US Horse Racing Tips: Friday’s focus is Churchill Downs

Our US Racing expert Paul Quigley is back to deliver his best bets from across the pond on Friday.

Churchill Downs catches his eye today, and you can check out his US Racing Tips below.

19:45 Churchill Downs (Race 5) - Honky Tonk Highway @ SP

Most of this field are dropping in class. Happy American (6) gets the most class relief. He was beaten less than two lengths in a Grade 3 at Oaklawn on his first start for trainer David Jacobson. His last start in another stake was a modest one. In fairness, it was a super fast run race and the principals never came back. This is a much, much winnable opportunity. His last run may keep the claiming thieves away. The runner to fear.

Friar Laurence (5) and Chiringo (3) are others who drop in class. The first named has not been disgraced in a pair of allowance optional claimers at Oaklawn since joining his trainer. Now back in a claimer, he could regain winning ways. Chiringo (3) finished just in front of him last time. He has tactical speed to get a good early position if the early fractions are not frenetic.

Honky Tonk Highway (1) may be aggressively ridden from his rail draw. He ran below form on turf last time out in March. The four year old did win his last two starts on dirt. He gets the vote getting class relief.

Maybe a win bet on him and a saver forecast with Happy American (6) is the way to go. When he was successful in November, Scat Free (2) finished a length or so behind him. He cuts back slightly in distance after being reeled in over seven furlongs here earlier this month.

The inconsistent Major Blue (4) finished behind Chiringo (3) at Oaklawn in January. He ran much better there next time when third at today’s level. Furious Anger (7) is the only runner lacking a race this year. He did win his last start in claiming company and has a fine record at Churchill.

20:18 Churchill Downs (Race 6) - Shopper's Revenge @ SP

A few chances here. The pacey Map to the Stars (3) is definitely one of them.

He broke his maiden at The Fair Grounds in December. Since then, he has been placed in a trio of similar races to this one. Seven furlongs is as far as he has raced before. His stamina may not be fully tested if he makes the lead on his own. It would be no surprise if the comebacking Tour Player (2) shows speed or sits just behind him early on.

He showed plenty of ability last year, breaking his maiden over course and distance last November. He is back with trainer Bob Baffert and has been working well for his first start of the year.

Palm Tree (5) and Shopper's Revenge (1) both cut back from two turn races. The first named is much improved since a trainer change and being switched to the dirt. He comes off a starter victory and a neck second in a similar race to this one at Oaklawn. The four year old may go off a bigger price he should going for low profile connections.

He should get speed to chase down. Likewise Shopper's Revenge (1). He has been running on the turf. The rail drawn runner has nowhere near the ability of his Breeders’ Cup winning dam. He has shown fine form on the dirt and over this track. His trainer Steve Asmussen is having a strangely quiet meet but he may be able to give him a rare winner.

Optical (6) outran his odds when running a career best on a wet track last time. Footprint (7) also excelled in the mud in his last start in November. He has form on a dry footing and has been working forwardly for his comeback.

20:50 Churchill Downs (Race 7) - Cat On Time @ SP

The hat-trick seeking Cat On Time (8) is much improved. He beat Two Eagles River (5) by five lengths in a high-end claimer at Keeneland last month. The runner up franked the form by winning next time out. He was shipped to Oaklawn for his next start and won an allowance optional claimer.

This is a step up in class and he meets some quality rivals. Based on his current sharpness, he looks up to this level. He plots to get plenty of speed to chase down.

Banned for Life (2) ran third in a similar race to this one at The Fair Grounds in March. He has a victory at Churchill to his name. Not as many as Attache (6) who is arguably better here than anywhere else.

He signalled a return to form when second at today’s level at Oaklawn on his return. He set the pace last time but is just as effective from just off the speed. That may be crucial as Bohemian Bo (9) seems only has one way to run. He came close to an all the way victory in a similar event to this one in Arkansas last month.

Deer District (7) can be forgiven his last run over a mile. He has ran well in his last two starts sprinting. Harrodsburg (1) did finish behind him at Keeneland last month.

It was his first start of the year. Second time back, he may be a different proposition. Nabokov (4) will be a lot bigger price. His low profile trainer is having a fine spell including a stakes victory with a filly on Preakness Weekend. Like that runner, she hadn’t raced since last September so he may be fit on his return.

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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...