Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Wednesday, April 29, 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 Empire Builder 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 My Noble Knight 3.00 1.3 2-1
8 8 National Eclipse 3.50 1.6 3-1
7 7 Quokka 6.00 3 6-1
5 5 Tres Soles 8.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Charbon 10.00 5.2 10-1
2 2 Nip N Tuck 15.00 8 15-1
6 6 Raising Kane 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Highly Flammable 1.80 1 2-1
6 6 Mister Mmmmm 3.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Barksdale 3.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Real Macho 3.50 1.6 3-1
2 2 Chiringo 10.00 3.7 7-1
3 3 Altobelli 20.00 7 13-1
7 7 Charbonnay 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Bush 3.50 1 2-1
7 7 Ruiva 4.00 1.2 2-1
8 8 Just Epic 4.50 1.4 3-1
10 10 Champagne Dream 6.00 2 4-1
11 11 Traction Park 8.00 2.9 5-1
6 6 By Grace 8.00 2.9 5-1
9 9 Epicure 12.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Barometric 15.00 5.8 11-1
5 5 Summer Dream 20.00 7.9 15-1
2 2 Bit Tipsy 20.00 7.9 15-1
4 4 Bayou Baby 30.00 12 23-1
3 3 Tuxca 30.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Abbi Fede 3.00 1 2-1
4 4 Turbo Launch 4.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Newman 4.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Feral 6.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Underappreciated 8.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Traverse City 10.00 4.6 9-1
15 15 The Fed’s Plot 12.00 5.7 11-1
10 10 Fly Guy Mick 12.00 5.7 11-1
2 2 Power of Will 15.00 7.2 14-1
13 13 Ur Benja 15.00 7.2 14-1
12 12 Bearister 15.00 7.2 14-1
9 9 Nyttime Story 30.00 15 28-1
3 3 Mush Carey 30.00 15 28-1
11 11 Holyrood 30.00 15 28-1
14 14 Amberssohn 30.00 15 28-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Scarce 3.00 1 2-1
10 10 Ribadeo 3.50 1.3 2-1
4 4 Diagram 4.50 1.8 3-1
3 3 Go Go Playmate 5.00 2.1 4-1
8 8 Bourbon and Spice 8.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Santiana 10.00 4.7 9-1
1 1 Grant’s Gretchen 10.00 4.7 9-1
7 7 Red Rainbow 12.00 5.8 11-1
6 6 Lil Braveheart 20.00 10 19-1
2 2 Luck of the Day 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Kentucky Juvenile S. Presented By Resolute Racing) – Kentucky Juvenile S. Presented By Resolute Racing

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Skara Brae 1.40 1 2-1
4 4 Waggley 2.00 1.2 2-1
7 7 Peak Perspective 4.50 1.8 3-1
5 5 Super Saiyajin 8.00 2.6 5-1
8 8 Bourbon Town 10.00 3.1 6-1
1 1 Glory Run 15.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Frontline Fury 20.00 5.6 10-1
3 3 American Pope 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Shoot It True 1.40 1 2-1
9 9 Roja 4.00 1.6 3-1
10 10 Rosato 6.00 2.1 4-1
7 7 Satin Blue 8.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Justinqueso 8.00 2.6 5-1
6 6 High Fashion Kate 10.00 3.1 6-1
11 11 Tempting Eve 12.00 3.6 7-1
1 1 Fancy Caber Neigh 15.00 4.4 8-1
4 4 Cart Girl Sam 15.00 4.4 8-1
3 3 I’m Mo Joke 20.00 5.6 11-1
12 12 Gladriel 30.00 8.1 15-1
13 13 J Z’s Last Schance 30.00 8.1 15-1
8 8 Caberneigh 50.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Sharons Beach 2.50 1 2-1
4 4 Mo Work 4.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 Norwich 4.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 Gordon’s Legacy 6.00 2.2 4-1
7 7 South Bend Tom 6.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Sweet Freedom 8.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Good Mojo 12.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Speedstorm 12.00 4.1 8-1
2 2 Free Advice 15.00 5.1 10-1
10 10 Just Like Max 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Isaac Murphy Marathon S. Presented By Resolute Racing) – Isaac Murphy Marathon S. Presented By Resolute Racing

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Parchment Party 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 No Bien Ni Mal (BRZ) 3.00 1.4 3-1
8 8 Wynstock 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Interceptor 6.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 Digital Ops 8.00 3.7 7-1
9 9 Stowaway 12.00 5.4 10-1
3 3 Timeout 12.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Makes Sense 15.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 Johny’s Rendezvous 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Twolatebabydoll (FR) 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Never Really Know (IRE) 3.50 1.6 3-1
13 13 Texas Holiday 4.00 1.8 3-1
12 12 Heart Spin 4.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 Austin High 6.00 2.9 5-1
4 4 Oak Alley 8.00 4 8-1
15 15 Menkaure 10.00 5.1 10-1
16 16 Queen Mercedes 12.00 6.2 12-1
11 11 Honor Azteca 12.00 6.2 12-1
10 10 Kittens Stormy Gal 15.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 Mustang Lady 20.00 10.6 20-1
8 8 Egyptian Candy 20.00 10.6 20-1
14 14 Bindi 20.00 10.6 20-1
7 7 Fashion Affirmed 30.00 16 30-1
5 5 Got Gone 30.00 16 30-1
1 1 Sussudio 30.00 16 30-1

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.