Fair Grounds Picks for Saturday, February 14:
FRIDAY’S FAIR GROUNDS RESULTS: Go figure. No sooner than Mr. Ed whines about the low-class, super-tough Friday-the-13th card, then he delivers his best (thus far) VSiN handicapping day of 2026. His chalky winners included both ends of the early and late Daily Doubles and an odds-on score in Race 6 by trainer Wayne “Catman” Catalano and hotshot, young rider Ben Curtis, who also booted home the nightcap winner. When all was said and run, the average $2 Win ticket returned a paltry $5.50.
HORSING AROUND: While Friday’s card left much to be desired as far as quality racing goes, today’s card is loaded with class — but that doesn’t make it any easier to find winners. Saturday’s card offers bettors five juicy stakes as well as five excellent MSW contests. First post 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. New Orleans weather forecast: Cloudy and warm. Here are Mr. Ed’s top selections.
Mr. Ed’s Selections for Saturday (2/14) at Fair Grounds
Race 1 — $65K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed likes a pair in the first leg of DD: #6 SPARE ME (7-2 morning line) for excellent trainer Cherie DeVaux, who brings Brian Hernandez back to ride, and #8 RANI (9-2) for sharp conditioner Al Stall, Jr., who hires rider Luis Saez.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,8/7,8. ($20)
Race 2 (1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT) — $65K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed likes two: #7 DEEP FLAME (7-2 morning line), making his debut for Brad Cox and Florent Geroux, and #8 MOJACAR (9-2) for Cherie Devaux and Jose Ortiz. It’s never too early to cash a winning DD ticket.
Race 3 (2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT) — $100K COLONEL POWER STAKES for 4YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the turf
I like #5 USUALLY WRONG (6-5 morning line). Not a good omen for Mr. Ed’s choice, but it’s hard to argue with the field’s most-accomplished entry for Robertino Diodoro and jockey Issac Castillo. Pick is going for three in a row. Right on the money.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT) — $65K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #10 GERBER DAISY (8-1 morning line). Filly returns to dirt for solid trainer Greg Foley, who brings top jock Tyler Gaffalione back to ride. Food for thought.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 5 (3:00 p.m. ET/12:00 p.m. PT) — $65K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YO LA-bred fillies going a mile on the turf
Much to like with #3 RASPBERRY (9-2 morning line) for sharp young trainer Whit Beckman, who removes blinkers, adds Lasix and names Jareth Loveberry to ride. The more the berrier.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 6 (3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT) — $65K ALLOWANCE CLAIMING FOR 4YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 MAXIMUM BOURBON (7-2 morning line) for hot trainer Joe Sharp with Ben Curtis returning to the saddle. The more the merrier.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 8 (4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT) — $100K ALBERT M. STALL MEMORIAL STAKES for fillies and mares, 4YOs & Up
Mr. Ed’s betting on a trio: #1 MEDERO (9-5 morning line) for West Coast conditioner Peter Eurton, who retains Jose Ortiz; #2 OVERSUBSCRIBED (5-2) for Chad Brown stable and Tyler Gaffalione; and #4 EXPENSIVE QUEEN (6-1) with Luis Saez back in the saddle, again. Strictly a riders’ race.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 1,2,4. ($30)
Races 9-12 (5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT)
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $.50 ALL-STAKES PICK 4*
R9: 6,7
R10: 5,6,7,9
R11: 3,5,6,7
R12: 2,4,5 ($48)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time favorite is the substitute pick.
Race 12 (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT) — $500K G2 RISEN STAR STAKES for 3YOs going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed’s pick is #2 GOLDEN TEMPO (3-1 morning line), trained by Cherie DeVaux with Jose Ortiz riding, to upset favored #4 PALADIN (8-5) for Chad Brown with Tyler Gaffalione, and third choice #5 CHIP HONCHO (6-1) for Steve Asmussen and Luis Saez. GOLDEN TEMPO’s 2-for-2 at Fair Grounds gives him home-field advantage.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $20 to Win & $5 Exacta Box of 2/4,5. ($40)
TOTAL WAGERS: $188
