Saratoga Picks – Predictions For All Races This Weekend (Aug 8)

• When: Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 11:45 AM ET
• Where: Saratoga, New York
• How to Watch: FOX, FanDuel TV

A vital weekend of horse racing action on the U.S. calendar ahead of the Breeders’ Cup is set for Saratoga this Saturday, with the star-studded card headlined by the G1 Whitney Stakes headlining the card at the Spa. All 14 races at Saratoga will be priced up with the best horse racing betting sites, and you can find our Saratoga picks for August 8, 2026, here.

Saratoga Picks for this Weekend (Aug 8)

G1 Whitney Stakes (6:37 PM ET)

The featured race on Saturday comes in the form of the star-studded G1 Whitney Stakes, which includes a rematch between Magnitude and last year’s Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty from the G1 Stephen Foster.

However, with two pacesetters involved, it could ensure that there is value for Mark Casse-trained Nitrogen. The four-year-old filly has been in sensational form this term, including a recent 13-length victory in the G1 Ogden Phipps.

Her rating from that day will be enough to see her compete to a high level against the boys, while it is worth noting that sire Medaglia d’Oro won the Whitney back in 2003.

• Nitrogen to Win the Whitney Stakes

ALSO SEE: Iowa Corn 350 Picks, NASCAR Odds & Betting Preview (Aug 9)

G1 Test Stakes (4:36 PM ET)

The Grade One bonanza kicks off with the G1 Test Stakes, run over seven furlongs by fillies aged three.

It is incredibly hard to overlook the chances of Explora, who bounced back from her fourth in the G1 Kentucky Oaks with a straightforward win in the Leslie’s Lady Stakes over seven furlongs at Churchill Downs. Explora also has winning form over Counting Stars, who is largely considered to be the best three-year-old filly in the U.S. this season.

She looks more suited to this trip than the longer distances, and it is worth noting that the Bob Baffert yard has trained two winners of this race since 2012.

• Explora to Win the Test Stakes

G1 Saratoga Derby (5:52 PM ET)

Horses aged three will be in action on the turf at 5:52 PM ET, with European raiders such as Title Role and Pacific Avenue expected to dominate the betting. However, it could be worth giving a second chance to Cherie DeVaux-trained Remember Mamba.

Jose Ortiz will once again be aboard after guiding the Kitten’s Joy colt to a close third finish behind Title Role in the G1 Belmont Derby. He was sent off favorite for that race, but things didn’t go to plan throughout the race.

A clearer passage on Saturday will see him go close after showing plenty of ability earlier in the season in the G1 American Turf Stakes and G3 Transylvania Stakes.

• Remember Mamba to Win the Saratoga Derby

Saratoga Picks For All Races This Weekend

Race	Pick
Race 1- Maiden Special Weight	Star Salute
Race 2- Maiden Special Weight	Admiralty
Race 3- Allowance Optional Claiming	San Siro
Race 4- Allowance	Scratch It
Race 5- Allowance	Pretty Boy Milah
Race 6- Maiden Special Weight	Rum Twist
Race 7- Allowance Optional Claiming	Kravitz
Race 8- Maiden Special Weight	Oscar
Race 9- G1 Test Stakes	FIND OUR PREVIEW HERE
Race 10- G1 Fourstardave Stakes	FIND OUR PREVIEW HERE
Race 11- G1 Saratoga Derby	FIND OUR PREVIEW HERE
Race 12- G1 Whitney Stakes	FIND OUR PREVIEW HERE
Race 13- Allowance Optional Claiming	Helen’s Revenge
Race 14- Allowance Optional Claiming	Capital Panther