Daily Picks

Sam Houston Picks & Predictions — May 28, 2026

Thursday, May 28, 20269 racesSam Houston

It's a clear Thursday afternoon at Sam Houston Race Park — 88 degrees, sunny skies, and a fast dirt surface that should favor horses with early zip. Perfect conditions for quick-turnover quarter horse racing, and that's exactly what we've got today: nine maiden races ranging from a lightning-fast 250 yards all the way out to 440 yards.

This is a full quarter horse card, so we're talking races measured in fractions of seconds. Reaction time at the gate, early burst, and lane position matter enormously at these distances — there's almost no room to make up ground once a horse gets out clean. Our analysis factors all of that in.

Three races are free for every TrackWiz reader, with our top picks in Races 1, 2, and 3 already loaded up. The remaining six races are unlocked for subscribers, and this card has some genuine betting interest — particularly in Races 8 and 9, where our ratings are pointing toward some sharp value.

Best Bets

Race 1

11:30 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 300 yd · Dirt

A wide-open 300-yard maiden claimer with ten first-time starters and no prior speed figures to lean on — TrackWiz ratings become the primary separator in a race where the morning line favorite carries meaningful separation at the top.

win6Runaway GalileaML 3/1

Runaway Galilea draws the morning-line favoritism at 3/1 and tops our TrackWiz ratings at 56.67 in a field where that margin actually matters. Luis L. Vivanco gets the call, and in a sprint this short — just 300 yards — getting out of the gate clean with a capable rider is half the battle. Trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III sends this one out ready to compete, and the rating edge over the rest of the field suggests this is the most complete profile in the bunch.

place2Mr Corona IvoryML 9/2

Mr Corona Ivory sits second in our TrackWiz ratings at 54.17 and draws a fair post with Oliver E. Martinez up. At 9/2 on the morning line, there's some value here if Runaway Galilea stumbles — in a 300-yard dash, a single bad step separates the field fast, and Ivory's profile gives her every reason to be in the mix at the wire.

show4In Eagles ArmsML 5/1

In Eagles Arms checks in at 53.33 on the TrackWiz scale — close enough to the top of this field to make him a legitimate show contender at 5/1. Gilberto Linares has the experience to get a maiden settled quickly at these short distances, and in a 10-horse field with this much uncertainty, boxing the top three rated horses in exactas and trifectas looks like the play.

Race 2

11:56 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

Sarayu looks like a class standout in this 330-yard maiden claimer, carrying a TrackWiz rating nearly 19 points clear of the second-ranked horse — but Hypnotik at 3/1 gives the ticket builders a realistic second option worth structuring around.

win4SarayuML 2/1

Sarayu is the horse that jumps off the page here — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating in a field where no one else cracks 70 is a significant edge. Noe Villatoro gets the mount, and trainer Dagoberto Sanchez has put this one in a race where the talent gap should show up in a hurry. The 2/1 morning line is short but fair for a horse this far ahead of the field on our metrics — this is the confident top selection of the card's early going.

place10HypnotikML 3/1

Hypnotik is the clear second-best here at a 69.95 TrackWiz rating and 3/1 on the morning line — a fair price for a horse that should comfortably separate from the rest of the pack even if Sarayu runs off. Raul Padilla Hernandez Jr. takes the mount for trainer Joseph D. Manucy, and this horse offers strong exacta backbone underneath the top pick.

show6Fmm Tellerima CoronaML 4/1

Fmm Tellerima Corona at 4/1 checks in with a 48.82 rating — a meaningful step below the top two but well clear of the rest of this field. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. is one of the more active riders at this meet, and trainer Ramiro Barajas Villarreal knows the Sam Houston circuit well. Use this one to complete your trifectas at a price that offers some return.

