Delta Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, January 17, 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 Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 My Vision 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Regal Time 3.50 1.5 3-1
5 5 Go Hot Girl 4.50 1.9 4-1
1 1 Cut N Dancer 5.00 2.1 4-1
8 8 Reaux Day 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 My Pal Magic 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Gotta Scoot 10.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Pop Lock and Drop 20.00 9 17-1
3 3 Annala 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Deelitesandimsum 1.80 1 2-1
5 5 Weekendsandwhiskey 2.50 1.3 3-1
4 4 Smarty’s Back 3.50 1.8 3-1
6 6 Just Nate 5.00 2.6 5-1
2 2 Mo Can Do 6.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Downtown Motown 12.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Uninspired 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 C F Jimmy Ray 3.50 1.3 2-1
2 2 My Special Star 5.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Lewis Memorial 6.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Analitico 8.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 Dixie Strong 8.00 3.7 7-1
10 10 Brandon’s Best 10.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Baby Zong 12.00 5.8 11-1
5 5 Wicked Times 15.00 7.4 14-1
7 7 Rum Center 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Selectively Sweet 2.50 1 2-1
11 11 Arinniti (FR) 3.50 1.6 3-1
1 1 Good Bright Flames 4.50 2.1 4-1
7 7 Clever Race 5.00 2.4 5-1
8 8 Chief Express 6.00 3 6-1
4 4 Won Bright Light 8.00 4.1 8-1
10 10 Real Silk 8.00 4.1 8-1
5 5 Tiff With Jimmy 10.00 5.3 10-1
6 6 Miss St. Claire 12.00 6.4 12-1
3 3 Patient Emilie 15.00 8.1 15-1
2 2 Chip Shortage 20.00 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Kingscliff 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Awesome Magic 3.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Cardinal Cushing 4.50 2.1 4-1
4 4 Reckless Love 5.00 2.4 5-1
2 2 Priscilla Rose 8.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Greystar 8.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Bottle It 8.00 4.1 8-1
1 1 Zong’s Creed 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Orleans S.) – Orleans S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Hillerito 1.80 1 2-1
10 10 Jumpin Judy 4.00 2.1 4-1
9 9 Sassi Strutter 5.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Twirl Around 6.00 3.1 6-1
2 2 Six String 8.00 4.1 8-1
4 4 First Love 12.00 6 11-1
8 8 Gloriette 12.00 6 11-1
3 3 Kaely’s Sister 15.00 7.5 14-1
7 7 Little Bit of That 20.00 10 19-1
6 6 Luyv 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Eve of Eve 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Goldzone 3.50 1.9 4-1
3 3 Congrats Cadet 5.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Taken It 6.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Dreamy Deal 8.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Saberfight 10.00 5.9 11-1
9 9 Mo Dixie Diva 12.00 7.2 14-1
7 7 Gap Daddy 12.00 7.2 14-1
5 5 Lovers Never Say 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Sam’s Town S.) – Sam’s Town S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Old Homestead 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Champlin 3.50 1.6 3-1
2 2 Go Captain 4.50 2.3 4-1
3 3 The Donegal Clan 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 American Know How 8.00 4.5 9-1
6 6 Empire of Gold 10.00 5.8 11-1
7 7 Devil’s Tower 10.00 5.8 11-1
8 8 Country Hit 12.00 7.1 13-1
9 9 Chad’s Flashy Ways 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 All Honors 3.00 1 2-1
1 1 Weitzman 3.50 1.3 3-1
3 3 Captain Blood 5.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 World Renowned 5.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 Justice for Johnny 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Velocity Storm 10.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 Duke of Orleans 10.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Shahenshah 15.00 9 17-1
5 5 Youcandoitboy 15.00 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.