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Parx Racing Picks & Predictions — September 28, 2026

September 28, 20269 racesAll Parx Racing picks

It's a cool, cloudy Monday at Parx Racing — 64 degrees and overcast as nine races hit the dirt oval in Bensalem. Conditions like these tend to keep the track playing fair and honest, which is good news for horses that earn their speed figures the hard way rather than getting a gift from a sloppy surface.

Today's card is a nice mix of claiming action and allowance company, with nine races spread across distances ranging from a tight six furlongs all the way out to a mile and a sixteenth. There's something for every handicapping style here, from pace puzzles in the sprints to stamina tests in the route races.

Our TrackWiz algorithms have processed every angle on this card — trainer form, pace scenarios, class movement, speed figures — and a few horses really stand out. Read on for the free previews, and unlock the full breakdown if you want the complete picture.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:40 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Lex stands out as a clear class edge in this 6.5-furlong dirt claimer, but Bourbon Aficionado and Cassation offer enough upside to keep the exotics interesting.

win3LexML 3/1

Lex (No. 3) posts the field's top TrackWiz rating at 87.08 — a full nine points clear of the next rival — and backs it up with a 23% career win rate that screams consistency in this company. Trainer Juan Carlos Guerrero has this one pointing at a sprint distance where Lex's avg speed figure has held firm. Jockey Melvis Gonzalez gets the call, and the 3/1 morning line feels like fair value given the ratings edge. Hard to find a reason to fade the top horse when the gap is this wide.

place4Bourbon AficionadoML 7/2

Bourbon Aficionado (No. 4) carries a solid 78.41 TrackWiz rating and checks in at 7/2 on the morning line — slightly overpriced for a horse that looks like a lock to hit the board. The 10% career win rate is modest, but trainer Miguel Penaloza regularly gets his horses in position late in these claiming sprints, and jockey Jean Aguilar is no stranger to the Parx dirt.

show1CassationML 5/1

Cassation (No. 1) draws the rail and owns the second-best TrackWiz rating in the field at 70.93, which gives it a cushion over the rest of the pack. The 5/1 morning line makes this an intriguing show bet or exotic anchor — a horse with rail position in a sprint can save ground and steal a placing even if it doesn't have the pure class to win.

Race 2

5:07 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

Chuck's Law looks like the class of this route claiming field, but the pace scenario around two mile-tested closers could set up a contentious stretch run.

win6Chuck's LawML 3/1

Chuck's Law (No. 6) tops the field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and draws trainer Michael V. Pino, who knows how to spot horses in the right spot. Jockey Mychel J. Sanchez is one of the sharpest pilots at Parx and should keep this horse in a comfortable stalking position around the two-turn route. At 3/1, the morning line reflects public respect, but the ratings gap over the field suggests this is a fair price for the top contender.

place5HephepcutdownnetsML 7/2

Hephepcutdownnets (No. 5) sits second in the TrackWiz ratings at 75.10 and drew a 7/2 morning line that positions it as a live alternative. Trainer Tony Perez Flores and jockey Silvestre Gonzalez team up here, and with a 6% career win rate, this horse may be overdue for a strong placing effort going a route. The slightly longer trip at a mile and 70 yards suits a horse that needs time to find its best stride.

show3No Mor StonesML 5/2

No Mor Stones (No. 3) is the 5/2 morning line choice, which makes it the public's top selection, but our analysis lands it third in the ratings at 70.05 — still a very strong number for this field. Trainer Miguel Penaloza doubles up in this race after saddling Bourbon Aficionado in Race 1, suggesting he's confident sending out horses today. This horse should be on your radar for exacta and trifecta coverage.

Race 3

5:34 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A razor-thin ratings battle between Maddie's Garden and Sunlit makes this six-furlong dirt claimer one of the toughest calls on the card — both horses have the numbers to win.

win3Maddie's GardenML 5/2

Maddie's Garden (No. 3) earns the TrackWiz top rating at 86.83 and brings a 27% career win rate that is among the best in the field — this is a horse that knows how to finish in front. Trainer Clarence B. King has a consistent record placing horses in the right class and distance spots, and Francisco Martinez aboard keeps this a sharp rider-trainer combo. The 5/2 morning line makes this the second choice behind the public, but the edge in career winning percentage is a real differentiator.

place6SunlitML 7/2

Sunlit (No. 6) is separated from the top pick by just half a rating point (86.35) and carries a strong 17% career win rate that suggests this horse is a confirmed winner, not just a place horse. Trainer Ruperto A. Perez is a live barn at Parx, and jockey Jean Aguilar is comfortable in this company. The 7/2 morning line is worth attacking in exactas — don't be surprised if Sunlit beats Maddie's Garden outright.

show1Mikey's SongML 9/2

Mikey's Song (No. 1) draws the rail and posts a 79.03 TrackWiz rating, sitting clearly third in this six-horse field. Trainer Trevor Gallimore and jockey Sebastian Orellana handle the front-running duties, and at 9/2, this horse offers good show value in a tight race where the top two could set a hot pace and tire.

