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Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Friday, May 22, 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
3 3 Up the Creek 1.40 1 2-1
4 4 Sweet Bebsi 2.50 1.4 3-1
1 1 Vicki Rose 3.50 1.8 3-1
2 2 Spotaway 5.00 2.3 4-1
6 6 Carol’s Melody 8.00 3.4 6-1
5 5 Ashkenazi 15.00 6 11-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Shining Moment 2.00 1 2-1
8 8 Express Success 3.00 1.6 3-1
2 2 Silver Magic 4.00 2.1 4-1
3 3 Bee Crazy 6.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Washton 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Storm Diva 8.00 4.3 8-1
6 6 Gee Tee 8.00 4.3 8-1
10 10 Let Her Fly 10.00 5.4 10-1
7 7 Bit Tipsy 12.00 6.6 12-1
9 9 Estardotoo 20.00 11 21-1
5 5 High Class Broad 20.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Great Escape 2.00 1 2-1
1 1 Army Officer 3.00 1.5 3-1
7 7 Bourbon’s Fault 3.50 1.7 3-1
3 3 C F V Bullet 6.00 2.9 5-1
5 5 Twirling Troillet 8.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Tres Soles 10.00 4.7 9-1
4 4 Bloodline 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 You Ain’t Poppn 1.20 1 2-1
1 1 Coastal Breeze 3.00 1.7 3-1
7 7 Livehappy 4.50 2.2 4-1
6 6 Mi Dinero 8.00 3.5 7-1
5 5 Spinning Pride 12.00 5 9-1
8 8 Smols 12.00 5 9-1
4 4 Waco 15.00 6.1 12-1
3 3 Dr Fenn 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Beautiful Twice 1.60 1 2-1
7 7 Rando 3.50 1.6 3-1
6 6 Thatsalrightmama 4.00 1.8 3-1
4 4 Danzig’s Dora 5.00 2.1 4-1
1 1 Taqdeer 6.00 2.4 5-1
3 3 Ashes and Diamonds 10.00 3.7 7-1
5 5 Spankerboom 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Higgins Boat 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Exact Estimate 3.00 1.2 2-1
1 1 Honky Tonk Highway 5.00 2 4-1
2 2 Beef Winslow 6.00 2.4 5-1
10 10 Frosty Indulgence 8.00 3.2 6-1
12 12 Sketch (IRE) 8.00 3.2 6-1
9 9 Morunning 10.00 4 8-1
7 7 Otago 15.00 6 11-1
4 4 Rigel 15.00 6 11-1
3 3 In a Jam 15.00 6 11-1
11 11 Coco Cool 15.00 6 11-1
8 8 Saint in the City 30.00 12 23-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
10 10 In Scope 4.00 1 2-1
5 5 Al Ghadeer 5.00 1.6 3-1
1 1 Wedelia 6.00 2.2 4-1
9 9 Aegis 6.00 2.2 4-1
11 11 Bodacious Bay 8.00 3.3 6-1
7 7 Fast Gun 8.00 3.3 6-1
3 3 Flash of Freedom 10.00 4.5 8-1
15 15 Charted Destiny 12.00 5.6 11-1
8 8 Island Flower 12.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Miss Complicated 12.00 5.6 11-1
13 13 Mancuso 15.00 7.4 14-1
6 6 Babysitter 15.00 7.4 14-1
4 4 She’s Our Girl 15.00 7.4 14-1
14 14 Wonzee Weather 20.00 10.2 19-1
16 16 Daring Move 20.00 10.2 19-1
12 12 Sonhador 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Verifire 1.20 1 2-1
3 3 Floodlites 2.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 Tough Catch 4.00 2.3 4-1
6 6 Harrodsburg 6.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Thoughtthatcounts 8.00 4.2 8-1
5 5 Furio 12.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Gene and Jude 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 The Dover Specter 3.50 1.7 3-1
10 10 Snare 4.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Mary’s Boy Bolt 4.50 2.2 4-1
3 3 Utopian 6.00 2.9 5-1
6 6 Razorcat 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Garryowen 8.00 3.8 7-1
8 8 Lucky Mischief 10.00 4.7 9-1
9 9 Makutu 12.00 5.6 11-1
5 5 Tiz Freedom 12.00 5.6 11-1
12 12 Taunting 12.00 5.6 11-1
1 1 Sound Cause 15.00 7 13-1
13 13 Survivin’onaprayer 20.00 9.4 18-1
14 14 Best Known Secret 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.

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