US Horse Racing Tips: Three to watch from Keeneland

Our Stateside expert, Paul Quigley, is back with his Friday US Horse Racing Tips, looking for winners at Keeneland.

You will find his three selections below.

19:36 Keeneland - Noble Gentleman @ SP

This looks wide open. With the likely scratching of Heavy Hitter (1), Truly Legit (2) will have a potentially really good draw on the rail.

His new trainer cuts him back in distance after a series of races over a mile and more. He may have the tactical speed to hold his position near the front rank. The shorter distance may suit Right On Right On (9) also. His last victory came sprinting.

Hey Buddy (7), Big Salt Lick (6), Noble Gentleman (3) and Call the Cavalry (4) beat lesser fields last time. The quartet all have chances despite the small class rise. There is a possibility Call the Cavalry (4) can make the lead on his own.

He is dangerous under that scenario. Noble Gentleman (3) should be a price going for low profile connections. He ended a long, losing run over today’s distance at Churchill last month. He goes for low profile connections and should be a price.

King Anthony (5) may come back to life now running in claiming company. Ohio shipper Lobo Salvaje (8) has had success in Kentucky before.

22:16 Keeneland - Ohana Honor @ SP

Many chances in the day’s feature event. Utah Beach (4) won back to back graded stakes in the spring including over course and distance. He ran below form last month at Kentucky Downs. Many horses don’t handle that track.

He has to be reckoned with back at a venue he has excelled at before. Grand Sonata (5) didn’t run much better than him in the same race last time. Prior to that, he ran well in The Grade 2 United Nations and Grade 1 Arlington Million. That is contending form in the context of this event. Anglophile (11) another also-ran from that Kentucky Downs race looked a tad unlucky when behind Utah Beach (4) here in April.

This race lacks pace. With that in mind, Ohana Honor (10) may be worth siding with.

He made a fine belated 2025 return when second in a stake at Kentucky Downs. One of his best efforts last year was when all the way winner over course and distance. He backed that up with placed efforts in top class graded stakes. If Flavien Prat reads the script, he could be on or close to soft early fractions.

Safe Trip Home (2) and Desvio (6) ran one-two in a stake at Colonial Downs last month. The pair have place chances. So too do Goldeneye (9) and San Siro (8) who didn’t seem to stay two miles last time. Mercante (3) is more realistically spotted after being overmatched in a Grade 1 here last Saturday.

22:48 Keeneland - Bolt On The Rocks @ SP

In recent days, early speed and/or the inside part of the track has been an advantage on the dirt. If that trend continues in the early races, Atarah (1) looks a big player. She has a decent chance even without any bias. She out finished Brunch With Amy (8) in a high-end claimer at Churchill last month. The slightly shorter distance offers hope that Brunch With Amy (8) can reverse the form.

Risuko (4) has got good all of a sudden. She followed up a wide margin maiden breaker with a third in an arguably better race at Monmouth. If she can transfer her form to this track, she can win this. Unlike her, Daisy Duke (3) comes off a below par effort.

She did stumble badly at the start at Saratoga. She was made favourite for that race after missing by a neck at today’s level in July. That is contending form.

Trainer Chris Hartman is double-handed. His Kentucky Smokeshow (7) made a fine return when second in a similar race to this one at Churchill. She is a place chance at least.

At her best, her stablemate Bolt On the Rocks (5) could upset this field. She went to the sidelines after a below par effort in June. The four year old is a very capable frontrunner with three all the way victories earlier this year. She may have the best early speed and Hartman has a good record with returning runners. The pick under Ben Curtis.

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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...