Race 3

12:22 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 300 yd · Dirt

The top three picks in this 300-yard sprint are separated by just 3.33 TrackWiz rating points — a legitimately tight race on paper where the 2/1 morning-line favorite has a slim but real edge over a competitive short field.

win4Ct Wednesday EagleML 2/1

Ct Wednesday Eagle tops this field with a 58.33 TrackWiz rating and draws the 2/1 chalk in what is genuinely a close race. Froylan Tellez Ramirez gets the call for trainer Brittany N. Tellez, a barn that also runs Miss Abril on the card — a sign of an active outfit comfortable at Sam Houston. At 300 yards, breaking alertly is everything, and this horse's overall profile makes it the most trustworthy single in the race.

place10Lickadee SplitML 3/1

Lickadee Split rates out at 56.67 — just 1.66 points behind the top pick — and comes in at 3/1, which actually feels like slight value given how close these two are on our model. Eduardo Luviano has the mount for trainer Marcelo Reyes Jr., and in a sprint this tight, any small advantage at the break could flip the finishing order. This is a legitimate win threat being used as the place pick.

show6Last Corona to OpenML 4/1

Last Corona to Open sits at 55.00 on the TrackWiz scale and 4/1 on the morning line — the third of three horses within 3.5 rating points of each other. Oliver E. Martinez takes the mount for trainer Ramiro Barajas Villarreal, who also saddles a horse in Race 2, showing he's well represented on this card. In a race this compressed at the top, this one is a must-use in trifecta combinations.

Our three free races today are all short-distance maiden claimers — 300 yards in Race 1, 330 yards in Race 2, and 300 yards again in Race 3. At these ultra-short distances, we lean heavily toward horses with the cleanest gate profiles and the most consistent early speed. Runaway Galilea opens at 3/1 in Race 1, a fair price for a horse our model rates as a legitimate contender in a thin field. In Race 2, Sarayu stands out with one of the highest TrackWiz ratings on the entire card (88.54) — that 2/1 morning line looks right, but don't be surprised if she firmed up by post time. Ct Wednesday Eagle draws our top spot in Race 3, another 2/1 morning line favorite in a condensed field.

One theme connecting these three free picks: the hot, dry conditions at Sam Houston today should keep the dirt surface firm and fast, which historically rewards horses with explosive out-of-the-gate speed. All three of our free top picks profile as early movers — that's not a coincidence.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

12:48 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 400 yd · Dirt

Step up to 400 yards and the field spreads out dramatically — Muddys Jack and Coke brings an 87-plus TrackWiz rating that dwarfs the competition, but a tasty 8/1 price on Cartelito Pool gives bettors a reason to build tickets around more than just the favorite.

win8Muddys Jack and CokeML 3/1

Muddys Jack and Coke is the best-rated horse in Race 4 by a wide margin — an 87.08 TrackWiz score in a field where the next-closest is Cartelito Pool at 78.28. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. gets the call, and he's been one of the busiest and most effective riders throughout this card. Trainer Arnold Lewis sends this one out as the clear top selection, and at 3/1 on the morning line, the price reflects the talent gap without being unplayable.

place7Cartelito PoolML 8/1

Cartelito Pool at 8/1 is the most intriguing ticket in this race — a 78.28 TrackWiz rating that would top most other fields on the card, and yet the morning line has it at a generous price. Luis L. Vivanco takes the mount for trainer Isidro Hinojosa, and if Muddys Jack and Coke hits any kind of trouble in the first few strides, this is the horse with the profile to capitalize. At 400 yards there's more room for the race to develop than in the shorter sprints.

show3Indian CartelML 9/2

Indian Cartel checks in at 63.18 — a solid third-best rating in this field — and Claudio Ponce Aguilar is one of the busiest riders on the card, maintaining a strong presence throughout the day's races. Trainer Ricardo Aguirre is another multiple-entry barn on the card, showing confidence in his runners. At 9/2, this is a reasonable show price for a horse firmly within striking distance of the top two.

