Check out my Wednesday (9-23-26) Churchill Downs Race 8 analysis below.
CD 8 (Alw-127k/1x, 3&up, 8.5f dirt) – Post Time 4:19 PM ET
Primary – #5 PENALTY BOX, #9 Pagode
Secondary – #10 Stellenbosch, #3 Memory
Horse Comments:
#5 Penalty Box (4-1) ran well in both local starts including an extended sprint maiden win under Ben Curtis June 7. He disappointed at Ellis Park July 18 and bounced back with a close show finish at that same venue Aug. 21. Michael McCarthy’s 4-year-old gelding should be forwardly placed in a race lacking front end speed.
#9 Pagode (8-5) is 1-for-8 with five runner-up finishes, and he completed the exacta in his last five attempts on the main track. His new rider Jose Ortiz wins races with Joe Sharp and a stalking trip is expected. He landed the place in both local starts.
#10 Stellenbosch (8-1) graduated by a head in the slop as the favorite in a dirt route at Ellis Park Aug. 1. His winning rider Francisco Arrieta stays put and Bob Baffert’s $1.05 million Tapit colt sports back-to-back local 5f bullets for this engagement.
#3 Memory (8-1) moves to the Brendan Walsh barn and this is his first start as a gelding. He is back on dirt and Tyler Gaffalione is his new rider, and he should be forwardly placed. He drilled a local 5f bullet for this Sept. 17.
Wagers:
#5 to win
Exacta 3-5-10/9
Trifecta 5-9/3-5-6-9/3-5-6-9
September 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Sept. 3 – Unbinding/Hey Lil Lady/Nikolina Trifecta ($77.60)
Sept. 4 – Daytona Diamond ($3.00), Trifecta ($32.60)
Sept. 5 – Magnificat ($4.80), Quinella ($17.40)
Sept. 7 – Medoro ($8.60), Exacta ($20.40), Trifecta ($182.00)
Sept. 8 – Jesse/Bonafide Exacta ($18.80)
Sept. 13 – Dustem Too ($7.20)
Sept. 14 – Duration ($8.20), Exacta ($21.60)
Sept. 16 – Bob’s Carrot ($6.98)
Sept. 19 – San Siro ($8.60), Exacta ($18.00)
Sept. 20 – Jasmina ($4.00)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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