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Free Delta Downs Picks & Predictions for Today — October 17, 2026

October 17, 202610 racesAll Delta Downs picks

Delta Downs is open for business on Saturday, October 17, and conditions couldn't be more cooperative. Clear skies and a crisp 70°F afternoon mean a fast, consistent dirt surface — exactly the kind of day where speed figures hold up and pace scenarios play out the way you'd expect them to.

Ten races are on the board today, spread across a nice mix of claiming, maiden, allowance, and stakes company. You've got sprints, two-turn routes, and a stakes race in Race 2 to give the card some real juice. Whether you're playing a single or hunting for a multi-race sequence, there's plenty to work with here.

TrackWiz has you covered with free analysis on the first three races plus full premium breakdowns on the remaining seven. Let's get into it.

3 Free Races Today at Delta Downs

Race 1

9:40 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 12-horse claiming sprint where the top of the TrackWiz ratings separates cleanly from the pack — but morning line prices suggest the bettors aren't fully sold on the chalk.

win9Paradise RidgeML 5/2

Paradise Ridge lands at the top of our ratings with an 87.38 score and draws the 5/2 morning line, making this horse both the analytical and public choice. The 55 average speed figure is tied for best in the field alongside Royal B and Breaker Wave, but the overall rating margin is significant. Alexander Castillo gets the call, and at 5 furlongs on the dirt, this horse's profile fits the conditions well. At 5/2, the price isn't a steal, but the edge in raw rating is hard to ignore.

place2Hint HintML 4/1

Hint Hint (program #2) carries a 77.05 TrackWiz rating and sits at 4/1 on the morning line — a solid overlay if the top two or three mix it up early. The 54 average speed figure is competitive, and trainer Isai V. Gonzalez also saddles Authentic Queen in this race, showing stable confidence in the field. Kevin Roman takes the mount, and in a field this deep, Hint Hint's rating suggests a strong place-money candidate.

show7Breaker WaveML 6/1

Breaker Wave checks in at 70.28 on our ratings and offers a 6/1 morning line that looks like legitimate value in a race with a 77-point spread from top to bottom. The 55 average speed figure ties for best in the field, and trainer Mark N. Hibdon's runner has the raw speed to hang with the leaders. At double-digit odds relative to Hint Hint, Breaker Wave makes a sensible show anchor in multi-leg exotics.

Race 2

10:08 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A 7-furlong stakes on the dirt with a clear ratings standout at the top, but a wide-open second tier makes the exacta and trifecta pools potentially juicy.

win7Can See Da FeetML 7/2

Can See Da Feet rates highest in this field at 86.35 and comes in at a workable 7/2 morning line — not a huge overlay but plenty of value for a stakes-quality horse. Isaac Castillo is aboard, and the 52 average speed figure is in line with the field median. The 11% career win rate might not jump off the page, but in a 7-horse stakes where several entrants show zero wins, that conversion rate matters. Our analysis has this horse clear of the field on overall merit.

place6Chamois' SplendorML 8/1

Chamois' Splendor is the sneaky play here at 8/1 on the morning line despite owning the second-highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 75.21. Harry Hernandez picks up the mount for trainer Ronnie P. Ward, and the 52 average speed figure keeps this horse in the conversation pace-wise. The 8/1 morning line looks generous given the rating, making this an excellent place-bet value play.

show2AoideML 4/1

Aoide rates at 67.28 and holds the third-highest score in the field, backing up a 4/1 morning line that's fair but not extravagant. Trainer Rylee Magnon also has Elaina Reins in the race, which suggests the barn is targeting a result here. With a 5% career win rate in what is likely a limited sample, Thomas L. Pompell will need to find clear running, but the rating supports a show ticket in the trifecta.

