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Horseshoe Indianapolis Picks & Predictions — September 9, 2026

September 9, 20269 racesAll Horseshoe Indianapolis picks

It's a warm Wednesday at Horseshoe Indianapolis — clear skies, 89°F, and nine races on the board. The kind of afternoon where the dirt is fast, the turf is firm, and you want to be locked in before the first post. We've got a full card breakdown ready for you.

Today's card mixes sprint action on the main track with a trio of mile-long turf maiden claimers that should draw some interesting first-off-the-bench types. Three free previews are available to everyone, while our full six-race premium breakdown covers the deeper part of the card where the real wagering value lives.

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Race 1

6:10 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The morning line favorite doesn't hold the top TrackWiz rating in this Starter Optional Claiming sprint — Miss Clarke holds the edge on the numbers, setting up a potential overlay situation right out of the gate.

win7Miss ClarkeML 6/1

Miss Clarke (No. 7) carries the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 82.71 and comes in at a juicy 6/1 morning line, making her a genuine value play in the win slot. Her 28% career win rate is solid in this company, and Samuel Bermudez gets the call — a jockey who knows how to navigate a six-furlong dirt sprint. The key here is that she's being underestimated by the morning line oddsmakers relative to her rating, which our analysis flagged as a meaningful gap worth attacking.

place1Sweet ScorecardML 7/5

Sweet Scorecard (No. 1) is the public's choice at 7/5 with a 26% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 80.85 — clearly a live contender even if she's not our top selection. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. is up for trainer Tim Eggleston, and she matches Miss Clarke on average speed figures. The place slot is where she earns her keep if Miss Clarke gets the money.

show4Ocean WindowsML 8/1

Ocean Windows (No. 4) stands out with a remarkable 40% career win rate — the best in the field by a wide margin — and a TrackWiz rating of 75.95 to back it up. At 8/1 on the morning line, she represents real value in exotics, especially in a race where the top three rated horses are clustered around similar speed figures. Trainer Kathy Jarvis has a horse that belongs here on paper.

Race 2

6:41 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Randy L. Klopp saddles three horses in this Allowance Optional Claiming sprint, creating an interesting stable dynamic — but it's the top-rated pair from outside his barn that make this race complicated.

win3SleepyML 5/2

Sleepy (No. 3) is the class of this field on TrackWiz ratings with an 87.81 — the highest number in the race by more than two points — and backs it up with a 40% career win rate that's simply elite. Alberto Burgos gets the mount for trainer Randy L. Klopp, which means the trainer knows exactly what he has heading in. At 5/2 on the morning line, this isn't a massive overlay, but the numbers justify the short price.

place5HawkeyeML 7/2

Hawkeye (No. 5) is the sneaky dangerous runner here — a 85.33 TrackWiz rating and 35% career win rate make him a true contender, not just a place horse. Jose Ramos Gutierrez pilots him for John Haran, and at 7/2 morning line, there's still solid value to be had. If Sleepy hits any traffic or pace trouble, Hawkeye has the figure to close it out.

show6Texas FreeML 5/1

Texas Free (No. 6) rounds out the Klopp trifecta with an 82.12 rating and draws Samuel Bermudez, giving the barn multiple bullets in this race. A 23% career win rate is the weakest of the top three picks but still respectable in allowance company. As a show selection she makes sense in exotics since Klopp is clearly targeting this spot with multiple live horses.

Race 3

7:12 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Jr Shadow Boy enters this 5½-furlong Allowance Optional Claiming dirt sprint with a perfect career record and the field's top rating, making this race a question of 'by how much' rather than 'if.'

win6Jr Shadow BoyML 8/5

Jr Shadow Boy (No. 6) is carrying a 100% career win rate — undefeated — along with a field-best TrackWiz rating of 89.12 and the highest average speed figure in the field at 57. Hannah Leahey gets the call for trainer Joseph D. Davis, and at 8/5 morning line the public has already found this horse. The rating and the unbeaten record say trust the chalk here — this is a horse who hasn't been beaten yet and looks well-spotted in this spot.

place5GoldwynML 5/1

Goldwyn (No. 5) ties for the second-highest TrackWiz rating among the non-favorites at 65.46 and brings a 38% career win rate — one of the better marks in the field. Irving Moncada takes the mount for trainer Randy L. Klopp, and at 5/1 morning line there's genuine value if you're looking to construct an exacta underneath Jr Shadow Boy. The speed figure of 56 matches the top of the field outside the favorite.

show4King GeraldML 6/1

King Gerald (No. 4) sits right behind Goldwyn in the ratings at 65.01 and owns a 33% career win rate that commands respect at this level. Mitchell Murrill pilots him for trainer Anthony J. Granitz, and at 6/1 the price is fair for a horse who profiles as a consistent performer. He's the logical show anchor in exacta and trifecta tickets if the top two hold form.