The first three races on the card are open to all TrackWiz readers, and they offer a solid foundation for building your afternoon. Lex (R1, 3/1 ML) kicks things off in a 6½-furlong dirt claimer with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating that leads the field — a number that commands respect in this company. Chuck's Law (R2, 3/1 ML) matches that exact rating over a longer trip of a mile and 70 yards, where stamina and pace setup matter a little more. And Maddie's Garden (R3, 5/2 ML) comes in as our top play in the six-furlong opener for her field, posting an 86.83 rating and going off as the morning-line favorite.

A common thread through these early races: all three top picks are positioned at or near their fair morning-line price, meaning there may be real value if any of them drift up in the pools. Keep an eye on how the board moves before you finalize your tickets.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:01 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Dirt

Tavern Time dominates the ratings in this 1 1/8-mile claiming route, but trainer Scott A. Lake runs two horses in here — creating an interesting tactical dynamic worth watching.

win3Tavern TimeML 5/2

Tavern Time (No. 3) is the standout with the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and a 20% career win rate that shows this horse regularly converts opportunities. Andrew Wolfsont gets the mount for trainer Jack Abrams, and the horse's avg speed figure at this longer route distance looks reliable. At 5/2 on the morning line, this is a fair chalk play — the ratings edge over the field is significant enough to back with confidence.

place7First TrumpetML 2/1

First Trumpet (No. 7) sits second in the ratings at 76.60 and has the added intrigue of being trained by Scott A. Lake, who also saddles Riley's Rockstar in this race. Lake clearly has horses engaged today, and First Trumpet draws a 2/1 morning line — making it the public's top pick — despite our analysis slotting it just behind Tavern Time. Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. aboard is a strong rider who excels in route races at Parx.

show5Fully CommittedML 8/1

Fully Committed (No. 5) checks in with a 66.48 TrackWiz rating and the field's best avg speed figure at 53, giving it a slight edge in raw quickness. Trainer Angel Castillo, Jr. has Mychel J. Sanchez in the irons, a jockey who tends to get horses running late in longer races. The 8/1 morning line makes this a viable value play in trifectas if the top two set a contested pace.

Race 5

6:28 PM EDT

Allowance · 7 fur · Dirt

Respighi looks like the class edge in this seven-furlong allowance, though Wave Rider's eye-popping 40% career win rate makes this field more complicated than the morning line suggests.

win3RespighiML 4/1

Respighi (No. 3) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 and pairs that with the field's best avg speed figure of 55 — a meaningful edge in a seven-furlong sprint where raw pace matters. Trainer Hugo O. Padilla puts Frankie Pennington up, and a 9% career win rate in allowance company may actually be understating this horse's form given its strong speed numbers. The 4/1 morning line is workable value for a horse with the top rating and top speed in the field.

place2Au Some WarriorML 6/1

Au Some Warrior (No. 2) brings a 17% career win rate and a solid 71.60 TrackWiz rating into this allowance field, making it a legitimate threat to land in the top two. The 6/1 morning line looks slightly generous — trainer Alexander Martinez keeps this horse competitive at the allowance level, and Noel Herman has the experience to place this horse on the lead or just off it in a sprint. An ideal horse to slot into exactas underneath Respighi.

show4Wave RiderML 3/1

Wave Rider (No. 4) is the most intriguing profile in the field on raw career numbers — a 40% career win rate is extraordinary and demands respect, even with a TrackWiz rating of 63.71 that trails the top contenders. Trainer T. Bernard Houghton draws Inoel Beato, and at 3/1, the public clearly hasn't forgotten this horse's win history. The show position accounts for the gap between its win percentage and its current rating.

Race 6

6:55 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A wide-open eleven-horse claiming sprint at six furlongs with three horses rated above 76 — Young Squire, Amazing Woo, and Little Lance — setting up a potential value play from the outside numbers.

win3Young SquireML 5/1

Young Squire (No. 3) tops the TrackWiz leaderboard for this race at 83.18 and backs it up with a 22% career win rate that shows this horse competes to win, not just place. Trainer Esteban Padilla puts Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. on board — one of the stronger jockey-trainer combinations on this card. The 5/1 morning line is genuinely attractive for the top-rated horse in an eleven-horse field, and that price likely reflects the competitiveness of the draw rather than any real weakness in the form.

place9Amazing WooML 7/2

Amazing Woo (No. 9) sits just behind the top pick in ratings at 81.90 and owns the field's best avg speed figure at 55, which is a legitimate weapon in a six-furlong sprint. Bryan L. Torres gets the call for trainer Kathleen A. Demasi, and the 7/2 morning line positions this as the public's second choice — a fair assessment given the raw speed numbers. If the pace gets hot early, Amazing Woo's closing speed could be the difference.

show10Little LanceML 10/1

Little Lance (No. 10) is flying a bit under the radar at 10/1 with a 76.88 TrackWiz rating that actually ranks third in this field. Trainer Alfredo Velazquez puts Eliseo Ruiz up, and a 17% career win rate confirms this horse has winning form. In an eleven-horse field with odds this long, Little Lance represents genuine show value — don't overlook this one in trifecta wheels.

