Unlock the other 6 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Gulfstream Park Picks & Predictions — September 18, 2026

September 18, 20269 racesAll Gulfstream Park picks

Happy Friday from Hallandale Beach. Gulfstream Park puts up a nine-race Friday card with temperatures sitting at 86°F under partly cloudy skies — solid conditions for racing on both surfaces. The turf course has seen action today, so keep an eye on how the going develops through the early races before the main turf events hit later in the card.

We've got a nice mix on the menu: maiden claimers to kick things off, a pair of claiming sprints in the middle rounds, and what looks like the marquee spot of the afternoon in Race 8 — an allowance sprint on dirt that features one of the highest-rated horses in our entire database right now. Nine races, plenty of betting opportunities, and a couple of longshot angles worth exploring if you're hunting value.

Three races are fully unlocked for every TrackWiz reader. Races 4 through 9 are in the premium zone. Let's break it all down.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A maiden turf mile with a clear top two in the TrackWiz ratings, but the morning line favorite and the program's top-rated horse are different animals — making the win bet more interesting than it looks.

win7SerraniaML 7/5

Serrania draws the 7 hole at 7/5 on the morning line and holds the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.42 — a meaningful gap over the rest of the field. Her average speed figure of 55 is the best among horses with recorded numbers, and trainer Fausto Gutierrez appears twice in this field, suggesting he's comfortable with conditions here. On a one-mile turf route against fellow maidens, that edge in both raw rating and pace capacity makes her the logical top pick.

place1Come On PoppiML 2/1

Come On Poppi sits at 2/1 on the morning line and backs it up with a TrackWiz rating of 83.4 — second best in the field by a solid margin. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. keeps her in a familiar spot, and Samy Camacho is an active rider at this circuit. At a fair price, she's the most logical safety net behind the favorite.

show3ListML 9/2

List at 9/2 is the third pillar of the TrackWiz rating hierarchy here with a 69.47 score, and Heriberto Figueroa gives this entry a competent pilot. With a field of first-time winners or winless maidens, List offers enough upside to be a live show ticket and a useful exotics piece in trifecta construction.

Race 2

4:52 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A short five-furlong maiden dash on dirt where two morning-line favorites are first-out runners with no recorded speed figures — pace shape is uncertain, which creates opportunity for the horse who can dictate early.

win7Jost a Chance YadiML 5/2

Jost a Chance Yadi opens at 5/2 and leads all horses in this field with a TrackWiz rating of 68.25 — a tangible advantage in a race where the top three are bunched. She's recorded an average speed figure of 53 and trainer Frank J. Regalbuto has her pointed right. Leonel Reyes gets the call, a jockey who's been busy on this card, and in a short sprint where early position can be decisive, this is a horse worth trusting at a fair price.

place5Delta QueenML 7/2

Delta Queen opens at 7/2 with a 55.83 rating for trainer Carlos A. David, who also saddles Reconquista — a two-horse barn with options. She comes in without a recorded speed figure, suggesting debut or limited PPs, but the morning line respect and David's confidence in entering two runners here is a useful signal. As a place play she offers solid value.

show3Roses for MollyML 9/2

Roses for Molly at 9/2 posts a 54.17 rating with no prior speed figures on file, indicating this is likely an early career start. Trainer David VanWinkle has her at a fair morning line price, and Diego A. Herrera is a capable pilot for a short-field sprint. In a race with multiple unknowns, she's a reasonable show anchor in your exotics.

Race 3

5:21 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

This five-furlong claiming sprint features a tight battle between two horses with nearly identical TrackWiz ratings — the pace scenario between them could determine which one gets up.

win3Valiant WinterML 3/1

Valiant Winter's 86.5 TrackWiz rating leads the field and her average speed figure of 57 is the best among the key contenders. Trainer Joseph F. Orseno and jockey Pedro Pena team up here, and Orseno is no stranger to knowing when his horses are cranked up. A 15% career win rate provides a baseline of consistency, and at 3/1 on the morning line, she's priced fairly for a horse who looks like the class of the field.

place2SofoclesML 4/1

Sofocles is right on Valiant Winter's heels with an 85.62 rating and brings a 22% career win rate — tied for best among the field's returning horses. That win percentage tells you this horse actually cashes tickets, and trainer Sebastian Pulgarin has him at 4/1. If the pace sets up kindly, Sofocles is more than capable of reversing the rating gap and hitting the board.

show1CarconeML 5/2

Carcone draws the rail at 5/2 for trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. and holds a 70.86 rating — noticeably below the top pair, but an 11% career win rate and a 56 average speed figure keep him in the conversation. In a sprint where pace can scramble things, a well-placed rail draw gives him a chance to steal a piece at a short enough price to include in exotics.

