Test Stakes Picks and Odds – Explora Favored to Overcome Goodall at Saratoga (Aug 8)
- When: Saturday, August 8, 2026 @ 4:36 PM ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How to Watch: FOX, FanDuel TV
An important weekend of prep action ahead of the Breeders’ Cup is set for Saratoga this Saturday. A classy field of fillies aged three collide in the G1 Test Stakes, with a distance of seven furlongs being covered. Bob Baffert’s Explora heads the betting with the best horse racing betting sites. You can find our Test Stakes picks here.
Test Stakes Odds
| Horse (Draw) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Movie Night (1) | +550 |
| Percy’s Bar (2) | +1000 |
| Sippin Pretty (3) | +1000 |
| Where Luck Lives (4) | +1600 |
| Goodall (5) | +400 |
| On Time Girl (6) | +300 |
| Explora (7) | +250 |
| Carmel Coast (8) | +2000 |
Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.
Race Information & Records
| Stat | Information |
|---|---|
| Race Distance | 7 Furlongs |
| Purse | $500,000 |
| Most Successful Trainer | James Fitzsimmons (5) |
| Most Successful Jockey | Jerry Bailey (6) |
ALSO SEE: Iowa Corn 350 Picks, NASCAR Odds & Betting Preview (Aug 9)
Test Stakes: Recent Winners
- 2025– Kilwin (Jose Ortiz/George Arnold II)
- 2024– Ways And Means (Flavien Prat/Chad Brown)
- 2023– Pretty Mischievous (Tyler Gaffalione/Brendan Walsh)
- 2022– Chi Town Lady (Joel Rosario/Wesley Ward)
- 2021– Bella Sofia (Luis Saez/Rudy Rodriguez)
Test Stakes: Betting Preview
The first of four Grade Ones on the Saratoga card this Saturday comes in the form of the G1 Test Stakes, which is run over a distance of seven furlongs. A trappy betting contest awaits, with the betting likely to be headed by Bob Baffert-trained Explora.
The three-year-old dropped back down to seven furlongs with an impressive showing at Churchill Downs in June, beating On Time Girl by over a length in the Leslie’s Lady Stakes. Has form lines with the best three-year-old fillies this season, including a win over the dominant Counting Stars in the G3 Honeybee, before finishing behind the same rival when fourth in the G1 Kentucky Oaks.
On Time Girl has form to find on Explora after finishing a close second behind her re-appearing rival at Churchill Downs. However, the Brad Cox runner had looked largely progressive before that showing, including wins in the G2 Eight Belles and G3 Forward Gal over seven furlongs.
Movie Night looks like one of the most interesting unexposed contenders in this field after stepping onto U.S. dirt with an impressive five-length win at Churchill Downs at the end of June. This is a step up in opposition, but she is well worth her place in this field for trainer William Walden.
Goodall was narrowly denied over an extended six furlongs at Saratoga last month when touched off by Sippin Pretty in the G3 Victory Ride. This step up to seven furlongs should suit, and she has already beaten Carmel Coast when landing the Jersey Girl at Saratoga this year.
Percy’s Bar rounds off the leading contenders. The three-year-old is on a recovery mission after finishing seventh in the G1 Kentucky Oaks and fifth in the Monomoy Girl. Not exactly bred for a sharp seven furlongs, which would be a concern.
Test Stakes Picks
Movie Night and On Time Girl should be capable of fighting for a top three finish. However, Explora holds the clear form edge. She has form mixing in with the best three-year-old fillies in the country this season, and she dropped back down to seven furlongs with an impressive listed win at Churchill Downs last time out.
Free Pick:
