Daily Picks

Woodbine Picks & Predictions — May 23, 2026

Saturday, May 23, 202611 racesWoodbine

It's a grey, drizzly Saturday at Woodbine — 52°F and raining — and that changes the conversation before the first horse even leaves the gate. All 11 races are carded on dirt, which means every single one of them could be influenced by a track that's likely to come up sloppy or at least muddy. Bias-hunters and wet-track specialists, this one's for you.

Eleven races spread across claiming, maiden, allowance, and starter optional claiming conditions give us plenty of angles to work. The card leans sprint-heavy early before stretching out to routes mid-card, and TrackWiz analysis has found several spots where the morning line looks beatable — including a couple of double-digit prices worth a serious look.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:20 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A wide-open 7-furlong claiming opener where TrackWiz ratings separate one clear standout from a tight mid-pack cluster — but a 20-1 longshot with a 20% career win rate adds a spicy wrinkle.

win3Tutti ContentiML 3/1

Tutti Contenti draws our top rating by a meaningful margin at 81.15 — nearly 16 points clear of the next-best horse in the field. Trainer Robert P. Tiller sends her out at a 3/1 morning line, suggesting the connections see a live shot here, and Sofia Vives is a reliable pilot at Woodbine. A 13% career win rate in a claiming field like this is respectable, and the average speed figure of 54 is on par with the cluster at the top of the pack.

place7Proud RoninML 4/1

Proud Ronin sits second in the TrackWiz ratings at 65.62 and draws a fair 4/1 morning line from the connections. Jose Luis Campos handles the mount, and while a 7% career win rate isn't flashy, claiming routes at 7 furlongs can play right into the profile of a horse that finds a groove mid-pack and grinds late.

show4Little Red DomiML 20/1

Little Red Domi is the eye-catcher here at 20/1 on the morning line, and trainer Beverley Chubb sends her out with a 20% career win percentage — the highest in this field. She tops our ratings among the mid-tier group at 62.29 and matches the field average for speed. At those odds in a claiming race, she's a live exotic inclusion.

Race 2

5:50 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A maiden optional claiming sprint that features two horses with a significant ratings edge over the rest — this looks like a two-horse race at the top, with a value play lurking just outside.

win4Audi's WorldML 3/1

Audi's World tops the TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 in a maiden field where no horse has yet won, and trainer Donald C. MacRae sends her out as the 3/1 morning line choice. Fraser Aebly, a steady hand at Woodbine, is in the irons. Her average speed figure of 54 ties the field leaders and her overall profile jumps off the page in a race where the next-best rating is nearly 6 points back.

place2SpikephilML 4/1

Spikephil rates a close second at 80.86 and draws 4/1 on the morning line — a solid price for a horse who nearly matches our top pick in the ratings. Trainer Krista Cole has Slade Jones aboard, and this horse's combination of a competitive speed figure and strong rating makes her the most logical exacta partner with the top choice.

show9Draw BootML 5/2

Draw Boot comes in at 5/2 as the morning line co-favorite and checks in third in our ratings at 57.5 — a noticeable step down from the top two but still well clear of the rest of the field. Trainer David Cotey has Skye Chernetz up, and the average speed figure of 54 keeps this one in the mix for show tickets and trifecta coverage.

Race 3

6:22 PM EDT

Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Red Weaver looks like a class standout in this optional claimer, but Wild Card and Yoshii make the pace scenario interesting enough to keep the race from being a foregone conclusion.

win6Red WeaverML 2/1

Red Weaver is our top-rated horse in Race 3 at 88.54 — well clear of the field — and checks in as the 2/1 morning line favorite. Trainer Robert P. Tiller has this one firing, and Daisuke Fukumoto is a capable rider at this oval. The average speed figure of 55 is the highest in the race, and a 10% career win rate in optional claiming company is workmanlike — the real story is the ratings gap between Red Weaver and everyone else.

place4Wild CardML 5/1

Wild Card rates second-best in the field at 76.67 and offers a bit of value at 5/1 on the morning line. Trainer Julia Carey hands the reins to Pietro Moran, and this horse's average speed figure of 54 keeps pace with most of the field. At 5/1 with a solid rating, Wild Card is the most logical place horse in the race and a key part of any exotic ticket.

show1YoshiiML 3/1

Yoshii draws the rail in program number 1 and rates 56.67 — third-best in our model. Trainer Dale A. Desruisseaux sends out Fraser Aebly, and the 3/1 morning line suggests the market respects this one more than its deeper supporting role might imply. The average speed figure of 54 is right in the pack, and rail positions at 6.5 furlongs can be advantageous when the pace sets up favorably.

