US Horse Racing Tips: Paul’s three for Sunday’s Stateside action

Our US horse racing tipster Paul Quigley landed a 13/2 winner at Turf Paradise on Saturday and he bids for more success on Sunday with three selections from Sam Houston and Oaklawn Park.

20:00 Sam Houston (Race 5) - Moven Van @ SP

Bandera Bling (3) is clearly the runner to beat here. He had a trio of these behind him when a close up runner up in a similar event to this one just over a fortnight ago. That run and most of his other recent form looks stronger than his rivals. There are worries at likely skinny odds. He has been expensive failures in two races at this level. Add in he had a no excuse trip last time sat off a speed duel. They are grounds to go price hunting.

Stablemates Rags Royal Prinz (7) and My Favorite Song (6) finished behind Bandera Bling (3) last time. The pair will be suited by the slight cut back in distance. The first named seems to have a better draw to work with and may get clear early on.

If his fitness could be guaranteed, Uptowneagleslanded (4) would be a big player. He had form in better races than this one but hasn’t raced since September 2023. He has been working forwardly and is proven fresh. He’s a possible springer in the market. Maybe MOVEN VAN (1) is a safer proposition. He only scraped home over a mile last time but a slowly run race over that distance may not have suited. He has plenty of form sprinting and may get a nice set up.

21:05 Sam Houston (Race 7) - Daring Reason @ SP

This may be a spot to take a chance on the fitness of DARING REASON (5). He’s not raced since not getting home over a mile at Remington in November. His form over shorter includes a victory and a close up second over today’s distance. He has speed in a race that seems to lack early zip. That should mean Elvin Gonzalez has him on the lead without using him up too much. His trainer Dick Cappellucci won with three of his five starters here last week. He has a good record with lay off runners.

Many of the rivals of the selection are going up either up or down in distance. Leviathan Axe (2) was a clear cut winner over a mile earlier this month. He showed improved form running first time for his in form trainer. The cut back in trip doesn’t look ideal but it hard to argue with a trainer winning at nearly 40% at this meet. In contrast, Optimal Trip (4) and My Boy Bling (8) step up after being placed over six furlongs. The pair have claims but aren’t big on winning.

Bali Rolling Tide (3) had Leviathan Axe (2) back in third when winning over a mile in January. He can go well with the right trip. Foo Flighter (6) has been tackling better fields. The last time he ran in a claimer, he was a winner. The returning Benzodini (7) has a fine record over today’s distance.

21:28 Oaklawn Park (Race 8) - Gloriette @ SP

GLORIETTE (7) was claimed off an open length victory in January. The $35,000 connections paid for him looks money well spent. A month later, she won at the allowance level below this one. She scored by five lengths in a very fast time. Based on that run, she can win this despite the class rise. She’s speedy so the cut back to five and a half furlongs won’t be an issue. There is other early zip in here but did sit just behind the pacesetter last time.

If Gloriette is a very skinny prices, there others in here worth a look. Wise Miss (3) has been freshened up since beating a field of one time career winners in January. She is a place chance at least. So too is Punchy Girl (1). She won an entry level allowance event on her return last month. Last time, she ran into a talented Arkansas bred who was never going to lose once she made the lead on her own. Jockey Tyler Bacon seems to have deserted her to maintain his association with Gloriette. That can only help her price.

Pharoah's Heart (4) did the best of a trio of this when third in a similar race to this one last month. She can finish and plots to get speed to chase down. If she hadn’t ran below form a fortnight ago, she would be a lot shorter price.

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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...