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
7 7 Quokka 6.00 3.2 6-1
8 8 National Eclipse 3.50 3.7 7-1
6 6 Raising Kane 15.00 4.5 8-1
5 5 Tres Soles 8.00 4.5 9-1
2 2 Nip N Tuck 15.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Charbon 10.00 6.3 12-1
4 4 My Noble Knight 3.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Mister Mmmmm 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Highly Flammable 1.80 2.7 5-1
1 1 Barksdale 3.00 2.9 6-1
4 4 Real Macho 3.50 3 6-1
2 2 Chiringo 10.00 3.9 7-1
3 3 Altobelli 20.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Charbonnay 20.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 By Grace 8.00 1 2-1
12 12 Bush 3.50 2.3 4-1
10 10 Champagne Dream 6.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Ruiva 4.00 4.6 9-1
5 5 Summer Dream 20.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Epicure 12.00 8 15-1
8 8 Just Epic 4.50 8.2 15-1
1 1 Barometric 15.00 8.7 16-1
2 2 Bit Tipsy 20.00 8.7 17-1
11 11 Traction Park 8.00 9.2 17-1
3 3 Tuxca 30.00 11.6 22-1
4 4 Bayou Baby 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 1.8 3-1
8 8 Newman 4.50 4.4 8-1
7 7 Feral 6.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Underappreciated 8.00 5.7 11-1
12 12 Bearister 15.00 7.2 14-1
1 1 Traverse City 10.00 7.6 14-1
13 13 Ur Benja 15.00 9.9 19-1
11 11 Holyrood 30.00 11.2 21-1
9 9 Nyttime Story 30.00 11.2 21-1
15 15 The Fed’s Plot 12.00 SCRATCH
10 10 Fly Guy Mick 12.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Power of Will 15.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Mush Carey 30.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Amberssohn 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Diagram 4.50 1 2-1
8 8 Bourbon and Spice 8.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Go Go Playmate 5.00 2.5 5-1
5 5 Santiana 10.00 6.2 12-1
10 10 Ribadeo 3.50 7.8 15-1
7 7 Red Rainbow 12.00 8 15-1
9 9 Scarce 3.00 8.6 16-1
2 2 Luck of the Day 20.00 9 17-1
1 1 Grant’s Gretchen 10.00 9.2 17-1
6 6 Lil Braveheart 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
4 4 Waggley 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Super Saiyajin 8.00 4.1 8-1
7 7 Peak Perspective 4.50 SCRATCH
3 3 American Pope 30.00 5 9-1
2 2 Skara Brae 1.40 SCRATCH
6 6 Frontline Fury 20.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Glory Run 15.00 SCRATCH
8 8 Bourbon Town 10.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Fancy Caber Neigh 15.00 1 2-1
7 7 Satin Blue 8.00 2 4-1
5 5 Justinqueso 8.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 I’m Mo Joke 20.00 3 6-1
6 6 High Fashion Kate 10.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Cart Girl Sam 15.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Roja 4.00 3.4 6-1
11 11 Tempting Eve 12.00 4.2 8-1
10 10 Rosato 6.00 5.3 10-1
12 12 Gladriel 30.00 6.1 12-1
8 8 Caberneigh 50.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Shoot It True 1.40 SCRATCH
13 13 J Z’s Last Schance 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Norwich 4.50 1 2-1
5 5 Gordon’s Legacy 6.00 3.5 7-1
6 6 Good Mojo 12.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Mo Work 4.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Sharons Beach 2.50 5.2 10-1
9 9 Sweet Freedom 8.00 5.7 11-1
7 7 South Bend Tom 6.00 8.1 15-1
8 8 Speedstorm 12.00 9 17-1
2 2 Free Advice 15.00 9.2 17-1
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
1 1 No Bien Ni Mal (BRZ) 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Wynstock 4.50 1.6 3-1
2 2 Parchment Party 2.00 1.6 3-1
5 5 Interceptor 6.00 3.3 6-1
9 9 Stowaway 12.00 5.2 10-1
7 7 Johny’s Rendezvous 20.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Makes Sense 15.00 6 11-1
4 4 Digital Ops 8.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Timeout 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Never Really Know (IRE) 3.50 1 2-1
4 4 Oak Alley 8.00 2 4-1
12 12 Heart Spin 4.50 3.4 6-1
9 9 Twolatebabydoll (FR) 2.50 3.5 7-1
2 2 Austin High 6.00 5 9-1
8 8 Egyptian Candy 20.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Kittens Stormy Gal 15.00 6.7 13-1
7 7 Fashion Affirmed 30.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Got Gone 30.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 Mustang Lady 20.00 8.6 16-1
11 11 Honor Azteca 12.00 9.8 18-1
1 1 Sussudio 30.00 12.8 24-1
13 13 Texas Holiday 4.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Bindi 20.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Queen Mercedes 12.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Menkaure 10.00 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.