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Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Fair Grounds – Racing News and Analysis for February 22, 2026

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The Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet is published daily and provides consolidated analysis of all races on the card. A Pick Pony analyst prepares the report, so selections may differ from the Pick Pony Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all Pick Pony analysts.

Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans presents an 8-race card today, Sunday, February 22, 2026, with first post at 12:45 PM CST. The program includes a $54,000 Louisiana-bred Maiden Special Weight on the turf in Race 1, a $56,000 Louisiana-bred Allowance Optional Claiming turf mile in Race 7, several dirt claimers, and a $30,000 Starter Allowance route on dirt in Race 6.​

Scratch watch notes are important across the card. In Race 1, Jus Surprise Me (PP 1), Clearly Colossal (PP 11), and Lil Henry (PP 5) appear on recent scratch reports tied to off-turf or also-eligible status. Calling On Heaven (PP 7, Race 2) has a prior veterinarian scratch notation, while Spite Lite (PP 5, Race 3) shows stewards' action from a recent start. Im Singled Up (PP 9, Race 5) has a vet-related scratch note; Race 6 includes Face The Future (PP 7, vet), Fountain Run (PP 2, trainer), and Interlock Empire (PP 4, main-track-only) on watch lists. Unified Report (PP 4) and Coffee County (PP 5) in Race 7 are also-eligible types, and Race 8 includes Catalina Day (PP 1) and Speightful One (PP 3) with multiple vet scratch lines.​

Weather and Track Conditions

New Orleans weather today is clear and cool, with a forecast high near 59 degrees and a low around 41. North winds of roughly 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to around 35 mph, follow an unusually warm prior day, creating a sharp temperature drop. Precipitation chances are effectively zero, so both surfaces should remain dry.

The main track is expected to play fast all afternoon given the lack of moisture and drying winds. The turf course, with the rail set at 7 feet, should be firm and somewhat quick, but the gusty headwind in the lane may slightly penalize horses making wide, prolonged moves and favor those saving ground and timing their late run more efficiently.​

Track Bias and Post Position Overview

On the current Fair Grounds meet, the dirt track has shown a strong preference for early speed and inside posts in sprints. About 30 percent of six-furlong dirt sprints have been won wire-to-wire, and posts 1 through 3 have accounted for roughly 45 percent of winners in those races. Deep closers generally need a pace collapse to overcome this pattern.

In dirt routes, early speed still performs well, winning around 42 percent of races at a mile or longer, while inside posts 1 through 3 have produced about half the winners. Middle posts remain competitive, but rail and forward placement are consistent advantages.​

The turf course plays very differently. In turf routes, closers have won a majority of races, approximately 51 percent, while early leaders have won only about 14 percent. This sustained pattern makes off-the-pace runners especially attractive in both turf races today. Prior turf success at Fair Grounds also tends to repeat due to the course's specific profile. In turf sprints, stalking types have fared best, winning about half the races.

Race Summaries: Key Contenders, Secondary Choices, Longshots

Race 1 – MSW, 1 Mile Turf (LA-bred)

Pace is expected to be honest to lively, with several capable of showing speed, but the course's strong closer bias points toward mid-pack stalkers and finishers.

Key contenders:
Victory Prince (PP 7) is a seasoned maiden with recent good efforts, including a strong dirt mile and a prior turf sprint placing; his stalking style fits the Fair Grounds turf profile well.​
Antiphon (PP 6) for trainer Shane Wilson and jockey Jose L. Ortiz has solid route experience and a tactical mid-pack style that should translate well to this turf mile.​

Secondary choices:
Lil Central (PP 12) owns route experience and a strong closing profile, though the outside draw requires a clean trip.​
Clearly Artemus (PP 2) has competitive dirt races and projects as a ground-saving mid-pack type if he handles the turf.​
Jus Surprise Me (PP 1) has shown early speed and draws the rail, but front-running on this turf course is a relative negative.​

Longshots:
Clearly Colossal (PP 11) is lightly raced with some turf exposure and could improve with experience if he runs.​
Guitar Man (PP 8) has turf-route experience and could grab a minor share at a price.​

Race 2 – Maiden Claiming $30,000, 6 Furlongs Dirt

A compact field with a likely moderate pace favors forward, tactical runners drawn inside to middle, in line with the dirt sprint bias.

Key contenders:
Calling On Heaven (PP 7), trained by Michael Maker with Jose L. Ortiz aboard, drops into maiden claiming and owns the best prior figure, signaling a strong class edge if he starts.
Sully (PP 4), for Peter Eurton, has recent local form and a good tactical style from a favorable middle post.​

Secondary choices:
Somekinda Mischief (PP 6) has consistent efforts and projects a pressing trip just off the leaders.​
Tickle Me Unclemo (PP 2) and Prince Ben (PP 3) both enjoy inside draws and enough ability to hit the frame if they break sharply.​

Longshots:
Gold Dollar (PP 1) benefits from the rail in a track configuration that strongly favors inside speed, offering some underneath potential at a price.​

Race 3 – Claiming $7,500, 6 Furlongs Dirt (N3L F&M)

Pace looks moderate to honest, with some speed but not an abundance of true need-the-lead types; the dirt sprint bias still favors tactical runners near the front.

