Test Stakes 2026 Analysis (8-8-26)

The Test Stakes is one of four Grade 1 races at Saratoga on Saturday, August 8. It goes as Race 9, featuring a $500,000 purse for three-year-old fillies. The field will travel seven furlongs over the main track, with post time scheduled for 4:36 p.m. ET.

Below is my race breakdown and a look at the leading contenders.

Race Overview

The Test Stakes annually attracts some of the best sophomore fillies in the country, and this year’s edition is no exception. The seven-furlong distance rewards both speed and versatility, and several runners enter in sharp form while others are looking to rebound after facing top-level competition.

A competitive pace appears likely, with multiple fillies possessing early-pressing speed, but I don’t expect the race to completely fall apart. Instead, I’m looking for a horse capable of sitting close to the leaders before making a decisive move turning for home.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

#1 Movie Night (7-2)

Trainer: William Walden
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Movie Night enters the Test Stakes as an exciting up-and-coming filly with upside. After finishing second in her career debut, she has rattled off two dominant victories by a combined 13½ lengths. More importantly, she improved both her pace figures and final-time ratings in her first start on fast dirt last time, suggesting she’s still developing.

Her running style versatility is a major asset. She rallied from off the pace in her first two starts before showing she could duel on the front end in her latest victory. That adaptability should give her new rider Jose Ortiz options from the rail regardless of how the pace develops.

A bullet five-furlong workout at Churchill Downs signals she’s maintained her sharp form heading into her toughest assignment to date. If she takes another step forward, she’s a legitimate contender.

#2 Percy’s Bar (8-1)

Trainer: Ben Colebrook
Jockey: Manny Franco

Percy’s Bar has proven graded stakes ability but appears to save her very best performances for Keeneland. Her strongest speed figures came in victories there, including the Grade 1 Ashland, while her efforts elsewhere have generally fallen short of that standard.

The cutback from route races to seven furlongs might help, and adding blinkers could encourage a more forward early position. However, trainer Ben Colebrook has struggled historically with the blinkers-on move, and the filly is also cross-entered in the Audubon Oaks at Ellis Park on Sunday.

If she starts, she’s capable of making an impact, but she’ll need to improve on her recent route form.

#3 Sippin Pretty (6-1)

Trainer: Ian Wilkes
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Sippin Pretty broke through with a career-best effort when upsetting the Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes at 26-1. Her speed figure jumped significantly, indicating she may finally be putting everything together.

The challenge is proving that performance wasn’t a one-race spike. Saturday’s Grade 1 field is considerably deeper, and she’ll need another forward move to compete with the division’s best fillies.

She has improving form and enters with confidence, making her an intriguing player.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-28-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-28-26).

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks prep races, and through the first 28 points races, my top choices have 13 wins, 5 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. 

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Fantasy Stakes 2026 Analysis (3-27-26)

The Grade 2 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn Park is the next Kentucky Oaks prep race on the calendar. With a $1 million purse and 200 total Oaks qualifying points on the line, this mile-and-a-sixteenth test for three-year-old fillies drew a compact field of six headed by even money favorite Explora.

I broke down the field using the Digest past performances, focusing on pace, final time ratings, and projected race shape. Here’s how I see this race unfolding.

Field Overview & Pace Projection

This race sets up with a clear tactical structure. Empath figures to show early speed stretching out, while Explora should sit just off the pace from the outside. Horses like Counting Stars and Sticker Shock will look to capitalize late if the pace softens.

Key Pace Influencers

• Empath (Post 2): Likely pacesetter stretching out from sprint company
• Explora (Post 6): Ideal pressing trip outside
• Sticker Shock (Post 5): Tactical and versatile

Contender Breakdown

1 – Search Party (6-1)

Search Party benefits from the rail and should save ground throughout. She received a 140 Final Time Rating for her win in the Martha Washington in February but that was not a productive race, and her 125 in the Honeybee is probably more indicative of her true ability.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest 

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-22-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-22-26).

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks prep races, and through the first 27 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 5 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn on Friday, March 27 and the winner will receive 100 Oaks points. The Gulfstream Park Oaks will be run on Saturday, March 28 and the winner gets 100 points.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-15-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-15-26).

