US Horse Racing Tips: Four to watch on Saturday

Our Stateside expert, Paul Quigley, is back to deliver his Saturday US Racing Tips, which takes us to Aqueduct and Churchill Downs for his latest selections.

You can find them below.

19:39 Aqueduct (Race 7) - Griffin's Wharf @ SP

The lightly-raced Stars and Strides (6) figures to be a clear-cut favourite. He has won both his starts since switching to the turf. The latest was at the stakes level at Saratoga in September. Based on speed figures, he’s best but only marginally so. That may not be reflected in his price. With that in mind, Griffin's Wharf (7) may be the play at the odds or for the forecast. He had a far from ideal trip when a close-up second to Stars and Strides (6) in August. Since then, he has run third in arguably a deeper stake here with Church and State (3) behind him.

Noble Confessor (1) could be the second favourite. He may not have stayed the extended trip when second in a Grade 2 here last month. With the rail draw and blinkers on, he is likely to be ridden aggressively from the get-go.

Mayor of Midnight (8) has shown progressive form for Chad Brown. He outfinished a field of older horses on his return. The mount of Flavien Prat could be up to stakes standard. Tiz Dashing (9) has already had experience in graded events. His best effort was when a troubled fourth in a deep Grade 2 at Saratoga in August. That level of form puts him on the podium.

Only a nose separated Soleil Volant (5) and Thundering (2) when they ran one-two in a stake at Delaware. The pair can’t be discounted.

20:39 Aqueduct (Race 9) - Being Myself @ SP

Backers have a choice between fillies with placed form at the highest level or quite a few up-and-comers. Drexel Hill (9) and Ourdaydreaminggirl (4) are in the former category. They are the standard setters with form in Grade 1’s. In the case of Drexel Hill (9), she ran second in The Kentucky Oaks. That was her last start on May 2, so gives away a recency edge to her rivals. Like her Ourdaydreaminggirl (4) may have been flattered last time, closing in off a fast pace. She did run the best speed figure of any of this field when beaten a neck in The Grade 1 Cotilion at Parx. If she can repeat that run away from home, she will be hard to beat.

The one-two from The Remington Oaks are in this lineup. There, So There She Was (8) beat odds on Lemon Zest (3) by almost three lengths. The winner is progressive. Lemon Zest (3) had looked destined for graded stakes prior to that. The pair have to be reckoned with along with Chad Brown’s duo. Both Filly Freedom (5) and Fully Subscribed (6) have had only three career starts.

The first named slammed a field of maidens on her comeback. There may be better to come from her and stablemate Fully Subscribed (6). She lost narrowly to Cue the Duckboats (7) on her belated three-year-old debut. Second time back, she improved on that with a fine effort over course and distance.

Another likely improver in here is Being Myself (1). She is on a hat-trick after maiden and allowance conditions victories in Kentucky. This is by far the toughest field she’s faced. The way she won last time and her direction of travel suggests she may be up to this. She draws well and goes to rider for the trainer John Velazquez is named to ride.

21:09 Aqueduct (Race 10) - Fun With Flags @ SP

Beach Bomb (3) looks the gal to beat. She is a dual Grade 3 winner who has been second in a Grade 1 this year. The five-year-old has run well in both starts at Aqueduct. Last month, she had Alluring Angel (7) just behind her when losing at today’s level over course and distance. She has the tactical speed to make her own racing luck in these longer-distance races. Her old rival, Alluring Angel (7), is unexposed over today’s trip but seemed to stay the eleven furlongs last time.

Way to Be Marie (9) finished ahead of Beach Bomb (3) at Kentucky Downs in September. She is another who improved for the step up in distance last time. Amber Cascade (8) ran her best race to date when second over this trip at Saratoga in August. If she hadn’t run poorly at Santa Anita last month, she would be a shorter price.

Immensitude (6) set a slow pace when wiring an allowance conditions event over an extended mile here last month. She is dangerous if she gets another soft lead. Stablemates Fun With Flags (10) and Grayosh (2) finished third and fourth behind her last time.

They were disadvantaged by the race flow. Maybe the more so Grayosh (2). She is worth considering, but may not be a great price with Flavien Prat staying aboard. Fun With Flags (10) looked a stayer early in her career in France. She may improve a lot now racing over two-and-a-half furlongs further.

No Show Sammy Jo (1) was second in this race last year. She got a confidence-boosting victory at Laurel last time.

22:25 Churchill Downs (Race 10) - Mink's Palace each-way @ SP

The hat-trick seeking R Disaster (7) is the gal to catch and beat. She bettered an allowance win at Saratoga with a clear-cut Grade 2 victory at Aqueduct. Her trainer has won with his only two runners at this meet, and the filly scored on her only previous visit here. The speedster faces likely pace pressure but has survived early heat many times before and held on. Hillerito (4) may keep her honest up front.

She has looked much improved since a trainer change. The five-year-old came just short in a hat-trick attempt at Keeneland last month.

Taliesin (2) comes off a nine-length victory in minor company at Parx. She is worth a look if she runs here rather than an alternative engagement at Aqueduct. Halina's Forte (10) will be at a shorter price. Not just because Irad Ortiz is booked for the ride. She beat R Disaster (7) in a Grade 2 at Saratoga in July. The four-year-old has run well below that form twice since. Her trainer, Phil Bauer, was out of form. He is very streaky. A winner here on Thursday may be a hint he’s turned the corner.

Mink's Palace (9) may be the play at least each way here. She has won four times over today’s track. Under today’s rider, Luis Saez, she came back to form when a neck second in a stake returning to Churchill. She should get a good setup with plenty of speed to chase down. That should be enough for her to make the frame. If R Disaster (7) is softened up on the front end, may be an upset victory.

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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...