Daily Picks

Delta Downs Picks & Predictions — May 23, 2026

Saturday, May 23, 20269 racesDelta Downs

Delta Downs is open for business on a warm, rainy Saturday — 78 degrees with steady rain in the forecast all day. That wet weather won't move these quarter horses off the dirt, but it's worth watching how the surface plays as the afternoon rolls on. A damp track at Delta can tighten up gate-to-wire times and occasionally flip a race upside down if speed horses get into each other early.

We've got a nine-race card to break down today, mixing maiden sprints, a claiming contest, allowance fields, and a Starter Optional Claiming before we hit the headliner — a Stakes race in Race 7 that's worth circling on your program right now. Three races are open to everyone, and six premium races are fully detailed for TrackWiz subscribers.

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Race 1

11:15 PM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

A wide-open maiden sprint at 350 yards with a full field of first-timers — TrackWiz ratings separate the field significantly, but the morning line favorite isn't the top-rated horse.

win1X Ecutive ActionML 8/1

X Ecutive Action draws the rail in post 1 and packs the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 69.29 — a meaningful edge over the second-ranked Grand Crusader at 56.67. Jockey Rene Hernandez gets the call for trainer Francisco Campos Sr., a solid pairing to trust with a debut runner. At 8/1 on the morning line, this is a genuine value play against a morning-line favorite who rates considerably lower. In a race where we have no prior speed figures to lean on, the rating gap is the clearest differentiator.

place3Grand CrusaderML 3/1

Grand Crusader is the morning-line favorite at 3/1, and the 56.67 TrackWiz rating makes him the second-best-rated horse in the field. Trainer Larry D. Keith puts jockey Leonardo Rodriguez in the irons — a workmanlike combination for a debut runner looking to fire fresh. He's a logical key in exacta and trifecta tickets, especially underneath the value-priced X Ecutive Action.

show2Political HeroML 4/1

Political Hero checks in with a 55.0 TrackWiz rating — close enough to Grand Crusader to make him a live show contender and a worthy trifecta inclusion. Jockey Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. brings experience to a first-time starter, which can matter a lot in these short-distance maiden sprints where gate breaks are everything. At 4/1 on the morning line, he offers a small measure of value for those building exotic tickets.

Race 2

11:40 PM EDT

Maiden · 330 yd · Dirt

Carteron the Fly enters with the only proven win record in this maiden field, making him a class standout — but Poppin Off is the morning-line favorite and the race isn't a foregone conclusion.

win3Carteron the FlyML 3/1

Carteron the Fly owns the lone career win percentage in this field at 14%, and his TrackWiz rating of 87.08 towers over every other entrant. Trainer Francisco Campos, Jr. sends him out with Ubaldo Luna in the irons — Luna is one of the busier jockeys on this card and knows how to navigate a 330-yard sprint. At 3/1 on the morning line, the odds don't fully reflect just how dominant the rating edge is here. In a field mostly made up of first-time starters or winless runners, proven experience at 14% career wins is a real asset.

place6Poppin OffML 9/5

Poppin Off is the 9/5 morning-line chalk with a solid 78.0 TrackWiz rating, second-best in the field. Trainer Jose U. Lopez sends him out with Leonardo Rodriguez, a frequently used rider on this card. He's the logical place contender if Carteron the Fly gets the job done up front, and his morning-line favoritism suggests the connections are confident.

show1Famousliltres SocksML 9/2

Famousliltres Socks rates third in the field at 68.65 and lands post 1 with Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. aboard for trainer Trey Ellis. The 9/2 morning line makes him an overlay for show tickets relative to his rating position, and the gate break from the inside could give him a clean look in a short sprint. He's a reasonable third-wheel in the exacta box and a natural show play.

