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Free Churchill Downs Picks & Predictions

Churchill Downs runs on dirt and turf, with about 73% of races on the dirt, racing from 4 1/2 fur to 1 1/2 mi, with fields averaging 9.7 starters. Every card gets free picks on selected races plus a full-card breakdown for subscribers — 41 Churchill Downs sheets published so far.

3 Free Races Today at Churchill Downs

Race 1

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A claiming sprint where the morning line favorite carries the field's top TrackWiz rating by a comfortable margin, but two live underlays could make the exotics interesting.

win3TarantinoML 7/5

Tarantino comes in with the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 88.35 and draws the 7/5 morning line, making him the clear public choice — but the numbers back it up here. Tyler Gaffalione is one of Churchill's most reliable pilots, and this horse's profile fits a short six-furlong claiming sprint well. The 12% career win rate looks modest, but in the claiming ranks that number can be deceiving when the rating gap over the field is this wide. Lay this one as your anchor and build your exotics around him.

place6Tom Cat TuesdayML 6/1

Tom Cat Tuesday (6) is a sneaky interesting play at 6/1 on the morning line, sitting second in the TrackWiz ratings at 82.71 and sharing a 56 average speed figure with Shan — the best in the field. Trainer Genaro Garcia also has Shan in this race, so he clearly likes this spot, and Tom Cat Tuesday looks like the barn's stronger entry based on the ratings. At those odds, he's a prime place candidate and a nice piece in the exacta.

show1Mitty's GriddyML 4/1

Mitty's Griddy (1) sports the highest career win percentage in the field at 27% and a solid 81.34 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the race. Axel Concepcion gets the call, and this horse profiles as a consistent type who finds a way to hit the board. At 4/1, he's not a screaming value, but his win rate makes him a reliable show play and a worthwhile third leg in trifecta tickets.

Race 2

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Maiden claimers trying to break their duck on the Churchill dirt — this field is wide open at the top, but a pair of standouts separate from the pack on the TrackWiz ratings.

win9King CrusherML 4/1

King Crusher (9) leads all TrackWiz ratings in this maiden claiming field at 77.72 — a meaningful edge over the next-best runner. Francisco Arrieta gets the mount for trainer Eric N. Foster, and this horse has flashed a 55 average speed figure, competitive for this level. In a field full of horses who haven't broken their maiden, King Crusher's numbers suggest he's the most likely to get it done first. Back him confidently as your win single.

place1ZimomoML 15/1

Zimomo (1) is the overlay value angle here — sitting at 15/1 on the morning line but posting a 69.58 TrackWiz rating that's comfortably second in the field. Adam Beschizza takes the ride, and a 56 average speed figure ties for the field's best alongside a couple of others. If King Crusher runs into any traffic or trouble, Zimomo is the most likely alternative to hit the board, and at 15/1 he's a must-use in exactas and trifectas.

show5Trixie BarryML 3/1

Trixie Barry (5) draws the talented Tyler Gaffalione and comes from the barn of Brendan P. Walsh, a trainer who regularly puts horses in position to fire first out. The 3/1 morning line makes her the public's second choice, and a 56.67 TrackWiz rating puts her third in the field. She's a logical show play and a key piece in rolling trifecta combinations.

Race 3

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

An allowance sprint with a tight cluster at the top of the ratings — the 7/5 morning line favorite holds the edge, but a pair of dangerous rivals make this a legitimate three-horse race.

win4Sargent BilkoML 7/5

Sargent Bilko (4) tops the TrackWiz ratings in this allowance field at 69.62 and draws Jose L. Ortiz, who needs no introduction as one of the game's elite riders. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, a seasoned Churchill horseman, this horse carries a 33% career win rate and a 54 average speed figure. The 7/5 morning line reflects genuine market confidence, and our analysis agrees — he's the most complete profile in the race.

place3Never a DoubtML 9/5

Never a Doubt (3) is the race's most compelling place play, posting a 58.67 TrackWiz rating and carrying an impressive 50% career win rate — the second-best in the field among horses with meaningful starts. Luis Saez is a top-shelf rider who puts horses in position to fire, and the 9/5 morning line makes this one a likely short-priced favorite battle with Sargent Bilko. Use her underneath in your exotics as a reliable board-hitter.

show1Title WorthyML 7/2

Title Worthy (1) carries the most eye-catching career win percentage in the entire race card — 100% — which signals a horse whose connections know exactly where to spot their runner. Trainer Dallas Stewart is a Churchill specialist, and a 55.83 TrackWiz rating puts him squarely in contention at 7/2. He's a solid show inclusion and adds depth to your trifecta tickets at a workable price.

Full Churchill Downs card for September 11, 2026

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About the Churchill Downs Racing Surface

Surfaces
Dirt and Turf
Distance range
4 1/2 fur to 1 1/2 mi
Typical field
9.7 starters
Typical card
9.5 races

Most common race conditions at Churchill Downs: Claiming, Maiden Special Weight, Maiden Claiming, Allowance Optional Claiming.

Measured across the last 24 Churchill Downs cards we have handicapped.

Recent Churchill Downs Race Sheets

All 41 Churchill Downs race sheets →

Churchill Downs Picks — Common Questions

Is there a free Churchill Downs card?

Yes. Every Churchill Downs race sheet includes free picks with full analysis on selected races, with no account required. The remaining races on the card are part of a TrackWiz subscription.

What surface does Churchill Downs race on?

Churchill Downs cards run on dirt and turf. Across the last 24 cards, roughly 73% of races were on the dirt.

How many races are on a typical Churchill Downs card?

Churchill Downs cards average 9.5 races, with fields of about 9.7 starters. Distances run from 4 1/2 fur to 1 1/2 mi.

When are Churchill Downs picks published?

Churchill Downs picks are published ahead of the first post for that day's card. We have published 41 Churchill Downs sheets; you can get each new one by email before post time.