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Horseshoe Indianapolis Picks & Predictions — September 24, 2026

September 24, 20269 racesAll Horseshoe Indianapolis picks

It's a crisp Thursday at Horseshoe Indianapolis — partly cloudy skies and a comfortable 70°F make for near-ideal racing conditions. The track should be running true today, which is good news for pace handicappers who like to trust the numbers without second-guessing a sloppy surface or a punishing wind.

Nine races are on the board, mixing maiden claimers, straight claiming races, allowance company, and even a 350-yard quarter-horse sprint in the nightcap. There's something here for every type of bettor — short-field turf sprints for the price hunters, a pair of dirt routes for the trip handicappers, and a Maiden Special Weight that figures to be wide open despite the modest field.

TrackWiz analysis covers the full card, with the first three races free for every reader and six premium races available to subscribers. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

6:10 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A maiden claiming mile on the dirt where TrackWiz ratings create a clear three-tier hierarchy — one horse grades out significantly above the field while the rest cluster in a tight, evenly-matched group below.

win2Dreaming BonitaML 2/1

Dreaming Bonita tops our TrackWiz ratings at 88.54, a number that stands nearly 14 points clear of second-ranked Higher Wish — that's a meaningful gap in a maiden field. Trainer Rene Cazares, Jr. sends her out with jockey Joseph M. Romero, a pairing that gives this connections-conscious race a professional look at the top of the program. Despite a zero career win percentage (expected in maiden ranks), her average speed of 53 matches the bulk of the field, and the morning line favorite tag at 2/1 suggests the market has already caught on. At that price she's not a screaming overlay, but the rating edge makes her the most logical single in race one.

place5Higher WishML 9/2

Higher Wish checks in with a solid 75.03 TrackWiz rating and draws the 5 post with Amir Mendoza up for trainer Genaro Garcia. She shares the same average speed figure as the majority of this field, but her ratings edge over the lower tier gives her a real shot at a placing if Dreaming Bonita proves as good as advertised up front. At 9/2 on the morning line, she offers genuine place value.

show3PiousML 3/1

Pious slots in third on our ratings at 60.58 — a comfortable cushion above the 30s-and-40s horses in the bottom half of the field. Trainer Michelle L. Elliott keeps the connections modest but purposeful, and Andres P. Ulloa gets the call. In maiden claiming company, 60+ ratings horses tend to find their way into the exotics, making Pious a reasonable show ticket in a race where the bottom falls off quickly.

Race 2

6:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short-field claiming sprint where one horse grades out at the top of the class by a wide margin, setting up a pace scenario that could get lopsided early.

win4CatatonicML 2/1

Catatonic is the class of this field by our numbers, posting an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that eclipses Ihaveissues by over 30 points — a canyon-sized gap for a six-horse claiming sprint. Trainer Larry Rivelli puts Walter A. Rodriguez in the irons, and the combination of a 15% career win rate and a sharp average speed of 55 makes this the most complete profile on the board. The 2/1 morning line reflects confidence from the oddsmaker, and we're happy to follow. Catatonic is the clear top selection here.

place1IhaveissuesML 3/1

Ihaveissues brings an 11% career win rate and an average speed of 55 to match Catatonic on raw pace numbers, which matters in a short 5½-furlong sprint where early speed holds real value. Trainer Tommy Humphries sends out Irving Moncada, and with a 57.64 rating — best of the rest in this field — there's a reasonable case that Ihaveissues lands the place spot if the favorite falters. At 3/1 on the line, the price is fair.

show6MomentarioML 4/1

Momentario's 54.92 TrackWiz rating places him third in this field, and his 55 average speed ties him with the top two on that metric — meaning he's capable of running with them early. John Haran sends out Amir Mendoza from the outside post, and a 7% career win rate in claiming ranks suggests a horse that hits the board with some regularity. At 4/1, he's a worthwhile inclusion in exacta and trifecta coverage.

