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Gulfstream Park Picks & Predictions — August 9, 2026

August 9, 20269 racesAll Gulfstream Park picks

It's a hot Sunday at Gulfstream Park — 88°F under clear skies — and the South Florida oval is serving up a full 9-race card that mixes dirt sprints, a pair of turf routes, and some tasty maiden fields worth digging into. The kind of afternoon where the track can get lightning fast and front-runners love life, so pace scenarios are going to matter all day long.

We've got Maiden Claiming openers, a Handicap turf sprint in Race 7, and a Mile turf maiden to close things out in Race 9. Three races are fully unlocked for everyone, and our six-race premium breakdown covers the rest of the card in full detail. Whether you're playing a simple win bet or constructing a multi-race sequence, there's plenty to work with today.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer going a mile on the dirt, where TrackWiz ratings reveal a clear two-horse class advantage at the top — but the morning line tells a different story, creating potential overlay value.

win2Sir Gar d'LyonML 3/1

Sir Gar d'Lyon tops our ratings at 83.58 and draws the #2 post, a prime position for a one-mile dirt sprint at Gulfstream. Jonathan Ocasio has the call, and the 3/1 morning line actually underprices what the numbers suggest is the standout in this field. With an average speed figure of 54 — tied for best in the field — and trainer Edisley Soler sending him out sharp, this one profiles as the horse to beat.

place9Action DelightML 6/1

Action Delight is right there in the ratings at 82.71, barely a point behind our top selection, making this a genuine threat for the exacta. Trainer Kathleen O'Connell is a steady hand at Gulfstream, and at 6/1 on the morning line, there's real place value here if Sir Gar d'Lyon runs into any traffic in his first start around two turns.

show7Expert WitnessML 4/1

Expert Witness checks in at a TrackWiz rating of 75.58 and drew the #7 post under Edgar Perez. Priced at 4/1, he's a logical third wheel in the exotics — his speed figure of 53 is respectable for this company, and Michael Lerman's barn has the tools to have this one ready.

Race 2

4:55 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

This maiden special weight on the Gulfstream turf features a sharp ratings gap at the top, but the morning line heavily favors a horse our numbers don't fully endorse — that disconnect makes for an interesting betting race.

win1Clare's ShinesML 7/2

Clare's Shines leads all comers with a TrackWiz rating of 86.35, a significant edge over the rest of this seven-horse turf field. Despite going off at 7/2 on the morning line — third in the wagering behind Touch of Honor — the numbers firmly point here. Jockey J.G. Torrealba gets the call for trainer Donaldo Gonzalez, and at that price, Clare's Shines looks like a potential overlay on a grass sprint.

place2Touch of HonorML 9/5

Touch of Honor is the public's choice at 9/5 and sports the field's best average speed figure at 56, which is a legitimate credential. Our rating of 58.67 is modest compared to Clare's Shines, but on a turf sprint where pace can jumble the order, the raw speed edge could absolutely keep her involved for a place check.

show7Kissed by a RoseML 3/1

Kissed by a Rose is our show selection at 3/1, and the case here is straightforward — she carries the field's highest average speed figure at 58, which on paper makes her the fastest horse in the race on raw numbers. The rating of 56.67 puts her mid-pack in our model, but Leonel Reyes riding for trainer Ronald Spatz on the Gulfstream turf is a combo worth including in your tickets.

Race 3

5:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A short-field claiming sprint on the dirt where the top of the TrackWiz ratings is genuinely loaded — three horses within 11 points of each other — and the pace scenario over five furlongs could get heated.

win2War WarriorML 8/5

War Warrior owns the field's top TrackWiz rating at 89.12 and a career win rate of 16% that's respectable for claiming company. Mark Casse is one of the sharpest conditioners in the game, and Edwin Gonzalez has the mount aboard a horse showing an average speed of 57 — tied for best in the field. The 8/5 morning line makes him the public choice, and for once, the crowd and the numbers agree.

place6Valiant WinterML 9/2

Valiant Winter is a value play at 9/2 with a TrackWiz rating of 79.70 and an average speed of 57 that matches the top selection. Pedro Pena gets the assignment for trainer Joseph Orseno, and a career win rate of 16% in claiming races tells you this horse knows how to run. If the pace gets honest up front, Valiant Winter figures to be rolling late and threatening for the exacta.

show3Iron the MoneyML 2/1

Iron the Money brings the field's strongest career win percentage at 28% — nearly double the norm for this level — and a TrackWiz rating of 78.73. Heather Smullen trains and Heriberto Figueroa rides, a workmanlike combination at Gulfstream. The 2/1 morning line puts her right in the mix, and with that win percentage, she's a dangerous horse to leave out of your show parlays.

