Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Friday, February 13

Fair Grounds Picks for Friday, February 13:

HORSING AROUND: Those of you who have come here looking for a quality program of fat purses, top trainers, leading jockeys, graded stakes and a stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby must wait until tomorrow. So, unless you really like to bet the ponies every day, go ahead and play today’s weak Friday-the-13th card full of LA-breds. And, check back here tomorrow for an excellent race card. Those who arrived here today looking for a few winners, here are Mr. Ed’s top selections. (First post is 12:45 p.m. ET/9:45 a.m. PT).

Mr. Ed’s Selections for Friday (2/13) at Fair Grounds

Race 1 — $14K MAIDEN CLAIMING for LA-bred, 3YOs & Up going a mile
Mr. Ed likes an early DD, keying lightly-raced #6 SUCH A PICKLE (8-5 morning line) for trainer Scott Gelner with rider upgrade to Jose Ortiz.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 Daily Double of 6/5. ($10)

Race 2 (2:15 p.m. ET/11:15 a.m. PT) — $15K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed likes #5 GET REAL BABY (7-2 morning line). Drops for new trainer Al Stall, who enlists Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. to ride the daughter of Authentic.

Race 3 (2:45 p.m. ET/11:45 a.m. PT) — $20K CLAIMING for LA-bred 3YOs & 4YOs going a mile on the turf
I’m betting on a trio: #1 MARDI GRAS EMPIRE (3-1 morning line), closer for trainer Jayde Gelner who hires top jockey Jose Ortiz; #4 GLOBAL HONOR (7-2) for red-hot horseman Joseph Felks and regular rider Sofia Vives, and #8 VEGA STAR (10-1) for trainer Shane Wilson and Paco Lopez up. Two of three for the money.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

Race 4 (3:15 p.m. ET/12:15 p.m. PT) — $15K for 4YO fillies and mares going a mile and 70 yards
Mr. Ed likes #8 STAR ANISE (4-1 morning line) for Brett Brinkman, who brings Paco Lopez back to ride. She’s my shining star, a superstar.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 5 (3:45 p.m. ET/12:45 p.m. PT) — $54K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16 mile on the turf
I like #2 STARWOOD (5-1 morning line) for top trainer Brad Cox off claim with rider upgrade to Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. A surefire superstar.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 6 (4:15 p.m. ET/1:15 p.m. PT) — $54K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for LA-bred 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on #7 MO ECHOS (4-1 morning line) for Wayne “Catman” Catalano with a rider change to young Ben Curtis.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 7 (4:45 p.m. ET/1:45 p.m. PT) — $30K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YO fillies and mares going 1 1/16-mile on the turf
Mr. Ed closes out card playing the Late DD with #6 LOCH FYNE (9-2 morning line)for excellent trainer Michael Stidham, who removes blinkers, and #7 DREAM FROM WITHIN (7-2) for under-rated trainer Lindsay Schultz and Paco Lopez.
FAIR GROUNDS SELECTION: $5 Daily Double of 6,7/2,4,10. ($30)

Race 8 (5:15 p.m. ET/2:15 p.m. PT) — $15K CLAIMING for LA-bred 4YOs going a mile
To complete the successful DD bet, Mr. Ed likes any of three: #2 RUNNINGINTHEMONEY (7-2 morning line); #4 ISLAND CABANA (3-1), and #10 SYVESTAR (6-1) with Paco Lopez riding.

TOTAL WAGERS: $110

SATURDAY AT THE FAIR GROUNDS: Those deciding to sit out Friday’s weak card will be rewarded for their patience on Saturday. Atop the 12-race card sits the $500K Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes for 3YOs, including popular Kentucky Derby candidates Paladin, Carson Street, Golden Tempo and Courting. Rounding out the program are five super tough, quality Maiden Special Weight contests and three additional stakes. First post on Saturday is 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Look for Mr. Ed’s selections here on VSiN and check out his current Kentucky Derby Watch List:

MR. ED’S DERBY DIRTY DOZEN (2/13/26)

(1) Nearly; (2) Brant; (3) Paladin; (4) Further Ado; (5) Napoleon Solo; (6) Litmus Test; (7) Desert Gate; (8) Renegade; (9) So Happy; (10) Bravao; (11) Strategic Risk; (12) Argos; (13) Commandment.

(Compiled from several highly respected backstretch sources)

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