Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, April 26, 2025

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 Tiberius Mercurius 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Peruvian Lucky 5.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Hoodlum 3.00 2.8 5-1
11 11 Noahs Ark 20.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Coyote Road 8.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Metatron’s Muse 8.00 5.8 11-1
9 9 I Am the Game 15.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Where Is Lisa 30.00 7.4 14-1
6 6 Improbable Story 20.00 7.5 14-1
4 4 Ready Pursuit 15.00 7.6 14-1
7 7 Synthesis 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Mission of Joy 1.80 1 2-1
3 3 Lucky Speech 5.00 1.1 2-1
2 2 Neverwalkalone (BRZ) 10.00 2.9 5-1
1 1 Jill Jitterbug 20.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Vinos Angel 30.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Justifiable Belle 3.00 SCRATCH
7 7 No Mo Candy 2.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Next Up 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Ask Amanda 20.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Cervaro Della Sala (GB) 3.00 2.3 4-1
6 6 Beach Bunny 15.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Creative Quality 2.50 3.4 6-1
4 4 Lou Anna 15.00 4.5 9-1
8 8 Big Dig 4.00 6.7 13-1
2 2 Bolt On the Rocks 5.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Sundance Feature 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Twirl Around 3.50 2.1 4-1
1 1 Our Keepsake 4.50 3.4 6-1
7 7 Lord I Wonder 6.00 3.6 7-1
2 2 Laurie’s Secret 15.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Sam’s Treasure 3.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Outrageously 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Evening News 5.00 1 2-1
4 4 Carolo Rapido 2.50 1.8 3-1
6 6 Forge in Fire 3.50 2.3 4-1
2 2 Mucho Mojo 4.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Our Dream Rye’d 5.00 3.1 6-1
5 5 Patrolman 8.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Redfield 15.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Criminal Defense 20.00 6.9 13-1
9 9 Succession Gold 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Sinister Smile 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Lemon Sohn 12.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Holster 4.50 2.9 5-1
11 11 Classy War 5.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Tapakena 4.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Shadow Coast 5.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Skynet 20.00 4.3 8-1
9 9 Daiquiri Sommelier 10.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 Tun Tavern 30.00 5.1 10-1
12 12 Strategist 30.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Demand 20.00 8.2 15-1
1 1 Pop Paul 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Kiss Me Again 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Churning Berni 4.00 1.3 2-1
6 6 Ashes and Diamonds 4.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 Vino Tiempo 5.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Halfin 15.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Maddienlizzyshonor 12.00 5 9-1
1 1 Antonia’s Flowers 8.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Plaza Cue 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Life Advice 5.00 1 2-1
1 1 Smooth Waves 3.50 1.1 2-1
7 7 Cheyenne Moon 15.00 3.1 6-1
8 8 Angel of Faith 4.00 3.1 6-1
11 11 Tizntshelovely 15.00 3.4 7-1
4 4 Bread to Run 4.50 4 8-1
3 3 Faire Plaisir 8.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Sweet Voyage 15.00 6.3 12-1
6 6 Choate 15.00 7.6 14-1
10 10 Hold My Halo 15.00 8.2 15-1
12 12 Malibu Smart 5.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Taco Cat Backwards 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Talent Show 6.00 SCRATCH
14 14 What If 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Roxelana S. Presented By Lg&e And Ku) – Roxelana S. Presented By Lg&e And Ku

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Sandy Bottom 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Mink’s Palace 4.00 2.4 5-1
7 7 Girls Weekend 12.00 2.7 5-1
6 6 Harbor Springs 3.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Lady Moscato 10.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Tripolina 10.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Non Violence 4.50 4.2 8-1
5 5 Miuccia 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Shepherd 4.50 1 2-1
10 10 Vino Dominus 6.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 Sergeant Capps 8.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Studeny 6.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Outofpi 12.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Where Y’at 15.00 4.5 8-1
4 4 Big Rog 20.00 6.4 12-1
5 5 Berniedott 15.00 6.9 13-1
2 2 Outdoor Cat 12.00 7.1 13-1
3 3 Evan On Earth 1.40 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.