Daily Picks

Delta Downs Picks & Predictions — June 26, 2026

Friday, June 26, 20269 racesDelta Downs

It's a hot Friday afternoon at Delta Downs — clear skies, 88 degrees, and a dirt strip that should be playing fast and true all day. That's good news for speed horses, and on a card loaded with short-distance quarter horse sprints, every fraction is going to matter.

Nine races are on the board today, ranging from 250-yard dashes to the longest test of the card at 870 yards. The mix of Maidens, Optional Claimers, and an Allowance spot in Race 6 gives us a little something for every type of bettor — whether you're fading first-time starters or hunting for a live longshot in the claiming ranks.

TrackWiz has rated the full card and broken down the top contenders across all nine races. Three races are fully unlocked for everyone, with premium analysis covering the back half of the card where the real exotics opportunity lives.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:15 PM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

A wide-open maiden sprint at 350 yards where TrackWiz ratings separate the field dramatically — one horse stands well above the rest, but maiden debuts always carry surprise potential.

win6Momma Says ImspecialML 5/1

Momma Says Imspecial (#6) owns the highest TrackWiz rating in this field at 84.17 — a full 16 points clear of the second-ranked horse — which is a significant edge in a maiden sprint where raw ability tends to show up fast. Trainer Katie Carlos has her pointing to this 350-yard dirt dash, and jockey Rolando Cabrera climbs aboard at a 5/1 morning line that looks generous given the rating gap. In a race this short, the horse with the most natural ability usually wins, and that's Momma Says Imspecial by our numbers.

place7Ima Gold JewelML 2/1

Ima Gold Jewel (#7) checks in with a 68.17 rating — second-best in the field — and draws the morning-line favoritism at 2/1, suggesting the market agrees this one runs well. Jockey Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. is a live rider at Delta Downs, and trainer Kenneth Weeks has her set for this spot. She's likely to be a factor at the wire even if she can't match Momma Says Imspecial's ceiling.

show2Gotta CommentML 9/2

Gotta Comment (#2) sits third in the TrackWiz rankings at 59.13 and offers some value at 9/2 on the morning line. Trainer Jaime E. Gonzalez sends her out with Ignacio Reyes up, and in a maiden sprint this short, she's close enough to the top two in our ratings to land a piece of the superfecta.

Race 2

11:40 PM EDT

Optional Claiming · 870 yd · Dirt

This optional claiming test at 870 yards has a clear form standout, but the longer distance opens the door for closers and horses with seasoned race experience to challenge late.

win2Ruse HintML 5/2

Ruse Hint (#2) is the class of this field by TrackWiz analysis — an 87.81 rating towers over the competition — and trainer David Bustamante sends her out with Randy Edison Jr. aboard at a very reasonable 5/2 morning line. She's logged a 14% career win rate, which in an optional claiming spot at Delta Downs is a workable baseline, and the 870-yard distance suits horses with tactical speed who can sustain their effort around the turn. The combination of elite rating and experienced connections makes this our strongest opinion of the early card.

place6Crown Me MvpML 5/1

Crown Me Mvp (#6) has a 63.35 rating and a 13% career win percentage — respectable in this optional claiming company — and Donell Blake gets the mount for trainer Donald Rubin at 5/1. The 870-yard route is where pace setups matter, and Crown Me Mvp profiles as a horse who can stay in striking range long enough to earn a piece of the ticket.

show1Freakin Patriot DashML 3/1

Freakin Patriot Dash (#1) brings the best career win percentage in the field at 25%, which is a meaningful number in a race like this. Trainer Francisco Campos, Jr. knows this circuit, and Leonardo Rodriguez is a capable pilot. At 3/1, the value isn't extraordinary, but the win-rate pedigree keeps her in the exotic conversation.

Race 3

12:05 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 250 yd · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint at 250 yards — over in the blink of an eye — but TrackWiz sees a decisive ratings separation that could make this look easy for one horse.

win4Im Goin RogueML 7/2

Im Goin Rogue (#4) posts an 86.35 TrackWiz rating, the best in this eight-horse maiden claiming field by more than 22 points, and Rolando Cabrera is back in the irons for trainer Santiago Villaseca. The 7/2 morning line feels like a gift given that margin of superiority — in a 250-yard sprint, there's almost no time to make up ground, so the horse that breaks on top with natural speed usually controls it wire to wire. Im Goin Rogue is our strongest confidence play of the first three races.

place1Corona BattleML 5/2

Corona Battle (#1) is the only horse in this field showing a career win percentage (6%), which matters in a maiden claiming event where most rivals are still searching for their first score. Trainer Gilberto Rosales has Ubaldo Luna up, and the 5/2 morning-line favoritism reflects real market respect. She's a legitimate threat to run second if Im Goin Rogue fires as expected.

show6Jlc Double DotML 6/1

Jlc Double Dot (#6) holds a 63.99 rating — nearly identical to Corona Battle's 63.99 — and represents another Santiago Villaseca trainee, giving the barn a powerful one-two punch in this race. Francisco Giles takes the mount at 6/1, and if the Villaseca horses run 1-2, this one is worth sprinkling into your exotics at a price.

Our three free races give you a strong foundation for the day. Momma Says Imspecial opens the card in Race 1 — an 84.17 TrackWiz rating in a wide-open Maiden sprint at 350 yards tells us there's a real edge here at the 5/1 morning line price. In Race 2, Ruse Hint earns our highest free-race rating of the day at 87.81 and faces optional claiming company going 870 yards — the longest route on the card, which adds a conditioning angle that thins the field of true contenders. Im Goin Rogue closes the free slate in Race 3, a razor-short 250-yard Maiden Claimer where a 86.35 rating and 7/2 morning line makes this one of the cleaner value spots of the afternoon.

The common thread across these three? The firm, fast-playing surface rewards horses that break cleanly and don't give up ground at the gate — always worth keeping in mind at Delta Downs on a day like this.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

12:30 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

This maiden claiming 330-yarder at Delta Downs is a tight race at the top — three horses are separated by just over a point in the TrackWiz ratings, setting up a genuine photo-finish battle.

win8Goodtime FooseML 7/2

Goodtime Foose (#8) leads our ratings at 55.83 — a slim margin in a bunched field, but a margin nonetheless — and trainer Paul Leal sends out Cesar Segura from post eight at 7/2. In a tightly packed maiden field like this, even a half-length of edge in raw ability can be decisive, and the morning line reflects that Foose is among the most respected horses in the field. Our models give her the best chance to break on top and hold on in this short format.

place9Tee Cos WarriorML 9/2

Tee Cos Warrior (#9) is right on Goodtime Foose's heels with a 54.17 rating and comes in at 9/2 on the morning line — a price worth playing given how close these two are on our scale. Trainer Christopher Blanchet has Ubaldo Luna in the saddle, and if Foose hits any trouble at the break, Tee Cos Warrior is right there to steal the race.

show5Kiss My Tail FeatherML 5/2

Kiss My Tail Feather (#5) rates a 54.06 — essentially deadlocked with the top two — and holds the morning-line favoritism at 5/2 with Adrian X. Morales up for trainer Dustin Rhodes. The market clearly respects this horse, and in a race this competitive, she's an obvious inclusion in trifecta and superfecta plays at a manageable price.

Race 5

12:55 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 350 yd · Dirt

One horse dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this maiden claiming sprint at 350 yards, but a deep ten-horse field with several unknowns keeps the exotic bets interesting.

win3Tarzan BquikML 4/1

Tarzan Bquik (#3) posts an 85.62 TrackWiz rating — more than 20 points ahead of the second-ranked horse — and trainer Francisco Campos Sr. pairs him with Randy Edison Jr., a sharp jockey who knows Delta Downs well. The 4/1 morning line is fair for a maiden claiming sprint where this kind of rating gap usually translates directly to on-track dominance. Campos Sr. also has Comparame in the race, giving the barn strong overall representation, but Tarzan Bquik is clearly the A-horse here.

place4XydecoML 3/1

Xydeco (#4) rates second in the field at 65.04 and comes in as the morning-line second choice at 3/1, which is a reasonable price for a horse who profiles as the main alternative if Tarzan Bquik faces any trouble. Trainer Jesus Huitron Lira puts Leonardo Rodriguez on board, and the 350-yard distance suits horses with clean, forward-running style.

show6Amys Game ChangerML 6/1

Amys Game Changer (#6) checks in at a 58.26 rating and offers some value at 6/1 on the morning line. Trainer Gregory O. Williams saddles Servando Ramirez for the sprint, and while she's a clear step behind the top two in our ratings, she's well ahead of the remaining horses in the field — making her a smart show-play hedge and a piece of your trifecta structure.

Race 6

1:20 AM EDT

Allowance · 330 yd · Dirt

This 330-yard allowance features some eye-catching career win percentages across the board, but the TrackWiz rating separates a clear top tier — the market's top choices align tightly with our numbers.

win7Ekg Shez FabulousML 5/2

Ekg Shez Fabulous (#7) leads the TrackWiz ratings at 57.5 and carries a 50% career win percentage into this allowance sprint — that's a legitimate pattern for a horse who shows up and delivers. Trainer Paul Leal puts Cesar Segura up at 5/2, the co-morning-line favorite, and the combination of strong rating and proven winning record makes this horse hard to fade. At a short price, she's a win-only or wheel candidate rather than a value exotic play.

place5Jrs Shes MachoML 7/2

Jrs Shes Macho (#5) posts a 55.83 rating and also carries a 50% career win percentage, making her nearly as compelling as the top pick on raw credentials. Trainer Ramiro Aboytes-Suarez has Arturo Alvarez in the irons at 7/2 — a hair over the favorite's price — and in a short sprint where margins are razor-thin, a 50% winner can absolutely fire at any time. She's our preferred place bet and a strong include in all exotic tickets.

show9Sheza Innocent GirlML 9/2

Sheza Innocent Girl (#9) is one of two horses in this field flashing a 100% career win percentage, and while sample size matters, unblemished records demand respect in a short sprint. Trainer Martin Trejo sends Ubaldo Luna out from post nine at 9/2, and the 54.17 rating is competitive enough to earn a placing in a field without a dominant standout. She's a smart show-leg anchor in trifectas.