Our three free races today all run on the dirt, and on a hot, dry afternoon like this one, the main track at Horseshoe Indy should be playing fast — keep an eye on horses with early speed and clean trip histories. Race 1 kicks things off with Miss Clarke at 6/1 on the morning line — that's a price worth circling given her TrackWiz rating of 82.71 in a Starter Optional Claiming field that could be beatable. Race 2 brings Sleepy into the mix at 5/2 for an Allowance Optional Claiming sprint, where our figures suggest she's the class of the field. The highlight of the free picks, though, is Race 3's Jr Shadow Boy — an 8/5 morning line favorite with the highest TrackWiz rating of the free races at 89.12. In a 5½-furlong dirt sprint, he figures to be right on the pace from the jump and tough to catch late.

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Race 4

7:43 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden claiming mile on the turf with 11 first-time or maiden runners gives TrackWiz a tough puzzle — but one horse has a significant rating separation that's hard to ignore.

win11Start Her UpML 4/1

Start Her Up (No. 11) owns the field's best TrackWiz rating at 85.62 — a gap of more than 12 points over the next horse — and posts an average speed figure of 53, tied for the top mark in the field. Amir Mendoza climbs aboard for trainer John Haran, and at 4/1 morning line this is a fair price given the rating dominance. In a field of maidens on the turf, having this kind of edge in the model is the clearest angle we have.

place1Spirit Moves MeML 10/1

Spirit Moves Me (No. 1) is an interesting place option at 10/1 with a 73.14 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field — even though her average speed figure of 52 is at the lower end of the contenders. Joseph D. Ramos rides for trainer Randy L. Klopp, a barn that knows how to spot a horse in a spot where it can compete. At double-digit morning line odds, the place payoff could be very rewarding if she fires her best effort.

show8Sovereign GraceML 3/1

Sovereign Grace (No. 8) checks in at a 64.32 TrackWiz rating with an average speed of 54, which is among the better raw speed marks in this field. Joseph C. Bealmear has the mount for trainer Corie Anderson, and the 3/1 morning line suggests the public respects her as well. In a full field of maidens on the turf where anything can happen, she's a solid show anchor for trifecta plays.

Race 5

8:14 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The claiming field at 5½ furlongs features a clear top-rated horse going postward at a morning line that offers value — but two capable runners are sitting just underneath ready to complicate things.

win4I'malittlethirstyML 4/1

I'malittlethirsty (No. 4) leads all horses in this race with a TrackWiz rating of 85.62 and a 25% career win rate, piloted by the in-form Mitchell Murrill for trainer Robert M. Gorham. At 4/1 morning line, the price is fair for a horse who grades out well above the field median. The average speed figure of 55 matches or tops most rivals, and the 5½-furlong distance on dirt is a typical comfort zone for sharp claiming horses.

place1Highspeed JusticeML 7/2

Highspeed Justice (No. 1) is a legitimate threat with a 77.45 TrackWiz rating and a 28% career win rate — the second-best win percentage in the field — aboard Fernando De La Cruz for trainer Tim Eggleston. At 7/2 morning line she's not a big price, but her credentials make her the logical exacta partner underneath I'malittlethirsty. If the pace sets up favorably she has the ability to get first or second.

show5Luna DivaML 12/1

Luna Diva (No. 5) is the value piece of this ticket at 12/1 morning line, with a 51.93 TrackWiz rating that outranks several horses given more respect by the oddsmakers. Trainer Antonio Duran sends her out with Rodney Prescott up, and while her 8% career win rate is modest, in a claiming sprint with pace scenarios that can shuffle the deck, she's live for a piece at a price. She makes sense as the longshot show anchor in trifecta tickets.

Race 6

8:45 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A deep 12-horse maiden claiming mile on the turf is one of the toughest races to crack on the card — the ratings are compressed, and the top picks are separated by less than three points, making price and connections critical.

win11VeriteML 7/2

Verite (No. 11) tops our picks with a 55.83 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field — and gets the advantage of Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. in the irons for trainer William Walden. The 7/2 morning line is a reasonable price in a race this wide open, and in maiden turf affairs, trainer and jockey connections often matter more than raw figures. Verite is the most credentialed runner on our model in a compressed field.

place3GabagoldML 4/1

Gabagold (No. 3) sits just a fraction behind at a 55.00 TrackWiz rating and draws Orlando Mojica for trainer Ethan W. West — a barn that also has Quaintrelle in the race, suggesting West has multiple chances. At 4/1 morning line, Gabagold is the most straightforward exacta play beneath Verite. In maiden turf racing, horses with multiple connections in the same race sometimes reveal a trainer who has found the right spot.

show12Gracie's LakehouseML 5/1

Gracie's Lakehouse (No. 12) checks in at a 53.33 TrackWiz rating with trainer Doug F. O'Neill, a well-credentialed conditioner who knows how to win races. William Antongeorgi III has the mount, and at 5/1 morning line she's attractively priced for a show play in a race where the top three are separated by less than three rating points. O'Neill's presence alone gives this horse a meaningful edge in terms of professional preparation.