Our first three free-preview races set the tone nicely for the day. Red Weaver opens as the 2/1 morning-line choice in Race 3 and carries our highest rating of the free portion at 88.54 — that kind of number commands respect, especially in an optional claiming sprint where the field can be thin on proven firepower. Tutti Contenti (Race 1) and Audi's World (Race 2) round out the free card, both going 7 furlongs on a surface that could be playing to closers as the rain softens the kick-back.

One thread connecting all three free races: keep an eye on pace scenario. On a wet, tiring dirt track, horses that can settle off the early pace and find their best footing in the stretch often outrun their odds. That angle alone is worth factoring into your win bets and exacta keys today.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:53 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A full field of ten goes 1 1/16 miles in this starter optional claimer — TrackWiz sees a contested pace scenario with two closely rated horses near the top and a morning-line favorite who doesn't match up in our model.

win6Awe InspiredML 8/1

Awe Inspired is our top-rated horse at 79.79 and comes in at 8/1 on the morning line — that's a juicy gap between our model's opinion and the oddsmaker's. Trainer John A. Ross sends Leo Salles out on a horse with an 18% career win rate, which is solid in this company. The average speed figure of 53 is middle-of-the-pack, but the ratings edge here is meaningful enough to make this our value play of the race.

place10Sunrise DriveML 5/1

Sunrise Drive rates 78.92 — nearly identical to our top pick — and draws Pietro Moran with a 5/1 morning line. Trainer Darren C. Glennon has an 18% career win rate horse to work with, and the consistent 52 average speed figure across the board in this field suggests the race will be decided by positioning and pace management as much as raw ability. Sunrise Drive profiles as a closer who could sweep through late.

show2I Lucked OutML 5/2

I Lucked Out is the morning-line co-favorite at 5/2 and carries a strong 30% career win percentage — the kind of win rate that commands respect at any level. Trainer Michael Wright, Jr. hands the mount to Rafael Manuel Hernandez, a jockey who knows how to get horses into position around two turns. At 72.42 in our ratings, this horse is a legitimate contender for the show spot and a must-include in exactas and trifectas.

Race 5

7:23 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A maiden special weight route that splits neatly at the top — Lake Louise and Just in Touch are virtually tied in our model and separated by a razor-thin margin, making this the race of the day for maiden watchers.

win4Lake LouiseML 2/1

Lake Louise tops our ratings at 86.48 and draws the 2/1 morning-line favoritism to match. Trainer Mark E. Casse is one of the premier conditioners at Woodbine, and Emma-Jayne Wilson — one of the track's most accomplished jockeys — has the call. The average speed figure of 55 leads the field, and in a maiden special weight at 1 1/16 miles, that early-race quality often tells at the wire.

place3Just in TouchML 7/2

Just in Touch rates 86.35 — essentially a dead heat with our top pick in the model — and comes in at 7/2 on the morning line. Trainer Rachel Halden teams with Pietro Moran here, and this horse's average speed figure of 53 is a touch below Lake Louise but still competitive. The near-identical rating makes Just in Touch the automatic place horse and a live win threat — don't overlook the exacta both ways.

show1Afleet FlatterML 5/2

Afleet Flatter draws the rail with Keveh Nicholls up and rates third in the field at 77.18 — a healthy gap behind the top two but well clear of the rest. Trainer Kevin Attard sends this one out at 5/2 on the morning line, which reflects genuine connections confidence. The average speed figure of 53 keeps pace, and at 5/2 this is a logical trifecta anchor even if the top two run 1-2.

