February 19, 2026 | Ten-Track Special Feature

By the Aces and Races Handicapping Desk

It’s a loaded Thursday across the country, with ten tracks firing up cards that range from the inner dirt at Aqueduct to the synthetic lanes at Turfway Park, the Gulf breezes at Gulfstream, and the desert sun at Turf Paradise. We’ve scoured the full slate to bring you our top selections, race highlights, and best bets of the day. Buckle up — this is a big one.

Aqueduct — Ozone Park, New York

Eight races on the dirt today at “The Big A,” with first post at 1:10 PM ET. The card offers a nice blend of claimers, starter allowances, and optional claimers, giving sharp bettors plenty of angles to work with.

Race 1 — 8 Furlongs | Claiming $50,000 | Fillies & Mares 4up Post Time: 1:10 PM ET

The top projection in this filly and mare claimer goes to Vino Frizzante (PP 5), who combines solid projected speed with a positive factors score that puts her ahead of the field. Cararra (PP 1) is just a step behind on projected pace and comes in for the capable Chad Brown barn with Manny Franco up — always a combination worth respecting. Broadway Lights (PP 4) is the morning line favorite at 2/1 with Flavien Prat aboard, but her numbers don’t quite match her odds, making her a bit of a betting risk.

Betting Suggestion: Win/Place on Vino Frizzante. Exacta: 5 over 1.

Race 4 — 7 Furlongs | Starter Optional Claiming $16,000 | 4up Post Time: 2:42 PM ET

A fun optional claimer where two horses are separated by just one point at the top. Lucky Dude (PP 8) edges Master of Arms (PP 2) on projected speed, and both show positive factors scores — Master of Arms slightly better at +4. Best Bet (PP 1) rounds out a legitimate top three. Jockey connections are strong throughout, with Carmouche on the top pick and Manny Franco on the second choice.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box: 8 and 2. Trifecta: 8/2/1.

Race 7 — 6.5 Furlongs | Starter Optional Claiming $25,000 | 4up Post Time: 4:13 PM ET

This race has “best race of the card” written all over it. Play (PP 2) comes in with the top projection and an outstanding factors score of +5, paired with Flavien Prat — a dangerous combination. Burninhunkoflove (PP 3) is the most intriguing horse on the card with a factors score of +7, trailing only slightly on raw projected speed. These two look like a two-horse race above the rest of the field.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box: 2 and 3. Daily Double Race 7 to Race 8 using 2,3 in Race 7.

Fair Grounds — New Orleans, Louisiana

Nine races at the Fair Grounds, starting at 12:45 PM CT, with a nice mix of dirt and turf. The allowance races late on the card offer some of the most competitive action of the entire multi-track slate.

Race 5 — 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance | 3up Post Time: 2:45 PM CT

A quality allowance sprint from the gate and the numbers are tight at the top. Shangrala Road (PP 5) leads the projections by a slim margin over Favorite Day (PP 3) and Reagan’s Honor (PP 2), who trains for Chad DeVaux and carries J.L. Ortiz. All three horses are clustered within three points of each other, making the factors scores a useful tiebreaker — Reagan’s Honor has a slight edge on that front at +1. This is a genuine three-horse battle.

Betting Suggestion: Trifecta box: 5, 3, 2. Pick 3 (Races 5-6-7) using top contenders.

Race 7 — 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance Optional Claiming $50,000 | 4up Post Time: 3:45 PM CT

The top race at Fair Grounds today features a dead heat at the top. Bedard (PP 5) and Original Sin (PP 4) share the top projected speed figure, and both have respectable connections — Original Sin goes for the powerful B.P. Walsh stable with B. Curtis aboard. Corporate Power (PP 3) and Lure Him In (PP 6) are not far behind. A race with this much compression at the top is a trifecta player’s dream.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box: 5 and 4. Trifecta: 5,4 over 5,4 over 3,6.

Gulfstream Park — Hallandale Beach, Florida

Ten races at Gulfstream, going from turf to synthetic to dirt and back again. The highlight of the card is a sharp allowance optional claimer in Race 9 that features some legitimate talent.

Race 6 — 7 Furlongs Dirt | Claiming $25,000 | 4up Post Time: 2:50 PM ET

Rocketeer (PP 5) is one of the standout horses of the entire multi-track day. He tops the projected speed by a solid margin AND comes in with a factors score of +11 — by far the best combined profile on the Gulfstream card. Tyler Gaffalione rides for the in-form C.A. David barn. Mr. Peeks (PP 4) is a clear second choice, followed by Keep On Moving (PP 7) with Irad Ortiz Jr. aboard. But Rocketeer is the one to beat here.

Betting Suggestion: Win single on Rocketeer. Exacta: 5 over 4,7.

Race 9 — 6 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 | Fillies & Mares 4up Post Time: 4:21 PM ET

The feature race at Gulfstream brings out a quality field of fillies and mares. Kapoor (PP 7) leads the field in both projected speed and factors (+7) — a powerful combination that has handicappers taking notice. She’ll be ridden by T. Kingsley for the legendary Bill Mott. Chatter (PP 4) is the 9/5 morning line favorite and sits second in the projections with Tyler Gaffalione up. Merry Madison (PP 6) with Irad Ortiz Jr. offers some value at third in the order.

