Fair Grounds 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 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Calibrate 3.50 1 2-1
9 9 Write Off Jerry 4.00 1.3 2-1
6 6 Protonic Power 4.50 1.6 3-1
5 5 Next Level 5.00 1.9 4-1
3 3 Sabi 5.00 1.9 4-1
11 11 Curahee 6.00 2.5 5-1
8 8 Liar’s Poker 8.00 3.7 7-1
10 10 Devil’s Harvest 12.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 National Eclipse 12.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Solid Left 12.00 6.2 12-1
2 2 Now and Later 20.00 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Mighty Hankerin 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Miss Super Mo 3.50 1.4 3-1
4 4 Tied the Knot 5.00 2.8 5-1
8 8 Love Getaway 6.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Running Faith 6.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Paradise Ridge 8.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Wicked Emily 8.00 5.4 10-1
3 3 Miss Shane 12.00 9 17-1
2 2 Seamus’s Girl 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Thunder Buck 1.80 1 2-1
5 5 Herbs Bolt 3.50 1.8 3-1
1 1 Jackson Hole 3.50 1.8 3-1
6 6 Arabia Wild 3.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Different Gravy 6.00 2.9 5-1
4 4 Colt Forty Seven 12.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Vamos Ya 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Clear as a Bele 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Dapper Moon 3.50 1.2 2-1
4 4 Classic Time 4.00 1.5 3-1
9 9 F T W Slam 4.50 1.7 3-1
1 1 Louisiana Jess 8.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Max Got Excited 8.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Craken Jax 12.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 Majority Opinion 12.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 House Bourbon 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Love and Trust 3.50 1 2-1
7 7 Feeling Groovy 4.50 1.5 3-1
13 13 Goodall 5.00 1.7 3-1
2 2 Tap to Open 5.00 1.7 3-1
10 10 Just Bluffing 6.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Thesewallshaveears 8.00 3 6-1
11 11 Kayla’s Komet 8.00 3 6-1
5 5 Winning Matters 8.00 3 6-1
3 3 Isabelle’s Music 15.00 6.2 12-1
9 9 Callmeyourmajesty 15.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Zsa Zsa 15.00 6.2 12-1
4 4 Funny Bunny 20.00 8.5 16-1
8 8 Constructively 30.00 13 25-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Mojacar 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Guns Allowed 5.00 2.1 4-1
6 6 Knock It Off 5.00 2.1 4-1
10 10 Double Entendre 6.00 2.8 5-1
12 12 Trouble Calling 8.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Cowboy Roy 8.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Classic Tap 10.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Bearister 15.00 9.4 18-1
8 8 Special Ops 15.00 9.4 18-1
3 3 Get Them Roses 15.00 9.4 18-1
11 11 McBridge 15.00 9.4 18-1
9 9 Hot Days Ahead 20.00 13 25-1
13 13 Tapit’s Gunner 20.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Duncan F. Kenner S.) – Duncan F. Kenner S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Usually Wrong 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Heart Headed 3.50 1.4 3-1
1 1 Wendelssohn 6.00 3.1 6-1
5 5 Petcoff 8.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Bear River 8.00 4.5 9-1
9 9 Can’t Deny It 8.00 4.5 9-1
12 12 High Front 10.00 5.9 11-1
7 7 Step Forward 12.00 7.4 14-1
8 8 Mondogetsbuckets 12.00 7.4 14-1
13 13 Tough Catch 12.00 7.4 14-1
11 11 Frost Free 20.00 13 25-1
6 6 Schwarzmeier 20.00 13 25-1
10 10 Monsieur Candy 20.00 13 25-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Liberty Valance 3.50 1 2-1
12 12 Ocelli 4.00 1.1 2-1
11 11 Market Runner 5.00 1.4 3-1
6 6 Roguishness 5.00 1.4 3-1
7 7 Reagan’s Honor 8.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Gethsemane 10.00 2.5 5-1
5 5 Silver Shot 10.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 He’s a Charmer 12.00 3 6-1
1 1 El Capo 15.00 3.7 7-1
4 4 La Norme de Jour 20.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Kelz 20.00 4.9 9-1
8 8 Sunset Skip 50.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Marie G. Krantz Memorial S.) – Marie G. Krantz Memorial S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Medoro 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Sweet Treasure 3.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Nanda Dea (ARG) 4.50 1.5 3-1
9 9 Stylish Sue 8.00 2.3 4-1
7 7 Strikingly Spun 12.00 3.1 6-1
2 2 Epic Style 12.00 3.1 6-1
11 11 Triumphant Spirit 12.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Lucky Speech 15.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Cupids Crush 20.00 4.8 9-1
3 3 Wild Bout Hilary 20.00 4.8 9-1
10 10 Lakota Spirit 50.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Fasig-tipton Silverbulletday S.) – Fasig-tipton Silverbulletday S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Atropa 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Taken by the Wind 2.50 1.3 2-1
5 5 Luv Your Neighbor 4.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 White Smoke 4.50 2.6 5-1
6 6 Pashmina 5.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Dancin in Old Town 10.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Colonel E. R. Bradley S.) – Colonel E. R. Bradley S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Kupuna 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Lagynos 3.50 1.3 2-1
3 3 Idratherbeblessed 6.00 2.8 5-1
5 5 Cameo Performance 6.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Theismann 10.00 5.1 10-1
10 10 Gigante 10.00 5.1 10-1
9 9 Reagan’s Wit 10.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 Point Proven 12.00 6.3 12-1
6 6 Vote No 12.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Sand Pipes 12.00 6.3 12-1
11 11 Otago 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Louisiana S. Presented By Hagyard) – Louisiana S. Presented By Hagyard

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Just a Touch 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Willy D’s 4.00 1.9 4-1
1 1 Moonlight 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Sir Greylind 5.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Cadet Corps 8.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Accelerize 8.00 3.4 6-1
6 6 Tarantino 12.00 5 9-1
2 2 Henro 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 13 (Lecomte S.) – Lecomte S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Crown the Buckeye 4.00 1 2-1
11 11 Chip Honcho 4.50 1.3 2-1
6 6 Thunder Buck 6.00 2.3 4-1
5 5 Golden Tempo 8.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Mesquite 8.00 3.5 7-1
10 10 Stop the Car 8.00 3.5 7-1
8 8 White Tiger 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Carson Street 8.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Quality Mischief 10.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 Ocelli 12.00 6 11-1
4 4 Exosome 20.00 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.