US Horse Racing Tips: Three selections for Sunday evening Stateside

He went an impressive three-from-three at Sunland Park the other night. Our US racing expert has three more for Sunday evening - it's Stateside action time, with our man Paul Quigley.

Today's US Racing Odds

Horse Racing Odds

Tampa Bay Downs Race 8 (20:30) – Just Mercy (5) @ SP

A trio of these ran in a higher-priced claimer here on 19 February. Just Mercy (5) ran third, Mo's Vino Mesa (6) fourth and Awesome Empress (8) sixth. That may be a better event than it looks.

The only two horses who have come back to race both won next time. Just Mercy (5) is now ridden by Melissa Iorio and may be a bigger price than she should be. She can get a tune out of runner.

The five-year-old should be forwardly-placed in a race without too much speed. Her old rivals Mo's Vino Mesa (6) and Awesome Empress (8) are ridden by top riders at the track so their chances have to be respected. The last-named was made favourite last time after two sharp efforts prior to that. He is the runner to fear.

Maiden Lane (7) gets class relief for her comeback. The last time Ladys Chant (2) raced on dirt, she won by nine lengths. The pair enter calculations.

Sam Houston Race 5 (20:00) – Steen (3) @ SP

The standard-setter on this surface is Kantake (4). He has ran second in his last two races over course and distance. In the first, he had Feather Laine (8) two lengths behind him. Latterly, Roaring Rapids (2) finished three lengths in arrears, and the trio may dominate the finish again.

This may be a spot to side with a new face here. Steen (3) improved for more ground to run second in a maiden at Delta Downs last month, and his dam was a fair turf runner so the switch in surface may suit her. He seems to have more stamina than her as she was a sprinter.

Wow That's Hot (1) was weak in the market when running down the field at Oaklawn on debut. He is with a top trainer so may improve a ton second time out. Billy Dixon (6) and Kochan (7) go for less successful trainer but look interesting trying the grass for the first time.

The dam of Billy Dixon (6) was a turf runner, while Kochan (7) ran much better than the lengths she was beaten on debut.

Sam Houston Race 6 (20:35) – Okie Bling (2) @ SP

Bling Baby (4) narrowly missed on her four-year-old debut here in January, and that is the best form in here. She has been beaten at odds-on twice since, and if back to her best she can win this.

The pick of her form is narrowly better than Avaling (9) and God Knows Why (3). The pair ran third and fourth in a similar event to this one last month. Avaling (9) is much improved and is a likely late player.

It is third time lucky for Kittysheartndenile (1) to break her maiden in wire-to-wire fashion, and there may be better to come from her. Her rider may have to work out a stalking trip as Libbies Baby (5) seems to be quicker early. If any gal can make all, it is likely to be her.

Okie Bling (2) ran below form on her return in late January. She had been away almost eight months so may have needed the run. She got really good last spring breaking her maiden and then thrashing a field of claimers. Second time back after a long lay off may see her return to her best.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.