Race 7

1:45 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 250 yd · Dirt

A loaded maiden claiming dash at 250 yards — two horses are separated by less than a point at the very top of the TrackWiz ratings, setting up what could be the tightest finish of the night.

win4Arrested in PanamaML 2/1

Arrested in Panama (#4) is our top-rated horse in Race 7 at 87.29 — the highest score in the field — and the 2/1 morning-line favoritism confirms the market sees it the same way. Trainer Salvador G. Flores puts Rolando Cabrera in the saddle, a jockey with a strong feel for Delta Downs sprints. In a 250-yard dash, the horse with the most explosive raw ability wins more often than not, and our model says that's Arrested in Panama.

place10First Lady TrumpML 7/2

First Lady Trump (#10) rates an 86.35 — just 0.94 points behind the top pick — and trainer Ray Robbins sends J.R. Ramirez out at 7/2. The near-dead-heat in ratings between these two horses makes the exacta a compelling play, and at 7/2, First Lady Trump offers real value for a horse who could just as easily win this race on any given evening.

show6Love That AshML 5/1

Love That Ash (#6) posts a 79.17 rating — a clear step below the top two but well ahead of the remaining field — and Arturo Alvarez rides for trainer Trey Ellis at 5/1. In a ten-horse maiden sprint, it only takes a stumble or bad break from either top horse to send Love That Ash rushing into the exacta. She's the natural third leg of your trifecta at a price that makes the ticket worth playing.

Race 8

2:10 AM EDT

Optional Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

The optional claiming sprint at 330 yards features a dominant TrackWiz rating standout and a sharp second option with a solid career win percentage — expect a contested pace with two horses separating themselves from the rest.

win8Tdz Royal EagleML 5/2

Tdz Royal Eagle (#8) tops the field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — highest on the card — and holds a 14% career win rate in optional claiming company. Trainer Nason Eschete sends Jose Ariel Rodriguez out from post eight at 5/2, and the combination of elite rating and a confirmed winning background in this class level makes this horse our top selection of the second half of the card. At 5/2, the price is fair, not generous, so use her primarily as a win or part of straight exactas.

place9Pr Apollitical DashML 4/1

Pr Apollitical Dash (#9) backs up the top pick with a 77.64 rating and a 25% career win percentage — the best career win rate in the entire field. Trainer Esau H. Hernandez has Adrian X. Morales up at 4/1, and a horse who wins one in four starts in optional claiming sprints is absolutely capable of running second here. The exacta pairing of 8-9 looks like the most logical play in the race.

show2Carter Baby Dont CryML 6/1

Carter Baby Dont Cry (#2) rates 66.74 and posts a 28% career win percentage — second-best in the field — making her a legitimate threat to hit the board despite an otherwise wide ratings gap to the top two. Trainer Danny Hoda pairs her with Rene Hernandez at 6/1, and those win-rate numbers say this horse is competitive and experienced enough to earn a show finish if the top two trade paint in the stretch.

Race 9

2:35 AM EDT

Maiden · 300 yd · Dirt

The nightcap is a wide-open maiden sprint at 300 yards where the ratings are bunched in the middle tier and the morning line backs a morning-line favorite who doesn't own the top TrackWiz score — making this one of the trickier races on the card.

win3Caracara DreaminML 9/5

Caracara Dreamin (#3) heads our picks with a 58.67 TrackWiz rating — the best in the field — and draws significant market attention at 9/5, the shortest morning line in the race. Trainer Kenneth Weeks saddles Servando Ramirez for the 300-yard sprint, and in a maiden field where nobody carries prior wins, the horse with the strongest overall profile tends to get the job done. The favorite price limits win-only value, but Caracara Dreamin makes sense as the anchor of all your exotics.

place7She B ZoominML 7/2

She B Zoomin (#7) rates a 55.83 — second in the field — and trainer Preston Jourdan sends Ubaldo Luna out at 7/2. In a bunched maiden sprint where the top two horses are separated by less than three rating points, the second-ranked horse will often hit the board, and the morning line suggests she's fully respected. She's a natural place bet and the other half of your exacta with Caracara Dreamin.

show1Leesa Gone RogueML 12/1

Leesa Gone Rogue (#1) posts a 54.67 rating — third-best in the field and right in the mix — and represents excellent value at 12/1 on the morning line, which feels like the market has underestimated her. Trainer Dondrick London has Bobby Ransom up, and the gap between the top three horses and the rest of this field is wide enough that all three of our picks figure to hit the board. At 12/1, Leesa Gone Rogue is the show bet of the card.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: it's a clean, fast day at Delta Downs and the TrackWiz ratings give you a clear edge from the jump. Start with Ruse Hint and Im Goin Rogue as your value anchors in the free races, then let the premium analysis guide you through the trickier back half of the card. Unlock the full breakdown at TrackWiz — see our subscription options to get started.

← Back to all picks

Best Bets

Race 1↗

Race 2↗

Race 3↗

Full Card Analysis

Get the Full Card Analysis

Race 1

Race 2

Race 3