Unlock the other 5 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

Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Picks & Predictions — September 18, 2026

September 18, 20268 racesAll Los Alamitos Thoroughbred picks

It's a beautiful Friday evening at Los Alamitos — clear skies, 78 degrees, and a fast dirt track that should reward speed through all eight races. Conditions like this tend to set up honest early fractions, and with the rail in good shape, don't be surprised if horses that break clean on the front end hold on late.

We've got a full eight-race card on the docket, mixing maiden fields, claiming races, and a starter allowance to cap things off. There's a real range of competitive interest here — from short-priced morning-line favorites we think are legit to a handful of spots where the value is hiding underneath the surface. Let's break it down.

Best Bets

Race 1

8:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden special weight opener where two first-timers from elite barns dominate the morning line — expect the Baffert and Sadler runners to dictate the price and the pace.

win1Mystic RideML 4/5

Mystic Ride opens as the heavy 4/5 favorite off the Bob Baffert barn, and that alone commands respect — Baffert's first-out runners at Los Alamitos have a long track record of arriving fit and sharp. Our TrackWiz rating of 60 tops the field, and with Ricardo Gonzalez in the irons, this is a professional operation hitting on all cylinders. This is a first-timer so raw speed figures aren't available yet, but the morning-line confidence tells you the connections believe they have something. At odds-on, you're not betting for value — you're betting for safety.

place5Gallant JackML 5/2

Gallant Jack breaks from post 5 for Hall of Fame trainer John Sadler and comes in with a TrackWiz rating of 57.5 — second-best in the field. Like the favorite, he's a first-timer with no published speed figures, but Sadler has a well-earned reputation for having debut runners ready, and Armando Ayuso gives him an experienced guide. At 5/2 on the morning line, he's the most logical horse to run second if Mystic Ride controls this thing wire to wire.

show2Magic WaveML 4/1

Magic Wave at 4/1 is the third betting choice and the show pick for good reason — a TrackWiz rating of 55 puts her in striking distance of the top two if either of the barn-name runners underperforms. Tiago Josue Pereira is an active rider at the meet, and Hector O. Palma keeps his horses well-prepared. She's a solid exotic underneath play in exactas and trifectas for players looking to build around the top two.

Race 2

8:35 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

One horse stands apart from the crowd in this maiden special weight sprint — Janie Not Jeanie's TrackWiz rating laps the field by a wide margin and makes this look like a potential runaway.

win5Janie Not JeanieML 5/2

Janie Not Jeanie is the clear top selection here, and the numbers back it up emphatically — a TrackWiz rating of 80.05 is the highest in this field by over 20 points, which is a massive gap in a six-horse maiden race. Trainer Doug F. O'Neill sends her out with Armando Ayuso up, a sharp rider who knows how to rate a young horse in a sprint. She's flashed an average speed figure of 55 in her work, and at 5/2 on the morning line, she's not even being bet down to reflect how much our analysis likes her. This is the kind of race where you play her confidently to win.

place4Stormy SunsetML 2/1

Stormy Sunset is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 and backs it up with a TrackWiz rating of 58.33 and the field's best average speed figure at 57. Trained by Peter Miller — one of the sharpest sprint trainers on the Southern California circuit — she brings legitimate form into this spot. Armando Aguilar gives Miller a reliable hand up front, and if Janie Not Jeanie stumbles or gets into trouble early, Stormy Sunset is positioned to take full advantage.

show1FuriosityML 3/1

Furiosity comes in at 3/1 under the Bob Baffert/Ricardo Gonzalez combination, a duo that always warrants attention in maiden company. Her TrackWiz rating of 56.67 puts her third in the field, and an average speed figure of 54 gives at least some form to evaluate. The Baffert barn rarely sends out runners without purpose, and at 3/1, she offers enough overlay potential to include in trifecta coverage.

Race 3

9:10 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Proud Racer enters as a dominant class standout in this claiming sprint, but the real intrigue is whether any longshot can steal the place or show spot and create exotic value.

win7Proud RacerML 4/5

Proud Racer is as clear a TrackWiz top selection as you'll find all card — a rating of 90 towers over every other entrant in this seven-horse field. At 4/5 on the morning line, the public clearly agrees, and trainer Peter Miller continues his strong presence on this card. Edgar Payeras handles the mount, and with a 9% career win rate in claiming company, Proud Racer has shown he can actually get the job done — not just threaten. Miller's horses routinely fire fresh, and over 6 furlongs on the dirt, this horse should be near or on the lead throughout.

place5Grey PowerML 10/1

Grey Power is the TrackWiz value angle in this race — a rating of 59.2 is second-best in the field, yet he's posted at 10/1 on the morning line, which is a glaring discrepancy. Trainer Sergio Morfin is working with a live one here, and Armando Aguilar knows how to get position in a sprint. A 5% career win rate looks modest, but the speed figure of 55 is competitive for this claiming level, and if the favorite runs to form, Grey Power looks like the most logical beneficiary for the place spot.

show2Shady GemML 6/1

Shady Gem brings a 16% career win rate into this spot — tied for the best in the field — and a TrackWiz rating of 55.67 that puts her solidly in the mix for exotic consideration. Kyle Frey has been a consistent presence at the meet, and trainer Jeff Bonde knows the Southern California claiming game well. At 6/1, she's a reasonable show bet and a prime trifecta wheel underneath Proud Racer.

