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 — October 4, 2026

October 4, 20269 racesAll Gulfstream Park picks

Sunday at Gulfstream Park and the weather is doing its part — clear skies, 87°F, and a card that gives you something to think about from the first post to the last. Nine races spread across both turf and dirt, with conditions about as ideal as South Florida gets in early October.

What makes today's card worth your attention is the surface variety. We've got five turf routes and sprints mixed in with four dirt races, and the footing looks quick on both. That opens up real pace scenario differences from race to race — don't expect the same angles to work across the board.

TrackWiz analysis has identified strong opinions up and down the card, including a couple of longshot angles in the claiming ranks that could pay off nicely. Three races are fully unlocked for every reader today, so let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:20 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden field on the turf mile where two standout TrackWiz ratings create a clear top tier — but the rest of the field is close enough to keep the exotics interesting.

win8Kissed by a RoseML 7/2

Kissed by a Rose draws the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 85.07, a significant gap above the rest of the non-contenders and a full point ahead of stablemate Grant Me Peace. Diego A. Herrera gets the call here, and the 7/2 morning line feels fair for a horse whose profile screams upside in this maiden turf mile. Trainer Ronald B. Spatz has this one ready, and the overall package makes her the most compelling top-line bet on the ticket.

place9Grant Me PeaceML 9/2

Grant Me Peace is nearly a carbon copy on the ratings sheet — an 84.9 TrackWiz score puts her right alongside the top pick — so the question is separation, and there isn't much. Miguel Angel Vasquez rides, and at 9/2 on the morning line, she's worth targeting in the exacta underneath if the pace sets up for a closer type. Don't overlook her in multi-race wagers either.

show7Starship ContenderML 5/2

Starship Contender is the lone horse in this field with both a meaningful rating (57.5) and a posted average speed figure of 56, giving her a more measurable form line than most of the maiden first-timers here. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo has two horses in this race, and at 5/2 she's the public's top choice — the market respects her even if the TrackWiz model has her a tier below the top two. She's a logical show anchor for trifecta plays.

Race 2

4:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

A five-furlong dirt sprint claiming race where the morning-line favorite doesn't match up with the TrackWiz ratings — creating potential value opportunities across the board.

win5Dame's RocketML 5/1

Dame's Rocket leads all horses in this field by our model with an 80.42 TrackWiz rating, and her 16% career win rate is respectable in a claiming context. Sonny Leon, one of the sharper dirt sprint riders at the meet, has the call from post 5, and the 5/1 morning line represents real value given how clearly she separates in the ratings. Mark E. Casse is a trainer who consistently puts horses on the board in sprint company, and this looks like a prime spotted spot.

place4Bella JakML 10/1

Bella Jak is a genuine hidden value play here — an eye-catching 76.88 TrackWiz rating buried under a 10/1 morning line that the public has largely ignored. Her average speed figure of 56 matches the top speed horses in the field, and trainer Luis Duco with David Boraco up from post 4 could easily sneak into the exacta if Dame's Rocket gets the job done on top. She's the horse to beat for value in the place pool.

show6Spirit of VictoryML 4/1

Spirit of Victory checks in third on the TrackWiz ratings at 70.62 and brings a consistent average speed figure of 56 — right there with the top contenders. Diego A. Herrera rides, and the 4/1 morning line makes her a likely crowd choice, which might actually suppress her show payoff. She's safer as an exacta saver than a straight show bet, but her form line makes her impossible to leave out of trifectas.

Race 3

5:22 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

American Reign looms as a dominant presence in this maiden turf sprint, posting a rating nearly 30 points clear of the second-best horse — but can the chalky favorite deliver at short odds?

win5American ReignML 8/5

American Reign has a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 — by far the highest in this field and a number that projects her as a class apart in this 5-furlong maiden turf sprint. She's the only horse in the race with both a meaningful speed figure (56 avg) and that elite rating combination, and the 8/5 morning line reflects the market's agreement. Miguel Angel Vasquez picks her up for trainer Carlos A. David, a sharp pairing at Gulfstream. When the model and the market align this clearly, you have to play accordingly.

place2CynsterML 3/1

Cynster draws the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 56.67 and comes in at a reasonable 3/1 morning line — making her the most logical backup if American Reign faces any pace or traffic complications. Trainer Beau J. Chapman is sending her out with Samy Camacho, and while she's a first-time starter, the profile here suggests she's been prepped for this kind of surface-distance combo. She's the place horse in exactas with American Reign on top.

show7The Secret AnaML 7/2

The Secret Ana rounds out the top three in our ratings at 55.83 and has a posted average speed figure of 55, giving her a concrete form baseline while many in this field are first-timers with zero figures. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. is well-represented on today's card and knows how to have horses ready. Diego A. Herrera rides from post 7, and at 7/2 she's worth including in trifectas as a dependable show option.