Race 7

9:16 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Turbo Lady dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this 10-horse claiming sprint but carries a surprisingly modest career win rate — the interesting subplot is whether the field's depth can catch her at a price.

win1Turbo LadyML 3/1

Turbo Lady (No. 1) holds a commanding 87.08 TrackWiz rating — more than 22 points clear of the next ranked horse — making her the standout on our model despite a 10% career win rate. Joseph D. Ramos gets the call for trainer Randy L. Klopp, and at 3/1 morning line the public agrees she's the one to beat. The speed figure and model rating say trust her even if the win percentage gives you pause — sometimes horses in claiming spots are simply better than their connections have been able to show.

place4Lotta LatteML 6/1

Lotta Latte (No. 4) comes in at a 64.42 TrackWiz rating with a 4% career win rate that undersells her figure-based ability. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Raymond J. Paquette III, and at 6/1 morning line she's a fair price as an exacta partner. Her average speed of 54 is tied for the field's best outside of Turbo Lady, which suggests she can match strides late in this six-furlong sprint.

show6Aunt Leila's SkyML 6/1

Aunt Leila's Sky (No. 6) brings a 33% career win rate — the best among any horse in this field — paired with a 59.29 TrackWiz rating and Irving Moncada up for trainer Stephen V. Fosdick. At 6/1 morning line she's being respectably priced, and her win percentage is the kind of number that demands inclusion in trifecta plays. She profiles as a horse who knows how to hit the board and could easily outrun her rating if the pace sets up correctly.

Race 8

9:47 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Lady Faye separates herself from this maiden turf mile field on TrackWiz ratings, but Army Chic lurks as a closer who could make this a genuinely contested race if the pace burns hot early.

win11Lady FayeML 5/1

Lady Faye (No. 11) owns an 83.85 TrackWiz rating — more than four points clear of the field's next contender — and carries an average speed figure of 53 that matches the top of the field. Micah Meeks gets the mount for trainer Joe Blair Roberts, and at 5/1 morning line there's real value here for a horse who grades out as a clear top selection. In a wide-open maiden turf affair, having the model on your side by this margin is the angle to play.

place6Army ChicML 8/1

Army Chic (No. 6) is the most interesting horse in this race at 8/1 morning line — her 79.79 TrackWiz rating is second in the field, but she's being underpriced relative to that gap. Fernando De La Cruz is a capable rider for trainer Robert C. Cline, and her average speed of 53 matches the top of the field. If Lady Faye gets into any trouble out of the outside post, Army Chic has the rating to swoop in and grab the exacta.

show8Mariposa MoonML 4/1

Mariposa Moon (No. 8) enters at a 57.50 TrackWiz rating — third in the field — with a 4/1 morning line that makes her one of the more fairly-priced runners on the board. Irving Moncada rides for trainer Joseph D. Davis, and an average speed of 53 keeps her competitive on raw figures. In a field of maidens on a mile of turf, her combination of price and rating makes her a sensible show play and trifecta anchor.

Race 9

10:15 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

This 330-yard maiden claiming dash on dirt is a pure quarter-horse sprint where speed out of the gate is everything — Zz Apolitical Win dominates the TrackWiz ratings and looms as a strong favorite to justify the chalk.

win10Zz Apolitical WinML 2/1

Zz Apolitical Win (No. 10) is the clear standout in this field with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — more than 10 points ahead of the next horse — and draws Luz Daniel Martinez in the irons for trainer Anthony F. Cunningham. At 2/1 morning line she's the shortest price on the card, but at 330 yards the race is decided in seconds and the best horse usually wins cleanly. Our model is confident here — this is a rare instance where the favorite is also the value play when you consider the rating separation.

place4Miss MollieML 7/2

Miss Mollie (No. 4) is the most credible rival with a 78.17 TrackWiz rating — second in the field by a healthy margin — and goes postward at 7/2 for trainer Mallory Norton with Cordarelton J. Benn aboard. In a straight-ahead sprint of this distance, she profiles as the logical second horse, and the place price should be worthwhile in a race where even a slight stumble from the top pick shuffles things quickly. She's the safest exacta partner with Zz Apolitical Win.

show8Political VictoryML 6/1

Political Victory (No. 8) owns a 59.84 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field — and represents trainer Tim Eggleston, who saddles multiple horses across today's card. At 6/1 morning line, Rolando Del Rio Pina has the mount and there's legitimate value here for a show play or trifecta inclusion. In a maiden dash where the top two are a cut above, the third-best rated horse at a price is exactly the type of longshot show anchor that pays dividends in trifecta boxes.

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Bottom line: Jr Shadow Boy is the standout of the free card at 89.12 and makes a strong single or key in any multi-race sequence involving Race 3. Miss Clarke at 6/1 is the value play to watch in the opener. For the full nine-race breakdown — including pace maps, exotic ticket recommendations, and our premium picks for the turf maiden fields — subscribe to TrackWiz Premium. Good luck out there today.

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