. Julio Hernandez is a trustworthy rider who knows how to position maidens, and trainer Andrew Simoff has a decent record getting debut runners ready. The average speed of 54 is one of the better figures in this winless group.

place1Mi CorazoncitoML 3/1

Mi Corazoncito (#1) is right on Daddy Moneybags' heels with a 56.67 TrackWiz rating and an average speed of 53, running for Jose Gallegos from the rail. At 3/1, this horse represents fair value and gives you the security of the best post in a sprint. Cipriano Gil handles the riding duties, and the inside post in a six-furlong dirt race can save serious ground.

show6FezML 4/1

Fez (#6) rounds out the top three in the model at 55.00 and gets Jose Batista up from the 4/1 morning line. Trainer Lynn Ashby sends this one out ready, and for a race where everyone is looking for their first career win, a tight rating cluster at the top means all three of our picks have a realistic shot at the board. Fez is the right price for a show play in a race this hard to pin down.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Allowance · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A massive 17-horse turf allowance at 7.5 furlongs — the kind of full field that creates pace chaos and plenty of hidden value, with our model isolating a clear top pick and two live alternatives.

win11MopoML 5/2

Mopo (#11) is the standout of this enormous field, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — nearly 10 points clear of the second-best runner — and an average speed figure of 58 that absolutely towers over the competition. Forest Boyce gets the call for Phillip Capuano, a trainer who knows how to spot turf routes, and the 23% career win rate shows this horse has done it before. At 5/2 on the morning line, you're not getting a gift price, but the separation in the model justifies making Mopo your anchor.

place3Expecting a WinnerML 7/2

Expecting a Winner (#3) is the value play in this field — a 78.07 TrackWiz rating, 20% career win rate, and a 7/2 morning line that offers real worth in a race this deep. Jose Batista is in the irons for William Downing, and a speed figure of 54 is right in the mix for a turf route. When a horse rates second-best in a 17-runner field and is still available at a generous price, you use them in your exotics.

show13Candy MoonshineML 4/1

Candy Moonshine (#13) checks in at a 71.55 TrackWiz rating with an 11% career win rate — modest, but the 4/1 morning line offers real upside. Jaime Rodriguez rides for Michael Gorham, and a speed figure of 54 keeps this horse competitive in a wide-open race. In a full field of 17, the show pool is where value hides, and Candy Moonshine is the right price to hedge underneath your win and place selections.

Race 6

6:58 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Double Edge Sword enters as a heavy chalk at 4/5 with the top TrackWiz score on the card for any race today — the real question is whether Reverend Moon and Wora can mount any challenge at all.

win1Double Edge SwordML 4/5

Double Edge Sword (#1) carries a 90.00 TrackWiz rating — a near-perfect score — along with a 32% career win rate and an average speed figure of 56, the best in this six-horse field. Brett Brinkman has this horse firing, and Julio Hernandez is a polished rider who handles short-priced favorites without drama. Yes, 4/5 is a thin price, but when the model is this emphatic and the class gap this wide, fading the favorite just to chase value is a mistake.

place6Reverend MoonML 3/1

Reverend Moon (#6) is the main alternative to the heavy chalk, posting a 71.67 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 55 — matching Wora for second-best in the field. Martin Chuan rides for Bruce Kravets, who has a strong handle on this circuit, and the 17% career win rate at 3/1 gives you real place money if Double Edge Sword finds a reason to disappoint. This is your most logical shot at a meaningful exacta payout.

show5WoraML 4/1

Wora (#5) has the second-best career win rate in this field at 21% and a speed figure of 55 to match Reverend Moon, giving Marvin Fernandez a live mount for Renaldo Richards at 4/1. The 68.12 TrackWiz rating is solid for a show play, and in a short six-horse field, the show pool often compresses — so the real value here is using Wora underneath in exactas and trifectas rather than straight show bets.

Race 7

7:32 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A quality turf mile allowance optional claiming with four horses rated above 76 — Preacha Meyers leads the TrackWiz model while the odds board will likely make Just Jo Jo and Sacred Thunder the betting favorites.

win7Preacha MeyersML 5/1

Preacha Meyers (#7) is our top selection with an 84.17 TrackWiz rating and a standout 31% career win rate — one of the best numbers in the field. Trainer Jamie Ness is sharp with turf routers, and Jaime Rodriguez is a top-level pick-up. At 5/1 on the morning line against a pair of shorter-priced rivals, Preacha Meyers represents genuine overlay value if you trust the model over the crowd.

place10Just Jo JoML 9/5

Just Jo Jo (#10) will likely be heavily supported at 9/5, and for good reason — an 81.33 TrackWiz rating and a 25% career win rate are hard to argue with. Julio Hernandez gets the mount for McLean Robertson, and this horse's profile screams consistent money-finishing. Even if Preacha Meyers beats her home, Just Jo Jo is the safest place bet on the card for Race 7.

show4Stop WatchML 8/1

Stop Watch (#4) is a sneaky value at 8/1 with a 79.79 TrackWiz rating — third-best in this full field — and an eye-catching 33% career win rate. Vincent Cheminaud rides for the prolific Cathal Lynch barn, and a speed figure of 54 keeps this horse competitive at the mile on turf. The morning-line price is much more generous than the rating deserves, making Stop Watch a strong trifecta addition and a live show play for value hunters.

Race 8

8:04 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong dirt claiming race where the TrackWiz model has produced a genuine longshot upset scenario — Rio Oso leads the ratings by a meaningful margin despite being listed at 10/1 on the morning line.

win1Rio OsoML 10/1

Rio Oso (#1) is the best value play of the card, carrying the top TrackWiz rating in Race 8 at 76.88 while listed at 10/1 on the morning line — a massive disconnect between model and market. Edgar Villasmil rides for Kelly Lynn Deiter, and a 14% career win rate is respectable for a six-furlong sprint. The inside post can be a factor in sprints, and if Rio Oso finds a clean trip, this is the upset special of the day.

place4Zippy Do Da DayML 6/1

Zippy Do Da Day (#4) posts a solid 71.99 TrackWiz rating and an average speed figure of 53 for trainer Jose Ramirez, with Jose Betancourt in the irons. The 6/1 morning line feels about right for a horse at this level, though the 4% career win rate is a flag worth noting — this horse may be more of a place/show horse by nature. In a nine-horse sprint with real pace potential, Zippy Do Da Day's profile sets up well for an honest second.

show6RuaML 4/1

Rua (#6) gives you a 69.51 TrackWiz rating at 4/1 with Jose Batista up for trainer Johnny Collins — a pairing that's been productive at Delaware. A career win rate of 11% is modest but workable in a claiming sprint, and the speed figure of 53 puts this horse right in the mix of the pace scenario. For trifecta players, Rua is the logical third piece behind the top-rated longshot and Zippy Do Da Day.

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Bottom line for August 28 at Delaware: Town's Warrior at 5/1 is the free-card value play to circle, Anderman looks like a reliable key in Race 2, and the turf is playing well enough to trust Capitaine in Race 3. For the full picture — including how we're structuring tickets around Double Edge Sword and the longshot angle on Rio Oso at 10/1 in Race 8 — subscribers have everything they need waiting in the premium breakdown. Good luck out there.

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