US Horse Racing Tips: A bumper offering for Sunland Park

Our US horse racing expert Paul Quigley was in hot form yesterday with two from two across the pond. He's back with a bumper offering of four horses running at Sunland Park in New Mexico on Thursday evening. Read on for his US Horse Racing Tips for Thursday February 27.

Sunland Park Race 1 (19:25) – Right in Front (6)

At their best all of these can win this. Runners like Stella Boy (1) made a fine return when second at this level three weeks ago. John John (4) was a tad disappointing last time. He has a chance off his form here prior to that. Time Travelin (2) and Nesara (3) are more realistically spotted having raced in tougher company. But it is Right in Front (6) who may come out best. His maiden claiming win here last time gives him some sort of shot. The chances are he improves off that now racing for a far more successful trainer.

Sunland Park Race 5 (21:09) – Blue Blazes Who (5)

Broadway Dish (1) and No Regrets N Love (4) ran one two in a race over course and distance on 23 January. Slight preference of the pair is for No Regrets N Love (4). She has the better overall profile. Her last run can be ignored as she didn’t seem to stay six and a half furlongs.

Shell Game (3) was only two necks away from being on a five timer here. She’s much improved since a trainer change and made a fine comeback last month. She is one for the shortlist but it may be worth chancing the fitness of Blue Blazes Who (5). The eight year old has been away since beating a good yardstick at Zia Park in December. Her trainer has a very decent record with runners after a lay off.

Sunland Park Race 8 (22:32) – Lil Miss Cassie (5)

Most of this field have had their best days behind them. Once exception is Pretty Peppy (2). She beat a field of two time career winners here last month. The form of that race was franked when the runner up came back to win. Cutting back a furlong in distance may not be an issue considering she sat handy last time. She and Stormy Dame (3) are the form picks. That mare is inconsistent but a repeat of her five length victory in December will make her hard to beat. In fairness, she has had excuses for her two subsequent starts.

Lil Miss Cassie (5) and E Bar Scout (7) ran with credit in a claimer over four and a half furlongs here on 31 January. E Bar Scout (7) stayed on steadily. More ground will suit her. Her old rival Lil Miss Cassie (5) caught the eye, running on when getting clear sailing. She was hampered at the start and her jockey found the passing lines blocked until deep stretch. Interestingly, Enrique Gomez stays with her despite winning on Pretty Peppy (2). Maybe he wasn’t offered to ride that last time winner back. She has has some upside in this spot.

Sunland Park Race 9 (23:00) – Truckin (7)

Scorpion Shot (5) is the clear form runner in the finale. He showed promise in better maidens in California before moving to New Mexico. The four year old has ran second in both starts at Sunland, latterly over course and distance. He has been beaten at odds on twice in a row but did run into a class dropper last time. The worry with him a trainer change to a much less successful operator. There is an argument what can his new trainer do is only two weeks to negate his chances. If he runs near his best, he is very likely to win this.

Presuming Scorpion Shot (5) is a short price, the pair that may be playable alternatives to him are Diablo Rosso (4) and Truckin (7). Diablo Rosso (4) has almost six lengths to find with Scorpion Shot (5) from last time. He did take a step in the right direction, getting back to his two year old promise. He could be decent odds. Truckin (7) is likely to be shorter. He’s been freshened up after blowing a good chance to get off the mark at long odds on almost eight weeks ago. He has the back form to give Scorpion Shot (5) a race.

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...