Race 3

7:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A competitive six-furlong claiming affair headlined by a clear TrackWiz favorite, but with a pair of live runners lurking just behind that could make this an interesting exacta race.

win5LalilyML 9/5

Lalily leads all comers with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark in the field — and goes postward as the 9/5 morning-line chalk under Alberto Burgos for trainer Jack L. Hancock. Her average speed of 54 is solid for the distance, and in a 6-furlong claiming race where pace setup matters, Burgos is the kind of experienced rider who can put a horse in the right spot. The short price is the only real concern, but the numbers demand respect.

place1My Bossy LadyML 3/1

My Bossy Lady counters with a 74.30 TrackWiz rating and an impressive 17% career win rate — the kind of consistency that plays well at the claiming level. Trainer Genaro Garcia has the 1 post working against her slightly in terms of traffic, but Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. is adept at navigating out of tight spots. Her average speed of 55 actually leads the field on that metric, which suggests she runs hard and may be better live than the 3/1 morning line implies.

show2Keen Ice SightML 6/1

Keen Ice Sight brings a 19% career win rate — the second-highest in this field — which tells you this horse knows how to close the deal. The 68.39 TrackWiz rating slots her comfortably in third, and at 6/1 on the morning line with Joseph M. Romero riding for Raymond J. Paquette III, she offers genuine show value and makes an interesting exacta underneath. Her average speed of 54 keeps her in the conversation at six furlongs.

The free portion of today's card kicks off with three dirt races that each tell a different story. In Race 1, Dreaming Bonita enters the maiden claiming mile as our top-rated contender (88.54) at a 2/1 morning line — fair odds for a horse our model respects. Race 2 tightens things up over 5½ furlongs, where Catatonic earns the same 88.54 rating and matches Dreaming Bonita's 2/1 line, setting up a sharp pace scenario in a sprint where early position is everything. Then Race 3 stretches to 6 furlongs and introduces Lalily, our highest-rated free pick at 88.83 off a 9/5 morning line — the slight favorite tag is warranted here, but there could still be a touch of value depending on how the board moves.

The common thread across all three? Firm dirt, manageable distance, and horses our model genuinely likes — not just chalk plays by default. On a clear 70-degree afternoon, pace scenarios should unfold cleanly, and front-runners and closers alike get a fair shot. These are solid standalone bets and reasonable legs for early Pick 3 construction.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

7:43 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A maiden claiming sprint on the turf — always one of the more unpredictable races on any card — but our ratings single out one horse with a clear edge over a field that's otherwise bunched within 15 points.

win6RebelkaML 9/2

Rebelka tops the TrackWiz leaderboard in this turf maiden at 84.90, a rating that sits more than 21 points above second-ranked Yalina — a commanding gap in a maiden field. Fernando De La Cruz gets the mount for trainer James K. Chapman, and her average speed of 56 is the fastest recorded figure among horses who have posted a speed number in this field. The 9/2 morning line actually makes her a mild overlay given the margin of superiority our ratings show — that's a number worth pressing.

place8YalinaML 8/1

Yalina is one of the most intriguing place plays on this card at 8/1 on the morning line. Her 63.11 TrackWiz rating places her second in the field, and her average speed of 55 is the second-fastest posted among runners with a figure. Trainer Israel Acevedo keeps it simple, and Angel Serpa takes the call. If Rebelka gets any trouble in a five-furlong turf sprint — where early positioning is everything — Yalina is well-placed to clean up the place spot at a double-digit morning-line price.

show4Aisle NineML 5/2

Aisle Nine draws a 57.50 TrackWiz rating and the services of Alberto Burgos for trainer Brendan P. Walsh — a barn that knows how to spot horses. The absence of a recorded average speed figure suggests limited or turf-specific form, which can cut either way on the green stuff. In a wide-open maiden field like this, the third-best rating and a quality jockey/trainer combo make her a reasonable show bet and a must-use in trifecta tickets.

