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Delaware Park Picks & Predictions — October 9, 2026

October 9, 20269 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Friday afternoon at Delaware Park, and conditions couldn't be much friendlier for a full day of racing. At 72°F under partly cloudy skies, the weather is as cooperative as it gets heading into mid-October — and with the turf course appearing in good shape, those grass races are going to carry some real intrigue.

Nine races on the card today, ranging from maiden claimers going long on the dirt to short turf sprints where pace scenarios can get wild in a hurry. There's genuine variety here — five different race conditions, both surfaces in play, and distances ranging from five furlongs all the way out to a mile and 70 yards. Plenty of angles to work.

TrackWiz analysis has locked in top picks across all nine races. Three of them are available free to every reader right now. The remaining six are part of our full premium breakdown — more on that below.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:40 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A top-heavy Starter Optional Claiming mile on dirt where the TrackWiz ratings create a clear three-horse tier — but the morning line favorite isn't the one our model likes best.

win3Night of MagicML 3/1

Night of Magic holds the highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 87.08 and leads the field in average speed figures at 54, giving her a genuine edge in both raw ability and recent execution. Trainer Monica McGoey gets Vincent Cheminaud in the irons, a strong jockey booking that signals connections mean business today. At 3/1 on the morning line, she's not a steal, but the rating gap between her and the rest of the field is significant enough to make her the clear top choice in what looks like a winnable spot.

place2GeostoblameML 6/5

Geostoblame draws the morning line favoritism at 6/5 and backs it up with a solid 81.53 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win rate — the best strike rate in this field. Trainer Jamie Ness is a consistent presence at Delaware, and Emanuel Rosario is a reliable pilot in spots like this. The slight speed figure deficit to Night of Magic is the only reason he slips to our place slot, but he's a very safe inclusion in exactas.

show1Lino's FireML 5/1

Lino's Fire at 5/1 rounds out our top three with a TrackWiz rating of 80.76, staying right in that competitive cluster near the top of the field. What we like here is that his average speed figure of 53 is consistent with the leaders, and at those odds he adds real value to exacta and trifecta combinations. If the pace gets hot up front and things set up for a closer, Corujo has the experience to take advantage.

Race 2

5:13 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

An all-maiden field going a route of ground on dirt — every horse is still looking for that first career win, which means the pace scenario and trainer intentions matter as much as raw ability.

win1The Magic SpeedML 9/5

The Magic Speed comes in with the field's highest TrackWiz rating by a wide margin at 88.83, and Paco Lopez — one of the stronger jockeys on the Delaware circuit — gets the call from trainer Wayne Potts. The morning line of 9/5 reflects the crowd's agreement, but in a wide-open maiden field with no career wins to compare, that rating separation is meaningful and worth respecting. An average speed figure of 52 is in line with the field, so if she fires her best effort here, she should be tough to beat.

place2Happy TearsML 5/2

Happy Tears owns the field's best average speed figure at 54, which stands out as a meaningful edge even in a maiden field where running style can be inconsistent. At 5/2 on the morning line, trainer Greg Compton has Marvin Fernandez aboard, and the combination of tactical speed and solid figures makes her a natural exacta partner with The Magic Speed. She's the clear second choice in our model at a 73.12 rating.

show6StevewilldoitML 7/2

Stevewilldoit at 7/2 sits third in our TrackWiz ratings at 55.83 and draws a reasonable post with Julio Hernandez up for trainer Derek Ryan. He's got a slight speed edge at 52 over some of the deeper longshots, and in a weak maiden field where pace can unravel, he's the kind of horse that can pick up the pieces. Worth including in trifecta tickets at a price that offers some return.

Race 3

5:46 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open twelve-horse turf mile in Starter Optional Claiming conditions — the top two TrackWiz-rated horses are priced miles apart on the morning line, setting up a potentially lucrative exacta.

win3Fly NowML 3/1

Fly Now is the standout selection here with an 85.03 TrackWiz rating, and the numbers are backed by an eye-catching 40% career win rate — best in this field by a significant margin. Trainer Keri Brion sends her out with Vincent Cheminaud in the irons, a crafty booking on the turf. The 3/1 morning line feels fair, and in a field this large, a horse with proven winning habits and strong connections commands respect.

place9Red Sky MorningML 6/1

Red Sky Morning is quietly the second-best-rated horse in this race at 82.71, yet he comes in at 6/1 on the morning line — that's the kind of line-to-rating discrepancy that gets our attention. Paco Lopez takes the mount for Michael Dini, and with a 13% career win rate showing consistency, Red Sky Morning profiles as the value play in the place spot. If Fly Now faces any pressure on the front end, this horse could be lurking at the right price.

show4Bolt From AboveML 5/1

Bolt From Above sits third in our ratings at 66.17 with a 5/1 morning line, giving him solid show value in an exotics-friendly race. Julio Hernandez aboard for Brett Brinkman gives this horse a competent ground-saving setup possibility, and his average speed figure of 52 keeps him competitive with most of this field. In a twelve-horse turf race where trips can be unpredictable, having a 66-rated horse in your trifecta at 5/1 is smart bankroll management.