Our three free races give you a solid foundation for the afternoon. Race 1 opens the card with Mystic Ride installed as a heavy 4/5 favorite in a maiden special weight sprint — a short price, but our ratings back the hype. Race 2 offers a touch more intrigue: Janie Not Jeanie comes in at 5/2 in another maiden sprint, and that morning line suggests the market sees a real race here. That's exactly the kind of spot where our TrackWiz rating of 80 stands out as a differentiator. Then in Race 3, Proud Racer is our highest-confidence free pick of the day — a 90 TrackWiz rating against a claiming field at 4/5 is a combination that demands attention.

The through-line across all three free races is pace: on a clear, fast Los Alamitos dirt track, horses that establish position early without burning up have a meaningful edge. Keep that in mind as you build your tickets.

Send me tomorrow's free Los Alamitos Thoroughbred card before post time.

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

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

9:43 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Dirt

This 5-furlong claiming dash is wide open at the top — three horses are separated by fewer than six TrackWiz points, and the morning line doesn't clearly separate them either.

win5Golf DramaML 4/1

Golf Drama tops our TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 and brings a 22% career win rate that demands respect in any claiming field. Trainer Angela Maria Aquino has her pointed at the right spot, and Justine Klaiber is an underrated rider who tends to outperform her mounts' odds. While no recent speed figure is available for Golf Drama, the overall profile — win rate, rating, and a good post draw at 5 — makes her the top selection in what shapes up as a contested early pace over the short 5-furlong trip.

place6Pine RunML 5/1

Pine Run is right behind Golf Drama at a TrackWiz rating of 79.91 and flashes an elite 33% career win rate, which is the highest in the field. Francisco Orduna-Rojas has been getting the job done lately, and trainer Jesus Mendoza has Pine Run positioned for a forward effort at 5/1. An average speed figure of 56 gives her a legitimate speed edge, and her high win percentage suggests she competes hard when the conditions suit — this looks like one of those spots.

show1EielsonML 9/2

Eielson rounds out the top three and gives this exotic structure some depth — a TrackWiz rating of 79.42 makes him nearly the equal of Pine Run on paper, and Craig Dollase is a trainer who rarely misses at this level. Edgar Payeras takes the mount, a jockey who's been busy on this card all night. With an average speed figure of 55 and a 7% win rate, Eielson won't light the board on his own, but he's very much alive for third.

Race 5

10:15 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Peter Miller sends out a maiden claimer that looks like a fish out of water in this company — Jetway's rating separates him from the field so decisively this may be a single-horse race.

win8JetwayML 8/5

Jetway is the standout selection in Race 5 by a wide margin — a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 is the highest in this field by over 30 points, and that's the kind of gap that makes handicappers comfortable taking the short price. Trainer Peter Miller is rolling tonight, and Armando Aguilar continues his busy book aboard what looks like Miller's best chance of the evening. An average speed figure of 56 leads all horses with published figures in this maiden claiming field, and at 8/5, he's a legitimate key horse in all your exotics.

place4Here On BusinessML 2/1

Here On Business is the morning-line second choice at 2/1 for trainer Dean Pederson, and a TrackWiz rating of 58.33 makes her the clear second option in a thin field. Tiago Josue Pereira brings solid horsemanship to the seat, and an average speed figure of 55 puts her in decent shape for this maiden claiming level. If Jetway dominates as expected, she's the most likely horse to hang on for the place spot and deliver a reasonable exacta payout.

show2Hit the Track JackML 6/1

Hit the Track Jack opens at 6/1 and posts a TrackWiz rating of 55.02 — third-best in the field — making him a legitimate show contender at a price worth including in trifecta tickets. Trainer Ruben Gomez keeps active runners, and Epifanio Garcia gives the horse a capable pilot over the 6-furlong distance. His average speed figure of 55 matches Here On Business, which suggests he can compete in this spot even if he needs to settle for third.

