Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — September 26, 2026

Of Course rates second in the field at 55.83 under trainer McLean Robertson, with Julio A. Hernandez — one of the more active riders on the Delaware circuit — in the irons. At 7/2, the price is fair for a horse that profiles as a legitimate runner-up threat in a field where the margins between horses two through five are relatively tight. A place ticket here covers the scenario where the rail bias works against Pining.

Cosmic Angel checks in third on our ratings at 54.17 for trainer Greg Compton, who has a feel for placing horses effectively at this level. Jareth Loveberry is a capable jockey and this one could benefit from tracking the pace and pouncing in the final strides of this 5.5-furlong sprint. At 9/2, Cosmic Angel makes a sensible show play or trifecta fill.

Woodline rates second at 71.63 with a career win rate of 17% and an average speed of 55 for trainer Kieron Magee. Jose A. Batista picks up the mount, a useful combination in the mid-Atlantic region, and at 6/1 on the morning line, there's real overlay potential if the public overlooks this one in favor of the top two choices. Woodline's profile as a consistent speed-type makes the place slot a comfortable landing spot.

Try Harder sits third in our ratings at 67.93 — just a hair behind Woodline — and Silvestre Gonzalez takes the controls for trainer Richard Vega. The 10/1 morning line is eye-opening for a horse this well-rated, and a career win rate of 18% suggests this one has hit the board before at similar spots. In a deep field, Try Harder offers outstanding trifecta value at a price the market seems to be sleeping on.

Slobberknocker rates second in this loaded field at 76.95 for trainer McLean Robertson, with Julio A. Hernandez aboard — a pilot who has thrived in the mid-Atlantic turf game. At 3/1 on the morning line, this horse is already respected by the oddsmakers, and a career win rate of 14% in what is often a larger field than this horse prefers actually understates the consistency. Expect Slobberknocker to stalk the pace and make a genuine run at the leaders in the stretch.

Patrol Squad Six rates third at 72.82 and catches trainer Michael Stidham in good form — a name that carries real weight when the conditions line up. Jose A. Batista rides, and with the best average speed figure in the field at 55, this horse has the raw pace to be dangerous if the race falls apart up front in a large turf field. The 5/1 morning line offers legitimate show-ticket value and trifecta upside.

Bendoog comes in at 87.36, just two rating points behind Barbadian Runner, with trainer William I. Mott — one of the premier craftsmen in the business — sending this one out at 9/5. Samuel Marin knows how to ride this distance, and a career win rate of 26% in stakes fields speaks to consistent quality. If the pace scenario doesn't set up perfectly for Barbadian Runner, Bendoog has every tool needed to beat that horse or run it close.

Cool Intentions rates third in the field at 59.87, a notable step below the top two but well ahead of the remainder. Trainer Jorge Delgado puts Daniel Centeno up, and a career win rate of 36% is strong for any level. At 8/1 on the morning line, this horse could easily be overlooked by bettors fixated on the top two, making Cool Intentions a legitimate show play and trifecta anchor in what looks like a three-horse race.

Hammerin Henry checks in second on ratings at 56.67, trained by the formidable Brad H. Cox — whose horses frequently run well fresh or off a setup race. Samuel Marin handles the mount, and a career win rate of 50% is an eye-catching number, even acknowledging the sample size caveat. At 3/1, this horse is the clear second choice in the market and a natural exacta partner with Westbound Cat.

Full Access carries a perfect career win rate and draws the rail with Axel Concepcion in the irons for trainer Riley Mott. The TrackWiz rating of 55.0 places this horse within striking distance of the top two, and the combination of unbeaten form and a sharp jockey on the inside post makes this a compelling show option and trifecta fill. At 4/1, the market hasn't dismissed Full Access, and neither should you.

Martiniwithatwist rates second in the field at 77.18 and is also trained by Gary Capuano, making this a powerful barn double. Cipriano Gil rides, and the 50% career win rate backs up what the raw rating says — this horse competes. At 6/1, the same odds as our win pick, Martiniwithatwist offers tremendous exacta value in both directions, and the consistent speed average of 54 keeps this one dangerous throughout.

My Hometown Gal rates third in the field at 69.91, with trainer Michael E. Gorham sending out Raul E. Mena at 8/1. A career win rate of 33% is solid in stakes company, and the average speed of 54 matches the field's core cluster. At 8/1, this is a horse that fits perfectly in trifecta and exacta boxes — a reliable third option in a race where the top two are from the same barn.

Yes Picnic rates just a hair behind at 76.88, with trainer Jamie Ness sending out Martin Chuan — a well-oiled connection — at 10/1 on the morning line. A career win rate of 44% on turf is genuinely impressive, and the fact that this horse is going off at double-digit odds reflects how wide-open large fields feel to bettors. Yes Picnic could easily win this race, let alone place, and an exacta combining the top two picks offers serious potential return.

Racey Ruby rates third at 75.47 for trainer Michael L. Catalano, Jr., with Gavin Ashton in the irons at 5/1. The 36% career win rate in turf company is the third-best in this entire field, and the average speed of 53 keeps this horse in the conversation through the far turn. In a chaotic seventeen-horse turf route, including Racey Ruby in your trifecta coverage is about as sensible a hedge as you'll find on the card.

Miss Authentic rates second at 71.25 under Hall of Fame trainer Eddie Kenneally, who rarely runs horses without intent at this level. Jareth Loveberry takes the mount, a rider who has been sharp at Delaware Park lately, and a career win rate of 26% in stakes company backs up the rating. At 10/1 on the morning line, this is an outstanding value play in exotics — a horse that could realistically finish anywhere in the top three and would pay handsomely in the exacta.

Social Fortress posts a 68.46 rating and draws an intriguing profile — the best average speed in the entire field at 56 for trainer Gregory D. Sacco. Cipriano Gil picks up the mount at 15/1, and while the morning line price suggests the market isn't sold, the raw speed number means this horse could carve out a lead and make it uncomfortable for closers in a true pace scenario. A show ticket at 15/1 is a speculative but defensible play in the race-ten exotic pool.