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Thistledown Picks & Predictions — August 31, 2026
Here's our expert breakdown of today's 8-race card at Thistledown. We've identified 3 standout races with strong plays — see our analysis below. Full card picks for all 8 races are available to TrackWiz subscribers.
Best Bets
Race 1
Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt
Blake James towers over this field on our ratings — significant gap back to the rest of the shortlist.
Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 82.2 for Race 1. Ridden by Alexander Chavez, trained by Shane Meyers. For past year, Jockey has a 22% win rate and finished in the money in 61% of races. 2 wins and placed in 7 of 12 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in the last 4 races. Has placed in 4 of the last 5 races. Has 2 wins and placed in 5 of 7 races at 6 fur. 1 wins and placed in 5 of 7 races at Thistledown. More than 1 win on today's surface/distance. Horse won last time it raced. 08/12/2026. Horse won last time raced at today's surface/distance.
Rating board at 81.5. Ridden by Luis Antonio Gonzalez. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 12.19 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 26% win rate and finished in the money in 67% of races.
Rating board at 79.8. Ridden by Ricardo Feliciano. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.23 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 18% win rate and finished in the money in 55% of races.
Race 2
Maiden Special Weight · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt
Bet-down spot for Ati Mint — the rating gap is wide enough that we treat this as a key single.
Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 85.6 for Race 2. Ridden by Rocco Bowen, trained by Timothy E. Hamm. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 12.70 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 23% win rate and finished in the money in 62% of races. For past year, Jockey & Trainer Combo has a 24% win rate and finished in the money in 67% of races. Placed in 2 of 3 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in 2 of the last 3 races. Has placed in 2 of 3 at Sprint races. Ranked 3rd in workouts over last month at 12.08 sec/furlong. Horse appears in today's Top 50 Horses List.
Rating board at 58.3. Ridden by Luis Alberto Batista. For past year, Jockey has a 17% win rate and finished in the money in 51% of races. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 12.00 sec/furlong.
Rating board at 55.8. Ridden by Victor R. Fernandez. Ranked 1st for recent race speed at 12.49 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 20% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races.
Race 3
Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt
Standout on paper: Harbour Bridge grades multiple points clear of the rest of the field.
Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 84.2 for Race 3. Ridden by Luis Alberto Batista, trained by Craig Sweeting. Ranked 1st for recent race speed at 12.76 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 17% win rate and finished in the money in 51% of races. 3 wins and placed in 23 of 34 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in 4 of the last 6 races. Has 1 wins and placed in 6 of 8 races at 1 mi. 1 wins and placed in 5 of 7 races at Thistledown.
Rating board at 64.8. Ridden by Jason Simpson. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.84 sec/furlong. 4 wins and placed in 12 of 22 races on Dirt tracks.
Rating board at 63.0. Ridden by Jose A. Bracho. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 12.84 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 23% win rate and finished in the money in 62% of races.
Our top picks for today focus on races with clear edges in speed figures, trainer form, and track bias. These are the spots where we see the most value on the board.
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