US Horse Racing Tips: Paul’s three to make an Impact on Thursday

Our Stateside supremo Paul Quigley is back with his best bets from across the pond on Thursday.

His latest round of US horse racing tips takes him to Finger Lakes and Thistledown, with three up for consideration.

20:50 Thistledown (Race 7) - Impacto @ SP

This is a fascinating race featuring a locally-based runner in the form of his life and a new face who's been racing out of state.

The pair are likely to separate themselves from the rest at the head of the market. Without Objection (5) had been in running really at Oaklawn. He wired a field by three lengths on his return here. The placed horses are really good standard setters. That pair and one other runner franked the form by winning their next starts. Without Objection (5) may find himself on the lead on his own. The only runner seemingly capable of taking him on is his own stablemate Otis Otis Otis (6). That seems unlikely.

IMPACTO (4) lacks the early zip of Without Objection. He may be positioned close enough to be able to outfinish him. The six-year-old came up a neck shy on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs last month. His form on dirt is better. At Tampa this year, he won four times including at a better level than this. In the hope he is second favourite with home-backers preferring their runner, he gets the vote.

There are a couple in here worth a look at prices. Atkins (1) has been holding his form well in decent races here over a mile. He has not ran over six furlongs for a while. The rail-drawn runner is not slow by any means so his rider may be able to keep him within range.

Mighty Les (3) is a proven sprinter. He’s hard to get to the races these days and hasn’t appeared since January. He has the back form to contend, swapping decisions with Without Objection last summer.

20:54 Finger Lakes (Race 7) - Skyler's Artemis @ SP

Seventh Race Shake (4) is the runner to beat. He has finished second in back-to-back races at this level since returning to Finger Lakes. Last time out, he was beaten almost six lengths. The winner did have good form at Tampa and latterly at Monmouth. He gets off the rail which has not been the place to be round here. His trainer Jeremiah Englehart has started to have winners after a very slow start to this meet.

A couple of these ran in a similar race to this one a fortnight ago. Not Today Governor (5) was a well-held third. A repeat of that form would likely only give him place claims.

Vaunted (6) finished behind him. He was making his first start since October and ran like he wasn’t fully fit. His trainer has some success with those having their second run following a long layoff. He has back form at this level and better. He’s hard to win with, but may make a bold bid from the get-go now he’s had a run.

A trio in this line up drop in class after trying allowance events. Resistance Futile (2) and Four Eyes (3) did run well at the higher level two starts back. The pair are forces to be reckoned with.

So too does SKYLER'S ARTEMIS (7). He stalked the pace and faded in an allowance event over a mile on his local return. His maiden win at Tampa at March came sprinting. With his trainer having such a fine meet, he may be worth siding with getting class relief.

21:20 Thistledown (Race 8) - Bad Boy Boogie @ SP

Mor Crafty (7) found the mile distance too far and the company too hot when overmatched earlier this month. He is better judged on his form in claimers sprinting.

That includes an open length victory in April and a good fourth in a higher-priced claimer last month. He is one of the more likely winners in here.

So too is the speedy Blake's Ryen (1). He wired a field by six lengths on his comeback. The rail-drawn runner was used up in a pace duel last time. He’s a wire to wire threat with the possibility of the lead on his own.

If he is taken on early, Cavaletto (6) is likely to get the race run to suit. The late runner found the slow early fractions against him when second last month.

Ray's Empire (5) was in too deep in his last start in March. He is better judged on a victory in claiming company prior to that. He’s worth considering along with Country Ruckus (3). He’s been running in better races on the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs. He has form on dirt too.

Trainer Susan Yoder is having a lean meet. Both her runners Strike One (2) and Midnight Voyage (4) get significant class relief. The pair have back races that make them competitive.

Less so BAD BOY BOOGIE (8) who often shows speed but rarely sticks around for when they are giving out the medals. That could change here. He goes from one trainer who almost never wins to one scoring at about 20%. The five-year-old can show improved form at a nice price.

Click the links for the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's US Racing Odds

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...