US Horse Racing Tips: Paul marks your Saturday card

Our Stateside expert, Paul Quigley, kicks off the weekend with his best bets from across the pond.

Check out his Saturday US Racing Tips below, which come from Monmouth Park and Saratoga.

20:41 Monmouth Park (Race 7) - Roja @ SP

There is a good chance this stake is weakened by scratches. Only Twirling Beauty (10) and Flat Out Time (11) are entered ‘main track only’. Not Too Late (2), Storm Changer (4) and Win N Your In (5) have never raced on the grass before. It will be interesting to see if any of them take their chances. The trio all have pedigrees that suggest they can contend on turf. They all come off fine efforts in stakes on dirt so have to be respected.

In addition to the possible dirt runner scratches, Laurice (9) and Gata Brazil (7) have been cross entered in a Grade 3 at Saratoga. The pair are players if they run here. Laurice (9) has a chance off a stakes third at Gulfstream in March. Gata Brazil (7) ran super to beat Roja (8) and Biscuitwiththeboss (1) in a stake at Laurel last month. She came from well off the pace.

Admittedly, the early fractions were fast and contested. The runner-up was hardly stopping and she pulled well clear of the third. She is dangerous but Roja (8) may reverse the form. She’s much improved since switching to the turf. Now drawn outside the other pace types, her rider may have tactical options.

The trio from that Laurel stake maybe upstaged by Annascaul (6). As a juvenile, she ran well all three starts at two including a pair of stakes. She made a very encouraging three year old debut in a stake at Aqueduct. Having attended the pace, she did the best of the front end types to be beaten less than a length. The slight cut back in distance should not be a problem. She’s probably to fear but may be a tad over bet.

21:29 Saratoga (Race 8) - Far Bridge @ SP

Without question, the class dropping Far Bridge (7) is the runner to beat. He won two Grade 1’s in the second half of last year including one here. He’s looked as good as ever this term. Back to back Grade 3 victories was followed by a neck third in a Grade 1 here last month. The last run was over nine furlongs. He is better suited by distances such as today’s. The five-year-old takes some knowing as he lugs to his left late on. Jockey Joel Rosario knows him well.

Far Bridge (7) will be rightly a short price. For those wanting to take him on or wanting an each way play, there are a few alternatives. Trainer Mark Casse has two such runners entered.

His Corruption (8) finished four lengths behind the favourite over shorter last time. He ran him to neck over an extended trip at Gulfstream in March. Javier Castellano may resort to more aggressive tactics on him. His stablemate Webslinger (5) is an enigma but talented enough to make his presence felt. He made a fine return when narrowly losing a Grade 2 at Woodbine.

He’s hard to win with but today’s rider Jose Ortiz was the last jockey to pilot him to victory.

Todd Pletcher is another trainer double handed. His Tucson (4) may not have handled the rain softened ground when well behind Far Bridge (7) last time. He’s a lightly raced four-year-old whose best effort came over a similar distance to this on a sound surface at Keeneland.

His stablemate El Rezeen (2) made a pleasing first start of 2025. His best effort came when placed in a productive Grade 3 over today’s distance in October. He’s the one runner in here that may be capable of improvement.

The much-improved Harrow (6) and Starting Over (1) went close in a stake at Delaware last month. With the right trip, the pair are others that can make the frame.

23:14 Saratoga (Race 11) - Dynamic Pricing @ SP

She Feels Pretty (1) was the best three-year-old turf filly Stateside. Judging by her two runs this term, she is a good as ever. She made short work of a Grade 3 field at Churchill. Last month, she was less impressive when winning a Grade 1 field here.

The rain-softened ground may have blunted her usual late burst of pace. She is the gal to beat. With a small field, this may be a tactical affair. She has managed to overcome slowly run races in the past. John Velazquez can ride here forwardly if need be.

She Feels Pretty (1) will have to be at her best. Three of her rivals have a chance of turning her over. They are no strangers to each other. Dynamic Pricing (5) edged out stablemate Excellent Truth (4) in a Grade 1 here last month. The winner is a very progressive filly.

She is a better filly than the one who twice finished behind She Feels Pretty (1) last year. That said, so is the favourite. As the likely third choice in the betting, she may be worth chancing.

The former French trained Excellent Truth (4) has ran big in both her starts Stateside. Her second to Dynamic Pricing (5) followed a hard luck runner up try to Choisya (2) in a Grade 1 at Keeneland. She was hampered in the straight by the winner who was arguably lucky to keep the race.

Maybe third time out will see Deauville Group 1 runner up at her best. That said, Choisya (2) may have more price appeal. Like many on that card, she didn’t seem to handle the bog like conditions at Saratoga’s Belmont Meeting. In addition, unlike after Keeneland, The Chrisford’s have kept her in America. She worked really well locally last Friday. With the right trip, her turn of foot could see her win this.

The field is completed by Be Your Best (6) and Lady Claypoole (3). They ran one-two in a Grade 1 at Santa Anita in May. Be Your Best (6) was a clear cut, all the way winner. The chances are she makes the lead on her own. On a turf track that often plays well for speed, she has a chance of stealing this.

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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...