Daily Picks

Gulfstream Park Picks & Predictions — July 18, 2026

Saturday, July 18, 202611 racesGulfstream Park

Eleven races at Gulfstream Park today under a cloudy South Florida sky, with temperatures hovering around 87°F. The heat hasn't broken, but the cloud cover could keep the track surface playing a tick more consistently than the scorching sun-baked days we've seen lately — worth factoring in, especially for the later turf races.

The card is a nice mix of conditions: you've got maiden special weights, a handful of claiming races, an allowance optional claiming, a handicap sprint on the turf, and a straight allowance to close things out. Lots of angles to work, and TrackWiz analysis has flagged some genuinely interesting spots across the full 11-race card — including a longshot in Race 11 that's worth a serious look.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A clear class standout tops this 5½-furlong claiming opener, but mid-pack runners with overlapping speed figures could make the exacta interesting if the favorite gets into a pace battle.

win4Maitre DML 5/2

Maitre D is the most compelling horse in this field by a significant margin — a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 leads the race by over 17 points, and a 42% career win rate is genuinely elite at this level. With an average speed figure of 57, matching the top of the field, he brings both class and raw speed to a 5½-furlong sprint. Jockey Miguel Angel Vasquez gets the call for trainer Barry N. Croft, and the 5/2 morning line likely underestimates the gap between this horse and the rest. Hard to find a reason to bet against him.

place3SchnittkerML 5/1

Schnittker opened at 5/1 on the morning line but carries a 70.06 TrackWiz rating — solid enough to land a piece. Trainer Beau J. Chapman puts Micah J. Husbands in the irons, and a 16% career win rate is respectable in a field like this. If Maitre D draws some early pressure, Schnittker should be close enough to the pace to sneak a place finish.

show6Captain EddieML 3/1

Captain Eddie's 68.95 TrackWiz rating and a 36% career win rate make him a legitimate exacta/trifecta wheel at 3/1. Trainer Donaldo Gonzalez puts Edgar Perez up, and his average speed of 56 is right in the mix with the top group. He's a price that won't crush your tickets if he hits, and the win percentage screams he belongs in the money conversation.

Race 2

4:55 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden special weight on the dirt where five of seven runners are first-time starters with no published speed figures — this one comes down to trainer form, workout patterns, and gut instinct.

win4Jost a Chance YadiML 6/1

Jost a Chance Yadi stands out in a field of largely unraced runners because she's already been to the track and shows an average speed figure of 55 — the only horse in this field who has put a number on the board alongside a top TrackWiz rating of 82.71. That combination of experience and measurable form gives trainer Frank J. Regalbuto's filly a real edge in a sprint where first-timers often struggle to fire. The 6/1 morning line looks like a genuine overlay given what the numbers say. Jockey Leonel Reyes gets the mount.

place3Full Moon RebelML 5/2

Full Moon Rebel opens as the second choice at 5/2 and tops all the first-time starters with a 57.5 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the race without a published speed figure. Trainer David Fawkes sends Diego A. Herrera to ride, a pairing worth noting. In a chaotic maiden race, getting a well-regarded rookie at a reasonable price to hit the board is a sound approach.

show1PastelML 3/1

Pastel draws the rail post and carries a 56.67 TrackWiz rating for trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson with Micah J. Husbands aboard. The 3/1 morning line makes her one of the race's top two choices among first-timers, and inside posts in sprint maidens at Gulfstream aren't automatically a disadvantage. She's a logical show play in a race where separating the field is genuinely difficult.

Race 3

5:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

The morning-line favorite is a heavy hitter in a maiden claiming turf route, but two well-bred closers lurk at prices that make the exacta worth building around the top horse.

win3TonytoneML 2/1

Tonytone is the overwhelming TrackWiz top pick here with an 88.54 rating — the highest in the race by more than 16 points — and trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. is one of the sharpest operators at Gulfstream, consistently sending out well-prepared first-time or lightly raced turf runners. Jockey Micah J. Husbands gets the call and the 2/1 morning line reflects public confidence. His average speed figure of 53 on turf is competitive at this level, and the 1 1/16-mile distance should suit a horse from the Joseph barn who is likely trained to appreciate ground. Tough to fade.

place5Be Wiser BobML 5/2

Be Wiser Bob rates second in the field with a 71.67 TrackWiz score and the highest average speed figure in the race at 54. Trainer Heather Smullen sends Diego A. Herrera to the plate, and at 5/2 on the morning line, this horse is priced as a true contender rather than a bridesmaid. The slight edge in speed on turf is meaningful over 1 1/16 miles where every fraction counts late.

show4I Wish You LoveML 7/2

I Wish You Love carries a 67.12 TrackWiz rating and ties for the field's top average speed figure at 53. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. is a consistent performer at Gulfstream on turf, and jockey J.G. Torrealba knows these conditions well. At 7/2, this horse rounds out a trifecta nicely and is worth including in any exotic that uses the top two.

