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Gulfstream Park Picks & Predictions — August 24, 2026

August 24, 20269 racesAll Gulfstream Park picks

It's a warm Monday afternoon at Gulfstream Park — partly cloudy skies, 88 degrees, and nine races on the board. The South Florida humidity is in full effect, and with temps like this, you'll want to keep a close eye on how horses are handling the post-parade sweat. Heat can expose horses that aren't fully fit, and that's a legitimate angle to lean on today.

The card is a nice mix of surfaces — five races on the dirt and four on the turf — which gives handicappers plenty to work with. Claiming and maiden claiming races dominate the early and middle portions of the card, with an Allowance Optional Claiming (AOC) race in Race 7 providing the day's clearest class-based puzzle. If you're a turf specialist, today is your day to shine.

Three races are fully unlocked for all TrackWiz readers, with our top analysis covering Races 1 through 3. The full nine-race breakdown — including pace projections and exotic plays — is available to subscribers.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A wide-open claiming mile on the dirt where the morning line favorite is actually the longshot in terms of TrackWiz ratings — Tapstick grades out significantly ahead of a field that's remarkably competitive in the middle tier.

win1TapstickML 3/1

Tapstick earns an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — a full 23 points clear of the next-best horse in this field — and that gap is hard to ignore in a claiming route. Anthony Thomas gets the mount for trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson, and Tapstick's 14% career win rate is solid for the claiming ranks. At 3/1 on the morning line, you're not getting a steal, but a horse this far ahead in the ratings at a fair price deserves top billing.

place6TracksterML 6/1

Trackster comes in at a 63.8 TrackWiz rating and matches Operation Torch in average speed figures (54), but trainer Joseph F. Orseno gives him an edge in terms of stable confidence at 6/1. He's a sneaky place play in a race where the second tier is bunched — if Tapstick has a troubled trip, Trackster is well-positioned to collect.

show2Operation TorchML 9/2

Operation Torch at 9/2 represents reasonable value in the show slot. He posts a 63.4 rating and a 54 average speed, and trainer James J. Toner has consistently placed horses competitively. With the field tightly grouped from second on down, Operation Torch's consistency makes him a reliable exotics anchor for tri and superfecta plays.

Race 2

4:50 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden claiming mile on the turf where the morning line favorite isn't the TrackWiz top-rated horse — Serrania holds a meaningful rating edge and shapes up as a standout despite going off at 2/1.

win3SerraniaML 2/1

Serrania tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54 — the highest mark in the field by over 11 points — and also posts the best average speed figure of the group at 55. Trainer Fausto Gutierrez sends her out with Leonel Reyes aboard, and in a maiden turf route full of winless horses, that combination of top figures and a field-best speed rating is a strong foundation. At 2/1, she's deserving of her morning line favoritism and then some.

place1Victorious SecretML 4/1

Victorious Secret rates second in the field at 76.93 and also averages 54 in speed, putting her firmly in contention for the exacta. Trainer Ronald B. Spatz has her at 4/1 — fair value for a horse that grades out clearly ahead of the bottom half of this maiden field. If Serrania falters or gets shuffled on the turf, Victorious Secret has the profile to inherit the place spot.

show7Smart LisaML 5/1

Smart Lisa is the show play at 5/1 with a 59.11 rating — third-best in the field and a tick ahead of Fiftyshadesofpink and Zaza J. Trainer Fernando De La Cruz keeps her engaged, and while her 52 speed average is on the lower end, maiden turf miles can be tactical affairs where pace dictates more than raw speed. She's a worthwhile exotics piece at double-digit show odds on the board.

Race 3

5:20 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Two horses dominate this maiden claiming dirt route and the rest of the field is a clear tier below — Tonytone and Be Wiser Bob shape up as a two-horse race that sets up nicely for exacta construction.

win1TonytoneML 7/5

Tonytone carries the highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 89.42 and goes as the 7/5 morning line favorite under Leonel Reyes for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo. His 53 average speed is respectable for a maiden claimer on the dirt, and the rating separation between him and the field is substantial — nearly 20 points clear of Be Wiser Bob. In a race this top-heavy, Tonytone is the right horse to build around.

place6Be Wiser BobML 2/1

Be Wiser Bob rates second at 70.38 — a clear step above the rest of the field — and goes at 2/1 under Diego A. Herrera for trainer Heather Smullen. He matches Tonytone's 53 average speed and should be forwardly placed in a race without a ton of early pace. The exacta combining Tonytone and Be Wiser Bob in both positions is the natural play here.

show2Patara PrinceML 6/1

Patara Prince at 6/1 is the show pick with a 51.67 TrackWiz rating — third in the field. Trainer Murat Sancal didn't have an average speed figure available for him, which typically means a first-time starter or limited data, adding a touch of intrigue. At 6/1, he's a fair price to round out trifecta tickets if the top two dutifully fill the win and place spots.

