US Horse Racing Tips: Paul picks out three from across the pond for Friday

Our US Racing expert Paul Quigley has analysed all the races on offer across the pond, and is looking to land a few winners on Friday.

Check out his US Racing Tips below, which come from Keeneland and Oaklawn Park.

22:16 Keeneland (Race 9) -  Tarifa @ SP

This is a deep race for the level with some quality Grade 1 performers in this line up. You can make a case for front four in the market. That said, there are reasons not to back them too. Candied (6) is making her first start of 2025. She was last seen out running third to superstar Thorpedo Anna in The Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The four year old won a Grade 1 at Keeneland as a juvenile and her trainer Todd Pletcher has a good record with lay off runners.

Tarifa (5) and Just F Y I (1) have had a start this year. Tarifa (5) never really landed a blow to a Bob Baffert pair who ran one-two around the track in a Grade 1 at Santa Anita. She may run back to her two Grade 2 victories second time back. The front is there for the taking if Flavien Prat wants it. Like her, Just F Y I (1) was underwhelming on her four year old debut. Even more so considering the competition she faced. She gave way easily in a conditions event at Gulfstream. Her morning workouts have improved since so there is a good chance she needed that race.

Occult (7) doesn’t stand a lot of racing so may be ready for her first start since December. She’s not won since May 2023 but has come up against some talented fillies and mares. She did finish in front of Candied (6) on her one visit to Keeneland.

22:40 Oaklawn Park (Race 9) - Pineland @ SP

Rowdy Riot (1) been placed in a trio of similar races to this one at this meet. In the latest, he ran third in a swiftly run race over five and a half furlongs. More ground today will suit. He has a recency edge on the comebacking Storms Home (9) who hasn’t raced since July. His second at Churchill in June is arguably the best line of form in this race. He broke his maiden over course and distance on debut so is proven fresh. The four year old has been working forwardly for some time.

Pineland (7) broke his maiden last May. He was weak in the market on his return last month but ran well. The five year old was only beaten two and a half lengths with only a trio of capable rivals in front of him. He has a little more speed than he showed last time and may get a nice trip.

Coach Jimi D (5) has not got home over a mile in his last two starts. The cut back in distance should suit. He is a price chance along with Haunted Flame (8). He came close to defying a long absence in a starter event here last month. He’s a likely late player. In contrast, Putting Eagle (10) has a chance to wire these. He did that when he broke his maiden at the start of the month. Gateskeeper (6) beat a better field of maidens last month. He is unexposed sprinting and there may be improvement in him.

22:48 Keeneland (Race 10) - Mystifying @ SP

There are some promising types in here. On what she has achieved in three career starts, maybe none more so than Mystifying (2). On his first run on turf, she ran a half a length second. The winner scored next time in a stake and the third won a stake subsequently. In addition, three of the also rans were successful next time. That race at Saratoga was last September and she’s not raced since. She could need the run but did win on his career debut. From a good draw, she’ll be hard to beat if fit.

On contrast to Mystifying (2), Alimara (10) has a tougher post and could be hung wide. The former French trained filly has ran two fine races Stateside. She broke her maiden first time in America at Tampa in March 2024. A year later, she made her comeback and ran a closing third at the same venue. Stamina is her game and going slow up front didn’t help her chances. She may be a late threat second time back.

Expensive Queen (6) and Unreasonable (11) are making their first starts in North America. The first named ran well in handicaps for James Tate in September and November. Based on their form on this side of The Atlantic, Unreasonable (11) is more classy. She finished on the fringes of stakes events for Joseph O’Brien. The four year old is in good hands in the care of Christophe Clement. Her workouts suggests she may need the run but is well worth considering if she’s a price.

This looks a deeper event than the one Aspen Dawn (7) ran third in at Gulfstream. With quite a few of the fancied runners coming off lay offs, she could make the frame again. Loterie (8) may improve second time with Cherie DeVaux.

Click the links for the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's US Racing Odds

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...