Thistledown Picks & Predictions — June 1, 2026

Dream On Baby posts the same 55 average speed figure as Excitement but rates a step below at 75.04 — still a strong number and good enough to earn a place ticket. The 9/5 morning line suggests the betting public may actually make this one the favorite by post time, so the place pool could be thin. Either way, trainer Ricardo Gonzalez has this horse primed, and Anthony Rodriguez knows how to get one placed from the inside post.

Ruffin brings a 61.68 rating and a career win percentage of 33%, which is legitimately eye-catching — this horse has a strong history of closing out races. A 54 average speed figure is workable at this level, and the 3/1 morning line gives you some meat on the bone for trifecta construction. David J. Haldar gets the call for trainer Justin Radosevich, and if the top two set a pace duel, Ruffin could be first horse home from off the pace.

Marmara rates second in the field at 74.82 and represents a significant step back from the top, but at 7/2 on the morning line, there's value in using this one to fill out exactas. Trainer Manuel Vlaun sends Chelsey Keiser up, and with a 9% career win rate, this horse needs everything to go right — but the rating says she belongs in the conversation. If Tiz Mia gets shuffled back or faces any trouble, Marmara is the most likely beneficiary.

Neblina checks in at 64.55 and gives trainer Nestor R. Rivera a two-pronged barn presence that could influence how this race unfolds. The 5/1 morning line is attractive for show purposes, and a 53 average speed figure is competitive in this sprint distance. With Jason Simpson in the saddle, Neblina rates as a solid exotic fill, particularly in trifectas where the top two feel somewhat predictable.

Saqeel rates second at 80.77 and is the 9/5 morning line choice, so the public is clearly on this horse — but our numbers say Gamboling Ghost has the edge. Still, a 14% career win rate at 9/5 isn't value to win, but Saqeel is a very logical place play if you're fading the top in the win slot. Luis Negron picks up the mount for trainer Juan Pablo Silva, who also has Remerton in here, giving the barn solid two-way coverage.

Making Me Crazy is an interesting inclusion at 9/2 on the morning line with an average speed figure of 54 — the best raw number in this field. A 53.33 TrackWiz rating puts this horse well below the top two, but that speed figure suggests there's a pace scenario where this one can sprint clear and hold on for a piece. Jefferson Skerrett rides for trainer Joseph P. Mahan, and if the pace scenario sets up favorably, Making Me Crazy has the raw ability to outrun the odds.

Wildcat Express has an average speed figure of 55 — the highest raw number in this race — and a 29% career win rate that speaks to consistent competitiveness. The 2/1 morning line makes this horse the public's top choice, and Jose A. Bracho is an aggressive rider who should get this one into the race early. If the pace tempo favors speed, Wildcat Express could wire the field, making this a legitimate exacta reversal threat.

Scrimper is the 9/5 morning line favorite, which means the public is overestimating this horse relative to our 58.83 TrackWiz rating — that's a signal to use cautiously in exotics rather than lean on heavily. That said, a 30% career win rate is solid, and a 54 average speed figure gives Scrimper some teeth in the sprint. Victor R. Fernandez rides for Richard Zielinski, and at minimum this horse should hold a share.

Country Promises rates 73.95 and carries a 33% career win percentage for trainer Robert M. Gorham, making this horse a legitimate pace presence or stalker at 5/2. Erik Barbaran takes the assignment, and in a six-furlong sprint, getting away cleanly from post 6 in a six-horse field is actually a clean draw. The rating gap between Country Promises and Jemel is real, but second money at 5/2 is a solid return on an exotic investment.

Compute This rates 70.61 — third best in the field — and brings a 54 average speed figure that matches the top speed horses in the race. Mauro Cedillo rides for David Wolochuk, and while a 13% career win rate is a concern, the raw speed numbers suggest this horse is capable of hanging around for a share at 9/2. In trifectas, Compute This serves as a live third wheel between the two standouts above.

Authoritarian Girl is the eye-catching number in this field — a 61% career win percentage is extraordinary and demands attention regardless of the rating. The 79.60 TrackWiz score puts this horse second overall, and at 5/2 on the morning line, the public has clearly done their homework here too. Luis Antonio Gonzalez rides for trainer Marco Ibarra, and a horse that wins 61% of the time has a way of finding the wire in the money.

Coloryoureggs rates 74.79 with a 30% career win percentage and draws a clean post 7 in an eight-horse field — that outside post in a six-furlong sprint can actually be a plus if the field bunches inside. Victor R. Fernandez gets the mount for trainer Robert C. Cline, and at 4/1 on the morning line, there's genuine trifecta value here. A 53 average speed figure is competitive, and the career win rate says this horse runs hard consistently.