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Fairmount Park Picks & Predictions — September 26, 2026

September 26, 20268 racesAll Fairmount Park picks

This card ran on September 26, 2026.

Best bets at Fairmount Park, September 26, 2026

Race 16Wildwood RoadML EVN2:30 PM EDT

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It's a cloudy Saturday at Fairmount Park, with temperatures sitting comfortably at 71°F and an 8-race all-dirt card on tap. No extreme weather concerns today, which means the track surface should play relatively true — always a welcome sign when you're trying to project pace and trip scenarios.

All eight races are contested on the dirt, ranging from a maiden special weight sprint to open claiming and allowance optional claiming events. There's solid competitive variety across the card, and our ratings reveal a few standout contenders worth building your tickets around — including a couple of legit value angles in the earlier races.

Three races are available free to all TrackWiz readers, with full premium analysis on the final five races available to subscribers. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

2:30 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden sprint where two morning-line favorites clash with debut unknowns — the pace scenario could be the deciding factor over 5½ furlongs on the Fairmount dirt.

win6Wildwood RoadML EVN

Wildwood Road draws the morning-line favoritism at even money and tops our TrackWiz ratings at 60 — the highest mark in the field. Trained by Scott Becker, who also has Golden Rhythm in the race, this is a barn that clearly shows up confident today. In a field of first-time starters and horses with limited data, Wildwood Road's rating edge is significant enough to make this our top selection in the opener.

place2VelvetfreezeML 2/1

Velvetfreeze is the lone horse in this field with a recorded average speed figure (54), giving handicappers something concrete to work with in an otherwise data-thin maiden field. Posted at 2/1 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 58.33, Alvin Ortiz gets the call and this one profiles as a reliable place contender who could push Wildwood Road all the way to the wire.

show3Golden RhythmML 4/1

Golden Rhythm is the second Becker runner in the race and shares the same barn confidence that makes Wildwood Road attractive. At 4/1 on the morning line with a solid 55 rating, this one makes plenty of sense underneath in exacta and trifecta tickets — especially if the two Becker horses run 1-2 and key the exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

2:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A contentious claiming mile that features a legitimate class standout buried near the bottom of the morning line — and a pair of longshot overlays that could blow the exotics wide open.

win4Black White N GoldML 5/1

Black White N Gold is our top pick at 5/1, and the value case here is real — this horse carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 84.17 despite being only the third choice on the morning line. Trainer Michael E. Lauer sends out a horse with a 10% career win rate, which is modest, but the rating differential over the field is substantial. With Johanis Aranguren aboard and a 53 average speed figure matching the pace setters, Black White N Gold figures to be right in the thick of it around the far turn.

place1As One DoesML 2/1

As One Does is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and earns that billing with a 73.3 TrackWiz rating and consistent 53 speed figures. Trainer Ben Delong sends Alexander Bendezu's stablemate to the post, and a 13% career win rate tells you this horse finds the winner's circle often enough to take seriously. Even if Black White N Gold graduates first, As One Does has the figures to be right there at the second call.

show3AndthethunderrollsML 12/1

Andthethunderrolls is our show selection and a sneaky value angle at 12/1 morning line — this horse carries a 66.85 rating that outranks several shorter-priced rivals, including the 5/2 second choice. A 13% career win rate and 53 average speed figure are right in line with the pace of this race. At those odds, including this horse in trifecta coverage makes the ticket significantly more lucrative if the upset unfolds.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

The free portion of today's card opens with Wildwood Road in the Race 1 maiden special weight sprint at 5½ furlongs — an even-money morning line that reflects the confidence the market has in this one right out of the gate. Maiden races carry inherent uncertainty, but even-money offerings in this spot don't come around without reason.

From there, Black White N Gold jumps out as a legit overlay in Race 2 at 5/1 on the morning line, earning a TrackWiz rating of 84.17 — strong value if the board holds. Then in Race 3, Nandina tops the allowance optional claiming field at 9/5 with an 88.83 rating, making her one of the higher-confidence free picks on the card. The 6-furlong dirt distance suits this type of race nicely at Fairmount, and Nandina looks well-positioned to handle it.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

3:20 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Scott Becker throws a pair of live ones into this allowance optional claimer, but one of them stands head and shoulders above the field — making this a prime banker race for multi-race sequences.