Our free coverage today centers on a trio of races that span both surfaces and tell a cohesive story about today's card. On the dirt, Tapstick (3/1 morning line) opens things up in Race 1's 1 1/16-mile claimer — a distance where pace scenario matters enormously and our TrackWiz rating of 87.08 gives him a clear edge in the field. In Race 3, Tonytone comes in as the morning line favorite at 7/5 in a maiden claiming route, posting our highest free-race rating of the day at 89.42 — that kind of figure in a maiden claimer deserves respect.

Sandwiched in between, Race 2 shifts to the turf for a one-mile maiden claimer where Serrania (2/1) leads our analysis with an 88.54 rating. The turf at Gulfstream can play differently on warm, humid afternoons, so watch the rail reports early. These three races give you a solid foundation for the card — and a legitimate chance to build into the later exotics.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

This is a sprint claiming race with a clear top two — Winrooski and Mo Java both grade well above the rest — but the pace setup between two likely front-runners could open the door for Ghostlight stalking late.

win2WinrooskiML 9/5

Winrooski is the top-rated horse in the field at 88.83 and brings a 25% career win rate into a 5.5-furlong dirt sprint — that win rate is elite for the claiming ranks. He also posts the top average speed figure in the race at 56, matching Mo Java. Trainer Rohan G. Crichton has him well-spotted here, and Pedro Pena is a capable pilot for a horse who clearly has the class edge on paper.

place6Mo JavaML 2/1

Mo Java comes in second in the ratings at 83.95 with a matching 56 average speed and a strong 20% career win rate for trainer Joel Santiago. At 2/1 morning line, he's likely to press or duel for the early lead with Winrooski — that pace engagement could hurt one or both, but Mo Java's speed figures are real enough that he should be finishing close. He's a strong place bet in his own right.

show7GhostlightML 3/1

Ghostlight is a 25% career winner who rates third in the field at 73.31, and trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. — one of the most accomplished conditioners at Gulfstream — puts him in here at 3/1. If the two speed horses set a hot pace up front in this sprint, Ghostlight could be the beneficiary with a late run. His average speed of 55 is competitive, and the barn angle alone makes him worth including in all your tickets.

Race 5

6:24 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Exquisite looks like a potentially dominant figure in this maiden turf sprint, but Winning Defense and The Coromoto provide legitimate upside at better prices if the favorite underperforms first-out or with limited turf data.

win4ExquisiteML 8/5

Exquisite earns an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — tops in the field by over 12 points — and goes at 8/5 for Saffie A. Joseph, Jr., one of the most consistently profitable trainers at Gulfstream Park. Micah J. Husbands gets the call, and Exquisite's 55 average speed figure leads most of the field. In a five-furlong turf sprint full of maidens, having the leading trainer's top-rated runner is a formidable combination.

place8Winning DefenseML 4/1

Winning Defense comes in second in the ratings at 77.07 and matches the field's fastest cohort with a 56 average speed figure. Trainer David Fawkes sends her out at 4/1 with Edwin Gonzalez up, and her speed profile suggests she'll be dangerous in the early going on the turf. If Exquisite hits any traffic or has a rough break, Winning Defense looks like the most capable horse to step into the place slot.

show6The CoromotoML 5/1

The Coromoto rates 65.57 — third in the field — and also posts a 56 average speed, the same as Winning Defense. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. keeps two horses in this race, which suggests confidence in the barn's turf form on the day. At 5/1, The Coromoto is the kind of horse who rounds out trifectas comfortably without breaking the bank.

Race 6

6:54 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A full, sprawling 13-horse field makes this one of the trickier races on the card, but Navy Cross separates himself at the top of the ratings in what otherwise looks like a deep, competitive claiming route.

win3Navy CrossML 4/1

Navy Cross tops the TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 and brings a career win rate of 24% — one of the better marks in this field — for trainer Pedro Garcia, Jr. with Edgar Perez in the irons. His 54 average speed is consistent with the pace you'd expect at this level over a mile and 70 yards on the dirt. In a 13-horse field where the middle of the ratings is tightly clustered, having the clear top number is a meaningful edge.

place13Dimanche GrasML 5/1

Dimanche Gras rates 73.69 — second in the field — and his 16% career win rate for trainer Ronald B. Spatz is honest. Jose E. Morelos takes the mount, and in a large field like this, a closer with sound figures can benefit from the traffic that often develops in big claiming routes. He's a natural exacta partner with Navy Cross at a 5/1 morning line.

show12Saratoga FlashML 9/2

Saratoga Flash brings a 24% career win rate — matching Navy Cross for the field's best — and rates 70.93 in TrackWiz's model, third in the field. Trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson runs him here with Diego A. Herrera up, and his 54 average speed is on par with the top horses. At 9/2, he's overlaid enough to be a legitimate show bet and a useful trifecta inclusion in a wide-open field.

