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Woodbine Picks & Predictions — September 5, 2026

September 5, 20269 racesAll Woodbine picks

This card ran on September 5, 2026.

Best bets at Woodbine, September 5, 2026

Race 11BenkaML 7/51:00 PM EDT

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Last 30 days at Woodbine: our top pick won 7 of 24 races (29%) and finished in the money in 10.

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Happy Saturday from Woodbine, where the weather gods have delivered about as good a racing day as you can ask for — clear skies, 74°F, and firm footing across both surfaces. No excuses for horses or handicappers today.

We've got a full 9-race card on tap, with a nice split between dirt and turf action. Four of the nine races go on the grass, including a marquee 1 3/8-mile turf stakes that anchors Race 8 and should draw some serious attention. Meanwhile, the dirt is playing fast and clean — the kind of day where front-runners need to be respected and pace scenarios really matter.

There's plenty of maiden action early, so if you're hunting for overlays and live longshots before the card heats up, the first few races deserve a close look. Let's break it down.

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Race 1

1:00 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden optional claiming sprint on the dirt where the top two TrackWiz-rated horses are separated by just a point — expect a genuine duel between the morning-line chalk and the second choice.

win1BenkaML 7/5

Benka draws the rail and tops our ratings at 59.33, giving her a clear edge over this field despite carrying the chalk tag at 7/5. Tino Attard has a knack for placing maidens well, and Pietro Moran taking the call is a good sign — this jockey doesn't waste rides on horses he doesn't like. The average speed figure of 54 is solid for this level, and in a short field of five, she shouldn't need to do anything fancy to control her own destiny.

place5Next of KinML 2/1

Next of Kin is right behind Benka in the ratings at 58.33 and draws post 5 at a tasty 2/1 morning line — making her a logical exotics partner. She also shows an average speed figure of 53, confirming she's done some work, and trainer Dale A. Desruisseaux knows this track. If Benka gets a soft lead, Next of Kin figures to be the one running her down late.

show2TweeternityML 4/1

Tweeternity at 4/1 is worth a look in the exotics at that price — her 55 TrackWiz rating slots her third in the field, and Anthony Husbands has been a steady hand at Woodbine for years. No published average speed figure here, which tells us she may be lightly raced, but the rating suggests underlying ability. She's a good show-ticket hedge in a small field.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

1:30 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

A lopsided maiden turf sprint where one horse stands dramatically apart on our ratings — but the morning line and field depth make this interesting for exotics builders.

win3Tiho SrceML 2/1

Tiho Srce is the standout of this card on a rating basis — an 88.54 in a field where the second-best horse checks in at 64.21 is a massive separation. Trainer Patrick Dixon sends her out with Jalon L. Samuel up, and at 2/1 on the morning line, the market agrees she's the one to beat. Her average speed figure of 54 leads the field and backs up the rating — this is as close to a 'best bet' as you'll find in a maiden race.

place4HowsitgoinowenML 3/1

Howsitgoinowen rates second in the field at 64.21 and also posts a 54 average speed figure, matching Tiho Srce's number. Trainer Hannah C. Sprenger has her ready, and Christoff Douglas has been picking up live mounts at Woodbine. At 3/1, she's a fair-priced place ticket if Tiho Srce falters or gets shuffled in traffic on the turf.

show1LohanML 9/5

Lohan gets the nod for show at 9/5 — the morning-line favorite, though our model slots her third behind Tiho Srce and Howsitgoinowen. Krista Cole is a sharp trainer on this circuit, and Romero Ramsay Maragh is as reliable as they come at Woodbine. She's a legitimate contender for a piece of the purse if she fires her best, and that 53 average speed figure is serviceable on the Woodbine turf.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

We're opening up three races for all TrackWiz readers today — Races 1, 2, and 3. On the dirt side, Benka draws our attention in Race 1 at 6½ furlongs, though the morning line favorite tag (7/5) means the price won't be flashy. Far more interesting is Tan Toast in Race 3 — a 5/1 morning line shot in Optional Claiming company who carries one of the stronger TrackWiz ratings (84.17) among our free picks today. That's the kind of number that suggests value if the crowd sleeps on this one.