win4NandinaML 9/5

Nandina is a standout. A TrackWiz rating of 88.83 leads this field by a wide margin, and a 40% career win rate is exceptional at this level — meaning nearly four out of every ten career starts have ended in a victory. Alexander Bendezu, one of the sharper sticks at the Fairmount meet, gets the mount for the Becker barn. At 9/5 on the morning line, this isn't a huge overlay, but the rating and win percentage combination makes Nandina a strong win single.

place1Chance TakerML 2/1

Chance Taker presents one of the more eye-catching career win percentages you'll see — 66% across his starts, which is a remarkable conversion rate at any level. The 2/1 morning line and 72.93 rating make this one of the more reliable place plays on the card. Victor Santiago takes the mount for the Becker stable, and with two Becker horses potentially controlling fractions, the exacta pairing of 4-1 is worth playing.

show2Lit Miss Hat TrickML 5/2

Lit Miss Hat Trick sits at 5/2 with a 62.56 rating and a respectable 20% career win rate, which is right in line with a consistent allowance-level horse. The 54 average speed figure matches the top horses in this field, so she's not giving away anything in raw pace. As a show hedge or trifecta underneath the top two, Lit Miss Hat Trick represents solid value at the projected price.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 4

3:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

The morning-line favorite looks vulnerable here — a class standout lurks at a juicy price, and the pace scenario over a mile and 70 yards sets up nicely for a closer to pounce late.

win4Don't Tell KimML 4/1

Don't Tell Kim is our best bet in Race 4, and the numbers back it up clearly. A TrackWiz rating of 85.62 is the top mark in this field by a comfortable margin over the 6/5 morning-line favorite, and a 16% career win rate for trainer Ben Delong gives this horse a legitimate win profile. Alexander Bendezu is one of the sharper jockeys on the grounds, and at 4/1, you're getting a horse with the best figures at a price that offers genuine value over the chalk.

place2Governing PartyML 6/5

Governing Party draws the short number at 6/5 and will attract plenty of casual money, but the 70.08 TrackWiz rating — while solid — trails our top pick by over 15 points. That said, a 6% career win rate for trainer Dennis Higgins and a 54 average speed figure means this horse is consistent and figures to hit the board regularly. As a place horse in exactas underneath Don't Tell Kim, Governing Party makes sense.

show1Gun It and Run ItML 9/2

Gun It and Run It is an interesting show angle at 9/2 with a 69.59 rating that keeps it very much in the conversation. Trainer Robert Pompell sends Alvin Ortiz out with a horse whose 54 average speed figure is competitive with the leaders. The 4% career win rate is admittedly thin, but in a show spot in the trifecta this one profiles as a durable type that could hang around late in a grind of a mile-plus race.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

4:10 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

One horse dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this six-furlong claiming sprint, but the second choice offers a legitimate threat — and there's a handful of longshots with speed figures to keep the exotics honest.

win6RacetothefinishML 6/5

Racetothefinish is our top selection and the most dominant figure horse on today's card in this spot. A 89.71 TrackWiz rating leads the field by over 18 points, and a 33% career win rate means this horse is a proven winner — not just a paper standout. Trainer Scott Becker calls on Alexander Bendezu, and both have been busy and effective at this Fairmount meet. At 6/5 on the morning line, the price isn't flashy, but the rating tells you this horse belongs in a different class from most of this field.

place7Wild TapitML 3/1

Wild Tapit at 3/1 is the clear second choice, and the 71.08 rating backs that up. A 16% career win rate and 55 average speed figure matching the top horses in the field suggest this one has the raw ability to push Racetothefinish. Trainer Ralph Martinez knows this horse well, and Brody Martinez takes the mount — there's a family connection there that often means extra motivation to perform.

show8Heavenly DancerML 5/1

Heavenly Dancer rounds out our trifecta ticket at 5/1 with a 53.83 rating and a 22% career win rate that signals genuine competitiveness. The 55 average speed figure matches the top tier in the race, and trainer Ben Delong has Reynier Arrieta in the irons. If the top two set a hot pace, Heavenly Dancer could be the fresh horse swooping late to grab the show dough.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 6

4:35 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A sharp allowance optional claimer where the morning-line favorite carries a dominant TrackWiz rating and a win percentage that sets it apart — but a well-rated stalker and an intriguing speed horse make this more than a one-horse race.

