Retama Park Picks & Predictions — August 8, 2026

Jess a Snowy Monday rates 78.76 — a strong second in this field — and is lined at 7/2, which means the market agrees with our model's view of the top two. Luis F. Palacios picks up the mount for trainer Jose Marcial Garcia, the same jockey-trainer combo we like in Race 1. Consecutive appearances on the same card from the same connections is often a sign of a well-managed, confident outfit.

Valiant Lil Marfa slots in as our third-ranked horse at 73.81 and catches a 4/1 morning line in a spot where TrackWiz sees genuine merit. Miguel R. Vallejo takes the reins for trainer Raul E. Galvan, and the rating gap between third and fourth in this field is significant enough that this horse warrants inclusion in trifecta tickets. At 4/1, it's a fair price for a horse we genuinely like.

Goldmine Creek rates 76.18, which is a solid number that creates real separation over the rest of the field below Political Monkey. Trainer John A. Stinebaugh sends out Ali Rivera, and the 9/2 morning line is fair — maybe even a touch generous — for a horse rated this clearly in second. In a wide-open maiden sprint, this one profiles well as the most likely to hit the board behind the top pick.

Special Dragon Lela checks in at 60.20 and carries a 5/1 morning line that makes sense for a horse sitting in what our ratings call the third tier of this race. Aniceto Gomez rides for trainer Juan Isidro Cantu, and at 250 yards, a horse with a solid rating foundation can absolutely find its way into the trifecta. This one is worth including in multi-horse exotic tickets as a legitimate show contender.

Jackpot Gl rates 57.50 — just a whisker behind Madame Monroe — and is actually the morning line favorite at 5/2, which reflects the market seeing similar value at the top. Luis L. Vivanco takes the mount for trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III, a connection that's active throughout today's program. The tight rating gap between our top two suggests this is a legitimate match race at the top, making both horses sensible plays in the exacta.

Featuredcarteleffort slots in third in our ratings at 55.83, a closely packed cluster beneath the top two, and is offered at 7/2 morning line. H. Javier Hernandez rides for trainer Brittany N. Tellez — a barn we see multiple times today — and that familiarity can translate to a horse running comfortably in its spot. With three horses separated by fewer than three rating points, exotics here should include all three in combination.

Madame Secretari rates 64.39 — a strong second in this field — and draws a 5/1 morning line that might offer a touch of overlay value in the place pool. Alejandro Medina rides for trainer Gilberto Gonzalez, another outfit with multiple runners today. The gap between Madame Secretari and Fidelio is real, but she's comfortably clear of the rest, which is exactly what you want from a place selection.

Jvm Victoria Doll checks in at 61.66 — third in the ratings — and is available at 4/1 on the morning line, making her a fair show play and a solid inclusion in trifecta tickets. Rosendo E. Pina Garcia rides for trainer Wendy Alejandra Garcia, a barn that consistently fields competitive horses throughout this card. The rating cluster at the top three here is fairly distinct, so an 1-8-9 trifecta combination is how TrackWiz sees this race playing out.

Chilitos Suspect is a fascinating second choice at 74.68 — that's a strong rating for a maiden sprinter and creates real separation over the rest of the field. Sitting at 5/1 on the morning line, this horse profiles as a potential overlay if the public loads up on Cyber Diva. Alejandro Landeros Zuniga rides for trainer Antonio S. Martinez, and this one could absolutely run down our top pick if anything goes sideways out of the gate.

Corona Slim checks in at 55.60 with a 9/2 morning line and provides a solid third tier in a race where the top two are well-defined. Arturo Alvarez rides for trainer Angel Sanchez, and the morning price feels fair — maybe even slightly favorable — for a horse that projects to consistently threaten for the board. Include this one in your trifectas as the show leg and look for a big ticket.

Fee Train is the most intriguing stat line in the entire 11-race card — a 50% career win rate is elite-level production for a quarter horse, and the 81.28 TrackWiz rating backs it up. The 3/1 morning line is actually the shortest in this group of contenders, reflecting the market's awareness of that gaudy win percentage. Luis L. Vivanco rides for trainer Jose Luis Sanchez III, a productive barn across today's card, and this one could easily beat our top pick if everything clicks.

Jess Good as Gold rates 73.79 and carries a 12% career win rate — modest, but acceptable in a trial — with a 7/2 morning line that makes the place and show pools look attractive. Raul Padilla Hernandez, Jr. takes over for trainer Marc E. Jungers, one of the more active barns in the Retama stable area. The rating puts this horse squarely in the conversation for the third spot, and a 7/2 show ticket is solid value.

Jess Drive is a serious contender here with an 81.98 TrackWiz rating and an elite 37% career win rate — this horse wins more often than not and is only a small step behind our top pick in the model. Claudio Ponce Aguilar takes the mount for trainer Victor G. Fierro, a capable combination, and the 5/2 morning line is honest but not generous. In a race with two horses this closely matched at the top, the exacta combining Karma Cha Ching and Jess Drive is a strong play.

Chloes Man rates 74.90 and brings a 28% career win percentage to the table — that's a legitimate number in this company and pairs well with a 9/2 morning line. Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. rides for trainer Oscar Nunez in what should be a competitive showing in the third slot. This horse has the rate of success to suggest it regularly finds the board, and at 9/2, there's real value in including Chloes Man on your trifecta tickets.

Di Kvn Waven rates 78.04 and carries a 50% career win rate — the second-best win percentage in this race, which tells you trainer Jose Ivan Martinez has this horse firing. Oliver E. Martinez rides at a 3/1 morning line, making this the second choice on the board, and for good reason — half of all career starts have ended in victory. If Shes Ec to Tempt faces any trouble, Di Kvn Waven is poised to capitalize immediately.

Fire Cowgirl rates 67.13 and shows a 20% career win rate — a respectable number — with a 5/1 morning line that slots her in as a clear third option in this trial. Raul Ramirez, Jr. rides for trainer Rene Talamantes, and the rating is meaningfully clear of the rest of the field below. Include her as your show leg in trifecta combinations behind the top two for what should be a well-structured ticket.

Bm Candi Royale rates 73.10 and is available at 7/2 on the morning line, which is a fair — maybe even slightly generous — price for a horse rated this clearly in second. Froylan Tellez Ramirez rides for trainer Brittany N. Tellez, a barn that has had a busy and productive night across this card. A 14% career win rate is modest, but consistent placers often find the board more frequently than their win percentage suggests.

D Corona Eagle checks in at 67.34 with a 25% career win rate and a morning line of 8/1, which is where the value angle lives in this race. Oliver E. Martinez rides for trainer Juan Manuel Baeza, and a horse that wins a quarter of its starts deserves more respect than 8/1 implies in an allowance field. The rating puts this one firmly in the trifecta conversation, and the price makes it worth a spot play or bottom inclusion in multi-race tickets.