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Woodbine Picks & Predictions — September 18, 2026

September 18, 20267 racesAll Woodbine picks

This card ran on September 18, 2026.

Best bets at Woodbine, September 18, 2026

Race 14Quiet MaddelenaML 5/21:00 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 5 races are for members.

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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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It's a crisp, comfortable Friday at Woodbine — 68°F and partly cloudy skies overhead, which should leave the Dirt surfaces in consistent shape for the afternoon. Seven races are on the board, and this looks like a card that rewards sharp handicapping more than blindly following the chalk.

The first three races are all Claiming sprints and routes on Dirt, giving us a nice early-card read on how the surface is playing before we get into the turf in Race 5. Keep an eye on whether pace-pressers or closers are getting the better of it in those openers — that information is pure gold when building your tickets later in the card.

We've got three races free for all TrackWiz readers today, covering the opening trio of Dirt claimers. The back half of the card — including an Optional Claiming route and a prime turf sprint — is where our full subscriber analysis digs deepest.

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Race 1

1:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A claiming sprint at 5½ furlongs where one horse stands head and shoulders above the field on our ratings — but the Rombis barn runs two entries that could complicate things at the top.

win4Quiet MaddelenaML 5/2

Quiet Maddelena is the clear top selection here, posting a TrackWiz rating of 87.81 that blows away the competition — more than 14 points clear of the next-best. What really stands out is a 35% career win rate, the best in the field by a wide margin and a number that demands respect in any claiming company. Trained by Debra Rombis, who also saddles stablemate Gizmo's B F F, the barn connection is worth noting — when a trainer sends two entries, she usually knows which one she likes. At 5/2 on the morning line, this is the closest thing to a confident selection on the card.

place3Gizmo's B F FML 6/1

Gizmo's B F F checks in with the second-highest rating in the field at 73.93, and as the other Rombis runner she could easily get positive pace help if the connections play it right. A 19% career win rate is solid for this level, and jockey Ryan Munger gives her a competent pilot. At 6/1, she's a smart inclusion in exactas underneath the top pick.

show6Gretna GreenML 10/1

Gretna Green at 10/1 is the sleeper play in here for exotic bettors. Her TrackWiz rating of 71.39 is third in the field — better than both the morning-line favorite and Rosieposie — meaning the double-digit odds represent genuine overlay territory. Devon Gittens trains her and also has Springer in Race 2, showing the barn is active today. Toss her into trifecta combinations and let the price do the work.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

1:28 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Devon Gittens runs the one-two in a seven-furlong dirt claimer, but it's the morning-line favorite from that barn who carries the strongest TrackWiz number by a country mile.

win1SpringerML 2/1

Springer is the standout in this spot, carrying an 88.54 TrackWiz rating that dwarfs the second-best in the field by over 23 points — that kind of gap at the claiming level is hard to overlook. He goes postward at 2/1 with Fraser Aebly aboard, and the Gittens barn is clearly comfortable with the spot. The 13% career win rate looks modest on the surface, but that rating suggests talent that hasn't always cashed — expect a more authoritative effort here.

place3Out N Out DisgraceML 5/2

Out N Out Disgrace is the other Gittens runner and comes in rated 64.85 — a comfortable second-best in the field. She shares the same average speed figure as Springer at 55, suggesting she can keep up early and will be a factor late at a price of 5/2. With a shared barn connection, there may be some mutual tactical benefit in how these two navigate the pace.

show5Tutti ContentiML 7/2

Tutti Contenti at 7/2 is the third-rated horse in the field at 56.51 and brings a 10% career win rate — nothing flashy, but steady enough to hit the board. Trainer Robert P. Tiller is an experienced conditioner and Christoff Douglas is an active rider getting plenty of calls at Woodbine this meet. In a race where the top two are closely connected barn-mates, an independent closer like this one can sneak into exotics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Our free analysis covers Races 1 through 3, and there's a clear thread running through all three: horses with proven Dirt sprint and route versatility at this level should hold a meaningful edge. Quiet Maddelena (Race 1, morning line 5/2, TrackWiz rating 87.81) sets the tone in the 5½-furlong opener, while Springer (Race 2, 2/1 ML, rating 88.54) carries the highest rating of the free trio and looks like the most straightforward play on the card. Ondine Lady closes out the free group in Race 3 at 5/2 — matching Quiet Maddelena's rating and offering comparable appeal at a fair price.