Our three free previews today cover the first three races on the card, and there's a connecting thread worth noting: all three go long (a mile or more on dirt, plus a mile on the turf), which means pace setup is everything. Races that stretch out tend to reward horses with clean trips and late energy — and that's exactly the profile we're leaning on in each of these spots.

Night of Magic (R1, 3/1 morning line) kicks things off in the Starter Optional Claiming mile on dirt, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.08 — solid for this level. The Magic Speed (R2, 9/5) draws our top grade at 88.83 in the maiden claiming route, making that horse our highest-rated free pick of the day. And Fly Now (R3, 3/1) takes our top spot in the turf mile — with the grass reportedly in good condition on a mild fall afternoon, pace bias could absolutely play a role in how that one sets up. All three are worth a close look before you finalize your early tickets.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:19 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden sprint on dirt where most of the field lacks published speed figures — making our model's sharp separation on Williston Wizard all the more striking against a largely unknown group.

win6Williston WizardML 6/1

Williston Wizard dominates this field with a TrackWiz rating of 82.71 — the next-best horse checks in at 56.67 — which is a rare level of separation in any race, let alone a maiden field. He posts an average speed figure of 52 and draws Vincent Cheminaud, one of the meet's sharper turf and dirt pilots, for trainer Edward Allard. At 6/1, the morning line feels generous for a horse this far ahead of the field on our metrics, and that price gap makes him our clear best bet of this race.

place8EclipsenessML 3/1

Eclipseness draws the public's favor at 3/1 on the morning line with a 56.67 rating and a 52 average speed figure, and the Jamie Ness/Emanuel Rosario combo always deserves attention in maiden races at this track — Ness knows how to spot a horse into a winning situation. The rating here doesn't pop, but in a maiden field where several horses show no speed figures at all, a consistent performer with a strong barn behind him is a sensible place play.

show9GirvinskiML 4/1

Girvinski at 4/1 rates at 55.00 in our model and represents a horse that could benefit from a contested pace scenario, especially if the speed horses get into each other early in this six-furlong sprint. Trainer Anthony Pecoraro has Ajhari Williams up, and while neither is setting the world on fire statistically in this race, the price makes Girvinski a worthwhile trifecta inclusion. In a maiden race with several first-time starters in the mix, don't sleep on a horse that at least shows a full rating.

Race 5

6:52 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

A Maiden Special Weight sprint on turf where the morning line is dominated by short-priced horses with zero career wins among them — our model tells a completely different story about who the real standout is.

win1House of DavidML 12/1

House of David is our top pick at a juicy 12/1 morning line despite carrying the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 73.96 — that kind of discrepancy is exactly what we look for. He shows an average speed figure of 55, matching Mysterioso at the top of the field and surpassing the morning line favorites. Trainer Cathal Lynch sends him out with Jose Antonio Gomez, and in a five-furlong turf sprint where pace can be unforgiving, this horse's profile gives us real confidence that he's significantly underpriced.

place5Orange RoadML 2/1

Orange Road is the second-best horse in our model at 67.33 and the morning line's co-second choice at 2/1 for trainer McLean Robertson with Julio Hernandez up. He's got a 54 average speed figure and should be near the front of this short turf sprint, giving him every chance to be in the thick of it at the wire. He's the logical place anchor, and pairing him with our longshot win pick creates an exotic ticket with serious upside.

show4Hard FreezeML 12/1

Hard Freeze rates at 59.17 with a 53 average speed figure and opens at 12/1 for trainer Suzanne Stettinius with Carol Cedeno in the irons. In a wide-open MSW sprint on turf where pace can shake things up, a third horse priced at 12/1 with a top-five rating in the field is a smart trifecta inclusion — especially if our top two land on top. The value in combining three double-digit morning line horses makes this ticket worth building.

Race 6

7:25 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The Allowance Optional Claiming field at six furlongs on dirt features a pair of horses in the 80s on our rating scale while the morning line favorite is only third in our model — setting up a potential upset in the exotics.

win8SuperfractorML 4/1

Superfractor heads our analysis with the field's top TrackWiz rating at 85.62, a robust 28% career win rate, and the best average speed figure in the race at 56. Those are three pillars of a legitimate win candidate, and Jose Antonio Gomez gets the mount for Benjamin Perkins Jr., a trainer who knows how to prep a horse for allowance company. At 4/1 on the morning line, he's a reasonable price for the class of this field.

place2No More KingsML 6/1

No More Kings is a fascinating place play at 6/1 despite owning the second-highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 82.71, which actually sits just below Superfractor's 85.62 — that's a very close margin. Paco Lopez takes the reins for Greg Compton, and while his 8% career win rate is modest, this is the kind of horse that consistently hits the board without winning. At 6/1, he offers real exotic value against a morning line that underestimates his rating.

show3SwagingML 2/1

Swaging draws the morning line favorite role at 2/1 and rates third in our model at 75.46 with a 9% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure. Paul Luna rides for Wayne Potts, and while the rating suggests he may be a win candidate for the public rather than our model, his consistency and front-running speed at six furlongs make him a difficult horse to leave off trifecta tickets. He's the show hedge that keeps the ticket alive if the public assessment proves right.

