Charles Town picks and analysis: February 21, 2026

RACE 1: 3-5-4-1

Are we really picking a horse who’s 1-for-40 on top? Well, sure, if you get 8-1 in this group. #3 I Wanna Rock was off for two months before a useful return to action in his latest when the Mosler gelding led a long way before settling for third. He was well clear of the others and just behind Fabelman, another runner who never wins but then returned to win next out… His best would make #5 We Live This Game (1-1) a winner in this spot, but he’s a little bit suspect after running a stinker in latest, going two months without a start, and now returning at a route distance… #4 Belmont Union (6-1), bested in a pair of local maiden specials, suddenly enters the ranks of winners after getting put up to first — in a race that took place nine months ago at Aqueduct. He’s not in good form now but has better to run back to… In the table below each writeup, the Rating is not a speed figure but could be considered indicative of the horse’s level of accomplishment in the last year. Click on the plus sign next to each to see the horse’s trainer and jockey and their stats through Feb. 14…

RACE 2: 1-3-6-2

Look for the speedy #1 Irish Jubalee (8-5) to head right to the front in this contest, and the soph may be tough to reel in as he aims to extend his win streak to three… We picked #3 Digital Security (7-2) last week at LRL, when he was a decent third, so why not in here, too? He’ll be running late… #6 Springhawk (5-2) makes his first local start for Kevin Joy and likely looks to stalk and pounce…

RACE 3: 2-4-6-7

#2 The Commack Kid (8-5) ran a good one in latest, and while he couldn’t quite go with winner Mr On High, the two of them were a mile clear of everyone else. A repeat ought to be enough… #4 Got That Drip (8-1) didn’t show much on debut, but we like that trainer Farrior comes back in special weight company with him. Look for an improved try here… #6 Scar Nose (5-2) couldn’t go with our top choice in latest after a wide journey throughout…

RACE 4: 3-1-6-4

There’s not a ton of early speed in this allowance for fillies and mares, and we’re wondering if #3 Rock Hard Rose (3-1) might try to steal it on the front end. She didn’t run badly last out when third behind runaway winner Double Spirit… #1 Somesugarnspice (6-1) didn’t show much in her season bow but has better to run back to, and if the pace heats up, she’ll be coming late… Morning line fave #6 Professor Grace (9-5) got loose on a comfortable lead in latest, but we suspect she won’t find it quite so comfy this time, and if not, a repeat of that seems unlikely…

RACE 5: 8-2-6-5

We’ll eat the chalk with #9 Skie’s Music (4-5), who laid waste to a two-life field last out and catches a manageable group here. She’s been in the money seven straight… #2 Moonlight Mistress (15-1) switches into the King barn and stretches back out to two turns…

RACE 6: 3-5-2-7

#3 Box Office (9-5) was up against it last out when the top pair ran one-two all the way around, but he was clearly best of the rest… Draw a line through the last outing for #5 El Mayo (5-1), who had to be wrangled outside off of heels into the first turn and pretty much lost any chance at that point; prior outings fit here… #2 Chasing Colton (3-1) showed little in his latest, and note that Bocachica opts for #3 over this one, but he could get back to better form in his second in the Farrior barn…

RACE 7: 4-8-1-3

The consistent #4 Youthinkthatsfunny (4-1) has finished second or third in five straight and 25 times in 50 career outings, but he also has 11 wins and always seems to fire; he makes his second start in the Jones barn… The speedy #8 In the Chase figures to go to the front and take ’em as far as he can… Morning line chalk #1 Omar Comin (7-5) ran big last out against a very salty crew in an open allowance here, but that had to take something out of him and he returns here just eight days later; a repeat wins, but we’re not sure we’d take 7-5 on the proposition that he’ll repeat…

RACE 8: 7-8-9-6

Improved outing in latest for #7 Speedy Sammy (12-1), who added blinkers and grabbed third at 29-1 and now drops into the claiming ranks; trainer Joy wins at a 25% clip on this drop… #8 Hidden Favor (2-1) gave a solid account of himself last out when second behind 3-5 Camden Hills… #9 Mac Daddyness (9-2) switches into the Joy barn and gets Lasix added… The breeding says dirt should work for #6 Essentially Gold (9-5), and she’s been facing better, but she is a filly facing boys, hasn’t shown much in any of her starts, and makes her first start in two months…

LATEST NEWS

• 
  Laurel Park picks and ponderings: April 11, 2026
• 
  Off to the Races Radio lineup for April 11
• 
  Maggie’s Girl could give Grams Fancy Buckles win
• 
  Laurel Park picks and ponderings: April 10, 2026
• 
  Laurel Park: Latest jockey and trainer stats
• 
  Laurel: Turf racing returns, “thankfully”