Pick Pony Weekly Trainer & Jockey Spotlight — Week of September 28, 2026
Trainer Spotlight
The barn to beat right now belongs to Jed H. Vane, who is putting up numbers that are almost impossible to ignore. Over the past 14 days, Vane has posted an eye-popping 44.4% win rate on 18 starts, converting 8 of those into wins with a tight ITM figure of 10 — meaning when his horses fire, they tend to win outright rather than just hit the board. That kind of precision is rare, and it screams a hot hand. Not far behind in the efficiency department is Scott Becker, who has gone 10-for-29 with a 34.5% win rate and 18 ITM finishes — a remarkable clip that suggests his stock is fit, confident, and ready to run. For sheer volume with consistency, Brendan P. Walsh rounds out the must-watch trio, posting 11 wins from just 42 starts at a 26.2% win rate with 16 ITM finishes. Walsh's high win rate relative to his ITM total mirrors Vane's pattern — these horses are winning, not just showing up. While Steven Asmussen leads all trainers with a whopping 19 wins from 94 starts, his 20.2% win rate reflects more of a volume operation; handicappers should be selective. This week, target Vane, Becker, and Walsh above the rest.
Jockey Spotlight
In the irons, J.R. Coates is the name that jumps off the page. Riding at a staggering 52.0% win rate over the past 14 days — 13 wins from just 25 starts — Coates is running as hot as any jockey in the country right now. His 19 ITM finishes in 25 tries means he's hitting the board nearly every time he straps in. Bet accordingly. Pabel Lopez is the high-volume standout, leading all riders with 23 wins from 78 starts at a 29.5% win rate and 51 ITM finishes — numbers that indicate both consistency and widespread booking across multiple tracks. When a jockey is winning nearly one in three while racking up that kind of volume, connections clearly trust him on their best horses. Rounding out the spotlight is Edwin Gonzalez, who has gone 15-for-46 at a sharp 32.6% win rate with 31 ITM finishes — a strong hit rate that puts him firmly in the elite tier this week alongside Lopez and Coates.
This Week’s Watch List
Three combos and individuals deserve your immediate attention on the ticket. First, any race where J.R. Coates climbs aboard a Scott Becker or Jed Vane trainee should be circled in red — when two of the hottest win-rate performers in the country align, the overlay potential is real and the form is undeniable. Second, keep tabs on Brendan Walsh / Pabel Lopez pairings; Walsh's disciplined 26.2% barn strike rate paired with Lopez's 23-win, 29.5% fortnight makes for a dangerous combination in any field. Third, don't sleep on A. Bendezu in the jockey colony — at 40.7% (11 wins from just 27 starts) with 22 ITM finishes, Bendezu is quietly one of the hottest riders over this stretch and may be flying under the radar on the morning line. Follow the heat, play the numbers, and let the data lead the way. Good luck at the windows.
