US Horse Racing Tips: Paul marks your card for Sunday

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

Check out his US racing tips for Sunday below.

21:10 - Belmont at The Big A (Race 7)  – Reality Star (3) @ SP

Unless the debutantes take a lot of money, Meursault (4) will be a clear cut favourite. She improved third time out when upped to a mile. Over course and distance last month, she ran a length second in a maiden. The winner had ran well in a pair of maidens at Gulfstream and Keeneland prior to that. She has now ran to the level of an average maiden winner at this meet. Her trainer Chad Brown now runs her in blinkers and she gets Flavien Prat back aboard.

Shirl's Delight (6) is a fifteen time loser which is a negative. She has ran some nice races in the eight times she was placed. As a win candidate, backers should demand a price but she can make the podium off her best form. Maybe bigger dangers are the pair of newcomers. Based on her morning workouts, Medici Road (7) may be the more forward. She comes off a trio of nice drills. A market mover for her or fellow newcomer Alidade (8) may be significant. Like Medici Road (7), her dam was a stakes winner. Her trainer Todd Pletcher always has to be reckoned with his first time starters.

As well as Alidade (8), Pletcher has also entered Danzit (1). Her one start so far came at Gulfstream well over a year ago. She was a modest third in a slowly run maiden over six furlongs. This one mile distance is more in keeping with pedigree. With Irad Ortiz booked for the ride, she may leave that debut form behind.

Reality Star (3) may slip under the radar a little. She ran third on debut over seven furlong at Tampa in March. She was outpaced and made only modest late headway. The winner has not been disgraced in better company since and the runner up ran two nice races in maidens at Churchill. Her trainer Shug McGaughey never rushes his young horses so the likelihood of better to come. Whether that is enough to beat Meursault (4) and the two first time starters is a bit questionable. She will likely be a price though.

21:43 - Belmont at The Big A (Race 8) – Cognoscenti (6) @ SP

A couple of these have playable form in similar races to this one. One of them is Brigade Commander (4). He improved for getting back on turf to be a close second here last month. Register (3) finished almost six lengths behind him. He looks a big player off that and some of his other form. The one knock on his chances is he has a habit of settling for less with one career win and a host of near misses.

Mr Flowers (10) broke his maiden on his last start of 2024. He ran at least as well at today’s level on his comeback. The five year old ran second with Willintoriskitall (9) just behind him. There is a chance he will improve second time back. That should see him confirm the form with Willintoriskitall (9) who is another on a long. losing run.

There are a couple of last time out maiden winners in this line up. Doomed (7) graduated in a slowly run maiden claimer on his three year old debut. He is in good hands and may take another step forward on career start number three. On form, Cognoscenti (6) is a bigger player. He had looked a work in progress in his first three starts of his career. Over course and distance last month, he finally put it al together, graduating by five lengths. He has subsequently been the subject of a private purchase and is now with trainer Miguel Clement. He is not far behind the standard setters and there is likely to be improvement to come.

The late running American Grant (8) made a fine comeback when a close up third in a claimer here. Having some speed, Devilsgotacause (5) may be more of a win threat. He is now with a capable trainer and is dangerous if on or close to a soft tempo.

21:50 - Monmouth Park (Race 9) – The Get Serious Stakes – on turf Horsepower (2) @ SP. On dirt Super Chow (9) @ SP

Trainer Joe Orseno is double handed here. Both of his runners are progressive four year olds. His Mattingly (3) may not have appreciated the rain-softened turf in a stake at Pimlico last month. He is better judged on a clear cut victory in a fast time in minor company at Gulfstream prior to that. That is contending form.

If they both run, slight preference is for the other Orseno runner Horsepower (2). He was far from disgraced when in deep in a stake over six furlongs at Aqueduct last month. Five furlongs and this sort of company is more his level. In his last two starts in Florida, he ran second in a stake and won a handicap. He has a victory over course and distance and has worked really well since his last race. Others including Mattingly (3) will get the jump on him but Samuel Marin should have him handy enough.

The speedy Boat's a Rockin (4) won three times this year including a good race at Saratoga. He may need the run but his trainer has a fine record with lay off runners. The eight year old comes off a series of encouraging workouts. Depending on the intentions of some of the trainers in here, he could be on the lead on his own. Sunny Breeze (6) probably has the speed to match him early on. He won a stake and was placed on a Grade 2 last year. His comeback was disappointing but he was used up in a pace duel. He’s never raced on turf so may only run if this stake is switched to the dirt.

The veteran Smooth B (5) still retains plenty of ability judging by his comeback run. Interesting, all of his dozen career victories have come on the dirt. He did run third in a stake on grass last year so enters calculations no matter what the surface. The one gal in here Bel Pensiero (1) looks in a bit tough on form. She is a two time winner over this turf track and won her last start on grass in Florida. If this race is weakened with scratches, she is a place chance.

Super Chow (9) won a stake in a fast time at Gulfstream in February. A trip to Dubai may have been the reason for a below par fourth on his return Stateside. He has only raced on dirt but his dam has produced a turf winner. The five year old gets the vote on dirt but is one to fear if his connections take their chances on the grass.

River Dog (10) and Spikezone (11) will only run if this race gets switched to the main track. Both runners are in good form and won’t be out of this.

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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...