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks prep races, and through the first 25 points races, my top choices have 12 wins, 4 runner-up finishes, and 5 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Fair Grounds Oaks on Saturday, March 21 and the winner will receive 100 Oaks points. The Bourbonette Oaks on all-weather ground at Turfway Park will also be run on March 21 and the winner gets 50 points.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Future Wager (March 13-15)

In this horse racing video, I take a look at Kentucky Oaks 2026 Future Wager Pool. This pool opens on Friday, March 13 and closes at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday, March 15.   

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-9-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-9-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.   

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (3-1-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (3-1-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Oaklawn Park: Rebel Stakes + Honeybee Stakes 2026 Analysis

On Sunday, March 1, I’m breaking down two major Kentucky prep races at Oaklawn Park: the Grade 3 Honeybee Stakes (Race 9), a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race, and the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes (Race 11), a Kentucky Derby 2026 points race.

For this analysis, I’m using the Complete Digest, which provides the Fire Number, CPR, Fast Fig, and Final Time Ratings that shape my pace and class projections.

Race 9: Honeybee Stakes (G3)

Three-Year-Old Fillies – 1 1/16 Miles – Main Track

We have a competitive 10-horse field. From a pace standpoint, this race sets up for a presser. At 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn, pressers win 41.7% of the time, compared to 16.7% for front-runners. That profile is key.

Contenders Overview

Explorer (Top Pick)

Explorer has tactical speed and fits the ideal pressing profile. Two of her last three races featured big pace ratings (159 and 156), including a strong runner-up finish after doing the pace dirty work.

She was dominant in a seven-furlong stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year and followed that with a gritty second routing. With Flavien Prat aboard and a strong recent workout (59 flat, best of 45), she looks ready.

From post 9, she should sit just off the pace and get first run turning for home.

My Betting Takeaway: Explorer’s tactical speed plus Oaklawn’s pressing bias makes her my top choice.

Read more at Today's Racing Digest

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Report (2-23-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders (2-23-26).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (2-23-26)

There were two Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep races last week and the winners of those events romped on the front end. In this report, I will recap the UAE Oaks and Cincinnati Trophy, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 20 points races, my top choices have 10 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 4 show finishes. The next Kentucky Oaks points race is the Busher at Aqueduct on Feb. 28. The Davona Dale at Gulfstream Park will also be contested on Feb. 28, and the other Oaks points race this week is the Honeybee at Oaklawn on March 1.

Busher field: 1 – Nycon, 2 – Current Yield, 3 – Paradise, 4 – Blazing Brat, 5 – Interstatelovesong

Davona Dale field: 1 – My Miss Mo, 2 – Blazing Brat, 3 – Paradise, 4 – Omaha Bay, 5 – Imperatrice, 6 – Haute Diva, 7 – Swing Vote, 8 – She Be Smooth, 9 – On Time Girl

Honeybee field: 1 – Take Charge Macy (20-1), 2 – Sneaky Good (8-1), 3 – Grace is Free (30-1), 4 – Newtown Pike (10-1), 5 – Knickleanddime (12-1), 6 – Search Party (9-2), 7 – Counting Stars (15-1), 8 – Classic Glide (30-1), 9 – Explora (7-5), 10 – Taken by the Wind (5-2).

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (2-10-26)

Three Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep races were on the docket last week and Zany kept her perfect record intact with a victory in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Feb. 7. A total of 17 Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the Martha Washington, Suncoast, and Las Virgenes, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points races on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 17 points races, my top choices have 9 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 4 show finishes. There are two Oaks Points races this week, the Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds on Feb. 14, and the Sunland Park Oaks on Feb. 15.

Atropa, a close third as the beaten favorite in the Silverbulletday at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17, has not worked since that race. “We’re going to regroup with her,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “She needs some time. She will go to Florida and get a work-up done.”

