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Free Delaware Park Picks & Predictions for Today — October 17, 2026

October 17, 202610 racesAll Delaware Park picks

Delaware Park is open for business on a cool, overcast Saturday — 52 degrees and cloudy as the horses head to the track. It's classic mid-October racing weather in the First State, the kind of afternoon where a firm dirt surface can play fast and turf runners need to prove they handle a bit of nip in the air.

We've got a full 10-race card on tap today, with action spread across dirt and turf, from maiden claimers to a pair of Stakes finales to close the card. That double-Stakes finish in Races 8 and 9 gives the day a real pulse, and TrackWiz analysis has identified some compelling angles all the way through the afternoon.

Three races are open to everyone today — our free best bets are locked in and ready. The other seven are part of the full premium breakdown. Let's get into it.

3 Free Races Today at Delaware Park

Race 1

4:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A deep ten-horse claiming mile on dirt where the TrackWiz ratings reveal a massive gap between the top pick and the rest of the field — but pace and positioning could keep this from being a wire-to-wire walkover.

win1Street GlideML 9/2

Street Glide lands at the top of our board with a TrackWiz rating of 84.9 — more than 20 points clear of the second-rated horse in the field. Paco Lopez picks up the mount, and he's one of the sharper pilots in the Mid-Atlantic colony. Street Glide's 18% career win rate is respectable in this claiming context, and at 9/2 on the morning line, there's genuine value if the rating holds up the way our model expects.

place9Superstar SwankML 5/1

Superstar Swank is the standout pace threat here, posting the field's highest average speed figure at 55 and carrying a 26% career win rate that leads all starters. Trainer McLean Robertson keeps this one sharp, and with Jatniel Ramos guiding from post 9, Superstar Swank figures to be prominent early and tough to run down late.

show4Love Me NotML 5/2

Love Me Not slots in as a logical show piece, boasting the field's best average speed of 54 and matching Street Glide's 18% career win rate. Trainer Jamie Ness is a consistent presence at Delaware Park, and Jaime Rodriguez aboard keeps this one in capable hands — a solid exotics anchor at a likely fair price.

Race 2

5:20 PM EDT

Rating Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A tight optional claimer over six furlongs on dirt featuring two legit contenders rated above 83 battling a morning-line longshot with the field's highest TrackWiz score — pace pressure from multiple angles sets up a hot early tempo.

win3PinotslilgirlML 5/2

Pinotslilgirl owns the field's top TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and backs it up with an eye-catching 37% career win rate — the kind of number that screams consistent performer at this level. She also carries the best average speed figure in the race at 56. Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon sends her out at 5/2 on the morning line, which actually represents some value given how dominant the rating edge is.

place4She's a GamerML 9/5

She's a Gamer is the morning-line favorite at 9/5 with Paco Lopez up, and a 33% career win rate backs up the market confidence. Her TrackWiz rating of 83.49 is second in the field, and she matches Pinotslilgirl's average speed figure at 55 — this figures to be a tight, competitive exacta box at the top.

show6Dee's On DowML 6/1

Dee's On Dow brings a 37% career win rate that ties Pinotslilgirl for the field lead and a TrackWiz rating of 78.51 that ranks third. Trainer Jorge Delgado has her at 6/1 on the morning line — that's a price worth noting given how well she profiles in the data. She gives the race a legitimate third dimension for multi-race tickets.

Race 3

5:52 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A full field of 14 goes to the turf at 1 1/16 miles in a Starter Optional Claimer — Grey Biggsy is a clear data standout but the morning line only opens him at 3/1, meaning the exotics could get messy in a race with several 10/1-and-up horses posting competitive ratings.

win6Grey BiggsyML 3/1

Grey Biggsy tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 in a field of 14, and trainer Cathal A. Lynch is a name worth following on the turf at this circuit. Emanuel Rosario gets the call from post 6 — a clean outside draw that should allow Grey Biggsy to find a comfortable position on the turf without traffic trouble. The 3/1 morning line is fair and reflects the data edge, though the pace scenario in a 14-horse field bears watching.