Race 3

10:36 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Maiden Special Weight chaos at 6.5 furlongs — a full field of winless runners with several first-time starters in the mix, creating prime conditions for a price horse to steal the show.

win4All About Da BasteML 3/1

All About Da Baste tops our maiden field with a 56.67 rating and draws the 3/1 morning line, making this the consensus top choice among both public and our model. The 55 average speed figure is the best posted in this field, a meaningful edge in a race where several runners have no recorded workable figure. Juan P. Vargas is a capable rider, and trainer Patricia G. West's runner has shown enough in preparation to back up that figure. In maiden sprints, speed figure edges tend to hold up — this is the play.

place9Date MoneyML 7/2

Date Money sits just a whisker behind with a 55.83 rating and a 7/2 morning line, making this a near-equal talent match with the top pick. The 54 average speed figure is second-best in the field among horses with recorded figures. Colby J. Hernandez gets the mount for W. Bret Calhoun, a trainer known to send his runners fit and ready. A tight finish between the top two is very much in play here.

show7King Gabes MoneyML 9/2

King Gabes Money carries a 54.17 rating and opens at 9/2 — the third piece of what looks like a natural trifecta with the top two. Jansen Melancon is a trusted pilot for trainer Allen Landry, a barn that regularly fires at Delta Downs. With no recorded average speed figure, there's some unknown factor here, but the rating and jockey combination give this runner legitimate show credentials in a wide-open field.

Our three free races kick things off with a solid variety. Race 1 is a 5-furlong claiming sprint where Paradise Ridge (morning line 5/2, TrackWiz rating 87.38) looks well-positioned on a surface that should favor early speed today. In Race 2, the stakes event at 7 furlongs, Can See Da Feet (7/2 ML, 86.35 rating) stands out as a legitimate contender with class and distance on their side. Then Race 3 shifts to maiden special weight territory at 6½ furlongs, where All About Da Baste (3/1 ML) draws our attention despite a tighter rating — maiden races are always unpredictable, and we'll unpack the angles in the full race preview.

The common thread across these free plays? Today's clear, fast conditions reward horses that can establish position early in sprints, and the 7-furlong distance in Race 2 is a sweet spot at Delta Downs. Keep that pace dynamic in mind as you build your tickets.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

11:04 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A tightly contested 5-furlong claiming race where the top three horses in our ratings are separated by fewer than 10 points — pace figures to be honest and early speed will be at a premium.

win4My VisionML 2/1

My Vision leads our ratings at 86.85 and is the morning line favorite at 2/1, a price that reflects genuine class in this spot. Kevin Roman takes the controls for trainer Dane Noel, and the 55 average speed figure puts this runner right in the middle of the speed group. A 22% career win rate is the second-best in the field among the top picks and adds conviction to the selection. At 5 furlongs on the dirt, horses with both ratings and speed figures tend to deliver — My Vision fits the bill.

place6Serious RockML 7/2

Serious Rock is just a couple of points back at 81.85 and offers a fair 7/2 morning line with a 20% career win rate that suggests consistency. Casey Fusilier gets the mount for trainer Allen Landry, a combination that shows up in the winner's circle at Delta with regularity. The 55 average speed figure matches the favorite's, meaning pace won't separate them — it'll come down to positioning and execution in a short 5-furlong dash.

show7PeripheryML 10/1

Periphery opens at 10/1 on the morning line but sports a 76.88 TrackWiz rating — the third-best in the field — making this a significant overlay in our view. A 25% career win rate is best in the field and speaks to a horse that converts when spotting opportunities. David Cardoso rides for trainer Mark N. Hibdon, and in a tight three-way clash at the top, Periphery is the show play with the most upside if the race sets up for a closer.

Race 5

11:32 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

Eleven maiden runners go at 5 furlongs in a race headlined by one horse whose rating dwarfs the rest of the field — though maiden sprints have a way of humbling even the most dominant favorites.

win5Crescent SkyML 4/1

Crescent Sky is in a class of her own rating-wise at 85.62 — a full 29 points clear of the second pick — and yet opens at a playable 4/1 on the morning line. The 55 average speed figure is tied for best in the field with Dolabella. Jansen Melancon rides for trainer Allen Landry, a combination that consistently fires at Delta Downs and clearly points horses for spots they can win. The gap between this runner and the rest of the field is simply too wide to ignore.

place3DolabellaML 3/1

Dolabella checks in with a 56.67 rating and the co-best 54 average speed figure, making this the most credible threat to the top pick. Elio J. Barrera gets the mount for trainer Lee Thomas, and the 3/1 morning line reflects the public's respect for this runner. In a maiden sprint with limited form to work with, Dolabella's combination of speed figure and rating makes it a natural place-ticket companion to Crescent Sky.

show1Comedy HallML 9/2

Comedy Hall rates at 54.17 — third-best in this field — and opens at 9/2 for trainer Brett A. Brinkman, who also has Thirtyone in this race. Carlos Perez is in the irons, and the 53 average speed figure is solid for a maiden sprint at this level. With two runners from the same barn, Brinkman clearly has confidence in this race, and Comedy Hall's rating supports a show ticket in a field where unknowns are plentiful.

