Saratoga brings a 10-race card today—well, 9 for us, with the opener being a jump race—but the focus is on another competitive day at The Spa, where favorites go to die and value is always lurking. Momentum is building early in August: **
Rich has started the month on fire, with top picks winning half of his first 18 races ** Terry continues to prove that ticket construction is the edge, connecting on multiple Pick 4s
Saratoga isn’t about picking the obvious—it’s about finding the right horses at the right prices.
This full-card breakdown uses Smart Sheets to identify: Horses most likely to be forward at the quarter mile Pace control and race-shape advantages Total Pace and C-Zone standouts Simulated odds vs the morning line Profile of a Winner indicators
Today’s focus:
Find live underdogs before the public catches on Identify vulnerable favorites at The Spa Build smarter Pick 4 and vertical tickets Stay disciplined and let the data lead
At Saratoga, the difference isn’t just picking winners—it’s finding the ones others overlook. Smart Sheets helps uncover the live dogs.
** Watch now and see if we can keep the run going.
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Saratoga Picks – August 5, 2026
Terry’s Picks
Race 1
6 – Roja Redemption
Comments: Finished in the money in each of his last 10 starts, winning four times. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
8 – McTigue
Comments: Won his last race at Saratoga. Strong trainer and jockey stats.
3 – St James the Great
Comments: Finished third in his last start. Strong jockey stats.
Longshot
7 – Smart Uncle: Highest last-race speed rating and owns the fastest Best Turf Speed in today’s field.
Alternates
2 – Take Your Seats
5 – Salted Carmel
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 1: 2⅜ Miles – Jumpers
- 8 – MCTIGUE
- 6 – ROJA REDEMPTION
- 3 – ST JAMES THE GREAT
- 1 – FIL DOR
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Terry’s Picks
Race 2
2 – Fabian’s Princess
Comments: High-percentage trainer and jockey combination. Adds Lasix and blinkers today.
6 – Quiddity
Comments: Finished third in her last race. Switches to a high-percentage jockey. Tied for the fastest Best Dirt Speed.
7 – Carmen Amalia
Comments: Runner-up against similar company last out. Highest last-race speed rating and tied for the fastest Best Dirt Speed.
Longshot
1 – Promise Me Amelody: First-time starter from a high-percentage trainer. Rail post wins at a 28% clip.
Alternates
3 – Giovanna Marie
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 2: 7 Furlongs – Early Speed – 44% Wire-to-Wire – Strong Inside 3
- 2 – FABIAN’S PRINCESS – Second-race Parability horse. The winner from her debut returned to win a next-out stakes race.
- 7 – CARMEN AMALIA – “YES” horse with significant improvement in her second start despite cold trainer and jockey statistics.
- 6 – QUIDDITY – Another “YES” horse who gets Irad Ortiz after a solid Saratoga effort.
- 5 – ALLEGRO BRILLANT – Scratch replacement.
Suggested Wagers
$1 Pick 3: 2 / 3,6 / 1,2,6,7
Terry’s Picks
Race 3
4 – Wedelia
Comments: Runner-up against similar company in her last race. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
3 – Maria Louise
Comments: First-time starter by a sire winning 16% with debut runners. Dam has produced three winners from four starters. Well bred.
2 – Noble Glow
Comments: Trainer wins 31% with horses making their first route start. High-percentage jockey aboard.
Longshot
6 – Miss Twitter: First-time starter by a sire winning 17% with debut runners. Dam has produced two winners from four starters, including a stakes winner. Strong trainer and jockey.
Alternates
7 – Slow Kara
1 – Empress New Groove
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Pick 4: 2,3,4,6,7 / 1,7 / 4,6 / 4,5,6,7,9 — Cost: $50.00
Rick’s Picks
Race 3: 1 Mile – Early Speed – 43% Wire-to-Wire
- 6 – MISS TWITTER – Top-rated first-time starter with a Back Bullet workout.
- 3 – MARIA LOUISE – Another highly regarded first-time starter with a Bullet-and-Go work. $850,000 Pletcher filly.
- 4 – WEDELIA – +10 Sim Speed figure and a 1½-length Total Pace edge over the experienced runners. Third-race bounce-back candidate.
- 2 – NOBLE GLOW – Projected pacesetter with a standout C-Zone. Second start and adds Lasix.
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Pick 4: 3,4,6 / 1,2,7 / 4,6 / 2,5,6,7,8
Terry’s Picks
Race 4
7 – Serendipity
Comments: Runner-up in her last race. Switches to a high-percentage jockey and has a high-percentage trainer.
