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!
Don’t forget Pick Pony’s Expert Picks, AI Picks, and Past Performance Sheets/Racing Forms!
The Pick Pony Handicapper’s Report is published daily and provides 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.
Welcome to another thrilling evening of thoroughbred racing under the lights at Turfway Park for Friday, February 13, 2026. Tonight’s massive ten race card is anchored by the highly anticipated Forego Stakes, featuring a talented field of older sprinters. The racing program offers a mix of maiden, claiming, and allowance events, providing large, competitive fields that will challenge handicappers and reward astute players with generous payouts. First post is scheduled for 05:55 PM, and bettors should be prepared for a long and exciting night of action.
Weather and Track Conditions
Florence: Sunny daytime transitioning to a cloudy night, with a high of 50°F, a low of 25°F, and 6 mph winds from the south.
The Tapeta synthetic surface at Turfway Park is widely respected for providing a fair, consistent, and safe racing environment. Track bias on this artificial surface is typically minimal, meaning that the best horse usually wins regardless of their running style. With today’s moderate daytime temperatures falling rapidly after sunset, the surface should remain tight and uniformly compacted. Frontrunners can sometimes carry their speed slightly better in cooler temperatures, but the long stretch run at Turfway always ensures that deep closers have ample opportunity to launch winning bids. Post position bias is generally negligible in sprints, though horses drawn inside routinely benefit from saving ground around the sweeping turns in two turn route events.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Luan Machado has been an absolute revelation and a dominant force at Turfway Park, consistently securing prime mounts from the most powerful barns on the grounds. His innate ability to gauge the pace and time his closing rides perfectly on the Tapeta surface makes him a dangerous jockey in every race he rides. Bettors must pay close attention whenever he takes a mount.
Gerardo Corrales is another exceptional rider who routinely finds his way to the winner’s circle. He excels at getting horses out of the gate cleanly and placing them in advantageous tactical positions. He is particularly lethal when teaming up with high percentage trainers in route races.
Walter A. Rodriguez has demonstrated immense talent and tactical awareness throughout the meet. He shines in route races where saving ground and finding late racing room is paramount. Horses piloted by these elite riders should immediately be upgraded in your handicapping process.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Michael Maker consistently brings a formidable string of horses to Turfway Park every winter. He is a master at placing his horses where they can win, particularly excelling in middle level claiming races and turf to synthetic route events. His runners are usually ready for a peak effort when dropping in class.
Brad Cox boasts exceptional placement skills, and his powerful stable is always dangerous. His runners are almost always fully cranked and ready to fire when shipping in for stakes or high level allowance races. Expect his entries to take heavy action at the windows.
William Cowans has been incredibly sharp locally, boasting a remarkably high strike rate with both sprinters and routers. His horses consistently outrun their odds and show up with strong late energy. Handcapping his runners requires careful attention, as they are frequently live longshots or strong value plays.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
The early Pick 5 offers a fantastic wagering opportunity this evening. The sequence features several large maiden and claiming fields, which will inflate the eventual payout. Isolating a reliable single in one of the middle legs will be the key to constructing an affordable and potentially lucrative ticket.
Value players should closely monitor the exact post time odds in the lower level claiming events. Class droppers often attract too much public support and become vulnerable favorites, while consistent underneath types regularly offer tremendous value in exactas, trifectas, and superfectas.
The Forego Stakes in the ninth race is a remarkably deep and competitive event. This is an excellent race to spread in the late Pick 4 and Pick 5 sequences, as at least four or five horses have legitimate claims to the winner’s circle. Taking a stand against vulnerable morning line favorites in the sprint races could lead to a highly profitable night.
Race 1
Post Time
05:55 PM
Pace Analysis
With a large field of maiden claimers going six furlongs, expect a highly contested early pace. Several fillies will likely vie for the lead out of the gate, setting up a potentially favorable scenario for stalkers sitting just off the first flight. The synthetic surface usually plays fairly, but a hot early tempo will undoubtedly flatter the late runners.
Key Contenders
Point to That Star drops into a highly favorable spot today after finishing second in a much tougher class race two starts back. Expert handicappers note her significant class relief makes her a primary threat to break her maiden tonight. Holy Brick has shown flashes of brilliant early speed and could capitalize if the pace is manageable on the front end. Birkin Elegance draws the far outside post but has the tactical speed necessary to secure a decent position early without losing too much ground.
Secondary Choices
Jane Payne has been training steadily over the local surface and could find this bottom level claiming condition exactly to her liking. Gold Lady is another runner who could easily hit the board with a clean break and a ground saving trip along the inside.
Longshots
Blue Opal has struggled in recent starts but gets a significant jockey change that might spark immediate improvement at a massive price.