Race 7

7:22 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Dr. Steve is a dominant ratings standout in this allowance optional claiming sprint, but Winning Time at a short number figures to push the pace and make this a real test.

win5Dr. SteveML 5/2

Dr. Steve (No. 5) carries the field's top TrackWiz rating at 87.81 and pairs it with a 35% career win rate — among the highest of any horse on the card today. Trainer Michael M. Moore runs two horses in this race, which is a show of confidence in the barn's overall form, and Andy Hernandez gets the mount. The 5/2 morning line is comfortable for a horse that dominates both the ratings and the win percentage columns — this looks like the strongest single bet of the first half of the card.

place7Winning TimeML 9/5

Winning Time (No. 7) draws a 9/5 morning line — making it the public's top choice — with a strong 73.99 TrackWiz rating and a 30% career win rate that tells you this horse competes at a high level. Trainer Kathleen A. Demasi has Silvestre Gonzalez up, and the avg speed figure of 55 ties for tops in the field alongside Dr. Steve and Capo. If Dr. Steve doesn't fire his best, Winning Time is the most likely winner in the race.

show1Windsor GoldML 5/1

Windsor Gold (No. 1) draws the rail with a 56.80 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate that keeps it in the conversation for board action. Trainer Michael M. Moore fields two entrants here, so Windsor Gold may receive tactical benefit from a pace setup engineered to help stablemate Dr. Steve — which could leave Windsor Gold in a good stalking position in the stretch. At 5/1, this is a solid show-bet hedge in a race where the top two are closely matched.

Race 8

7:49 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

More Than Grace looks like a near-lock in this allowance optional claiming sprint — her 89.12 rating and 46% career win rate make her one of the most dominant single-race figures on today's entire card.

win9More Than GraceML 8/5

More Than Grace (No. 9) is the standout horse of the day by a wide margin — her 89.12 TrackWiz rating leads the full card, and a 46% career win rate is simply exceptional for any horse at any level. Trainer Michael V. Pino puts Mychel J. Sanchez aboard, one of the best jockey-trainer partnerships at Parx, and an avg speed figure of 55 confirms she can produce her best figures in a six-furlong sprint. At 8/5, the price is short, but the profile says she earns it — this is the type of horse you build your ticket around.

place8Divine IntentionsML 8/1

Divine Intentions (No. 8) shows a 77.84 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field by a solid margin — and a 37% career win rate that confirms this is a consistent, winning-caliber horse. Trainer J. Tyler Servis has Frankie Pennington up, and at 8/1, this is a legitimate value play for exacta coverage behind the heavy favorite. If More Than Grace encounters any trouble leaving the gate, Divine Intentions is the most likely beneficiary.

show6Missy SixtysixML 8/1

Missy Sixtysix (No. 6) checks in third in the ratings at 70.40 and carries a 55 avg speed figure that matches the top horses in the field on raw quickness. Trainer Michael M. Moore also runs Mary Q here, giving the barn a dual presence in the race. At 8/1, Missy Sixtysix is a smart show play or trifecta piece in a race where identifying the two horses behind the clear favorite is the real puzzle.

Race 9

8:16 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A deep twelve-horse claiming sprint to close out the card — Iracebeth, Craving Carbs, and Briscoe County are separated by less than two rating points, setting up a wide-open trifecta race.

win4IracebethML 6/1

Iracebeth (No. 4) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 82.71 and stands out with the field's best avg speed figure at 55 — a meaningful edge in a six-furlong dirt sprint where early position and raw speed matter most. Trainer Elisha Perez sends out Julio A. Hernandez, and while the 8% career win rate is modest, the speed figure suggests Iracebeth has been running well without always getting the win. The 6/1 morning line represents genuine value for a top-rated horse in a deep field — this is a prime price play to close the card.

place3Craving CarbsML 4/1

Craving Carbs (No. 3) sits just behind the top pick at 81.21 on the TrackWiz scale and brings a 20% career win rate into the race — a horse that converts at a higher clip than Iracebeth. Trainer Michael V. Pino gets Mychel J. Sanchez back in the irons after the pair likely fires with More Than Grace in Race 8, and a 4/1 morning line is fair for a horse with both the ratings and the win percentage to contend.

show5Briscoe CountyML 5/1

Briscoe County (No. 5) rounds out a nearly identical trio at 81.08 on the TrackWiz scale, separated by less than two full points from our top pick. Trainer Kathleen A. Demasi puts Bryan L. Torres up, and a 20% career win rate mirrors Craving Carbs — these two are essentially interchangeable on the numbers. At 5/1, Briscoe County is the ideal show-position hedge and trifecta anchor to round out a closing-race ticket.

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Bottom line: Parx serves up a workmanlike nine-race dirt card today with real handicapping meat on the bone. Lex, Chuck's Law, and Maddie's Garden give you three solid free plays to start the afternoon, while More Than Grace looks like the day's marquee selection with the top TrackWiz rating on the card. Unlock the full analysis at TrackWiz Premium for pace projections, exotic ticket structures, and every pick from Race 4 through Race 9. Good luck at the windows.

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