US Horse Racing Tips: Paul’s Stateside selections for Sunday

There's another good card at Churchill Downs that or US horse racing tipster Paul Quigley has focused on for this preview of Sunday's action from across the pond.

In addition to a trio from the Kentucky venue, he's got a sole selection from Canterbury Park for you to consider.

19:10 Canterbury Park (Race 1) - De Angelo @ SP

DE ANGLEO (2) is taken to win the opener here on the class drop.

His recent form looks ordinary, beaten four and five lengths in allowance optional claimers at Oaklawn. They were deep races won by talented horses in fast times.

This is his level. He rounded out last year’s meet with a maiden and allowance victory. His trainer McLean Robertson has started this meet off well, winning with three of his first six starters.

The selection can’t afford to give the likes of Optimal Courage (3) too much rope early. In his last two starts on dirt, he was placed in similar races to this one. He’s had success at this track before. He is dangerous if on the lead on his own.

In contrast, Truth Seeker (1) has no early speed. The rail-drawn runner has a big late kick in him but rarely gets a good set up.

Happy Dancer (5) won a claimer at Turf Paradise in December. He bettered that effort with a fine second in a starter event on his return in March. He’s proven fresh and may get a nice stalking trip from his draw.

Coastal Kid (4) is a tougher read. He was beaten ten lengths in Arizona in his last start. The was race run in a super fast time so not as bad as looks. He is better judged on a near five-length claiming win at Turf Paradise in February.

20:18 Churchill Downs (Race 6) - Multitask @ SP

Rocky Joy (4) came back on return to turf. At Keeneland in late April, he was a fine second at this level with Royal Spirit (6) behind him. The pair he split had really good form going into that race. There is other front end types in here. That may mean he may not get the soft lead he as afforded last time. The good news for his chances are his maiden win came from just off the pace.

Rocky Joy has a pair of rivals who are dangerous if they get decent fractions to chase down. The Godolphin-owned MULTITASK (7) came within a neck of outfinishing a field at this level here last month. That was over a mile. This slightly longer distance is in his favour. He gets the vote over Rocky Joy and Direct Channel (9).

The latter showed massive improvement on career start number two. In a maiden here three weeks ago, he came from some way back to graduate. There may be more to come from him.

The speedy Warhol (11) only has a length to find with the selection from last time. With the right trip, he can go close. He may have company on the front end from Rocky Joy and Gilded Craken (12). Sicilian Defense (2) has tactical speed but may get a nice trip from near the inside. He has the back form to go close.

Unleash the Power (8) and Flamingproposition (1) have more to do after good efforts in claimers. Brown Liquor Man (3) and Decanted (10) are not in form but have had excuses. The returning Brown Liquor Man goes for a trainer having a fine meet. Decanted was thrown to the wolves in a Grade 2 last month.

20:50 Churchill Downs (Race 7) - Most Wanted @ SP

If he turns up. the class-plunging MOST WANTED (4) is the horse to beat.

He is a lightly-raced four-year-old who ran well in defeat in both starts since he returned in March. He has finished within two lengths of two very talented older runners. The latest was in a Grade 2 on Kentucky Derby weekend.

There he ran second to Ferocious, who broke the track record. His detractors can point out he’s been on easy leads. The likelihood Florent Geroux will not be hard pressed to make the front again. There is nothing of the ilk of the runners he’s faced lately in this line up.

Most Wanted is one of a trio also entered for a Grade 3 here on Saturday. There is a chance at least one of them may take their chance in the better race.

Katonah (5) is another. The Grade 2 winner in January has lost his form, finishing well behind Most Wanted last time. Best Actor (1) is out of form too. His chances of posting an upset increase if his old rival runs on Saturday instead.

Kupuna (8) fared best of a trio of these when third in a stake over course and distance on Kentucky Derby day. He has a chance to beat Most Wanted but looks an obvious player if he defects. Accretive (2) spun his wheels in the slop when well behind him. He is better than that.

Money Supply (6) stays well. He will be seen to best effect with pace to chase down. Full Screen (7) will be a little more forwardly placed. He has been freshened up since a fine third in a stake at Oaklawn in March. The six-year-old is interesting cutting back to a one turn mile. Emmanuel (3) is The X-factor making a rare start on dirt.

21:22 Churchill Downs (Race 8) - Curvino each-way @ SP

There are plenty of lightly-raced three-year-olds in here that are capable of improvement. As things stand, Hypnus (1) is the leader in the clubhouse. He dropped in class from graded stakes and gave a well-touted colt a race here on Kentucky Derby day. The winner was a fancied runner in The Grade 1 Preakness States a fortnight ago. Hypnus stays very well and is likely to get speed to chase down.

There are five last-time-out maiden winners in this line up. At least three of them are likely to take money. Brad Cox’s Shangrala Road (3) graduated second time out at Keeneland. Bob Baffert’s Varney (10) took four goes to break his maiden. He did it by open lengths in a manner of a potentially smart horse. The margin of victory for Pursuitneversleeps (9) here last month was only narrow. Looking at his pedigree, he is a likely improver stepping up from seven furlongs.

Hymn (2) comes off a close up fourth in a stake at Oaklawn. He may be part of a crowded front end. Under that scenario, a late runner may outrun his odds. There are a couple of possibilities.

Sippin On Gin (7) comes if back to back state bred stakes victories at The Fair Grounds. Maybe CURVINO (5) can hit the frame at a big price. He ran second in a similar race at Oaklawn last month. On form, he’s not talented enough to win but may be suited by the race flow.

Stiglets (12) looked a new horse after a trainer change. However, this is a far from ideal spot for step up from six furlongs.

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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...