Daily Picks

Monmouth Park Picks & Predictions — May 25, 2026

Monday, May 25, 20268 racesMonmouth Park

Happy Memorial Day from the Jersey Shore. Monmouth Park rolls out an 8-race card this afternoon under cloudy skies and a comfortable 66°F — the kind of mild, overcast day that tends to keep turf courses honest and speed horses happy on the dirt. No sun baking the strip, no wind to battle. Racing conditions about as neutral as you'll get at the Shore.

The card splits nicely between turf and dirt, with three turf routes giving grass specialists plenty to chew on and a pair of starter handicaps adding some class intrigue to the afternoon. We've got everything from short-field maiden sprints to an allowance optional claiming mile that should draw a sharp crowd. Plenty of angles to play.

Three races are open to all TrackWiz readers today, and five are locked behind our premium analysis. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:50 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A wide-open turf maiden where the morning line favorite gets challenged by a TrackWiz rating outlier at a juicy price — pace shape and turf experience will separate the field late.

win2Mo ActionML 8/1

Mo Action is the clear TrackWiz top-rated horse in this field at 79.79 — a full 14 points clear of the second-best rating — and that gap is hard to ignore in a maiden where raw talent usually tells. At 8/1 on the morning line, the market is undervaluing this one considerably, which is exactly the kind of disconnect TrackWiz analysis was built to find. Sonny Leon picks up the mount, and he's a sharp tactical rider who knows how to nurse a green horse through a one-turn turf mile. The avg speed figure of 53 matches the upper tier of this field, and with that rating advantage, Mo Action is our top play.

place1Noble HeritageML 5/2

Noble Heritage brings a solid 65.31 TrackWiz rating and shares the same avg speed figure of 53 as our top pick, but at 5/2 the market has more respect for this one. Trainer Jorge Delgado also saddles the morning line favorite Guitarist, so he's double-dipping in this race — and having two live horses gives Delgado's barn a big tactical edge. Noble Heritage with Jose Antonio Gomez up fits well in the place slot as a natural runner-up profile.

show6GuitaristML 2/1

Guitarist is the public's choice at 2/1 and carries trainer Jorge Delgado's other entry alongside Noble Heritage, giving the barn a strong one-two punch. The 58.33 rating is mid-range in this field, but Paco Lopez is one of the sharpest turf riders at Monmouth and will get every bit of run out of this horse. At chalk odds, the show position is where Guitarist makes the most sense for exotic coverage without taking on a lot of risk.

Race 2

5:19 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 4 1/2 fur · Dirt

A short, sharp 4.5-furlong maiden sprint on dirt where a heavily backed favorite faces a field of first-timers — speed out of the gate is everything at this trip.

win1Regent's ParkML 6/5

Regent's Park opens at 6/5 on the morning line and tops our TrackWiz ratings at 59.67 in a compressed field, which in a maiden sprint usually means the handicap work is already done. Paco Lopez is one of the sharpest short-field riders in the Mid-Atlantic and at 4.5 furlongs there's little room for error — you want the best pilot. Trainer Jorge Delgado is also sending out Tipsy Mojo, so the barn is confident enough to wheel two horses in a small field, but Regent's Park gets the marquee rider. This is a legitimate chalk play.

place2Audible JohnnyML 3/1

Audible Johnny opens at 3/1 and carries a 56.67 TrackWiz rating, matching Tipsy Mojo exactly but getting the nod for second on the strength of Sonny Leon's aggressive style — ideal in a short sprint where early position is critical. Trainer Jose H. Delgado (separate barn from Jorge Delgado) keeps a quiet book at Monmouth but knows how to have sprinters ready first out. At 3/1, there's real place value here if Regent's Park runs to its billing.

show4Tipsy MojoML 3/1

Tipsy Mojo is the Jorge Delgado second-string at 3/1, sharing the same 56.67 rating as Audible Johnny. In a five-horse maiden sprint, the Delgado barn running two horses means one of them is almost certain to hit the board, and Tipsy Mojo with Jose Antonio Gomez is the logical show hedge. If the pace gets hot early, Tipsy Mojo could be sitting in a perfect stalking spot.

Race 3

5:48 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

A dirt claiming mile with a clear class standout on paper, but a competitive pace scenario sets up nicely for closers — the favorite needs to handle pressure to justify her short number.

win5Megan's HonorML 2/1

Megan's Honor is the class of this field by a significant margin — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating towers over the competition, and a 20% career win rate is elite in claiming company. The avg speed figure of 55 leads the field outright, and with Paco Lopez in the irons this is exactly the kind of confident chalk ride that wins claiming races at Monmouth. Trainer Michael V. Simone at 2/1 means the market agrees, and frankly there's not much to argue with here — she's the best horse.

place7Street GlideML 5/2

Street Glide at 5/2 is our second choice and profiles as the most dangerous threat to the favorite. A 74.96 rating and 17% career win rate show a horse that competes honestly, and trainer Juan Carlos Avila has the stable humming. Angel Morales gets the call and while his book is lighter than Lopez's, he knows this horse. If Megan's Honor hits any traffic, Street Glide is right there.

show6ConfabulationML 3/1

Confabulation rounds out our ticket at 3/1 with a 63.64 rating and a 17% career win rate — solid credentials for this level. Luis R. Rivera Jr. is a proven Monmouth rider who can place a closer late in a one-mile dirt race, and if the early pace gets honest, Confabulation could be running hard in the final furlong. At these odds, it's a useful show hedge and exotic inclusion.

