Fair Grounds Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, January 4, 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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Regatta Bay 1.20 1 2-1
4 4 Contraband Early 3.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Hudson’s Day 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Triple Four 8.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 My Dad’s Guitar 8.00 3.2 6-1
6 6 Saucy Argument 12.00 4.5 8-1
3 3 Byathread 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Battleoflexington 1.40 1 2-1
7 7 Dr. Niko 3.00 1.7 3-1
3 3 Steel Venom 4.50 2.4 4-1
5 5 Lil Bro Coop 6.00 3 6-1
4 4 Concentration 8.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 License to Steal 12.00 5.7 11-1
6 6 Crecencio 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Thebabeslayer 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Musical Band 4.50 2.1 4-1
6 6 Eskenforave and Ak 4.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 Victory Prince 10.00 4.3 8-1
5 5 Global Honor 10.00 4.3 8-1
11 11 Lil Central 12.00 5 10-1
9 9 Temple of Peace 15.00 6.2 12-1
4 4 Metairie 15.00 6.2 12-1
8 8 Jus Surprise Me 15.00 6.2 12-1
10 10 Zong’s Favor 20.00 8.1 15-1
1 1 Alwaysfreaky 20.00 8.1 15-1
12 12 Reach for the Aces 30.00 12 23-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Texas Queen 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Relevate 3.00 1.8 3-1
2 2 Sister Lily 3.00 1.8 3-1
1 1 Miz Chris 4.00 2.7 5-1
5 5 Cloud Number Nine 8.00 6 11-1
4 4 Olympic Star 8.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Optional Claiming) – Starter Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Roar of Silence 2.50 1 2-1
12 12 Desert Glow 4.00 2.2 4-1
11 11 Start Singing 4.00 2.2 4-1
14 14 Blueberry Eyes 5.00 3 6-1
3 3 True Blue Sky 5.00 3 6-1
15 15 Berlaine 5.00 3 6-1
1 1 Deal’em and Weep 5.00 3 6-1
2 2 April’s Gem 10.00 7 13-1
6 6 Im Singled Up 12.00 8.6 16-1
9 9 Gypsan 12.00 8.6 16-1
5 5 Reimagine 12.00 8.6 16-1
13 13 Spicy Italian 15.00 11 21-1
4 4 Irish Kitten 20.00 15 28-1
7 7 All About Me 20.00 15 28-1
10 10 Talksalot 20.00 15 28-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Emancipation 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Kazoom 4.50 1.6 3-1
10 10 A Cab On the Rocks 4.50 1.6 3-1
1 1 S S Radio 6.00 2.4 4-1
6 6 Halo Music 8.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Outlaw Empire 8.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Chicanery 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Straitshootinlarry 8.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 Rudie Won’t Fail 12.00 5.6 11-1
3 3 Awesome Magic 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Denizen 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 McGinnis 3.50 1.3 2-1
10 10 Zun Reyder 4.50 1.8 3-1
2 2 Royal Irish 8.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 Carc Brothers 8.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Don Pablo 8.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Where Y’at 10.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Film At Eleven 12.00 5.8 11-1
5 5 Greasepaintgroucho 20.00 10 19-1
4 4 Rivage 20.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Fade to Gold 1.60 1 2-1
9 9 Braken Poppa 2.50 1.3 2-1
7 7 Restless Mind 6.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 What’s Love 10.00 4 7-1
11 11 Sweet Aurora G 12.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Stella Guitar 12.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 Lost Art 15.00 5.7 11-1
6 6 Simple Spice 15.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Our Castle Queen 20.00 7.5 14-1
4 4 Bistineau Beauty 30.00 11 21-1
1 1 Rainy Day 30.00 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.