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Gulfstream Park Picks & Predictions — September 25, 2026

September 25, 20269 racesAll Gulfstream Park picks

It's a warm, partly cloudy Friday afternoon at Gulfstream Park — 85°F with enough humidity to remind you this is still South Florida. Nine races are on the board today, mixing maiden claimers, straight claimers, and a pair of allowance optional claiming bouts that figure to draw some of the sharper horses on the grounds. Plenty to dig into.

The card splits evenly between dirt and turf, which means surface form is going to matter more than usual. TrackWiz analysis flagged several horses today whose best numbers align perfectly with the surface they're drawing into — and a couple who are quietly stepping off a surface that didn't suit them. That's exactly the kind of edge worth hunting on a full nine-race day.

First post is approaching, so let's break down what we're looking at and where the value hides.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A maiden claiming sprint on the turf with first-time starters dominating the field — the morning line tells the story, with one horse standing well clear on TrackWiz ratings and the rest a jumbled cluster of unknowns.

win4More Power to YouML 2/1

More Power to You is the standout in this field by a wide margin, carrying a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 — more than 30 points clear of the next-closest competitor. Trained by Mark E. Casse, one of the most accomplished conditioners in the game, this horse draws serious respect from the morning line makers who installed her at 2/1. An average speed figure of 53 gives her a measurable edge over most of the first-time starters in here who have no recorded figure at all. With Casse pointing her at a maiden claimer for a debut, this looks like a horse meant to fire fresh.

place2TweedML 7/2

Tweed lands in the place spot with a 56.91 rating and a recorded average speed figure of 54, which actually edges More Power to You slightly on raw pace numbers. Trainer Fausto Gutierrez keeps a low profile but has a horse here with enough form data to suggest she's ready to run. At 7/2 on the morning line, there's mild value if the favorite falters or gets caught in traffic on the turf.

show5Win Jet WinML 9/2

Win Jet Win checks in at a 54.17 rating with a 54 average speed figure, matching Tweed on that metric and giving her a legitimate foothold in the exotics at 9/2. Pedro Pena gets the call, and the horse has enough recorded data to stand out from the zero-figure first-timers in this field. As a show play in a wide-open maiden turf sprint, she offers reasonable coverage at a fair price.

Race 2

4:52 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

On the main track at six furlongs, Far Right comes in as a heavy TrackWiz favorite with a massive ratings gap over the field — but Cadenced and Atomic Don could make it interesting if the pace sets up right.

win6Far RightML 9/5

Far Right tops the TrackWiz ratings at 88.83 — the highest figure in this race by a significant margin — and the 9/5 morning line confirms she's the public's choice as well. Trained by Chad J. Stewart and handled by Jose E. Morelos, she carries a 53 average speed figure into a field where most rivals check in at 51-52. In a maiden claiming route on dirt, those extra ticks of speed often translate directly to a winning margin. This is a horse the market respects, and so do we.

place1CadencedML 2/1

Cadenced is the Mark E. Casse runner in here, and that alone is worth noting — Casse is a trainer who rarely sends out an underprepared horse. She posts a 71 rating with a 52 average speed figure, which is solid for this level even if it trails Far Right by a meaningful gap. The 2/1 morning line reflects her quality, and in a race where the favorite could be challenged on the front end, Cadenced looks well-positioned to grab the place spot.

show3Atomic DonML 3/1

Atomic Don is the third wheel of a manageable pace scenario, sitting at 56.67 on the TrackWiz scale with a 52 average speed figure to his credit. Trainer Mark Passley has a live one at 3/1 — a price that implies real competitiveness from the morning line crowd. If the first two finishers are chalk, Atomic Don at third gives exotic players a fair-priced piece of the ticket.