Race 3

12:05 AM EDT

Maiden · 330 yd · Dirt

Another all-maiden field at 330 yards, but this one is notably compressed at the top — three horses cluster within a few points of each other in the ratings, setting up a genuinely competitive trifecta.

win8CosimabadmammajammaML 5/2

Cosimabadmammajamma — yes, that's a name — tops the TrackWiz ratings in this race at 57.5 and goes postward as the 5/2 morning-line choice. Trainer Jose U. Lopez puts Noe Castaneda in the irons, and Lopez has multiple runners on this card showing he's bringing a live barn to the meet. The rating lead is modest in an all-maiden sprint, but it's the clearest numerical edge available and justifies the morning-line favoritism.

place5Mucho TrafficML 7/2

Mucho Traffic rates second in the field at 55.83, just a nose behind the top choice, and goes at 7/2 on the morning line — fair value for a place ticket. Trainer Andre Brooks saddles him with Leonardo Rodriguez, one of the more active jockeys on today's card. The compressed ratings between the top three make this a natural place contender, and Rodriguez's familiarity with the Delta Downs strip is a bonus.

show10Zactex IvoryML 9/2

Zactex Ivory checks in at 54.17 — third-best in the field and only a point and a half behind the place pick — with Arturo Alvarez up for trainer Ramiro Aboytes-Suarez. The 9/2 morning line represents solid value for show wagers and trifecta construction. In a race where the top three are this tightly bunched, grabbing all three for your tickets is a defensible approach.

Our three free previews cover the maiden openers in Races 1, 2, and 3 — all short-format sprints between 330 and 350 yards on the dirt. The standout of the bunch is Carteron the Fly in Race 2, who carries an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and draws a morning line of 3/1 that looks about right given the field. Cosimabadmammajamma in Race 3 posts the lowest rating of the free trio at 57.50, which signals a wide-open maiden affair — exactly the kind of race where a live longshot can show up and steal the purse. Meanwhile, X Ecutive Action opens at 8/1 in Race 1, making that one worth a deeper look for players hunting early-card value.

One angle to keep in mind across all three maiden sprints: rain-softened ground can neutralize horses that rely on a lightning-quick break and clean footing. Horses with stronger gate times in variable conditions could get a subtle edge today. We've factored the weather into our ratings — trust the numbers.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

12:30 AM EDT

Claiming · 350 yd · Dirt

This claiming sprint at 350 yards features some of the more experienced horses on the card — a handful of runners carry legitimate career win percentages, making pace and class separation the key handicapping angles.

win8Diamond in the RuffML 5/1

Diamond in the Ruff leads all TrackWiz-rated horses in this field at 74.90 and brings a 6% career win rate to the table — modest on paper, but meaningful at the claiming level. Trainer Rogelio Huitron sends him postward with Jose Ariel Rodriguez, and the 5/1 morning line suggests this isn't the public's top choice despite the ratings edge. For bettors looking for a win overlay, the combination of the top rating and a favorable price makes Diamond in the Ruff the TrackWiz selection.

place5Tdz First Prize DashML 12/1

Tdz First Prize Dash sits at 73.96 — just a hair behind the win pick — and carries a 7% career win rate. The 12/1 morning line is eye-catching for a horse that rates this closely to the top pick; Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. gets the mount for trainer Nason Eschete. If you're building exactas or place tickets, this is where the real value in the race lives.

show3SizzlincartelajollaML 8/1

Sizzlincartelajolla brings the best career win percentage in this field at 20%, and that proven winning ability can't be ignored even with a TrackWiz rating of 65.9. Ubaldo Luna takes the mount for trainer Shelton J. Zenon, Sr., and at 8/1 on the morning line, he's a natural show play and a worthwhile inclusion in trifectas. A horse who has won one in five starts at this level deserves respect in the placing spots.

