Daily Picks

Retama Park Picks & Predictions — July 17, 2026

Friday, July 17, 202610 racesRetama Park

It's a warm Friday afternoon at Retama Park — 87°F with cloud cover keeping things a touch more comfortable than your typical July scorcher in San Antonio. The track is running all dirt today, and with 10 races on the card spanning distances from 250 yards all the way out to 400, there's plenty of quarter-horse speed on display from first post to last.

The card leans heavy on maiden races — six of the ten — which means raw, unproven talent and exactly the kind of unpredictable outcomes that make exotic wagering both thrilling and dangerous. Sprinkled in are three allowance spots where the more seasoned runners get to show their class. Today's marquee watch is Mister Sinatra in Race 6, an allowance at 400 yards who drew a 5/2 morning line and carries one of the stronger TrackWiz ratings on the board.

Three races are open to all readers today. The rest of the card — including the full allowance analysis and multi-race wager breakdowns — is available to TrackWiz subscribers. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:45 PM EDT

Maiden · 350 yd · Dirt

A wide-open maiden sprint at 350 yards with a full field of first-timers, but one horse stands well above the pack on TrackWiz ratings — making this less of a puzzle than it first appears.

win9Flying G LitosML 5/2

Flying G Litos (9) is the standout in this maiden 350, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 that towers over the rest of the field — the next-closest is more than 14 points back. Jockey Oliver E. Martinez gets the call, and trainer Arnold Lewis sends this one out with what looks like a serious effort. In a gate-to-wire sprint like this, the horse that breaks the sharpest usually wins, and our numbers say Flying G Litos has the raw ability to do exactly that.

place10A Political RiskML 5/1

A Political Risk (10) checks in with the second-best rating in the field at 73.52 and draws a morning line of 5/1, which offers some real value if the top pick falters. Trainer Oscar Nunez sends this one over with Gilberto Linares aboard — a competent pairing for a maiden first-timer. At those odds, A Political Risk makes a logical bottom half of exacta combos.

show2TrillionML 7/2

Trillion (2) slots in at 55.83 on the TrackWiz scale and comes in at a generous 7/2 morning line — worth noting that the morning line doesn't fully reflect the rating gap here. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. is a capable hand in the irons, and trainer Gilberto Gonzalez is no stranger to this circuit. Trillion is the kind of horse you sprinkle into trifectas as a sensible third piece.

Race 2

12:15 AM EDT

Claiming · 250 yd · Dirt

This 250-yard claimer has a clear standout at the top of the ratings, but a couple of live contenders bring career win percentages that deserve your attention in the exotics.

win7Run Nellie RunML 2/1

Run Nellie Run (7) is the dominant figure here with a TrackWiz rating of 88.54 — the highest in the field by a significant margin — and comes in as the 2/1 morning line favorite. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. takes the mount for trainer Martin Rodriguez, a pairing that knows how to win at this level. A 23% career win rate in a sprint this short suggests this horse competes consistently, and the class of the field isn't deep enough to slow her down.

place3Tempting for CashML 4/1

Tempting for Cash (3) rates second-best in the field at 56.92 and shows a morning line of 4/1, making her a logical place contender for trainer Joe Chapa and jockey Ruben Delarosa, Jr. Her 16% career win rate is modest, but in a claiming sprint, she doesn't need to win outright — she just needs to fire a clean race. She's a natural fit underneath Run Nellie Run in your exacta.

show2Jlc Seven Or ElevenML 5/1

Jlc Seven Or Eleven (2) brings the third-best rating at 55.06 and carries an impressive 30% career win rate — the highest in the field — despite a 5/1 morning line that somewhat undersells that record. Trainer Jorge Rivas Correa has the horse ready with Eduardo Luviano in the saddle. That career win percentage is a real data point in a gate-to-wire format where pure talent often decides the order.

