Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, January 5, 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
3 3 Cotton Candy Annie 1.80 1 2-1
7 7 Zoom Erin 3.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 My Lady Slew 8.00 3.3 6-1
4 4 Flowersforshantell 3.50 3.7 7-1
1 1 Reba Attack 10.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Seriously Sassy 8.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Bye Love Gotta Go 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Princip 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Willtorun 1.80 1.1 2-1
3 3 Cortese 5.00 2.3 4-1
1 1 Talons Time 4.50 2.5 5-1
2 2 Jerry’s Eighty 5.00 2.7 5-1
4 4 Speitful Sam 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
April’s Gem 0 0-1
Pat Hand Girl 0 0-1
6 6 Start Singing 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Berlaine 3.50 1.2 2-1
11 11 Miss Distinctive 4.00 2 4-1
1 1 Pasta Salad Rhonda 6.00 2.1 4-1
9 9 Birdie Call 10.00 4.2 8-1
13 13 Crystal d’Oro 10.00 4.5 8-1
8 8 April’s Gem 5.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Xcaret 12.00 5.3 10-1
3 3 Layla’s Song 12.00 5.5 10-1
10 10 Pat Hand Girl 20.00 10.3 20-1
2 2 Irish Kitten 12.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Luminous Flight 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Differently 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Regimental 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Mr. Faversham 12.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 Tiverton 3.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Cowboy Cause 4.00 3.6 7-1
4 4 Moonovermontgomery 8.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Surprise Road Trip 6.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Joeybones 6.00 8.7 16-1
8 8 Country Cut 20.00 8.9 17-1
1 1 Gorostieta’s Love 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Amentum 8.00 1 2-1
5 5 The Jig Is Up (IRE) 4.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Mo Hope 8.00 3.8 7-1
9 9 Higginsville 6.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Na Pali Joe 8.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Wholeheartedly 20.00 9.6 18-1
4 4 Its Just Money 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Two Weeks Notice 20.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Stradivarian 3.50 SCRATCH
1 1 Interlude 12.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Sharp Strike 12.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Rosenow 20.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Seaville 15.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Numero Siete 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Hall of Fame 0 0-1
1 1 Hall of Fame 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Chrome Baby 6.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Uxmal 10.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Cat On Time 8.00 4 7-1
3 3 Winters Lion 8.00 4.1 8-1
6 6 Snead 1.80 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Frost Mountain 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Spielman 3.50 2.7 5-1
3 3 Flame Rock Fire 8.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Hen Hen 8.00 4 8-1
9 9 World Chaos 4.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Unbridled Pleasure 5.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Drobny 10.00 4.6 9-1
7 7 Chaste One 20.00 SCRATCH
6 6 That’s Apriority 6.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Berkus (FR) 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Wise Anchor 8.00 1 2-1
4 4 Risky Priority 4.00 1.1 2-1
5 5 Order Up 6.00 1.8 3-1
9 9 Cryptozonic 3.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Drewmazing 5.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Hooray Austin 10.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Drilling Report 12.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Dixie Street 10.00 4.4 8-1
10 10 Father Goose 10.00 4.4 8-1
2 2 Flashy Premo 30.00 10 19-1

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.