Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Friday, September 12, 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 Manage Xpectations 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Twirling Good Time 3.00 1.3 2-1
6 6 Beach Bunny 3.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 Super Costly 4.00 2 4-1
7 7 Mustang Lady 6.00 3.2 6-1
5 5 Hand It Over 8.00 4.5 8-1
1 1 Eyes of Gold 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Lend It Tewmey 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Sutherland 4.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 W W Crazy 4.50 1.9 4-1
5 5 Kunshan Bridge 5.00 2.2 4-1
7 7 Go West 8.00 3.9 7-1
11 11 Penrod 10.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 J J’s Joker 12.00 6.3 12-1
10 10 J J’s Ranger 12.00 6.3 12-1
9 9 Alejandro 15.00 8.1 15-1
8 8 Born Flawless 15.00 8.1 15-1
6 6 Orb of the Boro 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Highlight Show 3.50 1 2-1
13 13 Diva Calling 4.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Dragon Navy 4.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Starlit Nite 4.50 2 4-1
7 7 Easy Kiss 8.00 5.7 11-1
12 12 Authentic Angel 8.00 5.7 11-1
8 8 Kitten Gloves 8.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 String Music 12.00 9.9 19-1
1 1 Super Pachi 15.00 13 25-1
11 11 Thousand M P H 15.00 13 25-1
4 4 Bee Too Sweet 15.00 13 25-1
9 9 Miss Rosso 15.00 13 25-1
3 3 Brunia 15.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Killjoy 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Patton’s Tizzy 3.50 1.4 3-1
3 3 Beezer 4.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Tiverton (GB) 4.50 1.8 3-1
2 2 Burlsworth 8.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Flotation Station 8.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Priority Lane 8.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Partyvicious 20.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Circle Tap 3.50 1 2-1
10 10 Stirring Words 4.00 1.4 3-1
6 6 Time for Music 4.50 1.7 3-1
11 11 Confessional 6.00 2.8 5-1
8 8 Spun D M C 10.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 Trouble Calling 10.00 5.7 11-1
1 1 Urgency 10.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Our Forefathers 10.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Tiz Authority 12.00 7.2 14-1
13 13 Ring Curl 15.00 9.4 18-1
3 3 Spirit of a Walkon 20.00 13 25-1
4 4 Canterville 20.00 13 25-1
9 9 Helpful Howie 20.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Laughnowcrylater 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Overstatement 3.50 1.3 3-1
8 8 Evening News 4.00 1.7 3-1
4 4 Excel Calculator 5.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 Guardian 6.00 3 6-1
7 7 Stellar Vino 8.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Mintastic 12.00 7 13-1
1 1 Raising Kane 15.00 9 17-1
5 5 Complex Music 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Papa Ken 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Just Deeds 2.50 1.2 2-1
4 4 Wildncrazyguy 5.00 2.2 4-1
7 7 Ganaas 6.00 2.6 5-1
3 3 Cuzin Roscoe 8.00 3.3 6-1
5 5 Mr. Sensei 10.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Naughton 10.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 It Takes a Cowboy 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Into the Beast 3.50 1 2-1
8 8 Holy Seven 4.50 1.5 3-1
2 2 Fuzzbuster 5.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Complexed 8.00 3 6-1
1 1 Candy King 8.00 3 6-1
6 6 Cabourg 8.00 3 6-1
13 13 Fuoco Vivo 8.00 3 6-1
9 9 Apollo Eleven 10.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Corona de Oro 10.00 3.9 7-1
10 10 Stable Hero 12.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Mom’s Spaghetti 12.00 4.9 9-1
3 3 Frontier Justice 20.00 8.5 16-1
12 12 Pea Ridge 30.00 13 25-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Harrodsburg 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Cat On Time 3.50 1.4 3-1
2 2 Champlin 4.50 2.2 4-1
1 1 Three Technique 6.00 3.3 6-1
4 4 Nova Rags 6.00 3.3 6-1
3 3 Kavod 6.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Gold Luck 8.00 4.9 9-1
8 8 Ryvit 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Magnificent Rags 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Pacific Standard 3.50 1.3 2-1
11 11 Beck’s Dreamer 4.00 1.6 3-1
3 3 Edifice 5.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Frosty Beer 8.00 3.9 7-1
8 8 Come to Papa 12.00 6.3 12-1
1 1 Traitour 12.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Cool Andy 12.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Sinatra 15.00 8.1 15-1
4 4 Pyromania 20.00 11 21-1
10 10 Big Rog 20.00 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.