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
1 1 Reliable Lady 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Malu 3.00 1.7 3-1
6 6 Royal Bobbie 3.50 2.4 5-1
3 3 Vino Frizzante 4.00 3.1 6-1
5 5 Bourbon Serengeti 4.50 3.9 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
4 4 Golden Eib Micrphn 1.80 1.1 2-1
5 5 Curlin’s Magic 4.00 1.6 3-1
7 7 Last Glory 8.00 2.4 4-1
1 1 Lady Emily Kathryn 10.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Whistler’s Style 15.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Dolce Sera 30.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Mo for the King 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Kid Billy 4.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Sinister Smile 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Social Hour 4.50 2.1 4-1
4 4 Gypsy Dreaming 5.00 2.4 5-1
6 6 Go Irish 8.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Timaeus 10.00 5.2 10-1
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 1.6 3-1
8 8 Steady Force 3.50 2.3 4-1
5 5 Quiet Power 4.50 3.6 7-1
7 7 Double Act 5.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Capt Fluff N Stuff 6.00 5.5 10-1
1 1 Party Animal 6.00 5.5 10-1
4 4 C J Star 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Di Natale (CHI) 1.60 1 2-1
9 9 Bernieandtherose 2.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 Dangherecomesshang (IRE) 3.00 2 4-1
4 4 Sweet Montreal 4.00 2.8 5-1
11 11 Next On Stage 4.50 3.2 6-1
10 10 Mila Candy 6.00 4.3 8-1
8 8 Somnium 6.00 4.3 8-1
5 5 Will Not Be Swayed 8.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Shore War 12.00 8.8 17-1
7 7 Tap It Up 15.00 11 21-1
3 3 Blame the Banker 15.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Probability 3.50 1 2-1
2 2 Senegal 4.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Ez Roll 4.50 1.8 3-1
5 5 Mad Banker 4.50 1.8 3-1
6 6 Corvus 5.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Kaz Oil Changer 6.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 Gamebred 8.00 4.7 9-1
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
7 7 And One More Time 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Oversubscribed (GB) 2.50 1.3 2-1
8 8 Just Music 3.50 1.8 3-1
4 4 Al Jafara (GB) 4.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Relaxx (FR) 5.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Accent (GB) 6.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Do Gooder 10.00 5.3 10-1
6 6 Storm Miami (IRE) 15.00 8 15-1

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
13 13 Lord King 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Aristide Maillol 3.50 1.4 3-1
8 8 Kirkwood 4.00 1.7 3-1
3 3 Dinghy Bar 6.00 2.5 5-1
12 12 Sweetnessthrtyfour 6.00 2.5 5-1
7 7 Speightful Storm 8.00 3.4 6-1
10 10 Moonlight Drive 8.00 3.4 6-1
2 2 Poppy’s Ticket 12.00 5.2 10-1
1 1 No Spun Intended 15.00 6.5 12-1
9 9 Deacon Blues 20.00 8.6 16-1
11 11 Eye On the Ball 20.00 8.6 16-1
5 5 Peyton 30.00 13 25-1

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.