Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, February 26, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Sweet Aurora G 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Hannah Boo 3.50 SCRATCH
3 3 Metallic Maid 8.00 2 4-1
1 1 Seamus’s Girl 8.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Jade’s Wicked Doll 5.00 2.4 5-1
2 2 Bistineau Beauty 10.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 Betsy Louise 8.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Bouxjee Roux 6.00 5 9-1
7 7 Custom Value 30.00 5.4 10-1
9 9 Hammydown 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Louisiana Jess 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 Majority Opinion 8.00 3 6-1
6 6 Louisiana Wildlife 5.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Coattails 8.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Custom Cadillac 3.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Big Nickel 6.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Running Ragged 10.00 6.7 13-1
2 2 Maybe Eye’ll Call 3.50 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Apriority Catch 8.00 1 2-1
3 3 Sue’s Little Zing 1.20 1.9 4-1
5 5 Miss St. Claire 6.00 3 6-1
4 4 Anita’s Vision 10.00 4 8-1
9 9 Steal Me Over 5.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Agami 8.00 4.4 8-1
2 2 Pat Hand Girl 30.00 6 11-1
7 7 Lady Be Gone 30.00 6.3 12-1
10 10 Ann’s Storm 30.00 7.8 15-1
6 6 Fret No More 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Six String 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Rue Lala 2.00 3.3 6-1
1 1 Bet Towinit 3.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Bayou Bertie 3.50 4.3 8-1
3 3 Custom Design 12.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Luyv 20.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Box of Pictures 12.00 6 11-1
8 8 Viv’s Wild Aces 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Purple Heart 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Matinee Idol 2.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 Il Cavallino 6.00 2.2 4-1
2 2 Wizard of Yester 3.00 3.4 7-1
7 7 Express Line 8.00 4.5 8-1
4 4 Bonafide 6.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Westeros 30.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 California Swag 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Fit to Fly 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Simplexity (IRE) 3.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Finster 5.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Upturned Brim 6.00 4 8-1
5 5 Grazen Boy 20.00 5.6 11-1
3 3 One True Gentleman 6.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Saturday’s Gold 20.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 C’Est Magnifique 10.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Peso in My Pocket 10.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Midnight Pranks 6.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Carambaso 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Bridge Classic 6.00 1 2-1
4 4 Emancipation 2.50 1.4 3-1
2 2 French Knight 4.00 2 4-1
7 7 Mischief Mania 4.50 2.2 4-1
1 1 Benjamino 5.00 3 6-1
6 6 Big D 8.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Meelo Time 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Tussling Charlie 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Vesture 3.50 1.5 3-1
3 3 Without Borders 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Invictus 4.50 2.6 5-1
5 5 Hit That Review (IRE) 6.00 2.8 5-1
1 1 Snare 5.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Missed the Turn 8.00 4.7 9-1
8 8 Spamalot 12.00 5 9-1
9 9 To the Chief 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Royal Hope 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Righteous Freedom 6.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Seven Digits 6.00 4.7 9-1
11 11 Star Apriority 5.00 5.9 11-1
2 2 Yakety Yak 30.00 5.9 11-1
10 10 I Bet You Wont 12.00 6.5 12-1
9 9 Roadside Banker 12.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Happy Season 20.00 7 13-1
4 4 Queen’s Knight 30.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Patek 30.00 7.9 15-1
12 12 Pasketee 4.50 SCRATCH
13 13 Imperial Dynasty 5.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Quikonthetrigger 6.00 SCRATCH

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.