US Horse Racing Tips: Our Stateside picks for Thursday

Our US Racing expert Paul Quigley has analysed all the races on offer across the pond, and is looking to land a few winners on Thursday.

Check out his US Racing Tips below.

20:20 Thistledown (Race 6) - Sweeping Giant @ SP

A field full of runners with form in similar events means a competitive affair.

Four of these ran in two divisions at this level over course and distance on 21 April. They were run in similar splits and finals times. Cavendish (3) had Reinvest (1) a couple of lengths in arrears when scoring in one of them. The five-year-old was making it back to back victories and is in career form.

Cavendish (3) will rightly have his supporters. However, slight preference is for Sweeping Giant (2). He too was successful on April 21 but was hardly impressive. It was his first run in seven weeks after a spell at Tampa.

There is a chance he idled late on and the half length runner up is an improving type. The first two did pull away from Strike Appeal (5). At last year’s meet at Thistledown he won six times, so he knows how to win.

Dr Jack Flyer (6) and Kadesh (4) are others worth considering. The pair ran one-two in a starter event at Mahoning Valley last month. In a race without a confirmed frontrunner, he first named has tactical speed in his favour. Kadesh (4) has better form in his locker. He swapped decisions with the selection over course and distance last year.

20:50 Thistletown (Race 7) - I Recall each-way @ SP

The unbeaten Silent Rule (5) is likely to be a very skinny price. And for good reason. She made it seven victories from seven career starts when winning a conditions race by 11 widening lengths at Mahoning Valley last month.

That run bettered her stakes victory in November. She won her first two starts here so is proven on this track. The only issue with her is this extended mile and as all her runs have been over six furlongs. She is bred to stay this trip and shapes as if more ground will suit.

Az We Speak (1), Banana Pudding (2) and Lo Bug (4) are progressive fillies who are on winning streaks. Like the favourite, they step up from sprints. The first two named have ran well in limited chances over a mile. Lo Bug (4) is a three-year-old tackling her elders for the first time. She made it a four-timer when winning a stake over six furlongs at Mahoning Valley.

With Silent Rule (5) likely to be short, the way to bet this race maybe a forecast or an each way play. She's Crafty (8) was trounced by the favourite last time. She seems better over longer distances so the step up in trip may see her get closer. I Recall (3) was a multiple stakes winner back in the day.

Judging by her comeback at Tampa, she may be the force of old. Five furlongs is not her bag and she had been away over six months. She may be worth an interest to make the podium.

Lucky Penny Rose (6) did upset a stakes field in December. Work'n On a Buzz (7) is improving and more reliable.

21:16 Belmont At The Big A (Race 7) - Big Everest @ SP

This is a stakes race in all but name. The returning Big Everest (5) will be one of the favourites. The horse for course was last seen out when a neck second in a stakes event over course and distance last November. The seven-year-old doesn’t stand much racing these days so the chances are he’s been readied to fire. He looks the controlling speed in here. That should mean jockey Joel Rosario can save a bit for the latter stages.

Javier Castellano on Donegal Momentum (1) may be happy to stalk the selection. He is a progressive four-year-old, winning a stake and being placed in a Grade 1 in 2024. After making a winning return at The Fair Grounds, his connections took a shot in a Grade 2 on dirt here last month. He was far from disgraced. The rail drawn runner looks a big player whether this race is stays on the turf or switched to the main track.

This is not a match race by any means. Hush of a Storm (4) was a closing third in a deep Grade 3 at Turfway last time out in March.

That was on Tapeta but he did win a state bred stake on this turf course in September. His best chance will come if he has speed to chase down. That is also the case with Sherlock's Jewel (6). He defied a long absence to win at Gulfstream in March. There may be better to come from him second time back.

Ruse (2) is probably not a win candidate but could round out the forecast if things go his way. Son of a Birch (7) is a pretty decent sprinter who is an unknown over a mile.

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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...