Pick Pony Tip Sheet – Expert picks for Mahoning Valley, February 20, 2026.


Get more in-depth analysis, expert picks, handicapper reports, AI picks, handicapping tools, in-article data tooltips, NO ADVERTISEMENTS, and other membership perks with a Pick Pony subscription!

Pick Pony takes pride in providing the most accurate expert picks available today. Pick Pony Expert Picks are carefully selected by our team of analysts based on analytics from our advanced AI-Powered Past Performance Sheets and Racing Forms. For potential longshot selections, check out Pick Pony’s AI Picks.

Race 1 Claiming 1210Y Dirt

Win: THIRSTY ACCOUNTANT (5) – 40% confidence

Place: QUICK RECOVERY (1) – 40% confidence

Show: SCOOT ALONG (3) – 20% confidence

Alternative: REMEMBER ME (4) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: Analysts are split between THIRSTY ACCOUNTANT (5) and QUICK RECOVERY (1), both coming off recent wins at this track. The pace likely favors a horse that can stay close to the lead in this sprint.

Race 2 Starter Allowance 1320Y Dirt

Win: INSTIGATION (3) – 60% confidence

Place: REASONS WE DRINK (2) – 40% confidence

Show: MIESHA (5) – 40% confidence

Alternative: WHISKEY DIAMOND (6) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: INSTIGATION (3) shows strong consistency with five wins this campaign, making it the primary target for the field. Analysts suggest the battle for the minor awards will be tight between the remaining speed.

Race 3 Starter Allowance 1320Y Dirt

Win: COASTLAND (7) – 80% confidence

Place: ROLL ON BIG O (3) – 40% confidence

Show: MR LOOOCH (4) – 20% confidence

Alternative: THEDAYOFTHEGREY (6) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: This represents the strongest consensus on the card. COASTLAND (7) is riding a significant winning streak and has captured the attention of nearly every analyst. Expect heavy wagering pressure on this entry.

Race 4 Claiming 8F Dirt

Win: FRAME UP (2) – 80% confidence

Place: INTERVAL (1) – 40% confidence

Show: STAR QUALITY (7) – 40% confidence

Alternative: KLIMTSTER (4) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: FRAME UP (2) is a standout after a narrow loss as a favorite last time out. Analysts view this as a prime spot for redemption against a field that appears to be lacking similar late-running ability.

Race 5 Claiming 1320Y Dirt

Win: LADY LOVES MONEY (4) – 60% confidence

Place: ROLLIN FREEDOM (5) – 40% confidence

Show: S’MOR CRAFTY (1) – 40% confidence

Alternative: SIOFRA (10) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: LADY LOVES MONEY (4) drops in class and has an outstanding track record, though several analysts are looking toward SIOFRA (10) or S’MOR CRAFTY (1) as potential spoilers if the pace collapses.

Race 6 Claiming 1320Y Dirt

Win: MISS FOXANN (3) – 60% confidence

Place: POUNDS IN TOWN (7) – 40% confidence

Show: CRACKLE (1) – 20% confidence

Alternative: HERE KITTY KITTY (4) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: MISS FOXANN (3) has been extremely consistent in this class, but analyst opinion is beginning to drift toward POUNDS IN TOWN (7) following an impressive last-out victory.

Race 7 Allowance 8F Dirt

Win: DR RUBEN M (6) – 60% confidence

Place: THE CHALK (3) – 20% confidence

Show: OKLAHOMA JOE (4) – 40% confidence

Alternative: DREAM KNIGHT (2) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: DR RUBEN M (6) is the class of the field according to analysts, dropping down after facing tougher competition at Turfway and Churchill. A return to the main track should benefit this runner.

Race 8 Maiden Special Weight 1320Y Dirt

Win: BEACHGLASS (3) – 60% confidence

Place: MSHAWISH’GIRL (8) – 40% confidence

Show: PRETTY PRIZES (5) – 40% confidence

Alternative: WEELASSIE (9) – 20% confidence

Race Notes: First-timer BEACHGLASS (3) is getting the nod from the majority of analysts, suggesting high expectations from the barn. MSHAWISH’GIRL (8) is the experienced alternative with several competitive placings.


Recommended Exotic Plays by Race

Race 1: Analysts suggest an Exacta Box using THIRSTY ACCOUNTANT (5) and QUICK RECOVERY (1). For larger rewards, consider a Trifecta Wheel with both on top of SCOOT ALONG (3) and REMEMBER ME (4).

Race 2: The structure here favors a Straight Exacta 3 over 2. For insurance, analysts recommend a Trifecta 3 with 2, 5 and 6 in the underneath positions.