Race 7

7:24 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Sabian is the standout in this allowance optional claiming turf sprint — his rating and career win percentage are in a different stratosphere from most of the field — but Banded Rocket and Coffee At K J's give the race some competitive shape.

win4SabianML 2/1

Sabian is flat-out the class of this field. His 88.54 TrackWiz rating is the top mark, his 30% career win rate is exceptional for any level, and he averages a sharp 58 in speed — among the best in the race. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. keeps him at home at Gulfstream, Samy Camacho takes the mount, and at 2/1 the morning line has him right. This is the TrackWiz top pick of the race for good reason.

place2Banded RocketML 7/2

Banded Rocket rates 74.76 — second in the field — and his 59 average speed is the highest in the race, giving him the profile of a horse who fires early in turf sprints. A 21% career win rate for trainer Carlos A. David is legitimate, and Miguel Angel Vasquez is a sound booking. He's the natural exacta partner with Sabian and offers real value at 7/2.

show1Coffee At K J'sML 10/1

Coffee At K J's is the show value play at 10/1. He rates 61.41 — third in the field — posts a 57 average speed, and carries an 18% career win rate that's solid for this level. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. has him stabled alongside Sabian, which tells you the barn is active and engaged today. At double-digit morning line odds, he's the kind of horse that makes trifectas pay.

Race 8

7:54 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Three horses — Dune Road, Grim Reaper, and Carambaso — separate themselves at the top of this seven-furlong claiming race on the dirt, setting up a potential three-way battle that makes exacta and trifecta construction straightforward.

win4Dune RoadML 3/1

Dune Road tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo with Yolber Torres up, and he carries a 16% career win rate that's respectable in the claiming ranks. His 54 average speed is solid for seven furlongs on the dirt, and his rating advantage over Grim Reaper — though slim — puts him narrowly ahead at a morning line of 3/1. He's the play, but this one is close at the top.

place6Grim ReaperML 2/1

Grim Reaper at 2/1 is nearly inseparable from Dune Road on the figures — an 85.4 rating and a 55 average speed actually edges Dune Road in raw speed. Trainer Joseph F. Orseno sends him out with Pedro Pena in the irons, and his 23% career win rate is outstanding. The case for using him on top in some tickets is real — he's a legitimate win contender playing the place role here.

show1CarambasoML 7/2

Carambaso is the show selection at 7/2 with an 81.12 rating and a 21% career win rate that ranks among the field's best. Trainer Armando De La Cerda puts Diego A. Herrera up, and his 55 average speed matches Grim Reaper. In a race where the top three are genuinely close, Carambaso is a worthy trifecta anchor and a horse who shouldn't be overlooked in straight show wagering either.

Race 9

8:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Getaholdayourself is a clear TrackWiz standout in this nine-horse turf claiming route but goes off at 5/1 — a mild overlay — while a competitive cluster of horses including Scarlett's Law and Terrimendous fight for the exotics positions.

win9GetaholdayourselfML 5/1

Getaholdayourself tops the field with an 84.17 TrackWiz rating — over 19 points ahead of the next horse — and posts a 14% career win rate under trainer Larry J. Sterling, Jr. with Diego A. Herrera getting the call. His 53 average speed is consistent with the turf route pace at Gulfstream, and at 5/1 on the morning line he represents genuine value for a horse this clearly separated at the top of the ratings. This is the TrackWiz best bet of the race.

place8Scarlett's LawML 6/1

Scarlett's Law rates 64.71 — second in the field — and her 20% career win rate for trainer Kathleen O'Connell gives her legitimate credentials. Samy Camacho is aboard, and her 53 average speed is consistent with what you'd expect in a mile-and-a-sixteenth turf claimer. At 6/1, she's a fair place play and a natural exacta partner with Getaholdayourself.

show7TerrimendousML 6/1

Terrimendous is almost a mirror image of Scarlett's Law — rating 63.71, averaging 55 in speed, and going at 6/1 for trainer Ronald Coy with Pedro Pena up. His speed figure is actually slightly better than Scarlett's Law's, and in a turf route where late pace matters, the extra zip could be the difference for a show finish. He's the trifecta fill to complete the ticket.

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Today at Gulfstream, Tonytone is our top-rated free pick of the card, Serrania gives turf bettors a strong angle in Race 2, and Tapstick opens the day as a solid dirt play. For the full nine-race breakdown — including pace maps, exotic ticket builds, and premium picks — TrackWiz subscribers have everything they need. Good luck out there, and as always, bet smart.

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