Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 17, 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 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Miso Spicy (FR) 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 Brooklynn Drew 4.00 1.7 3-1
11 11 Lamorna 3.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 La Foret 12.00 2.7 5-1
2 2 Obstreperous 6.00 4.2 8-1
12 12 Thankfully 8.00 4.4 8-1
6 6 Mean Eileen 8.00 5 9-1
4 4 Antique Silver 12.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Cavatelli 20.00 6.9 13-1
9 9 Modern Sound 12.00 7 13-1
8 8 I’m a Cookie Lover 30.00 7.1 13-1
1 1 Miss Susan B 20.00 8.5 16-1
13 13 Bundchen 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Nastinate 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Big Salt Lick 2.50 1.8 3-1
8 8 Moving to Kentucky 5.00 2.3 4-1
6 6 Phenomenal Dream 6.00 4 8-1
1 1 Bourbon Street Boy 20.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Bote 15.00 4.8 9-1
11 11 Silent Breeze 8.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Beck’s Spirit 15.00 5.1 10-1
3 3 Pyromania 12.00 5.6 11-1
10 10 Rosenow 30.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Zohere 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Starlit Sofi 6.00 1 2-1
5 5 Champagne On Ice 6.00 3.7 7-1
8 8 My Bossy Lady 5.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Adrian 4.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Hearts United 8.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Divine 3.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Airforce Lightning 15.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Frosted Miracle 5.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Shefflin 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Goodasiwonswas 2.50 3.2 6-1
1 1 Shape Note 4.00 3.4 6-1
2 2 M B’s Munning 4.50 3.6 7-1
7 7 Big Effect 15.00 5.3 10-1
6 6 Willtorun 12.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Top Gun Tommy 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Hesper 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Lou’s Legacy 15.00 1.3 3-1
1 1 Holster 3.00 2.8 5-1
5 5 Pineland 3.50 3.1 6-1
2 2 Bourbon’s Fault 8.00 5.4 10-1
4 4 Strummin 10.00 5.9 11-1
7 7 Frosty Indulgence 2.50 6.1 12-1
8 8 Ajaayb 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Spanish Eyes (GER) 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Parish Lane 3.00 4.2 8-1
9 9 Sy B 2.50 4.9 9-1
5 5 Quietly 10.00 5 10-1
3 3 Missy Bee 10.00 5.3 10-1
7 7 Precious Medley 20.00 6.8 13-1
6 6 Freak City 20.00 7.6 14-1
10 10 Vino Tiempo 12.00 8.6 16-1
11 11 Eunomia 15.00 9 17-1
4 4 Poppy the Princess 15.00 9.2 17-1
12 12 Sister Carlie 30.00 10.3 19-1
13 13 Purring 30.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Sarah’s Dream 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Norwich 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Candy Nun 10.00 1.7 3-1
4 4 Redemption Time 2.50 3.5 7-1
1 1 Evening News 6.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Mucho Mojo 8.00 5.7 11-1
6 6 Schifty’s Haloid 4.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Coach Campbell 12.00 7.8 15-1
7 7 Cascade Cruiser 5.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Fever Night 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Freedom Maker 6.00 3.3 6-1
5 5 Where Y’at 4.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Come to Papa 8.00 5.2 10-1
1 1 Shogun 6.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Cinister Cix 12.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Chachaching 8.00 7.3 14-1
10 10 Johnson 10.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Abbi Fede 10.00 7.9 15-1
8 8 C Mac Da Boss 15.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Louisville S.) – Louisville S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Sugoi 4.00 1 2-1
2 2 Missed the Cut 3.50 2.8 5-1
1 1 Idratherbeblessed 10.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Tapit Shoes 8.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Utah Beach 3.00 4.4 8-1
5 5 Verstappen 8.00 5 10-1
3 3 Rebel Red (GB) 5.00 5.3 10-1
7 7 Rock’n a Halo 15.00 5.9 11-1
8 8 Accredit 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Baddest Good Boy 2.50 1 2-1
1 1 Gould’s Gold 5.00 1.1 2-1
9 9 Willy D’s 4.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Mena 12.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Parchment Party 5.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Bullard 3.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Single Dot Yaht 15.00 5.4 10-1
8 8 National Eclipse 30.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Bourbon Resolve 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Me and Molly McGee 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Spun Candy 12.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Lemon Zest 3.50 3.4 6-1
6 6 Island Barbie 12.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Temperate 12.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 High South 15.00 5.8 11-1
13 13 Girl’s Not Grey 12.00 6.6 12-1
3 3 Lindy Can 20.00 7.3 14-1
12 12 Cliffs 10.00 7.9 15-1
8 8 Shesa Cherry 8.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Putonahappyface 10.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Lady Scuderia 8.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Kelly’s Way Back 15.00 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.