US Horse Racing Tips: Paul picks out three for Friday

Our Stateside expert, Paul Quigley, has taken a look at all the racing action from across the pond coming our way on Friday, hoping to provide a few winners.

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

21:55 Monmouth Park (Race 7) - Mike the Bomb (1) @ SP

Lake Chapala (6) and Bramble Blaze (8) have strong late kicks when they get the race run to suit. The problem with them in this race is there seems to be a lack of speed to chase down. With that in mind, it may be worth concentrating on the likely forward ridden runners. Micro Brewsky (2) is one such runner. The last time he ran over two turns, he was beaten a neck against New Jersey breds. He will likely to be ridden to his advantage by Samy Comacho. Mike the Bomb (1) will likely be a much bigger price. Take out his runs on dirt and his form looks a lot better. That includes a victory on the turf at Laurel in June. If he is ridden handy, he can go well here.

Bean Machine (3) has been overmatched in his last three starts in allowance company. The last time he ran in a claimer, he was a winner over course and distance. Earl of Dassel (5) ran well on the dirt last month. He showed ability on the turf earlier in his career. Like Bean Machine (3), he has a chance in a pretty open affair.

22:28 Colonial Downs (Race 4) - Quokka (5) @ SP

It’s hard to eliminate almost any of these. A trio of them ran in a race at this level over a mile here on 17 July. Quokka (5) did the best running second. He improved markedly second time back after a lay off. Looking at his old form, another furlong will suit. He has ran big all three starts at Colonial Downs. Although he should confirm the form, the pair that finished behind him have angles in. Look to the Cross (6) was having his first run of the year. He looks nothing but a stayer so more ground will suit. Naptown (4) ran below his Laurel winning form of June.     

There are others in here who come off strong local efforts. Drilling for Gold (1) defied a long absence when winning a claimer last month. Three next time out winners have come out of that race. This is tougher but he could be on an easy lead. Hold Out (2) ran well in the face of a stiff task when third in a deep race for the level here last time. That run could have flattered him as he was on a soft pace. He can run his race from stalk mode. 

Northern Tick Tock (7) is the wild card in here. His trainer has tried him unsuccessfully twice over two miles over hurdles. Either side and before that, he ran well at around this distance on the flat. He may be a big price going for a trainer having little luck at this meet.

22:45 Saratoga (Race 9) - Benedetta (3) @ SP

Whichever way you look at this, last year’s winner Future Is Now (6) is clearly the horse to beat. She’s looked at least as good this term. In a Grade 3 over course and distance last month, she made it career victory number nine. That day, she stalked a hot pace and scored by half a length in a deep-looking renewal. You have to go back a dozen starts to January 2024 to find the last time she last didn’t fire. She may be the wrong side of even money come post time. That sort of price pretty much is a true reflection of chances.

Twirling Queen (5) ran her best race for some time when beaten less than a length by Future Is Now (6) last time. She was aggressively ridden from the get-go. With a similar sort of trip, she could easily round out the forecast. Brad Cox’s unexposed Ellen Jay (4) will be a shorter price. She rattled up a hat-trick in 2024 culminating in a stakes victory at Aqueduct. Lack of a race this year may not be an issue. Her stakes victory came after a lay off and she has been working well for some time now. She probably is the gal most likely to upstage Future Is Now (6).        

Risk Threshold (2) and Sunday Girl (8) get class tests after wire to wire victories in lesser company than this one. The first named did run big last time but she seems a need to lead type. That is less likely here. Sunday Girl (8) is more tactical but was handed a friendly pace scenario when beating a field of New York breds last time.

Dontlookbackatall (7) has playable back from including a Grade 3 victory over course and distance last summer. She has ran well below that this term. Her stablemate Gal in a Rush (1) would need a pace meltdown to get these late. She is worth considering at a big price for the forecast. That is also the case with Benedetta (3). She has been in an out in graded stakes on the dirt but has never raced on the turf before. Interestingly, her trainer made the same surface switch with a filly who ran second behind Future Is Now (6) last time. Maybe back her each way or use her in forecasts with the favourite.

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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...