Selections
Win: Point to That Star (3) – 45% confidence
Place: Holy Brick (8) – 30% confidence
Show: Birkin Elegance (14) – 15% confidence
Alternative: Jane Payne (2) – 10% confidence
Race 2
Post Time
06:25 PM
Pace Analysis
A one mile route for claimers usually sees a moderate, methodical tempo. Look for horses stretching out from sprint distances to dictate the early fractions, while the seasoned route veterans settle into a comfortable rhythm in the middle of the pack before making their move on the far turn.
Key Contenders
Some R Blessed is exceptionally well placed to bounce back after a very good second place finish last time out. He has the class edge and positional speed to control his own destiny. Frosty the Soldier won impressively over this exact course and distance previously and rates as a major danger to repeat that effort. English Challenge possesses the closing kick needed to factor late and should appreciate the added distance.
Secondary Choices
Leave It to Kitten is an experienced veteran who usually shows up with a steady effort at this level. Driftwood has intriguing back class and might wake up at this significantly reduced claiming level.
Longshots
Long Shorts could surprise the field if he is completely left alone on the front end to set dawdling fractions.
Selections
Win: Some R Blessed (4) – 45% confidence
Place: Frosty the Soldier (8) – 30% confidence
Show: English Challenge (9) – 15% confidence
Alternative: Leave It to Kitten (2) – 10% confidence
Race 3
Post Time
06:55 PM
Pace Analysis
This six furlong sprint features a chaotic mix of early speed horses and dedicated late closers. The pace should be honest and swift, ensuring that every runner gets a fair chance to make their definitive move turning for home.
Key Contenders
Brie’s in Town won impressively over course and distance in his latest start and rates as a top threat to win right back. Coco Cool steps down in class today and could bounce back with a huge effort from a poor run last time against much tougher foes. Bucaro has been working phenomenally in the mornings and should be right in the mix from the opening bell.
Secondary Choices
Chado takes a crucial class drop and gets a highly favorable inside draw to save ground. Homie has dangerous tactical speed and can stalk the primary leaders effectively before pouncing.
Longshots
Spinning Pride might vastly outrun his morning line odds if the early pace completely melts down and sets up for his late rally.
Selections
Win: Brie’s in Town (4) – 40% confidence
Place: Coco Cool (9) – 35% confidence
Show: Bucaro (6) – 15% confidence
Alternative: Chado (1) – 10% confidence
Race 4
Post Time
07:25 PM
Pace Analysis
This is another one mile test where the pace could be somewhat sluggish given the overall quality of the level. Horses positioned forwardly early on might carry a distinct advantage over those forced to rally from the clouds.
Key Contenders
Call Me Toni steps down in class and may pose the absolute main threat to the field based on her superior speed figures. Country Club won impressively last time out and could easily follow up here with a repeat performance if she gets the same trip. Sea Lion has shown admirable consistency at this level and is a highly reliable underneath option for the exotics.
Secondary Choices
Acousticat draws the coveted rail position and should save all the ground under a patient ride. My Sexy Blonde has the closing punch necessary to hit the superfecta at a decent price.
Longshots
Total Luna Eclipse is drawn very wide but could add immense value to the exotics with a sustained late run down the center of the track.
Selections
Win: Call Me Toni (3) – 40% confidence
Place: Country Club (10) – 35% confidence
Show: Sea Lion (5) – 15% confidence
Alternative: Acousticat (1) – 10% confidence
Race 5
Post Time
07:55 PM
Pace Analysis
This high purse maiden special weight sprint features several lightly raced or completely debuting runners. Expect a chaotic break with a fast early pace as green horses and their riders frantically try to establish early position.
Key Contenders
Cinister Cix narrowly missed out on a victory last time and can go one better in this spot with natural progression. Rose Ruler has shown tremendous promise in both career starts and may end up chasing the favorite home again. City of Life draws the rail and possesses the stellar pedigree to run a massive race.
Secondary Choices
Policy Change brings highly positive workout reports into this race and merits a long look. More Than Prada should never be ignored given the strong connections and steady morning preparations.
Longshots
Dixie Devil might need a race for fitness but has clear upside at a massive price.
Selections
Win: Cinister Cix (7) – 40% confidence
Place: Rose Ruler (3) – 30% confidence
Show: City of Life (1) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Policy Change (10) – 10% confidence
Race 6
Post Time
08:25 PM
Pace Analysis
A mile test for claimers where the early speed looks surprisingly light on paper. The lone committed frontrunner might be able to comfortably control the tempo from start to finish without facing significant pressure.