Race 5

12:55 AM EDT

Allowance · 330 yd · Dirt

The allowance field at 330 yards features a top-rated standout in Tdz Royal Eagle, but the morning-line favorite is actually Joncades Fly By at 2/1 — a classic setup where the ratings and the public diverge.

win3Tdz Royal EagleML 3/1

Tdz Royal Eagle owns a commanding 87.08 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this allowance field — and posts a 7% career win rate. Trainer Nason Eschete puts Jose Ariel Rodriguez in the irons, and the 3/1 morning line makes this the second choice despite owning the top rating by a significant margin. In a sprint where a few ticks of speed can be the whole race, that rating gap matters. Our analysis points here as the best bet of the race.

place6Ebony JamesML 4/1

Ebony James rates 78.64 — second-best in the field — and brings a 12% career win rate that stands out in this group. Trainer Francisco Campos, Jr. deploys Ubaldo Luna, a reliable partnership on this card. At 4/1, the place price is fair for a horse this well-positioned in the ratings, and a 12% career win rate in allowance company is legitimate form.

show1Distinctive OneML 8/1

Distinctive One has the third-best career win rate among the contenders at 11% and rates 64.43 with Rene Hernandez aboard for trainer Francisco Campos Sr. The 8/1 morning line makes him an overlay for show and exotic purposes — a horse with an 11% win rate going at those odds in a shorter field is worth a look. He's the classic 'third wheel' for trifecta construction when the top two are well-established.

Race 6

1:20 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 250 yd · Dirt

The Starter Optional Claiming sprint at just 250 yards is the shortest race on the card — gate breaks and raw speed dominate, and this field is loaded with horses who know how to win, including a runner with a 50% career win rate.

win5Tk B ZoominML 5/1

Tk B Zoomin rates 84.17 — the top mark in this field — and carries a 14% career win rate for trainer Larry D. Keith with Leonardo Rodriguez in the irons. The 5/1 morning line is generous for the top-rated horse in a seven-horse field, suggesting some overlay potential. At 250 yards, there's almost no room for error after the break, and a horse with this rating advantage and an active rider combination has every reason to fire.

place6Tf Jess Doing CurlsML 4/1

Tf Jess Doing Curls brings a stunning 50% career win rate to this spot — by far the best in the field — and rates 79.2, which is second among all entrants. Trainer Jorge E. Rubio puts Noe Castaneda up, and at 4/1, this horse is legitimately dangerous. A 50% win rate in any racing context is exceptional; the lower rating than Tk B Zoomin is the only reason to drop him to the place spot.

show2First Cash Ha ChiML 7/2

First Cash Ha Chi rates 78.76 — third-best in the field and almost identical to Tf Jess Doing Curls — and owns a 22% career win rate, second-highest among the starters. Rene Hernandez gets the call for trainer Danny Hoda, and the 7/2 morning line makes him the second choice on the board. He's a major player in exacta and trifecta combinations and arguably the most underrated horse on the TrackWiz card today.

Race 7

1:45 AM EDT

Stakes · 330 yd · Dirt

The stakes race at 330 yards is headlined by Conair Cartel, who enters with a 66% career win rate and the top TrackWiz rating — this is as close to a standout as you'll find on today's card, though Kj Meduzza at 4/1 makes it interesting.

win1Conair CartelML 2/1

Conair Cartel is the most imposing horse on today's entire card — a 66% career win rate paired with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating and the 2/1 morning-line favoritism. Trainer Santiago Villaseca sends him out with Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr., who also has a runner in Race 1 for the same barn, showing Villaseca's stable is live throughout the card. Two out of every three career starts resulting in a win is elite-level form for a stakes runner. The price may be short, but the credentials demand respect.

place4Kj MeduzzaML 4/1

Kj Meduzza rates 84.61 — second-best in the stakes field — and has won one-in-three career starts at 33%. Trainer Miguel Pizana sends him out with Nestor Duran, and the 4/1 morning line reflects a legitimate threat to the favorite. He's the natural exacta partner underneath Conair Cartel, and his rating separates him meaningfully from the rest of the field outside the top two.

show7Purple N Gold BloodML 5/1

Purple N Gold Blood rates 67.51 — a significant step back from the top two but still the third-best mark in the field — and goes at 5/1 on the morning line for trainer Jose U. Lopez with Noe Castaneda up. In stakes company, the gap between the top horses and the rest of the field can compress when it counts, and a horse going at 5/1 with a clear third-place rating is a natural trifecta anchor. Lopez has been active and competitive throughout this card.

