February 15, 2026 | Multi-Track Highlights & Betting Guide

Happy Valentine’s Day weekend, degenerates. While the rest of the world is buying roses and overpriced pasta, we’re here doing what we love — hunting winners across ten tracks. Sunday’s card is absolutely loaded, headlined by stakes action at Sunland Park and Santa Anita. Let’s dig in.

The Big Dance: Sunland Park Derby — Sunland Park Race 9 | 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | $500,000 Purse

This is the crown jewel of the day. The Sunland Park Derby draws a field of eight with Kentucky Derby implications on the line.

Express Kid (Post 1) towers over this group on raw ability. Trainer J.R. Evans has this one sitting on a peak effort and the rail draw shouldn’t be an issue in a field of this size. At 3/1 on the morning line, there’s value here if you believe this horse is the real deal — and the numbers say he is.

Sharons Beach (Post 2) ships in for Jeff Thomas with J.R. Velazquez picking up the mount, which always demands respect. At 10/1, he’s a prime exotics horse who could outrun his odds.

Bricklin (Post 6) gets the services of C.A. Torres for trainer R. Brisset. He’s solid but may be a tick below the top two. Forty Twenty (Post 4) for R. Diodoro with O. Mojica up at 6/1 is another who fits in the exotics.

The Play: Express Kid to win. Box Express Kid, Sharons Beach, and Forty Twenty in the trifecta. A $1 trifecta box runs $6.

Sunland Park Oaks — Sunland Park Race 7 | 8 Furlongs Dirt | $250,000 Purse

Bottle of Rouge (Post 4) is an absolute monster in here. Trained by Bob Baffert with J.J. Hernandez in the irons, she profiles as far and away the best in this field. The morning line of 6/5 is probably generous. Her speed and overall profile are light years ahead of these.

Coffee Connection (Post 8) at 8/1 is the most interesting longshot. She’s trained locally by T.W. Fincher, who has several runners on the stakes card and knows this strip inside and out.

The Play: Bottle of Rouge to win, key her over Coffee Connection, Pashmina (Post 7), and Not a Lady (Post 3) in the exacta.

Palos Verdes Stakes — Santa Anita Race 8 | 6 Furlongs Dirt | $100,000 Purse

Out west, the Palos Verdes serves up a compact but talented sprint field.

Man O Rose (Post 1) is the clear top figure here and gets the rail under E. Jaramillo for trainer J. Mullins. He has a significant edge on numbers and draws in well from the inside.

Madaket Road (Post 6) for Baffert with K. Kimura aboard is the most logical runner-up at 7/2. Pilot Commander (Post 2), also from the Baffert barn with F. Geroux riding, is right there as well — separating those two is the puzzle.

The Play: Man O Rose to win. Exacta key Man O Rose over Madaket Road and Pilot Commander. If you’re feeling frisky, single Man O Rose on top of your Pick 3 and spread underneath in the last two legs.

More Sunland Park Stakes Action

Bill Thomas Memorial S. — Race 4 | 6.5 Furlongs Dirt | $100,000

Ryvit (Post 4), trained by Steve Asmussen with K.J. Asmussen riding, is the one to beat at 9/5. Augusta Melody (Post 3) for Diodoro with Mojica is dangerous at 3/1. This is a short, competitive field — play it straight or try an exacta box of these two with Neiman (Post 5) at 4/1.

Peppers Pride S. — Race 5 | 8 Furlongs Dirt | $100,000 (Fillies)

Caprock Cutie (Post 9) at 9/5 leads the way, but I Am Paula Revere (Post 1) at 2/1 is breathing down her neck. Day At a Time (Post 5) at 9/2 rounds out a playable top three.

The Play: Exacta box Caprock Cutie and I Am Paula Revere, then use both on top of a trifecta keying Day At a Time underneath.

Red Hedeman Mile S. — Race 6 | 8 Furlongs Dirt | $100,000

Vanishing Money (Post 7) has the edge in ability plus a strong profile that suggests he’s peaking at the right time. Trainer D. Cappellucci and rider A.J. Juarez Jr. are a lethal local combo. Speed Merchant (Post 3) for Fincher is the obvious main rival at 6/5 — this could be a two-horse fight.

The Play: Vanishing Money over Speed Merchant in the exacta at 3/1 over the favorite offers solid value.

Harry Henson S. — Race 8 | 8 Furlongs Dirt | $100,000 (Fillies & Mares)

A wide-open affair! Lookinforbargains (Post 5), Aye Candy (Post 2), Wild Bout Hilary (Post 3), and Corrina Corrina (Post 6) are separated by a sliver. At 9/2, Lookinforbargains offers the best value as the top pick. Aye Candy at 6/1 is a spicy overlay.

The Play: Box the top four in the exacta for $12 on a $1 unit.

Santa Anita Deep Dive

Race 7 | Allowance OC $50,000 | ~6.5 Furlongs Turf | Fillies & Mares

Claire Austin (Post 9) at 5/1 has a strong overall profile plus trainer G. Papaprodromou and rider K. Frey have been clicking. Take Another Card (Post 2) at 6/1 with F. Geroux is another live one. This is a full field with plenty of value — don’t sleep on Dare to Fly (Post 6) for P. D’Amato at 5/1.