Last year’s Spinaway (G1) and Alcibiades (G1) winner Tommy Jo was supposed to begin her 3-year-old campaign in the Forward Gal (G3) on Jan. 31 but had a setback and will be given some time off. They hope to bring her back to the races later this year.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Martha Washington at Oaklawn (2-6-26): Knickleandime (19-1) set the pace from the inside post and Maximum Offer (18-1) chased from second. Search Party ($10.20) stalked the pace along the rail, waited for running room, and moved out and fought hard in the stretch to prevail by a neck over 27-1 longshot Newtown Pike. Knickleandime held the show by a neck over Maximum Offer, and Hit Parade (5th), Spitfire (6th), Grace Is Free (7th), and beaten favorite Counting Stars (8th) also ran. Cristian Torres guided home the winner for Mark Casse. She received a BSF of 81 for her win on Friday. Fractions: 23.10, 47.83, 1:13.31, 1:39.10, 1:45.56.

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (2-1-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my updated Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (2-1-26)

The Grade 3 Forward Gal Stakes at Gulfstream Park was the latest Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep race and On Time Girl overcame a troubled trip to win by 3 lengths at seven panels on Jan. 31. A total of fourteen Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the Forward Gal, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my Runaway Horse YouTube channel, and through the first 14 points races, my top choices have 6 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 4 show finishes. There are three Oaks Points races this week, the rescheduled Martha Washington on Feb. 6 (Oaklawn), the Suncoast on Feb. 7 (Tampa Bay), and the Las Virgenes on Feb. 8 (Santa Anita).

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Grade 3 Forward Gal at Gulfstream Park (1-31-26): Mythical was the second betting choice and she set a pressured pace before fading in the lane. On Time Girl ($4.20) chased from second early, got shuffled back to fourth, and she moved out, found running room in the stretch, and finished with good energy to win by 3 lengths (82 BSF). Imperatrice pressed from the outside post, led, and held the place by a neck over Sneaky Good. Hollen Drive was best of the rest in fourth and was followed by Mythical, Tessellate, Secane, and Music Burst. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode the winner for Brad Cox. Fractions: 22.96, 46.05, 1:11.79, 1:24.59. 

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (1-20-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.  

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update (1-12-26)

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Road to Kentucky Oaks Report (1-12-26)

The Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park was the latest Kentucky Oaks prep race and Explora cruised to a big win from off the pace as the favorite. A dozen Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the Santa Ynez Stakes, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Kentucky Oaks points race on my video channel and through the first 12 points races, my top choices have 5 wins, 3 runner-up finishes, and 3 show finishes. The next Oaks points race is the Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds on Jan. 17.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Grade 3 Santa Ynez at Santa Anita (1-10-26): Bottle of Rouge scratched and that development left a 4-horse field. La Wally and Himika battled early and Revera and strong favorite Explora followed those two. Explora ($2.10) took some time to find her best stride and when she did she kicked away from this crew and won by 5 1/4 lengths at a distance shorter than her best. La Wally was second best and Revera and Himika completed the compact field. Juan Hernandez rode the winner for Bob Baffert. Fractions: 22.30, 44.21, 1:09.27, 1:22.05.  

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Video Update: Top 5 Contenders

In this Kentucky Oaks 2026 video, I share my Fabulous 5 Oaks contenders.

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse. 

Road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 Report (1-4-26)

The Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct was the latest road to Kentucky Oaks 2026 prep race and Dazzling Dame made the lead and ran away from the field. Eleven Oaks points races have been run so far, and in this report, I will recap the most recent points race, update the points standings, and share my top five Oaks fillies.

I cover all of the Oaks points races on The Runaway Horse video channel and through the first eleven Oaks preps, my top choices have four wins, three runner-up finishes, and three show finishes.

The Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park was originally supposed to be run on Saturday, Jan. 3, but it was moved to Jan. 10 due to wet weather.

Kentucky Oaks 2026 Points Race Recaps

Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct (1-3-26): Morning line favorite Shilling scratched. That changed to pace complexion dramatically and Dazzling Dame ($6.24) made the early lead and aired by 11 1/2 lengths, and runner-up Two Bits was more than eleven lengths clear of show finisher Believable. Midnite Ginny and Britain also ran. Jevian Toledo rode the winner for Brittany Russell. Fractions: 23.55, 47.20, 1:12.75, 1:25.27, 1:38.30. 

Read more at The Runaway Horse

Santa Ynez Stakes 2026 Video Analysis

Santa Ynez Stakes video analysis. This is a Kentucky Oaks 2026 points race. Road to Oaks video record (10 4-3-3).

Check out horse racing free picks and more at The Runaway Horse.