Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, January 3, 2026

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 Chariot 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Bad Joke 2.50 1.3 2-1
7 7 Guitar Guy 5.00 2.6 5-1
1 1 Hear Thunder 6.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Dr Hinckley 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Seize the Port 10.00 5.3 10-1
5 5 A G’s Charlie 12.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Parole Drama 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Casa Cielo 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Rude Procedure 3.50 1.3 3-1
5 5 Archimedes 4.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Tedder 6.00 3 6-1
4 4 Ketchum 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Bridge Classic 8.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Sav’n Money 10.00 5.7 11-1
9 9 Big D 12.00 7 13-1
3 3 Distorted Song 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Louisiana Futurity) – Louisiana Futurity

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Little Miss Curlin 0.60 1 2-1
5 5 Liteupthenite 4.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Wickedwithbourbon 4.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 Justlikelouise 5.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Varinisi 12.00 2.9 6-1
1 1 El Star 30.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Noshametohergame 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Coach Mazzula 3.00 1.2 2-1
5 5 Bohemian 3.50 1.5 3-1
3 3 Pretty Ribbon (IRE) 3.50 1.5 3-1
6 6 Faye’s Gold 10.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Miss Metoyer 10.00 4.6 9-1
1 1 American Taylor 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Impavido 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Zip to Zap 3.50 1.2 2-1
1 1 Election Night 4.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Props 6.00 2.4 5-1
9 9 Standard Deduction 6.00 2.4 5-1
2 2 Campanario 8.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Key Man 10.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Federal Agent 12.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Brock’s Boy 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Dagmara 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Alone Time 4.50 1.8 3-1
8 8 Ontology 5.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 War Belle 6.00 2.6 5-1
4 4 High Street Pizzaz 6.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 Real Drama 6.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Boost Me Baby (IRE) 6.00 2.6 5-1
9 9 Lowenstein (IRE) 6.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Patron Silver 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Ur Desire 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Louisiana Futurity) – Louisiana Futurity

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Our Moneyman 1.40 1 2-1
9 9 Dickie T 4.50 2.3 4-1
1 1 Mor Force 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Mo Whiskey 6.00 3 6-1
2 2 Golden Mane 6.00 3 6-1
7 7 All Lake 10.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Slowdownanmoveover 15.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 Guitar Guy 15.00 6.9 13-1
5 5 Alotlikechocolate 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Collective Beauty 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Unfaithful Rose 3.50 1.3 2-1
1 1 Dale’s Bluff 3.50 1.3 2-1
5 5 No Time Left 4.00 1.5 3-1
7 7 Velcamp 5.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 The Town Tempter 5.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Front Runnin 10.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Undisputable 12.00 5.8 11-1
8 8 She’s a Live Wire 20.00 10 19-1
4 4 Candy Talking 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Traitour 3.50 1 2-1
1 1 Gold Gunner 4.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Full Command 4.50 1.5 3-1
4 4 Lunar Mine 4.50 1.5 3-1
5 5 Max S 6.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Tequila n’ Salt 6.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Titanium Man 12.00 5.1 10-1
6 6 Too Cold At Home 20.00 9 17-1
2 2 Classic Sensation 20.00 9 17-1

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.