Key Contenders
Mo Caliente placed well in a higher class event last time and could be the one to beat while facing significantly easier company today. Righteous Star boasts strong recent form and figures to be prominently involved from the very beginning. Boys Code is a remarkably reliable runner who consistently hits the board and grinds out a check.
Secondary Choices
Third Degree might deeply appreciate the class relief and run a much improved race. Merlotti is another class dropper who could factor heavily if he regains his previous sparkling form.
Longshots
Permit to Carry gets a good post position and could seriously spice up the trifecta payouts.
Selections
Win: Mo Caliente (4) – 45% confidence
Place: Righteous Star (5) – 35% confidence
Show: Boys Code (2) – 10% confidence
Alternative: Third Degree (6) – 10% confidence
Race 7
Post Time
08:55 PM
Pace Analysis
This one mile maiden claiming event will likely feature a moderate early tempo, allowing the tactical stalkers to sit a highly comfortable trip before launching their decisive bids at the top of the lane.
Key Contenders
Original Score narrowly missed out last time in a higher grade and looks beautifully placed to finally graduate today. Noble Court has shown immense promise in better company and should deeply appreciate the drop in class. Astound also drops in class after facing much tougher opposition and merits serious respect from all expert handicappers.
Secondary Choices
Big Hawk has been training adequately in the mornings and could show sudden improvement. Represented gets the inside draw and might save enough ground to rally for a share of the purse.
Longshots
Paramount’s Pick could easily outrun his lofty odds with a clean and uninterrupted trip.
Selections
Win: Original Score (4) – 40% confidence
Place: Noble Court (3) – 30% confidence
Show: Astound (9) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Big Hawk (7) – 10% confidence
Race 8
Post Time
09:25 PM
Pace Analysis
A six and a half furlong sprint typically demands strong tactical speed and stamina. Expect a brisk early pace with multiple fillies and mares vigorously challenging for the lead from the moment the gates open.
Key Contenders
Cynane looks exceptionally well placed to follow up on her course and distance victory last time out. These Apples could prove the main danger after a game and resilient victory here recently against similar rivals. Zo Lee is another to seriously consider following a very solid runner up effort in her latest start.
Secondary Choices
Bundchen ships in with strong credentials from out of town and must be respected on arrival. The Amazing Mizzen draws the rail and has the devastating closing kick necessary to catch tiring leaders.
Longshots
Razzle Red could pick up the pieces and hit the board if the early pace battle proves overly destructive.
Selections
Win: Cynane (2) – 45% confidence
Place: These Apples (5) – 35% confidence
Show: Zo Lee (8) – 15% confidence
Alternative: Bundchen (6) – 5% confidence
Race 9
Post Time
09:55 PM
Pace Analysis
This prestigious stakes race features immense quality and a likely blistering fast pace. The stretch out to six and a half furlongs will severely test the stamina of the pure sprinters and heavily favor those who can finish their races strongly down the center of the track.
Key Contenders
Its Bourbon Thirty won with authority here recently and brings excellent, ascending form into this stakes event. Multitask has exceedingly strong claims after a painfully close second over course and distance last time out. G T Five Hundred has proven stakes class and the tactical speed that makes him dangerous in any scenario.
Secondary Choices
Playmea Tune is a highly regarded shipper who could effortlessly stamp his authority on this field. Script has a devastating late kick that will be incredibly dangerous if the pace completely falls apart.
Longshots
Prince of Power might be entirely overlooked in the wagering but possesses the raw talent to hit the board at a giant price.
Selections
Win: Its Bourbon Thirty (3) – 40% confidence
Place: Multitask (1) – 30% confidence
Show: G T Five Hundred (7) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Playmea Tune (6) – 10% confidence
Race 10
Post Time
10:25 PM
Pace Analysis
The nightcap is a maiden claiming sprint where early position will be absolutely crucial. With a massive full field entered, a fast pace is totally expected as riders aggressively scramble for position before hitting the turn.
Key Contenders
Smokin Hot Wife has consistently placed in a higher grade and looks very well treated dropping into this specific spot. Whitelick Road showed real promise last time out and could improve significantly with that experience under her belt. Zeliha has been highly consistent at this exact level and warrants immense respect from all professional handicappers.
Secondary Choices
Goldencross is a strictly logical underneath player given her steady works and prior form. Mother Volga has the rail and could secure a total dream trip sitting just behind the early speed duel.
Longshots
Muscle Mommy could easily find her best stride late in the game and pass tired horses to blow up the superfecta.
Selections
Win: Smokin Hot Wife (2) – 40% confidence
Place: Whitelick Road (14) – 30% confidence
Show: Zeliha (5) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Goldencross (6) – 10% confidence