Race 8

2:10 AM EDT

Allowance · 300 yd · Dirt

A loaded allowance field at 300 yards with two horses separated from the pack in the ratings — Cowboy Reason Mv and Grand D own a significant edge over the rest, setting up a potential duel at the top of the card.

win10Cowboy Reason MvML 7/2

Cowboy Reason Mv tops the TrackWiz ratings in this allowance at 86.35 while posting a 14% career win rate, and he goes at 7/2 on the morning line with Adrian X. Morales up for trainer Esau H. Hernandez. The rating edge over the morning-line favorite Grand D is modest — 86.35 to 79.34 — but meaningful enough to flip the order. In a ten-horse field at 300 yards, every fraction of a second matters, and the top-rated horse at a competitive price is our value selection.

place1Grand DML 2/1

Grand D is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and rates 79.34 with Leonardo Rodriguez up for trainer Larry D. Keith — a combination that has been very active and effective on this card. A 28% career win rate is legitimately strong and arguably the best in this field. He'll be well-backed by the public, and while our ratings prefer Cowboy Reason Mv on top, Grand D belongs in every exotic combination.

show8Jw First ContendereML 12/1

Jw First Contendere rates third in the field at 66.29 and offers real value at 12/1 on the morning line — a price that doesn't match his rating position. Trainer Jaime E. Gonzalez sends him with Yaidel Rodriguez, and an 8% career win rate is respectable in an allowance sprint. For trifecta players looking to key the top two and use a longshot underneath, Jw First Contendere is the clear TrackWiz selection at a price that could pay handsomely.

Race 9

2:35 AM EDT

Futurity · 330 yd · Dirt

The Futurity is the most intriguing race of the night — several horses carry eye-catching win percentages from limited starts, and the top TrackWiz rating belongs to a horse at 9/2, not the morning-line favorite.

win4Sharpest ImageML 9/2

Sharpest Image packs the highest TrackWiz rating in the Futurity at 84.90 and has won one-in-three career starts for trainer Victor Oviedo. Angel A. Fierro takes the mount, and at 9/2 on the morning line, this is a legitimate overlay compared to the favorite Man for Cos at 3/1. In a Futurity where young, lightly-raced horses are being evaluated, the combination of the top rating and a demonstrated 33% win rate is the most complete profile in the field.

place7Awesome Eagle VML 7/2

Awesome Eagle V rates second in this Futurity at 74.68 and brings a 66% career win rate — stunning numbers for a horse going at 7/2 on the morning line. Trainer Jose U. Lopez sends him out with Leonardo Rodriguez, one of the most active and effective jockeys on today's card. A horse who has won two of every three career starts demands exotic respect, and the place price at 7/2 is fair value.

show9Apollitical LatinoML 6/1

Apollitical Latino rates 63.39 — third-best in the field — and goes at 6/1 on the morning line for trainer Josue Ponce with Jorge Javier Garcia aboard. Ponce also saddles Vigilanty in this race, showing a two-pronged stable presence. The 6/1 price against a top-three rating makes Apollitical Latino an excellent trifecta inclusion and a defensible show bet on his own merits.

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Bottom line: today's Delta Downs card has something for every bettor — easy-to-play maiden sprints to get warmed up, a compelling Stakes race at the top of the card, and a Futurity to close things out with some future-book intrigue. Keep the rain in mind, trust the ratings, and don't sleep on the value prices in the early maiden races. Full card analysis, pace maps, and exotic ticket recommendations are all waiting for you inside TrackWiz — subscribe here and make the most of the day.

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