Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, May 14, 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 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Honky Tonk Girl 4.50 1 2-1
1 1 Spun Tight 8.00 1.9 4-1
3 3 Juneau 3.50 2.9 5-1
4 4 Cardio Cat 1.40 3 6-1
5 5 By Grace 10.00 4.7 9-1
8 8 Lady Lux 15.00 6.1 12-1
2 2 Lucky Lollipop 15.00 8 15-1
6 6 Baytown Ona 8.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Global Sensation 3.00 1 2-1
9 9 Martini Blu 4.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 Nip N Tuck 30.00 4 8-1
7 7 Ready to Pounce 5.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Creek 12.00 5.5 10-1
2 2 Be Here 8.00 6.2 12-1
4 4 Derby Date 6.00 6.4 12-1
5 5 Ready to Roll 15.00 7.3 14-1
10 10 Raising Kane 3.50 9.9 19-1
8 8 Ready Pursuit 50.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Nilo’s Rose 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Liuzza 3.50 2.8 5-1
6 6 Beira 5.00 4.4 8-1
7 7 Tiffany Twist 6.00 5.1 10-1
5 5 Story Hour 4.50 5.3 10-1
1 1 Sunset Harbour 8.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Steampunk 15.00 8 15-1
3 3 Just an Opinion 10.00 8.3 16-1
4 4 Rosieontheriver 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Cut Throat 3.00 1 2-1
8 8 Crossfire 4.50 7.6 14-1
11 11 Bardstown Road 12.00 9.2 17-1
4 4 Beach Sandals 6.00 9.6 18-1
3 3 Ali’s Glory 30.00 10.2 19-1
7 7 Captain Luke 10.00 10.8 20-1
2 2 Take Charge Beach 20.00 11 21-1
9 9 Goodbye to Romance 15.00 11.1 21-1
10 10 Munny Jack 6.00 11.8 22-1
13 13 Fortune King 30.00 12.1 23-1
5 5 Stazitto 20.00 12.2 23-1
12 12 Bourbon Town 6.00 12.6 24-1
1 1 Rock Havoc 15.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Presider 3.50 1 2-1
6 6 End of Romance (IRE) 20.00 1.6 3-1
12 12 Clyde’s Got a Gun 20.00 4.4 8-1
9 9 Noble Confessor 8.00 5.2 10-1
2 2 Coiled 8.00 5.5 10-1
8 8 Soleil Volant 20.00 5.8 11-1
15 15 Tapit Shoes 15.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 Carcano 4.00 6.2 12-1
1 1 Royal Majesty (GB) 4.50 10.2 19-1
11 11 Freedom’s Way 10.00 10.6 20-1
10 10 Westside Tide 6.00 10.9 21-1
14 14 Harrow 20.00 11.8 22-1
13 13 Goldeneye 20.00 13.2 25-1
5 5 Daunt 30.00 13.7 26-1
7 7 The Hidden Chamber 20.00 15 28-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Hurry Hurry 12.00 1 2-1
5 5 Inexorable 4.50 2.6 5-1
1 1 Curlin’s Malibu 2.50 2.7 5-1
8 8 Classic Car Wash 3.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Carolo Rapido 10.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Badge of War 6.00 6.3 12-1
6 6 House United 15.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 Keen Cat 5.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Render Judgment 3.50 1 2-1
3 3 Fear of Union 6.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Coalmoon 3.00 4.4 8-1
7 7 Fourth Dimension 1.80 4.6 9-1
2 2 Master Controller 10.00 5.4 10-1
6 6 Sixtyseven Mustang 20.00 5.7 11-1
4 4 Fountain Run 5.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Newsrelease 5.00 1 2-1
3 3 Twirling Claire 2.50 5.7 11-1
14 14 Belle Amour 8.00 6.6 12-1
11 11 Spare Me 6.00 6.7 13-1
13 13 Conquering Marin (IRE) 3.50 7.3 14-1
2 2 Redhawk Riddler 6.00 8 15-1
5 5 Vivianite 15.00 8.9 17-1
12 12 Retrospective 12.00 9.4 18-1
4 4 Prosecco Gal 4.50 9.5 18-1
16 16 Sweettalkingwoman 20.00 11.5 22-1
6 6 Cardiff Reef 20.00 12.2 23-1
7 7 Princess Julie 20.00 12.4 23-1
8 8 Poverty With Aview 30.00 13.9 26-1
10 10 Sheer Jazz 30.00 14.9 28-1
15 15 Fraud Alert 30.00 14.9 28-1
1 1 Amazon Time 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.