place1NilambarML 5/1

Nilambar rates second in the field at 81.2 and draws the rail in post 1, which on turf at Delaware isn't necessarily a death sentence — especially for a horse that will likely be forwardly placed. Trainer Bruce M. Kravets keeps him at 5/1, giving place bettors reasonable value on a horse that clearly separates from the bottom half of this wide-open field.

show14StarmetalML 6/1

Starmetal offers the most intriguing value angle in this race, coming in with a TrackWiz rating of 71.6 — third best in the field — while carrying a generous 6/1 morning line from the outside post 14. Trainer Michelle Nihei and Daniel Centeno team up, and Starmetal's average speed figure of 53 is in line with the top contenders here. In a 14-horse turf race, drawing an outer post sometimes works in your favor as a stalker-closer type.

Today's three free races give you a nice cross-section of the card. We're kicking things off in Race 1 with Street Glide in a one-mile dirt claiming — a solid 84.9 TrackWiz rating and an attractive 9/2 morning line make this an ideal spot to open the day with some value. Race 2 shifts to a six-furlong Rating Optional Claiming on dirt, where Pinotslilgirl checks in as our top-rated horse at 87.81 — that's the highest rating of any free-race pick on the card, and at 5/2 on the morning line, she's not an overlay but the number backs the confidence. Race 3 moves to the turf at 1 1/16 miles, a Starter Optional Claiming where Grey Biggsy (87.08 rating, 3/1 ML) gets our nod — keep an eye on how the turf is playing early in the card given the cool, damp conditions, because that will tell you a lot about pace scenarios as the afternoon develops.

One thread connecting all three free picks: none of them are the chalk. Street Glide and Grey Biggsy both offer morning-line value at 9/2 and 3/1 respectively, and that's by design — TrackWiz analysis targets horses where the rating strength and the price are pulling in the same direction.

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Race 4

6:25 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

This claiming mile on dirt is headlined by a trio of horses rated between 81 and 88, creating genuine three-way competition at the top — the pace scenario will matter as multiple closers look to pounce down the stretch.

win2SecuritylightningML 5/2

Securitylightning tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 and draws post 2 with Melvis Gonzalez aboard — a clean stalking position in what figures to be a solidly contested early pace. Trainer Wayne Potts sends her out at 5/2 on the morning line, and while the 15% career win rate is modest, the model rating here is convincing enough to trust as the top selection in a premium race.

place7Chelsea WallML 7/2

Chelsea Wall has real credentials here — a 30% career win rate is among the best in the field, and her TrackWiz rating of 82.42 slots her second overall. Jamie Ness conditions, and Jaime Rodriguez is a live jockey-trainer combo at this meet. She's listed at 7/2 on the morning line, making her a strong place play and a natural exacta partner with Securitylightning.

show5Golden Eib MicrphnML 6/1

Golden Eib Micrphn brings the field's best career win rate at 34% and a TrackWiz rating of 81.58 that sits comfortably in the competitive tier. Trainer Jonathan Maldonado sends her out at 6/1 — that's a price that underestimates her percentage record. Julio A. Hernandez has the mount and this one earns her spot in exactas and trifectas as a legitimate threat to run into the money.

Race 5

6:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Twenty runners go to the turf at 1 1/16 miles in a loaded claiming field — Take Me To Church is the TrackWiz leader despite going off at 4/1, while the morning-line favorite Vance Scholars at 7/5 doesn't match up in the ratings, creating a potential overlay opportunity.

win12Take Me To ChurchML 4/1

Take Me To Church leads all 20 runners with a TrackWiz rating of 83.96 and boasts an average speed figure of 54 — tied for best in the field. Paco Lopez picks up this mount for trainer Keri Brion, an elite turf conditioner whose runners are always worth serious attention on the grass. At 4/1 on the morning line, this is a genuine overlay situation compared to the data edge she holds — take the value.

place14Sky's Not FallingML 5/1

Sky's Not Falling posts the field's top average speed figure at 55 and a TrackWiz rating of 75.42, with trainer Monica McGoey placing her in a race that suits her profile. Emanuel Rosario gets the call from post 14 — an outside post that could be advantageous in a big field on turf where horses often fan wide down the backside. Her 20% career win rate is respectable, and at 5/1 she's a strong place anchor.

show13Drilling for GoldML 3/1

Drilling for Gold comes in at 3/1 on the morning line with Sheldon Russell in the irons for trainer Brittany T. Russell — a tight husband-and-wife combo that often fires sharp. The TrackWiz rating of 72.08 ranks her third in this large field, and she ties Sky's Not Falling with a 54 average speed figure. She's worth including in all exotics as a show piece at a price that will likely firm further.

