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
6 6 Hannah Boo 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Sweet Aurora G 4.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Jade’s Wicked Doll 5.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Bouxjee Roux 6.00 1.9 3-1
9 9 Hammydown 8.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Seamus’s Girl 8.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Metallic Maid 8.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 Betsy Louise 8.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Bistineau Beauty 10.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Custom Value 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Custom Cadillac 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Maybe Eye’ll Call 3.50 1.5 3-1
7 7 Louisiana Jess 4.50 2.5 5-1
6 6 Louisiana Wildlife 5.00 3 6-1
3 3 Big Nickel 6.00 4 8-1
4 4 Coattails 8.00 6 11-1
1 1 Majority Opinion 8.00 6 11-1
5 5 Running Ragged 10.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Sue’s Little Zing 1.20 1 2-1
9 9 Steal Me Over 5.00 2.2 4-1
5 5 Miss St. Claire 6.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Fret No More 6.00 2.5 5-1
8 8 Apriority Catch 8.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Agami 8.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Anita’s Vision 10.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Lady Be Gone 30.00 10 19-1
10 10 Ann’s Storm 30.00 10 19-1
2 2 Pat Hand Girl 30.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Rue Lala 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Six String 3.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Bet Towinit 3.00 1.4 3-1
7 7 Bayou Bertie 3.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 Viv’s Wild Aces 8.00 3.3 6-1
5 5 Box of Pictures 12.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Custom Design 12.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Luyv 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Matinee Idol 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Wizard of Yester 3.00 1.1 2-1
3 3 Purple Heart 3.00 1.1 2-1
5 5 Il Cavallino 6.00 1.9 4-1
4 4 Bonafide 6.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Express Line 8.00 2.4 5-1
8 8 California Swag 12.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Westeros 30.00 8 15-1

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 1.3 2-1
6 6 Finster 5.00 2.4 5-1
11 11 Midnight Pranks 6.00 3 6-1
3 3 One True Gentleman 6.00 3 6-1
2 2 Upturned Brim 6.00 3 6-1
10 10 Carambaso 8.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Peso in My Pocket 10.00 5.3 10-1
7 7 C’Est Magnifique 10.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Saturday’s Gold 20.00 11 21-1
5 5 Grazen Boy 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Emancipation 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 French Knight 4.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Mischief Mania 4.50 3.2 6-1
3 3 Meelo Time 4.50 3.2 6-1
1 1 Benjamino 5.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Bridge Classic 6.00 4.8 9-1
6 6 Big D 8.00 7 13-1

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 1.4 3-1
4 4 Invictus 4.50 2.3 4-1
1 1 Snare 5.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Without Borders 6.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 To the Chief 6.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Hit That Review (IRE) 6.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Missed the Turn 8.00 5.4 10-1
8 8 Spamalot 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Royal Hope 3.50 1 2-1
12 12 Pasketee 4.50 1.5 3-1
11 11 Star Apriority 5.00 1.7 3-1
13 13 Imperial Dynasty 5.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 Righteous Freedom 6.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Seven Digits 6.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Quikonthetrigger 6.00 2.1 4-1
9 9 Roadside Banker 12.00 4.9 9-1
10 10 I Bet You Wont 12.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Happy Season 20.00 8.5 16-1
5 5 Patek 30.00 13 25-1
2 2 Yakety Yak 30.00 13 25-1
4 4 Queen’s Knight 30.00 13 25-1

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.