Our three free races cover a range of surfaces and conditions, which is actually a nice cross-section of what the full card has to offer. In Race 1, Mo Action jumps out as a legitimate value play at 8/1 morning line on the turf — that's the kind of overlay that makes a holiday card worth showing up for. Over in Race 3, Megan's Honor carries our highest free-race rating (88.54) and looks tough at the mile on dirt at 2/1. Race 2's Regent's Park is the lukewarm favorite in a short maiden sprint, though the compressed morning line (6/5) compresses the value accordingly.

One theme tying these free picks together: the overcast, mild conditions today favor horses who don't need a fast, sun-dried strip to fire. Keep that in mind as you shop odds through the afternoon — prices can shift quickly on a holiday card when casual money floods in.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:18 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 1 mi · Turf

A turf starter handicap with legitimate rating separation at the top, but three horses clustered in the 76-77 range make exacta construction interesting — the overlay in this group is real.

win4Swiss SlangML 7/2

Swiss Slang is the TrackWiz top-rated horse in this field at 86.35 and sports the most impressive career win rate in the field at 36% — that's a one-in-three shot at victory every time he steps on the track, which is exceptional. At 7/2 on the morning line, he's being undervalued relative to that record, especially with trainer Blake Kelly putting jockey Martin Chuan on a horse of this caliber. The avg speed figure of 53 is competitive on this turf mile, and the combination of high rating and elite win percentage makes Swiss Slang our top selection.

place5Two's a CrowdML 3/2

Two's a Crowd opens at 3/2 as the morning line favorite and carries a 77.15 rating with a 21% career win rate — a legitimate contender who the public clearly respects. Paco Lopez aboard is a massive positive for a turf mile, where pace judgment and turf-reading instincts matter as much as raw ability. The slight rating gap behind Swiss Slang keeps Two's a Crowd in the place column rather than win, but this horse should absolutely be on your ticket.

show7Into ItML 5/2

Into It at 5/2 slots neatly into third with a 76.76 rating and a 21% career win rate, nearly identical credentials to Two's a Crowd. Trainer Kelly J. Breen is one of the more respected barns in the region, and Luis R. Rivera Jr. riding means the connections are serious about a good result. In a race where the top four horses are all rated between 76 and 86, show insurance is smart money.

Race 5

6:50 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Six furlongs of dirt claiming action with a significant TrackWiz rating gap at the top — Air Masque stands out on figures but a vulnerable win rate invites second-guessing, making pace and jockey matchups matter.

win6Air MasqueML 4/1

Air Masque carries the field's best TrackWiz rating at 85.62 and an avg speed figure of 55 that co-leads the field — the raw ability is there. At 4/1, the morning line is essentially telling you the market thinks the 7% career win rate is a problem, and fair enough, but claiming races are often about class and speed figures rather than career percentages, and Air Masque has both in abundance. Jomar Torres is an underrated ride who will put this horse in a good spot early on the turn. The value case here is real at 4/1 for a horse with the best figures.

place5Blue Moon TideML 3/1

Blue Moon Tide at 3/1 has a 78.37 rating — second best in the field — and Luis R. Rivera Jr. gets the call for trainer Eddie Owens Jr. A 12% career win rate is modest, but the speed figures (avg 54) put this horse squarely in the mix late. Blue Moon Tide profiles as a classic Monmouth closer in a six-furlong sprint, and if Air Masque goes to the front and softens the pace, look for this one rolling late.

show7Cool SpiteML 7/2

Cool Spite brings a 69.9 rating and a field-leading avg speed of 55 to go with a strong 25% career win rate — that win percentage suggests a horse that fires consistently, which is exactly what you want in a show spot. Trainer Chuck Spina runs two horses in this race, and Cool Spite with Chantal Sutherland gets the stable's top-flight rider. At 7/2, this is a fair-priced show option with upside for the exacta.

