Churchill Downs Horse Racing Picks for Thursday, June 18, 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 Ez Pal 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 August 3.50 1.6 3-1
14 14 Tic Tic Tic 4.00 1.8 3-1
16 16 Pride Rock 4.50 2.1 4-1
7 7 Randie’s Rascal (GB) 4.50 2.1 4-1
3 3 Generational 6.00 2.9 5-1
15 15 Baytown Theo 6.00 2.9 5-1
5 5 Good to Be King 8.00 4 8-1
13 13 Locus 10.00 5.1 10-1
6 6 Get Your Steps In 10.00 5.1 10-1
10 10 Epic Roll 12.00 6.2 12-1
11 11 Wartime 15.00 7.8 15-1
9 9 P V Panther Pride 15.00 7.8 15-1
2 2 Smoke Trail 20.00 10.6 20-1
12 12 Go Victory 20.00 10.6 20-1
1 1 Baytown Da Vinci 30.00 16 30-1

RACE NUMBER 2 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Global Sensation 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Derby Date 3.00 1.5 3-1
7 7 Fifty Cent Dollars 3.50 1.7 3-1
1 1 Catamount 5.00 2.4 4-1
5 5 Furious Anger 6.00 2.9 5-1
4 4 Illini 8.00 3.8 7-1
2 2 Be Here 15.00 7 13-1

RACE NUMBER 3 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Gewurztraminer 1.40 1 2-1
9 9 Military Road 3.00 1.5 3-1
4 4 My Noble Knight 4.50 1.9 4-1
5 5 Fountain Run 6.00 2.3 4-1
8 8 Underdressed 10.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 Prince Day 10.00 3.4 6-1
2 2 C F V Bullet 20.00 6.2 12-1
7 7 Mowins 30.00 9 17-1
3 3 Runwithheart 30.00 9 17-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Susan’s Boy 1.20 1 2-1
2 2 Kuch 3.50 1.6 3-1
1 1 Lasting Quality 4.50 1.8 3-1
4 4 Hellacious 6.00 2.2 4-1
8 8 Stoic Sage 8.00 2.7 5-1
3 3 Hamlet 15.00 4.4 8-1
6 6 Nyttime Story 20.00 5.6 11-1
7 7 Soho Jimmy 30.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 5 (Claiming) – Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Step Forward 1.50 1 2-1
11 11 Dark Vintage (IRE) 3.50 2 4-1
5 5 Exploration 4.50 2.5 5-1
12 12 Three Zero 6.00 3.2 6-1
3 3 Otto the Conqueror 6.00 3.2 6-1
4 4 Normandy Coast 6.00 3.2 6-1
9 9 Mister Mmmmm 8.00 4.2 8-1
14 14 Launch Control 8.00 4.2 8-1
13 13 Swill 10.00 5.2 10-1
10 10 B D Valeski 10.00 5.2 10-1
8 8 Chiseler 12.00 6.2 12-1
15 15 The Minkster 15.00 7.6 14-1
2 2 Invulnerable 15.00 7.6 14-1
6 6 Scat Free 20.00 10.1 19-1
1 1 Coming in Hot 30.00 15 28-1

RACE NUMBER 6 (Maiden Claiming) – Maiden Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
8 8 Both Sides of Bad 2.00 1 2-1
3 3 Bourbon Rage 3.50 1.5 3-1
4 4 Whatever 4.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Big Rog 6.00 2.3 4-1
9 9 Fitzgerald 8.00 2.9 6-1
2 2 Paired 10.00 3.6 7-1
10 10 The Reinbow Factor 12.00 4.2 8-1
1 1 Good Sal 20.00 6.8 13-1
6 6 Old Trace 30.00 10 19-1
5 5 Big Fuzz 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 7 (Starter Allowance) – Starter Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Palacios 2.50 1 2-1
9 9 Big Gain 3.50 1.3 3-1
3 3 Attersee 4.50 1.7 3-1
2 2 Sharons Beach 6.00 2.2 4-1
4 4 Social Hour 8.00 2.8 5-1
10 10 Bebedouro 10.00 3.5 7-1
1 1 Baytown Bruiser 12.00 4.1 8-1
8 8 Speedstorm 12.00 4.1 8-1
5 5 Bourbon’s Fault 20.00 6.7 13-1
7 7 Easy Dial 30.00 10 19-1

RACE NUMBER 8 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Supercharger 1.60 1 2-1
8 8 My Boy Tony 4.00 1.9 4-1
7 7 Rothschild 6.00 2.7 5-1
10 10 Blast Furnace 6.00 2.7 5-1
1 1 Telescopic 8.00 3.5 7-1
11 11 Discreet Dancer 8.00 3.5 7-1
3 3 Rapoport 10.00 4.3 8-1
12 12 Lazlo 10.00 4.3 8-1
4 4 Mary’s Boy Bolt 12.00 5 10-1
6 6 King of Ashes 20.00 8.1 15-1
9 9 Taunting 20.00 8.1 15-1
2 2 Demetrius 30.00 12 23-1

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.