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Churchill Downs Picks & Predictions — May 8, 2026

May 8, 20269 racesAll Churchill Downs picks

This card ran on May 8, 2026.

Best bets at Churchill Downs, May 8, 2026

Race 16GypsanML 3/112:46 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 7 races are for members.

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Here's our expert breakdown of today's 9-race card at Churchill Downs. We've identified 3 standout races with strong plays — see our analysis below. Full card picks for all 9 races are available to TrackWiz subscribers.

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Race 1

12:46 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Gypsan looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win6GypsanML 3/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 80.5 for Race 1. Ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, trained by Joe Sharp. For past year, Jockey has a 25% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races. For past year, Jockey & Trainer Combo has a 22% win rate and finished in the money in 49% of races. 5 wins and placed in 10 of 18 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in the last 2 races. Has placed in 4 of the last 6 races. Ranked 1st in workouts over last month at 11.75 sec/furlong. Has WON 2 races in a row! Horse won last time it raced. 03/22/2026.

place4ArganML 6/5

Rating board at 72.2. Ridden by Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 12.74 sec/furlong. 4 wins and placed in 12 of 24 races on Dirt tracks.

⚡ Longshot3Night CryML 10/1

Rating board at 31.9. Ridden by Alex Achard. Has placed in the last 2 races.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

1:17 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Aubrey's Max looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win3Aubrey's MaxML 8/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 71.1 for Race 2. Career win rate of 33% shows consistency. Ridden by Ben Curtis, trained by Lacy Pierce. For past year, Jockey has a 18% win rate and finished in the money in 47% of races. Claiming Price Decreased from $20000 to $16000.

⚡ Longshot6TisumML 20/1

Rating board at 17.3. Ridden by Jaime A. Torres. Horse won last time raced at today's surface/distance.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 5 runners

Our top picks for today focus on races with clear edges in speed figures, trainer form, and track bias. These are the spots where we see the most value on the board.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 3

1:43 PM EDT

Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Mister Banderas looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win7Mister BanderasML 6/5

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 84.4 for Race 3. Ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, trained by Kinnon LaRose. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.20 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 25% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races. 2 wins and placed in 8 of 14 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in 5 of the last 6 races. Jockey & Horse combo has a 25% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 12.00 sec/furlong.

place3You Belong HereML 6/1

Rating board at 82.7 • 28% career wins. Ridden by Jareth Loveberry. For past year, Jockey has a 18% win rate and finished in the money in 52% of races. 2 wins and placed in 4 of 6 races on Dirt tracks.

⚡ Longshot1LivehappyML 8/1

Rating board at 57.5. Ridden by Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.. Ranked 2nd for recent race speed at 12.19 sec/furlong. Has placed in the last 4 races.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 4

2:13 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 5 fur · Turf

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Fancy Lady looks standout with daylight to the rest.

⚡ Longshot8Victor ValleyML 8/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 48.4 for Race 4. Ridden by Andres Calleja, trained by Israel Acevedo. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 11.89 sec/furlong.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 5

2:45 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 1 mi · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Sweet Note looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win3Sweet NoteML 6/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 82.7 for Race 5. Career win rate of 41% shows consistency. Ridden by Jose L. Ortiz, trained by Kinnon LaRose. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.60 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 25% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races. 5 wins and placed in 7 of 13 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in 4 of the last 6 races. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 12.20 sec/furlong. More than 1 win on today's surface/distance.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 6

3:18 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Bracelet looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win3BraceletML 8/5

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 88.6 for Race 6. Career win rate of 25% shows consistency. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr., trained by Brad H. Cox. For past year, Jockey has a 26% win rate and finished in the money in 62% of races. For past year, Jockey & Trainer Combo has a 32% win rate and finished in the money in 71% of races. Has placed in the last 2 races. Has placed in 3 of the last 5 races. Has 1 wins and placed in 2 of 3 races at 1 mi. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 11.95 sec/furlong. 1 wins and placed in 2 of 4 races on Turf tracks. Horse appears in today's Top 50 Horses List. Jockey appears in today's Top 50 Jockeys List.

⚡ Longshot8Lady Ilze (GB)ML 8/1

Rating board at 48.3. Ridden by Jose L. Ortiz. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.04 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 25% win rate and finished in the money in 60% of races.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 7

3:50 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 6 fur · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Eleos looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win4EleosML 7/2

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 86.3 for Race 7. Ridden by Axel Concepcion, trained by Carlos Munoz. Ranked 1st for recent race speed at 12.25 sec/furlong. Placed in 3 of 6 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in the last 2 races.

⚡ Longshot7SparkedML 10/1

Rating board at 45.0. Ridden by Danny Sheehy. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 11.85 sec/furlong.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 9 runners

Race 8

4:22 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Editor looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win1EditorML 15/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 69.6 for Race 8. Ridden by Jareth Loveberry, trained by Hutch Holsapple. Ranked 1st for recent race speed at 11.94 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 18% win rate and finished in the money in 52% of races. Has placed in the last 2 races. Has placed in 2 of the last 3 races. Has 1 wins and placed in 2 of 3 of Sprint races. Horse won last time it raced. 04/22/2026. Horse won last time raced at today's surface/distance.

place5Madaket RoadML 2/5

Rating board at 66.4. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.. Ranked 3rd for recent race speed at 12.07 sec/furlong. For past year, Jockey has a 26% win rate and finished in the money in 62% of races.

show4Tap Me a SongML 9/2

Rating board at 54.4. Ridden by Gabriel Saez. 2 wins and placed in 5 of 8 races on Dirt tracks. Has placed in 4 of the last 6 races.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

Race 9

4:55 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Clear separation at the top of the rating board — Mendels Mate looks standout with daylight to the rest.

win8Mendels MateML 6/1

Tops the TrackWiz rating board at 82.7 for Race 9. Career win rate of 25% shows consistency. Ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, trained by Joe Sharp. For past year, Jockey has a 19% win rate and finished in the money in 56% of races. Has placed in the last 3 races. Has placed in 3 of the last 5 races. Has 1 wins and placed in 3 of 3 of Medium Distance races.

place3ExonerateML 3/1

Rating board at 71.7 • 33% career wins. Ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr.. For past year, Jockey has a 26% win rate and finished in the money in 62% of races. For past year, Jockey & Trainer Combo has a 32% win rate and finished in the money in 71% of races.

show9ZakinthosML 5/1

Rating board at 64.4. Ridden by Luis Saez. Has placed in 2 of the last 3 races. Ranked 2nd in workouts over last month at 11.96 sec/furlong.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

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