Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Friday, May 31, 2024

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
6 6 Salted 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Super Maxima 15.00 1.2 2-1
4 4 Midnight in Austin 4.50 1.8 3-1
5 5 Adeera 4.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Combattante 12.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Hey Scooter 10.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Citizen Judy 3.50 SCRATCH
3 3 Toodle Loo 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Lite It Up Louie 3.50 1 2-1
14 14 Moon Fleet 6.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Grace Given 4.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Retail Therapy 6.00 3.4 6-1
10 10 Miranda 20.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Patty Van Twinkle 6.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Galadini 10.00 4 7-1
8 8 Miss Ruth 12.00 5.8 11-1
9 9 No Map Needed 8.00 6.7 13-1
11 11 Andrea Beach 20.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Prison Bound 8.00 9.2 17-1
12 12 Kate’s Concerto 20.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Goldys Lock 10.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Belive N the Dream 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Mrs. Rip 12.00 1 2-1
5 5 Best Kiss Yet 3.50 2.5 5-1
7 7 Reagan’s Flame 3.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 She’s Cool 4.00 3 6-1
6 6 Three Polks 6.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 Sister Ella 6.00 4.5 8-1
1 1 Balladry 10.00 5.8 11-1
9 9 Quiero Dinero 20.00 6.8 13-1
2 2 Red Hot Jeanie 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Hot Beach 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Halina’s Forte 2.00 3 6-1
6 6 Trial 12.00 6 11-1
1 1 Let Them Watch 12.00 6.4 12-1
4 4 Tanya Showers 6.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Honey Dijon 4.00 6.6 13-1
5 5 Ms. Tart 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Perfect Flight 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Expensive Cut 10.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Southern Sunset 12.00 2 4-1
3 3 Colosseo 4.50 3.1 6-1
5 5 Pipes and Drums 6.00 5.7 11-1
1 1 Hern 12.00 6.1 12-1
9 9 He’s Got This 6.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Pike Place 4.00 8.3 16-1
8 8 Beyond Best 6.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Double Clutch 3.50 1 2-1
6 6 Ransomware 10.00 1.1 2-1
4 4 Depiction 2.50 2.2 4-1
7 7 Gatlinburg 10.00 3 6-1
11 11 Unleash the Power 10.00 3.3 6-1
9 9 Decanted 4.50 3.3 6-1
3 3 Three On the Tree 20.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Royal Mende 15.00 4.2 8-1
12 12 Carcano 12.00 5 9-1
8 8 Go Bali Go 30.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Bolt From Above 15.00 7.8 15-1
1 1 Tiverton (GB) 12.00 8.5 16-1
15 15 Mr McGregor 6.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Karma Director 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Brown Liquor Man 15.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Bean Machine 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Everso Mischievous 1.00 1 2-1
7 7 Denington 2.50 3.5 7-1
8 8 Runnin’ Ray 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 U. S. Army 20.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Happy American 8.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Howling Time 6.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Pats Property 30.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Take a Stand 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Noises Off 5.00 1 2-1
6 6 Miranda Rights 4.50 1.6 3-1
3 3 Beuys (IRE) 5.00 1.7 3-1
9 9 Clyde’s Got a Gun 3.50 1.9 4-1
8 8 Desert Duke 12.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 What Say Thee 6.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Freedom’s Way 15.00 4 8-1
11 11 Bakwena 15.00 6.5 12-1
2 2 O P Firecracker 20.00 7.2 14-1
7 7 Huge Bigly 15.00 SCRATCH
14 14 The Prince’s Spur 3.50 SCRATCH
5 5 Verbal 12.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Commandperformance 4.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Camaro Z 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Sir Greylind 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Liam’s Journey 3.00 2.1 4-1
5 5 I’m Your Man 10.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Montevallo 10.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Who’s the King 3.50 4.3 8-1
3 3 Brilliant Man 6.00 5.6 10-1
10 10 Baytown Bruiser 15.00 5.6 11-1
8 8 Mo Rhodes 15.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Patch O’Brien 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Hawks Creek 15.00 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.