Race 5

8:14 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A nine-horse turf claiming sprint with a well-defined top two in the ratings, though there's enough pace pressure from the middle of the field to keep things honest and create exotic opportunities.

win7The Exodus TwistML 7/2

The Exodus Twist commands the field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and ties for the top average speed figure at 56 — two metrics that point in the same direction. Santo Sanjur rides for trainer Emma Jimenez Sanchez, and a 7% career win rate understates what the raw ratings suggest about this horse's underlying ability. At 7/2 on the morning line, this is a legitimate value play — our numbers peg this horse as significantly better than three of the four horses posted at shorter odds.

place8Trust the WordML 3/1

Trust the Word brings the field's highest career win rate at 18% — a mark that says this horse has been around winners and knows what to do in the stretch. Her 81.05 TrackWiz rating is second only to The Exodus Twist, and Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. is a live rider in any race he takes. At 3/1 morning line, Trust the Word is the most natural place partner to our top pick and anchors exacta combinations nicely.

show2High HonorsML 4/1

High Honors posts a 75.88 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field — and an average speed of 55 that keeps her in range of the top two. Trainer Anna M. Meah sends Danny Sheehy out on what looks like a horse returning to form, and an 11% career win rate in claiming company gives her some credibility. At 4/1, she's a solid show investment and deserves a spot in trifecta exotics, especially if the pace gets contested and the field backs up.

Race 6

8:45 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden special weight sprint on the dirt with eleven runners and ratings clustered between 48 and 56 — outside the top pick, this is as level a playing field as you'll find all day.

win2Hoosier SurpriseML 7/2

Hoosier Surprise tops our ratings in this competitive MSW field at 55.83 and draws a favorable 7/2 morning line with Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. in the irons — a jockey who's been active throughout this card. Trainer Anthony J. Granitz also saddles the 1 horse (Wautoma Waters), suggesting familiarity with the conditions and real confidence in the 2 horse specifically. An average speed of 54 is one of the best recorded marks in this field, giving her a measurable edge over most of the field on raw speed.

place3Aint Having ItML 9/2

Aint Having It checks in at 54.17 on the TrackWiz scale, just a tick below the win pick, with a matching average speed of 54 for trainer Pat Clay and jockey Angel Ortega Stanley. In maiden special weight company, where subtle differences in readiness and rider skill often determine order of finish, Ortega Stanley's activity level and Clay's stable form make this a legitimate contender. At 9/2, she's a natural place partner to Hoosier Surprise in the exacta.

show11MomimosaML 5/1

Momimosa slots in third on ratings at 53.33 with Evin A. Roman up for Cipriano Contreras. She lacks a posted average speed figure, which adds a layer of uncertainty — but in a wide-open maiden field, sometimes that unknown factor is precisely what makes a horse interesting in the show spot. A 5/1 morning line offers fair value, and she's worth including in trifecta coverage given how tightly bunched this field is from the second through fifth spots.

Race 7

9:16 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A full ten-horse allowance field on the turf at 1 1/16 miles — the longest turf test on today's card — where a clear ratings leader sets up as the logical single, but an intriguing value angle lurks at competitive odds.

win2Seen You LaterML 7/2

Seen You Later headlines this allowance field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating — tied for the third-highest mark on the entire card — and a 22% career win rate that speaks to consistent performance at the allowance level. Fernando De La Cruz gets the mount for trainer Juan M. Medina, and an average speed of 54 is one of the better marks in this ten-horse field. At 7/2 on the morning line, Seen You Later offers the rare combination of top-rated horse and legitimate betting value — our top pick without hesitation.

place4Vienna CharmML 3/1

Vienna Charm is the most compelling place play in this race at 3/1, sporting a 28% career win rate — the highest of any horse in this ten-horse field and a figure that demands respect at any level. Trainer Brian Waltz puts Rodney A. Prescott up, and this combination has worked the turf route before. Her 79.48 TrackWiz rating confirms she's a legitimate threat to Seen You Later, and her closing profile over 1 1/16 miles of turf makes her a natural beneficiary if the pace gets pressured up front.

show7My Lunar CharmML 3/1

My Lunar Charm posts a 69.76 TrackWiz rating and gets the services of Irving Moncada for trainer Stephen V. Fosdick, who also saddles Turbeau Man in this race — a trainer who double-dips here and may have a preference. The 3/1 morning line makes My Lunar Charm pricier than her 8% career win rate might suggest on its own, but the rating is solid and she brings enough early pace to stay involved over this added distance on turf. A useful show and trifecta horse.