Race 6

12:00 AM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

A one-mile allowance with a legitimate top-tier battle — the top four horses in the field are all rated above 78 and separated by less than 10 points, setting up a potential photo finish.

win1Same PlayML 9/5

Same Play tops the allowance field at 88.83 and takes the morning line favoritism at 9/5, a price that's tight but backed by the widest rating margin of the top four. Jansen Melancon rides for trainer Allen Landry — a barn that's been busy all card — and the 53 average speed figure is par for this class. At one mile on the dirt, horses with a demonstrated ability to rate and sustain tend to hold an edge, and Same Play's profile fits. The 11% career win rate is modest, but this is an allowance company where that number is common.

place4Classic EmbraceML 4/1

Classic Embrace (program #4) rates at 85.62 and opens at 4/1 — a slight value edge over the favorite given the minimal rating gap between them. Isaac Castillo rides for trainer Jonathan Wong, and a 53 average speed figure gives this runner the tools to sit close to the pace and pounce at the top of the stretch at a mile. The 4/1 price against the 88-rated top pick represents real overlay value in the place pool.

show2SeitanML 5/1

Seitan slots in third on our ratings at 83.38 with a 5/1 morning line, and the Devin H. Magnon–Rylee Magnon trainer-jockey combo is a family operation that fires sharp at Delta. The 52 average speed figure is a tick below the top two, which suggests this runner may need a pace scenario that sets up for a sustained late run. At 5/1, there's enough price to make Seitan a legitimate show play in a race where four horses could legitimately hit the board.

Race 7

12:28 AM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A sprawling 12-horse claiming field at 7 furlongs where our top pick carries a massive rating advantage — though with 11 opponents, traffic and pace complications are real wildcards.

win11GunsML 5/1

Guns rates at 84.17 and opens at 5/1 in what is a wide-open claiming field — that price looks like value when you consider the next-best rating in the field is more than 15 points lower. Casey Fusilier takes the mount for trainer Allen Landry, whose stable sends multiple runners today and consistently produces results at Delta. The 55 average speed figure is tied for second-best in the field. At 7 furlongs, horses with both top ratings and quality speed figures tend to dictate the outcome — Guns is the clear top selection.

place7Highland CreekML 9/2

Highland Creek rates at 68.53 and draws the 9/2 morning line for the Allen Landry barn with Jansen Melancon up — notably, Landry has two runners in this race, giving the stable a strong probability of hitting the board. The 53 average speed figure is respectable, and a 19% career win rate shows this runner knows how to close out a race. As the second Landry runner with Melancon aboard, Highland Creek is a natural place companion to the top pick.

show5ThunderhawkML 7/2

Thunderhawk rates at 59.21 and opens at 7/2, sitting third in our ratings but drawing lighter public support than his numbers might suggest. Carlos Perez rides for Juan Munoz Cano, and the 55 average speed figure — tied for second-best — hints that this runner has the raw quickness to be involved from the start. A 21% career win rate adds credibility, and at a fair 7/2, Thunderhawk earns his spot in the show position as the pace stalker of the group.

Race 8

12:56 AM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A full 12-horse Starter Optional Claiming mile featuring a near dead-heat between two top-rated horses — this race lives or dies by pace, and the field is deep enough to make exacta construction a genuine puzzle.

win11NopenottonightML 5/1

Nopenottonight leads our ratings by the thinnest of margins at 84.17, and the 5/1 morning line represents real value against the field. Thomas L. Pompell picks up the mount for trainer Keith G. Bourgeois, and the 54 average speed figure is a solid number for a mile starter race. A 20% career win rate adds confidence, and at 5/1 on a horse rated co-best in a 12-runner field, this is a strong top-line bet that the morning line hasn't fully priced in.