The first three races are free for all TrackWiz readers, and they cover a solid range of conditions. Maitre D opens the card as the morning-line favorite in a 5½-furlong dirt claiming sprint — our rating of 87.81 backs up that favoritism. In Race 2, Jost a Chance Yadi jumps off the page at 6/1 in a maiden special weight on the dirt — that's a legitimate value angle in a wide-open field, and our numbers suggest the morning line may be underestimating this one. Tonytone then takes over in Race 3, a 1 1/16-mile maiden claiming on the turf, where the 88.54 TrackWiz rating makes the 2/1 morning line look about right. The common thread across all three: pace scenarios should favor closers in this heat if the track plays even slightly deep — keep that in mind when structuring any early multi-race wagers.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Two horses separate themselves from the pack in this 6-furlong dirt claimer — expect a duel between the field's top-rated runner and a short-priced favorite, with a legitimate third option lurking at a price.

win5MishML 2/1

Mish leads all comers with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating and a 29% career win rate — elite numbers in a claiming field — paired with the field's top average speed figure of 56. Trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. is again the man to beat, and Samy Camacho brings live experience in the irons. The 2/1 morning line is fair but not generous; this horse's rating separates her from the rest of the field in a meaningful way and she should be the backbone of any exotic play.

place3Air CombatML 8/5

Air Combat is listed as the morning-line favorite at 8/5 and owns a 76.39 TrackWiz rating with a 33% career win rate — genuine credentials. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo puts Leonel Reyes up for a horse who has clearly earned a short price. While Mish rates higher overall, Air Combat's win percentage and morning-line status mean she'll hit the board far more often than she misses, making her a safe place bet.

show2TroopsML 4/1

Troops grades out at 67.79 on the TrackWiz model with a 22% career win rate and sits right in the middle of the pace picture at 55 average speed. Jockey Jesus M. Rios has the mount for trainer Amador Merei Sanchez, and at 4/1 there's legitimate value here for trifecta construction. If the two favorites mix it up early, Troops could be sitting just off the pace ready to pounce.

Race 5

6:40 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A dominant TrackWiz favorite towers over this 5-furlong maiden claiming field, but there are two logical exotics horses at fair prices who bring enough form to keep trifecta players honest.

win3Relentless LadyML 9/5

Relentless Lady is the standout in this field with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the race — and an average speed figure of 57 that is two full ticks above her nearest competition. Trainer Heather Smullen puts Diego A. Herrera in the irons, a sharp pilot who knows how to pilot speed horses through short 5-furlong sprints. At 9/5, she's not a value play per se, but the combination of raw speed and class makes her the clear win selection. In maiden claiming company, figures like hers rarely get beat.

place5Diamond DancerML 5/2

Diamond Dancer rates second in the field at 67.97 and ties for the second-highest average speed figure at 55, giving her a clear edge over the rest of the field outside the top two. Trainer David VanWinkle sends Samuel Camacho, Jr. to ride, and the 5/2 morning line reflects real public support. She's the logical place horse and a must-use in exactas underneath Relentless Lady.

show7Bleu MartiniML 4/1

Bleu Martini grades at 59.98 on the TrackWiz model and also shows a 55 average speed figure, matching Diamond Dancer for second-fastest in the race. Trainer Javier E. Morzan gives the mount to Leonel Reyes, who has been active at the meet. At 4/1, she offers enough value to anchor the bottom of trifecta tickets and provides a logical hedge if Diamond Dancer underperforms.