Race 3: Analysts view this as a Trifecta Key race. Using COASTLAND (7) as a single on top of ROLL ON BIG O (3), MR LOOOCH (4), and THEDAYOFTHEGREY (6) is the most efficient path.

Race 4: A cold Exacta using FRAME UP (2) over INTERVAL (1) is the primary recommendation. Analysts also point toward a Superfecta using STAR QUALITY (7) and KLIMTSTER (4) to fill the lower rungs.

Race 5: This race is more wide-open. Analysts recommend a Pick 3 start here using LADY LOVES MONEY (4), S’MOR CRAFTY (1), and SIOFRA (10) to guard against an upset.

Race 6: Analysts lean toward an Exacta Box with MISS FOXANN (3) and POUNDS IN TOWN (7). A Trifecta 3, 7 over 1, 4, 7 is a viable structure for those seeking more coverage.

Race 7: DR RUBEN M (6) is a strong candidate for an Exacta Key. Analysts suggest pairing him with OKLAHOMA JOE (4) and THE CHALK (3).

Race 8: The debut of BEACHGLASS (3) creates uncertainty. Analysts recommend a Trifecta Box 3, 8, 5 to account for the lack of established form.


Value Play Observations

In Race 1, SCOOT ALONG (3) is identified as a potential overlay. While analysts give it a lower win probability, its morning line may be high enough to justify a value-based show bet. Conversely, QUICK RECOVERY (1) might be overplayed based on its recent win, potentially creating an underlay situation.

Race 3 presents a difficult value proposition because COASTLAND (7) is so heavily favored. Any horse in the second or third position, specifically ROLL ON BIG O (3), could offer significant value if the favorite fails to dominate as expected.

Race 5 features SIOFRA (10) as a potential value play. Analysts recognize the talent, but the wide draw might cause bettors to ignore the horse, leading to a higher price than the actual talent suggests.

Race 7 shows OKLAHOMA JOE (4) as an interesting value option. While DR RUBEN M (6) is the clear class choice, OKLAHOMA JOE (4) is coming off a win and may be overlooked in the wagering by those focusing on the dropping class of the favorite.


Overall Wagering Strategy

The racing card at Mahoning Valley presents a clear distinction between high-probability winners and high-volatility betting opportunities. The strongest consensus is found in Race 3 with COASTLAND (7) and Race 4 with FRAME UP (2). Both horses command over 80 percent analyst confidence, suggesting they are the most reliable anchors for multi-race wagers. These horses are significantly faster than their competition on paper and have demonstrated the tactical speed necessary to handle the local surface. Bettors should look to utilize these entries as “singles” in horizontal sequences to keep ticket costs manageable.

Split-opinion races occur most prominently in Race 1 and Race 5. In the opener, analyst sentiment is divided equally between THIRSTY ACCOUNTANT (5) and QUICK RECOVERY (1), indicating a pace-dependent outcome where either could prevail. Race 5 is similarly murky, with SIOFRA (10), LADY LOVES MONEY (4), and S’MOR CRAFTY (1) all receiving significant attention. These races are the ideal spots to spread in Pick 4 or Pick 5 constructions, as the analytical tension suggests that no single horse has a definitive edge.

Multi-race sequences are most attractive starting in Race 2 and running through Race 4. With strong consensus in two of these three legs, a Pick 3 can be structured relatively cheaply. The combination of INSTIGATION (3) leading into COASTLAND (7) and FRAME UP (2) provides a high-confidence path that reduces the need for expensive “all” buttons. These sequences represent the best mathematical opportunity to realize a profit on the card by leveraging the high agreement among analysts for these specific runners.

Exotic value opportunities are best captured in Race 8, where a large number of first-time starters and unproven maidens create analytical variance. Because form is unpredictable in these types of races, pricing inefficiencies are common. Structural approaches like a superfecta wheel or a four-horse box can capture the upset upside if one of the favorites, like BEACHGLASS (3), fails to fire on debut. Environmental factors remain stable with 50-degree temperatures and a fast dirt surface expected, which should favor horses with established early speed in the sprint distances.

Key takeaways for today’s card include prioritizing the mid-card anchors COASTLAND (7) and FRAME UP (2) to build a wagering foundation. Secondly, bettors should look for value in the allowance ranks where class-droppers like DR RUBEN M (6) may offer a fair price despite their clear talent advantage. Finally, spreading in the fifth and eighth races will provide the necessary coverage to survive the more unpredictable segments of the program.

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Talkback