The first three races are on the house, and there's genuine value in this stretch. We open on the turf going a mile in maiden optional claiming company, where Kissed by a Rose (7/2 morning line, TrackWiz rating 85.07) projects as a comfortable top pick — the distance and surface combination fits her profile cleanly. Race 2 shifts to a 5-furlong dirt sprint in the claiming ranks, and Dame's Rocket at 5/1 is the kind of pace-pressing type that thrives when the track is this lively. Then Race 3 brings us back to the turf for a short 5-furlong maiden optional claiming, where American Reign draws our top rating of the free portion at 89.12 — the 8/5 morning line actually looks fair given the figures behind this one.

One thread connecting these three free picks: all three are on surfaces that should be playing fast today, rewarding horses with tactical speed and clean early position. Keep that bias in mind as you build your tickets.

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

5:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Adios Mate stands out as a dominant class figure in this 5.5-furlong dirt claimer, posting a rating 20 points above the field — but the two horses closest to him set up an interesting secondary battle worth playing in exotics.

win6Adios MateML 6/5

Adios Mate owns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.71 — and at 6/5, the market has already done the homework. His 16% career win rate is solid for the claiming ranks, and his average speed figure of 55 is on par with the top competitors. Pedro Pena has the call for trainer Jose Garoffalo, and from post 6 in a short sprint, he should get a clean trip. The price is short, but the profile supports a confident top-line play.

place1Fuoco VivoML 2/1

Fuoco Vivo grades out second in the field with a 69.42 TrackWiz rating and brings a 55 average speed figure to this 5.5-furlong test. He's the morning-line second choice at 2/1 for trainer Rohan G. Crichton, who is no stranger to the Gulfstream claiming ranks. An 8% career win rate is modest, but place-and-show consistency is what matters here — and the form line supports including him in exacta boxes behind the top pick.

show4Western ShaftML 6/1

Western Shaft is an interesting profile at 6/1 — a 67.97 TrackWiz rating and a 15% career win rate suggest he's been competitive against similar company. Samy Camacho picks him up for trainer Daniel C. Hurtak, and his 54 average speed figure keeps him within range of the leaders. At that morning-line price, he brings real trifecta value as the show anchor behind the two top selections.

Race 5

6:30 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

The 5-furlong turf sprint opens up nicely behind a short-priced morning-line second choice with the best TrackWiz rating, while a trio of legitimate speed horses figures to create a genuine pace scenario worth dissecting.

win5Giant TeddyML 9/2

Giant Teddy leads the field with an 84.9 TrackWiz rating and backs it up with a 25% career win rate — one of the stronger win percentages among the active runners here. Diego A. Herrera gets the mount for trainer Andrea L. Puckett, and the 9/2 morning line genuinely represents value given how clearly Giant Teddy separates from the field on our model. His average speed figure of 58 also matches the top end of this group, giving him both the class and the raw speed to control or close on the turf.

place3SabianML 6/1

Sabian brings a compelling package — a 76.22 TrackWiz rating, a 35% career win rate (best in the field), and a 58 average speed figure that keeps him right in the pace mix. Trainer Victor Barboza Jr. has him paired with Samy Camacho, a combination that's clicking on this Gulfstream turf course. The 6/1 morning line looks soft given his win percentage and form, and he's the most logical place play if Giant Teddy gets the trip he needs up front.

show7GabaldonML 5/2

Gabaldon rates third by our model at 69.57 and posts a 25% career win rate alongside a 58 average speed figure — matching the top horses on raw pace. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo saddles him with Yolber Torres, and the 5/2 morning-line price suggests the public respects this one. He's a natural fit in trifectas as a speed-on-speed horse who could be in the mix at every call in a 5-furlong turf dash.

Race 6

7:05 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight dirt sprint where the morning-line favorite doesn't match the top TrackWiz rating — Lady Rockula is the one to beat, while Bon Vivant offers serious upside at a price.

win4Lady RockulaML 9/5

Lady Rockula rates at 88.83 on the TrackWiz model — nearly 16 points clear of the next-best horse in the field. Trainer Carlos A. David is sharp with first-time starters and routes them well, and Miguel Angel Vasquez is one of the more reliable pilots in the barn. The 9/5 morning line is fair, and while maiden dirt sprints can be volatile, the separation in ratings here is hard to dismiss. She's the top-line play with confidence.

place2Bon VivantML 6/1

Bon Vivant posts the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 73.42 and comes in at 6/1 morning line — making him the clearest value play in the race. Trainer Antonio Sano has a long history of placing horses in maiden dirt sprints at Gulfstream, and Samy Camacho in the irons adds confidence. The average speed figure of 53 is a tick below the leaders, but a clean trip from post 2 could put him right in the mix for the exacta.

show6ConquistadoraML 8/1

Conquistadora checks in at 65.51 on our ratings and brings a 54 average speed figure from post 6 with Leonel Reyes up. Trainer Francisco Alanis has two horses in this race, which can signal confidence — or hedging. Either way, at 8/1 on the morning line, Conquistadora offers real trifecta value as a horse who has enough form to hit the board without being asked to win. Keep her in multi-horse exotics.

