Oaklawn Park Horse Racing Picks for Friday, May 1, 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
4 4 Lear 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Batter Up 3.50 1.4 3-1
7 7 Lebombo 4.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 D Day Reunion 6.00 3.3 6-1
9 9 Sara’s Shaman 8.00 4.8 9-1
10 10 Sir Exton 10.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Mazing Mark 12.00 7.8 15-1
6 6 Bigwrigdude 12.00 7.8 15-1
1 1 Holus Bolus 15.00 10 19-1
3 3 Devils Fork 15.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Maximum Effort 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Baby Vino 3.50 1.2 2-1
7 7 Banksy’s 4.00 1.5 3-1
2 2 The Pulse 4.50 1.7 3-1
1 1 Bourbon Dream 5.00 1.9 4-1
5 5 Paul’s Recovery 12.00 5.2 10-1
3 3 Ace Jack Deuce 12.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Black Star 15.00 6.7 13-1
9 9 House Trick 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Ratings Handicap) – Ratings Handicap

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Woodcourt 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Winnemac Avenue 2.50 1.2 2-1
7 7 Number One Dude 3.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 Gun Party 5.00 2.4 4-1
5 5 Barb 8.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Classify 12.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Presidential 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Eglise 2.50 1 2-1
1 1 Run Classic 3.50 1.6 3-1
7 7 R Heisman 4.00 1.8 3-1
8 8 Nasty Habit 4.50 2.1 4-1
5 5 Lundberg 6.00 3 6-1
6 6 Ghost of Midnight 8.00 4.1 8-1
3 3 Max Got Excited 10.00 5.2 10-1
2 2 Invulnerable 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Eminent Cat 3.00 1 2-1
5 5 Whitley 3.50 1.2 2-1
9 9 Amore 4.50 1.6 3-1
10 10 Cattle Baron 6.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Flat Out Blessed 8.00 2.9 5-1
7 7 Our Vekoma Ride 8.00 2.9 5-1
11 11 Arco Thunder 12.00 4.3 8-1
3 3 Igniting Embers 12.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Arkansas Lovin Man 15.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Werthethreeamigos 15.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Zooming Past 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Expect the Best 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Dr. Storm 3.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Maximum Promise 4.00 2 4-1
9 9 Papa Yo 4.50 2.3 4-1
1 1 Pike Place 10.00 5 9-1
6 6 Race Ready 12.00 6 11-1
7 7 Eleven Bravo 15.00 7.5 14-1
2 2 Triple Up 15.00 7.5 14-1
5 5 Mister Muldoon 20.00 10 19-1
10 10 Trouble Ahead 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Big Commerce 2.50 1 2-1
6 6 Secured Lender 3.00 1.4 3-1
5 5 My Liam 5.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 Mumayaz 6.00 3.5 7-1
7 7 Dutch Mills 8.00 5 9-1
10 10 Cape Trafalgar 10.00 6.4 12-1
2 2 Burlsworth 10.00 6.4 12-1
9 9 Texas Holdem 12.00 7.8 15-1
8 8 Kunshan Bridge 15.00 10 19-1
3 3 Classic Cut 15.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 She’s an Earner 3.00 1 2-1
9 9 Highlight Show 3.50 1.3 2-1
12 12 Really Fancy River 5.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Elevate 6.00 2.9 6-1
11 11 Street Twirl 10.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Lucky Louisa 10.00 5.5 10-1
4 4 Edgewater 10.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 McSniper 12.00 6.8 13-1
2 2 Make It Happen 12.00 6.8 13-1
10 10 Start Her Up 15.00 8.8 17-1
1 1 Go Thunder Go 15.00 8.8 17-1
5 5 Sugar Tea 20.00 12 23-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Bachelor S.) – Bachelor S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Stradale 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Two Seven O 3.50 1.9 4-1
8 8 Oscar’s Hope 5.00 2.6 5-1
7 7 One More Freud 6.00 3 6-1
1 1 Tiz Mary’s Comet 10.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 Dirty Rich 12.00 5.6 11-1
9 9 Doublecents 12.00 5.6 11-1
4 4 Good Civilian 20.00 9 17-1
3 3 Violence in Red 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Carbone 2.50 1 2-1
7 7 Dancin for Gold 3.00 1.4 3-1
2 2 Linzer 4.50 2.7 5-1
8 8 Touchdown Arkansas 6.00 4 7-1
3 3 Red State 8.00 5.6 11-1
1 1 Classic Time 8.00 5.6 11-1
4 4 Navy Seal 12.00 9 17-1
9 9 Raymond 12.00 9 17-1
6 6 Ripped 12.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Lake Hamilton S.) – Lake Hamilton S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Zero Sugar 1.80 1 2-1
8 8 Sharp Swinger 3.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Tejano Twist 3.50 1.8 3-1
4 4 Booth 5.00 2.4 5-1
2 2 Surveillance 10.00 4.6 9-1
9 9 Gold Sweep 15.00 6.8 13-1
1 1 Hola Joey 15.00 6.8 13-1
6 6 Dapper Moon 15.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 Mikel W 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Cuda Cutie 2.00 1 2-1
7 7 Vekoma’s Diva 3.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 Arr Piratetreasure 5.00 2.4 5-1
9 9 Cur Non 6.00 2.9 5-1
14 14 Street Painter 8.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Rockin the Lane 12.00 5.6 11-1
11 11 Lady Belle 12.00 5.6 11-1
10 10 Brunia 12.00 5.6 11-1
4 4 Roseanne 15.00 7 13-1
2 2 Sisters in Town 15.00 7 13-1
6 6 Lady Astrid 20.00 9.4 18-1
12 12 Aloha Baby 20.00 9.4 18-1
13 13 Stephanie Starfish 20.00 9.4 18-1
8 8 Plinko Chip 30.00 14 26-1

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.