US Horse Racing Tips: Paul marks your Saturday card

Our US Racing expert Paul Quigley has taken a look at all the races on offer across the pond, and is looking to land a few winners to start off the weekend.

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

21:44 Keeneland (Race 8) - Bessie Abbot @ SP

A trio of these fillies who last raced in Europe will take money. Burning Pine (5) did what a lot of Wes Ward’s two-year-olds do. She won well on debut at Keeneland last April.

Her trainer then set her a stiff task in The Group 3 Albany at Royal Ascot. She was well beaten and has not raced since. On pedigree, turf and today’s extended mile should not be an issue. She is proven fresh and it will be no surprise if she comes back running.

Al Jafara (11) and Bessie Abott (8) were subject of private purchase after wins in France and Ireland respectively. Al Jafara (11) achieved more when winning a minor event at Chantilly in September.

That was over nine furlongs but she didn’t look slow by any means. She’s now with trainer Chad Brown who has a fine record winning with ex Euros. She deserves maximum respect.

Bessie Abott (8) may be the play at the odds here. She was a cheap sales purchase, hence debuting in an auction maiden at Galway. The form of that race doesn’t amount to much she may be a lot better than that result suggests.

She was very slowly away, given the field a start and a two plus length beating. She’s been working well. Her in form trainer Mark Casse has used Jose Ortiz for two of his three winners at this meet.

The class dropping Table Flirt (13) and in form Annelle (14) are reserves. The pair have chances if they get in this race. Always Forever (2) looks much improved at three, breaking her maiden on her comeback at The Fair Grounds.

Dear Louise (7) ran too bad to be true on her return. She ran well against winners on this turf course last October. Eunomia (10) is a possible improver trying the turf for the first time.

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

The most accomplished of these three-year-olds is Bullard (3). He won a Grade 3 at Del Mar on career start number two beating two well regarded colts in the process.

In his only other start, he ran below that form when third in another Grade 2. He should appreciate the step up from seven furlongs. There is a possibility he may be best seen as late running sprinter. That said, he may be worth a chance to prove he can be effective in routes.

Praetor (7) and Gosger (6) both come off fine efforts at Gulfstream. The first named beat Kentucky favourite Sovereignty in a maiden at Aqueduct last September. A seven-length win from overmatched rivals on his comeback in Florida last month proved he’s trained on. He’s definitely one for the shortlist. So too is Gosger (6). He only won a maiden at Gulfstream in February.

The speed figure came back big on what was career start number two. There is likely a lot better to come from him especially getting a stiffer test of stamina.

Hypnus (8) won nicely on his career debut. He has been well beaten in both starts in Grade 2’s subsequently. There have been excuses as he’s had far from clean trips. The latest, The Louisiana Derby has turned out to be a very warm race. He is a confirmed stayer who should get pace to chase down.

Touchy (9) and Rolando (4) will be making a quick turnaround after running in a seven furlong stake on Monday. Rolando (4) didn’t look he stayed the one time he tried today’s distance. The hat-trick seeking Native Runner (5) may have resort to waiting tactics if Rolando (4) in this line up. He is much improved when wiring a starter event at The Fair Grounds last month.

The well drawn Bracket Buster (2) could get a nice ground-saving trip. He ran better than it looks in a very productive Grade 3 at Churchill last time out in October. He’s been working well for his comeback in Florida. He was scratched from a lesser race on Wednesday to run in this Grade. That is a hint he’s fit after a lay off.

Hard as Life (1) is The X Factor here making his first start on dirt.

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

This is a wide-open renewal. There is a strong European connection to a trio of these. Excellent Truth (1) has not raced since running second in a Group 1 at Deauville in July. She now runs for US-based Chad Brown. He has a fine record with lay off runners. This will be the fastest surface she has raced on but she looks a player on class alone.

In contrast to Excellent Truth (1), Choisya (2) and Jabaara (6) have had a race this year. Choisya (2) is a progressive five-year-old who has took her form to a new level. She won back to back Group 2 races in Meydan in January and February.

Judging by who she beat in Dubai, she looks up to a race of this nature. Jabaara (6) hasn’t won a graded stake but is Group 1 placed. Considering she missed a lot of her three year old season, she may have needed her comeback at Wolverhampton. She is unexposed over today’s distance and has upside.

Many of the established home based gals have playable form. No Show Sammy Jo (9) has not raced since losing by a nose in a Grade 3 last November. The winner of that race Be Your Best (5) has held her form really well since. She beat Sacred Wish (8) to make it a hat-trick of victories in a Grade 2 at Gulfstream in January.

Kehoe Beach (7) was on a roll in the second half of last year. Frankie Dettori was afforded a soft lead when winning a Grade 2 at Churchill in November. Poolside With Slim (3) was a better than it looks third to her in that event. She made an encouraging comeback last month at Gulfstream.

Vina Arana (4) ran four times in Ireland. She came from a long way back to break her maiden at Saratoga last summer.

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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...