Race 7

7:58 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A twelve-horse Allowance Optional Claiming sprint on turf that's loaded with competitive win percentages throughout the field — this one could be a pace war, and the TrackWiz ratings put a clear hierarchy at the top.

win10Normandy HeroML 4/1

Normandy Hero leads our model at 85.62 and backs it up with a 21% career win rate and the field's best average speed figure at 56, making him a legitimate top selection on multiple angles. Emanuel Rosario gets the mount for the powerful Jamie Ness barn, and that combination on turf is one we've seen succeed repeatedly at Delaware. At 4/1 morning line, there's enough price here to make him both a strong single and a natural win play in multirace wagers.

place12EastbostonbennyML 3/2

Eastbostonbenny opens as the morning line favorite at 3/2, and while our model ranks him second at 82.28, his 20% career win rate and a 55 average speed figure make him legitimately dangerous. Trainer Steve Klesaris sends him out with Paco Lopez — that's a formidable combination in a sprint on turf. His profile screams consistent board horse, and at short odds, the place bet still pays on a horse this solid.

show9WildncrazynightML 7/2

Wildncrazynight at 7/2 gives us a third strong option with a 75.43 TrackWiz rating and a 56 average speed figure that ties Normandy Hero at the top of the field's speed metrics. Paco Lopez is listed on two horses in this race — jockey connections may shift before post, so watch the scratch/change board — but Kelly Breen is a sharp trainer who places horses wisely. At 7/2, this horse rounds out a trifecta core with strong figure support.

Race 8

8:31 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A nine-horse Starter Optional Claiming route on dirt where Seeking Unity's rating stands nearly ten points above the next competitor, but three horses in the 77-plus range keep this from being a complete foregone conclusion.

win2Seeking UnityML 5/2

Seeking Unity is the clear top selection with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating and a 25% career win rate — one of the strongest win percentages in the field. Jesus Rios gets the mount for Jonathan Maldonado, and while this isn't the splashiest jockey-trainer combo on the card, the horse's own numbers do the talking at 5/2 on the morning line. His average speed figure of 52 is consistent with the field, suggesting he doesn't need to outrun anyone on raw figures — his class advantage should be enough.

place7SisyphusML 8/1

Sisyphus is a fascinating place play at 8/1 — that morning line feels generous for a horse with a 79.28 TrackWiz rating, a 23% career win rate, and a steady 52 average speed figure. Trainer Adam King sends out Reshawn Latchman, and in a Starter Optional Claiming route where pace can get complicated, a horse with a strong winning habit and serious rating at a double-digit price is the type of overlay that builds exotic profits. He's our top value play in this race.

show5AscendanceML 8/1

Ascendance comes in rated third in the field at 77.23 for trainer Renaldo Richards, with Emanuel Rosario in the irons — a quality booking that signals this horse is fit and ready. His 14% career win rate and 53 average speed figure put him in a tier just below the top two picks, and at 8/1, he's another potential overlay that adds depth to your trifecta. If the pace scenario sets up for a closer, Ascendance has the profile to benefit.

Race 9

9:04 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The closing race is a massive thirteen-horse Claiming sprint at five-and-a-half furlongs on dirt — with this much traffic and an overstretched field, pace chaos is likely and our top pick is a genuine standout at a fair price.

win9Molly the CatML 9/2

Molly the Cat tops our model at 84.90 with a 12% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure, both of which sit near the top of this deep field. Trainer McLean Robertson sends her out with Jatniel Ramos, and in a thirteen-horse field at a short sprint distance, a high-rated horse with above-average figures who can position early is exactly what you want. At 9/2 on the morning line, this is a horse that merits serious consideration as your win single.

place3Little GussieML 10/1

Little Gussie is a strong place contender at 10/1, rating third in our model at 73.49 with a 9% career win rate and a 53 average speed figure. Carol Cedeno takes the mount for trainer Ben Ramos, and in a chaotic thirteen-horse sprint, a mid-priced horse with a solid rating who can find a clean trip often rewards at the place window. The 10/1 morning line makes her an excellent exotic play with real upside if she hits the board.

show2FleeML 10/1

Flee at 10/1 brings a 71.55 TrackWiz rating and a 52 average speed figure for trainer Michael Simone, with Vincent Cheminaud — one of the sharpest jockeys on this card — getting the call. In a field this size at a sprint distance, post position and pace shape are critical, and a horse with Cheminaud's tactical ability to place his mount correctly gives Flee a real advantage over horses with similar figures. At double-digit odds, he's a trifecta must-use.

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A comfortable October Friday at Delaware Park with nine races, two surfaces, and a range of class levels that gives both casual bettors and serious players plenty to dig into. Night of Magic, The Magic Speed, and Fly Now headline the free plays — and our premium analysis rounds out the full card with pace scenarios, exotic structures, and six more top picks. Good luck out there today, and bet smart.

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