1 – Relaxx
Comments: Finished second as the favorite last time. Trainer wins 26% with beaten favorites. Strong jockey stats.
2 – Unreasonable
Comments: Runner-up in her last race. Owns the fastest Best Turf Speed in today’s field. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Longshot
3 – Ontario: Returns to the turf for a high-percentage trainer and jockey and could improve.
Alternates
5 – Lady Firefoot
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 4: 1⅛ Miles Inner Turf – Closers – No Wire-to-Wire Winners
- 1 – RELAXX – Top Sim Speed figure after just missing at this level last out. Group 3 winner in France and the only horse above a 50% PAR+.
- 7 – SERENDIPITY – Could control the pace if Irad secures an easy lead.
- 2 – UNREASONABLE – Biggest upside in the field with a class drop and excellent turf pedigree.
- 6 – POWER OF DESTINY – Strong turf breeding. A repeat of the last race makes this one competitive.
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Terry’s Picks
Race 5
4 – Ramajay
Comments: Won his last race at Gulfstream Park. Tied for the fastest Best Dirt Speed in today’s field. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
6 – Sharons Beach
Comments: Finished in the money in six of seven career starts with one win. Strong trainer and jockey stats.
8 – Unauthorized
Comments: Won his last race. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Longshot
7 – Imagine John: Drops in class today. Early speed should be an advantage cutting back in distance. High-percentage jockey aboard.
Alternates
3 – Life Is Gravy
5 – Rochester
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 5
6 Furlongs – Early Speed – 9 of 18 Wire-to-Wire – Strong Inside Bias
- 4 – RAMAJAY – Top Total Pace and standout C-Zone. Tied for the most upside in the field.
- 6 – SHARONS BEACH – Simulated favorite. Two runner-up finishes with Irad Ortiz and eligible to improve second off the layoff.
- 1 – TRIPP’S PROMISE – Rail is winning at a high percentage. Improved early pace and quarter-mile fractions while dropping in class.
- 7 – IMAGINE JOHN – Projected pacesetter with improved early fractions and tied for the biggest class drop.
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Terry’s Picks
Race 6
7 – Rockabye
Comments: Finished second in her only career start. Highest last-race speed rating. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
9 – Without Hesitation
Comments: First-time starter bred for the turf. Trainer wins 31% with debut Maiden Special Weight runners. Strong jockey.
5 – Not My Niche
Comments: First-time starter with breeding that suggests she’ll handle the turf. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Longshot
6 – Queenly: First-time starter bred for the grass with strong trainer and jockey connections.
Alternates
4 – Never Gonna Stop
1 – Shinobu
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 6
5½ Furlongs Turf – Closers – Rail Best
- 7 – ROCKABYE – Second-race Parability exceeds the benchmark. Already qualifies as a “YES” horse.
- 5 – NOT MY NICHE – Top-rated first-time starter with a Back Bullet workout and outstanding trainer/jockey combination.
- 6 – QUEENLY – Third-rated first-time starter with a Back Bullet workout and Irad Ortiz aboard.
- 9 – WITHOUT HESITATION – Wesley Ward’s $2.3 million first-time starter deserves respect despite a lower first-time starter rating.
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Trifecta Box: 5,6,7,9
Terry’s Picks
Race 7
9 – Abrigado
Comments: Drops in class today. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
7 – Draft Riots
Comments: Returns to dirt, where improvement is expected. Trainer wins 40% moving horses from Maiden Special Weight to Maiden Claiming. Blinkers added.
6 – Mr R T
Comments: Finished third in his last race. Shorter distance should help. Strong trainer.
Longshot
5 – Lough Currane: Finished in the money in each of his last three starts, including a third-place finish last out. Strong jockey stats.
Alternates
2 – Implacable
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Pick 4: 2,5,6,7,9 / 1,6 / 6,8 / 1,4,5,6,10 — Cost: $50.00
Rick’s Picks
Race 7
6 Furlongs – Early Speed – 9 of 18 Wire-to-Wire – Strong Inside Bias
- 9 – ABRIGADO – Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz team up with a +11 Total Pace edge and a TLRSP# +3.
- 2 – IMPLACABLE – Pure Maiden Special Weight dropper with inside speed and the Simulated Favorite.
- 1 – IT’S BANKSY – Highly rated first-time starter with a blazing Saratoga workout. Rail draw is another positive.
- 6 – MR R T – Improving with three consecutive speed figure increases and offers value.
