Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday, June 18, 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
3 3 Brooklynn Drew 3.50 1 2-1
7 7 Musical Prayer 4.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Sweet Note 2.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Unhidden Gem (IRE) 10.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Nursekringledances 10.00 4.8 9-1
1 1 Spotaway 2.50 6 11-1
2 2 Sweet Star 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Dragon Navy 4.00 1 2-1
6 6 Givemethebeat 3.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Topic Thunder 5.00 2.4 4-1
5 5 Estrella Silver 4.50 2.7 5-1
1 1 Jaboss 5.00 4 8-1
3 3 Little Tinker Elle 20.00 5.1 10-1
9 9 Nuts and Bolts 8.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Diablo Shiraz 15.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Charcoal Queen 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Busk 1.80 1 2-1
3 3 Cowan 2.50 2.5 5-1
2 2 Turn Up the Trees 3.00 3.9 7-1
5 5 Mister Kelly 20.00 4.5 8-1
7 7 Shape Note 5.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Born Flawless 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Holiday House 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Cinnamon Sugar 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Cheekwood 12.00 1.4 3-1
3 3 Super Pachi 10.00 3.1 6-1
9 9 Light My Flame 10.00 3.4 7-1
11 11 Caroom’s Croupier 12.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 Name Dropper 12.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Diamond N Dress 4.00 5 10-1
8 8 Nonstop Vino 12.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Law and Milloy 8.00 6.8 13-1
1 1 It Ain’t Like That 2.50 SCRATCH
5 5 Unfaithful Rose 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Two Turntables 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Scarletta Carpetta 2.50 1.5 3-1
10 10 Without a Pout (IRE) 3.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Radiance 12.00 3.3 6-1
9 9 Hi’iaka 10.00 3.3 6-1
3 3 High South 10.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Union Rose 12.00 3.9 7-1
7 7 Tap the Champagne 8.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Plot 12.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Victory Waltz 15.00 6.1 12-1
11 11 Run Lily 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Will Be 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Devilish Desire 6.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Corman 5.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 Three Echoes 3.50 2.4 5-1
6 6 Air of Defiance 4.50 4.3 8-1
9 9 Motown Star 8.00 6.7 13-1
4 4 Purse Thief 8.00 8.1 15-1
3 3 High Probability 12.00 8.5 16-1
1 1 Beezer 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Little Blaze 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 De’ Ans Eighty 3.50 3.6 7-1
3 3 Punchy Girl 4.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Vinos Angel 4.50 4.3 8-1
2 2 Sombra Dorada 5.00 4.5 9-1
5 5 Ghostly Night 8.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Abitibi 8.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 She’s Lookin Lucky 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Pharoah’s Wine 2.00 2 4-1
5 5 Sabalenka 5.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Hamwood Flier (IRE) 12.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Lucky Speech 3.50 3.7 7-1
2 2 Watch This Birdie 4.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Helm Place 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Tapakena 8.00 3.9 7-1
12 12 Harbe 4.00 4 8-1
11 11 Super Snoop 15.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Keeping the Faith 15.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Optimistic Income 15.00 6.4 12-1
4 4 One Destination 20.00 7 13-1
10 10 Spy 30.00 7.2 14-1
1 1 Gold Gunner 30.00 7.2 14-1
6 6 Flambeau 12.00 7.3 14-1
2 2 Snook 5.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Guardian 3.50 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.