Race 6

7:23 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 1 mi · Turf

A turf starter handicap dominated by a single horse on paper — Eldest Son's rating is well clear of the field, but at 7/5 you're betting chalk on grass, which always carries surface variance risk.

win1Eldest SonML 7/5

Eldest Son leads this field with an 89.42 TrackWiz rating — the highest of any horse in Race 6 by a comfortable margin — and a 23% career win rate that validates the figures aren't a fluke. Sonny Leon climbing aboard is a strong rider signal, and trainer Michael V. Simone already has Megan's Honor going well on the card today, suggesting the barn is sharp. Yes, 7/5 is a short price on turf where chaos can happen, but when one horse is this clearly the best, sometimes you just play the best horse.

place4Baytown ParfaitML 5/2

Baytown Parfait at 5/2 brings a 75.92 rating — second best in the race — and a 13% career win rate that's workmanlike but honest at this level. Wesley Ho picks up the mount for trainer Jose A. Gallegos, who also runs two horses in the prior race, suggesting a barn in good form today. If Eldest Son faces any unexpected traffic on the turf, Baytown Parfait is positioned to capitalize and hit the board.

show7Admiral MoML 3/1

Admiral Mo opens at 3/1 and owns the best career win percentage in this field at a stunning 42% — that's not a misprint, and it means this horse wins nearly half its starts, which is elite even considering sample size considerations. Paco Lopez takes the mount for Kelly J. Breen, who also runs Jurisprudence in this spot, giving the barn a powerful two-pronged attack. At 3/1, Admiral Mo's win rate makes this a show lock worth including in all exotic combinations.

Race 7

7:55 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A dirt allowance optional claiming route going a mile and 70 yards — Tavin holds the top rating but faces a competitive mid-pack where four horses are bunched between 68 and 76, setting up a tactical pace battle.

win5TavinML 4/1

Tavin leads all horses in Race 7 with an 85.62 TrackWiz rating and gets the best ride in the race in Paco Lopez — a combination that's tough to fade in an allowance optional claiming event. The avg speed figure of 54 leads the field, and while a 16% career win rate is modest, the quality of opposition matters at this class level and Tavin's figures put him a tier above. Trainer Pompeyo Gomez also has Equus in this race, but Lopez choosing Tavin is a clear signal about which one the barn prefers.

place1EquusML 9/2

Equus is Pompeyo Gomez's second entry at 9/2, rated 75.40 with a 16% career win rate — identical win percentage to stablemate Tavin, but a meaningful gap in the ratings. Jomar Torres is a capable Monmouth rider who will keep Equus close to the pace, and in a field this competitive, the Gomez barn having two horses in the mix makes place coverage on Equus a savvy move. If Tavin falters or gets caught wide, Equus is right there to collect.

show3Dyna SoarML 3/1

Dyna Soar at 3/1 carries a 72.92 rating and a 20% career win rate — the latter being among the better winning percentages in this spot. Sonny Leon is aggressive and will try to put this horse on or near the lead in a route race, which could be a significant asset if the pace is slow. Trainer Michael Dini keeps a lean, quality stable and Dyna Soar at 3/1 offers genuine show value in a race where the top three horses are separated by only 12 rating points.

Race 8

8:27 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A full ten-horse field in a turf claiming route — Red Sky Morning looks like the class of the field on TrackWiz ratings, but Magneto lurks at a better price and the large field creates real pace complexity.

win1Red Sky MorningML 3/1

Red Sky Morning tops this field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and draws the rail with Paco Lopez in the irons — a strong combination in a turf route where early position from post one can be a real asset rather than a liability. Trainer Michael Dini is sharp today, and a 12% career win rate in claiming company doesn't tell the full story when the speed figures are this dominant. At 3/1, Red Sky Morning is a fair-priced win selection, not an overlay, but the rating separation justifies the confidence.

place9MagnetoML 9/2

Magneto sits second in our TrackWiz ratings at 80.55 with an avg speed of 54 — the best in the field — and a 20% career win rate that makes him a legitimate threat to win outright. Trainer Jorge Delgado runs both Magneto and Final Joke in this race, and Chantal Sutherland is tabbed for this one, which is a meaningful rider signal from the barn. At 9/2, Magneto is the value play in the exotics and a strong place option if Red Sky Morning gets any traffic on the turf.

show10Final JokeML 4/1

Final Joke at 4/1 is Delgado's second entry and carries a 71.28 rating with a 20% career win rate matching stablemate Magneto. Chantal Sutherland also gets this mount, which means she's booked on both Delgado horses — look for the program to clarify closer to post, but either way the trainer has two live horses in this field. Final Joke's consistent speed figures of 52 keep it competitive and it's a sensible show ticket in a ten-horse turf field.

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

A solid Memorial Day card at Monmouth with real value scattered across the turf and dirt. Mo Action is the free-play longshot we're excited about, Megan's Honor looks like the most reliable free win bet, and Eldest Son headlines what our premium members are working with in the back half. Good luck out there — and as always, bet what you're comfortable losing, and let the prices come to you. Full analysis for all eight races is available to TrackWiz subscribers.

← Back to all picks

Best Bets

Race 1↗

Race 2↗

Race 3↗

Full Card Analysis

Get the Full Card Analysis

Race 1

Race 2

Race 3