Fairmount Park Picks & Predictions — September 1, 2026

Soul Keeper is the logical place play at 7/2, also trained by Scott Becker, meaning the barn controls the top two horses in the race. With a rating of 55.83 and an average speed figure matching Be Lucky Again at 53, there's a real possibility that Becker's pair goes 1-2 here. Johanis Aranguren rides, and the stable entry dynamic adds an interesting wrinkle — if anything goes wrong with the favorite, Soul Keeper is right there.

Cheater is the dark horse of this opener at 8/1, posting a TrackWiz rating of 48.33 and an average speed figure of 53 — right in line with the leaders — despite being largely overlooked by the morning line. Brody Martinez rides for trainer Heather Irion, and the name aside, this horse has the raw metrics to threaten for third in a race where two of the top spots may go to the Becker barn. A show ticket here has solid upside in a thin maiden field.

Racetothefinish isn't far behind with a rating of 86.9 and an eye-catching 31% career win rate — this horse knows how to finish in the money. Alexander Bendezu rides, also for Scott Becker, making this a stable entry situation where the barn controls both top picks. At 5/2, Racetothefinish offers reasonable value for the place pool if you're looking for a price alternative to the even-money favorite.

Wild Tapit is the value play at 10/1, and the TrackWiz rating of 60.97 is notably strong for a double-digit price — this is a horse the market may be undervaluing. Brody Martinez rides for Ralph Martinez, and the average speed figure of 55 actually bests both favorites in this race. In a pace scenario where the top two might push each other hard early, a closer with that kind of speed figure could be sneaking up the rail at the wire for third.

Golden Edge draws the 3/2 morning line and a TrackWiz rating of 85.67, making her the public's choice even if our model leans slightly the other way. Cory Orm rides for trainer Tammy Hornsby, and the 17% career win rate is solid. Given how closely matched the top two are in the ratings, Golden Edge absolutely belongs in your exacta underneath and is a lock for the place pool.

Last Gasp is the most intriguing show play on the card at 7/1 — a TrackWiz rating of 67.45 represents a real class edge over the mid-tier of this field, and Victor Santiago rides for the reliably competitive Scott Becker barn. The 18% career win rate is respectable, and at that price, Last Gasp in the show spot or underneath in a trifecta gives your ticket meaningful upside. Don't sleep on this one.

Engagement checks in at 7/2 with a TrackWiz rating of 75.72 and an average speed figure of 53 — solid across the board. Frank Reyes rides for Armando Hernandez, and an 11% career win rate tells you this horse has hit the board at a functional rate throughout its career. At the price, Engagement is our top place value in this race and should be included in all vertical exotics.

Girls Knicks Now opens at 2/1 — shorter than both Lolita J and Engagement — but our TrackWiz rating of 72.35 slots her third in the field, suggesting the public may be slightly overrating her here. That said, Brody Martinez rides for Charles Davis Jr., and a horse with this kind of public support and a 52 average speed figure will be competitive. She's a reasonable show play, though the price makes her better suited for the bottom of an exacta rather than a standalone win bet.

Upturned Brim is the most intriguing alternate in this race at 5/1, carrying a TrackWiz rating of 67.89 and the best average speed figure among the non-favorites at 56. Brody Martinez rides for trainer Michael L. Reavis, and a 12% career win rate in a competitive field shows this horse has found the winner's circle before. If Honor Point runs into any trouble or gets caught in a pace duel, Upturned Brim is the most likely beneficiary.

Jack Sixpack rounds out our ticket at 3/1 with a rating of 67.62 — nearly identical to Upturned Brim — and an average speed figure of 55 for Angel Ortega Stanley and trainer Pat Clay. The 19% career win rate is among the stronger marks in this field outside of the obvious favorite, and at a price that suggests the public has a realistic read on this horse's chances, Jack Sixpack is a solid show anchor and a natural trifecta piece.

Somethintobelieven is the morning-line favorite at 8/5 with a rating of 68.8, and while our model has Earl's Outlaw rated significantly higher, the public clearly respects this runner for a reason. Ademar Santos rides for Robert Pompell, a barn that also has Adam Five Oh in the field. The 4% career win rate is a yellow flag, but allowance horses can carry form cycles that don't always show up neatly in win percentage. As a place play beneath Earl's Outlaw, the price is a bit short for our tastes but the spot makes sense.

Summer Cyclone at 8/1 is the most compelling value in this field — a 33% career win rate is elite by any measure and the top mark in the race, and an average speed figure of 58 actually bests everyone in the field on that metric alone. Victor Santiago rides for Scott Becker, who always has his horses ready. The rating of 59.47 is mid-pack, but speed figures and win percentage suggest a horse capable of hitting the board at a price. This is a legitimate show play and a strong trifecta add.