In this Kentucky Derby 2026 video, I share my Exceptional 11 Derby contenders (2-24-26).
Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Road to Kentucky Derby Report (2-24-26)
The John Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park was the latest road to Kentucky Derby prep race and Great White held off Fulleffort by a neck. In this report, I will recap the John Battaglia Memorial, 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 22 points races, my top choices have 8 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 2 show finishes. The next Derby points race is the Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct on Feb. 28. The Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park will also be run on Feb. 28, and the other Derby points race this week is the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on March 1.
Gotham field: 1 – Balboa, 2 – Hammond, 3 – Crown the Buckeye, 4 – Fourth and One, 5 – Right to Party, 6 – Iron Honor, 7 – Exhibition Only, 8 – Creole Chrome, 9 – Dirty Rich.
Fountain of Youth field: 1 – Jackson Hole, 2 – Rockies Balboa, 3 – Talkin, 4 – Commandment, 5 – Bravaro, 6 – Chief Wallabee, 7 – Napoleon Solo, 8 – Bull by the Horns, 9 – Global Aviator, 10 – Solitude Dude, 11 – Lost Money.
Rebel Stakes field: 1 – Bravaro, 2 – Litmus Test, 3 – Class President, 4 – Blackout Time, 5 – Honey’s To Blame, 6 – Strategic Risk, 7 – Silent Tactic, 8 – Rancho Santa Fe, 9 – Time for Music, 10 – Soldier N Diplomat.
Read more at The Runaway Horse.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Busher Stakes Video Picks (2-28-26)
Bushder Stakes video analysis at Aqueduct (2-28-26). This is a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race. Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 video record (20 10-3-4).
Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.
Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Report (2-23-26)
In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (2-23-26).
Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.
Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (2-23-26)
There were two Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep races last week and the winners of those events romped on the front end. In this report, I will recap the UAE Oaks and Cincinnati Trophy, 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 20 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 4 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Busher at Aqueduct on Feb. 28. The Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park will also be contested on Feb. 28, and the other Oaks points race this week is the Honeybee at Oaklawn on March 1.
Busher field: 1 – Nycon, 2 – Current Yield, 3 – Paradise, 4 – Blazing Brat, 5 – Interstatelovesong
Davona Dale field: 1 – My Miss Mo, 2 – Blazing Brat, 3 – Paradise, 4 – Omaha Bay, 5 – Imperatrice, 6 – Haute Diva, 7 – Swing Vote, 8 – She Be Smooth, 9 – On Time Girl
Honeybee field: 1 – Take Charge Macy (20-1), 2 – Sneaky Good (8-1), 3 – Grace is Free (30-1), 4 – Newtown Pike (10-1), 5 – Knickleanddime (12-1), 6 – Search Party (9-2), 7 – Counting Stars (15-1), 8 – Classic Glide (30-1), 9 – Explora (7-5), 10 – Taken by the Wind (5-2).
Read more at The Runaway Horse
Santa Anita Park Handicapping Report (Feb. 20-22)
Fast main track and no turf races carded. Three front running winners on dirt (6f, 6,5f, 6f).
Dirt sprint riding doubles for Abel Lezcano and Tiago Pereira.
The $2 Pick 6 carryover pool was $206,561 and tickets with six winners paid $417.60. The 5 out of 6 consolation prize was $12.80.
Feb. 20 Claims: Race 2 – A. P. Again ($25k, Robert Hess, Jr.), Flashy Fritz ($25k, Dan Blacker), Wave With Envy ($25k, Andy Mathis). Race 4 – Austonian ($8k, Isidro Tamayo), Tougherthantherest ($8k, Blaine D. Wright). Race 5 – Ahrens ($32k, John Sadler). Race 6 – The Old Nine ($25k, Jorge Periban). Race 9 – One Smokin Dude ($20k, Ryan Hanson).
Santa Anita Full Card Highlights for Friday (2-20-26)
SA 3 BLACKSMITH ($3.20)
SA 4 AUSTONIAN ($4.00), Exacta ($10.60), Trifecta ($30.40)
Double (races 3-4, $9.80)
SA 5 AHRENS ($5.00), Exacta ($36.80), Trifecta ($71.80)
Double (races 4-5, $15.80)
Pick 3 (races 3-5, $19.00)
Double (races 5-6, $24.80)
Pick 3 (races 4-6, $37.00)
SA 7 SHARONS BEACH ($2.60), Exacta ($11.40)
Double (races 6-7, $10.80)
Pick 3 (races 5-7, $24.40)
SA 8 LINO’S ANGEL (SA Price Play, $9.40)
Double (races 7-8, $17.40)
Pick 3 (races 6-8, $53.80)
SA 9 COACH CRONIN (SA Best Bet, $3.60), Exacta ($8.60)
$5 Late Double (races 8-9, $46.50)
$3 Late Pick 3 (races 7-9, $39.00)
Late Pick 4 (races 6-9, $123.20)
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9, $369.60)
Pick 6 (races 4-9, 5 out of 6) – $12.80
*Full card highlights based on $2 wagers unless otherwise noted.
Read more at The Runaway Horse
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Pasadena Stakes 2026 Analysis (2-22-26)
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
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