US Horse Racing Tips: Friday’s focus is Churchill Downs

Our Stateside expert, Paul Quigley, is back with his Friday US Horse Racing Tips, and the focus is on Churchill Downs.

You will find his two selections below.

19:45 Churchill Downs (Race 5) - Ashes and Diamonds @ SP

It will be interesting to see how they bet this. The twice-raced Kissin Cash (5) will definitely take money. She had a troubled start in a deep maiden on her debut as a juvenile. Her comeback and three-year-old debut produced a much better result. She ran third in a maiden at Horseshoe Indianapolis. Now she makes her second start back running first time for sale. She should be suited by the step up in distance.

Although she showed speed last time, her debut suggested she can sit off the pace and make a run. That may be crucial as Purple and Gold (6) may be gunned for the lead. The last time she raced on dirt, she ran second in a higher-priced maiden claimer than this one. She has been working well and is dangerous under the right pace scenario.

Ashes and Diamonds (7) has had seven tries to graduate. In fairness, she has been running in much tougher spots often over longer distances and on the turf. One of her best efforts came when second over today’s trip at Keeneland. In terms of class, this is a career low spot for her. The chances are she gets a nice trip off the speed. She gets a narrow vote over Kissin Cash (5).

Volatile Jinny (4) and Twisted Viper (3) were early factors in a maiden claimer over an extended mile on turf last month. The shorter distance and the surface switch offers some hope for price backers. It's All Red (2) may improve for a trainer change and racing with lasix for the first time. Romanaya (1) was second in a cheaper maiden claimer last month. This race will have to come up weak for her to go one better.

22:25 Churchill Downs (Race 10) - Trusty Troutman @ SP

This looks a good spot for the twice-raced Trusty Troutman (5). She broke her maiden on debut here in June. In her only subsequent start, she ran third in a stake at Ellis Park.

That run was better than it looked as she had trouble at the start. Both of her races have come over seven furlongs. She should stay this distance. In her favour is having some tactical speed in a paceless-looking race. The pick on the class drop.

The only other runner who could go for the lead is Sunset Beauty (6). She wired a field of maiden claimers at Ellis Park last month. That was on the turf but her two runs on dirt were fine. If her new trainer brings her back in the same form, she could double up.

Spying (3) was in a bit deep in an allowance event on the turf last time. In her last start on dirt, she won a high-end claimer for one-time career winners at Ellis Park. There she beat Malibu Smart (2) by a length with Take Charge Omaha (8) further adrift. She goes for an in form trainer and is a likely a late player.

Faire Plaisir (4) and Vino Tiempo (7) have ran competitive speed figures to win this. Both were placed in better races than this one in their last starts. The issue with the pair is the likelihood of getting behind early on. In a race where they may not go fast up front, they could be behind the eight ball.

Asian Matriarch (1) has won more races than any horse in this line up. She hinted she was coming back to form at Del Mar last month.

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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...