Race 6

7:53 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 7 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden special weight sprint where the morning-line favorite at even money doesn't sit atop our ratings — Heart Tap is our top-rated horse at 10/1, setting up a potential value score in the first premium race of the card.

win3Heart TapML 10/1

Heart Tap is our top-rated horse in Race 6 at 67.88 — nearly 8 points clear of Belle despite going off at 10/1 on the morning line compared to Belle's even-money price. Trainer Steven Chircop sends Da-Sean Zavier Gaskin up, and in a maiden field where no horse has won before, ratings separation matters more than morning-line pricing. An average speed figure of 52 is competitive in this group, and the value angle here is hard to ignore.

place8BelleML EVN

Belle draws the most money in the race at even money and rates 60.0 in our model — second-best in the field. Trainer Kevin Attard is one of Woodbine's top conditioners, and Pietro Moran is a sharp pilot for a first-time or lightly raced horse navigating 7 furlongs. The average speed figure of 55 is the highest in the race, and that raw speed could translate to a stalking or pressing trip that sets up the place at minimum.

show5Charmingly EvasiveML 3/1

Charmingly Evasive comes in at 3/1 on the morning line and rates 56.67 — third-best in our model. Trainer Mark E. Casse, who is well-represented on this card, gives this one to Rafael Manuel Hernandez, suggesting real intent. An average speed figure of 54 and a sharp barn backing make Charmingly Evasive a sensible show bet and trifecta piece in an otherwise murky maiden field.

Race 7

8:23 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Whiskey N Soda stands out with a dominant TrackWiz rating in this allowance optional claimer, but Saugeen and Magical Factor both carry 50% career win rates — this field has accomplished horses and the pace could get heated.

win2Whiskey N SodaML 5/2

Whiskey N Soda leads our ratings by a wide margin at 87.81 and comes in at 5/2 on the morning line. Trainer Devon Gittens hands the mount to Eswan Flores, and the 41% career win rate on this horse is the kind of number that jumps off the page — nearly half its career starts have ended in victory. The average speed figure of 53 is solid for the class level, and the combination of high rating and elite win percentage makes Whiskey N Soda our most confident top selection of the day.

place5Sherif AliML 12/1

Sherif Ali is a significant value play at 12/1 on the morning line, rating 60.79 in our model — third-best in the field. Trainer John A. Coryat has Jeffrey Ian Alderson up, and a 22% career win rate in allowance company is nothing to dismiss. At those odds in an 1 1/16-mile race where a pace battle could develop, a closer with solid credentials is worth including in exactas at a very fair price.

show6SaugeenML 2/1

Saugeen draws 2/1 on the morning line, which reflects a 50% career win rate that commands respect from the betting public. Trainer Josie Carroll sends Rafael Manuel Hernandez — one of the busiest jockeys on the card today — to pilot this horse at 1 1/16 miles. The average speed figure of 53 matches Whiskey N Soda, and Saugeen is a logical show bet for bettors wanting a safety net on exotic tickets.

Race 8

8:53 PM EDT

Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Bold Ripasso heads our ratings in this optional claiming sprint despite a morning-line price that suggests the market prefers others — a clear value opportunity in a race where TrackWiz sees a meaningful gap at the top.

win1Bold RipassoML 6/1

Bold Ripasso tops our ratings at 82.71 and draws 6/1 on the morning line — a nice overlay in an optional claiming field. Trainer Donald C. MacRae sends Pietro Moran up, and a 25% career win rate is a strong figure for this class level. The average speed figure of 53 is in line with the field, but it's the ratings edge of nearly 10 points over Reveler's Row that makes this our best bet in Race 8.

place3Reveler's RowML 3/1

Reveler's Row rates 72.77 and draws the 3/1 morning-line chalk — trainer Richard L. Morden has Fraser Aebly in the irons and a 14% career win rate to work with. The average speed figure of 53 is consistent with the top of the field, and Reveler's Row profiles as a pressing-type who could be in the hunt at every call over 7 furlongs.

show10Just MagnificentML 7/2

Just Magnificent comes in at 7/2 on the morning line and rates 66.93 — third-best in our model. Trainer Evette Chartrand-Hoek has David Moran up, and while a 7% career win rate isn't impressive, this horse's average speed figure of 53 and solid rating make it a legitimate show contender. At 7/2, it's priced right to be part of a trifecta or superfecta ticket.