The first three races on the card are on the house. We open on the turf with Serrania in Race 1 — a maiden claimer going a mile, and she comes in with our top TrackWiz rating among the free picks at 89.42. At 7/5 on the morning line, she's not going to pay much, but the rating justifies the confidence. Race 2 shifts to a five-furlong dirt sprint, where Jost a Chance Yadi draws our attention at 5/2 — a softer rating of 68.25 tells you this is a wide-open maiden claimer, so tread carefully with your ticket structure. Race 3 brings some class to the dirt sprint division with Valiant Winter sitting at 3/1 on the morning line and an 86.5 TrackWiz rating — that's a number we respect in a five-furlong claiming sprint.

The early turf race (Race 1) will be a useful read for pace scenario and surface conditions heading into the premium turf events in Races 7 and 9. If speed is holding on the front end in Race 1, note it — that context matters when you're building your late-card exotics.

Send me tomorrow's free Gulfstream Park card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:52 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Mark Casse sends out a standout maiden on dirt going a mile, and the TrackWiz numbers agree with the morning line — this one has a clear top choice, but a pair of value runners make the exotics worth building.

win4Henry's BuddyML 8/5

Henry's Buddy earns the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.12 and opens as the 8/5 morning line choice — a sign the market has already found him. Trainer Mark E. Casse is one of the most respected conditioners in North America, and Diego A. Herrera gets the mount. In a maiden dirt mile with no career wins in the field, the combination of top rating and elite trainer pedigree makes this a confident top selection.

place6Expert WitnessML 9/2

Expert Witness at 9/2 holds a 77.34 rating that puts him clearly third in the field by the numbers — but he's interesting because his morning line is the softest among the top-rated trio. Trainer Michael Lerman and jockey Micah J. Husbands are a live combo here, and in a one-mile test where pace can stretch the field, Expert Witness's profile sets up well for a place finish.

show1Show BoatML 7/2

Show Boat opens at 7/2 with a 76.53 rating and trainer Ruben Sierra has him pointing at a mile on dirt — a distance that can reward horses with stamina. His average speed figure of 54 is in the competitive range for this field, and Rasheed Hughes gives him a capable pilot. He's a solid show play and trifecta fill given the closeness of ratings between the second and third choices.

Race 5

6:22 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A competitive five-and-a-half furlong claiming sprint where the top TrackWiz rating belongs to a horse with a 23% career win rate — legitimately fast and consistent enough to be trusted at a fair morning line number.

win1WinrooskiML 5/2

Winrooski sports the field's best TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and a 23% career win rate that stands up to scrutiny — this horse actually wins races. Trainer Sebastian Pulgarin has him at 5/2, and Miguel Angel Vasquez takes the mount. With a 56 average speed figure matching several rivals but a substantially higher overall rating, Winrooski looks like a horse who's doing more with similar raw numbers — and that's the kind of edge that translates on race day.

place5Any MomentML 5/1

Any Moment at 5/1 carries a 77.24 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate with trainer Frank J. Regalbuto, who also runs Jost a Chance Yadi on today's card — this barn is clearly active and prepped. Pedro Pena gets the call, and a 56 average speed figure matches the top contenders. The morning line underestimates her profile, which makes the place spot look like real value.

show6Free to RoamML 7/2

Free to Roam opens at 7/2 with a 68.7 rating and a 56 average speed figure, but it's the 6% career win rate that gives some pause. Still, Marcos Meneses guides a horse that trainer Amador Merei Sanchez has pointed at a fair price, and in a sprint where the pace could be multi-horse, she's worth including as a show hedge and exotics fill.

Race 6

6:52 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

The starter optional claiming sprint features three horses with nearly identical TrackWiz ratings in the low-to-mid 80s — this is a genuine three-way photo situation where the win price on the public's choice doesn't reflect the competition it faces.

win4Demar's LegacyML 5/1

Demar's Legacy holds a 84.17 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field by a hair — along with a 35% career win rate that's genuinely impressive in a claiming context. Trainer Jose M. Castro and jockey Jose E. Morelos team up at 5/1, which represents solid value given how close the top three horses rate. A 57 average speed figure keeps him in the pace conversation, and that win rate suggests when he's right, he gets the job done.

place3Viking QuestML 9/2

Viking Quest at 9/2 is only 0.25 rating points behind our top pick at 83.92 — that's essentially a dead heat in the numbers. Trainer Lauren Robson sends him out with a 22% career win rate, and Micah J. Husbands is capable of a tactical ride in a short sprint. At odds that suggest the market hasn't fully caught up to his profile, this is one of the day's better place values.

show5Greenfield CougarML 2/1

Greenfield Cougar is the morning line favorite at 2/1 with a 28% career win rate and the best average speed figure in the field at 59 — that raw speed number is notable. Trainer David Fawkes and jockey Diego A. Herrera are a solid combination, and the speed figure alone gives him a real shot. We slot him third in our picks because the rating order is tight, but he's clearly a live threat and a must-use in any exotic structure.

