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Woodbine Picks & Predictions — August 28, 2026

August 28, 20268 racesAll Woodbine picks

Results are in — see the official Woodbine chart and payouts (our top pick won 0 of 8)→

Clear skies and a comfortable 70°F greet us at Woodbine this Friday — about as clean a racing day as you'll get in late August. The track should be playing true on both surfaces, which makes pace handicapping more reliable and speed figures easier to trust. No weather excuses today; horses will have to earn it.

Eight races are on the slate, mixing Claiming and Maiden company across Dirt and Turf, with distances ranging from a sharp 6½-furlong sprint to a route at 1 1/16 miles. There's something for every type of bettor here — grinders who love sprints, turf specialists hunting overlays, and multi-race sequence players who'll find plenty to build exotic tickets around.

TrackWiz has full analysis across all eight races. Three races are open to everyone today, and five are part of our premium full-card breakdown. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

5:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A tale of two tiers on the Woodbine turf — Turbo Charged and Dontgobackonurword own a massive ratings edge over the rest of the field, making this a de facto two-horse affair with Isaac Leo lurking as the best of the rest.

win4Turbo ChargedML 7/2

Turbo Charged is the top-rated horse in the field at 86.35 and owns the best career win percentage among the contenders at 16% — that's a meaningful edge in a claiming turf route. Trainer Devon Gittens sends him out with Leo Salles aboard, a solid local combo. At 7/2 on the morning line, there's genuine value here for the top-rated horse, and the 1 1/16-mile turf distance should suit a horse of this profile well.

place6DontgobackonurwordML 2/1

Dontgobackonurword is the most accomplished horse in the race by career win percentage at 22%, and his TrackWiz rating of 83.69 is right on Turbo Charged's heels. He posts the field's best average speed figure at 55 and draws Pietro Moran, who knows this horse well. The 2/1 morning line makes him the likely public choice, but he's a natural exacta backup if Turbo Charged gets the better of him.

show7Isaac LeoML 9/5

Isaac Leo at 9/5 is the morning-line favorite, but our analysis puts him third in the ratings at 66.30 — a notable gap behind the top two. Keveh Nicholls takes the mount for trainer Richard L. Morden, and Isaac Leo's 11% career win rate suggests he's capable but may be slightly overbet. He's a solid show safety valve and a must-use in trifecta tickets.

Race 2

5:32 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

First-time maiden claimers on the dirt means plenty of unknowns, but Fog d'Oro stands well clear of the pack on ratings and figures to command early market respect at 5/2.

win5Fog d'OroML 5/2

Fog d'Oro tops this nine-horse maiden field with a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 — the highest figure by a significant margin — while trainer Devon Gittens and jockey David Moran form one of the meet's sharper barns-and-saddle combos. In a race where every horse is still chasing their first win, ratings separation this wide is significant. At 5/2 morning line, this is about as confident a maiden play as you'll find.

place2Audi's WorldML 7/2

Audi's World checks in second on the TrackWiz ratings at 65.77, a big jump above the middle of the pack. Trainer Kelly L. Callaghan sends her out with Pietro Moran — a jockey who's had a busy, productive book on this card. She matches Fog d'Oro on raw average speed at 53 and represents real upside as a place horse at 7/2.

show7Tiz the PowerML 3/1

Tiz the Power slots in third on our ratings at 58.13 and draws one of the sharpest jockeys in the book today in Jose Luis Campos. Trainer Michael Mattine has a credible operation, and at 3/1, Tiz the Power profiles as a well-backed contender who should be competitive for a piece. Good show anchor in the exotics.

Race 3

6:06 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

This 6.5-furlong dirt claiming sprint throws up a pair of unexpected value contenders — Forest Buzz and Jmr Speedy Escape both lead the TrackWiz ratings at 8/1, creating a rare all-longshot top three that could light up the exotics.

win4Forest BuzzML 8/1

Forest Buzz tops this field with a TrackWiz rating of 71.35 and posts the best average speed figure in the race at 56 — two ticks ahead of the next best — which matters a lot in a short sprint. The 14% career win percentage suggests a horse that knows how to get the job done, and Kirk Johnson takes the mount for trainer Cory B. Machesney. At 8/1 on the morning line, this is a legitimate value play at a price that the public is likely underrating.

place1Jmr Speedy EscapeML 8/1

Jmr Speedy Escape is right on Forest Buzz's heels at 69.24 on the TrackWiz scale and brings Luis R. Reyes back into the irons for trainer Steven Chircop. The 8/1 price on a horse this highly rated tells us the morning line maker sees pace or form concerns, but the numbers say he belongs in this discussion. He's a natural exacta partner with our top selection.

show8CoherenceML 8/1

Coherence rounds out an all-longshot top three at 8/1 with a rating of 62.92 and a 54 average speed figure to match several rivals in this field. Romero Ramsay Maragh is a capable rider who can get horses into good positions from the gate. As a show horse in a wide-open sprint, Coherence offers legitimate value for anyone looking to structure a trifecta around two 8/1 shots.