Race 3

12:42 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

A maiden 250-yard dash featuring a tight cluster of three evenly-matched horses at the top of the ratings, with the rest of the field trailing well behind — positioning this as a logical tri-key race.

win5Jv Talkin CowgirlML 5/2

Jv Talkin Cowgirl (5) tops our ratings at 57.50 and comes out of the 5-hole with Aniceto Gomez up for trainer Carlos Turrubiartes. She carries the second-lowest morning line in the top tier at 5/2, reflecting the market's respect for her credentials. In a maiden sprint of just 250 yards, the smallest edge in athleticism often wins it, and our numbers give Jv Talkin Cowgirl that edge.

place7Chantelle LaceML 3/1

Chantelle Lace (7) is right on Jv Talkin Cowgirl's heels with a 56.67 rating and heads to the gate at 3/1. J.R. Ramirez, Jr. is a reliable rider in these tight sprints, and trainer John Boegner has a knack for preparing first-timers. The slim margin separating the top two horses here means Chantelle Lace is very much capable of reversing the order.

show2Pucker Up DarlinML 4/1

Pucker Up Darlin (2) rates third in the field at 55.00 and shows a 4/1 morning line with Luis L. Vivanco in the irons for trainer Ben Olaveson. The top three horses in this race are separated by just 2.5 rating points — a razor-thin gap — which means including Pucker Up Darlin in your trifectas is sound construction. Don't leave her off the ticket.

Our three free plays today are spread across the early races, and there's a clear thread running through them: early speed is king at this distance. In sprint racing at 250 and 350 yards, there's virtually no time to make up ground — you either break clean and hold, or you're chasing air. With that in mind, Flying G Litos (Race 1, 5/2 ML, rated 87.81) and Run Nellie Run (Race 2, 2/1 ML, rated 88.54) both profile as horses who figure to be on or near the lead at the first jump. Run Nellie Run carries the higher TrackWiz rating of the two and is our most confident free play of the afternoon.

Jv Talkin Cowgirl in Race 3 is a different story — her 57.5 rating is the lowest top-pick number on the card, which tells you this maiden field is genuinely wide open. She's our top selection, but treat this one as a race to spread in exotics rather than a single-minded win bet. Value may be lurking at longer prices in that field.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

1:19 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

A maiden field at 250 yards that has a clear top choice but also hides a legitimate longshot angle in the double-digit morning line entries — this one's worth building wide in exotics.

win5Political MonkeyML 3/1

Political Monkey (5) is the TrackWiz top selection here with a 72.49 rating, comfortably ahead of the pack, and comes in at a fair 3/1 morning line. Claudio Ponce Aguilar handles the riding duties for trainer Shae L. Cox, and this horse profiles as the class of this particular field. For a 250-yard sprint, gate sharpness is everything, and Political Monkey's numbers suggest the ability to break clean and hold on.

place10Ja Makin Me BoltML 10/1

Ja Makin Me Bolt (10) is the most intriguing secondary piece in this race — a 63.44 rating at 10/1 on the morning line represents genuine overlay potential. Trainer Francisco Perez, Jr. sends this one out with Alfredo Garza up, and the outside post in a sprint this short is less of a disadvantage than it looks. At double-digit odds, Ja Makin Me Bolt gives your exacta real juice.

show8Valiant VindicatorML 5/2

Valiant Vindicator (8) checks in at 57.50 on the ratings and carries a 5/2 morning line — a horse the market seems to like slightly more than our model does, which is worth noting. Trainer Oscar Birdow deploys Edgar U. Mata in the saddle, a capable combination. Valiant Vindicator's rating still ranks third in the field, making her a reasonable trifecta anchor in the third slot.

Race 5

1:46 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

One horse dominates the TrackWiz ratings in this maiden 250, but the morning line tells a slightly different story — creating an interesting tension between market odds and model confidence.

win4Karlees Kool WagonML 2/1

Karlees Kool Wagon (4) is our top-rated horse in Race 5 by a wide margin, posting an 88.54 rating — the highest single score on the entire card through this point. The morning line reflects the crowd's confidence too, installing her as the 2/1 favorite with Ruben Delarosa, Jr. aboard for trainer Janessa Lee Muniz. In a 250-yard gate-and-go, a horse this far ahead in the ratings is the kind of selection you lean on hard.

place5Cold Hearted CowgirlML 9/2

Cold Hearted Cowgirl (5) is clearly the second-best horse in this field with a 69.78 rating and offers some value at 9/2 on the morning line. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. is one of the stronger riders on this circuit, and trainer Brian Stroud puts a well-prepared horse in the gate. If Karlees Kool Wagon stumbles out of the gate — unlikely but always possible in a 250 — Cold Hearted Cowgirl is the most likely beneficiary.

show3Shesa Dynasty CartelML 5/2

Shesa Dynasty Cartel (3) rates third at 57.50 with a 5/2 morning line that makes her the public's second choice — an interesting divergence from the model, which places her a full 12 points behind Cold Hearted Cowgirl. J.R. Ramirez, Jr. is a professional in these sprint spots, and trainer Paul Leal keeps her competitive. She's a solid trifecta piece but may be overbet relative to her actual standing in the field.