Key contenders:
Princess Celine (PP 2) comes in off back-to-back local wins, has a high win percentage, a weight break as a younger filly, and is partnered with Jose L. Ortiz, making her the standout on paper.​
Menty B (PP 7) is remarkably consistent in the money and exits a local win, with Ben Curtis adding further strength.​

Secondary choices:
Foxy Zorra (PP 1) draws the rail and has enough pace to secure a good inside trip, which is a strong profile for this track and distance.​
Aztec Empress (PP 4) has some back class and a deep-running style that can be effective if the pace gets hotter than expected.​

Longshots:
Spite Lite (PP 5) brings Oaklawn form but carries a recent stewards note and must step forward.​
Easy Seven (PP 6) has overall winning ability but needs a rebound from recent efforts.​

Race 4 – Claiming $30,000, 6 Furlongs Dirt (N2L F&M)

This race should feature an honest pace with several potential pace-pressers; inside speed is again a central factor.

Key contenders:
The Great Maybe (PP 1), from the Michael Stidham barn with Jareth Loveberry up, draws the rail, drops in class, and adds first-time blinkers, aligning perfectly with the track's favorable inside-speed profile.
Say I Do Sadie (PP 2) represents the powerful Joe Sharp and Jose L. Ortiz combination, also adding blinkers with a strong inside draw.​

Secondary choices:
Danzig's Dora (PP 8) has solid recent form and a good win percentage, though the outside post is less ideal.​
California Smoke (PP 3) and Ice Cold Blonde (PP 4) both have winning ability and decent tactical speed from favorable inside-mid posts.​

Longshots:
P. O. S. H. Posh (PP 7) switches surfaces from turf to dirt and could outrun odds if the transition is smooth.​

Race 5 – Starter Optional Claiming $10,000, 7.5 Furlongs Turf (F&M)

A larger field and multiple forward types suggest an honest pace, which, combined with the Fair Grounds turf bias, strongly points toward mid-pack and closing runners.

Key contenders:
Izzy's Monster (PP 2), from leading trainer Joe Sharp with Jose L. Ortiz, has the ideal combination of connections, inside trip, and mid-pack style for this course.​
Madison Rae (PP 7), for Jonathan Wong, projects a stalking trip and is well regarded by figures and projections.​

Secondary choices:
Slam Diego (PP 8) ships in for Robertino Diodoro with a stalking style suited to this configuration.​
Elle Est Forte (PP 10), an experienced mare for Michael Maker with Ben Curtis riding, can be competitive despite a wider draw.​
Start Singing (PP 5) owns pace presence and could leverage that if the pace does not get out of hand.​

Longshots:
April's Gem (PP 6) is an older mare who needs a strong pace collapse but could snag a minor share at long odds.​
Im Singled Up (PP 9) has some upside but carries recent veterinarian scratch notes and must be confirmed in the gate.​

Race 6 – Starter Allowance, 1 Mile 70 Yards Dirt

With several forward types, the pace should be fair to honest; scratches could significantly alter the shape, but generally, tactical speed from inside to middle posts plays best in these dirt routes.

Key contenders:
Golddiggendevil (PP 5), for Thomas Amoss with Jose L. Ortiz, has tactical speed and high-percentage connections that fit this level well.​
Django (PP 3), trained by Kenneth McPeek with Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. up, should be prominent early and has the back class to sustain that placement.​
Interlock Empire (PP 4), for Jonathan Wong, is a key player if he goes, with a strong algorithmic profile.​

Secondary choices:
Fountain Run (PP 2), for Peter Eurton and Ben Curtis, is well drawn inside and fits competitively if not scratched.​
White Whale (PP 1) benefits from the rail in a dirt route and can work out a ground-saving trip.​

Longshots:
Nassau Circle (PP 6), trained by Albert Stall Jr., has the right barn behind him and could outperform his odds with the right trip.​

Race 7 – Allowance Optional Claiming $20,000, 1 Mile Turf (LA-bred)

This is a key turf feature where the strong closer bias is front and center; an honest pace from inside and mid-pack pressers should set the table for late runners.

Key contenders:
Calicoco (PP 6), trained by Shane Wilson with Isaac Castillo, combines a strong tactical-late style with excellent rider stats and a good mid-gate draw.
Magnolia West (PP 2), also from the Wilson barn, draws inside and should enjoy a ground-saving stalking trip.​

Secondary choices:
Big Chopper (PP 7) receives a weight break with an apprentice and can be dangerous if he relaxes just off the pace.​
Slick And Fast (PP 9) and Sonya Knows Better (PP 8) both project as off-the-pace types who can capitalize on a genuine pace scenario from slightly wider posts.​

Longshots:
Passing Judgment (PP 1) may control things early from the rail but must overcome the pronounced anti-speed turf bias to hang on late.​
Social Solution (PP 3) is a deep longshot who could benefit if the tempo becomes stronger than expected.​

Race 8 – Claiming $5,000, 5.5 Furlongs Dirt (LA-bred)

This finale is a large, speed-heavy sprint where the usual inside-speed bias may be offset by a potential pace war, creating opportunity for stalkers and mid-pack runners to finish strongly.

Key contenders:
Speightful One (PP 3) brings a strong win percentage and a stalking style that fits a projected hot pace scenario if he runs.​
Half Way There (PP 9), for Sturges Ducoing with Ben Curtis, enters off consecutive wins and represents a sharp barn in excellent current form.​

Secondary choices:
Sono (PP 6), with Jareth Loveberry, is a solid mid-pack stalker who should be ideally positioned behind the early duel.​
Sonofaship (PP 2) has inside tactical speed and recent good efforts, lining up perfectly with the Fair Grounds dirt sprint profile if he breaks well.​
Honor That Dude (PP 11) comes off a win and has a closing style that could play late, though his wide draw and top weight add difficulty.​

Longshots:
Steauxlit (PP 10) is a mid-pack closer who can pick up pieces at a price if the pace collapses.​
The Speedy One (PP 8) is a longshot who can outrun his odds in the lower rungs of the exotics if he works out a trip just off the main speed.​

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