US Horse Racing Tips: Paul Quigley’s Best Bets for Thursday’s Races Stateside

We are delighted to welcome back US Racing expert Paul Quigley to the Betfred Insights team. He'll be here far more often with his take on the racing stateside and will provide his Nap of the Day along with picking out value plays in addition to any each-way bets that pique his interest.

To start with, Paul previews the Racing for Thursday, February 13 and he has several horses to consider backing as part of his US Horse Racing Tips for today...

Best Bet 

Gulfstream Park Race 5 (22:28) No1 Three Priests 

Former UK and Irish trained runners are likely to be at the head of the market. No2 Sugaree broke her maiden at Leopardstown in 2023 and ran well in a handicap there on her comeback last June. She hardly looks out of place on her Stateside debut. That said, she may have her hands full taking on No1 Three Priests without a recent race. She had form with Roger Varian and has ran well in two of her three starts in North America. In her latest start in December, she ran a close up fourth in a local state. She drops in class into more ordinary company and meets far less talented rivals. This is a very winnable opportunity.  

Depending on the fitness of No2 Sugaree, the forecast spot may be up for grabs. No4 Bravo Kitten has form over today's mile and a half distance. No8 I'm a Sure Thing and No7 Justdeny are confirmed stayers. No9 Tarneema looks a likely improver stepping up markedly in distance.

Value Play Of The Day 

Fair Grounds Race 5 (20:45) – No6 Julia's Warrior 

No2 Classic Moment figures to be a prohibitive favourite. He was plunged in class and slammed a field of two time career winners in a claimer over course and distance last month. Based on that run and his back form, his entry in to be claimed for almost a third of the price here raises a red flag. It is how trainers like Robertino Diodoro who win a high rate play the claiming game.       

On form, No2 Classic Moment is the one to beat. He will make the market for others. No1 Onasa makes a more understandable drop in class. No8 Heza Priority comes off two good efforts in non claimers at Delta Downs. However, it's No6 Julia's Warrior who may have the most appeal at the likely prices. He's caught two deeper fields lately, shaping well in his latest. The last time he ran in a claimer, he was a winner at today's level here in December. He looks a solid each way shot or a win play with a saver forecast for No2 Classic Moment to beat him.           

Each Way Play 

Gulfstream Park Race 9 (21:32) - No7 Basilea 

This is a wide open maiden carded at one mile on the turf. No1 Cdakhat made a fine debut when fourth over five furlongs here last month. She had a far from clean journey and is bred to come into her own over a mile. No3 Without a Pout was a decent second in a similar race in December. She is worth considering in an open event. So too is Tellus Mater (13) and Crystalaire (12). That pair filled the minor places in a maiden over course and distance last month.    

No7 Basilea may fly under the radar a little. She ran better than it looks on her career debut when fifth in a maiden on The Tapeta at Turfway in December. It was a race where the principals were in the van throughout and she was parked at the rear. Two fillies have come out of that race to win next time. Most of her siblings won on the grass so the switch to the turf is not an issue. Her trainer Mark Casse is having a good meet. He and jockey Dylan Davis are teaming up to have plenty of winners in Florida. She may reward each way support. 

Today's featured racetrack is Sunland Park in New Mexico.  

Hot trainer  

Dick Cappellucci (6 from his last 16). He has runners in race 4 (20:43) No8 Scorpion Shot and race 9 No4 Gimme Money. Both are ridden by his go to jockey Alfredo Juarez Jr.  

Value Play 

In race 1 (19:25) No6 Let Her Be figures to be a short priced favourite after a fine second on her career debut last month. I have no knocks on her and she may improve second time at the races. She's likely to be odds on and there could be a sleeper lurking in this line up. No4 Grazen Gator didn't build on a promising second at Del Mar at first asking. She's now with very capable trainer Todd Fincher and has been working forwardly. Maybe she can give No6 Let Her Be a race at a price.        

Angle play 

In race 2 (19:51) No4 John John is the horse to beat after a good second in a similar event last month. No6 Mt Addiction has a better draw than last time is an obvious danger. No3 Rocks a Black Suit is one to consider for the forecast at least at a big price. His recent form is dire but now runs for a far more successful trainer. It will be no surprise if he comes back to life.    

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...