Suggested Wagers
$0.50 Pick 4: 1,2,9 / 1,5,6 / 5,6 / 1,5,6,7,10
Terry’s Picks
Race 8
6 – Brisbane
Comments: Finished third in her last race. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
1 – Ashikidah
Comments: Makes her first U.S. start after racing in Europe. Was beaten just ¾ of a length after encountering trouble in her last start. Rail post wins at a 32% clip, and she joins a high-percentage trainer.
3 – Tirupati
Comments: Runner-up in her last race. Owns the fastest Best Turf Speed in today’s field. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Longshot
4 – Pop Art: Winner of her last two races and looking for a hat trick. Proven at today’s distance.
Alternates
5 – Marketplaceofideas
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 8
1 Mile Inner Turf – Stalkers – Strong Rail Bias, Posts 4-7 Preferred
- 6 – BRISBANE – Flavien Prat teams with Chad Brown, and this filly should be finishing strongly.
- 5 – MARKETPLACEOFIDEAS – Three consecutive improving speed figures make her an intriguing contender.
- 1 – ASHIKIDAH – The rail is a major advantage. Should improve in her second U.S. start after shipping from France.
- 3 – TIRUPATI – TLRSP# +3 with the Top Total Pace rating and plenty of upside.
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Terry’s Picks
Race 9
6 – Usha
Comments: Finished in the money in nine of her 11 career starts, winning four. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
8 – Naive Melody
Comments: Winner of four of her five career starts. Trainer wins 34% with dirt runners.
3 – Munnings Express
Comments: Finished in the money in her last 10 starts, winning four. Strong trainer and jockey stats.
Longshot
5 – With the Angels: Winner of seven of her 11 career starts. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Alternates
7 – Iron Orchard
2 – Landed
Suggested Wagers
- $20 Win: #6 Usha
- $10 Exacta Box: 6 / 8
- $5 Exacta Box: 3,5,6,8
Rick’s Picks
Race 9
7 Furlongs – Early Speed – 44% Wire-to-Wire – Strong Inside Posts
- 5 – WITH THE ANGELS – Top Total Pace horse with a strong second-off-the-layoff profile. Three impressive wins with Jose Ortiz.
- 6 – USHA – Strong Simulated Favorite. Improved early pace figures while dropping out of five consecutive graded stakes.
- 8 – NAIVE MELODY – Potential pacesetter, although the outside post is a concern.
- 3 – MUNNINGS EXPRESS – Third-start improvement is possible. Needs to secure a forward position early.
Suggested Wagers
$5 Exacta Key Box: 5 / 1,3,6,8
Terry’s Picks
Race 10
6 – Rossbeigh
Comments: Finished third against similar company in his last race. Owns the fastest Best Turf Speed in today’s field. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
4 – Wazey’s Charm
Comments: Finished third in his only career start on all-weather. Should improve while trying the turf.
1 – Beau Cheval
Comments: Runner-up against similar company in his last start. Strong trainer and jockey combination.
Longshot
10 – Classic Commander: Tied for the highest last-race speed figure. Drops in class after facing tougher company and gets a high-percentage jockey.
Alternates
5 – Bourboncentric
Suggested Wagers
No suggested wager.
Rick’s Picks
Race 10
1 1/16 Miles Turf – Closers – Rail Tough, Posts 4+ Preferred
- 6 – ROSSBEIGH – The only “YES” horse in the field and a must-use despite recent regression.
- 10 – CLASSIC COMMANDER – Biggest late-speed edge in the race and an ideal post for today’s projected race shape.
- 5 – BOURBONCENTRIC – Third-race bounce-back candidate with upside.
- 1 – BEAU CHEVAL – Jose Ortiz takes over after an encouraging change in running style last time.
Suggested Wagers
$5 Exacta Key Box: 6 / 1,5,7,10
Terry’s Best Bet of the Day
Race 9 – #6 USHA
Usha has been one of the most consistent fillies in this field, finishing in the money in nine of her 11 career starts while winning four races. She drops into a favorable spot after facing Grade Stakes company and reunites with a high-percentage trainer and jockey combination. Her tactical speed gives her the versatility to work out an ideal trip, making her Terry’s strongest play on today’s Saratoga card.
Closing Thoughts
Saratoga continues to reward disciplined handicappers willing to look beyond the favorites. Terry and Rick have built momentum by trusting the Smart Sheets data to uncover value, identify favorable pace scenarios, and construct stronger multi-race tickets.
Whether you’re playing the early sequences, chasing Pick 4s, or looking for value in the vertical wagers, today’s card offers another opportunity to let pace, class, and race shape guide your decisions.
Good luck today, and thanks for following Horse Racing Today!