Race 6

10:47 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Peter Miller's Blame It On Abby enters as the TrackWiz top-rated horse in a competitive claiming sprint where three runners are bunched tightly at the top of the rankings.

win7Blame It On AbbyML 5/2

Blame It On Abby tops our ratings at 82.9 and checks all the right boxes — trainer Peter Miller is having a monster card tonight, and Armando Aguilar continues to do his best work in the irons. She carries a 12% career win rate, which is respectable for a claiming filly in this spot, and her average speed figure of 53 is in line with what this distance typically demands. At 5/2 on the morning line, the public is on board, and the TrackWiz analysis agrees — she's the play.

place2Definitely PrbableML 7/2

Definitely Prbable is razor-close to the top selection on our ratings at 77.35, and her 12% career win rate mirrors the favorite's record exactly. Edgar Payeras picks up the mount for trainer Vann Belvoir, a combination that can find the winner's circle when the pieces align. She logged a speed figure of 53 in her recent form, matching the favorite's figure, which means if Blame It On Abby meets any trouble, Definitely Prbable has the raw ability to pounce. A strong contender for the exacta key position.

show1BrevilleML 10/1

Breville comes in at 10/1 and is quietly interesting — a TrackWiz rating of 76.88 is third-best in the field and only separated from the top two by single digits. Trainer Gloria Haley has her freshened up with no recent speed figure to evaluate, but a 4% career win rate in a competitive group doesn't fully capture how live her rating makes her look. At double-digit odds, she's a legitimate trifecta inclusion and a value show play for bettors willing to mix it up.

Race 7

11:20 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Shop Till You Drop enters as a heavy favorite in this starter allowance, but Sensational Z Z and Harney Lane offer legitimate pace pressure and exotic appeal at generous prices.

win8Shop Till You DropML 8/5

Shop Till You Drop is the clear top selection at a TrackWiz rating of 89.12 — the same dominant figure Jetway posted two races ago. Trainer Richard Baltas is one of the top conditioners in Southern California and knows exactly how to place a horse in a starter allowance. Armando Ayuso handles the mount, and a 21% career win rate combined with an average speed figure of 56 makes this runner look like the class of the field. At 8/5, she'll pay short, but the confidence level in our analysis is high.

place7Sensational Z ZML 10/1

Sensational Z Z is a legitimate overlay in this race — a TrackWiz rating of 72.42 and a 30% career win rate that bests nearly everyone in this eight-horse field, yet she's sitting at 10/1 on the morning line. Ricardo S. Ramirez picks up the mount, and trainer Jesus J. Uranga has multiple runners in the race, which sometimes signals stable confidence. Her speed figure of 55 keeps her honest in terms of raw ability, and at those odds she's a prime pick for exacta and trifecta players looking to beat the chalk.

show6Harney LaneML 5/1

Harney Lane comes in at 5/1 for trainer Andy Mathis with Ricardo Gonzalez in the saddle, a jockey who's had a full book of action all evening. Her TrackWiz rating of 69.57 is third-best in the field, and an average speed figure of 56 — matching the top selection's figure — suggests she can keep up early in a 5.5-furlong sprint. A 25% career win rate adds to the profile, and at 5/1, she's an excellent show play and a solid third leg on trifecta tickets.

Race 8

11:53 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

The nightcap features a classic upset scenario — the TrackWiz top-rated horse is the 8/1 morning-line longshot while the public hammers a lower-rated runner as the heavy favorite.

win1InorbitML 8/1

Inorbit is the TrackWiz top selection in Race 8 at a rating of 79.79, and here's the headline: he opens at 8/1 on the morning line despite topping our model. That's a significant value opportunity. Trainer Jesus Ramos has the horse in a 5.5-furlong claiming spot that suits, and Edgar Payeras — who's had plenty of action all card — brings experience to the gate. A 16% career win rate and an average speed figure of 54 suggest Inorbit is a legitimate contender, not a paper tiger. If the public is underestimating him, the exacta and trifecta payouts could be very rewarding.

place8Shady StripesML 6/5

Shady Stripes is the public's choice at 6/5 and carries a solid TrackWiz rating of 72.83, so she can't be dismissed — Peter Miller sends her out with Armando Aguilar, the same combination that's been dangerous all night. Her 10% career win rate is modest, but an average speed figure of 54 puts her in the mix, and the morning line clearly reflects trainer and jockey confidence. If our longshot thesis on Inorbit is wrong, Shady Stripes is the horse that beats us.

show3Jager AngelML 12/1

Jager Angel opens at 12/1 and brings a TrackWiz rating of 57.89 that puts her in the upper half of this eight-horse field despite the long odds. Trainer Robert J. Lucas has her sitting at a quiet price, and Cristobal Herrera has shown he can navigate traffic in these shorter sprints. Without a published speed figure, there's some uncertainty, but the 3% career win rate will draw bettors away — which is exactly what makes her interesting as a trifecta flyer underneath the top two selections.

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: Proud Racer is our best bet of the card in Race 3, Golf Drama looks like the top value play for subscribers in Race 4, and the clear, fast conditions at Los Alamitos tonight set the table for a speed-favoring day throughout. Three solid free picks are ready for you right now — and if you want the complete picture across all eight races, the full analysis is waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there.

← All Los Alamitos Thoroughbred picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free