Betting Suggestion: Win/Place Kapoor. Exacta: 7 over 4,6. Consider Kapoor in late Pick 5.

Oaklawn Park — Hot Springs, Arkansas

Nine races at Oaklawn, where the big race of the day comes in Race 8 — a high-caliber allowance worth $125,000 that features a loaded field.

Race 8 — 6 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance | 4up Post Time: 4:07 PM CT

This is the marquee race of the entire multi-track day. A $125,000 allowance at Oaklawn attracts genuine talent, and the numbers reflect it. Classic Time (PP 8) and Pokerknightatvees (PP 3) share the highest projected speed figure on this race and among the highest of any race on the full slate today. Classic Time goes for the powerful N.W. Casse barn with Luiz Saez — a formidable combination. Run Jalen Run (PP 11) is third in the projections and offers some value at 10/1 morning line. Perfect Magic (PP 2) with Emil Asmussen aboard is also in the mix.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box: 8 and 3. Trifecta: 8,3 over 8,3 over 11,2. This race deserves a win play on Classic Time.

Race 2 — 6 Furlongs Dirt | Claiming $10,000 | 4up Post Time: 1:02 PM CT

Don’t overlook this early claiming sprint. Cape Trafalgar (PP 9) is a standout with the top projection by a healthy margin AND a factors score of +8. Ridden by E. Asmussen for the Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, he’s a strong single play. Hap Hot (PP 7) is a well-supported second choice with a +6 factors score to go with his second-place projection.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Cape Trafalgar. Exacta: 9 over 7,4.

Turfway Park — Florence, Kentucky

Ten races on the synthetic surface at Turfway, kicking off at 5:55 PM ET. Two races jump off the page.

Race 5 — 6.5 Furlongs Synthetic | Maiden Special Weight | 3-Year-Old Fillies Post Time: 7:55 PM ET

A rich $100,000 maiden special weight brings out a large field of sophomore fillies. Second City Saint (PP 5) and Law of Lory (PP 3) are tied at the top of the projected speed figures, and both carry identical factors scores of +11 — the highest factors marks of any horses on the entire Turfway card. Law of Lory goes for the powerful Brad Cox operation. Rhapsody in Motion (PP 9) is a clear third choice. With two horses so evenly matched at the top, the exacta and trifecta angles are wide open.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta box: 5 and 3. Trifecta: 5,3 over 5,3 over 9,10. Pick 3 anchor using 5 and 3 in Race 5.

Race 8 — 6.5 Furlongs Synthetic | Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 | 3up Post Time: 9:25 PM ET

The featured race on the Turfway card offers a $102,000 purse and a deep, evenly-matched field. Devil in Disguise (PP 1) tops the projections with a factors score of +3 for Rodrigo Rodriguez. Turn Up the Trees (PP 14, AE) and Lucius Verus (PP 8) are right behind at 94 on the projected speed figures — if Turn Up the Trees draws in, this gets very interesting. Sixtyseven Mustang (PP 10) at 4/1 morning line with Florent Geroux is worth a look as a deep trifecta inclusion.

Betting Suggestion: Exacta: 1 over 14,8. Trifecta: 1 over 8,14 over 2,6,10.

Charles Town — Charles Town, West Virginia

Eight races under the lights tonight at Charles Town, with post time beginning at 7:00 PM ET.

Race 3 — 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | 4up Post Time: 7:57 PM ET

Hope’s Alive (PP 5) is the most dominant single-race profile at Charles Town today. She tops the projected speed by a full ten points over the second-tier group AND carries the best factors score on the card at +8. J.M. Lewis rides for trainer B.M. Kravets. Iceteca (PP 4) and Game Keeper (PP 6) are tied for second and worth including underneath in exotics, but Hope’s Alive looks like a potential single.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Hope’s Alive. Exacta: 5 over 4,6.

Race 7 — 7 Furlongs Dirt | Claiming $5,000 | Fillies & Mares 4up Post Time: 9:49 PM ET

Cairnhill (PP 1) stands out here with the top projected speed and a factors score of +8 — matching Hope’s Alive from Race 3 as the best factors mark on the Charles Town card. She’s the morning line favorite at 9/5 and rides for trainer R.W. Brown. Three horses — Hay Hay Paula (PP 2), Dame Catherine (PP 8), and Love to Eat (PP 5) — are clustered tightly for the secondary spots.

Betting Suggestion: Win/Place Cairnhill. Trifecta: 1 over 2,8,5 over 2,8,5.

Delta Downs — Vinton, Louisiana

Nine races at Delta Downs today, with the highlight being a well-structured starter allowance late on the card.

Race 8 — 6.5 Furlongs Dirt | Starter Allowance | 4up Post Time: 8:01 PM CT

Solidify (PP 1) is the best horse on the Delta card, full stop. He tops the projected speed by eleven points over the second horse — an enormous margin in any field — and pairs that with a factors score of +6. J. Dominguez rides for trainer J.M. Cano. Absolute Chaos (PP 6) and Timehascome (PP 5) are fighting for the place and show spot.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Solidify. Exacta: 1 over 6,5. Use Solidify as a key in any multi-race wagers.