Race 6

2:23 AM EDT

Allowance · 400 yd · Dirt

The allowance ranks bring out a competitive 400-yard field with two horses bunched near the top of the ratings — this shapes up as a genuine match race with some interesting value hiding in the bottom of the card.

win7Mister SinatraML 5/2

Mister Sinatra (7) leads all horses in TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 and goes to the gate at a fair 5/2 morning line with Gilberto Linares in the irons for trainer Zackary Stinebaugh. His 33% career win rate is a strong number in an allowance field, and the step up to 400 yards should suit a horse that profiles as powerful out of the gate. At 5/2, this is right around fair value — not a huge overlay, but a confident selection.

place1BetrueagleML 5/1

Betrueagle (1) is the second-rated horse in the field at 83.50 and shows a 33% career win rate that mirrors the top pick — but comes in at a more attractive 5/1 morning line. Trainer Brittany N. Tellez has Claudio Ponce Aguilar up, and this is a horse that knows how to compete at this class level. The nearly 4-point gap between Betrueagle and the third-rated horse in the field suggests a clear top two, making this an excellent exacta key.

show8No Se PrimoML 8/1

No Se Primo (8) comes in as a value play at 8/1 on the morning line with a 55.97 rating and a 16% career win rate. Diego Contreras handles the mount for trainer Cleto Martinez, Jr., and No Se Primo's odds represent the kind of price that pays well in trifectas if the top two run their race. Don't expect an upset, but at that price, tossing this one into your tri underneath the top pair is smart bankroll management.

Race 7

2:50 AM EDT

Allowance · 400 yd · Dirt

The second allowance of the night at 400 yards features a top-rated horse at a price that offers some value, while a handful of horses with legitimate win percentages make the exotics tricky — pace scenario at this distance could shuffle the order.

win1Going for GoldML 7/2

Going for Gold (1) tops the TrackWiz ratings at 86.35 and is listed at 7/2 on the morning line — a price that represents solid value for the top-rated horse. Noe Villatoro gets the mount for trainer Adan Guzman, and this horse's position at the rail gives it a clean path in the early going at 400 yards. The 11% career win rate is modest but shouldn't overshadow a rating that outclasses the field.

place5Jess Good as GoldML 5/2

Jess Good as Gold (5) rates second in the field at 68.69 and carries a 5/2 morning line — actually the second choice in the wagering, which tracks with the model. Raul Padilla Hernandez, Jr. rides for trainer Marc E. Jungers, and the 14% career win rate shows this horse is competitive enough to factor. At a distance of 400 yards, horses that can sustain speed a bit longer come into play, and Jess Good as Gold fits that profile.

show4Jr DesirioML 6/1

Jr Desirio (4) offers a legitimate angle at 6/1 with a 33% career win rate — the best in this field — despite rating third at 50.14. Trainer Alex Hernandez sends this one out with Eliazar T. Vera up, and that win percentage is a number worth respecting in an allowance spot. The combination of a double-digit career win rate and a 6/1 morning line makes Jr Desirio a genuine value play in the show slot and in the trifecta.

Race 8

3:27 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

A maiden 250-yard field dominated at the top by a single horse whose rating creates a significant gap — but a competitive cluster of horses battles for the secondary spots, making the exotics interesting.

win3Madame SecretariML 4/1

Madame Secretari (3) is the clear standout in Race 8, posting an 85.62 TrackWiz rating that's more than 27 points clear of the next horse. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. — one of the busiest and most effective riders on this card — takes the mount for trainer Gilberto Gonzalez. Despite a 4/1 morning line that suggests the market isn't fully locked in, our analysis strongly supports making this the anchor of your tickets tonight.

place9Goldmine CreekML 5/2

Goldmine Creek (9) rates second in the field at 57.50 and carries the second-lowest morning line at 5/2, indicating the betting public agrees with the model's ordering. Trainer John A. Stinebaugh puts Gilberto Linares in the irons — a jockey who is active throughout tonight's card and clearly comfortable with these short sprints. Goldmine Creek is a natural exacta partner with Madame Secretari.

show8Pocket Fulla MoneyML 9/2

Pocket Fulla Money (8) checks in at 54.17 on the ratings and draws 9/2 on the morning line with J.R. Ramirez, Jr. up for trainer John Boegner. Boegner also saddles Goldmine Creek in this race, which tells you the barn has multiple live horses here. Pocket Fulla Money is separated from Goldmine Creek by just 3.33 rating points and is the logical third piece in trifecta construction.