Race 3

5:22 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A one-mile turf claiming battle where experience matters — Ditched brings the class and a 35% career win rate that puts him in a different category from most of this field, but Classy Lass and North End Lady could complicate things.

win2DitchedML 7/2

Ditched carries the top TrackWiz rating in this race at 86.35 and owns a career win percentage of 35% — by far the best strike rate in the field. Trained by Nicholas J. Tomlinson and piloted by Micah J. Husbands, he shows a 54 average speed figure that matches the front-runners in this claiming field. A 35% win rate at any level of racing commands attention; at 7/2 on the morning line, this is a horse who earns his way into your win spot on merit alone.

place6Classy LassML 4/1

Classy Lass rates a strong second in TrackWiz analysis at 77.93, and while her 15% career win rate is modest, this is a claiming race where she profiles as a notch above the average. Trainer Marcus J. Vitali has her at 4/1 on the morning line, suggesting the barn likes her chances in this spot. Her 54 average speed figure keeps pace with the field, and as a place horse in a turf mile, she offers good value against a win pick that could be bet down significantly.

show3Show OffML 5/1

Show Off brings a 63.15 rating and a respectable 23% career win percentage — third-best in the field — which signals she's capable of competing consistently at this level. Trainer Fausto Gutierrez has her at 5/1, and with Leonel Reyes in the irons, she has a capable pilot for a one-turn turf route. As a show play, she rounds out the exotic tickets with legitimate credentials and fair odds.

The first three races on the card are open to all TrackWiz readers, and they offer a nice cross-section of today's themes. More Power to You (R1, 2/1 ML) gets us started on the turf sprint — a surface where morning-line favorites in maiden claimers can be deceptive, so pay attention to the pace setup. Over in Race 2, Far Right draws our highest free-race rating at 88.83 and heads to the dirt at 9/5 on the morning line — that's a number that suggests genuine class for this level, not just chalk. Then Ditched (R3, 7/2 ML) takes us to a mile on the turf, where TrackWiz analysis shows a pace scenario that could set up perfectly for a closer with a strong late kick.

The connective thread across these three free races? Turf form and pace shape are doing a lot of the heavy lifting today. Horses that have demonstrated they can handle Gulfstream's turf under warm, firm-leaning conditions get a bump in our model, and that's reflected in the ratings you're seeing. Don't just follow the chalk — read the trip.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:54 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Six furlongs on the dirt for claimers, and the morning line favorite isn't the top TrackWiz-rated horse — My Lady James at 5/1 leads on ratings while Mamuka and Magnetic Beach draw more market support, setting up an intriguing value play dynamic.

win1My Lady JamesML 5/1

My Lady James tops the TrackWiz ratings at 84.17 despite being installed at 5/1 on the morning line — a notable disconnect that creates real value if she fires her best effort. Trained by Pedro Garcia, Jr. and drawing post one with Pedro Pena aboard, she packs a 54 average speed figure and a 15% career win rate in a competitive claiming field. The fact that the market underestimates her relative to her rating gives win bettors a reason to look twice. This is the kind of spot where numbers and odds diverge in your favor.

place4MamukaML 5/2

Mamuka rates second in the field at 74.12 on the TrackWiz scale and gets the 5/2 morning line — the second-shortest price in the race — so the market agrees she belongs near the top. Trainer Reyel Brathwaite has her at a career 15% win clip with a 53 average speed figure, matching the pack on raw pace. At 5/2 for the place, she's a logical anchor for exacta and trifecta construction alongside the undervalued top pick.

show2Magnetic BeachML 2/1

Magnetic Beach draws the most public support at 2/1 despite ranking third in TrackWiz analysis at 64.09, which makes her interesting as a show play rather than a win play. Her 17% career win rate is solid and her 53 average speed figure is in line with the field, so she won't embarrass anyone. The value here is using her underneath — let the casual bettors take the short price to win while you collect with her in the exotics.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A ten-horse maiden optional claiming sprint on the dirt that's wide open at the top — six horses are clustered within four rating points of each other, making this a prime trifecta race where price matters as much as the pick.

