US Horse Racing Tips: Three Sunday selections from across the USA

Our US horse racing tipster Paul Quigley is back with his US racing tips for Sunday's showings, hoping to round off the week with some winners.

His US Horse Racing Tips for Sunday, March 30 can be found below.

19:07 Mahoning Valley (Race 5 )– Liberate @ SP

The winner of this race is likely to come from two races run here on 3 and 11 March. Both were at around this level. In the first, the speedy Liberate (8) ran second with Uptown (2) a staying in fourth. Liberate (8) had no excuses with the possible exception of getting no breathers on the front end. Here he draws outside his main pace rival so may get a better trip. His old rival Uptown (2) was given a very patient ride from Luis Rivera. It will be no surprise if he gets a lot closer to the selection. His long, losing run is the only knock on his chances. He is worth considering for the forecast at least.

The race run on 11 March looked as strong as the other event. Elliot the Dragon (1) made a winning return after a couple of months away. He’s now won his last two starts in claiming company. The rail drawn runner is dangerous if he gets a similar ground saving trip. Quiet Amigo (5) set the pace and faded a little late on to finish third behind him last time. He could run big if the rider Liberate (8) decides to sit just behind him early on.

From a class point of view, Mister Mobil (3) and Hite (4) stack up well with the best in here. Both runners have lay off to defy and may be better over a mile.

19:45 Tampa Bay Downs (Race 6) – Practicality @ SP

On form, Athena's Wisdom (9), Factorbella (7) and Just Mercy (8) are contenders here. Their trainers are five for a hundred and twenty five combined at this meet. That means as a backer, you have to be very adept or very lucky to be on one of their runners when they win.

In contrast, Practicality (1) goes for a trainer who wins regularly. It can be argued she is tested for class here but may be the safest play. She has ran second in back to back starters since blowing away a field of claimers. Last month, she stalked a fast pace where the winner came from well back. The likely race flow looks kinder here for a near the front type.

Factorbella (7) was a close up third in a similar event over course and distance the last time she raced on dirt. Qualificata (2) and It's Goodtobe Jose (6) finished behind her. Her trainer did snap a long, losing streak recently. Athena's Wisdom (9) missed by a neck at this level earlier this month. That was over six furlongs but she has a victory over today’s distance.

Awesome Empress (4) had Just Mercy (8) behind her when missing by a neck in a claimer a fortnight ago. She is a place chance at least. Moretastic (3) probably has stronger claims. She won a claimer in February and backed that up with a close up third at today’s level.

20:10 Oaklawn Park (Race 4) – Shot of Courage E/W @ SP

Vivir Con Alegria (9) figures to be a short priced favourite. The former stakes runner was dangled for sale for $10,000 here in late January. He was put on the lead by Julien Leparoux and wired a field by six widening lengths. Brad Cox has given him over nine weeks to get over that and now he’s back in at the same level. That is a worry as he is now eligible for starter races where he can’t be claimed. He was 2/5 last time. This race has come up a more competitive. If the wheels don’t fall off, he’ll be hard to beat.

The form of the last race of Vivir Con Alegria (9) was given a boost when the second came back to score. That gives the place claims of Drifter (3) a boost who was third in that race. On a Spree (1) is a bigger danger on paper. Like the favourite, he was performing well in much better races not so long ago. He landed odds to win a claimer for this price here last month. The rail drawn runner won by almost three lengths from Lions Not Sheep (11). If Vivir Con Alegria (9) falters, he’s the most likely to be the beneficiary.

It may be big prices bar two runners here. Although getting them both beaten is a tough task, there is scope for a decent priced runner each way to show a profit. Tiwanaku (5) and Seven Flat (4) ran one-two in a similar race to this one just over a fortnight ago. Both runners can sit off the pace. That is a positive as Vivir Con Alegria (9) is likely to drag a few of these through fast fractions.

Shot of Courage (2) is not obvious but has upside at a big number. His local debut and comeback can be ignored as he was caught in traffic at a much higher level. He showed progressive form in California in the second half of 2024. The four year is dropped in class. He’s now ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr. who is the go-to jockey for his trainer.

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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...