Mahoning Valley Race Course — Youngstown, Ohio

Ten races at MVR with first post at 12:15 PM ET. The best plays of the day come in the allowance races.

Race 4 — 8 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance | 3up Post Time: 1:39 PM ET

Handsome Pants (PP 3) leads this allowance field by five points on projected speed and comes in with a positive factors score. A. Crispin rides for C. Vecchio. Judge Rules (PP 2) and Train and Trust (PP 5) round out the top three. The gap from Handsome Pants to the rest is meaningful enough to consider a win single.

Betting Suggestion: Win/Place Handsome Pants. Exacta: 3 over 2,5.

Race 9 — 8 Furlongs Dirt | Starter Allowance | Fillies & Mares 3up Post Time: 3:59 PM ET

Absolute Miracle (PP 5) is the class of this field with a dominant profile — top projected speed by eight points and the best factors mark on the card at +7. J. Skerrett rides for the Skerrett barn. Dreaming of Audrey (PP 8) is a clear second choice.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Absolute Miracle. Exacta: 5 over 8,3.

Turf Paradise — Phoenix, Arizona

Six races on the Turf Paradise card today, starting in Race 3 (post time 2:05 PM MT). The best race of the afternoon comes in Race 6.

Race 6 — 8.5 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance Optional Claiming $25,000 | 4up Post Time: 3:35 PM MT

Spenard (PP 4) is the top play at Turf Paradise today, leading the field by fifteen points on projected speed while carrying the best factors score on the card at +6. F.T. Alvarado rides for D.L. McFarlane. The gap to the rest of the field — My Cairo Kid (PP 1), By Decreed (PP 5) — is too wide to ignore. This is a strong win single candidate.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Spenard. Exacta: 4 over 1,5.

Penn National — Grantville, Pennsylvania

Eight races at Penn National tonight, post time 5:45 PM ET.

Race 7 — 6 Furlongs Dirt | Claiming $7,500 | 3up Post Time: 8:39 PM ET

Penn National’s most interesting race features Heaven Street (PP 1), who leads the field by a whopping nine points on projected speed while also carrying the best factors score on the card at +6. A. Cruz rides for trainer T.C. Kreiser. Kaz Sugar Bank (PP 3) is a clear second choice at 7/5 morning line — a tough horse to dismiss. The gap between first and second is significant enough that a singles play on Heaven Street deserves serious consideration.

Betting Suggestion: Win single Heaven Street. Exacta: 1 over 3,2.

Race 5 — 8 Furlongs Dirt | Allowance | 3up Post Time: 7:41 PM ET

A quality allowance field gives us J J’s Ranger (PP 3) on top of the projections by five points, with a solid factors score of +3. He’s listed at 12/1 morning line, which is potentially a significant overlay if the numbers hold. Uncle Arlys (PP 6) is the solid second choice with Secured Landing (PP 2) close behind.

Betting Suggestion: Win play on J J’s Ranger for value. Exacta: 3 over 6,2.

Best Bets of the Day — Across All Tracks

These are our top plays of the entire multi-track Thursday card, listed in order of confidence:

Best Bet No. 1 — Rocketeer, Gulfstream Park Race 6 (PP 5) The most dominant combined profile of the day — tops the field in both projected speed and factors (+11). Gaffalione/David is a hot barn combination. Win single.

Best Bet No. 2 — Solidify, Delta Downs Race 8 (PP 1) Eleven-point margin over the second horse in projected speed is extraordinary. Dominguez and Cano are a strong team. Win single.

Best Bet No. 3 — Classic Time, Oaklawn Park Race 8 (PP 8) The top projected speed figure on the biggest purse race of the day ($125,000). Saez and Casse is a dangerous partnership. Win single.

Best Bet No. 4 — Hope’s Alive, Charles Town Race 3 (PP 5) A dominant profile at a modest claiming level — top speed projection by 10 points with an elite factors score of +8. Worth a win single at any price.

Value Play of the Day — J J’s Ranger, Penn National Race 5 (PP 3) Top of the allowance field at 12/1 morning line. If the numbers are right, this is the kind of value that makes a handicapper’s day.

Multi-Race Wager Suggestions

Pick 4 — Gulfstream Races 6-7-8-9: Use Rocketeer (5) in Race 6, spread in Races 7-8, key Kapoor (7) in Race 9.

Pick 3 — Oaklawn Races 7-8-9: Use Hard Circle (8) in Race 7, Classic Time (8) and Pokerknightatvees (3) in Race 8, Bourbon Society (5) in Race 9.

Early Pick 5 — Aqueduct Races 1-5: Key Vino Frizzante (5) in Race 1, spread through the middle, use top contenders in Race 5.

All post times are listed in local track time. Morning line odds are subject to change. Please wager responsibly. Good luck at the windows!

Aces and Races | Multi-Track Thursday Edition | February 19, 2026

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