Race 1
Top Pick: #6 Queen of the Den (9/5) Looks like the most likely winner based on what we have actually seen on the racetrack. She ran 3rd against similar on Feb. 22, owns the best last-race figure in this field, and showed enough positional speed to stay close in a race where 4f speed matters a ton. The concern is she is not a pure blast-out-of-the-gate type, but if she breaks clean and stays within range early, she should be there late.
Contender: #5 Mangos Casa (7/2) Chased evenly in the same race as the top pick and was not far behind. David Anderson trains, which always gets your attention at Fonner, and this one has enough early foot to sit the right kind of trip in a race where outside speed can still work.
Upset Pick: #1 Jojo's Lady (8/5) First-time starter, so there is obvious guesswork here, but the Anderson/Medina combo is dangerous and the rail has done well in these short dashes. If she breaks running, she could absolutely win first asking.
Race 2
Top Pick: #5 Aztec Gem (2/1) In these 4f allowance races, speed is king, and this one already showed he can flat-out clear and finish over this track. Last out on Feb. 14 he broke running, opened up, and won like a horse that still had more left. If he gets the same kind of trip, they may be chasing him again.
Contender: #4 Lifelike (8/5) Ran against tougher-looking pace last out and still earned a solid figure. He is another one with early gas, and if Aztec Gem gets hooked at all, this is the most logical horse to take advantage.
Upset Pick: #6 El Sargento (6/1) Finished 3rd versus similar at Fonner on Feb. 15 and fits better than the morning line might suggest. He has enough speed to stay involved and could spice things up if the top two get a little too aggressive too early.
Race 3
Top Pick: #7 Golden Hurricane (9/2) The most appealing proven runner in a race with several unknowns. He owns the best last-race figure in the field, and in a 3-year-old maiden going 6f, that matters. If he takes even a small step forward off the Feb. 21 effort, he is right there.
Contender: #6 Forza Road (3/1) Has shown enough to fit, and the extra distance helps. He is the kind that can sit just off the main pace and be in a good spot if the front end starts to weaken.
Upset Pick: #8 Chan the Man (4/1) First-time starter with a sharp local work tab and a barn that can have one ready. In a race where several have already had chances, a fresh face is not the worst gamble.
Race 4
Top Pick: #3 Magnet and Steel (5/2) Should get a lot of respect here. Last out on Feb. 21 he stalked, moved outside, and finished the job, and that race came back looking strong enough for this allowance spot too. He is not locked into one trip, and that versatility is a big plus at 6f.
Contender: #2 Zohere Has the back class and one of the better figures in the field. If he breaks with the field and gets a clean run, he is a major threat to turn the tables.
Upset Pick: #4 High Prince Interesting price horse because he brings class and enough pace to stay in range. If the top two do not fire their best shot, this one is capable of making things uncomfortable.
Race 5
Top Pick: #7 Cavanal Feels like the safest way to go. He has one of the better class profiles in the field and enough pace to work out a forward trip in a race that does not have a ton of finish. This looks like the kind of spot where a horse sitting second or third early could get first run and hold.
Contender: #3 Ru Mor Starter Logical player on class and prior races, though the last-race figure does not jump off the page quite as much as some others. Still, if he gets the right stalking setup, he belongs in the main mix.
Upset Pick: #8 Coach Sam P Comes in with the best last-race figure in the field and can outrun his odds if he repeats it. Not the most trustworthy horse in the world, but definitely one to use underneath and not impossible on top.
Race 6
Top Pick: #9 Lord Hennessy (2/1) Looks like the most likely winner. He has the right running style for this kind of 6f claiming race, showed serious pace and a good figure last out, and the profile says he can clear or press without much trouble. If he runs back to that Feb. 22 race, he is the one they all have to beat.
Contender: #4 Charley Pride (7/2) The late runner that makes sense if the speed comes back. He is not as naturally quick as the top pick, but he has enough finish to make things interesting if the race gets contested up front.
Upset Pick: #6 Puckster Has some races that fit and enough tactical ability to stay close. If the top two do not bring it, he is the type that can slide into the exacta or maybe better.
Race 7
Top Pick: #3 Hurricane Lassie (6/5) She deserves to be favored. Four-for-four in 2026, five-for-five at Fonner, and she just keeps showing the same thing: tactical speed, professionalism, and the ability to finish the job. She won the Feb. 28 feature nicely again, and if she runs that race back, she is the one to beat.
Contender: #5 Lady of Devon (9/2) The main alternative. She has enough class and late punch to matter, and if the favorite gets more pressure than usual, this is one of the few that could capitalize.
Upset Pick: #6 Marvelous Lady (12/1) Sneaky use underneath and maybe a little more than that. Her recent numbers are better than they first look, and if she gets the right stalking trip behind the main speed, she could outrun the price.
Race 8
Top Pick: #6 Stand by Time (9/5) Looks like the most likely winner in the nightcap. Ran 2nd against similar here on Feb. 22, has enough tactical speed to stay in the race from the start, and should move forward second off the layoff. This feels like a very logical spot.
Contender: #3 Joyful Josephine (7/2) Drops in class and makes sense on back form. The concern is the current barn is cold, but on raw ability she fits right with these.
Upset Pick: #1 Brown Liaison (10/1) Price horse to look at. Fonner form is solid, she can work out a clean inside stalking trip, and in this kind of race that could be enough to make her dangerous late.
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