Race 6

7:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A sprawling 11-horse claiming field going a mile on the dirt creates a chaotic pace scenario — the top-rated contender looks like a class edge, but a pair of overlooked runners at juicy prices make this race a trifecta miner's dream.

win2Nice Try RileyML 7/2

Nice Try Riley leads the field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and brings a 14% career win rate to a wide-open mile. Trainer Beau J. Chapman puts Miguel Angel Vasquez aboard — a live jockey combination at Gulfstream — and the 7/2 morning line represents fair value given the high rating in a big field. In a 11-horse field going a mile, pace scenarios can get messy, and horses with top ratings tend to benefit from chaos. Nice Try Riley's class edge should be enough to navigate it.

place11Emerging LeaderML 8/1

Emerging Leader is a fascinating price at 8/1 on the morning line with a 73.64 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field. The 0% career win rate (with a 54 average speed figure showing he's been to the track) suggests he may have been unlucky or freshened up for this spot, and trainer Dante Zanelli with Edwin Gonzalez aboard is a combo worth watching. If you're building exacta or trifecta tickets, Emerging Leader at that price is excellent value to land second.

show7UFOML 9/2

UFO checks in at 68.06 on the TrackWiz model and draws trainer Kathleen O'Connell with Diego A. Herrera up — a capable combination for a mile dirt route. The 9/2 morning line is reasonable, and an 8% career win rate suggests a horse that tends to get beat but still fills out tickets regularly. In a big field like this, show positions are often won by horses with decent figures and pace versatility, which UFO provides.

Race 7

7:44 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A short field of all first-time starters in this maiden special weight makes pedigree and trainer reputation the primary handicapping tools — the morning-line favorite faces a tighter-than-expected challenge.

win1Girvy GirlML 9/5

Girvy Girl opens as the 9/5 favorite and leads the field with a 58.67 TrackWiz rating, backed by trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. — one of the most respected conditioners at the meet when it comes to debuting juveniles and lightly raced fillies. Jockey Micah J. Husbands gets the call, a rider Joseph trusts with live horses. In a first-out sprint, the Joseph barn has the resources and the process to send horses ready to fire, and the morning-line price reflects that confidence.

place4Whole Lotta RosieML 3/1

Whole Lotta Rosie opens at 3/1 with a 56.67 TrackWiz rating and is the only horse in the field who has already posted an average speed figure of 54 — real data in a race full of unknowns. Trainer J. David Braddy gives Edwin Gonzalez the mount, and experience over pure pedigree might matter more than people expect in this 6-furlong dash. She's a strong place play at a fair price.

show3Casablanca QueenML 7/2

Casablanca Queen rates 55.83 in the TrackWiz model and opens at 7/2 for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo with Leonel Reyes aboard. D'Angelo has Shelby Coupe in this race too (Cathedral Sun is also from his barn), suggesting he's sent multiple arrows to the target — Casablanca Queen is the top-rated of his entries. In a maiden first-out race, show plays at 7/2 with a top trainer are exactly the kind of small-risk exotic builders you want.

Race 8

8:15 PM EDT

Handicap · 5 fur · Turf

A competitive handicap on the 5-furlong turf course features Victor Barboza, Jr. with three live runners — but our analysis separates one clear top choice from a loaded field chasing her.

win2Le AmazoniaML 5/2

Le Amazonia heads the TrackWiz rankings at 87.81 with a 23% career win rate and a 59 average speed figure — the highest in the race — for trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. and jockey Samy Camacho. The 5-furlong turf sprint is a specialist's game, and a horse posting a 59 speed figure while carrying a top rating has the tools to dominate. Barboza sends three horses in this race, which suggests confidence in his stable's fitness, but Le Amazonia is clearly the barn's top card.

place8Great VenezuelaML 7/2

Great Venezuela is the most intriguing runner on paper: a career win rate of 47% — the best in the race by a wide margin — and a strong 82.96 TrackWiz rating for the same Barboza barn. Diego A. Herrera takes the mount, arguably the barn's top pilot choice here, and 58 average speed is right in the mix. A horse that wins nearly half its starts is dangerous in any company, and at 7/2 he offers real value to finish second.

show6Greenfield CougarML 6/1

Greenfield Cougar owns a 82.28 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate alongside a 58 average speed figure — a legitimate contender, not just a filler. Trainer David Fawkes sends Miguel Angel Vasquez, a strong pairing for a 5-furlong turf dash. At 6/1, this is a genuine overlay in a race where the top three horses are separated by just under 6 rating points — excellent trifecta value.

