Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Sunday, May 24, 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 Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Hot Gamer 2.00 1 2-1
4 4 Sweetbitters 3.50 1.7 3-1
3 3 Total Fabrication 4.50 2.1 4-1
6 6 Warm Up the Bus 6.00 2.8 5-1
5 5 Gladly 8.00 3.7 7-1
7 7 Berlinwin 10.00 4.6 9-1
2 2 Dodecahedron 12.00 5.4 10-1
8 8 Motown Sound 15.00 6.8 13-1
9 9 Lil Braveheart 20.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Systemic Change 2.50 1 2-1
3 3 Big City 3.00 1.2 2-1
6 6 Real Macho 3.50 1.3 3-1
5 5 Classic Legacy 4.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 Notary 6.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Curlin’s Gesture 8.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Evening News 20.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
11 11 Can’t Deny It 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Let My People Go 3.50 1.4 3-1
8 8 Antares 4.50 1.7 3-1
7 7 Nasty Habit 8.00 3 6-1
4 4 Boltage 10.00 3.7 7-1
6 6 Gardiner 10.00 3.7 7-1
1 1 B D Valeski 12.00 4.5 8-1
9 9 Mister Mmmmm 15.00 5.6 10-1
3 3 Chiseler 15.00 5.6 10-1
2 2 Alder 15.00 5.6 10-1
5 5 Saint in the City 30.00 11 21-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Asheville 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Quarry 3.50 1.6 3-1
4 4 Flick 4.50 2.3 4-1
7 7 Diamond Eyed Jack 6.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Rugged Love 6.00 3.2 6-1
2 2 Neigh Baby 8.00 4.5 9-1
5 5 Dixie Devil 12.00 7.1 13-1
8 8 The Hund 15.00 9 17-1
6 6 He Has Game 15.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Nyquistador 2.50 1 2-1
10 10 Private Show 4.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Don’s Last Ride 4.50 2 4-1
8 8 Surfin’ M 6.00 2.8 5-1
3 3 Circuit Breaker 6.00 2.8 5-1
9 9 Lasting Legacy 10.00 4.9 9-1
4 4 Tregetour 12.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Globalist 15.00 7.4 14-1
2 2 Pay Heed 20.00 10 19-1
6 6 Stoic Sage 20.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Munnings Talks 2.50 1 2-1
15 15 Immortalize 3.50 1.6 3-1
14 14 Eat Hay Run 4.00 1.8 3-1
11 11 Core Memories 4.00 1.8 3-1
13 13 Hypnotica 6.00 2.9 5-1
3 3 Dyna 6.00 2.9 5-1
6 6 Pretty Tapit 8.00 4 8-1
9 9 Last Curtain Call 8.00 4 8-1
16 16 Mundy Sweep 8.00 4 8-1
4 4 Eenymeanymightymo 10.00 5.1 10-1
10 10 Zero Absolute 10.00 5.1 10-1
7 7 Wonzee Weather 15.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Marcinkowski 20.00 10.6 20-1
8 8 Patron Silver 20.00 10.6 20-1
2 2 Les 20.00 10.6 20-1
12 12 Blackwing 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Ruleroftheuniverse 2.50 1 2-1
5 5 Rowdy Riot 3.50 1.5 3-1
9 9 Bird the Legend 4.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Muir Woods 6.00 2.8 5-1
6 6 Linebacker 8.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Flyin Private 8.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Election Night 15.00 7.4 14-1
1 1 Frosted Bull 20.00 10 19-1
8 8 Nineteenfourtyfive 20.00 10 19-1
10 10 Coal Fired 20.00 10 19-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Being Myself 1.20 1 2-1
1 1 Anna’s Promise 3.50 2.7 5-1
4 4 Union Mist 4.50 3.4 6-1
2 2 Foreseen 5.00 3.8 7-1
6 6 Sierra November 6.00 4.5 9-1
3 3 Amarth 8.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 9 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Telescopic 4.00 1 2-1
11 11 Ashley’s Archer 5.00 1.5 3-1
3 3 Write Off Jerry 6.00 1.9 4-1
12 12 My Boy Tony 6.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 King of Ashes 8.00 2.9 5-1
2 2 Lazlo 8.00 2.9 5-1
7 7 Steel 10.00 3.8 7-1
4 4 Kicking Clear 12.00 4.7 9-1
6 6 Different Gravy 12.00 4.7 9-1
10 10 Warlander 15.00 6.1 11-1
5 5 Fort Thomas 20.00 8.4 16-1
1 1 Theodore George 20.00 8.4 16-1
13 13 Taunting 30.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 10 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Solaia 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Smokin Hot Stuff 4.00 1.5 3-1
1 1 Diagram 5.00 1.8 3-1
9 9 With Kindness 6.00 2 4-1
8 8 Sweettalkingwoman 12.00 3.5 7-1
4 4 Spill the Sugar 15.00 4.3 8-1
11 11 Balaclava 15.00 4.3 8-1
12 12 Loriebeth 20.00 5.5 10-1
10 10 Donna Strada 20.00 5.5 10-1
6 6 Army Chic 20.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Silvertown 20.00 5.5 10-1
7 7 The Long Embrace 20.00 5.5 10-1
13 13 Gucci Gammy 50.00 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.