Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 16, 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 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 Something Stronger 12.00 1 2-1
4 4 Should’ve 2.50 SCRATCH
2 2 She Wants War 3.50 1.6 3-1
6 6 J Z’s Last Schance 20.00 4.5 9-1
7 7 Lilies N Paradise 15.00 5.4 10-1
12 12 Stepping Stones 15.00 5.6 11-1
11 11 Secret Hideaway (IRE) 4.50 SCRATCH
8 8 Rojo Rita 8.00 5.9 11-1
3 3 Grade A 10.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Viva Vienne 20.00 6.4 12-1
9 9 Just a Minute 15.00 6.6 12-1
5 5 Miss Lonelle 30.00 SCRATCH
16 16 Jerseys Parade 20.00 SCRATCH
15 15 Cotillard 15.00 SCRATCH
14 14 Bourbon Notes 20.00 SCRATCH
13 13 If If If 10.00 SCRATCH

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Movie Night 1.80 1 2-1
6 6 Angel From Marin 20.00 2 4-1
9 9 Headspin 12.00 5.1 10-1
12 12 Thirteen Roses 20.00 6.1 11-1
8 8 Fashion Quest 30.00 10.4 20-1
2 2 Epic Proud Mary 15.00 10.4 20-1
5 5 Winning Matters 8.00 10.5 20-1
1 1 Anesty 20.00 10.8 20-1
7 7 Audra 6.00 10.9 21-1
3 3 Poise 8.00 10.9 21-1
10 10 Lockdownyourtown 15.00 11 21-1
4 4 Teatonic 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Couldyoubeloved 1.60 1 2-1
4 4 Mint Driven 4.50 3.5 7-1
1 1 Fourfiftyseven 12.00 4.2 8-1
3 3 Little Dixie 2.50 4.9 9-1
5 5 Wits and Wagers 3.50 4.9 9-1
2 2 Fasta Lavista Baby 15.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Sharons Pharoah 4.00 1 2-1
7 7 Chambersville 5.00 2.6 5-1
10 10 Doctrine 6.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Winter Holiday 8.00 SCRATCH
9 9 Six O Clock 12.00 5.8 11-1
2 2 Mischief Ride 20.00 6.8 13-1
8 8 Patrol Squad Six 6.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Da Prince Is Right 10.00 8 15-1
5 5 Brave Force 12.00 9 17-1
3 3 Dr. Agne 3.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Shadow Coast 4.00 1 2-1
1 1 Slider 6.00 2.4 4-1
6 6 Tiger’s Legacy 2.00 4.5 8-1
3 3 Cool Cowboy 3.00 4.7 9-1
2 2 League of Legends 12.00 5.7 11-1
5 5 Colonel Caliente 3.50 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Paynt Ya Later 15.00 1 2-1
6 6 For Love and Honor 4.50 1.3 3-1
1 1 She’s Lookin Lucky 5.00 2.1 4-1
8 8 Bourbon Memory 12.00 4.9 9-1
9 9 Settling Storm 20.00 5.1 10-1
10 10 La Marinera 50.00 10 19-1
12 12 Smiling Ellie 6.00 SCRATCH
3 3 Shotgun Wedding 15.00 SCRATCH
11 11 She’s All Charm 30.00 SCRATCH
4 4 In the Stars 4.00 SCRATCH
2 2 Miwa (GB) 6.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Long Ago (GB) 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Paul’s Recovery 3.00 1 2-1
3 3 Pelican Bay 4.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Ur Benja 20.00 4.5 9-1
6 6 Sartorial 1.60 4.6 9-1
2 2 King Lee 10.00 5.1 10-1
5 5 Prince J J 15.00 6 11-1
7 7 Champagne Liberal 4.50 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Louisville S.) – Louisville S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Burnham Square 0.40 1 2-1
4 4 Freedom’s Way 30.00 2.6 5-1
2 2 Echo Lane 4.00 2.8 5-1
1 1 Anegada 6.00 5.2 10-1
6 6 Vote No 20.00 5.9 11-1
5 5 Dancin in Da’nile 12.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Track Phantom 8.00 1 2-1
13 13 Hymn 3.50 2.4 5-1
4 4 Keewaydin 6.00 3.3 6-1
12 12 Accretive 10.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Can’t Hush This 6.00 4.5 9-1
10 10 Goodasiwonswas 15.00 6 11-1
2 2 Two Eagles River 6.00 6.5 12-1
14 14 Dive Bomber 12.00 7 13-1
3 3 Kalahari Dreams 5.00 8 15-1
7 7 I Got Game 20.00 9.7 18-1
9 9 Keep It Easy 12.00 11 21-1
6 6 Money Supply 4.00 SCRATCH
1 1 I’m McDreamy 20.00 SCRATCH
11 11 Ganaas 20.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Big Gain 3.00 1 2-1
2 2 Legitimate 12.00 4.5 9-1
10 10 Googol Joke 15.00 4.6 9-1
9 9 McAfee 1.40 4.7 9-1
5 5 Midway Munny 30.00 5.9 11-1
4 4 Spirit of a Walkon 12.00 6.2 12-1
6 6 Thrilla 15.00 7 13-1
3 3 Global Quote 30.00 SCRATCH
1 1 Bourbon Flight 6.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Non Conforming 8.00 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.