Over on the turf in Race 2, Tiho Srce tops our free card with an 88.54 rating — the highest of the three free selections — going 5 furlongs on a grass course that should be playing perfectly in these conditions. With a 2/1 morning line, there's a shot the board drifts a touch and you catch a sneaky-fair price. Keep an eye on it through post time.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

2:04 PM EDT

Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A fascinating optional claimer where the top TrackWiz-rated horse is also one of the longest-priced horses on the morning line — price and form don't align, which is exactly where value lives.

win3Tan ToastML 5/1

Tan Toast is the standout on our ratings at 84.17 — a massive number in a field where no other horse cracks 56 — yet he's sitting at 5/1 on the morning line, which is a significant overlay if the rating holds up. A 33% career win rate is elite, and trainer Harold Ladouceur knows how to spot a spot for this horse. Jose Luis Campos has the call, and the 6.5-furlong dirt distance is a fair test — this looks like a prime value play.

place1Let's Go SouperML 6/1

Let's Go Souper opens at 6/1 but rates second in the field at 55.99, and her 9% career win rate is respectable for the claiming ranks. Romero Ramsay Maragh picks up the mount for Gail Cox, a trainer who consistently competes on the Woodbine circuit. If the pace gets honest, she has the profile of a horse who can rally into a piece.

show2MathematicalML 9/5

Mathematical is the public's choice at 9/5 but ranks third on our model at 50.86 — a clear case where the crowd may be overrating the morning-line favorite. A 10% career win rate is modest, and trainer Michael P. De Paulo will need Fraser Aebly to get a clean trip. She's worth including in exotics for her likely place in the top three, but the price makes her a thin value at best.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

Race 4

2:36 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A maiden dirt sprint behind the subscription wall where our top-rated horse and the morning-line favorite point to different horses — that tension makes this race worth a closer look.

win5Karat GoldML 5/2

Karat Gold tops our ratings at 61.49 and posts the field's best average speed figure at 55, suggesting she's shown the most in her previous efforts. Trainer Steven Chircop gets Fraser Aebly aboard — a reliable pairing on the Woodbine dirt. At 5/2 on the morning line, the price is fair without being generous, but the performance profile backs up the selection.

place1Leg Up GizmoML 2/1

Leg Up Gizmo is the public's morning-line favorite at 2/1 under the Josie Carroll barn — one of Woodbine's elite trainers — with Rafael Manuel Hernandez taking the ride. Our rating of 58.33 is solid, though without a published average speed figure it's harder to verify the raw talent. The trainer-jockey connection alone makes her dangerous, and she's a logical place-side inclusion.

show6MandalenaML 7/2

Mandalena checks in third on our ratings at 55.83 with a 53 average speed figure, giving her some verified ability on the board. Michael P. De Paulo saddles her with Christoff Douglas up, and while she's not the flashiest option at 7/2, she should be competitive late in a field where several horses are speed-figure unknowns. She rounds out a sensible show ticket in what could be a wide-open affair.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 5

3:06 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 1/4 mi · Turf

A 10-horse maiden special weight at a mile and a quarter on the turf — a genuine test of stamina — with three closely bunched top-rated horses all hovering around the 79-86 rating band.

win8Unforgettable FaceML 4/1

Unforgettable Face tops our ratings at 85.62 and opens at a very workable 4/1 on the morning line, making her arguably the best-priced top selection on today's card. Trainer Patrick Dixon sends her out with Pietro Moran up, and the 1¼-mile turf distance should suit a horse with this kind of rating profile. Despite a 52 average speed figure that matches several rivals, the overall model separation gives her the edge in what is a competitive field.

place9OnehotmessML 3/1

Onehotmess is a narrow second to our top pick at 79.34 and draws the 3/1 morning line — right where the public has her. Emma-Jayne Wilson is one of the most accomplished riders in Woodbine history, and trainer Kevin Attard has a strong string this meet. The 53 average speed figure is consistent with the field, and in a 10-horse turf route, getting a clean trip from post 9 with Wilson in the irons is a real advantage.

show10Afleet FlatterML 7/2

Afleet Flatter completes the Kevin Attard trifecta at 78.85 — Attard saddles three horses in this race, which is a notable trainer angle worth watching. Keveh Nicholls picks up the mount, and at 7/2 he's a fair third option in this grouping. In a race where the top three on our model are all tightly packed, the show spot is very much in play for Afleet Flatter.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 6

3:37 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

A tight eight-horse maiden special weight on the dirt where the top four horses on our model are separated by fewer than two rating points — this is a pick-'em race where post position and pace could be everything.

win2Hope Is a BreezeML 5/2

Hope Is a Breeze draws post 2 and tops our ratings at 57.50 with a 55 average speed figure — the joint-best speed number in the field. Josie Carroll trains her, and Rafael Manuel Hernandez has been a strong rider at Woodbine. The 5/2 morning line is fair for a maiden who has shown something in her prior works, and drawing inside in a sprint race is a genuine advantage.

place3Sunday FineryML 3/1

Sunday Finery rates a close second at 56.67 and also checks in with a 55 average speed figure, matching Hope Is a Breeze stride for stride on paper. Pietro Moran takes the call for trainer James Bentley Begg, and at 3/1 she's a legitimate threat to flip the script on our top pick. In a race this tight on ratings, the place spot may actually be where the value sits.

show4Litkas DreamML 7/2

Litkas Dream is third on our model at 55.83 and gets trainer Mark E. Casse — a consistent presence at the top of Woodbine's trainer standings. Fraser Aebly is in the irons, and while there's no published average speed figure, the rating suggests she belongs. At 7/2, she's a reasonable show-ticket inclusion in a race where any of the top four could hit the board.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 7