Race 7

7:25 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A five-furlong maiden turf sprint with a heavy favorite who tops the TrackWiz board, but a couple of interesting alternatives at bigger prices give this card a nice exotic angle.

win4The CoromotoML 8/5

The Coromoto draws the 4 hole at 8/5 and matches the highest TrackWiz rating of any horse on today's card at 89.12 — that's top-of-the-chart form. Trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. doubles back here with a second runner and clearly knows what works at Gulfstream, and Edgar Perez gets the mount. A 57 average speed figure is the best recorded in this field, and on a five-furlong turf sprint where pace is king, that combination of raw speed and elite rating is hard to oppose.

place1Basilica LightML 5/1

Basilica Light at 5/1 earns a 76.13 TrackWiz rating — clearly second in the field — and trainer Crafton DeSouza gives him a quiet edge. Pedro Pena is one of the busier jockeys on today's program and a comfortable fit for a short turf sprint. At 5/1 in a race with a clear favorite, the place price on Basilica Light could be generous enough to make this a high-value ticket.

show7Victorious SecretML 3/1

Victorious Secret opens at 3/1 with a 71.82 rating and trainer Ronald B. Spatz keeps him well-positioned in the morning line. Diego A. Herrera — who's been active all card — takes the mount, and a 54 average speed figure is competitive for this level. He's the logical bridge between the top two and the rest of the field, making him a reliable show play and a smart trifecta fill.

Race 8

7:55 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint at six furlongs where the morning line tells the full story — there's a heavy chalk here, and the TrackWiz numbers back up the crowd's opinion, though the undercard offers a couple of interesting supporting actors.

win7Love Like LucyML 4/5

Love Like Lucy opens at 4/5 with a TrackWiz rating of 90.0 — the highest mark of any horse on today's entire nine-race card. Trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. is among the most successful conditioners at Gulfstream Park, and Micah J. Husbands handles the mount. A 56 average speed figure is the best in this allowance field, and even with a modest 11% career win rate, the combination of elite trainer, top rating, and allowance conditions that could set up a dominant effort makes her the standout selection of the day.

place8Dakota's Lil AurorML 6/1

Dakota's Lil Auror at 6/1 holds a 71.92 TrackWiz rating — a significant jump over the rest of the field outside the top choice — and trainer Herbert Miller sends her out at a price that invites attention. Pedro Pena is an experienced hand for a six-furlong dirt test, and a 54 average speed figure keeps her in the pace conversation. If Love Like Lucy has a troubled trip, this one is positioned to pick up the pieces.

show1Vita MiaML 4/1

Vita Mia opens at 4/1 for trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson with a 57.77 rating and a 12% career win rate. Diego A. Herrera gets the mount in what's shaping up as a pace-honest race, and while she rates behind the top two in our analysis, that 4/1 morning line suggests the market doesn't totally agree. In a race where one horse dominates the ratings, she's a fine show anchor for trifecta tickets.

Race 9

8:28 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

The closing turf mile is a fascinating mix of morning line prices and TrackWiz ratings that don't fully align — the public's 9/5 choice rates below our top pick by a wide margin, setting up a potential overlay situation.

win2No More WarML 3/1

No More War carries an 87.08 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field — and a 33% career win rate that is elite by any measure at the claiming level. Trainer Bobby S. Dibona has him at 3/1 while the market installed a lower-rated horse as the 9/5 favorite, which is exactly the kind of mismatch our analysis targets. Leonel Reyes gets the mount, and a 55 average speed figure is among the best recorded in the field. This combination of top rating, proven win rate, and morning line value makes No More War the best bet of the finale.

place8Mister AbarrioML 9/5

Mister Abarrio is the 9/5 morning line choice for trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. — the same barn that sends out our Race 8 top pick — but a 66.91 TrackWiz rating puts him meaningfully below No More War in our model. Still, a 15% career win rate and a 55 average speed figure keep him firmly in contention, and Joseph's Gulfstream record demands respect. He's a logical place play even if we think the market has him slightly wrong on top.

show5Full NelsonML 8/1

Full Nelson at 8/1 for trainer Victor Barboza, Jr. holds a 65.32 rating and a strong 25% career win rate — quietly one of the best winning percentages in this entire field. Samy Camacho gets the call, and a 54 average speed figure is competitive for a one-mile turf test where pace can compress late. At 8/1, Full Nelson is a legitimate value play in the show spot and a compelling piece in exacta and trifecta constructions.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

A nine-race Friday card at Gulfstream with a 90-rated allowance standout in Race 8 and live turf action on both ends of the card — there's plenty to work with today. Serrania, Valiant Winter, and Jost a Chance Yadi anchor the free picks. For the full story — pace projections, exotic breakdowns, and every premium angle through Race 9 — TrackWiz subscribers have it all waiting. Good luck out there, and as always, bet smart.

← All Gulfstream Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free