Race 9

3:54 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

Another maiden sprint that has a clear leader on the ratings sheet, but the second and third choices offer interesting prices that make this more than a single-horse race for the exotics crowd.

win2Raptor StoneML 5/2

Raptor Stone (2) posts the highest rating in Race 9 at 87.81 — tied with Flying G Litos from Race 1 for one of the biggest margins of superiority on tonight's card. Rosendo E. Pina Garcia takes the mount for trainer Wendy Alejandra Garcia, a barn that also runs Buggies Pride earlier tonight and clearly has horses ready to fire. The 5/2 morning line feels like fair market pricing — back this one confidently.

place8Crown Royal KnockoutML 5/1

Crown Royal Knockout (8) rates second at 74.50 and draws a 5/1 morning line with Luis L. Vivanco up for trainer Paul Leal. There's a 13-point gap between Raptor Stone and Crown Royal Knockout on the ratings, but a 13-point gap at 5/1 is actually worth fading slightly — in a 250-yard sprint, anything can happen out of the gate, and Crown Royal Knockout is the most logical horse to step up if the favorite stumbles.

show5Cyber IntelligenceML 3/1

Cyber Intelligence (5) rates third at 68.97 and goes off at 3/1 — making this horse the market's second choice despite rating third in our model. Jose R. Herbert rides for trainer Gilberto Gonzalez, a barn that has runners throughout this card. The gap between Cyber Intelligence at 68.97 and Crown Royal Knockout at 74.50 is meaningful, but 3/1 is a price that demands respect and makes this a necessary trifecta inclusion.

Race 10

4:21 AM EDT

Allowance · 350 yd · Dirt

The finale is a competitive allowance at 350 yards where four horses are bunched tightly in the ratings — this shapes up as a wide-open closer with real value spread across the top of the ticket, including a show pick at a juicy double-digit morning line.

win2Jess DriveML 4/1

Jess Drive (2) leads the TrackWiz ratings in Race 10 at 78.44 and comes in at 4/1 on the morning line — a comfortable price for the top-rated horse in a competitive field. A 28% career win rate is genuinely strong in allowance company, and trainer Victor G. Fierro sends this one out with Claudio Ponce Aguilar, who has been active and effective all card long. At 350 yards, sustained speed matters more than pure gate reaction, and Jess Drive's numbers suggest she can do both.

place3Uncle ShortyML 3/1

Uncle Shorty (3) is the morning line favorite at 3/1 and rates just 1.89 points behind Jess Drive at 76.55 — this is as close as a one-two on the ratings sheet gets. Trainer Angel Sanchez also saddles Corona Marys in this race, giving the barn two shots, and Oliver E. Martinez rides for a competitive outfit that clearly has horses ready tonight. Uncle Shorty at 3/1 is the horse that keeps the exacta honest — don't let the win pick talk you out of including this one.

show1Corona MarysML 12/1

Corona Marys (1) is the most intriguing price on the board in Race 10, carrying a 12/1 morning line despite a 73.96 TrackWiz rating — the third-highest in the field. A 16% career win rate in allowance company is respectable, and trainer Angel Sanchez runs the 1 and the 3 in this race, showing stable confidence across multiple entries. At 12/1, if Corona Marys finds any daylight at the top of the stretch, the return in the show pool — and especially in trifectas — is worth every penny of the bet.

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Today's best free plays are Run Nellie Run in Race 2 and Flying G Litos in Race 1 — both carry strong TrackWiz ratings and pace profiles that suit these ultra-short sprints. For the full card including Mister Sinatra, Going for Gold, and our multi-race ticket recommendations, subscribers have everything they need waiting inside. Good luck out there — and as always, bet smart.

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