win4Classic GenesML 7/2

Classic Genes earns the win call with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating — the top mark in this competitive cluster — and hits the gate at 7/2, a fair price for the top-rated horse in a wide-open maiden field. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo has Leonel Reyes in the irons, a jockey who is active and effective at Gulfstream. There's no recorded average speed figure on file for Classic Genes, which does introduce some first-timer uncertainty, but the model likes her enough to sit at the head of the class in a very tight bunch.

place6PlayoffML 4/1

Playoff checks in just below at a 55.00 rating and draws post six with trainer Heather Smullen giving her a shot at 4/1. A 54 average speed figure is on record, which gives her an edge over several rivals who are making their debut without a figure. Heriberto Figueroa is a capable handler for a maiden sprint, and as a place play in a loaded field, Playoff's combination of a figure and fair odds makes her worth the spot on your ticket.

show2R NashvegasML 9/2

R Nashvegas comes in at 54.17 from the Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. barn — notable because Joseph is one of the leading trainers at Gulfstream and knows how to spot his horses advantageously. The 9/2 morning line is reasonable for a maiden, and while there's no average speed figure recorded, the barn's reputation and the TrackWiz rating keep her squarely in the picture for the show slot. In a race this tight at the top, having a Joseph runner in your exotics is simply smart handicapping.

Race 6

7:03 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Seven furlongs on the dirt for claiming fillies and mares, and Lady Chance stands out as a clear class and ratings leader — but My Girl Nina's win rate and Cuddle the Kitten's career numbers could make the exotics very rewarding.

win4Lady ChanceML 5/2

Lady Chance is the cream of this crop with a dominant 87.81 TrackWiz rating — more than 14 points clear of the next horse — and a 21% career win rate that speaks to her consistency. Trainer Ronald Coy puts Leonel Reyes in the irons, and at 5/2 on the morning line, she's a deserving favorite. Her 54 average speed figure is right in line with the field's best, and with a legitimate class edge, she should be controlling the tempo conversation in this seven-furlong test.

place5My Girl NinaML 6/1

My Girl Nina brings real intrigue at 6/1 as a value place option, with a 73.23 rating that ranks second in the field and a 14% career win rate that doesn't fully capture her competitive profile. Pedro Monterrey, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Sal Santoro, and the 53 average speed figure is just a tick off the leaders. At morning-line 6/1, she's the most logical alternative to Lady Chance and a worthy place anchor in your exotics.

show8Cuddle the KittenML 6/1

Cuddle the Kitten rounds out the show spot with a 58.43 rating and the best career win percentage of any horse on the ticket at 25%, which is a real credential in a claiming field. Trainer Tareq Moubarak sends her out at 6/1, making her another fair-priced option in a race with a clear top pick. A 53 average speed figure keeps her honest on pace, and her win-rate history says she knows how to finish — which is exactly what you want from a show horse.

Race 7

7:38 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A five-furlong turf allowance optional claiming event where Goddess of Beauty's ratings dominance clashes with Party Mix's eye-popping 50% career win rate at a much shorter price — this is a genuine top-two battle with a real disagreement between model and market.

win1Goddess of BeautyML 5/2

Goddess of Beauty tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 and is the class of this AOC field on paper, with a 25% career win rate and a sparkling 57 average speed figure — the highest in the race. Trainer Joseph F. Orseno places her at 5/2 with Diego A. Herrera aboard, a sharp combination for a sprint on the turf. That 57 speed figure is a meaningful edge in a five-furlong dash where raw pace translates quickly to position, and the model's confidence in her reflects it.

place3Party MixML 7/5

Party Mix is the morning-line favorite at 7/5 with a 50% career win rate — meaning she wins half her starts, which is a genuinely elite statistic. Her 56 average speed figure is a tick off Goddess of Beauty but still excellent, and trainer Nolan Ramsey has her primed for this spot. The market clearly thinks she wins; our analysis slots her place as the model gives a slight edge to the top-rated horse, but this is razor-thin and Party Mix absolutely deserves to be on every ticket.

show7Army SaluteML 4/1

Army Salute fills the show role with a 55.00 rating, a 56 average speed figure matching the top horses on raw pace, and a 50% career win rate of her own — same as the favorite. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo has her at 4/1, which is legitimate value for a horse with that kind of win percentage. In a five-furlong turf sprint where the first two might gun it, Army Salute's pace figure suggests she can keep up and grab a share.