The Play: Claire Austin to win. Spread in the Pick 3 using Claire Austin and Take Another Card in Leg 1, singling Man O Rose in Leg 2 (Race 8), then spreading in Race 9.

Race 9 | Allowance OC $50,000 | 8 Furlongs Turf

On the Whim (Post 1) is the clear standout at 5/2 under T.J. Pereira. He rates well above this group. Behind him, Uncle Happy (Post 5), Kokosan (Post 10), and None Above the Law (Post 3) are all bunched together for the minor awards.

The Play: On the Whim to win, key on top of exactas and trifectas.

Oaklawn Park Highlights

Race 2 | Maiden Special Weight | 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | $110,000 Purse

Publisher (Post 5) for Asmussen is an absolute standout. He profiles as the most talented horse in the field by a wide margin, and at 7/5 he’s probably fair. Mingo (Post 1) at 2/1 for Asmussen (yes, another one) has ability but is a clear step below. This could be a rare MSW where you single with confidence.

The Play: Single Publisher in multi-race wagers. He’s the best bet on the Oaklawn card.

Race 8 | Allowance | 6 Furlongs Dirt | $125,000 Purse

This is a monster race. El Prestigio (Post 5) is the top dog with J. Rosario riding for Asmussen — his numbers dwarf the field and his profile score is the highest of the day across all tracks. Tough Catch (Post 4) for D. Stewart with L. Saez has enough talent to make it interesting at 2/1.

The Play: El Prestigio on top, Tough Catch for second, Baddest Good Boy (Post 7) at 7/2 for third. A $1 trifecta key costs just $2.

Race 7 | AOC $62,500 | 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | Fillies & Mares | $126,000 Purse

Zaghruta (Post 2) for Brad Cox with L. Saez is the rightful favorite at 8/5. Decadent (Post 6) for McPeek at 2/1 is the clear threat. This should be a two-horse race.

Gulfstream Park Plays

Race 8 | AOC $25,000 | 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | $86,000 Purse

Steeze (Post 3) at 8/5 for trainer R. Mott with E.J. Zayas is the best in here. Only in America (Post 1) for Pletcher at 5/2 is the logical exacta partner.

Race 10 | AOC $62,500 | 6.5 Furlongs Dirt | Fillies & Mares | $87,000 Purse

Nic’s Style (Post 9) with J.R. Velazquez for W.I. Mott has the edge, but Pleasant Embrace (Post 7) for K.J. Breen with Gaffalione has an outstanding profile score. At 9/2, Pleasant Embrace might be the better bet for value.

The Play: Pleasant Embrace to win at 9/2, exacta box with Nic’s Style.

Race 9 | Claiming $20,000 | 8 Furlongs Turf

Hot Blooded (Post 4) has a huge overall profile advantage with Castellano in the irons. Fly the W (Post 5) at 10/1 is a sneaky longshot with equally strong underlying numbers — just at a higher price.

Value Plays Across the Card

Aqueduct Race 3 | Claiming $30,000 | 8 Furlongs Dirt — Exploration (Post 3) at 3/1 projects to run well above the par for this race. With S. Civaci riding for L. Rice, this is one of the most likely winners on the entire day.

Aqueduct Race 6 | Claiming $20,000 | 6 Furlongs Dirt — Kid Billy (Post 5) for W.I. Mott with J. Lezcano projects a number far above the field and the par. Should romp.

Laurel Park Race 1 | Claiming $7,500 | 6 Furlongs Dirt — Woodline (Post 4) at 5/1 projects a number way above the par and the competition. If he runs his race, this is a laugher at a nice price.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 | AOC $100,000 | 7 Furlongs Dirt — Pentathlon (Post 6) and Capital Idea (Post 4) are the co-headliners in a strong field. Both project well above the class level. Tough to separate — exacta box these two and hope for a price.

Tampa Bay Downs Race 9 | Claiming $16,000 | 8 Furlongs Turf — Bring Me a Check (Post 3) has a massive advantage in both speed and overall profile. At 4/5, the price is short but he’s a strong single in Pick sequences.

Pick of the Day

Oaklawn Park Race 8 — El Prestigio (Post 5)

Simply the best horse running anywhere in North America on Sunday. The Asmussen trainee with Rosario aboard has a colossal edge on this field. His talent level towers above everyone else he’ll face, and the additional profile factors all point in the right direction. At 8/5, there’s still value here in a spot where he should be odds-on. Win bet and use as a single everywhere.

Multi-Race Wager of the Day

Sunland Park Pick 4 (Races 7-10) — $48 Ticket

• Leg 1 (Race 7, Oaks): Bottle of Rouge — SINGLE

• Leg 2 (Race 8, Henson): Lookinforbargains, Aye Candy, Wild Bout Hilary, Corrina Corrina — 4 horses

• Leg 3 (Race 9, Derby): Express Kid, Sharons Beach, Forty Twenty — 3 horses

• Leg 4 (Race 10): Mo Money Molly, Thatsaterriblidea, Make Up a Story, Sapello Samba — 4 horses

$1 Pick 4: 1 x 4 x 3 x 4 = 48 combinations = $48

Good luck out there. Bet smart, spread wisely, and remember — the best play is the one you can afford to lose. See you at the windows.

— Aces and Races

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