Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, December 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
2 2 Menty B 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Little Bit O Storm 3.50 3.6 7-1
4 4 Slim Causeway 3.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 Madame Markievicz 3.00 4.8 9-1
5 5 Maylen 4.00 5 9-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Factor of Time 4.50 1 2-1
6 6 Back Street Baby 2.50 1.3 2-1
4 4 Becky’sgottahaveit 3.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Ostrica 6.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Sweet Thirteen 12.00 4.5 8-1
1 1 Mallory Unbridled 10.00 5.2 10-1
10 10 Vanna G 12.00 6.1 12-1
8 8 Snazzy Gal 10.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Moneyforwednesday 20.00 7.5 14-1
9 9 Delightful Halo 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Boy Boy 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 C Mac Da Boss 3.00 1.6 3-1
5 5 No Take Backs 8.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Byword 3.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 American Vision 8.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Sand Cast 4.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Fade to Gold 1.80 1 2-1
2 2 Lost Art 4.00 1.1 2-1
6 6 Mischievous Cindy 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 C C Fanta C 4.50 3.2 6-1
5 5 Cookie Brookie 6.00 3.3 6-1
8 8 Oldfashlovesong 15.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Oh Baby 20.00 4.8 9-1
7 7 Clearly My Star 8.00 5.3 10-1
9 9 It’s Just Simple 20.00 6.6 12-1
10 10 Miss Super Mo 3.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Shot Gun Shack 4.50 1 2-1
7 7 Mister Banderas 1.40 1.1 2-1
8 8 First Samaritan 6.00 4 8-1
3 3 Remi 5.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 Such a Pickle 10.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 Humor Me Boy 12.00 6.9 13-1
2 2 Jus Surprise Me 12.00 7.9 15-1
6 6 Alwaysfreaky 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Cloudy Lass 4.50 1 2-1
11 11 Danzig’s Dora 10.00 3.4 6-1
5 5 Gatsby’sgreenlight 12.00 4 8-1
3 3 Flower Girl 10.00 4.1 8-1
9 9 Clearly Authentic 6.00 4.8 9-1
8 8 Tia Lupe 12.00 5.6 11-1
13 13 Amazing Lady 12.00 6.4 12-1
10 10 Truly an Honor 6.00 6.4 12-1
1 1 Improve Position 20.00 6.9 13-1
2 2 Birkin Elegance 20.00 7.6 14-1
4 4 Plantain 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Honor Azteca 4.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Lady Blast 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Cultivate 4.00 1 2-1
3 3 Save the Trees 4.50 4.2 8-1
4 4 Island Cruiser 8.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Built 1.40 4.6 9-1
5 5 Brodeur 6.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Honky Tonk Highway 10.00 5.6 10-1
1 1 Carambaso 10.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Go Captain 8.00 1 2-1
2 2 Monsieur Candy 10.00 1.4 3-1
12 12 That’s Right 10.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 Mister Mmmmm 6.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Vacation Dance 4.50 3.3 6-1
7 7 Warheart 12.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Petcoff 6.00 4.5 8-1
3 3 News At Nine 12.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Covey (GB) 20.00 6.7 13-1
11 11 Fit to Fly 20.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Higgins Boat 3.50 SCRATCH
4 4 Baxley 10.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Smash It 3.50 1 2-1
5 5 Voila Magic 2.50 2.5 5-1
2 2 Dapper Moon 4.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Late September 12.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Sounds Like Power 8.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Speightful One 20.00 5 9-1
9 9 Pop’s Peppysteper 10.00 5.8 11-1
6 6 Avery’s Gem 10.00 6 11-1
11 11 Sono 20.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 Young Tuscan 20.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Myglorybee 20.00 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.