US Horse Racing Tips: Stateside Preview for Sunday

The Grade 1 Jaipur and Grade 1 Manhattan scheduled for yesterday will now be run as race 12 (23.34) and 13 (00:12) respectively on Sunday’s card - so here are my thoughts on these two sizzling contests.

Today's US Racing Odds

Horse Racing Odds

Saratoga Race 12 (23:34) – The Jaipur (Grade 1) – Ag Bullet (9) @ SP

The Godolphin owned Think Big (2) has been a revelation since switched to the turf. He is four for four including back to back Grade 2 victories this year. The four year old sits off the pacesetters and so far has come with a decisive late run in deep stretch.

His jockey Ben Curtis knows him well and today’s distance of five and a half furlongs suits him. He ticks all the boxes with the possible exception of his price.

Most of this field can only beat Think Big (2) if he runs below form or has a troubled trip. One exception is Ag Bullet (9), a mare taking on the boys. She hadn’t lost in a turf sprint until going down by a neck at The Breeders’ Cup.

If she hadn’t been badly beaten on her comeback, she may be challenging Think Big (2) for favouritism. She did have to be steadied that day and is now ridden by Flavien Prat. She’s taken to rebound at about 3/1.

The rest of this field need a few things to go their way to get more than a minor a award. My Boy Prince (4) is a little interesting. She beat Bold Journey (7) and Alogon (8) in a stake over six furlongs at Aqueduct last month. He is unexposed in sprints and may be capable of better. Arzak (5) and Our Shot (3) have the back form to contend but have questions to answer.

Arzak (5) ran poorly behind Think Big (2) in April. It was his seasonal return. He faced a stiff task when second in this race last year. Our Shot (3) is another well beaten by the favourite this term. He did come alive at Saratoga last summer. The horse for course is interesting at a price.

Coppola (10) may get loose on the lead here. He is better at five furlongs but may get brave if facing no pace pressure. The hat-trick seeking Extendo (1) faces much tougher competition to that he was beating in Florida.

Saratoga Race 13 (00:12) – The Manhattan (Grade 1) – Integration (2) @ SP

Quite a few chances here but Spirit of St Louis (6) has at least as strong a claims as any. He had Highway Robber (3) and Integration (2) behind him when winning a Grade 1 on The Kentucky Derby undercard. Jockey Manny Franco has an almost perfect record on him. Like a few of these, he could be pace compromised if they go slow up front.

Interestingly, Integration (2) ran Spirit of St Louis (6) to a neck in The Grade 1 Pegasus Turf in January. Frankie Dettori received some criticism for his two subsequent rides on him, including last time. Flavien Pratt who was the last jockey to win on him is back aboard.

He is playable at a price. So too is Highway Robber (3). He was progressive until running no race in Dubai in March. His length third to Spirit of St Louis (6) may be better than it looks. He stayed on the chewed up rain softened ground inside in the straight whereas the rest came wide.

Trainer Miguel Clement has three runners entered. His Far Bridge (9) will be likely be second favourite. He has won half his sixteen career races including two Grade 1’s. The six year old has won both his starts since he returned in March. In the first, he ran down Corruption (8) who was on a soft lead. He is a bit quirky but Joel Rosario has only lost on him once and that was at The Breeders’ Cup! He’s likely to get first run on the deep closers.

His stablemates Deterministic (5) and Carson's Run (4) ran one-two in a Grade 3 at Aqueduct last month. The runner had no chance of catching he winner the way the race was run. Deterministic (5) is dangerous of afforded the same soft lead.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.