Turfway Park Picks: Kentucky Derby Prep Race Analysis (2/21/2026)

Chris Adams

Written by: Chris Adams

Published: Fri Feb 20, 2026, 4:00 pm ET

Read Time: 7 minutes

Turfway Park Picks

horses

The racing action from Turfway Park on Saturday features the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Turfway Park picks for the entire card!

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Turfway Park Full Card Analysis

Turfway Park Picks: Kentucky Derby Prep Race Analysis (2/21/2026)

Turfway Park Picks: Kentucky Derby Prep Race Analysis (2/21/2026)

Turfway Park Picks – Race 1

Post Time: 5:55 PM ET; Claiming $26.8k; 6 F All Weather; Field of 8 runners.

  • #3 BIRTHDAY GIRL (5-2): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid.
  • #4 GIDGET ROSE LEE (3-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #6 RYE SMILE (4-1): Major Player. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. May be able find the right setup.
  • #8 CHICA LINDA (12-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.

Selections: 3 – 4 – 6 – 8

The Plays

Win: #3 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 3,4,6

Turfway Park Picks – Race 2

Post Time: 6:25 PM ET; Claiming $34.5k; 6 F All Weather; Field of 8 runners.

  • #7 FEAR AND LOATHING (7-2): Top pick. Looks good based on the 84 speed rating which is among the top in the group. De puts this one in with a chance.
  • #3 SPINNING PRIDE (15-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #8 GERALDRAYDAPLEGRAY (6-1): Contender. Could jump up in the figures and be dangerous.
  • #1 BEEZER (3-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer's horses have been running. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 7 – 3 – 8 – 1

The Plays

Win: #7 at 4-1

Exacta: 7/ 3,8

Turfway Park Picks – Race 3

Post Time: 6:55 PM ET; Claiming $39.6k; 6 F All Weather; Field of 8 runners.

  • #8 GOLD DEL MAR (7-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Barn has been solid.
  • #3 MOMBAYLA (6-1): Major Player. Looks fast enough off previous efforts. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch.
  • #1 VICKI ROSE (6-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup.
  • #2 NURSEKRINGLEDANCES (15-1): Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint. Shouldn't be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 1 – 2

The Plays

Win: #8 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 8,3

Turfway Park Picks – Race 4

Post Time: 7:25 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $23k; 1 M All Weather; Field of 13 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day

Longshot Play of the Day

  • #8 DOKKODO (12-1): Longshot play of the day. Top connections on the circuit with Machado and Cowans. Favorable class relief in this spot. Bet today's live longshot on MyBookie.
  • #7 CAPRIO (5-2): Major Player. Good race flow for this runner. Morales puts this one in with a chance.
  • #10 BIG HAWK (10-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. The 71 speed rating is among the best in the field.
  • #9 SUMMER SOUNDS (10-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 8 – 7 – 10 – 9

The Plays

Win: #8 at 5-1

Exacta: 8/ 7,10

Turfway Park Picks – Race 5

Post Time: 7:55 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 6 1/2 F All Weather; Field of 14 runners.

  • #12 CANTERVILLE (5-2): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Race may setup for this runner.
  • #8 BOSS' DEED (5-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. May be able to take advantage of the pace.
  • #3 CASH ALLEY (10-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #11 SEDONA SPIRIT (7-2): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well. Should still have enough if the reserves if there in the final furlong.

Selections: 12 – 8 – 3 – 11

The Plays

Win: #12 at 3-1

Exacta Box: 12,8,11

Turfway Park Picks – Race 6

Post Time: 8:25 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $102k; 1 M All Weather; Field of 12 runners.

  • #6 HOLD MY HALO (15-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Race sets up perfectly.
  • #1 STREETWHEREYOULIVE (15-1): Major Player. Productive recent form. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
  • #9 CHAMPAGNE NIGHTS (15-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race.
  • #12 APPELLATE (7-2): Contender. Race shape gives this one an edge. Hernandez and Sharp team up on this one.

Selections: 6 – 1 – 9 – 12

The Plays

Win: #6 at 5-1

Exacta Box: 6,1,9

Pick 3 (races 6-8): #6,1,9 with #1 with #2

Turfway Park Picks – Race 7

Post Time: 8:55 PM ET; Maiden Special Weight $100k; 5 1/2 F All Weather; Field of 10 runners.

  • #1 PRINCESS JULIE (5-2): Prime Win Player. Could be ready for a top effort.
  • #10 VICTOR VALLEY (10-1): Contender. Well bred for this race. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
  • #2 NANZIG (3-1): Fringe Contender. Likely to maintain its stamina reserves for a strong finish. Barn has been sending out runners.
  • #8 KILBY GIRL (4-1): Underneath. Recent races are solid. Race conditions fit this one well.

Selections: 1 – 10 – 2 – 8

The Plays

Win: #1 at 3-1

Exacta: 1/ 10,2

Turfway Park Picks – Race 8

Post Time: 9:25 PM ET; Allowance Optional Claiming $102k; 6 F All Weather; Field of 9 runners.

Best Bet of the Card

  • #2 CADENZA (5-2): Best bet of the card. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition. Bet today's best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
  • #3 GRACIE'S DELIGHT (7-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet.
  • #6 LORELEI LEE (4-1): Contender. Barn has been sending out runners. May be able find the right setup.
  • #9 LOTTA ALPHA (9-2): Contender. Potential to get the pace of the race flow. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 2 – 3 – 6 – 9

The Plays

Win: #2 at 1-1

Exacta: 2/ 3,6

Turfway Park Picks – Race 9

Post Time: 9:55 PM ET; John Battaglia Memorial Stakes $175k; 1 1/16 M All Weather; Field of 13 runners.

  • #12 TWO OUT HERO (7-2): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
  • #11 FULLEFFORT (3-1): Major Player. Should take a liking to the race shape. Cheminaud and Cox team up on this one.
  • #13 SMALL TOWN (12-1): Major Player. Should find today's group a bit softer than the last race. This one's a fighter in the late stages.
  • #1 STREET BEAST (5-2): Major Player. Fast enough on paper to compete. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.

Selections: 12 – 11 – 13 – 1

The Plays

Win: #12 at 4-1

Exacta Box: 12,11,1

Turfway Park Picks – Race 10

Post Time: 10:25 PM ET; Maiden Claiming $23k; 1 M All Weather; Field of 14 runners.

  • #14 LORD RIPLEY (3-1): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Top connections on the circuit with De and West.
  • #2 MONEY MEMOLO (5-2): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Looks fast enough off previous efforts.
  • #9 R ELLIOT (12-1): Contender. Gonzalez and Holsapple team up on this one. Potentially ready to hit a top number.
  • #10 SCOVILLE (4-1): Contender. Competitive numbers early and late. Could be griding down the competition late.

Selections: 14 – 2 – 9 – 10

The Plays

Win: #14 at 7-2

Exacta Box: 14,2

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Chris Adams
Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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