win2GoodasiwonswasML EVN

Goodasiwonswas tops our TrackWiz ratings at 90.0 and draws the even-money morning line, and the 35% career win rate is the strongest in the field — this horse wins races at a high clip. Trainer Armando Hernandez has Frank Reyes in the irons, and the 55 average speed figure is right in line with the pace setters. The name may raise an eyebrow, but the numbers are serious — this is a legitimate win single to build your tickets around.

place1Committee of OneML 4/1

Committee of One sits at 4/1 with an 81.01 TrackWiz rating and a solid 55 average speed figure, making this one of the stronger also-rans on today's card. Trainer Lori Plasters sends Ademar Santos out on a horse with a 16% career win rate, which is modest but respectable for the level. As a place horse underneath the favorite, Committee of One has the figures to be right there at the finish.

show6RexfordML 2/1

Rexford is the most interesting angle in this race at 2/1 on the morning line — this horse actually carries the highest average speed figure in the field at 57, which is a notable edge in raw pace. Trainer Pat Clay turns to Alexander Bendezu, one of the meet's best riders, and the 78.73 rating makes Rexford a legitimate contender who could easily outrun the favorite if the pace sets up right. In the trifecta and exacta, this one should be on every ticket.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 7

5:00 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The top two on the morning line are backed by strong ratings and carry legitimate credentials, but the double-digit prices in this field — including a horse with a remarkable win percentage — give the exotics real punch.

win7Then Now 'n AlwaysML 2/1

Then Now 'n Always is our win selection at 2/1, and the 88.02 TrackWiz rating is the highest in this field. A 33% career win rate means this horse converts at a strong rate, and Victor Santiago, who's been active throughout today's card, knows how to navigate the 5½-furlong Fairmount layout. Trainer Larry Rivelli also has Richiesgoldengirl in the race, so the barn has a presence — and the top-rated horse gets the call as our best bet.

place6ZeeML 6/5

Zee draws the 6/5 morning line and the second-highest TrackWiz rating at 80.81, which makes the exacta pairing of 7-6 a natural play. The 55 average speed figure is the best in the field, and trainer Michele Boyce puts Julio E. Felix on board — a capable combination at this level. Zee has the pace figures to press or stalk and still have plenty left in the tank for the short Fairmount homestretch.

show1Arose for LilyML 10/1

Arose for Lily is our show selection at 10/1, and this is where the value lives. The 76.88 TrackWiz rating is the third-highest in the field, and a stunning 66% career win rate — matching Chance Taker from Race 3 — tells you this horse is extraordinarily reliable when conditions line up. Trainer Eddie M. Essenpreis keeps this one at a double-digit price despite those numbers, and that's the kind of discrepancy TrackWiz analysis is built to find.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 8

5:25 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A deep nine-horse claiming sprint where the top-rated horse is surprisingly overlooked at a short price — and a pair of mid-range contenders could make the exacta and trifecta very rewarding.

win6Twirling RosesML 9/5

Twirling Roses is our win pick at 9/5, and the 88.83 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest mark on today's entire card — makes this one of the most compelling top selections of the night. A 17% career win rate for trainer Eduardo Rodriguez is decent, and the 55 average speed figure is the best among the speed horses in this field. Johanis Aranguren gets the call, and he's been a reliable performer at Fairmount throughout the meet.

place3Khozan's ValentineML 7/2

Khozan's Valentine at 7/2 brings a 78.02 rating and a 25% career win rate — the strongest conversion percentage of any horse in this race. Trainer Clay Laux turns to Alexander Bendezu, a move that signals confidence, and the 54 average speed figure keeps this horse competitive through every call. If Twirling Roses sets the pace and gets caught late, Khozan's Valentine is the most likely beneficiary.

show5Joyful GhostML 6/1

Joyful Ghost at 6/1 offers genuine value in the show spot and exotics, carrying a 66.6 TrackWiz rating that puts this one squarely in the contention group. A 12% career win rate is modest, but the 54 average speed figure is in line with the leaders, and trainer John Wiese has Victor Lara in the irons. In a nine-horse field where pace could be contested early, a stalker type like Joyful Ghost often gets a clean trip and finishes full of horse.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

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Today's Fairmount card gives you plenty to work with — Nandina and Black White N Gold headline the free plays, while Goodasiwonswas (90 rating, Race 6) stands as the marquee pick for subscribers. Comfortable conditions, all-dirt racing, and a solid 8-race card make this a great day to get involved. Full premium analysis — pace projections, exotics strategy, and the complete card breakdown — is waiting for you at /pricing. Good luck out there.

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