US Horse Racing Tips: Three Sunday picks from the States

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

Check out his US Racing Tips below.

21:00 Gulfstream Park (Race 7) - Thought (1) @ SP

A trio of these will take money dropping in class. Blue Slide Park (3) has been overmatched in a spell of much tougher races since winning back-to-back claimers in August and September. He ran well for a long way on his comeback last month. This is a spot he can contend. There is a possibility that seven furlongs is a tad short, especially as it seems there is little speed to chase down.

Thought (1) was in too deep in a $50k claimer last month. Prior to that, he was a three-length winner at today’s level over course and distance. Seven furlongs is arguably his best trip. He has tactical speed in a race where it may pay to be on or near the lead. The form of his last victory was given a boost when the fourth Luni Sima (5) came back to run a fine third next time.

The other runner getting class relief of note is Belts 'n Brooks (4). He has been finishing on the fringes of starter events. He’s another seven furlong specialist. Interestingly, he finished just ahead of Thought (1) in December. His trainer has hit a bit of form in the last fortnight. He may be the biggest danger to the selection.

21:12 Keeneland (Race 7) - Into Champagne (5) @ SP

Some of the more talented gals in this race are coming back from long lay-offs. Impel (1) and Lotsandlotsofcandy (4) have both been absent since last summer. The rail-drawn filly was stakes-placed in her last three starts. The most relevant to this event was a runner-up try in a Grade 2 over seven furlongs on The Kentucky Derby undercard. She did win on her career debut and didn’t appear to stay the extended mile on her one start locally. She’s probably the gal to beat but may be a short price in a race with some depth in it.

The comebacking Lotsandlotsofcandy (4) won both her starts since her career debut. They were wide-margin maiden and entry-level allowance event scores. There must have been some kind of physical issue, as her three-year-old campaign ended in July. There may be a lot better to come from her. She has been really working well for some time.

Lotsandlotsofcandy (4) is speedy and will likely have to deal with the streaking Pleasant Embrace (9) early. The former claimer made it a four-timer when winning at the level below this one at Gulfstream last month. She did it in a fast time, showing her usual fine early zip. With a recent edge over her main rival, the ‘now’ horse is very playable.

If Into Champagne (5) slips under the radar, she may be worth a small interest. Take out a run when in deep in The Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks, she has fired every time in one-turn races. She has had the benefit of a race this year, and a decent one, too. The four-year-old got behind and stayed on late to be placed in a Grade 3 at Gulfstream. She should get pace to chase down.

The jockey of Easy Red (10) had no choice but to use her early from the inside at The Fair Grounds last time. She was ridden more patiently when winning back-to-back races prior to that. She’s progressive and may get a nice stalking trip. It is hard to know if it was the trainer change on the switch to Tapeta that saw Paynt Ya Later (2) improve markedly last time. Marmalade Skye (3) gets Irad Ortiz and has a trainer capable of causing an upset.

21:44 Keeneland (Race 8) - Pandora's Gift (7) @ SP

A few of these are having their first starts of 2025. That includes likely short prices favourite Future Is Now (4). She won five times last year, including graded stakes at Saratoga and over course and distance. Jockey Paco Lopez knows her well. She has speed but can run her race sat just off the pacesetters. The five-year-old has no serious knocks with the possible exception of a lay-off since October. She did run big after shorter breaks but returning after six months away is a possible chink in her armour.

Toupie (2) always seems to take money. She, along with Future Is Now (4), are the class of this race. Under Flavien Prat, she made a winning return in a Grade 3 at Santa Anita in January. That was over six-and-a-half furlongs. She has form over this shorter distance but may be best bossing things over slightly further. Just a Care (10) has been in action more recently. She has won and been second in a trio of stakes at Gulfstream. She’s a solid place chance and a possible winner if the comebackers are not on their game.

Trainer Christophe Clement is double-handed. Both have form with Future Is Now (4). The late-running Danse Macabre (6) finished a neck in front of her in a Grade 3 at Saratoga in July. She’s a likely late player. Like her, stablemate Pandora's Gift (7) is having her first start of the year. The former Stuart Williams trained filly continued her progression in two starts Stateside last autumn. In October, she finished a length or so third to Future Is Now (4) in a Grade 2 here. In the hope she is more ready than her old rival, she gets the vote at the likely prices.

Lithe Spirit (3), Get Twisted (9) and Awesome Treat (5) ran one-two-three in a stake at Turfway on The Tapeta over six furlongs. The trio are worth considering on sharpness alone. Likewise, Accomplished Girl (8), who picked up a stakes victory and came third at The Fair Grounds.

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...