US Horse Racing Tips: Paul Quigley’s Best Bets for Friday’s Races Stateside

Paul Quigley returned on Thursday and picked out a nice one in Rocks A Black Suit, who came through to beat the 5/4f at 11/4 in the second at Sunland Park.

For today's races, he concentrates on Tampa Bay Downs as he picks out three horses who he thinks can go well for his Friday US Horse Racing Tips column...

Best Bet  

Tampa Bay Downs Race 7 (20:54) – Triumphant Road (2) 

There is an oversubscribed field here but there looks to be a logical but short priced favourite in Triumphant Road (2). He's had thirteen starts to break his maiden but all of those have been in better company than this. He ran second for his first start for his trainer Saffie Joseph at Gulfstream in December. He draws well and has worked well upstate in preparation for his first start in almost eight weeks. Cipriano Gil seems to be the go to rider for Joseph's Tampa runners.  

No3 Ocala Rocket has earned place money in back to back maiden claimers locally. Cipriano Gil appears to get off him to ride the selection. No9 Frozen Four outrun his odds when third in in a slightly higher priced claimer last month. The pair have to be reckoned with having solid turf form.  

No8 Grand Park View is interesting after two good tries on the dirt. He ran well on his one previous start on the grass. His trainer has hit form after a slow start to the meet. He may be best alternative to the favourite.  

Next Best  

Tampa Bay Downs Race 6 (20:22) - Court and Spark (5) 

No2 Volkert is on a hat-trick. His recent victories have been at a slightly cheaper claimers than this. Based on the speed figures he's been running and his sharpness, he's well up to this level. He's speedy and could be softened up Bar Down Express (3) if resorting to type now by the apprentice ridden. Off the draw and the cut back in trip, Court and Spark (5) could be the play. He was used up in a pace duel over seven furlongs last time. He's now ridden by Rosario Montanez who knows him well. He was aboard for the nine year olds last three victories when ridden a little patiently.   

Value Play 

Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 (21:25) - No6 Sea Art 

The feature race on the card at Tampa is an allowance optional claimer for fillies and mares carded at six furlongs on the dirt. There is no standout runner so there should be an open market. No4 Hopesndreams comes off a trio of close up places at today's level on turf. She is a four time winner on dirt so there is no reason she shouldn't run another solid race. No5 Happy Bella is unexposed. She made it two victories from four career starts when beating No10 Athena's Wisdom at the level below this one on her return. There may be better to come from her.     

No6 Sea Art may be the answer here. She's been freshened up after earning place money in back to back similar races to this one in December. She was second best to a stakes runner last time and the third has ran well since. Her rider Pablo Morales should have her in a good position early on, just off the early speed.    

Paul Quigley is a long-time US Racing fan and tipster. He provides US Horse Racing Tips for Betfred Insights as well as working for Betfred TV...