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Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 9, 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 Landing Craft 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Pop Paul 3.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Skynet 4.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Army Wildcatter 6.00 3.6 7-1
7 7 Nash Potatoes 8.00 5.1 10-1
2 2 Muir Woods 8.00 5.1 10-1
4 4 Dispersion 10.00 6.5 12-1
8 8 Longstrider 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Click 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Sweetbitters 3.50 1.5 3-1
8 8 Frosty for Ever 4.00 1.7 3-1
9 9 Total Fabrication 6.00 2.2 4-1
3 3 Crystal Frost 8.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Voluntold 12.00 3.9 7-1
1 1 Muscle Mommy 20.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Pauline’s Angel 30.00 9 17-1
6 6 Chiquita’s Way 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Mirage 1.80 1 2-1
2 2 Armed N Dangerous 3.00 1.4 3-1
6 6 Askari 4.00 1.7 3-1
5 5 Baytown Bruiser 5.00 2.1 4-1
4 4 Consolidated 6.00 2.4 4-1
3 3 Truly Legit 8.00 3 6-1
7 7 Emancipation 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 I Don’t Get It 1.80 1 2-1
1 1 Warrior Richard 2.50 1.3 2-1
4 4 Skyro 3.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Eye Witness 8.00 3.8 7-1
5 5 Authentic Gallop 8.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Bestfriend Rocket 10.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Zapruder 15.00 7 13-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Comprehensive 1.50 1 2-1
16 16 Lahainaluna 4.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 Sigfrid 4.50 2.6 5-1
14 14 T V Channel 5.00 2.8 5-1
2 2 Supercharger 6.00 3.4 6-1
13 13 Maximus Prime 6.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 Royal Causeway 8.00 4.4 8-1
15 15 Terre Haute 10.00 5.5 10-1
11 11 Mr Bobo 12.00 6.5 12-1
6 6 Swerve 12.00 6.5 12-1
5 5 Irish Mojo 15.00 8.1 15-1
10 10 Hey Dey 15.00 8.1 15-1
9 9 Bluegrass Pike 20.00 10.7 20-1
12 12 Culper Code 20.00 10.7 20-1
1 1 Limelight 20.00 10.7 20-1
7 7 In America 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Sharons Angels 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Stone County 4.00 1.5 3-1
5 5 Scuffle 4.50 1.7 3-1
8 8 Gentleman Jim 5.00 1.9 4-1
6 6 In Rainbows 6.00 2.4 5-1
9 9 Tims 10.00 4.3 8-1
1 1 Sequoia Stars 10.00 4.3 8-1
7 7 Rochester 12.00 5.2 10-1
4 4 Run Like Forrest 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Wrong Shoes 2.00 1 2-1
6 6 Grand Luxx 3.50 1.7 3-1
5 5 Jaboss 4.50 2.1 4-1
7 7 Empath 6.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 What’s the Tea 8.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 Trapped 10.00 4.6 9-1
4 4 Special Sauce 10.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Sassy Fox 15.00 6.8 13-1
2 2 California Smoke 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Sumood 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Love’m Or Liam 4.00 1.3 2-1
7 7 Two Beers by Ten 4.50 1.5 3-1
11 11 Sheriff Bart 6.00 2.3 4-1
1 1 Monterey Bay 8.00 3.4 6-1
9 9 Cinister Cix 8.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Dr. Park 12.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Rocky Joy 15.00 7.1 13-1
15 15 Shure 15.00 7.1 13-1
10 10 Jimmy Rules 20.00 9.7 18-1
5 5 Master Controller 20.00 9.7 18-1
13 13 B B Prince 30.00 15 28-1
14 14 Taunting 30.00 15 28-1
6 6 Master of Light 30.00 15 28-1
12 12 Show of Force 30.00 15 28-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Admiral Dennis 1.40 1 2-1
6 6 Gould’s Gold 2.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Tiztastic 5.00 2.2 4-1
2 2 Bernin Hot 6.00 2.5 5-1
3 3 Timeout 8.00 3.1 6-1
4 4 Tennessee Lamb 10.00 3.8 7-1
7 7 Welaka 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (William Walker S.) – William Walker S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Outfielder 1.60 1 2-1
2 2 Throckmorton 3.00 1.4 3-1
1 1 Reb Five 4.00 1.6 3-1
4 4 Sandal’s Song 6.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Twilight Delight 8.00 2.6 5-1
5 5 Rebel With a Cause 10.00 3.1 6-1
6 6 Ketchum 20.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 Walter the Mason 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 11 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
12 12 Rockin Robin 4.00 1 2-1
11 11 Quick to Charm 5.00 1.8 3-1
6 6 Daring Madison 6.00 2.5 5-1
8 8 Passionfruit 6.00 2.5 5-1
2 2 Ships Inn 6.00 2.5 5-1
4 4 Lil Tipsy 8.00 4 8-1
7 7 Cognizant 10.00 5.5 10-1
10 10 West of Lex 12.00 7 13-1
3 3 Tanya’s Momentum 15.00 9.3 17-1
1 1 Cosmopolitan Lady 20.00 13 25-1
13 13 Donna Strada 20.00 13 25-1
9 9 Full Dolly 20.00 13 25-1
5 5 Lost Chord 20.00 13 25-1

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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