Daily Racing Form handicapper Mary Rampellini has shared her predictions for the 11-race card at Oaklawn Park on Monday, February 16, 2026. The special holiday program features the Ozark Stakes with Grade 2 winner Ewing returning in the ninth race. Her best bet is Conway in the 11th race.
Oaklawn Park hosts a full card of races on February 16, 2026, with expert analysis from Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form. The day includes a special holiday program, highlighted by the Ozark Stakes in the ninth race.
Rampellini's picks for each race project the top three finishers, based on form, recent performances, and track conditions. In the opener, a six-furlong sprint, she favors Quick to Charm, who has posted her best Beyer Speed Figures at this distance, followed by Love Supreme, returning after November with consistent form, and Lovely Words, noted for natural speed.
The second race sees McKinzie’s Glory as the top choice, bringing two-turn experience and a favorable post over With Kindness from the 10-hole, with Donita third after sharp works on dirt.
For the third, Balls in Ur Court debuts on dirt from synthetic tracks at Woodbine, showing promising local workouts, ahead of Jet Pack, who has back-to-back wins at the distance, and Blue Dazzler, expected to improve.
Systemic Change tops the fourth with added ground suiting him, followed by Sweetalkingbourbon, closing last year with sharp wins, and Mena, who faced strong competition recently.
In the fifth, Pearcy Road is projected strong on the cutback, with Huckaby closer to pace and Dawson James holding competitive Beyers.
The sixth favors Cobblestone Bridge returning to form, Ga Mo Tak sharpening for two turns, and nine-time winner Huge Bigly.
Seventh race pick is You Vee Cee, with recent wins over open foes and sharp drills, over King Peanut on cutback and Natorade, a recent local winner.
The eighth shortens The Warden to a mile, a past winner there, with Anthonian consistent despite wide post and La Houligan facing quality foes.
The Ozark Stakes in the ninth features Ewing as class standout, a Grade 2 winner with speed and post options for jockey Torres, followed by Oscar’s Hope cutting back and Dirty Rich, a meet stakes winner.
Tenth race top is Dance Some Mo, narrowly beaten by a subsequent stakes placer, with Gun Runner Charlie back at a winning distance and capable Faust.
Rampellini's best bet is the 11th race: Conway returning to Arkansas-breds after strong open company efforts, ahead of Go Go Ro Ro cutting back effectively and fitting Mandatory Mission.