Race 9

8:47 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 fur · Dirt

One horse towers over a maiden special weight field on the 7-furlong dirt, but the second choice off a competitive morning line makes the exacta worth playing at a price.

win5PikeML 8/5

Pike earns an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — the highest of any horse on today's card — and opens at 8/5 as the public's top choice for trainer Fernando Abreu with Diego A. Herrera in the irons. A 55 average speed figure matches Jalapeno for best in the field, but the rating gap between Pike and everyone else is significant: over 30 points separates him from the third-best horse in the race. In maiden company, that kind of separation usually translates to a wire-to-wire performance.

place1JalapenoML 2/1

Jalapeno posts a 58.33 TrackWiz rating and matches Pike with a 55 average speed figure — the only other runner in the field who can claim the same raw velocity. Trainer Carlos A. David puts Samy Camacho aboard at a 2/1 morning line, suggesting the public is ready to play this horse against the favorite. The pace setup over 7 furlongs could allow Jalapeno to engage early and hold on for second if Pike dominates from the front.

show4Far RightML 9/2

Far Right grades at 54.17 on the TrackWiz model with a 53 average speed figure for trainer Chad J. Stewart with Jose E. Morelos up. The 9/2 morning line is fair given the figure, and in a 7-horse maiden field, show positions often come down to who handles the distance best. A horse in the 54-55 speed range with a mid-pack price is exactly the kind of trifecta bottom you want to key on.

Race 10

9:17 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A nine-horse allowance optional claiming field at 6½ furlongs shapes up as a two-horse race at the top, but a closer with solid credentials lurks at a price that makes the exacta worth inverting.

win7Permian BasinML 3/1

Permian Basin leads the field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — a substantial advantage over the second-best runner — and carries a 25% career win rate with a 55 average speed figure. Trainer Chad J. Stewart sends Diego A. Herrera to ride, a strong booking at this class level. At 3/1 on the morning line, there's genuine value for a horse who rates this far above the field in an allowance optional claiming spot where class matters. A pace scenario favoring a presser or closer fits the 6½-furlong distance well.

place1CooeyML 2/1

Cooey opens as the co-second choice at 2/1 with a 74.27 TrackWiz rating and a 55 average speed figure for trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. with Micah J. Husbands aboard. A 16% career win rate in allowance company isn't flashy, but the Joseph barn's horses at this distance tend to run honest races. If Permian Basin controls the pace, Cooey should be in a position to close for second at a price that makes the exacta tick.

show9MilitiaML 9/2

Militia brings a 66.79 TrackWiz rating and the best career win rate in the field at 33% — a legitimate runner who is simply outgunned by two superior horses today. Trainer Steve Klesaris gives Rajiv Maragh the mount, and a 55 average speed figure keeps her competitive. At 9/2 on the morning line, she's worth including in trifectas; horses with 33% win records rarely run out of the top three when they're fit.

Race 11

9:48 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 mi · Turf

The closing race is a turf mile allowance that hides two outstanding value plays — the TrackWiz top pick is a double-digit morning line, and the second choice barely registers at 15/1 despite a rating that demands attention.

win3Dr. JekyllML 10/1

Dr. Jekyll is the TrackWiz top selection at 76.88 despite opening at 10/1 on the morning line — that's the kind of disconnect that gets handicappers excited. Trainer Heather Smullen puts Samy Camacho aboard for a horse who rates comfortably above the field's most popular choices. In a turf mile, pace tends to set up for closers, and a horse with Dr. Jekyll's profile — overlooked by the public, respected by the model — is exactly where you want to invest your money. Legitimate upset candidate.

place8El TinmarinML 15/1

El Tinmarin opens at an eye-popping 15/1 despite carrying a 65.16 TrackWiz rating — fourth best in the race — and a 22% career win rate on a 53 average speed figure. Trainer Steve Klesaris sends J.G. Torrealba to ride in the finale, and horses from the Klesaris barn on the turf at Gulfstream have a quiet track record of hitting the board at big prices. This is a horse worth throwing into exactas and trifectas at minimal cost for potentially massive returns.

show7LaudableML 8/1

Laudable rates 61.35 on the TrackWiz model with a 33% career win rate — one of the better win percentages in the field — and a 54 average speed figure on turf for trainer Steven Dwoskin with Jose E. Morelos in the irons. At 8/1, a horse who wins a third of its starts is seriously undervalued in a race where the public is likely to gravitate toward the shorter-priced morning-line favorites. A strong show play and a must-use in trifecta construction.

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A full card of 11 races, cloudy skies, and some real value hiding in the later races — today's Gulfstream slate is worth your attention from gate to wire. Maitre D, Jost a Chance Yadi, and Tonytone lead the free picks to get you started. For pace projections, exotic ticket structures, and the complete Race 4 through 11 analysis including that Dr. Jekyll longshot angle, grab a TrackWiz subscription at /pricing. Good luck out there — and as always, bet smart.

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