Race 9

9:23 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Wyoming Bill sits atop our model at 6/1 in an allowance optional claimer where the morning-line favorite doesn't match our ratings — a classic spot where TrackWiz analysis diverges from public opinion.

win4Wyoming BillML 6/1

Wyoming Bill rates 82.71 — the top mark in Race 9 — while coming in at 6/1 on the morning line, well off the 5/2 posted for Hammerhead. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips has Emma-Jayne Wilson up, a pairing that commands respect at Woodbine. A 13% career win rate in allowance company is solid, and the average speed figure of 54 leads the field — this is our value play of the back half of the card.

place3English ActorML 3/1

English Actor rates 76.13 and draws 3/1 on the morning line with Fraser Aebly up for trainer Rachel Halden. The 22% career win rate is one of the stronger marks in this field and speaks to a consistent, capable horse who knows how to finish. At 1 1/16 miles on dirt, an experienced allowance runner with that kind of win percentage is a prime place candidate.

show6HammerheadML 5/2

Hammerhead is the 5/2 morning-line favorite and rates 72.55 — third in our model despite top billing from the oddsmakers. Trainer Kevin Attard sends Daisuke Fukumoto, and while the 14% career win rate is modest, the market's confidence makes this one a logical show anchor for trifecta tickets. Keep it underneath Wyoming Bill and English Actor in your sequences.

Race 10

9:53 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The evening's featured allowance optional claimer pits three closely rated horses at the top — Notorious Gangster, Paramount Prince, and Mansetti all rate within three points of each other, and the 7-furlong sprint distance adds a pace dimension that could scramble the result.

win7Notorious GangsterML 6/1

Notorious Gangster checks in at 82.71 in our ratings — just a hair ahead of Paramount Prince — but the real edge is the 6/1 morning-line price against Paramount Prince's 9/5. Trainer Josie Carroll hands the mount to Rafael Manuel Hernandez, and a 37% career win rate in allowance company is elite. The average speed figure of 54 is in line with the field leaders, and the value angle here is substantial — this is our pick to win at a price.

place3Paramount PrinceML 9/5

Paramount Prince rates 82.51 — essentially identical to Notorious Gangster — and draws 9/5 as the morning-line favorite. Trainer Mark E. Casse has a 38% career win rate on this horse, and Fraser Aebly is a capable pilot for a 7-furlong sprint. The average speed of 54 is clean, and even if Notorious Gangster edges this one, the place payoff at near-even money is still a reasonable return on the ticket.

show4MansettiML 5/2

Mansetti rates 80.08 — third in the field but only 2.63 points behind our top pick — and draws 5/2 with Pietro Moran up for Kevin Attard. A 41% career win rate is the highest in the race, which is a remarkable figure that demands respect. Mansetti is the show horse here by profile, but don't be shocked if this one outperforms the trifecta slot — a horse with a 41% win rate rarely runs third.

Race 11

10:23 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The finale is a 13-horse maiden optional claiming sprint, and the ratings spread is enormous — Let's Go Souper is our clear top pick at 82.71 while a majority of the field clusters in the 28-48 range, making this one of the card's more approachable races despite the large field.

win6Let's Go SouperML 6/1

Let's Go Souper tops this 13-horse field with a 82.71 TrackWiz rating — the strongest number in the race by more than 7 points — and draws 6/1 on the morning line, which is a very fair price for the class of the field. Trainer Gail Cox has Sofia Vives up, and the average speed figure of 54 is competitive with the field's best. In a maiden optional claiming finale with wide ratings separation, the top-rated horse at 6/1 is exactly the kind of overlay TrackWiz looks for.

place10North YorkML 3/1

North York rates 75.34 — second-best in the field — and draws the 3/1 morning-line attention to match. Trainer Stuart C. Simon has Pietro Moran up, and the average speed figure of 54 keeps this one right in the mix. With a 7-point ratings edge over the third-best horse in the race, North York is the logical place horse and a key part of any exacta construction.

show12Tap My DesireML 4/1

Tap My Desire rates 63.45 — third in the field — and represents solid value at 4/1 on the morning line. Trainer Philip Hall pairs with Keveh Nicholls, and an average speed figure of 53 is right in the competitive range for this maiden field. In a large field of first-time or winless runners, a horse with a legitimate ratings edge and a fair price is the kind of show bet that pays for your ticket.

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Rain at Woodbine means opportunity for the prepared bettor. Red Weaver is the marquee free-preview play, but the real value is lurking deeper in the card. Unlock the full 11-race analysis and exotic ticket breakdowns with a TrackWiz subscription — details at /pricing. Good luck out there, and stay dry.

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