Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, May 11, 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
2 2 Trust Issues 1.40 1 2-1
3 3 Chance 1.80 1.8 3-1
1 1 Summonyourcourage 2.50 3.6 7-1
5 5 Colorado Cruiser 8.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Andy’s Candy 12.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Heart Spin 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Save Time 1.20 1.8 3-1
2 2 Foreseen 2.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Condone 5.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Faire Plaisir 15.00 5.6 11-1
6 6 Mizmalice 15.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Copper Em 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Won Happy Mama 4.50 1.3 2-1
6 6 Elle’s Dancer 12.00 1.9 4-1
2 2 Just an Opinion 2.50 3 6-1
3 3 Bourbon Serengeti 3.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Candy Lover 4.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Lookatmybuckle 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Just Better 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Waves of Mischief 2.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 Random Harvest 3.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Ghostly Gal 6.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Adrasteia 4.00 7 13-1
8 8 Sanctify 15.00 7.1 13-1
6 6 Catmint 20.00 8 15-1
2 2 Breezing Along 30.00 8.3 16-1
9 9 Paint Me Perfect 10.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Moringa 15.00 1 2-1
3 3 Mink Stole 3.50 2.1 4-1
7 7 Justtakethecannoli 15.00 2.2 4-1
6 6 Cruise Missile 4.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Mombayla 4.50 6.5 12-1
2 2 Midnight Muse 5.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Evermore 20.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Rush to Glory 12.00 8 15-1
8 8 Reign Champagne 6.00 9.6 18-1
11 11 Chandon 30.00 10.7 20-1
1 1 St. Albans Raid 10.00 10.8 20-1
12 12 Takethesilver 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Copperlite 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Cashmeup 2.50 1.5 3-1
4 4 Proven Hope 10.00 5 9-1
8 8 Swaggish 6.00 5.3 10-1
9 9 Executive Action 8.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Runwithheart 15.00 6.2 12-1
10 10 Ember 8.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Icarus 8.00 8.2 16-1
6 6 Sin Permiso 15.00 9.8 18-1
2 2 Midnight Channel 20.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Swirling Eights 8.00 1 2-1
2 2 Foligno 3.00 3.4 6-1
14 14 Pediatrician 20.00 5.4 10-1
16 16 Steel Venom 10.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Lebowski 8.00 6.7 13-1
6 6 Sully 3.50 6.9 13-1
1 1 Gearing Up 6.00 7.2 14-1
8 8 War Legend 4.50 8.3 16-1
13 13 Direct Channel 15.00 9.5 18-1
7 7 Rule Seventy Six 12.00 9.6 18-1
4 4 Mary’s Lad (IRE) 15.00 12.1 23-1
11 11 Dr. Niko 15.00 13.3 25-1
9 9 The Fed’s Plot 30.00 14.1 27-1
12 12 Its Bourbon Thirty 15.00 14.4 27-1
15 15 Zap d’Etat 20.00 14.5 27-1
3 3 Sock It to Me 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Pinfire 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 Comedy Town 2.50 4.5 8-1
7 7 Payne 3.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Lunar Module 4.00 5.9 11-1
4 4 Regal Rey 30.00 6.4 12-1
5 5 Suga Steve 20.00 6.9 13-1
6 6 Chiseler 3.50 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Tough Little Nut 8.00 1 2-1
6 6 Lord Bullingdon 3.00 1.2 2-1
3 3 Echo Lane 4.00 4.5 8-1
12 12 Army Officer 6.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Big Blue Line 12.00 5 9-1
10 10 Better Bet 5.00 5.7 11-1
13 13 Quadra Island 8.00 6.5 12-1
8 8 Red Run 15.00 8.7 16-1
9 9 Moogie Son 20.00 9 17-1
7 7 El Kabong 15.00 9.2 17-1
11 11 Grand Aspen 10.00 9.2 17-1
14 14 Yamato 10.00 9.3 18-1
1 1 Lips Say Bliss 12.00 10.4 20-1
5 5 Big to Do 30.00 14 26-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Order Restored 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Cool Lucky Lady 12.00 1.9 3-1
8 8 Kissin Riches 4.50 2.1 4-1
10 10 True Passion 4.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Hi’iaka 12.00 6.2 12-1
13 13 Super Betty 12.00 7.1 13-1
3 3 Maclean’s Lullaby 5.00 7.4 14-1
11 11 Mysidehustle 15.00 7.5 14-1
12 12 Lady of Light 6.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Toolbelt 15.00 8.2 16-1
5 5 Flirty Girl 20.00 8.5 16-1
1 1 Crackle 20.00 9.9 19-1
7 7 Innocent Nyght 15.00 13 25-1

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.