Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, May 28, 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
4 4 La Belle Vie 1.60 1 2-1
1 1 Vissino 2.50 1.3 3-1
2 2 Big Falls 3.50 1.7 3-1
7 7 Trim Castle 6.00 2.7 5-1
6 6 Baytown Da Vinci 10.00 4.2 8-1
8 8 Money Man Mike 15.00 6.1 12-1
3 3 Gates of Eden 20.00 8 15-1
5 5 Zee R One 20.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Social Hour 1.40 1 2-1
5 5 Gamblers Tail 2.50 1.3 2-1
4 4 Timing Difference 3.50 1.6 3-1
2 2 Attersee 4.00 1.7 3-1
1 1 Free Advice 15.00 4.7 9-1
3 3 Politics 20.00 6 11-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Ez Miss Sassy 2.50 1 2-1
2 2 Exile 3.50 1.7 3-1
6 6 Peak Perspective 4.50 2.5 5-1
5 5 Lead by Example 5.00 2.8 5-1
7 7 Epic Reign 6.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Luxor Magic 8.00 5.1 10-1
8 8 Pacemaker 10.00 6.5 12-1
1 1 By Her Decree 12.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Prince of Light 2.50 1 2-1
13 13 Intuitive Wisdom 3.00 1.3 2-1
8 8 Arabian Power 4.00 1.8 3-1
10 10 Gentleman Jim 5.00 2.4 4-1
12 12 Desert Fox 6.00 2.9 5-1
1 1 Captain Mercury 8.00 4 8-1
4 4 Cptbobsbtwentynine 10.00 5.1 10-1
15 15 Barracks 12.00 6.2 12-1
3 3 Boss’ Deed 15.00 7.8 15-1
5 5 Fawcett 15.00 7.8 15-1
16 16 Thespian 15.00 7.8 15-1
9 9 Ando 20.00 10.6 20-1
11 11 Soho Jimmy 20.00 10.6 20-1
2 2 Blazing 30.00 16 30-1
6 6 El Ramundo 30.00 16 30-1
14 14 West of East Texas 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Awesome Ruta 2.00 1 2-1
7 7 Clooney 3.00 1.4 3-1
9 9 Carolo Rapido 4.50 2.1 4-1
2 2 Empire Builder 5.00 2.3 4-1
4 4 Papa Yo 8.00 3.7 7-1
8 8 Fountain Run 12.00 5.4 10-1
5 5 Pappy’s Revenge 15.00 6.8 13-1
3 3 Excel Calculator 20.00 9 17-1
6 6 Calycanthus 20.00 9 17-1

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

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Feminism 1.60 1 2-1
5 5 Where Luck Lives 3.00 1.3 2-1
11 11 French Blue 6.00 1.9 4-1
8 8 Woodstock 8.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Our Two Girls 10.00 2.7 5-1
10 10 Spa Prospector 12.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Kayla’s Komet 15.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 If If If 15.00 3.8 7-1
9 9 Valala 20.00 4.8 9-1
6 6 Front Runnin 30.00 6.9 13-1
7 7 Storm Cloud Rising 50.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Murdock 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Moon Sniper 4.50 1.9 4-1
2 2 Mischievous Rogue 6.00 2.5 5-1
10 10 Eakly 8.00 3.4 6-1
3 3 We’re in Trouble 8.00 3.4 6-1
8 8 Camp Hale 8.00 3.4 6-1
13 13 Our Starry Night 8.00 3.4 6-1
4 4 Banned for Life 12.00 5.2 10-1
5 5 Sweet Dani Boy 12.00 5.2 10-1
7 7 Star’s Image 15.00 6.5 12-1
11 11 Tarantino 20.00 8.6 16-1
1 1 Hogie the Player 20.00 8.6 16-1
12 12 Surf City 30.00 13 25-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Nightmare Fuel 1.20 1 2-1
9 9 In for a Spin 4.50 1.7 3-1
10 10 Will Believe 6.00 2 4-1
7 7 Silvertown 8.00 2.4 5-1
6 6 Getaholdayourself 10.00 2.8 5-1
4 4 Cloud Number Nine 12.00 3.2 6-1
1 1 Enticing Moves 15.00 3.8 7-1
11 11 Frosty for Ever 15.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Cusp of Mischief 20.00 4.9 9-1
5 5 Shidoni 30.00 6.9 13-1
8 8 Chiquita’s Way 50.00 11 21-1

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.