Aqueduct Horse Racing Picks for Friday, April 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 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Malu 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Royal Bobbie 3.50 2 4-1
3 3 Vino Frizzante 4.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Reliable Lady 2.50 3.2 6-1
5 5 Bourbon Serengeti 4.50 3.6 7-1
4 4 Cararra 6.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Coquito 1.40 1 2-1
7 7 Last Glory 8.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Whistler’s Style 15.00 3.8 7-1
3 3 Dolce Sera 30.00 SCRATCH
4 4 Golden Eib Micrphn 1.80 SCRATCH
1 1 Lady Emily Kathryn 10.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Curlin’s Magic 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Kid Billy 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Social Hour 4.50 3 6-1
1 1 Mo for the King 2.50 4.6 9-1
4 4 Gypsy Dreaming 5.00 4.9 9-1
6 6 Go Irish 8.00 5.3 10-1
3 3 Timaeus 10.00 5.6 11-1
8 8 Sinister Smile 4.50 5.7 11-1
7 7 Seeker’s Hope 15.00 8 15-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Up for an Oscar 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Orgonite 3.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Quiet Power 4.50 2 4-1
7 7 Double Act 5.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 C J Star 8.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Party Animal 6.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 Capt Fluff N Stuff 6.00 4.9 9-1
8 8 Steady Force 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Sweet Montreal 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Di Natale (CHI) 1.60 1.8 3-1
6 6 Dangherecomesshang (IRE) 3.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Will Not Be Swayed 8.00 4.9 9-1
2 2 Shore War 12.00 5.4 10-1
8 8 Somnium 6.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Tap It Up 15.00 6.3 12-1
3 3 Blame the Banker 15.00 6.6 13-1
11 11 Next On Stage 4.50 SCRATCH
9 9 Bernieandtherose 2.50 SCRATCH
10 10 Mila Candy 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Mad Banker 4.50 1 2-1
8 8 Probability 3.50 3.9 7-1
2 2 Senegal 4.00 3.9 7-1
4 4 Kaz Oil Changer 6.00 5.1 10-1
1 1 Ez Roll 4.50 5.5 10-1
3 3 Gamebred 8.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Corvus 5.00 6.1 11-1
7 7 Smilensaycheese 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Plenty Of Grace S.) – Plenty Of Grace S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Relaxx (FR) 5.00 1 2-1
7 7 And One More Time 2.00 1.1 2-1
1 1 Oversubscribed (GB) 2.50 1.2 2-1
2 2 Do Gooder 10.00 2 4-1
4 4 Al Jafara (GB) 4.00 2 4-1
5 5 Accent (GB) 6.00 2.1 4-1
8 8 Just Music 3.50 SCRATCH
6 6 Storm Miami (IRE) 15.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Twirling Lad 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Dinghy Bar 6.00 2 4-1
6 6 Aristide Maillol 3.50 2.9 5-1
2 2 Poppy’s Ticket 12.00 3.4 6-1
7 7 Speightful Storm 8.00 4.4 8-1
9 9 Deacon Blues 20.00 6.1 12-1
8 8 Kirkwood 4.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 No Spun Intended 15.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Moonlight Drive 8.00 6.8 13-1
5 5 Peyton 30.00 7.6 14-1
11 11 Eye On the Ball 20.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Sweetnessthrtyfour 6.00 SCRATCH
13 13 Lord King 3.00 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.