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Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, April 30, 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 Banned for Life 1.60 1 2-1
6 6 You Ain’t Poppn 3.50 2.1 4-1
4 4 Star’s Image 4.50 2.7 5-1
7 7 Tejon Pass 6.00 3.5 7-1
2 2 Optical 6.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Keep On Moving 8.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Surf City 12.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Delightful Claire 1.20 1 2-1
4 4 Chatter 2.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Shared Vision 3.00 1.5 3-1
6 6 Going Steady 6.00 2.3 4-1
2 2 She’z the Law 15.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Cotillard 20.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 In for a Spin 2.00 1 2-1
5 5 Spotted 3.50 1.4 3-1
6 6 Kopiana 4.00 1.6 3-1
9 9 Souperrazzledazzle 6.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Fresh Out 8.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 My Secret Dreams 10.00 3.3 6-1
1 1 Market Strategy 15.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Silvertown 15.00 4.7 9-1
8 8 Motown Sound 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Plot 3.50 1 2-1
13 13 English Harbour 4.50 1.3 2-1
8 8 Theoretical 4.50 1.3 2-1
12 12 Breaking Hearts 5.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Lexico 6.00 1.8 3-1
14 14 Key Actress 8.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Devices (IRE) 8.00 2.5 5-1
1 1 Hardly Ready 10.00 3.1 6-1
10 10 Lady Faye 10.00 3.1 6-1
15 15 Wella 12.00 3.7 7-1
2 2 Figurine 15.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Play On Player 15.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Ocean Ripple 20.00 6.3 12-1
7 7 Mother Lode 20.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Modern Escape 30.00 9.6 18-1
16 16 Argentinidad 50.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Chasing Gray 4.00 1 2-1
4 4 Cliffs of Dover 4.50 1.2 2-1
3 3 Jinxzi 6.00 1.9 4-1
6 6 Big Rog 6.00 1.9 4-1
12 12 Tregetour 6.00 1.9 4-1
10 10 Spring St. Dreamer 8.00 2.9 5-1
8 8 Ando 10.00 3.8 7-1
13 13 Silver Dime 10.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Kick It In 12.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Old Trace 15.00 6.1 11-1
11 11 The Reinbow Factor 20.00 8.4 16-1
5 5 Paired 20.00 8.4 16-1
9 9 Chiquita’s Way 30.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Uae President Cup Arabian S.) – Uae President Cup Arabian S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 RB BADONKADONK 1.20 1 2-1
4 4 DIAMOND GEM AA 2.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 WMA SMOKE SIGNAL 8.00 3.9 7-1
2 2 AA TAKE A CHANCE 10.00 4.7 9-1
5 5 HIGHH COUNTRY 10.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 QUICK RAE AA 12.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 WMA GRAND FINALE 15.00 6.9 13-1
3 3 HIGHH STAKES 20.00 9 17-1
1 1 WMA WILD KISSES 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Honfleur 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Cape Sounion (IRE) 3.00 1.4 3-1
13 13 Private Property (IRE) 3.50 1.5 3-1
5 5 Heavenly Melody 4.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Vow to Resiliency 6.00 2.2 4-1
14 14 Not That Simple 6.00 2.2 4-1
10 10 Bourbiana 8.00 2.8 5-1
11 11 Cynical Humor 15.00 4.8 9-1
6 6 Twinklee 15.00 4.8 9-1
9 9 Wing Queen 20.00 6.3 12-1
2 2 Perrylu 20.00 6.3 12-1
15 15 Mass 20.00 6.3 12-1
3 3 Strada Del Sogno 20.00 6.3 12-1
12 12 Treat Yourself 30.00 9.2 17-1
8 8 Sammy the Shark 50.00 15 28-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Jensco 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Angel Bella 2.50 1.2 2-1
2 2 Our Shenanigan 3.00 1.4 3-1
7 7 Madeline’s Promise 6.00 2.4 4-1
3 3 Late to the Game 8.00 3 6-1
5 5 Tearin’up My Heart 15.00 5.4 10-1
4 4 Ashes and Diamonds 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Opening Verse S.) – Opening Verse S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Lagynos 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Quatrocento 3.00 1.8 3-1
1 1 Layabout 4.50 2.7 5-1
9 9 West Hollywood 8.00 4.8 9-1
2 2 Minaret Station 10.00 6 11-1
6 6 Giocoso 12.00 7.2 14-1
5 5 Chasing the Crown 15.00 9 17-1
7 7 Mi Bago 15.00 9 17-1
3 3 Balnikhov (IRE) 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (St. Matthews Overnight S.) – St. Matthews Overnight S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Built 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Be You 4.00 1.4 3-1
9 9 Maximum Bourbon 4.50 1.6 3-1
6 6 Back Em Up 6.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Concrete Glory 8.00 2.9 5-1
10 10 Jack’s Promise 8.00 2.9 5-1
8 8 Bourbon Bash 10.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Wendelssohn 12.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Billal 20.00 7.3 14-1
5 5 Lofty Adjudicator 30.00 11 21-1
11 11 Air Invasion 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Mamzelle S. Presented By Kentucky Proud) – Mamzelle S. Presented By Kentucky Proud

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Cy Fair 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Slay the Day 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Hen Party 4.50 1.7 3-1
3 3 Final Accord 6.00 2.3 4-1
1 1 Snappy Comeback 8.00 3 6-1
7 7 Midnight Martini 12.00 4.5 8-1
9 9 Snow Face Princess 15.00 5.6 10-1
11 11 Blushing Justice 20.00 7.4 14-1
2 2 Ifyousaidso 20.00 7.4 14-1
4 4 Thank You Amy 30.00 11 21-1
10 10 Gigabit 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Mizzou 3.00 1 2-1
6 6 Prime Power 3.50 1.2 2-1
9 9 Barker 4.50 1.6 3-1
8 8 Five Wishes 6.00 2.2 4-1
10 10 Castle Run 8.00 3 6-1
5 5 Carcar Express 12.00 4.7 9-1
11 11 Krewezin 15.00 5.9 11-1
4 4 Dark Rye 15.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Stormtown 20.00 7.9 15-1
2 2 Hellacious 20.00 7.9 15-1
12 12 Boss’ Deed 20.00 7.9 15-1
3 3 Royal Sapphire 30.00 12 23-1

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.

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