Race 6

7:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A wide-open claiming sprint going a mile and seventy yards on the dirt — Calling On Heaven carries a commanding rating gap and looks like a single-horse race on paper, but a deep double-digit field means pace and trip could shuffle things up.

win8Calling On HeavenML 3/1

Calling On Heaven is the class of this field and it's not particularly close — an 87.08 TrackWiz rating is 23 points clear of the next best, and her average speed figure of 55 leads all starters by a comfortable margin. Trainer Josue Arce has her sharp, Melvis Gonzalez takes the mount from post 8, and the 3/1 morning line reflects the deserved market respect. This is a horse you build your ticket around.

place2So SoML 12/1

So So is a fascinating counter-play at 12/1 on the morning line — her TrackWiz rating of 63.73 actually ranks second in the field, making that price look inflated. Trainer Michelle Castillo keeps her at a price that exotics players should notice, and Jaime Rodriguez gives her a capable ride. In a race where the heavy favorite is a single, the place spot is where the value hides, and So So fits that profile cleanly.

show5Mr SkinnyML 8/1

Mr Skinny slots in at 8/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 60.51 — third best in the field — and a 12% career win rate in a spot where winning is tough. Trainer Mario Roberto Lopez keeps him competitive, and Ferley A. Infante handles the mount from post 5, a comfortable middle position in a ten-horse field. He's a logical show play and trifecta inclusion at a price that beats the chalk.

Race 7

8:02 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 fur · Turf

A massive 19-horse allowance field goes five furlongs on the turf — sprint turf races in big fields are famously chaotic, but Baby Blocks stands out with the top rating and a speed edge that could translate to a front-running performance on the short course.

win15Baby BlocksML 4/1

Baby Blocks leads this giant field with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and the top average speed figure in the race at 56 — in a five-furlong turf sprint, raw speed matters enormously. Trainer Blake Kelly conditions two runners in this race, but Baby Blocks is clearly the barn's preferred representative based on the ratings. Francisco Martinez gets the mount from post 15, and at 4/1 on the morning line, this is good value for a horse that profiles as a potential front-end type in a short turf dash.

place12TruthorconsequenceML 4/1

Truthorconsequence rates second in the field at 83.0 with Andy Hernandez aboard for trainer Michael M. Moore. Her 16% career win rate in an allowance spot is reasonable, and the average speed figure of 54 keeps her in the competitive tier for a five-furlong turf test. She's tied on the morning line at 4/1 — a compelling place bet on a horse that figures to be running at the wire in a field this large.

show6Take Charge BooML 5/1

Take Charge Boo brings the field's best career win rate at 37% and a TrackWiz rating of 77.79 from trainer Jose A. Gallegos. Jesus M. Rios handles the ride, and a 55 average speed figure matches several of the top horses in this race. At 5/1 on the morning line, she's a natural inclusion in wide-open trifecta structures in a race where chaos is nearly guaranteed at the quarter-mile pole.

Race 8

8:35 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

The day's first stakes race is a six-furlong dirt sprint featuring two legitimate stars at opposite ends of the spectrum — morning-line favorite Quint's Brew carries a dominant 53% career win rate, but Scorching at 2/1 with Paco Lopez could make this a genuine duel.

win1Quint's BrewML 7/5

Quint's Brew is the real deal — a 53% career win rate is elite by any standard, and his 86.07 TrackWiz rating leads the field. Forest Boyce takes the mount for trainer Edward T. Allard in what sets up as a logical extension of a horse who wins more than half the time he runs. The 7/5 morning line is short but justified — in stakes company, you pay for quality, and the data says this one has it.

