Pasadena Stakes 2026 Analysis (2-22-26)

The $100,000 Pasadena Stakes is for three-year-olds traveling one mile on the turf course. It goes as the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on Sunday, Feb. 22 and the scheduled post time is 6:37 PM ET. 

Pasadena Stakes Analysis

With a lot of forward speed likely in this field, Unrivaled Time will need that fast pace to set up his closing kick. He’s shown a strong late burst in previous races, especially with that 23.3-second final fraction in his last effort, and with his solid ratings at this distance and surface, I think he has the ability to close sharply if the race plays out as expected. However, if the pace is slower than anticipated or the other front-runners aren’t as aggressive, he might not get that ideal set-up. But I do trust that his connections will have him prepared for this kind of scenario. That’s where track dynamics and the pace setup are key—it’s not just about the horse, it’s about how the race unfolds.

Greenwich Village is an intriguing horse with a lot of potential in the Pasadena Stakes. His turf form and closing ability make him a strong contender, and with Bob Baffert’s guidance, I think he’ll be able to handle the added distance. The main question is how well he will handle the added challenge of going a mile, but with his running style versatility and ability to finish strong, I see him as one of the top choices in this race.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

John Battaglia Memorial 2026 Picks (2-21-26)

John Battaglia Memorial Stakes video analysis at Turfway Park (2-21-26). This is a Kentucky Derby 2026 points race. Road to Kentucky Derby 2026 video record (21 8-3-2).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Santa Anita Park Pick 6 Carryover Analysis (2-20-26)

This post and companion video features In-depth Santa Anita Pick 6 carryover analysis for Feb 20. Race-by-race betting strategy, singles, pace insights and a budget ticket from Today’s Racing Digest.

The Pick 6 carryover amount is $34,288 and the sequence begins with the fourth race.

On a card that looks fairly logical on paper, I’m approaching this sequence with a budget-minded strategy — leaning on pace advantages, projected figures, and a few well-placed singles. The past performance data referenced throughout comes from the Complete Digest, and I’ll be using Fire Numbers, CPR, Fast Figs, and Final Time Ratings to break down each leg.

Race 4 – $8,000 Claiming (1 Mile, Dirt)

Profile: Speed-favoring mile distance.

This race sets up as a two-horse battle on paper.

Top Contenders

• #1 Austonian – Best Fire Number (82), best CPR, and top Final Time Rating (120). Strong overall class profile.
• #6 Tougherthantherest – Front-running type with the top Fast Fig (115).

From a pace standpoint, Tougherthantherest figures to be forward early, and at this mile configuration, that’s often dangerous. Austinian brings the most complete figure profile — pace, class, and finishing ability.

I see this race flowing through those two runners.

My Betting Takeaway: Use #1 and #6. Logical two-deep start to the sequence.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Cincinnati Trophy 2026 Video Picks at Turfway Park (2-20-26)

Cincinnati Trophy Stakes video analysis at Turfway Park (2-20-26). This is a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race. Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 video record (19 10-3-4).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Kentucky Derby 2026 Written Report (2-17-26)

My top ranked Kentucky Derby 2026 contender Paladin made his much anticipated return in the Grade 2 Risen Star at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, Feb. 14, and he stalked the pace and wore down Chip Honcho in a quality effort. In this report, I will recap the Risen Star and Sunland Park Derby, update the points standings, and share my exceptional eleven Derby contenders.

I cover all of the Kentucky Derby 2026 points races on my Runaway Horse video channel, and through 21 points races, my top choices have 8 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 2 show finishes. The next Derby points race is the John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park on Feb. 21.

Mesquite and Thunderously are both off the Derby trail. The former, trained by Cherie DeVaux, finished second in the Lecomte (G3) in January. He has a soft tissue injury and will be evaluated this week. The latter, a Bill Mott runner, easily won his dirt route debut at Gulfstream on Jan. 10 (88 BSF). He has an undisclosed injury and will be sidelined indefinitely.

Kentucky Derby 2026 Points Race Recaps

Grade 2 Risen Star at Fair Grounds (2-14-26): Chip Honcho (blinkers off) made the running and almost went all the way. Race favorite Paladin ($3.40) stalked from fourth and moved up to challenge Chip Honcho with three furlongs to go, and he gradually wore that one down to prevail by a half-length (93 BSF). Chip Honcho fought hard throughout and was clearly second best in a fine effort. Golden Tempo rallied from the back of the pack to secure the show and Universe was an even fourth. Carson Street (5th), Courting (6th), Quality Mischief (7th), and Colt Forty Seven (8th) also ran. Tyler Gaffalione rode the winner for Chad Brown. Paladin’s regular rider Flavien Prat was in Saudi Arabia on Saturday and he guided Nysos to a runner-up finish in the $20 million Saudi Cup. The Fair Grounds main track played to forwardly placed runners on Saturday and Gaffalione kept Paladin within striking range throughout. Fractions: 23.81, 47.49, 1:11.53, 1:36.37, 1:49.14.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Derby 2026 Video Report (2-17-26)

In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my updated Exceptional 11 Derby contenders (2-17-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Update (2-16-26)

The Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes was the big Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep race last week and my top ranked Oaks filly Bella Ballerina ran her record to 3-for-3 with a gutsy performance. A total of 19 Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the Rachel Alexandra and Sunland Park Oaks, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 19 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 4 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Cincinnati Trophy at Turfway Park on Friday, Feb. 20.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds (2-14-26): Bella Ballerina made the running and Luv Your Neighbor chased from second, and those two dominated throughout. Luv Your Neighbor took a short lead in the stretch and it looked like she might win, but Bella Ballerina ($3.60) bravely fought back along the rail and scored by a half-length under Tyler Gaffalione. Luv Your Neighbor was second best and Just Singing rallied to finish a clear third. Powered by Family (4th), Classic Glide (5th), and Majestical (6th) also ran. Brendan Walsh saddled the winner and she received a BSF of 84 for her victory on Saturday. Fractions: 23.40, 46.98, 1:11.43, 1:36.75, 1:43.38. 

Read more at The Runaway Horse