Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — September 5, 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.