Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, May 25, 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 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Posh Playday 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 The Princess Says 6.00 1.2 2-1
2 2 Adiva 10.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Caltha 6.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 Lucky Phoenix 10.00 4.8 9-1
1 1 Outrageously 0.80 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Hootdatlady 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Woodall Pass 8.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Ashkenazi 2.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 Little Tinker Elle 15.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Cinnamon Sugar 4.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Elite Miss 15.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Nonstop Vino 8.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Diablo Shiraz 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Pike Place 6.00 1 2-1
1 1 Golden Glider 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Inexorable 6.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Lucency 8.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 Beyond Best 4.50 3.9 7-1
3 3 Laughing Boy 2.50 4.1 8-1
7 7 Protonic Power 12.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Manta Rey 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Espionage 5.00 1 2-1
6 6 Cowan 3.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Busk 2.50 2 4-1
1 1 Juilliard 12.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Yes I’m a Beast 4.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Metallic Man 6.00 5.3 10-1
3 3 Slippin Jimmy 15.00 7.5 14-1
4 4 Speitful Sam 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Romantic Lead 10.00 1 2-1
9 9 Imperial Ruler 5.00 1.2 2-1
4 4 Kensington Cove 6.00 1.7 3-1
8 8 Outdoor Cat 2.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 All the Luck 6.00 3.7 7-1
11 11 Nico’s Derby Run 4.50 4.2 8-1
1 1 Watch Me Now 15.00 5.1 10-1
3 3 Soco and Lime 15.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Gold Gunner 12.00 7.5 14-1
5 5 Atomic Snow 20.00 8.6 16-1
2 2 King of Gotham 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Wildfire Princess 30.00 1 2-1
9 9 Good Game 4.00 2.4 4-1
10 10 Oak Alley 3.50 3.1 6-1
3 3 Goldenageactress 6.00 4.1 8-1
11 11 Athaliah 5.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Maple Syrup 12.00 4.6 9-1
2 2 Caviar Breakfast 15.00 4.6 9-1
6 6 Sweet Mackenzie 20.00 5.4 10-1
12 12 Grove City Sunset 8.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Crawford 15.00 6.5 12-1
7 7 Play With Magic 8.00 6.8 13-1
1 1 Twolatebabydoll (FR) 10.00 9.3 18-1
14 14 Kimber Spice 8.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Sun Lightning 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Miss Pharaoh 6.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Theravada 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Rivalry 1.60 1 2-1
5 5 Lend It Tewmey 3.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Xander 2.50 3.2 6-1
6 6 Sutherland 6.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Tiverton (GB) 12.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Partyvicious 20.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Redfield 20.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 One for My Brother 15.00 6.6 12-1
3 3 Criminal Defense 30.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Amor Patriae 10.00 1 2-1
7 7 Furio 2.50 1.1 2-1
8 8 Thrilla 10.00 2.7 5-1
9 9 Mississippi Man 12.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Shepherd 8.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 U Devil You 5.00 5 9-1
10 10 Jack’s Promise 12.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Missed the Turn 20.00 6.7 13-1
11 11 C K Wonder 10.00 8.9 17-1
2 2 Nicholai 15.00 9.3 18-1
6 6 Dapper Moon 3.50 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Mountain Bear (IRE) 0.80 1 2-1
2 2 Tut’s Revenge 6.00 2 4-1
5 5 Santorini 10.00 4 7-1
11 11 The Process 8.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 Yamato 30.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Nantasket Beach 20.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Liar’s Poker 30.00 5.8 11-1
8 8 Ocean Pointe 20.00 6.1 11-1
4 4 Ak Sar Ben Derby 8.00 7 13-1
6 6 Aspenite 12.00 7.5 14-1
10 10 Alder 20.00 9 17-1
3 3 Archie the Giza 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Flash Wear 8.00 1 2-1
2 2 Next Up 15.00 2.7 5-1
5 5 Manage Xpectations 8.00 3.1 6-1
7 7 Amadora’s Empire 12.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Zaghruta 3.00 5.9 11-1
6 6 Itwillbefun 6.00 6.4 12-1
9 9 Princess Ny 15.00 8.2 15-1
4 4 Take Charge Omaha 4.00 8.3 16-1
10 10 Mizmalice 6.00 8.7 16-1
11 11 Aviso 10.00 10.5 20-1
8 8 Talent Show 15.00 11 21-1

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.