Unlock the other 5 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — September 5, 2026

September 5, 20268 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Delaware Park rolls out an eight-race Saturday card on a beautiful early-September afternoon — 77°F under partly cloudy skies, the kind of day where the track should be playing fair and the turf course figures to be firm and fast. No weather excuses today. It's all about who shows up ready to run.

Six of the eight races go on the dirt, with a pair of turf spots in Races 3 and 5 breaking things up nicely. The conditions lean toward routing — five of today's races stretch out to a mile or beyond — so stamina and pace management are going to matter more than raw early speed. Keep that in mind when you're building your tickets.

TrackWiz has full analysis on all eight races. Three of them are unlocked for every reader today, so whether you're a casual bettor or a full-card grinder, there's something here for you.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:15 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A clear top-rated standout towers over this claiming field, but two live longshots with solid speed figures could make the exacta interesting.

win6Concealed CarryML 6/5

Concealed Carry opens as the 6/5 morning-line favorite and earns that respect with a TrackWiz rating of 89.71 — the highest mark in the field by a comfortable margin. Trainer Jamie Ness conditions horses well for these claiming spots, and jockey Melvis Gonzalez gets the call here. The average speed figure of 52 is in line with the field, but the overall rating gap over rivals is significant enough to make this horse a confident top selection at a mile and 70 yards.

place7Harbor of GoldML 6/1

Harbor of Gold catches the eye with the field's best average speed figure at 56 — a number that stands out in this company. Trainer Erin C. McClellan sends this horse out at 6/1 on the morning line, which looks like potential overlay territory given the raw speed numbers. If Concealed Carry draws most of the pace pressure, Harbor of Gold could be sitting on a perfect stalking trip.

show4Bold AmbitionML 8/1

Bold Ambition has a TrackWiz rating of 67.48 that puts this runner third-best in the field, and an average speed figure of 54 gives another layer of support for a piece of the ticket. At 8/1 on the morning line, trainer Bruce M. Kravets may have this horse primed for a forward effort, making Bold Ambition a reasonable exotic anchor for the show slot.

Race 2

4:45 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A maiden claiming route where the morning-line favorite is NOT the top TrackWiz-rated runner — expect some betting-market tension as the field sorts itself out.

win1She's a Canny LassML 5/2

She's a Canny Lass tops this maiden claiming field with a TrackWiz rating of 87.81, the strongest mark in the race by a notable margin over Santa Luzia's 73.15. Trainer Michael V. Simone puts her in with jockey Ronaldo Rodriguez, and the 5/2 morning line seems fair given the form edge. In a field where all five entrants are winless, having the highest rating and a solid average speed figure of 52 makes She's a Canny Lass the most logical win play.

place3Santa LuziaML 9/5

Santa Luzia carries a 9/5 morning line — the race's lowest — yet her TrackWiz rating of 73.15 slots her in second behind our top pick. Trainer Jose A. Gallegos teams with Cipriano Gil, a jockey who gets around this circuit regularly. She figures to be competitive at route distance, and a place finish at short odds still makes her a useful inclusion in exacta combinations.

show4Global ConsortML 3/2

Global Consort is the public's morning-line favorite at 3/2 despite ranking third in our ratings at 68.63. That market support is real, though, and the 53 average speed figure edges the majority of rivals. Trainer Renaldo Richards has this horse positioned to fire a sharp effort, making Global Consort a reasonable show singling for conservative bettors.

Race 3

5:17 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A full, 14-horse starter optional claiming field on the turf sprint creates a chaotic pace picture — speed will be tested and closers could have their say.

win11Normandy HeroML 8/5

Normandy Hero sits atop this deep field with a TrackWiz rating of 89.12, and the numbers back up the confidence — a 22% career win rate is genuinely strong in a field this large. Trainer Jamie Ness and jockey Melvis Gonzalez team up again, the same combination we like in Race 1, and they're pointing this horse at a five-furlong turf sprint. The 8/5 morning line reflects the market's respect, and with an average speed figure of 56, Normandy Hero profiles as a legitimate standout.

place8PaternoML 8/1

Paterno is our value play for the place, showing a sparkling 30% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 74.79 that puts this runner fourth overall in the field. Trainer Bruce M. Kravets and jockey Yabriel O. Ramos hook up at 8/1 on the morning line — a price that looks inviting for a horse with that kind of lifetime strike rate. If the pace gets rowdy early in this large field, Paterno has the profile to come through the chaos and hit the board.

show7CyberbeastML 8/5

Cyberbeast comes in at 8/5 on the morning line with a 25% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 72.76, making this runner a legitimate third option in our top three. Trainer Greg Compton sends the horse out with Joshua J. Radosevich up, and the average speed figure of 55 is competitive for a five-furlong turf dash. In a race this wide, hitting the show slot is a realistic outcome, and Cyberbeast's class and speed numbers support a board finish.