Race 8

8:13 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Seven furlongs on the dirt at the allowance optional claiming level, and Jestina is a heavy favorite with a 62% career win rate that sets her apart from this field — the real question is who finishes second and third in a competitive undercard.

win4JestinaML 8/5

Jestina is the standout in every way that matters: a 89.12 TrackWiz rating (tops in the field), a 62% career win rate, and backing from the Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. barn, one of Gulfstream's elite operations. Micah J. Husbands gets the mount, and the 8/5 morning line reflects just how strongly the market believes in her. A 54 average speed figure may not jump off the page, but when you're winning nearly two-thirds of your starts, you don't need to dazzle on figures — you close the deal when it counts.

place1Golden ValleyML 8/1

Golden Valley is an interesting place play at 8/1 despite carrying the second-highest TrackWiz rating in the race at 72.36 — a significant gap that suggests she could outperform her morning line. Trainer Armando De La Cerda saddles her with Leonel Reyes aboard, and a 25% career win rate confirms she competes well at this level. If Jestina controls this race as expected, Golden Valley's profile sets her up perfectly to grab the runner-up spot.

show7Hello Poochy LouML 9/2

Hello Poochy Lou lands in the show spot with a 64.22 rating and a 55 average speed figure — the highest in the field alongside Militia — giving her legitimate pace credentials in a seven-furlong dirt race. Trainer Herbert Miller sends her out at 9/2 with Pedro Pena in the irons, and a 20% career win rate signals she's a consistent performer. In a race with a dominant favorite, smart money finds value in the exotic slots, and Hello Poochy Lou fits that role well.

Race 9

8:47 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A five-furlong turf maiden optional claiming closer featuring a fascinating three-way battle at the top between Escargot, Winning Defense, and morning-line favorite Shezawildone — TrackWiz ratings and market odds tell different stories here.

win7EscargotML 7/2

Escargot earns the top spot with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field — and a 56 average speed figure that ties Winning Defense for best on record among horses with a figure. Trainer Fernando Abreu sends her out at 7/2 with Leonel Reyes in the saddle, a combination that's been active at the meet. For a maiden turf sprint, recorded speed figures are gold, and Escargot's combination of top rating and real figure data makes her the most confident selection on the card at this price.

place8Winning DefenseML 9/2

Winning Defense is the most fascinating play on the ticket — a 57 average speed figure that is the single highest recorded number in the entire race, yet she's the second pick rather than the top, showing the model weighs multiple factors beyond raw pace. Trainer David Fawkes has her at 9/2 with Samy Camacho aboard, and an 80.85 TrackWiz rating is no joke in a maiden field. The speed figure alone gives her a legitimate shot to run them down in a five-furlong dash, and she's a strong place play who wouldn't shock anyone in the win spot either.

show1ShezawildoneML 2/1

Shezawildone lands in the show spot despite holding the shortest morning line at 2/1 — the market loves her, but the TrackWiz model slots her third at 58.33. Trainer Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. is a key angle: in maiden turf sprints, Joseph's first-timers and lightly raced horses frequently outrun their figures and spring upsets. No average speed figure is on record, which introduces uncertainty, but the barn's record and the public's confidence make her a necessary inclusion in any trifecta ticket.

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Today's best bet spotlight centers on Jestina in Race 8, with Far Right (R2) and Lady Chance (R6) rounding out our strongest plays on the card. The free races give you a solid foundation for the early sequence — but the real firepower is in the premium analysis. Unlock the full card at TrackWiz Premium and get every angle, every pace projection, and every exotic ticket recommendation before the gates open. Good luck out there — let's make Friday count.

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