Our three free races cover the first half of the card and they're worth your attention. The dirt is playing fast in this heat, and that's good news for a couple of our top picks. War Warrior (Race 3, 8/5 ML) carries our highest TrackWiz rating among the free races at 89.12 — that kind of edge in a five-furlong dirt sprint on a quick surface is hard to fade. Clare's Shines (Race 2) gets her shot on the turf at 7½ furlongs, where pace shape looks favorable, and Sir Gar d'Lyon (Race 1) opens the card in a Maiden Claimer going a flat mile — a distance where our model shows he separates himself from a weak group.

One theme connecting these free picks: all three figure to sit within striking distance of the pace rather than on the lead, and that's been the winning formula at Gulfstream on hot, clear-sky afternoons when the track gets its fastest in the mid-card. Keep that in mind as you handicap the rest of the card.

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Race 4

6:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

This maiden special weight over 5½ furlongs on the dirt is tightly contested at the top, with three horses rated within just two points of each other — and several first-time starters with no public speed figures adding an element of mystery.

win1Stick TalkML 9/5

Stick Talk takes the top spot on our ratings at 58.67 and shows a published average speed of 55, the highest among horses with a figure in this field. Edwin Gonzalez rides for trainer Carlos A. David, who knows how to spot a horse in a winnable spot. The 9/5 morning line reflects public confidence, and in a field with several unknowns, having actual speed data is a meaningful edge.

place5DocksideML 2/1

Dockside is a fascinating horse here — trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., one of the most dangerous maiden trainers in the business, and priced at 2/1 despite carrying no published speed figure. The TrackWiz rating of 58.33 is virtually identical to Stick Talk, meaning our model sees these two as nearly inseparable. If Joseph has this one ready to fire first time out, the place spot looks very safe.

show2Holy WarriorML 3/1

Holy Warrior rounds out the exotics at 3/1 with a rating of 56.67 and also ships in without a published speed figure, adding intrigue. Trainer Rohan Crichton puts Anthony Thomas up, and at just a couple of points below our top two, the model suggests Holy Warrior is live for a piece if either of the top selections underperforms.

Race 5

6:35 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A competitive six-furlong claiming battle with eight horses and legitimate pace pressure throughout the field — this one could set up perfectly for a closer, and the TrackWiz top selection comes in at a juicy price.

win2Wicked LegacyML 6/1

Wicked Legacy is our top pick at 6/1 on the morning line with a field-best TrackWiz rating of 82.71 — that's a significant overlay when the crowd has the 5/2 shot on top. The 21% career win rate is strong for claiming company, and Miguel Angel Vasquez for trainer Kathleen O'Connell is a dangerous combination at Gulfstream. At six furlongs on dirt, a horse with these numbers at this price deserves to be your key.

place3Fully EntitledML 4/1

Fully Entitled rates right behind at 81.88 and carries a 20% career win rate, nearly matching our top selection across the board. Jonathan Ocasio takes the mount for Sal Santoro, and the 4/1 morning line puts this one in a realistic price range. In a race where pace duel scenarios are possible, Fully Entitled's profile suggests she won't be far behind at the wire.

show5Slew DivaML 5/2

Slew Diva is the morning line favorite at 5/2 with a TrackWiz rating of 77.1 and an average speed of 54. The 14% career win rate is the modest end of the top group, which is exactly why we've slotted her third — she's likely to hit the board, but in a race where our model sees more value above her, let the public carry her in your exotics rather than using her as the key.

Race 6

7:05 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Dorothy dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this maiden claimer by a wide margin, setting up as a potential front-end powerhouse — the real question is whether the field can mount any serious challenge at 5½ furlongs.

win1DorothyML 9/5

Dorothy owns a TrackWiz rating of 88.83 — the highest single-horse rating of any maiden claimer on today's card — and the 9/5 morning line reflects just how far ahead of this field the numbers say she is. Jose Morelos rides for trainer Nicholas Tomlinson, who placed this filly perfectly in the right spot. With an average speed of 54 in a field where half the horses have no speed figures, Dorothy's path looks clear.

place3Turkish SurpriseML 2/1

Turkish Surprise checks in with a rating of 58.33 and a speed figure of 53, making her the most credentialed challenger to Dorothy in this six-horse field. Carlos David's barn sends her out at 2/1, and Pedro Pena's experience in sprint races at Gulfstream gives her every chance to hold second if Dorothy gets loose on the front end. Don't overthink the place position here.

show6Liberty PathML 3/1

Liberty Path rates at 56.67 and runs for the Antonio Sano barn — the same trainer also has Tutto Passa in the race, giving Sano two bites of the apple and splitting the action. At 3/1, J.G. Torrealba has the mount, and on a short field, Liberty Path's modest speed figure of 53 is enough to make her a legitimate show contender in the exotics.

Race 7

7:37 PM EDT

Handicap · 5 fur · Turf

A nine-horse turf handicap sprint at five furlongs where the pace will be electric — multiple speed figures in the high 50s and several horses with strong career win percentages, making this one of the trickiest races to unpack all day.

win9Naughty RascalML 5/1

Naughty Rascal is our top selection with a TrackWiz rating of 77.70 and, critically, the field's highest career win percentage at 35% — a number that shouts class in a handicap field. Miguel Angel Vasquez gets the call for trainer Gerald Bennett, and with an average speed of 57 on the turf, this horse clearly knows how to run on the grass. At 5/1 on the morning line, the price is fair and the profile is strong.

place7Xy SpeedML 10/1

Xy Speed is the value play of this race at 10/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 76.88 — nearly identical to our top selection — and a 29% career win rate that suggests this horse consistently runs well. Leonel Reyes rides for Michael Lerman, and with an average speed of 59 on turf, Xy Speed is potentially the fastest horse in the field by raw figures. The morning line price is a gift if that holds up.

show3MattinglyML 3/1

Mattingly comes in at 3/1 with a rating of 75.65 and a speed figure of 59, matching the best in the field. Trainer Joseph Orseno also runs Extendo today, but Mattingly is the stablemate our numbers prefer — J.G. Torrealba gets the mount and a 15% win rate means he's competitive at this level. A solid show anchor in trifecta constructions.

Race 8

8:08 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Sweet Agenda sets up as a dominant figure in this six-furlong dirt claimer, carrying a TrackWiz rating nearly 27 points clear of the next rival — but the public morning line has her overlaid at 2/1, which actually makes for a confident single.

win5Sweet AgendaML 2/1

Sweet Agenda's TrackWiz rating of 88.54 is the class of this field by a considerable margin, and a 28% career win percentage tells you this mare absolutely knows how to cross the finish line first. Leonel Reyes rides for trainer Ramon Minguet, and the 2/1 morning line — while short — is actually fair given how far ahead the model has her. In a six-horse field, this is a race where taking the favorite seriously is the right play.

place6Mo HijinxML 6/1

Mo Hijinx is our place selection at 6/1 with a TrackWiz rating of 61.71 and a 25% career win rate, which is genuinely impressive for claiming company. Anthony Thomas takes the mount for trainer Kennedy Pownall, and with an average speed of 54, Mo Hijinx has the figures to hold second if Sweet Agenda wins going away. The price makes her a prime exacta partner.

show1MithrilML 3/1

Mithril opens at 3/1 with a rating of 59.11 and a career win rate of 16%, putting her solidly in the third-best tier of this field. Jose Morelos rides for Beau Chapman, and the average speed of 55 is one of the better figures in the race outside of our top selection. In a short field, three horses in the money are a near-certainty — Mithril's profile earns her a spot in your trifecta.

Race 9

8:44 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

The final race sends eight maidens going a mile on the Gulfstream turf, and Elenique figures to be a short-priced favorite — but Knows Everything at 3/1 gives the field a legitimate challenger worth building around.

win5EleniqueML 9/5

Elenique is the clear TrackWiz top selection with a rating of 88.83 — the joint-highest on today's card alongside Race 6's Dorothy — and J.G. Torrealba gets the mount for Patrick Biancone, one of the most respected grass trainers in the country. At 9/5 on the morning line, the public is aligned with the model here, and an average speed of 56 in a mile turf maiden field is more than adequate. She's the right single to close out your day.

place2Knows EverythingML 3/1

Knows Everything rates second in the field at 64.38 and carries a modest speed figure of 55 over the turf. Dale Romans has produced grass horses at a high level throughout his career, and Edgar Perez takes the mount at 3/1 — a completely fair morning line price given the profile. If Elenique hits any traffic on the turf at a mile, this one should be right there collecting the place.

show4Noffies Late NiteML 6/1

Noffies Late Nite draws the #4 post with a rating of 51.67 and actually shows the field's highest average speed at 57 — a potentially underrated figure for a horse going off at 6/1. Jonathan Ocasio rides for trainer Frank Russo, and in a turf route where early position can matter at Gulfstream, a horse with genuine speed sitting near the pace could easily land in the exotics.

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It's shaping up to be a sharp, fast-paced afternoon at Gulfstream. War Warrior is our standout free-race play, Sweet Agenda and Elenique headline the premium card, and Race 7's Handicap turf sprint is a race we think the public is going to get wrong. Stay cool, stay disciplined, and let the data lead the way. Full-card analysis — including pace projections, exotic tickets, and every top pick — is waiting for you at TrackWiz Premium. Good luck out there.

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