US Horse Racing Tips: Paul picks out three for Thursday

Our US horse racing tipster Paul Quigley is back with his US racing tips for Thursday's action, hoping for some more success this week.

His selections are from Sunland Park and you can check them out below.

19:15 Sunland Park (Race 3) - Jed @ SP

There are a couple of problems horses here. Our Valentino (3) looked a highly promising three year old early in 2024. He won back to back races, beating a very good yardstick in his last start. That was over a year ago. His new trainer Dallas Barton has a traditionally had a fine record with lay off runners. He has been strangely out of form at this meet.   

In stark contrast to Our Valentino (3), the late running McThanks (6) only ran last Thursday. He caused a 22/1 upset but there looked to be no fluke about that performance. The winning time was fast and he beat two bang in form runners in the process. He will be tough to beat if he can repeat that even though the slight cut back in distance is not ideal. 

This may be a spot to shop around for a price. Trainer Joel Marr has two runners who may go off bigger odds than they should. Hezekiah's Rule (4) ran a career best when winning a career best at Zia Park in December. He defied a lay off then so an absence since may not be his undoing. His stablemate Jed (5) looks the first string based on jockey bookings. He was used up in a speed duel from a tough draw on his return in January. His victory at Zia in November is contending form. The runner up has won twice since before being placed in stakes races. Miguel Fuentes may have him on the lead on his own. 

The remaining runners are not out of this, especially Jet Set Warrior (1). He drops in class after running a distant third in a stake earlier this month. That was over a mile. He did finish ahead of McThanks (6) the last time he ran in a sprint. Jet N G (2) looks the outsider of the field but has faced some near impossible tasks in his last two starts. His trainer is having a super meet.

20:05 Sunland Park (Race 5) - Onefortheditch @ SP

The majority of this field ran in a race at this level on 6 March. It was run in a dust storm so only the very start and the finish were able to be seen. Blue Ocean Rave (3) and Compelling Uncle (4) weakened right out of contention. Whether they did too much in the early stages is anyone's guess. They both go for competent trainers. The fact they are back in at the same level and not dropped into claiming company is a hint they are capable of much better. 

The four-plus length winner of that 6 March race was a lightly raced at improving colt. He took more money than stablemate Smartier (2). He didn't run to his close up third at this level a month earlier. The lone three year old in this line up finished further behind Onefortheditch (6) than he did the time before. His old rival looks the one to beat at a shortish price. Stepping up to the distance he broke his maiden at seems a positive.     

Eligio (1) and Truckin (5) are last time out maiden breakers. The rail drawn runner graduated on his local debut at the start of the month. He may improve on that based on his form in California. Truckin (5) ran a similar time to him when won just under a fortnight ago. He gets a big class test here but goes for a trainer having a standout meet.

20:31 Sunland Park (Race 6) - Strawberry Whisky @ SP

Storm Bayou (8) did this column a big turn by winning a week ago. The field he beat as things turned out wasn't great as his fancied stablemate ran poorly. The fact he turns back out so quickly is a positive. He meets better competition here but is worth considering for the forecast at least. Interestingly, his winning rider appears to jump ship get aboard Discovery N Sight (5). His victory last month was franked when the runner up Artful Critic (2) came back to score well next time.   

Smartsrealgood (3) and Strawberry Whisky (7) drop sharply in class after being well beaten in better events. The first named was coming back after a long absence. He is interesting running first time for sale. So too does Strawberry Whisky (7). The one time stakes runner had excuses for his comeback run. He may be worth siding with in this, a career low spot.    

Jeeps Stride (4) has only a length to find with Storm Bayou (8) from last week so has to enter calculations.

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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...