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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — September 9, 2026

September 9, 20268 racesAll Delaware Park picks

It's a beautiful Wednesday at Delaware Park — clear skies, 82°F, and a firm, fast surface that should reward horses with early speed all afternoon. Eight races are on the board, split across dirt and turf, with a nice mix of claiming events, maiden specials, and starter optional claiming races that give handicappers plenty of angles to work.

The card has some genuinely interesting shape to it. You've got a pair of turf sprints — Races 5 and 7 — that could play very differently depending on how the grass course is sitting after a warm week. Meanwhile, the dirt looks primed for honest fractions, which means pace scenario matters more than usual today. TrackWiz analysis flagged a few standout contenders with the ratings to back it up.

Three races are unlocked and free for every reader. The full eight-race breakdown — including pace projections, exotic strategies, and our deepest-value longshot of the day — is available to TrackWiz subscribers.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The morning line favorite gets outsmarted by two higher-rated horses in this one-mile dirt claimer — Saratoga Cruiser and Zaino both grade out above Crowbar Artist despite softer odds.

win4Saratoga CruiserML 3/1

Saratoga Cruiser earns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 83.39, edging Zaino by a slim margin and sitting well clear of the 9/5 morning line favorite Crowbar Artist. Jose R. Betancourt gets the call here at 3/1, which represents genuine value given how the numbers line up. The mile distance on dirt suits a horse with this rating profile, and trainer Johnny Collins has this one pointing at the right spot.

place2ZainoML 6/1

Zaino is an intriguing overlay at 6/1 — his 82.71 TrackWiz rating is the second-best in the field, yet the morning line bettors haven't caught up to him. The career win rate of just 3% is a concern, but that figure often reflects tough spots rather than a lack of ability, and Dick Cardenas knows how to get horses into contention.

show1Crowbar ArtistML 9/5

Crowbar Artist is the public's choice at 9/5 and a legitimate contender with a 16% career win rate — one of the stronger win percentages in this field. He slots comfortably into the show position as a horse who figures to be near the lead throughout and is unlikely to be far back at the wire.

Race 2

4:52 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Inter Miami looks like the class of this 5½-furlong dirt claimer by a significant margin, but the place and show slots offer some interesting value behind a heavy favorite.

win6Inter MiamiML 2/1

Inter Miami is a standout here — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that towers over everyone else in the field, a 22% career win rate that is the best of any horse entered, and a matching average speed figure of 55. At 2/1 on the morning line, trainer Bruce M. Kravets sends out a horse that's clearly at the top of his game, and Yabriel O. Ramos gets a live mount. This is as close to a confident selection as you'll find in a claiming race.

place1For Some ReasonML 4/1

For Some Reason brings a 17% career win rate — second only to Inter Miami in this field — and also matches the top average speed figure of 55. At 4/1, trainer Bruce M. Kravets double-dips here, which tells you the barn is confident in both runners. Jaime Rodriguez picks up the mount and this horse is a logical place bet behind the likely favorite.

show7Ira the IconML 8/1

Ira the Icon at 8/1 is a sneaky inclusion in the exotics with a 59.38 TrackWiz rating that puts her third in the field. She matches the top-tier average speed figure of 55, so the raw ability is there even if the 13% career win rate suggests she finds a way to get beat. Trainer Erin C. McClellan points her at the right level here, and Inoel Beato can coax a placing out of her.

Race 3

5:24 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong maiden special weight where Earth Song's unblemished record and top speed figure set her apart, but the race is tight enough at the top that Brannhog and Indian Pharoah deserve respect.

win5Earth SongML 9/5

Earth Song is hard to oppose here — she carries a 100% career win rate into this spot, the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 58.67, and the best average speed figure of 56. The 9/5 morning line reflects public awareness, but the numbers back up the short price. Trainer Jorge Delgado already has a runner in this race, which shows stable confidence, and Daniel Centeno is a capable pilot to keep her on task around the turn.

place6BrannhogML 5/2

Brannhog draws the attention of Paco Lopez — one of the sharper jockey pickups on the card — and comes in with the second-best TrackWiz rating at 57.5 on the 5/2 morning line. This looks like a horse that may not have shown his best yet given no published average speed figure, but Lopez rarely climbs aboard a maiden without believing in the animal's upside. A logical place piece underneath Earth Song.

show1Indian PharoahML 7/2

Indian Pharoah is trained by H. Graham Motion, a name that matters in maiden special weight company — this barn knows how to develop horses and rarely misses when targeting a specific spot. His 55.83 TrackWiz rating is third in the field and his average speed figure of 54 is competitive. At 7/2, he's fair value for a show ticket in what could be a close early pace scenario.

