Pick Pony Weekly Trainer & Jockey Spotlight — Week of July 6, 2026
Trainer Spotlight
The barn to beat this week belongs to Jerry Gourneau and Jose Silva Jr., two conditioners running absolutely scorching hot heading into the new week. Gourneau posted 14 wins from just 49 starts over the past 14 days, good for a sharp 28.6% win rate and 24 ITM finishes — meaning his horses hit the board nearly half the time they run. That kind of efficiency is the hallmark of a trainer who knows exactly where to place his stock. Silva Jr. is arguably the more eye-catching story: 7 wins from only 22 starts translates to a sizzling 31.8% win rate, the highest among trainers with seven or more wins in the span. His 15 ITM finishes in 22 outings suggest he's sending confident, well-prepared horses to the gate. Rounding out the spotlight is Robertson Mclean, who quietly went 10-for-40 (25.0%) with 17 ITM finishes — a steady, reliable operation that bettors would be wise not to overlook. Meanwhile, volume leader Jamie Ness leads all trainers with 15 wins and 30 ITM finishes across 68 starts, proving his barn is a factory worth tracking at any price.
Jockey Spotlight
In the saddle, nobody has been busier or better than Paco Lopez, who leads all riders with a staggering 20 wins from 80 starts — a clean 25.0% win rate backed by 48 ITM finishes, meaning he finished in the money on 60% of his mounts. That kind of volume combined with consistent results makes him the safest anchor in any multi-race wager this week. But if you're hunting a live longshot special, look no further than L. Delorme, who is simply on fire: 13 wins from just 32 starts for a jaw-dropping 40.6% win rate — the highest mark among all jockeys on the list — with 22 ITM finishes. When four out of every ten mounts are hitting the winner's circle, you follow that rider wherever he goes. Jose Barbosa deserves a mention as well, going 12-for-37 with a 32.4% win rate and 18 ITM finishes. Both Delorme and Barbosa are operating at elite efficiency levels, and horses they climb aboard this week command immediate respect on the tote board.
This Week’s Watch List
Three combinations and individuals stand out as the prime targets for your tickets this week. First, keep a close eye on any Jerry Gourneau / Paco Lopez collaboration — pairing the second-most efficient trainer (28.6% win rate) with the meet's leading winner by volume (20 wins) creates a formidable tandem that deserves short prices or not. Second, L. Delorme deserves his own dedicated watch, regardless of who trains the horse — at 40.6%, he is converting at a rate that simply cannot be ignored, and any mount he picks up this week should be considered live. Finally, Jose Silva Jr. is the sleeper trainer play of the week: his 31.8% win rate from a modest book of 22 starts suggests a selective, patient operation sending only its most ready horses postward. When Silva's name appears on the program, treat it as a signal. These are the names to circle, highlight, and follow all week long on Pick Pony.
