Saratoga Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Frolicking 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Glow of a Rose 2.00 1.1 2-1
3 3 Poise 2.00 1.1 2-1
4 4 Chestnut 6.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Episodic 8.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Commitment Fund 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Quick Pick 2.50 2.6 5-1
3 3 Pay the Piper 3.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Veblen 3.50 4.5 8-1
1 1 Housing Market (FR) 3.50 4.5 8-1
5 5 Democracy Defender 4.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Feline Curious 4.50 6.3 12-1
8 8 Sidearm 6.00 9 17-1
6 6 Okefenokee 6.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Royal Bobbie 2.00 1 2-1
10 10 Belle Cherie 4.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Bobby Jean 5.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Cararra 6.00 2.4 5-1
9 9 Karey 8.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Oscar Bound 8.00 3.1 6-1
5 5 Calling an Audible 12.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 That’sthefactjack 15.00 5.6 11-1
1 1 Hauntress 20.00 7.4 14-1
11 11 Scootaloo 20.00 7.4 14-1
7 7 Caradise 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Just Classic 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Main Thing 3.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Capt Fluff N Stuff 4.50 2.4 4-1
3 3 Bakuto 5.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Nordic Fyre 8.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Mr. Mashigina 8.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Classic Rock 10.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Holy Dancer 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 All Star Leigh 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Deuce Dancer 4.50 2.1 4-1
14 14 Beach Life 5.00 2.4 4-1
4 4 Saint Dymphna 6.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Cyber Cloud 6.00 2.9 5-1
6 6 Carpet City 8.00 4 8-1
10 10 Leyton Orient 10.00 5.1 10-1
1 1 Fire Angel 10.00 5.1 10-1
13 13 Sweet Grace 12.00 6.2 12-1
16 16 Night Sky 12.00 6.2 12-1
2 2 Kinboshi 15.00 7.8 15-1
11 11 The Paper Lady 20.00 10.6 20-1
7 7 Buccherita 20.00 10.6 20-1
5 5 Nater Tot 20.00 10.6 20-1
15 15 Champagne in Paris 30.00 16 30-1
12 12 Comets Choice 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Paul’s Recovery 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Capricious Outcome 2.50 1.2 2-1
2 2 Printer’s Alley 4.50 2 4-1
11 11 Vintage Vino 5.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Royal Browne 6.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 I Can See That 10.00 4.1 8-1
5 5 Lawyer Mason 10.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Exhibition Only 10.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Jeter 12.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Take a Stance 15.00 6.1 12-1
6 6 Funky See Funky Do 15.00 6.1 12-1
4 4 Kings Dancer 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Immaculate Moon 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Lil Tipsy 3.00 1.2 2-1
5 5 Rose to Riches 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Cara Fiore 4.50 1.8 3-1
4 4 Chart the Course 8.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Pulling Threads 10.00 4 8-1
8 8 M Bs Melanie Cares 15.00 6 11-1
3 3 Red Beach 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Troy S.) – Troy S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Twenty Six Black 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Doncho 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 John the Beer Man 3.50 1.5 3-1
5 5 Waralo 6.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 Works for Me 8.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 Rezasrolex 10.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 Dancing Buck 15.00 6.7 13-1
9 9 Determined Kingdom 15.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Coppola 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Mo for the King 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Onebigbeautfulbill 3.50 1.3 2-1
6 6 Max Money 4.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Tricky Business 5.00 1.7 3-1
4 4 Blue Roof Beau 6.00 2 4-1
8 8 Empire Sky 12.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Sorority Prank 12.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Caddiemaster 12.00 3.8 7-1
9 9 Sebastianthe First 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
13 13 Sequential 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Ciao Chuck 3.50 1.1 2-1
8 8 Hard Circle 4.50 1.4 3-1
14 14 Fever Night 5.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Gun Barrel City 6.00 1.8 3-1
10 10 Blast Furnace 6.00 1.8 3-1
4 4 Pineland 8.00 2.4 4-1
1 1 The Paddock Pastor 8.00 2.4 4-1
9 9 English Castle 10.00 2.9 6-1
3 3 Outsource 10.00 2.9 6-1
11 11 Maximum Promise 12.00 3.5 7-1
12 12 Chips and Fish 15.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Silver Front 30.00 8.5 16-1
7 7 Back in the Saddle 50.00 14 26-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Bosun 3.50 1 2-1
6 6 Shirl’s Soul Town 4.50 1.6 3-1
7 7 Grunge 4.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Mission Improbable 6.00 2.4 4-1
10 10 Ortley Avenue (IRE) 6.00 2.4 4-1
3 3 Bostontonian 8.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 After Taxes (IRE) 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Brightline Bullet 10.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Into Diamonds 15.00 7.3 14-1
4 4 Pair of Socks 20.00 10 19-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.