The free portion of today's card is a strong sampler. Saratoga Cruiser (Race 1, 3/1 morning line) draws our eye in the mile dirt claimer to open the card — a TrackWiz rating of 83.39 gives this horse a clear edge on paper in what looks like a soft field. In Race 2, Inter Miami comes in as a 2/1 morning-line favorite over 5½ furlongs on a fast track that suits pure speed, backed by an 88.54 rating that leads the entire card's free picks. Then in Race 3, the maiden special weight at 6 furlongs brings Earth Song into focus — maiden races are inherently unpredictable, but our analysis likes what we see at 9/5.

The unifying thread across these three free races: the fast, dry Delaware dirt today should compress early fractions and make it tough for closers to make up significant ground. Front-runners and pace-pressers are the play. Keep that bias in mind as you build tickets this afternoon.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:56 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

This 5½-furlong dirt claimer for fillies and mares has a clear top three by the numbers, with Infastuation, Sister Carlie, and Gold Lady all grading out well above the rest — pace shape will likely decide who hits the board.

win1InfastuationML 2/1

Infastuation tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54, matching Inter Miami from Race 2 for the highest mark on the card so far, and comes in at a fair 2/1 morning line. Carol Cedeno gets the call for trainer Carlos M. Sepulveda, who also has Magnolia Wind entered — a dual-runner spot that suggests the stable is confident Infastuation is the stable's best chance. A 15% career win rate in claiming company is respectable, and an average speed figure of 54 is right in line for this distance.

place2Sister CarlieML 9/2

Sister Carlie is the value angle here — her 83.81 TrackWiz rating is the second-best in the field, and a 16% career win rate is actually the strongest in the top three horses. At 9/2, trainer Pedro Nazario has her primed at this level, and Emanuel Rosario is always a dangerous booking. If Infastuation draws the pressure, Sister Carlie is perfectly positioned to sweep in late.

show5Gold LadyML 4/1

Gold Lady offers the best career win rate of the three top picks at 21%, and her average speed figure of 55 is the highest of the trio. Trainer Timothy C. Kreiser keeps her competitive at this level, and at 4/1 with Carlos Eduardo Lopez up, she's a logical third piece in any exacta or trifecta combination. Don't overlook her just because the ratings put her third.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open maiden special weight on the turf with 14 runners and virtually every horse making their debut or coming in maiden — Set the Stage holds the edge by the numbers but this is a difficult race to handicap with confidence.

win1Set the StageML 3/2

Set the Stage draws the top TrackWiz rating in this wide field at 59.17 and posts at 3/2 on the morning line, reflecting strong market support. Trainer Michael R. Matz is a proven turf conditioner — his horses routinely show up ready on debut or first turf try — and Vincent Cheminaud is a skilled turf pilot who can judge pace on the green. The 53 average speed figure is solid enough for a first-level turf maiden.

place13Good to GreatML 7/2

Good to Great at 7/2 draws the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 55.83 and gets Jaime Rodriguez aboard for trainer Miguel Clement, who is no stranger to placing horses in maiden turf spots. No published average speed figure here suggests a debut or limited record, which can actually be an asset on grass where freshness matters. In a race this deep, second money at 7/2 is a worthwhile ticket.

show8Souper TaylorML 9/2

Souper Taylor owns the best published average speed figure in the entire field at 56, which stands out in a race where most horses have no figure to show at all. Paco Lopez riding for trainer Michael J. Trombetta is a sharp combination — Trombetta regularly spots horses well and Lopez is one of the most reliable hands in the Mid-Atlantic. The 9/2 morning line feels fair for a show play in an unpredictable maiden turf full field.

Race 6

7:00 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A tight top of the card between Get Like Mike and Ascendance in this starter optional claiming route — less than two points separate them in TrackWiz ratings and both are legitimate win candidates.

win4Get Like MikeML 7/5

Get Like Mike edges the field with an 84.46 TrackWiz rating and gets Paco Lopez in the irons — a combination that demands respect at 7/5 on the morning line. Trainer Monica McGoey has this horse at 11% career wins, which is modest, but it's the quality of the rating that matters here, and this horse has been knocking on the door. At a mile and a sixteenth on dirt, the extra ground should suit a horse built for this kind of effort.

place2AscendanceML 9/5

Ascendance at 9/5 is razor-close behind the top pick with an 83.05 rating and gets a strong Jaime Rodriguez booking for trainer Renaldo Richards. A 14% career win rate is workmanlike, and an average speed figure of 53 is competitive in this field. If the pace scenario stacks up with a duel up front, Ascendance has the profile of a horse who closes well enough to pick up the place.

show6LeonidsML 6/1

Leonids is the value in the exotics at 6/1 with a 75.28 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field and meaningfully clear of the rest. His 18% career win rate ties Jasper's Pride for the top mark among all starters, and his average speed figure of 54 is the highest of the three picks. Marvin Fernandez gives him a competent ride, and trainer Jonathaniel Badillo-Casado has horses fit and ready at Delaware Park.

Race 7

7:32 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A sprawling 18-horse turf field with a wide spread of ability — Brockton stands out as a legitimate overlay sitting above the morning line public choices in the TrackWiz ratings.

win17BrocktonML 6/1

Brockton comes in at 6/1 yet earns the top TrackWiz rating in this massive field at 82.71 — a significant gap above the 3/2 morning line choice Wicked Boss. Angel R. Rodriguez picks up the mount for trainer Brandon L. Kulp, and the 12% career win rate undersells a horse whose rating profile suggests he's been running in tougher spots. On a mile turf course with this many runners, pace scenarios get chaotic and Brockton's class edge can see him through.

place10Bad Boy ButchML 6/1

Bad Boy Butch brings a 65.09 TrackWiz rating and draws the 10-spot in a big field — a program number that often allows a horse to settle into a comfortable stalking trip on the turf. Paco Lopez climbing on is a significant upgrade and Trainer Gregory D. Sacco regularly places horses well at this level. At 6/1, he's a fair price to hit the board behind the top pick.

show2Wicked BossML 3/2

Wicked Boss is the morning line favorite at 3/2, and while our analysis puts Brockton ahead on ratings, there's no shame in playing Wicked Boss underneath — a 65.03 TrackWiz rating is solid and Paco Lopez pulls double duty in this race. Trainer Madison F. Meyers points a live one here, and a 10% career win rate in a starter optional claimer on turf is respectable. He's a logical show ticket or saver in larger exotics.

Race 8

8:04 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a six-furlong dirt claimer where Anderman's superior TrackWiz rating and big career win percentage make him the selection, but Ray of Lov and Leonidas Stand offer genuine value at double-digit odds.

win7AndermanML 5/2

Anderman tops the TrackWiz ratings at 77.68 and carries a 33% career win rate — the second-highest in the field — making him a compelling choice at 5/2 on the morning line. His average speed figure of 55 is the best of the three picks, and Ajhari Williams gets the assignment for trainer Jonathaniel Badillo-Casado, who also runs Borz in this race. The dual-entry tells you the barn expects one of their runners to fire, and Anderman's rating edge suggests he's the primary.

place8Ray of LovML 10/1

Ray of Lov is a genuine value play at 10/1 — his 76.88 TrackWiz rating is nearly identical to Anderman's and he trails the top pick by less than a point. Emanuel Rosario is one of the most active and capable jockeys in this meet, and trainer Nesvil Hernan Bailon has this one pointed at the right level. A 22% career win rate backs up the rating, and the 10/1 morning line feels generous for a horse this close to the top of the field.

show3Leonidas StandML 10/1

Leonidas Stand at 10/1 is another horse the morning line underestimates — his 71.57 TrackWiz rating is clearly third-best in the field, ahead of the 8/5 morning line favorite Santinni who grades out at just 44.12. Angel R. Rodriguez rides for trainer Brandon L. Kulp, and a 20% career win rate at this level speaks to consistent competitiveness. Include him in trifectas as a live price with legitimate numbers behind him.

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Bottom line for September 9 at Delaware Park: Inter Miami is the highest-rated free pick on the card and the name to build around early. Saratoga Cruiser and Earth Song round out the free best bets. For subscribers, Brockton at 6/1 is the longshot angle worth exploring — and the full pace and exotic breakdown is ready for you now. Good luck out there, and as always, bet responsibly.

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