Check out my Thursday (9-17-26) Churchill Downs Race 7 analysis below.
CD 7 (OC-100k/3x, 3&up, 8.5f dirt) – Post Time 7:57 PM ET
Primary – #8 MALARCHUK, #7 So Sandy
Secondary – #1 Gould’s Gold
Horse Comments:
#8 Malarchuk (7-2) was part of the trifecta in eight of his last ten starts. He moved to the Michael McCarthy barn and completed the exacta in the Sunland Park Stakes and G2 Hollywood Gold Cup, and he was 6th of 14 (beaten 14 lengths) in the G1 Pacific Classic as a 58-1 outsider Aug. 22. Umberto Rispoli got to know him last time and he is a profitable 21% with this outfit. Early-pressing types perform well at this distance and he should be forwardly placed.
#7 So Sandy (9-5) was part of the exacta in five of his last six starts for Cherie DeVaux. He dueled and prevailed by a head at one mile July 19 and that was his first start in 8+ months. Thursday’s rider Jose Ortiz booted him home in a local dirt route June 2025.
#1 Gould’s Gold (9-2) is a first time gelding for Ken McPeek and he goes back on lasix. He hit the board in his last three dirt routes and should save ground behind the speed. He won a local dirt route last year and is fairly reliable at this distance (6 1-2-2).
Wagers:
#8 to win
Exacta 7-8/1-7-8
Trifecta 7-8/all/1
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)
*All winning wagers based on $2 payoffs unless noted otherwise.
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