Our three free races today cover a nice cross-section of the card. Race 1 kicks things off with Concealed Carry drawing our top rating at 89.71 — a strong number for a claiming route, and the 6/5 morning line tells you the book agrees. Race 2 throws us into maiden claiming territory, where She's a Canny Lass comes in rated 87.81 at a more palatable 5/2 on the morning line — worth a close look if you like value in unpredictable fields. Race 3 shifts to the turf for a five-furlong sprint, and Normandy Hero (8/5 ML, 89.12 rating) looks like a sharp play on the lawn given the firm-playing conditions today.

The connective thread across these three free races is the surface — dirt and turf are both expected to play honestly in today's weather, which rewards horses that earned their numbers legitimately rather than benefiting from a sloppy track. Straightforward handicapping should hold up well today.

Send me tomorrow's free Delaware Park card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

One horse separates itself decisively on ratings in this claiming route, but the morning-line second choice holds enough form to keep the exacta alive.

win5Uninvited GuestML 3/2

Uninvited Guest tops this six-horse claiming field with a 89.27 TrackWiz rating and draws the 3/2 morning line — both the market and our model agree this is the horse to beat. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser has this runner in the right spot, and Ricardo Chiappe takes the mount. The average speed figure of 53 edges most rivals in the field, and at a mile and 70 yards on dirt, this profile is built for the distance.

place2Secret TreasureML 9/2

Secret Treasure ranks second in the field on our ratings at 70.75, well clear of the rest of the field, and represents a logical place play at 9/2 on the morning line. Trainer Michelle Castillo sends this runner out with Carol Cedeno in the irons, and the 11% career win percentage is modest but respectable in this company. If Uninvited Guest leads the way, Secret Treasure has the rating to hold on for second.

show1Silent RoarML 5/2

Silent Roar draws post 1 and comes in at 5/2 on the morning line despite carrying a TrackWiz rating of just 46.03 — which suggests the public may be giving this horse a bit more credit than our model does. That said, the inside post in a one-turn route can be an advantage, and trainer Jesus Rodriguez keeps this runner competitive. As a show hedge in a short six-horse field, the 5/2 price demands some respect.

Race 5

6:23 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi 70 yd · Turf

A full thirteen-horse allowance field on the turf sets up as a battle between two morning-line co-favorites and a TrackWiz top pick who comes in as the strongest-rated runner in the race.

win4Sun AboveML 2/1

Sun Above leads the entire field with a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 and owns an impressive 25% career win rate over a substantial sample. Trainer Madison F. Meyers has this runner well placed in an allowance route on the turf, and Carol Cedeno gets the assignment in a strong jockey booking. At 2/1 on the morning line, the price isn't a giveaway, but when your top-rated horse is also the co-favorite, you go with the number.

place12SlobberknockerML 3/1

Slobberknocker brings a 16% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 81.30 to this turf mile, checking in as our second-best rated runner in the field. Trainer McLean Robertson and jockey Keiber J. Coa form a competent combination at 3/1 on the morning line. The average speed figure of 52 is slightly below some rivals, but the overall rating profile suggests this horse can sit mid-pack and grind through for a place.

show5HanksdiviningrodML 8/1

Hanksdiviningrod sneaks into our top three with a TrackWiz rating of 75.10 and shows a 15% career win rate in what appears to be a solid current form cycle. Emanuel Rosario takes the mount for trainer Henry Walters, and at 8/1 on the morning line, there's legitimate overlay value for a horse rated this highly. In a 13-horse turf field where pace can get complicated, a closer like Hanksdiviningrod picking up the pieces for a show finish is well within range.

