Wed, 02/18/2026 - 10:30

DRF's Horse Racing Playbook for Wednesday, February 18, 2026

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First post for Turfway racing is scheduled for 5:55 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

Daily Racing Form has served as the most trusted source of news and information about the sport since 1894, and moving forward we have decided to provide a free daily playbook – something that both hardcore horseplayers and casual observers can reference to get informed of each day’s action.

Post Time: 1:17 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (2nd Race)
Horse: THREE RUN BOLT (#1, 10-1)
THREE RUN BOLT was behind several of these same runners in their last meeting but this mare was in a tough spot in terms of pace, racing in the back of the pack early on despite tepid opening fractions; better set up can help her turn the tables, as she'll be a threat if she run to her prior Beyer. -Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 3:50 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (7th Race)
Horse: DR. PERRY (#2, 10-1)
DR. PERRY was unable to threaten in that last one when in against a few of these same runners but he didn't get a lot of help from the frontrunners, as he was well off the moderate pace, and that left him with too much to do; should get a much-improved set up today and he can turn the tables at a price if the pace collapses in the lane. -Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:07 ET
Track: Turf Paradise (3rd Race)
Horse: P. S. RISING STAR (#6, 6-1)
P. S. RISING STAR goes second time on this sod and we all know that the second time a horse does anything it is often a positive. This mare should trip out best while G Rod a good fit. Recent figs are OK but we don't think we have seen the best from this mare here. She draws fine and goes for a barn that is improving by the minute. Of course it helps to have an awesome owner in Phil Hall. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:20 ET
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (8th Race)
Horse: PADRINO'S GOLD (#7, 9-2)
PADRINO'S GOLD is a DRF Best Bet (Kenny Peck). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 4:50 ET    
Track: Tampa Bay Downs (9th Race)
TERRIE T (#3, 20-1)
TERRIE gets back on the turf after getting rained off in her last two starts and this does seem to be her preferred surface; she draws inside for the nightcap, which came up light in terms of speed, and she could be the one they have to catch at a price, making her an interesting longshot candidate to close out the card. -Kenny Peck | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 6:25 ET
Track: Turfway (2nd Race)      
Horse: PROTOMAGIC (#10, 20-1)
PROTOMAGIC did run better in her last race and will be a big price. This mare has gotten a Beyer of at least 60 in her last three starts here so we know she loves this synth. She gets off the rail and cuts back a half furlong to a distance where she has won 2 of 8. Race flow is more than fair for this closer. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 7:55 ET
Track: Turfway (5th Race)       
Horse: DOKKODO (#9, 12-1)
DOKKODO is by a 9% debut sire. His dam went 24-2-2-4 and earned 197K. All 4 sibs beat winners and earned 45K, 183K, 58K, and 68K. Three sibs tried routing and all 3 won doing so. Lots and lots of works help with route debut. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 9:55 ET    
Track: Turfway (9th Race)       
COMING IN HOT (#3, 15-1)
COMING IN HOT is a DRF Best Bet (Scott Ehlers). | Get Past Performances for this race

Post Time: 10:25 ET
Track: Turfway (10th Race)    
Horse: SASSAGOULA RIVER (#3, 8-1)
SASSAGOULA RIVER is by a 7% debut sire. His dam went 2-0-0-0 and this is her first foal. Works are just good and more than a few are fast. Saez gets a leg up and is 3 for 3 for this barn here. -Scott Ehlers | Get Past Performances for this race

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