Race 5

1:14 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 330 yd · Dirt

Spirit Bok dominates this 330-yard field on paper with a TrackWiz rating matching the card's best, but the value play at 6/1 and a solid third option in the 5/1 range give multi-race ticket builders plenty to work with underneath.

win1Spirit BokML 2/1

Spirit Bok is the most dominant single in any race on this card — an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that towers over a field where the second-best horse, Sea Me Fly, sits at 51.67. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. picks up the mount for trainer Sergio Fuentes, and the 2/1 morning line is about as tight as it gets for a horse with this kind of rating separation. In a 330-yard dash, when you have nearly 37 rating points on the field, you go in as a confident top selection.

place9Sea Me FlyML 6/1

Sea Me Fly at 6/1 is the clear second-best in this field on our TrackWiz model with a 51.67 rating, and Angel A. Fierro takes the mount for trainer Martin Rodriguez. While the gap to Spirit Bok is large, Sea Me Fly looks comfortably clear of the horses beneath it — making this a solid place play and a worthwhile exacta partner at a price that pays.

show2Mary Anns CoronaML 5/1

Mary Anns Corona at 49.17 and 5/1 on the morning line slots in as a workable third wheel — Luis L. Vivanco gets this one for trainer Winston Lewis. The rating holds up better than most of the bottom half of the field, and at 5/1 there's enough price to make the show position worthwhile in trifecta construction. Keep this one in exotics rather than straight win tickets.

Race 6

1:40 AM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 300 yd · Dirt

Jr Dreamgirl goes off as a heavy morning-line favorite at 8/5 in this 300-yard maiden claimer, but Super Freakee at 7/2 is close enough on our ratings to make this a two-horse race worth building around in exactas.

win2Jr DreamgirlML 8/5

Jr Dreamgirl leads the TrackWiz ratings here at 59.00 and is installed as the 8/5 morning-line favorite — the shortest price on any horse in Races 1 through 6. Claudio Ponce Aguilar gets the mount for trainer Ricardo Aguirre, who is one of the most active barns on this card with multiple entries throughout the day. At 300 yards, a horse with a clean profile and a capable rider in a top-tier outfit should break with purpose — this is the most confident win selection since Race 2.

place4Super FreakeeML 7/2

Super Freakee rates out at 55.83 for trainer Jose Ivan Martinez, who also runs a horse in Race 9 — another multi-entry barn showing confidence in the stable. Olvin Josue Martinez takes the mount, and at 7/2 this is a price worth pairing with Jr Dreamgirl in the exacta rather than fighting the favorite. The gap between these two and the rest of the field is real on our model.

show5Chiquito PoolML 6/1

Chiquito Pool comes in at 51.67 — tied with Cut the Line for third-best in the field, but our model gives the nod to Chiquito's overall profile in the context of this race. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. gets the ride for trainer John Boegner, and at 6/1 this is a reasonable show price to round out trifecta tickets. Use it under the top two but don't overthink the spot.

Race 7

2:06 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

A fascinating 250-yard maiden where the TrackWiz model flips the morning line — our top-rated horse is listed at 8/1 on the board, setting up a genuine value situation if the market hasn't caught up to the data.

win6Relentless PrissyML 8/1

Relentless Prissy is the TrackWiz top pick here at 58.83, but here's the value angle — the morning line has this horse at 8/1, well below where the rating suggests she should be priced. Luis L. Vivanco gets the mount for trainer Carlos Cruz Lopez, and at 250 yards every gate trip matters enormously. If Relentless Prissy breaks clean, this could be a prime overlay situation where the public is undervaluing the most complete profile in the race.

place3Cowgirl Cool 123ML 5/2

Cowgirl Cool 123 sits at 57.50 on our model — very close to the top pick — and is the 5/2 morning-line favorite, meaning the market has essentially picked the wrong horse as the chalk from our perspective. Alejandro Medina gets the mount for trainer Salvador G. Flores, and while we're playing Relentless Prissy on top, Cowgirl Cool 123 is close enough that reversing the exacta is prudent at these prices.

show9Xcessive CelebrationML 7/2

Xcessive Celebration at 55.83 and 7/2 is the third of three horses packed within three points of each other at the top of this field. Victor Manuel Urieta Jr. brings this one in for trainer Joseph D. Manucy — who also trained Hypnotik in Race 2 — showing a barn active and comfortable at this meet. In a 250-yard race where the top three are nearly interchangeable on ratings, using all three in your trifectas is the smart play.

