Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, September 20, 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 Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Hit Parade 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Lady Upstart 3.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Beach of Dreams 3.50 1.8 3-1
3 3 Alta Avenue 4.00 2.2 4-1
2 2 I’m a Little Crazy 8.00 5.4 10-1
1 1 Faye’s Gold 8.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Stevie Chick’s 10.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Brave Blend 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 First Bid 2.50 1.4 3-1
2 2 Big Salt Lick 3.50 2.3 4-1
5 5 Flyin Ryan 5.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Odorico 6.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Clear Echo 8.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Rose Alabama 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Mezcalifornia 2.50 1.2 2-1
7 7 Carolina Candy 3.00 1.4 3-1
3 3 Viral Plane Lady 6.00 2.6 5-1
1 1 Miss Elle 8.00 3.3 6-1
5 5 Catchyalater 15.00 6.1 11-1
6 6 High Summer 15.00 6.1 11-1
8 8 True Princess 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Kavod 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Deer District 2.50 1.2 2-1
2 2 Track Mate 3.00 1.5 3-1
7 7 Legalize 6.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Suncroft 8.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Market Street 12.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Fort Sam 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Secretly Delighted 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Bohemian 3.50 1.4 3-1
3 3 Rain Gold 5.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Strada Del Sogno 6.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 American Tapit 8.00 5.1 10-1
13 13 Al Taraf 8.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Maverick Queen 8.00 5.1 10-1
9 9 Tikihut 10.00 6.8 13-1
14 14 Runway Rebel 12.00 8.4 16-1
15 15 Minstrelly 15.00 10.9 21-1
7 7 Alas 15.00 10.9 21-1
11 11 Mendelssohns Comet 15.00 10.9 21-1
6 6 R Bee Gee 15.00 10.9 21-1
10 10 Island Girl 20.00 15 28-1
12 12 Kiss My Heart 20.00 15 28-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Stilettos 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Princess Proud 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Impulse Buy 3.50 1.4 3-1
1 1 Hollygrove 6.00 2.4 5-1
5 5 Moon Mystique 8.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 Shezafunkydrummer 8.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Mila Rose 8.00 3.2 6-1
7 7 Anakarina 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Harrods Creek S.) – Harrods Creek S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Smoken Wicked 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 Faster Gator 3.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Jimmy’s Dailys 3.50 1.7 3-1
2 2 Semper Primus 4.00 1.9 4-1
4 4 U Devil You 6.00 2.6 5-1
1 1 Optical 15.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Seneca Overnight S.) – Seneca Overnight S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Immersive 1.20 1 2-1
7 7 Quickick 2.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 Liam in the Dust 6.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 Decadent 8.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Ivory and Ebony 8.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Next Up 12.00 7 13-1
6 6 Flash Wear 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Dogwood S. Presented By Resolute Racing) – Dogwood S. Presented By Resolute Racing

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Echo Sound 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Ragtime 2.00 1.1 2-1
7 7 Delightful Claire 3.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Kay Cup 8.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Sturgeon Moon 10.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Strong State 15.00 6.1 11-1
8 8 Mega Mil 20.00 8 15-1
2 2 Gerlin’s Empire 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Bourbon Flight S.) – Bourbon Flight S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Chunk of Gold 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Admiral Dennis 2.00 1.1 2-1
3 3 Excite 5.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 Brotha Keny 6.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Hypnus 8.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Just a Fair Shake 15.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Whiskey Shot 20.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Run Quiet Run Fast 30.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Imminent Risk 2.50 1 2-1
15 15 Sneakily 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Nonconsecutivetrms 3.00 1.3 2-1
13 13 Vanity 4.00 1.8 3-1
14 14 All About You 5.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 Last Curtain Call 6.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Sister Troienne 8.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Temple Goddess 8.00 3.8 7-1
8 8 Unlikely Queen 10.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 A. P.’s Girl 10.00 4.8 9-1
4 4 Labile 12.00 5.8 11-1
10 10 Rhapsody in Motion 12.00 5.8 11-1
12 12 Starbrite Starlite 20.00 9.9 19-1
1 1 Easter Promise 30.00 15 28-1
7 7 Screeched In 30.00 15 28-1

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.