Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, January 9, 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
Mary’s Boon 0 0-1
3 3 Frost and Fire 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Gold Plus 4.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Mary’s Boon 3.00 2.6 5-1
2 2 Aztec Empress 3.50 4.4 8-1
4 4 Flight On Race Day 8.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Miss Maximus 4.50 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Ampitup 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Nova’s Return 8.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Rayden and Remi 6.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Louisiana Native 6.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 Coattails 3.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Night Stick 4.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Sophie’s Painter 5.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Does Not Compute 0 0-1
6 6 Golden Ice 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Motown Star 2.50 2.3 4-1
2 2 Deftly Done 4.00 3 6-1
5 5 Wayllen Richard 4.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Cajun Swagger 15.00 5 10-1
1 1 Does Not Compute 20.00 5.5 10-1
4 4 Nine Oh One 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Guitar Woman 0 0-1
6 6 A Miss Deameanor 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Custom Punch 4.50 2.2 4-1
5 5 The Pretty Sister 5.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Miss Rosie 5.00 3.7 7-1
2 2 Guitar Woman 3.00 4.5 9-1
7 7 Running Argument 6.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Starship Jambalaya 6.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Optional Claiming) – Maiden Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Acousticat 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Multiplication 4.00 1.4 3-1
7 7 Eyes On Italy 5.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Armaleese 8.00 5.2 10-1
4 4 Taco Cat Backwards 3.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Tartaria 10.00 6.4 12-1
8 8 Cheval B 6.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Plaza Cue 6.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Toscano 5.00 1 2-1
6 6 Pinfire 1.80 1.4 3-1
2 2 Mahoney Road 3.50 3 6-1
5 5 Gambe Forte 4.50 3 6-1
1 1 Concentration 4.50 3.8 7-1
4 4 Two Tons of Fun 5.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Prowling Tiger 6.00 1 2-1
6 6 Twoko Bay 12.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Optimus Kat 6.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Ski Patrol 6.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Interstellar 6.00 6.4 12-1
9 9 Gentle Soul 3.50 6.9 13-1
3 3 Shady McGee (IRE) 8.00 7.5 14-1
10 10 Brother Reid 6.00 7.6 14-1
8 8 Firewater Jake 6.00 7.9 15-1
7 7 Dare to Fail 20.00 9.2 17-1
12 12 Wicked Trick 8.00 SCRATCH
15 15 English Challenge 20.00 SCRATCH
14 14 French Composer 15.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Path to Success 8.00 SCRATCH
11 11 X J Rascal (IRE) 6.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Prince Lancelot (GB) 6.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
Right Spot 0 0-1
6 6 Gunner Glacken 1.80 1 2-1
2 2 Shoot the Nickel 3.00 1.8 3-1
5 5 Carambaso 4.00 2.3 4-1
1 1 Allied Commander 5.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 American City 8.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Right Spot 5.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Party On Girl (IRE) 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 She Has It All 12.00 2.9 5-1
4 4 Rue Lala 6.00 3.3 6-1
8 8 Notice Me Too 6.00 6 11-1
3 3 Cecile 1.80 6.1 12-1
1 1 Rockets Sister 12.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Sweet Alyssa 12.00 7 13-1
10 10 Kaely’s Sister 2.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Flatter Me Silly 12.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Tu Cha 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Munnings Catsle 4.50 1 2-1
4 4 Lovely Sassicaia 8.00 2.4 5-1
6 6 Flat Out Runner 12.00 4 8-1
7 7 Nervy 6.00 4.2 8-1
9 9 Handsome Harold 4.00 5.1 10-1
1 1 Bet On Bobby 6.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 Native Star 3.50 5.7 11-1
10 10 Catalina Day 8.00 7.1 13-1
2 2 Gatsby’s Fortune 20.00 7.3 14-1
5 5 Baby’s Last Dance 20.00 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.