Monday was a fine start to the week for the US Extra Place Races column with a 5/1 winner in the first race at Thistledown followed up by a place at Finger Lakes before a non-runner in the late one at Mountaineer. We have three each-way selections today, two of which are at Thistledown and as always, all the picks are from outside the top three according to the odds on the Morning Line…

We start once again at Thistledown for the first race looking for a repeat of yesterday’s winner. I’m taking a bit of a punt here with my selection as I’m plumping for Hitch City. This four-year-old filly looked to have something about her last year putting up strong speed figures during a run of two wins and a runners-up finish in the space of four outings at this track. Her form in 2023 however has been distinctly below that but there is still cause for optimism. Both the victories a year ago came in August when the weather was at its best and her trainer has lightly run her so far this season. Every hope for a return to form and at her best, she’ll be right at the pointy end of this race. Priced up as the joint-fifth choice of seven on the Morning Line.

The 20:20 at Thistledown is the second-stop of the day where the joint-fourth favourite on the Morning Line is the eight-year-old Cumber. Let me tell you something about his horse and his summer season here so far. Four races, all of which he’s at least placed. One win, two runner-ups finishes plus a third. He also had a good winter/spring over at Mahoning Valley where he won once and placed. The last time he went a mile without at least finishing in the top three was back in March of 2021. Couple of very nice horses in this race but I expect Cumber to be there or thereabouts.

I thought about just playing all three Extra Place Races at Thistledown but I decided to by-pass the seventh there instead looking across the border to Canada for my final pick of the day. For those staying up late, the 23:22 at Fort Erie interests as three-year-old One Last Fling has looked a talent up until her last run. Until that performance last time out, she hadn’t finished outside the places in six straight. Always happy to grant a mulligan for one poor outing and certainly when that pushes the price up so much. Joint-fifth choice out of seven feels big.