US Horse Racing Tips: Paul picks out three for Thursday

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

The action at Thistledown and Woodbine catches his eye, and you can check out his US Racing Tips below.

20:50 Thistledown (Race 7) – Cloud Storage (2) @ SP

The market here is likely to gravitate towards two bang in form mares. Miranda's Rocky (4) has been a revelation since moving to Ohio. She has won both her starts. Her latest, an eight length romp in a similar race to this one was her best. Both victories came in the slop. Looking at the weather forecast, she may get similar underfoot conditions here. She could very well land a hat-trick here.

Slight preference is for the other likely favourite here Cloud Storage (2). She won twice at Tampa earlier this year. The five year old won on her local debut, beating a couple of good yardsticks in the process. That form is arguably a slightly better than Miranda's Rocky (4). She managed to sit handy in a race without much speed last time. That suggests, she should be able to run her race no matter how fast the early fractions are.

Horses that have been running at bigger tracks than Thistledown are always worth considering, even if their form appears dull. Big Bad Diva (6) is a case in point. Some of her runs at Oaklawn give her a chance. She may need pace to chase down. In contrast, Sadie the Goat (5) may outrun her odds if she can set a soft tempo. That didn’t happen when well beaten behind the selection last time. Maliced (3) who finished a well beaten third to Miranda's Rocky (4) is another who could outrun her odds if on the lead on her own.

21:20 Thistledown (Race 8) – P H Factor (5) @ SP

P H Factor (5) seems the runner to beat getting significant class relief. He won a claimer by five lengths at Turfway in March. The nine year old has faced much tougher fields than this none in two starts at this meet. He ran well in the first, finishing third to a pair of decent types. Less so last time but the trio that he was well beaten by would be long odds on if in this race. Now plunged in class by an in form trainer, he could get back to winning ways.

Mr. Thunderstruck (1) and Cugine (3) filled the places at a safe distance in a similar race to this one earlier this month. The seven length winner is a sharp horse. Mr. Thunderstruck (1) signalled a return to form. Cugine (3) may have company on the front from P H Factor (5). Dark Baron (2) and Washington's Union (4) ran poorly in that race. The first named was coming back after a break. He has a chance off an upset win in a claimer at Mahoning Valley. Washington's Union (4) is a danger off a fine second in March.

Royal Dragoon (7) has been freshened up after running third in a similar race to this one at Mahoning Valley in March. The late runner may be right there when they are giving out the medals if he gets speed to chase down. Dixie's Two Stents (6) has some tactical speed. He’s been in decent form in The Spring. Last month, he was a winner over a field of three time career winners. The third horse franked the form by scoring next time. This is in theory a

step up in class but with the right trip can be involved. He’s a possible price chance or one for the forecast.

22:40 Woodbine (Race 6) – I'm A Gambler (4) @ SP

Trainer Mark Casse is double handed here. Both of his runners have the back form to win this but are making their first starts of the year. Candy Overload (3) won twice in a limited campaign in 2024. Both were stakes victories with Ironstone (2) finishing behind him in the second one. A lay off since June suggests he must have had a major issue. He has a bit more class than stablemate War Strategy (5). He is still dangerous if fit first time out. He came within a neck of rattling up a hat-trick in similar races to this one late last year. The six year old will likely be a factor from the outset.

No trainer has started this meet in better form than Kevin Attard. It may be worth siding with the handler with the hot hand. His I'm A Gambler (4) was a well held third in a swiftly run stake on his comeback at the start of the month. He found five and a half furlongs too sharp and the competition too much. His best effort last year came when winning a similar race to this one over course and distance. Then he had Twin City (6) back in third.

The ‘now’ horse in this line up is Poulin in O T (7). He made a successful return to Woodbine at the level below this one last month. Depending on how War Strategy (5) is ridden, he may make the lead on his own. He could double up under that scenario. Unlike him, Sky's Not Falling (1) lacks a recent race. He has been working well at his Maryland base.

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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...