Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, May 1, 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 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Marmo 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Big Leap 3.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Sperry Chalet 8.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Tempting Lady 6.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Can I Get Awitness 5.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Warm Days 20.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Steppin Tothe Beat 12.00 5 9-1
9 9 Sr. Mary Margaret 15.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Image of Me 6.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Blinging It Back 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Turin 4.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Mercilesanihilator 3.00 2 4-1
9 9 Baytown Anubis 20.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Distorted Song 15.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Captain Gabe 12.00 4.2 8-1
10 10 Moonlight Beauty 2.50 4.4 8-1
8 8 Simone 10.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Mans Grace 20.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Mr American Pie 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Two Eagles River 1.40 1 2-1
6 6 Scat Free 8.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Tagliatelle 3.50 3.5 7-1
5 5 Regal Rey 15.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Beyond Best 10.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Refuah 15.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Underhill’s Tab 2.50 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Top Gun Girl 2.50 1 2-1
11 11 Numero Seis 12.00 3.8 7-1
12 12 Niki Nine Doors 5.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Ready to Jam 8.00 4.2 8-1
9 9 Cart Girl Sam 8.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Rue Lala 4.50 6 11-1
7 7 Out too Late (GB) 10.00 6.8 13-1
13 13 Hurry Up Hannah 15.00 8.6 16-1
2 2 High Fashion Kate 20.00 8.7 16-1
3 3 Paynt Ya Later 20.00 9.9 19-1
4 4 May May Strong 12.00 10.3 19-1
8 8 Hideki 15.00 10.7 20-1
16 16 Bustin Bullet 10.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Ervadean 10.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Girls Weekend 12.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Best Cupcake 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Bolt At Midnight 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Curlin’s Gesture 4.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Gamblers Tail 3.50 1.9 4-1
9 9 Googol Joke 10.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Shortstop 8.00 3.6 7-1
6 6 Baytown Bruiser 20.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Tango Mike Mike 15.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Riddle Solver 10.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Lured Away 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Kentucky Juvenile S.) – Kentucky Juvenile S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Pinky Finger 1.60 1 2-1
3 3 Happyhappyboy 15.00 2.5 5-1
6 6 Monster 3.00 2.7 5-1
7 7 Double Talker 2.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Maximus Prime 15.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Daring Move 15.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Diblasi 12.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Barstool 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Rotterdam 3.00 1 2-1
12 12 Oh Really 4.50 1.4 3-1
11 11 Presider 5.00 2.6 5-1
2 2 Mega Magic 20.00 4 8-1
4 4 Multitask 12.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Domingo 6.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Transcendental 15.00 5 9-1
5 5 Masayoshi 6.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 Publicity 20.00 6.1 12-1
7 7 Warhol 15.00 8.4 16-1
14 14 Game Point 20.00 11.4 22-1
13 13 Brown Liquor Man 10.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Simovic 20.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Footprint 12.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Mugatu 30.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Thrilla 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Classic Legacy 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Ludwig 2.50 1.2 2-1
8 8 Hailstorm 4.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Spanish Wells 12.00 3.1 6-1
2 2 Vitement 10.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Bebedouro 8.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Polster 10.00 4.8 9-1
7 7 Kigali 8.00 SCRATCH
9 9 El Dandi 12.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 World Record 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Track Phantom 6.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Nash 2.00 3.3 6-1
1 1 Arro Smash 6.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Caramel Chip 8.00 4.3 8-1
3 3 Petcoff 10.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Nautical Star 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Opening Verse S.) – Opening Verse S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Major Dude 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Portofino 10.00 1.8 3-1
10 10 Lagynos 5.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Tut’s Revenge 10.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Money Supply 12.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 Brilliant Berti 3.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Georgie W 20.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Skyro 20.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Piper’s Factor 20.00 5.9 11-1
7 7 Mercante 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (St. Matthews Overnight S.) – St. Matthews Overnight S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Speed Boat Beach 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Valentine Candy 4.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Fort Bragg 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Happy Is a Choice 4.00 4 7-1
6 6 Red Flag 20.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 Champlin 10.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Bango 8.00 7.7 15-1
2 2 Miles Ahead 10.00 8.7 16-1
9 9 Happy American 12.00 9.6 18-1
1 1 Henro 15.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Stellify 3.00 1 2-1
11 11 My Gal 8.00 2 4-1
14 14 Massarat 12.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 Fleetingly 3.50 4.3 8-1
4 4 Royal Suite 15.00 4.5 8-1
9 9 Strive for Honor 5.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Hello Beauty 15.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Bee Cat 20.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Achieve 15.00 6.3 12-1
8 8 Kentucky Flame 15.00 9.2 17-1
1 1 Pacific Front 4.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Moringa 30.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Something Stronger 12.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Hideaway 5.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Turmalina 30.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Vice 6.00 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.