Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, September 16, 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 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Almond Fudge 0 0-1
1 1 Butterfly Queen 4.00 1 2-1
4 4 La Scaloneta 8.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Miss Claudette 10.00 3.3 6-1
2 2 Frosty Tale 20.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Queen Lexi 30.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Mysidehustle 20.00 3.8 7-1
11 11 Princess Is Olivia 10.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Krickle 6.00 5.3 10-1
10 10 Accommodate Eva 5.00 6.6 12-1
7 7 Classy’n Connected 8.00 6.6 13-1
12 12 Almond Fudge 6.00 9.3 18-1
5 5 Mo for Us 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Big Skippy 6.00 1 2-1
3 3 Fayette Spirit 2.50 3.2 6-1
4 4 Clyde’s Got a Gun 3.50 3.2 6-1
1 1 Tiz the Coast 15.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Cairo’s Ghost 3.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Texas Pride 10.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Real Naughty 4.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Archie the Giza 4.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Single Dot Yaht 2.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Our Keepsake 0 0-1
2 2 Plagne Champagne 6.00 1 2-1
10 10 Life Advice 4.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 Adrasteia 20.00 2.4 5-1
13 13 Pin Up Betty 4.00 2.5 5-1
7 7 Cleopatra Selene 12.00 2.6 5-1
1 1 Mystical Chant 3.00 3 6-1
3 3 Mischievousness 8.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Our Keepsake 20.00 7.6 14-1
4 4 Sweet Violet 20.00 9.9 19-1
15 15 Nandina 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Queen Lexi 20.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Renfrew 8.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Managing Mischief 4.50 SCRATCH
16 16 Austin Traffic 12.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Almostgone Rocket 3.50 SCRATCH
8 8 I Am Beautiful 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Louisville Thoroughbred Society S.) – Louisville Thoroughbred Society S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Necker Island 0 0-1
Bango 0 0-1
3 3 Strobe 1.20 1 2-1
4 4 Bango 1.00 3 6-1
5 5 Gulfstream Way 6.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Awesome Aaron 30.00 5.6 10-1
6 6 Necker Island 8.00 5.7 11-1
1 1 Baytown Bear 30.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Magnificent Mile 8.00 1 2-1
2 2 Debate 2.50 4.6 9-1
4 4 Attache 8.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Quick Hammer 3.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Underhill’s Tab 3.50 6 11-1
3 3 Gunner Bay 10.00 7 13-1
5 5 Stand for Freedom 10.00 7.5 14-1
7 7 Funny Uncle 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Open Mind S.) – Open Mind S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Wicked Halo 0.60 1 2-1
1 1 Yuugiri 3.00 1.4 3-1
3 3 Fire On Time 3.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 More Than Vows 12.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Sharp Hero 12.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 Ten Rings 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Pocahontas S.) – Pocahontas S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Regal Rumor 12.00 1 2-1
3 3 Riperton 12.00 1.3 2-1
7 7 Youalmosthadme 2.00 1.6 3-1
8 8 Courbe 10.00 2 4-1
9 9 Hot Beach 3.50 2.8 5-1
6 6 V V’s Dream 2.50 3 6-1
1 1 Empire Island 5.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Raining Sugar 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Peignoir 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Musical Score 4.00 1 2-1
10 10 Watch This Birdie 6.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Storm Bay 12.00 5.6 11-1
6 6 Empirical View 4.50 SCRATCH
4 4 Grace Darling (IRE) 8.00 7.3 14-1
7 7 Hay Stack 3.50 8.3 16-1
5 5 Always At Ease 10.00 8.4 16-1
1 1 Ziggzappa 30.00 8.5 16-1
8 8 Zapple 12.00 8.8 17-1
9 9 Spicy Italian 20.00 10 19-1
13 13 Mytown Myrules 3.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Callie’s Passion 20.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Varmlander 3.50 SCRATCH
15 15 Amber Cascade 4.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Star Wisher 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Iroquois S.) – Iroquois S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Risk It 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 West Saratoga 8.00 2.9 6-1
5 5 Market Street 8.00 3.4 6-1
9 9 Patriot Spirit 3.50 4.1 8-1
4 4 Edified 8.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Union Roll 5.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Liberal Arts 20.00 5.3 10-1
6 6 Seize the Grey 10.00 6 11-1
7 7 Gettysburg Address 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Locust Grove S.) – Locust Grove S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Search Results 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Falconet 6.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Le Da Vida (CHI) 3.50 2.9 6-1
2 2 Pauline’s Pearl 5.00 3 6-1
7 7 A Mo Reay 5.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Hidden Connection 8.00 4.3 8-1
5 5 Misty Veil 15.00 5 9-1
8 8 Fannie and Freddie 30.00 6.3 12-1
1 1 Soul of an Angel 20.00 7.8 15-1
9 9 Music Street 30.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Royal Take Charge 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Intricate 5.00 1 2-1
10 10 Regulatory Risk 2.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Aldora 8.00 2.2 4-1
13 13 West Sunset 4.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Clear Voice 10.00 3.2 6-1
12 12 Lilms Constitution 15.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Caberneigh 20.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Bang Bang Fury 10.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 Irina’s Charm 8.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Sweet Gal of Mine 8.00 4.6 9-1
11 11 High Shot 15.00 10.6 20-1
15 15 Mia Marcela 6.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Dazzlin’ Dictator 15.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Baby Avery 20.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Runway Lights 12.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Idalou 8.00 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.