4:12 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A nine-horse turf claiming mile where three horses — Hemlo Gold, Ninja Star, and Stratus — rate significantly above the rest, setting up a competitive and potentially lucrative trifecta race.

win6Hemlo GoldML 7/2

Hemlo Gold tops our ratings at 82.35 and carries a 20% career win rate — strong for a claimer at this level. Pietro Moran picks up the mount for trainer Audrey Cheung, and a 53 average speed figure is consistent with the turf at this distance. At 7/2 on the morning line, there's genuine value here over the public's 2/1 choice, which our model ranks third.

place7Ninja StarML 8/1

Ninja Star comes in second on our ratings at 79.79 with a 19% career win rate and a 52 average speed figure. Jose Luis Campos has the call for Steven Chircop, a trainer who has been placing horses well this meet. The 8/1 morning line makes Ninja Star a clear overlay based on our numbers — if you're building a trifecta, he's a must-use underneath at that price.

show2StratusML 2/1

Stratus is the public's morning-line favorite at 2/1 but ranks third in our model at 78.04 — suggesting the crowd may be a touch too sweet on him. A 15% career win rate and 53 average speed figure are both respectable, and trainer Robert P. Tiller with Rafael Manuel Hernandez up is a dangerous combination. He's a legitimate threat for the show position even if our top two run as expected.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 8

4:48 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 3/8 mi · Turf

The stakes feature is a 10-horse turf route at a demanding 1 3/8 miles — classic late-season stamina test — and our top pick comes with a 23% career win rate and the field's highest TrackWiz rating.

win9English ActorML 4/1

English Actor tops our model at 85.62 with a 23% career win rate, both best in the field, and opens at 4/1 — fair value in a stakes with 10 runners. Trainer Rachel Halden sends him out with Fraser Aebly up, and the 53 average speed figure is in line with the field at this elite level. In a grind-it-out turf route at 1 3/8 miles, class and consistency tend to win out, and English Actor brings both.

place6Side StreetML 7/2

Side Street rates second on our model at 79.52 and comes in at 7/2 on the morning line for trainer Rachel Halden — same barn as our top pick, which tells you Halden is loaded in this race. Jose Luis Campos is a respected turf jockey, and an 18% career win rate says this horse knows how to finish. He's a natural place selection and adds depth to any exacta or trifecta ticket.

show2MeseroML 3/1

Mesero opens at 3/1 and rates third on our model at 66.58 for trainer Dale L. Romans — a Hall of Fame conditioner who makes the trip to Woodbine counting on a big performance. The 55 average speed figure is actually the highest in the field, suggesting he may be the fastest pure sprinter who now needs to prove himself going long. A 21% career win rate and Rafael Manuel Hernandez up makes him a credible show option in a competitive stakes.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 9

5:23 PM EDT

Maiden Optional Claiming · 7 1/2 fur · Turf

The finale is a wide-open maiden turf sprint with 10 runners and a genuine three-way battle at the top of the ratings — the morning-line favorite doesn't match our top pick, which creates real betting angles.

win8Whiskey Over WineML 3/1

Whiskey Over Wine leads our ratings at 87.08 in a field where the next horse checks in at 85.08 — a razor-thin separation that makes pace and post draw critical. Romero Ramsay Maragh gets the call for trainer Sarah Ritchie, and a 53 average speed figure is right in the mix for a 7.5-furlong turf sprint. The 3/1 morning line is fair, and in a race this compressed at the top, the best-rated horse in TrackWiz's model is the right side to be on.

place10Lapin de PlageML 2/1

Lapin de Plage is a near-clone of our top pick at 85.08 with a matching 53 average speed figure, and the market has her as the 2/1 morning-line favorite. Trainer Catherine Day Phillips is sharp, and David Moran knows this horse's patterns. She's a legitimate threat to flip our top two, and at 2/1 she's the kind of solid place ticket that keeps your night alive in a competitive finale.

show9Winning AgendaML 8/5

Winning Agenda is third on our model at 81.51 and the public's heavy second choice at 8/5 — the narrowest morning-line price in the field outside Lapin de Plage. Pietro Moran in the irons for Sid C. Attard is an elite combination at Woodbine, and this horse's 52 average speed figure keeps her in the conversation. She's the 'chalk show' play for bettors who want safety in a deep field.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

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Clear skies, fast surfaces, and a genuine stakes race on the turf — Woodbine is serving up a quality Saturday card. Tiho Srce in Race 2 and Tan Toast in Race 3 are the free plays we feel best about, with Tan Toast offering the most intriguing value angle of the morning. For the full 9-race breakdown — including English Actor's stakes race, pace projections, and today's exotic ticket recommendations — subscribe to TrackWiz Premium and get every angle before the gates open.

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