With all three free picks clustered in that 87–89 TrackWiz rating band, there's a real case for using them as a foundation in early Pick 3 tickets. No overwhelming favorites here, which means the pools could offer some overlay value if the public underestimates these selections. Pace scenarios in short Dirt sprints tend to be decisive at Woodbine, so watch for any late-breaking scratches that might reshuffle the front-end dynamics before post.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

2:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Galley Head opens as the even-money morning-line choice, but our analysis says the real class in this seven-furlong dirt claimer is wearing number six — and the odds should be better than the favorite.

win6Ondine LadyML 5/2

Ondine Lady tops our ratings at 87.81 despite opening at 5/2 — a number that actually represents solid value given the gap between her and the field. Trained by Donald C. MacRae and piloted by Edgar Zenteno, she carries a 16% career win rate that understates her underlying talent as measured by our model. The pace scenario here could set up perfectly: Galley Head figures to be prominent early, and if she gets a clean trip stalking the even-money shot, the stretch run should belong to her.

place4Galley HeadML EVN

Galley Head is the public's horse at even money, and a 26% career win rate — highest in the field — justifies some of that confidence. Trained by David Borsk and ridden by Keveh Nicholls, she has the profile of a front-running type who can be tough to run down at seven furlongs. Even if she doesn't win outright, her tactical speed makes her a strong place contender.

show2KavalaML 6/1

Kavala at 6/1 is worth stacking into trifectas as the third wheel. Her 67.16 TrackWiz rating puts her third in the field, and a 20% career win rate gives her a legitimate shot to hit the board. Trainer Michael Mattine and jockey Jose Luis Campos are a reliable combo, and the 6/1 morning line means she'll likely pay well if she does sneak into the superfecta spots.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 4

2:31 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

An all-maiden claiming field where nobody has broken their duck yet — and the morning-line favorite checks in with one of the lower TrackWiz ratings, opening the door for a legitimate upset.

win1Super RedML 8/1

Super Red is our top pick despite going off at 8/1 on the morning line — and that's precisely why this play is interesting. His 79.79 TrackWiz rating leads this maiden field by a clear margin, more than 15 points ahead of the next-best, and trainer Richard G. Hayashi has him pointed here for a reason. Juan Crawford gets the call and the 6½-furlong dirt distance should suit a horse with a 54 average speed figure. Don't let the odds fool you — this rating gap in a maiden field is the kind of edge our model is built to find.

place2Imperial WarML 10/1

Imperial War at 10/1 is a fascinating price play with a 64.38 rating that makes him second-best in our model. Trainer Randy O. Thompson keeps him at 10/1 despite a respectable underlying number, and Jose Luis Campos — who has been busy across today's card — is a capable hand to guide a first-time winner in the making. At those odds in exactas, he more than pays for himself if he hits the board.

show5Gran GhostML 6/1

Gran Ghost checks in at 63.96 — third in our ratings — and comes in off trainer Tedston Holder who has a live barn today. The 6/1 morning line is fair but not flashy, and Da-Sean Zavier Gaskin has the mount. In a maiden field where form can be hard to pin down, stacking the top three rated horses into your trifecta is the smart play, and Gran Ghost rounds that combination out nicely.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

3:03 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 fur · Turf

Five furlongs on the turf with two horses separated by barely more than a point in our ratings — this race comes down to a photo finish between Napa Spirit and Lazio, with a sneaky value play lurking at 8/1.

win2Napa SpiritML 7/2

Napa Spirit gets the nod as our top selection with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and a career win rate of 30% — that's elite-level consistency for a claiming turf runner and the single most compelling stat in this field. Trainer Robert P. Tiller has a strong turf record at Woodbine and Xarel Forde picks up the mount. The 7/2 morning line is reasonable but don't be surprised if he's bet down — the 30% win rate is not something bettors miss.

place5LazioML 5/2

Lazio is razor-close to Napa Spirit in our model at 85.17, and at 5/2 she's actually the shorter price on the morning line despite checking in second in our ratings. A 26% career win rate is excellent and she matches Napa Spirit's 56 average speed figure on the turf. Emma-Jayne Wilson is one of Woodbine's premier riders and knows this course as well as anyone — if Napa Spirit has any trouble, Lazio will be right there to steal it.