Our three free races today span both surfaces and give a nice cross-section of the card. On the turf, Turbo Charged (7/2 morning line, TrackWiz rating 86.35) opens the day over 1 1/16 miles in Race 1 — a distance that should suit a horse whose profile screams route horse on grass. Race 2 shifts to the dirt for a Maiden Claiming mile-and-a-sixteenth, where Fog d'Oro comes in as our top selection at 5/2 with a strong 87.81 rating — the highest raw score among the three free picks.

The real eyebrow-raiser in the free group is Race 3, where Forest Buzz goes off at 8/1 on the morning line over 6½ furlongs on dirt. That's a price worth circling. Our TrackWiz model has the field tighter than the morning line suggests, and when a horse with a competitive rating opens at double digits, that's the kind of overlay casual bettors tend to overlook. On a clear, fast-playing day like today, pace dynamics in these shorter Claiming sprints can produce exactly the kind of result that looks obvious in hindsight.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

6:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

Two powerhouse ratings — Alfred Bellows and Springer — dominate this 6.5-furlong dirt claiming affair, with a sizeable drop-off to the rest of the field setting up what should be a thrilling duel between the top two.

win8Alfred BellowsML 2/1

Alfred Bellows carries the top TrackWiz rating in the race at 87.58 and pairs that with the field's best career win percentage at 20% — this is a horse that converts when he's right. He posts a 55 average speed figure alongside the 2/1 morning line, meaning the public already likes him, but our numbers support that confidence. Trainer Danny Yu hands the reins to Christoff Douglas, a reliable irons combo at this level. He's the best bet on the card for Race 4.

place2SpringerML 3/1

Springer is virtually tied with our top pick at a 87.08 rating and brings a 14% career win percentage into what figures to be a pace duel between these two. Trainer Devon Gittens runs two horses in this race — Springer and Out N Out Disgrace — and Springer is clearly the preferred of the pair with Fraser Aebly aboard. He's the natural place counter in this race and could easily reverse the finish.

show4You and Me BabyML 8/1

You and Me Baby offers the third-best rating in the field at 77.88 and a 12% career win percentage that makes her legitimate. Desean Bynoe takes the mount for trainer John P. LeBlanc, Jr., and at 8/1 on the morning line, she's a juicy show price if the top two are battle-worn coming to the wire. A must-use in any trifecta construction for this race.

Race 5

7:12 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden affair over seven furlongs with an interesting mix of first-timers and repeat maidens — Wine Money owns a clear ratings edge, but Kairos Moment and Aryeh give this a genuine three-horse feel in the exotics.

win6Wine MoneyML 4/1

Wine Money earns the top TrackWiz rating in this field at 83.99 — a healthy margin over the rest — and trainer Tony Michael Gattellaro sends him out with Fraser Aebly aboard, one of the busiest riders on today's card. He registers a 54 average speed figure in a field where the average hovers around 52-53, giving him a real edge on raw figures. At 4/1 on the morning line, this is an appealing price for the most highly rated horse in a maiden sprint.

place7Kairos MomentML 6/1

Kairos Moment is an interesting profile — a TrackWiz rating of 75.34 is second-best in the race, yet he goes off at 6/1 morning line, suggesting some public hesitation. David Moran takes the mount for trainer Mike A. Dunslow, and while his average speed figure is lower than some rivals, our composite rating points to more ability than his price reflects. He's a natural place backup and could easily be the one chasing Wine Money home.

show8AryehML 10/1

Aryeh at 10/1 morning line is worth a serious look in the exotics — a 64.60 TrackWiz rating is third in the field and he carries a 54 average speed figure, matching the top selections. Trainer Kevin Whiteley has a capable operation, and Christoff Douglas has been getting horses into competitive positions all card long. At a double-digit price, he's your value show ticket and a wide-open trifecta play.