place7ScorchingML 2/1

Scorching rates second in the field at 71.79 with Paco Lopez climbing aboard for Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. — one of the sharpest trainer-jockey combos in the game when they connect. A 27% career win rate in stakes company is competitive, and at 2/1 on the morning line, Scorching figures to be the main pressure horse that could take this down if Quint's Brew has an off day.

show9Boardwalk JackML 15/1

Boardwalk Jack is the longshot value angle in this stakes field, carrying a 37% career win rate that ranks among the top percentages in the race and an average speed figure of 56 that ties Showstopper Copper for the field's best. Trainer Eddie Owens, Jr. sends this one out at a generous 15/1 — a price that dramatically undersells the career win percentage. Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. is up, and in a short six-furlong sprint where anything can happen, this one earns a serious look in trifectas.

Race 9

9:07 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

The nightcap stakes is a wide-open six-furlong dirt dash with 13 runners and Hall of Fame-caliber trainers represented — Cash Call stands atop our ratings, but Maida's 62% career win rate is the single most eye-catching number on the entire overnight card.

win1Cash CallML 5/1

Cash Call sits at the top of our TrackWiz ratings at 80.75 and brings a 36% career win rate into stakes company — both numbers project as legitimate. Trainer Bob Baffert conditions this one, and Jaime Rodriguez gets the mount from the rail. In a wide-open stakes sprint, having the top-rated horse from the inside post at 5/1 is exactly the kind of situation where you lean into the data and take the value.

place11MaidaML 4/1

Maida is one of the most intriguing horses on the card — a 62% career win rate is extraordinary, the kind of figure you typically see in horses that belong in much tougher company. Trainer Brittany T. Russell has Sheldon Russell in the irons, keeping it in the family with a jockey-trainer pair that communicates well. Her 75.37 TrackWiz rating sits second in the field, and at 4/1 she deserves to be in every exotic play you make in this race.

show4Icona MamaML 5/1

Icona Mama checks in at 5/1 on the morning line with a 71.64 TrackWiz rating — third best in the field — and a 25% career win rate that's competitive in stakes company. Trainer Flint W. Stites sends her out with Andrew Wolfsont in the irons, and her average speed figure of 55 keeps her in the pace conversation. She's a logical third wheel in exactas and trifectas built around the top two picks.

Race 10

9:40 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The nightcap is a maiden claiming sprint at 5.5 furlongs on dirt — all 11 horses are winless, but Azario has a substantial rating edge and a morning line that suggests the market agrees, so the intrigue lies in who fills out the exotics.

win7AzarioML 7/2

Azario leads this maiden field decisively with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — the only horse in double figures above 77 — and goes postward at 7/2 on the morning line with Jose A. Batista aboard for trainer Victor Carrasco, Jr. For a first-time maiden claimer, that rating gap is significant and hard to argue against. The 53 average speed figure is solid for this level, and the tactical 7/2 price offers genuine value given how far ahead of the field the model has him.

place3U CrocsML 8/1

U Crocs rates second in the field at 77.64 and draws a comfortable post 3 with Luke Hoskins in the irons for trainer Anthony Pecoraro. The 8/1 morning line is quite generous for the second-rated horse in a wide-open maiden field — this is exactly the kind of overlaid place play that can make exactas very profitable. Maiden claiming races are unpredictable, and U Crocs provides excellent insurance at a strong price.

show4Hawksbury HustlerML 5/1

Hawksbury Hustler slots in third in our ratings at 74.97 with Carol Cedeno up for trainer Gina Perri. Her 54 average speed figure is tied for second best in the field — a meaningful edge in a short 5.5-furlong sprint where early foot can be decisive. At 5/1 on the morning line, she rounds out a logical 1-3-4 trifecta structure with the top two picks in what should be a competitive finish behind Azario.

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Bottom line for today at Delaware Park: the free card gives you three well-rated plays with genuine morning-line value in Street Glide, Pinotslilgirl, and Grey Biggsy. The premium card brings a loaded finish with back-to-back Stakes races and serious multi-race wager potential. It's a quality 10-race afternoon — dress warm, and let's make some money. Full card analysis is waiting for subscribers right now.

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