Race 8

2:32 AM EDT

Maiden · 440 yd · Dirt

Going for Gold at 5/2 and Bicycle Johnny at 7/2 form a clear two-horse top in this 440-yard maiden — the longer distance gives us more race to analyze and our model separates these two meaningfully from the rest of the field.

win4Going for GoldML 5/2

Going for Gold tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.81 in a field where only Bicycle Johnny (75.90) comes remotely close. Noe Villatoro gets the mount for trainer Adan Guzman, and the 5/2 morning-line price is fair for a horse this far ahead of the pack. At 440 yards — the longest distance on the card today — class and stamina matter more than they do in the 250-to-300-yard sprints, and this horse's profile suggests it's built for this spot.

place5Bicycle JohnnyML 7/2

Bicycle Johnny at 75.90 and 7/2 is a strong second wheel in this race — the second-highest rating on the card today, in fact, which speaks to how loaded the top of this field actually is. Oliver E. Martinez gets the mount for trainer Ricardo D. Romero, and at 440 yards the two horses at the top of the ratings should have enough runway to separate from the field late. This is a confident exacta partner underneath Going for Gold.

show2Oh Eagle RoseML 6/1

Oh Eagle Rose at 59.79 and 6/1 is comfortably the third-best rated horse in this field, a meaningful step ahead of the horses below it. Angel A. Fierro picks up the mount for trainer Brian Stroud, who also runs Madame Monroe in Race 1 — another multi-race barn comfortable at Sam Houston. At 6/1 this is a value show spot and a necessary trifecta inclusion to maximize return on the top two.

Race 9

2:58 AM EDT

Maiden · 250 yd · Dirt

The final race of the night features another dominant favorite — Jess Sissy Cartel matches the card's top TrackWiz rating — but the place and show horses offer real price appeal in a 250-yard sprint that should be over in a blink.

win2Jess Sissy CartelML 2/1

Jess Sissy Cartel carries an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest mark on the entire card — and goes off at 2/1 as the deserving favorite to close the evening. Noe Villatoro gets another strong mount in the nightcap after an active evening, and trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III runs this horse in the same 250-yard format where the top horse's edge tends to show immediately. This is the card's final confident single selection.

place8Shez a SmokeshowwML 7/2

Shez a Smokeshoww rates out at 55.83 and is listed at 7/2 on the morning line — a meaningful gap below the top pick, but well clear of the rest of the field. Gilberto Linares gets the call for trainer John A. Stinebaugh, who has multiple entries across the card and knows how to place a horse at Sam Houston. Use this one to anchor exactas under Jess Sissy Cartel at a price that makes the ticket worthwhile.

show1Pink JettML 9/2

Pink Jett at 54.17 and 9/2 rounds out the top three on our model and offers a reasonable show price to close out the card. Oliver E. Martinez takes the mount for trainer Victor Oviedo, and with the top two horses so clearly separated from the rest of the field, getting Pink Jett into your trifectas at 9/2 is the sensible way to structure your final-race tickets. A solid way to finish the night at Sam Houston.

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Nine races, fast dirt, and plenty of short-price favorites to beat up on — Sam Houston on May 28 is a solid Thursday card with real exotic potential. Sarayu and Jess Sissy Cartel are the two horses on this card with the highest TrackWiz ratings, and both deserve to be on your ticket. Going for Gold in Race 8 is our premium value flag of the day. Dig into the free picks now, and if you want the full card breakdown — pace analysis, exotic structures, and every angle — it's all available to subscribers at TrackWiz Premium. Good luck out there.

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