Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Tuesday, April 28, 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
6 6 Danzig’s Dora 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Sing a Little Song 1.60 1.2 2-1
3 3 C’Est Cheese 3.00 2.6 5-1
4 4 Mascara 6.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Special Sauce 10.00 5.1 10-1
5 5 Letmenowhenurready 20.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Booked 1.40 1 2-1
6 6 Fanshell Beach 1.80 1.6 3-1
5 5 War Ready 4.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Smoke Trail 8.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Jasper Valley 6.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Heart of a Hero 30.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Spying 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Aviso 12.00 3 6-1
1 1 Heartbeat 8.00 3.6 7-1
5 5 Daddario 6.00 4.5 9-1
2 2 Queen Wilhelmina 4.50 5.6 11-1
9 9 Frosty Mojito 20.00 5.6 11-1
8 8 Faye’s Gold 8.00 5.7 11-1
10 10 Unlimited Gold 30.00 8.1 15-1
4 4 French Mistress 8.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Sheila’s Lion 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Freaks Go 6.00 1 2-1
2 2 Spun Candy 3.00 1.7 3-1
4 4 No Time Left 4.00 1.9 4-1
6 6 Wisconsin Gal 3.50 2.7 5-1
5 5 G Rocks 15.00 4 8-1
3 3 Bright Lady Day 30.00 6 11-1
7 7 Belle Ofthe Dance 2.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Harbe 5.00 1 2-1
6 6 Standard Deduction 8.00 1.8 3-1
3 3 Joe’s Candy 3.50 2.8 5-1
12 12 Vino Dominus 4.50 3.8 7-1
2 2 Good Sal 20.00 4.1 8-1
11 11 Circuit Breaker 10.00 4.2 8-1
7 7 Outofpi 15.00 4.4 8-1
1 1 Highway Patrol 15.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Sierra Power 30.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Lasting Legacy 6.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 Barstool 30.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Lennie G 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Gene and Jude 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Footprint 4.00 4.2 8-1
9 9 Obelisk 20.00 5.8 11-1
6 6 Garryowen 6.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Rulookinforrayray 8.00 7.1 13-1
13 13 Hyperbolize 15.00 7.3 14-1
11 11 Aguila Negra 30.00 7.7 14-1
12 12 Khetam 12.00 8.3 16-1
2 2 Hayes Goal 20.00 8.8 17-1
3 3 Jack Rabbit 4.50 9 17-1
1 1 Good Point 30.00 10.4 20-1
4 4 Bagg O Time 20.00 11.1 21-1
15 15 Mount Horeb 2.50 SCRATCH
16 16 Culprit 6.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Wish Carefully 20.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Li Grand Zombi 8.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Comes a Time 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 McIlroy 4.50 2.6 5-1
2 2 Another Monarch 4.00 4.5 9-1
9 9 Nassau Circle 15.00 5 10-1
4 4 Vino Subito 6.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 Il Cavallino 8.00 6.4 12-1
13 13 Favoritism 10.00 7.5 14-1
1 1 Southern Bullet 30.00 7.6 14-1
5 5 Hardtoblame 10.00 7.9 15-1
8 8 Fayette Spirit 12.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Mo Hair Sam 30.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Up to No Good 20.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Phila Street 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Furio 6.00 1 2-1
3 3 Light the Way 10.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 This Is Uscar 8.00 2.4 5-1
5 5 Owen Almighty 5.00 3.1 6-1
6 6 Echo Again 4.50 3.6 7-1
2 2 Hold My Bourbon 10.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 U Devil You 3.50 5 9-1
8 8 Dr. Saikali 15.00 5.6 11-1
9 9 Flood Zone 4.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Beeline 15.00 1 2-1
4 4 Bacio 1.60 1.5 3-1
10 10 Camp Hale 5.00 3 6-1
7 7 Simulate 15.00 3.4 6-1
2 2 Mischievous Rogue 30.00 3.4 6-1
11 11 B D Valeski 20.00 5.6 11-1
8 8 Jet Sweep Joe 30.00 9.2 17-1
1 1 Heart Headed 8.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Monsieur Candy 12.00 SCRATCH
12 12 Sweet Dani Boy 12.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Smash It 10.00 SCRATCH
5 5 Our Starry Night 6.00 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.