Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, June 28, 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 Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Papa Ken 4.00 1 2-1
4 4 I C Light 3.50 2.4 4-1
3 3 Apollo’s Glory 15.00 2.4 5-1
5 5 Bagg O Time 15.00 4 7-1
2 2 The Standard 4.50 4 8-1
1 1 Prince of Light 6.00 5.3 10-1
9 9 Spirit of Royal 8.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 American Bear 15.00 8.8 17-1
6 6 Track Legend 3.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Astar 6.00 1 2-1
9 9 Bourbon Society 3.50 1.2 2-1
3 3 Sardis 3.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Ambition 5.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Rule Seventy Six 8.00 4.2 8-1
4 4 Kavanaugh 4.00 4.8 9-1
7 7 Streetcar 10.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Major League 20.00 6.9 13-1
2 2 Demetrius 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Shangrala Road 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Excite 2.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Racing Driver 8.00 4 8-1
6 6 Fountain Lake 3.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Show of Force 12.00 5 10-1
2 2 Bestfriend Rocket 8.00 5.1 10-1
3 3 So Sandy 10.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Up to No Good 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 El Magnifico 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Classic Car Wash 4.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Loco Abarrio 8.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Gunner Bay 5.00 5.2 10-1
7 7 Zambezi 10.00 5.3 10-1
6 6 Chiringo 8.00 6.2 12-1
8 8 Condemn 8.00 6.4 12-1
9 9 Chasing Time 10.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Princetown 10.00 8.6 16-1
1 1 Pure Class 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Backtrack 6.00 1 2-1
6 6 Summonyourcourage 4.50 4.1 8-1
1 1 Incursion 12.00 4.3 8-1
3 3 Lambo 3.00 4.5 9-1
4 4 Thirty Two Chunk 4.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 Shipman 15.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Anthonian 12.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Protege 5.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Honest Al 5.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Speighter Woman 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Lost and Found 10.00 2 4-1
10 10 Crimsonite 15.00 2.2 4-1
14 14 Temperate 4.00 2.7 5-1
11 11 Kelly’s Way Back 15.00 6.9 13-1
8 8 Pretty in a Dress 6.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Field Song 12.00 7.3 14-1
6 6 Spun Candy 4.50 7.3 14-1
13 13 Lainey 20.00 8.6 16-1
12 12 Scribble 30.00 10.2 19-1
5 5 Sang 30.00 11.2 21-1
1 1 Perrylu 20.00 13.1 25-1
18 18 Hissyfitter 15.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Chaching Chaching 4.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Repercussion 15.00 SCRATCH
17 17 Margarita Girl 2.50 SCRATCH
3 3 Violet Irene 6.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Texas Queen 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Fasig-tipton Fleur De Lis S.) – Fasig-tipton Fleur De Lis S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Royal Spa 4.00 1 2-1
3 3 Thorpedo Anna 0.60 1.4 3-1
5 5 Taxed 4.50 3.4 6-1
4 4 Gin Gin 3.50 4.6 9-1
2 2 Save Time 20.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Tepin S.) – Tepin S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Vixen 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Favor to You 10.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Love You Anyway 5.00 2.9 6-1
5 5 Lush Lips (GB) 1.80 3.2 6-1
7 7 Ninth Island 15.00 4.3 8-1
2 2 Something Stronger 10.00 4.8 9-1
4 4 Princess Attitude 10.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Fixin to Bee 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Kelly’s Landing S.) – Kelly’s Landing S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Booth 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Dr. Venkman 2.50 2.2 4-1
4 4 Roll On Big Joe 3.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Otto the Conqueror 15.00 5.6 11-1
6 6 Happy Is a Choice 10.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Red Flag 15.00 6.6 13-1
8 8 Durante 8.00 7.4 14-1
2 2 Three Technique 10.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Wise Dan S.) – Wise Dan S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Mi Hermano Ramon 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Taking Candy 8.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Brilliant Berti 3.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Lagynos 6.00 4.4 8-1
8 8 Fort Washington 6.00 5.3 10-1
1 1 Henro 20.00 5.4 10-1
9 9 Seminole Chief 20.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Event Detail 8.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Mercante 2.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (Stephen Foster S.) – Stephen Foster S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Hit Show 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 First Mission 4.00 1.3 2-1
4 4 Sierra Leone 2.50 1.5 3-1
2 2 Mindframe 3.50 2 4-1
5 5 Mystik Dan 3.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Ashcroft 30.00 5.5 10-1
3 3 Skippylongstocking 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 12 (American Derby) – American Derby

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Freedom’s Not Free 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Tiztastic 2.50 1.6 3-1
6 6 Native Runner 10.00 3.1 6-1
5 5 Minaret Station 15.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Siesta Key 20.00 5.9 11-1
9 9 Giocoso 10.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Soleil Volant 12.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Flying Mohawk 8.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Anegada 12.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Reagan’s Wit 3.00 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.