Race 6

7:45 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Mac Gowan owns a commanding ratings advantage in a wide-open eleven-horse dirt sprint, but Waheela and Bee Me give this enough depth to make the exotics interesting at some tasty prices.

win6Mac GowanML 3/1

Mac Gowan tops this massive field with a TrackWiz rating of 87.08 — well clear of the second-best contender — and a 12% career win percentage in what is a competitive claiming field. Rafael Manuel Hernandez takes the mount for trainer Dale A. Desruisseaux, and at 3/1 on the morning line, Mac Gowan figures to be well-backed. His 53 average speed figure is par for this group, meaning the edge comes from consistency and form cycles, not raw brilliance alone. He's the most straightforward selection on the afternoon.

place3WaheelaML 9/2

Waheela checks in second on our ratings at 71.03 and makes an interesting place play at 9/2 with Fraser Aebly climbing aboard for trainer Patrick Dixon. A 9% career win percentage in claiming company shows she's been competitive without quite getting the job done — the profile of a horse that finds the board regularly. In an eleven-runner field, she's a logical exacta partner and a safe place selection.

show4Bee MeML 8/1

Bee Me at 8/1 morning line is the show play of choice here, coming in third on TrackWiz ratings at 66.68 with a 54 average speed figure. Trainer Krista Cole hooks up with Christoff Douglas, who has been active and effective throughout today's card. The 4% career win rate looks modest, but this is maiden territory by another name in a crowded claiming sprint — and the price makes Bee Me a compelling show hedge.

Race 7

8:18 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

A Starter Allowance going a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt — Captivating Name leads the TrackWiz ratings but the morning-line favorite I Lucked Out brings a jaw-dropping 32% career win percentage, creating a genuine tension between form and raw winning ability.

win6Captivating NameML 6/1

Captivating Name owns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 82.71 and pairs that with a 17% career win percentage — a horse that wins at a clip well above average for this level. Slade Callaghan takes the mount for trainer Kelly L. Callaghan, keeping it in the family barn, which is often a good sign for a horse they're confident in. At 6/1, this is the best value among the top-rated horses in the race, and the Starter Allowance conditions suit a horse of this profile perfectly.

place8Sunrise DriveML 9/2

Sunrise Drive slots in second on our ratings at 74.77 and brings Pietro Moran back to the irons for trainer Darren C. Glennon — a combo that's been consistent at Woodbine. He owns a 16% career win percentage and a 52 average speed figure, slightly below the leaders on raw numbers but well within striking distance over a two-turn route. At 9/2, he's a natural exacta play against our top selection.

show3ArminoML 10/1

Armino at 10/1 morning line is a quietly interesting show play — a TrackWiz rating of 73.50 is third-best in the race, and his 25% career win percentage is the second-highest in the field. Jeffrey Ian Alderson has been a busy and effective rider on today's card, and trainer Kerron Palmer knows how to place horses. The double-digit price is hard to explain given the solid win rate, making Armino a legitimate value in trifecta tickets.

Race 8

8:51 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

An eleven-horse Maiden Optional Claiming field on the turf sees Night Striker stand alone at the top of the ratings — but an unusually deep pool of turf maidens means the exotics could get very interesting at the right prices.

win5Night StrikerML 9/2

Night Striker leads all comers with a TrackWiz rating of 84.90 — a meaningful cushion above the rest of the field — and goes postward with Romero Ramsay Maragh aboard for trainer Abraham R. Katryan. His 53 average speed figure is par for this turf group, but it's the composite rating that sets him apart in what is otherwise a closely bunched field. At 9/2, he's not a steal, but he's the most logical win selection in a race that could easily scatter in a dozen directions.

place7Stormy CloudML 4/1

Stormy Cloud is second on our ratings at 70.12 and gets Pietro Moran in the irons for the Patrick Dixon barn — a trainer who runs multiple horses on today's card and clearly has a strong string. He posts a 54 average speed figure, the highest among the top three picks, which is encouraging in a turf route where closing ability matters. At 4/1 morning line, he's a sharp exacta play against the top selection.

show8Border FoxML 8/1

Border Fox rounds out our top three at 63.29 on the TrackWiz scale with a 54 average speed figure that matches Stormy Cloud at the top of the field. Trainer Joe S. Russo enters two horses in this race, but Border Fox with Austin Adams aboard profiles as the more capable of the pair based on our numbers. At 8/1, he's an excellent value show ticket and a must-include in any multi-horse exotic construction on this race.

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A clean late-summer day at Woodbine, eight races, and some genuine value scattered across the card — starting with Forest Buzz at 8/1 in Race 3 and Turbo Charged on the turf to open. The premium card adds five more races including the intriguing Night Striker in the turf finale. Check out the full analysis — and good luck at the windows today.

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