Race 7

7:40 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

One of the tightest top-four groupings on the card — four horses rated within 8 points of each other sets up a compelling pace scenario in this 6-furlong dirt claimer, making exotics extremely playable.

win4SchnittkerML 8/1

Schnittker is our top selection despite going off at 8/1 on the morning line — a genuine overlay situation when you consider his 79.79 TrackWiz rating leads the field. His 14% career win rate is steady, and a 55 average speed figure keeps him in pace contention through the first turn. Trainer Angel M. Rodriguez puts Carlos Martinez up from post 4, a favorable spot in a six-furlong sprint. When the model says 8/1 horse is the best in the field, that's a value opportunity worth acting on.

place1Cross HasteML 9/2

Cross Haste rates just behind Schnittker at 78.47 with a more respectable 16% career win rate — and Sonny Leon aboard from the rail is never a bad combination at Gulfstream. His 55 average speed figure suggests he'll be involved in the early pace, which could set up perfectly for the closer profile we're projecting. Trainer Douglas Nunn has him live at 9/2, and he's the natural place horse in exactas with Schnittker on top.

show2Torch Is PassedML 4/1

Torch Is Passed offers the most impressive career win rate in this field at 35%, and a 56 average speed figure that puts him in the thick of the speed debate. Diego A. Herrera picks him up for trainer Nolan Ramsey, and the 4/1 morning line reflects a horse the market takes seriously. He falls just a tick behind the top two on our model at 77.77, but in a race this tight, that separation is almost noise — include him in trifectas without hesitation.

Race 8

8:13 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Amande looks like a standout in this starter optional claiming route on dirt, sporting a rating 25 points above the nearest competition — but two price horses lurk underneath in a field where pace could be a factor.

win3AmandeML 3/1

Amande is the clear class of this field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and an impressive 33% career win rate — the highest win percentage among the starters here. Leonel Reyes gets the call for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo from post 3, and the 3/1 morning line is fair without being obvious value. Her 56 average speed figure is within range at 5.5 furlongs, and the combination of a dominant rating and a proven win record makes her the confident top selection in this spot.

place7Would I Lie to YouML 6/1

Would I Lie to You sits at 62.33 on the TrackWiz model — a tier below Amande but clearly ahead of the rest of the field — and brings a 20% career win rate from trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson. Rasheed Hughes has the mount from post 7, and the 6/1 morning line makes her genuinely interesting as a place horse if the pace sets up for a closers' scenario. Her 56 average speed figure suggests she can sustain a run late in the sprint. She's the best value option in the exacta.

show2The Dove RulesML 9/2

The Dove Rules checks in with a 9/2 morning line and a 47.54 TrackWiz rating — solid enough to be in the show conversation in a field where most horses rated below Amande are bunched closely together. Edwin Gonzalez rides for trainer Saffie A. Joseph Jr., whose barn consistently keeps horses competitive at Gulfstream. His 57 average speed figure matches the top quarter of this field, and at a reasonable price, he's the logical trifecta anchor.

Race 9

8:47 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

An all-maiden turf mile to close the card, where no horse in the field has broken their maiden — creating a wide-open finish that rewards creative handicapping and exotic play.

win5StrikeML 9/2

Strike tops the TrackWiz ratings in this field at 68.96 and is the only horse to separate meaningfully from the pack — a gap that matters in a maiden field where everyone is searching for a first win. Samy Camacho gets the mount for trainer Nicholas J. Tomlinson from post 5, a comfortable mid-field starting position on the turf at a mile. The 9/2 morning line represents value relative to the model, and the form profile makes Strike the most defensible top pick on the closing race.

place1Souper HandsomeML 5/2

Souper Handsome is the morning-line second choice at 5/2 with a 57.5 TrackWiz rating and a 56 average speed figure — the highest in the field. Sonny Leon pilots him for Hall of Fame trainer Mark E. Casse, a combination that consistently hits at Gulfstream and one that should not be dismissed in a maiden turf mile. The blend of a respected rider-trainer duo and the top speed figure in the race makes him a natural exacta companion under Strike.

show2Caribbean CometML 7/2

Caribbean Comet draws the third-best rating in this field at 55.83 and comes in at a workable 7/2 morning line with J.G. Torrealba aboard for Patrick L. Biancone. His average speed figure of 53 is competitive for the group, and Biancone has a long track record of placing maiden turf horses in the right spots at Gulfstream. He's a solid trifecta play to round out your key exotics on the final race of the day.

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

Bottom line: today's Gulfstream card is worth your full attention. The turf is playing fast, the dirt looks lively, and there are value angles scattered across both surfaces. Kissed by a Rose, Dame's Rocket, and American Reign are your free best bets to kick things off — and TrackWiz subscribers get six more races of detailed pace, figure, and exotic analysis waiting for them. Good luck at the windows.

← All Gulfstream Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 9 races free