place3Call My BankerML 5/2

Call My Banker is separated from the top pick by just 0.01 rating points — 84.16 to 84.17 — and opens at the much friendlier price of 5/2. Timothy Thornton rides for trainer Allen Landry, and a 30% career win rate is impressive for a claiming route runner. The 53 average speed figure is a tick below the top pick, but the price difference suggests this horse is actually underrated relative to his form — the place pool here could be generous.

show2CobochML 15/1

Coboch opens at a juicy 15/1 despite posting a 59.85 TrackWiz rating and an eye-catching 50% career win rate — the best conversion figure in the entire field by a wide margin. Elvin Gonzalez rides for trainer Tim Dixon, and while the 54 average speed figure isn't spectacular, the historical win rate suggests a horse that consistently competes at the right level. At 15/1, this is a high-value show ticket and a sneaky exacta saver underneath the top two.

Race 9

1:24 AM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A competitive Allowance Optional Claiming sprint at 6.5 furlongs with a clear class angle at the top — but second and third on the board offer enough price to make the exotics genuinely interesting.

win5Hay JudeML 9/5

Hay Jude opens at 9/5 as the morning line favorite with an 84.64 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field by more than two points — and backs it up with a 56 average speed figure that's best in the race. Harry Hernandez rides for trainer Kinnon LaRose, and a 21% career win rate reflects a horse that competes reliably at the allowance level. At 6.5 furlongs, horses with a combination of top speed figures and ratings tend to control the pace conversation — Hay Jude is the play.

place8PayneML 6/1

Payne rates at 82.71 and opens at 6/1 for trainer Allen Landry, with Casey Fusilier in the irons — a familiar and productive pairing at Delta Downs. A 55 average speed figure and a 25% career win rate are both strong enough to suggest this runner can challenge the favorite if Hay Jude is challenged early. At 6/1, the price is inviting for a horse with this much ammunition, and Payne looks like the natural exacta partner to the top pick.

show11Mahoney RoadML 10/1

Mahoney Road sits at 57.69 on our ratings and opens at 10/1 — a price that understates this runner's credentials given a 55 average speed figure and a 19% career win rate. Elio J. Barrera rides for Juan Munoz Cano, and the trainer is no stranger to placing horses competitively in allowance optional claiming company. At a double-digit price, Mahoney Road is the value-oriented show ticket and a logical third leg in the trifecta.

Race 10

1:52 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Dirt

The finale is a wide 12-horse Maiden Claiming route at 7.5 furlongs — all runners are seeking their first win, but three horses separate themselves on ratings and project as legitimate contenders in a field that spans 65 points from top to bottom.

win7Cincy's PlayerML 4/1

Cincy's Player tops our maiden closer at 82.54 and opens at a solid 4/1 morning line — strong enough value for the ratings leader in a 12-horse field. Kevin Roman picks up the mount for trainer Samuel Breaux, and while the 51 average speed figure isn't flashy, it's competitive in a race where the majority of runners post the same or lower figures. In maiden claiming routes, the ratings edge combined with a competent rider and trainer can often be enough — Cincy's Player is the selection.

place4Cat's CustomML 8/1

Cat's Custom rates second-best at 79.79 and opens at 8/1 — a morning line that looks generous given how close this runner sits to the top pick in our model. Misael Alvarez gets the mount for trainer Rafael Gomez, and while the 50 average speed figure is a tick below the field leaders, the 79.79 rating reflects consistent recent form that's hard to dismiss. At 8/1 in the place pool, Cat's Custom is an excellent value proposition for multi-race bettors.

show10C Note GiaML 3/1

C Note Gia rates third in the field at 72.91 and draws the 3/1 morning line — the shortest price among our trio — reflecting public respect for this Juan A. Larrosa-trained runner. Carlos Perez rides, and the 51 average speed figure is on par with the top pick. In a marathon 7.5-furlong maiden route where pace can collapse, C Note Gia's combination of rating and public confidence makes this a reliable show anchor and a natural trifecta closer.

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It's a clean, fast day at Delta Downs and the card has real teeth — from the stakes action in Race 2 to the allowance headliner in Race 6. Paradise Ridge, Can See Da Feet, and All About Da Baste are your free best bets to start the afternoon. For the full 10-race breakdown, pace maps, and exotic plays, upgrade to TrackWiz premium at /pricing and don't leave money on the table. Good luck out there — play smart.

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