Race 8

9:47 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The best race on the card by ratings density — three horses within a three-point band at the top of a competitive allowance optional claiming field, making for a genuinely tight top sequence.

win3TaqdeerML 7/2

Taqdeer edges out the top spot in this field with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and the fastest average speed figure in the race at 56 — both metrics converging on the same conclusion. Trainer David Jacobson puts Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. in the irons, and with a 18% career win rate, Taqdeer has shown enough willingness to cross the wire first to justify the confidence. At 7/2 morning line, this is a solid win play with upside on the exacta.

place1Night KissML 5/2

Night Kiss is the most consistent horse in this race by career win percentage at 37% — an exceptional mark that says this filly converts opportunities at a high clip. Her 84.78 TrackWiz rating sits just 1.6 points below our top pick, and Alberto Burgos takes the call for trainer Tomas Medina. At 5/2 on the morning line, she's actually lighter than our win pick, which might make her the right single for conservative bettors who want the horse with the proven win rate.

show2KeyanaML 3/1

Keyana rounds out a razor-thin top three at 83.19 TrackWiz and a 33% career win rate — the second-highest in the field — which gives trainer Daniel Leitch and rider Victor Lara plenty of reason for confidence. Her average speed of 55 matches Night Kiss and sits just below Taqdeer, keeping her in range over six furlongs. The 3/1 morning line makes this show play feel like underlaying a horse who, on another day with a different draw, could easily be the race's top pick.

Race 9

10:15 PM EDT

Allowance · 350 yd · Dirt

The nightcap is a wide-open 350-yard quarter horse allowance — the shortest race on today's card — where speed figures are absent across the board but our ratings paint a clear picture at the top of the lineup.

win2Flyin CowgirlML 4/1

Flyin Cowgirl leads all comers with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating in this twelve-horse 350-yard sprint, a format where early break and raw ability are essentially everything. Luis Eduardo Luna Diaz gets the call for trainer Tim Eggleston, who also saddles Perrys Secret Gold — the 7/2 morning line horse — meaning Eggleston has live ammunition from two barrels. At 4/1 on the morning line, Flyin Cowgirl is the one we're anchoring on, and the ratings gap over the middle of the field is significant. In a sprint this short, one good break and she's gone.

place8Perrys Secret GoldML 7/2

Perrys Secret Gold posts a 79.93 TrackWiz rating and the highest career win rate among our top picks at 28% — a figure that stands out in a field full of experienced quarter horse sprinters. Trainer Tim Eggleston, as noted, controls two of the top horses in this race, and Rolando Del Rio Pina takes the mount. At 7/2 on the morning line, this is one of the lighter-priced place plays of the day, but the combination of elite rating and win percentage makes it justified.

show7Mg FrescaML 4/1

Mg Fresca sits just a whisker below Perrys Secret Gold at 79.92 on the TrackWiz scale — essentially a dead heat in terms of ratings — and brings an 11% career win rate for trainer German Rodriguez with Antonio Rodriguez aboard. In a 350-yard event where margins are measured in fractions of a second, having the third-best rating in a twelve-horse field is a real edge. At 4/1 on the morning line, Mg Fresca gives you excellent show value and is a must-include in any tri ticket.

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Bottom line: today's Horseshoe Indianapolis card is approachable but far from easy money. Lalily in Race 3 is our strongest free play, Dreaming Bonita and Catatonic give the first two races genuine structure, and the premium races — headlined by longshot angles in the turf sprints and a fascinating quarter-horse finale with Flyin Cowgirl — round out a full day of action. Check out TrackWiz Premium for the complete card breakdown and exotic ticket strategies. Good luck at the windows.

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