Race 6

7:08 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

The morning-line favorite doesn't match the top TrackWiz-rated runner in this starter optional claiming route — a potential value disconnect that shapes the entire betting market.

win7KissthemoonML 8/1

Kissthemoon goes off at 8/1 on the morning line — an eye-catching price for a horse that leads this field with a TrackWiz rating of 79.79 and carries a dominant 27% career win rate. Trainer Brandon L. Kulp sends this runner out with Angel R. Rodriguez up, and the average speed figure of 53 matches the pace of this field. When you have the best rating and the best win percentage but you're listed at 8/1, that's the definition of a value play — and the kind of overlay TrackWiz analysis is built to find.

place6Try to Make CentsML 2/1

Try to Make Cents is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 75.19 and a career win rate of 20% — solid credentials for a horse expected to feature prominently in the betting. Trainer Jose A. Gallegos and jockey Cipriano Gil combine on the dirt, and the 53 average speed figure is right in the mix. If Kissthemoon gets first run in this field, Try to Make Cents should be posting for second.

show2Embrace My UncleML 6/1

Embrace My Uncle sits third in our ratings at 70.89 and opens at a generous 6/1 on the morning line. Trainer Christopher Seale teams with Jose A. Batista, and the 16% career win rate shows this horse knows how to compete. At 6/1 in a competitive starter optional claiming field, Embrace My Uncle is a reasonable exotic inclusion for bettors willing to go three-deep.

Race 7

7:40 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

A ten-horse allowance on dirt produces a split between what the public likes and what the model says — the favorite by morning line is NOT the top-rated horse by TrackWiz numbers.

win10Violet's CharmML 5/1

Violet's Charm tops this allowance field with a TrackWiz rating of 84.17 and brings a remarkable 30% career win rate that stands out in any company. Trainer William Downing sends this horse out at 5/1 on the morning line — a price that looks soft relative to the form edge — with Jose A. Batista making the trip. The average speed figure of 52 is competitive for a one-mile dirt allowance, and the combination of a high win rate and a strong overall rating makes this our most confident play of the race.

place1LightscapeML 4/1

Lightscape draws the rail and opens at 4/1 on the morning line, backed by a 25% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 64.75 that puts this runner comfortably in second place among our top selections. Trainer Thomas F. Proctor hooks up with Keiber J. Coa, and the average speed figure of 54 is one of the better marks in the field. Post position 1 in a one-turn mile can be an asset in the right trip, and Lightscape has the credentials to sit close and press.

show2SoundbiteML 3/1

Soundbite opens at 3/1 as one of the market's choices and carries a TrackWiz rating of 62.67, good for third in our field rankings. Trainer Michelle Nevin and jockey Angel R. Rodriguez combine at a price that may be compressed by public money. The 53 average speed figure holds up against the field, and in a ten-horse allowance where the top-end talent can produce a fast pace, a consistent runner like Soundbite is worth keeping on the ticket.

Race 8

8:14 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

This six-horse claiming mile on dirt is dominated by one standout on the ratings, setting up as a potential odds-on winner with an intriguing second choice lurking at a reasonable price.

win6Shes the Tall OneML 9/5

Shes the Tall One owns the highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 88.83 and brings a sharp 20% career win rate that eclipses most rivals in this claiming field. Trainer Cathal A. Lynch and jockey Vincent Cheminaud team up at 9/5 on the morning line — justifiable favorites given the form gap. The average speed figure of 53 leads the field, and in a short six-horse field where there's nowhere to hide, this runner profiles as a wire-to-wire threat.

place2Sweet and FeistyML 7/2

Sweet and Feisty is intriguing at 7/2 on the morning line despite a modest 3% career win rate, because the TrackWiz rating of 67.21 says the raw ability is there. Trainer Cesar Nambo puts Marvin Fernandez aboard, and the average speed figure of 51 is in line with the claiming level. Win percentages can be misleading in horses that consistently finish second or third, and at 7/2, Sweet and Feisty looks like a horse priced to place.

show4Reece's DramaML 8/1

Reece's Drama opens at 8/1 on the morning line and sits third in our field rankings with a TrackWiz rating of 58.25. Trainer Kelly Lynn Deiter — who also saddles Eimear in this race — has a stable feel for what this field looks like, and jockey Limber Taboada Flores takes the mount. The 52 average speed figure edges several rivals, and at double-digit morning-line odds, Reece's Drama is a worthwhile exotic anchor in a small field.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

It's a clean, well-structured card at Delaware Park today — good weather, honest surfaces, and some legitimate value to be found beyond the chalk. Concealed Carry is our marquee free play, but keep an eye on Kissthemoon and the pace scenarios in the back half of the card. Full analysis on all eight races is waiting for subscribers — check out TrackWiz Premium and get into it before post time.

← All Delaware Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free