Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 20, 2023

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Myopic 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Peekacho 3.50 3.2 6-1
4 4 Celerity 4.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Bajan Rum 2.50 5.5 10-1
2 2 Ferryboat 8.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Co Conspirator 10.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Estilo Peligroso 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Our Team 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Back to Normal 1.60 1 2-1
1 1 Little Frappucino 3.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 Kentucky Bourbon 3.50 1.8 3-1
4 4 Western Command 10.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Spurs Up 8.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 The Club 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Center Stage 4.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Super Cat Lady 4.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Proud Foot 2.50 4.7 9-1
5 5 Klimt’s Muse 5.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Need Some Money 8.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Sonador 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Golden Runner 20.00 1 2-1
12 12 Tiger Tap 4.00 1.6 3-1
8 8 Words of Praise 12.00 2 4-1
15 15 Army Kitten 12.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Callie’s Grit 2.50 4.8 9-1
13 13 Guns n’ Lilies 20.00 6.9 13-1
16 16 Bag Lady 12.00 8 15-1
5 5 My Lily Mae 10.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Boppy 2.50 SCRATCH
2 2 Milieu 6.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Paint Me Perfect 10.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Calm Cool 15.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Birdie Rose 30.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Time to Race 10.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Heavenly Appointed 15.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Hola Gata 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Classic Mark 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Freeze Pop 3.50 1.4 3-1
1 1 Judo 1.80 1.6 3-1
2 2 Code Violation 12.00 3.6 7-1
6 6 Oneparticulrharbor 12.00 4 8-1
5 5 Mac’s Time 2.50 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Miss Arlington 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Swanson Lake 5.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Pelican Lane 5.00 4.5 8-1
5 5 Ruby Tap 8.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Sassy Walker 3.50 5.7 11-1
3 3 Islandinthestream 10.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Spicy Italian 12.00 7 13-1
1 1 Chilled Fireball 4.50 8 15-1
4 4 Saucy Secret 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Tivy 3.50 1 2-1
6 6 Chiseler 3.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Street Swagg 1.80 SCRATCH
4 4 Gold Luck 5.00 3 6-1
1 1 Got the Bob 20.00 5.3 10-1
2 2 Gabe 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Snark 10.00 1 2-1
1 1 Woodbine Way 10.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Devine Charger 10.00 1.6 3-1
10 10 Secret Money 3.00 2 4-1
12 12 Osiria 8.00 2.4 5-1
11 11 Numero Seis 8.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Daisy Bee 15.00 3 6-1
2 2 Massard 20.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 All That 5.00 7.6 14-1
7 7 Goldblooded 20.00 8.6 16-1
5 5 Lure’em In 4.50 8.6 16-1
8 8 Mischievous Doll 15.00 9.6 18-1
16 16 American Heights 8.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Manorelli 15.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Vinegar Veggies 30.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Sure Can 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Hardly Mischievous 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 You’re Avoiding Me 10.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Bali Dreamin 3.00 4.4 8-1
10 10 Obrigada 4.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Halo of Fire 8.00 5.2 10-1
4 4 Ms Hayley 8.00 6.6 12-1
5 5 Ellie Deli 15.00 7.2 14-1
1 1 Sure Enough 20.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 De’ Ans Eighty 8.00 9 17-1
6 6 Dre Me Less 10.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 With This Ring 4.00 1 2-1
9 9 Lacie Be Good 10.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Little Hot Mess 5.00 2.4 5-1
8 8 Lady Irene 4.50 2.8 5-1
5 5 Green Fairy 6.00 3.7 7-1
10 10 Mirus 12.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Driana 8.00 4 8-1
6 6 Yanira 12.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Army Girl 8.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Commencement 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (Louisville S.) – Louisville S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Tiz the Bomb 10.00 1 2-1
9 9 Another Mystery 3.00 1.5 3-1
2 2 Bay Street Money 3.50 1.9 4-1
6 6 Time for Trouble 12.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Mount Rundle 20.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 English Conqueror 12.00 2.4 5-1
10 10 Foreign Relations 12.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Therapist 2.50 3.1 6-1
8 8 Yamato 15.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Limited Liability 8.00 4.2 8-1
11 11 Smokey Lee 50.00 SCRATCH

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.