show6Vamos ViejoML 8/1

Vamos Viejo at 8/1 is the value play in this field that's worth a look in your exotics. A 74.50 TrackWiz rating ranks third in the field — ahead of both the morning-line favorite Roi Soleil and several others — yet she's priced at double digits. Trainer Debra Rombis has been active across today's card, and if the two top picks get into a speed duel, a patient ride from Jose Luis Campos could see this one flying late at a price.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 6

3:35 PM EDT

Optional Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Dirt

A nine-furlong optional claimer on dirt where the morning-line favorite — Mohaymen Diamond at 2/1 — ranks near the bottom of our model, leaving the door wide open for a better-price winner.

win6Holiday SnoozeML 7/2

Holiday Snooze is our top selection at 7/2 with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating that leads this field by 15 points — a commanding advantage in an optional claimer. Ryan Munger gets the call for trainer Danny Yu, and while the 15% career win rate isn't eye-catching, the model has her performing well above that output level. At 9 furlongs, stamina plays a role, and horses with strong ratings tend to assert themselves in the final turn when the pretenders start to fall away.

place1Sprung LooseML 5/2

Sprung Loose at 5/2 is the second-rated horse in the field at 71.26, and despite a 6% career win rate, the class and consistency indicators in our model suggest he's been unlucky rather than untalented. Jeffrey Ian Alderson has been active today and trainer Kyle Sharman keeps him at a competitive price. In a race where the favorite is significantly overbet relative to his actual rating, Sprung Loose at 5/2 represents genuine value to place.

show5Spun AroundML 6/1

Spun Around at 6/1 rounds out our selections and gives trifecta players a third option at a fair price. His 50.64 TrackWiz rating puts him third in the field, ahead of horses like Mohaymen Diamond — the 2/1 morning-line chalk — which is the kind of model disagreement with the crowd that creates overlay opportunities. Fraser Aebly has been one of the busier riders on the card today, and at 1⅛ miles, his ground-saving style can make up lost ground.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 7

4:07 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

The late nightcap features an eight-horse dirt field at seven furlongs where the favorite is beatable and our top-rated horse is sitting at a juicy 4/1 — a genuine best-bet setup to close out the Woodbine card.

win2Secret StormML 4/1

Secret Storm tops our ratings for this race at 85.62 and opens at a very playable 4/1 — well ahead of the morning-line favorite Sunrise Drive, who checks in 5.6 points lower in our model. A 12% career win rate sounds modest, but the TrackWiz number says this horse has the underlying ability to dominate at this level. Christoff Douglas has been one of the more active riders today and trainer Kerron Palmer also sends out Computer Hacker — the barn clearly feels both are live in this spot, but Secret Storm is the more trusted play based on our ratings.

place8Sunrise DriveML 9/5

Sunrise Drive opens as the 9/5 morning-line favorite and punters will load up on the chalk — but our model ranks her second at 79.99, nearly six points behind Secret Storm. That said, an 16% career win rate and the backing of trainer Darren C. Glennon with Eswan Flores up makes her a legitimate contender to hit the board even if she can't win outright. She's the safest place bet in the race and belongs in your exactas.

show4Military ForceML 3/1

Military Force at 3/1 brings a 76.64 TrackWiz rating and a strong 18% career win rate — the best win percentage among our three picks in this race. Trainer William Tharrenos, who also saddled Lazio in Race 5 today, is active on the card, and Jeffrey Ian Alderson is a steady hand at seven furlongs. He's third in our model but not far behind the top two, making him the backbone of trifecta combinations in the finale.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

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Bottom line for today at Woodbine: Springer in Race 2 is the most polished free play on the card, and the longshot angle around Super Red in Race 4 is the kind of spot TrackWiz subscribers live for. The Dirt surfaces look stable under mild conditions, pace will matter — it always does here — and the optional claiming route in Race 6 sets up as the linchpin of any serious multi-race ticket. Full card analysis, exotic breakdowns, and pace maps are all waiting for subscribers. Good luck out there — let's make it a profitable Friday.

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