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.
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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.
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.
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 |
