Check out my Thursday (7-16-26) Saratoga Race Course Race 8 analysis below.
SAR 8 (Str-OC-75k, 3yo, 8f dirt) – Post Time 5:12 PM ET
Primary – #5 GETHSEMANE, #6 Max Money
Secondary – #7 Palacios, #1 Into the Light
Horse Comments:
#5 Gethsemane (4-1) stalked the pace and graduated in a dirt route at OP in March, and he hit the board in all four starts since. The early-pressing colt was claimed in April and May, and he completed the exacta in his last three starts. He added blinkers, set the pace, and held the place May 10 (blinkers on), and Linda Rice claimed him for $80k that day. He stalked below par fractions and was second best for his new connections June 14. The versatile Knicks Go colt reconnects with Jose Ortiz and he breezed a half-mile at Saratoga July 4.
#6 Max Money (7-2) had lasix once in seven starts and he graduated by 3 lengths in that extended sprint special weight affair on April 18. He was in too deep as a 36-1 longshot in the Mike Lee June 3. He goes back on lasix and reunites with Ricardo Santana, Jr.
#7 Palacios (5-2) fired trifecta shots in seven of nine starts. He moved to the William Walden barn and rallied for the show as the favorite in an extended sprint at CD June 18. Irad Ortiz, Jr. got to know him last time and he will try to get involved from off the pace.
#1 Into the Light (6-1) is getting faster for Rick Dutrow. He dropped from MSW to Mcl-50k and dueled and missed by a half-length at 6f May 23. He returned to the MSW ranks, chased from second, and earned his diploma by a half-length at one mile June 19. He should be forwardly placed from the inside post under his winning rider Dylan Davis.
Wagers:
#5 to win
Exacta box 5-6
Trifecta 5-6/1-5-6-7/1-5-6-7
July 2026 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
July 1 – Kappa Kappa ($2.20)
July 3 – Anyway ($5.34)
July 5 – Capricious Outcome ($3.26)
July 6 – Corona de Oro ($5.78), Exacta ($29.08)
July 8 – Drive by Johnny ($2.20), Trifecta ($33.80)
July 10 – Elnajd ($6.48), Exacta ($13.64)
July 14 – Freedom’s Echo/Tifosi Exacta ($21.80)
July 15 – Mr. Hooligan ($4.80)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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