US Horse Racing Tips: Saturday’s action starts at Saratoga

Paul Quigley, our resident US horse racing expert, returns with his three selections from Saturday's action at Saratoga and Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Read on for his latest US Horse Racing Tips.

Horse Racing Odds

19:47 Saratoga (Race 5) – The Caress (Grade 2) – Sunna (4) @ SP

The result of this may depend on which In Our Time (6) turns up. She had stablemate Movin' On Up (2) back in third when winning a Grade 2 at Keeneland in April. The five year old was fancied to double up in another Grade 2 over course and distance last month. She did stumble slightly at the start but in truth ran flat to be beaten three lengths. If she rebounds, she’s likely to get back to winning ways. Italian Soiree (3) finished in front of her last time. She ran really well to be second, closing late on. The winner had a big advantage being on the lead on a speed biased track. She has to be reckoned with but may be behind the eight-ball pace-wise again. A likely late player.

Zeitlos (1) ran really well to be second to a talented runner in this race last year. She has showed this term, she retains all her ability. Like Italian Soiree (3), the late runner would be seen to best effect with pace to chase down. Obstreperous (5) and Sunna (4) are less classy but are in form. The first named defied an absence to win a conditions event at Monmouth on her comeback. Sunna (4) has a bigger winning streak going. She has rattled up a hat-trick on three different tracks. The four year old is progressing. If In Our Time (6) doesn’t bring her A game and the closers are pace compromised, she may well win this.

21:05 Horseshoe Indianapolis (Race 8) – The Indiana General Assembly Distaff Stakes – Miwa (7) @ SP

A big field is entered but many of these fillies and mares look to have a lot to find. The now horse is In the Stars (11). She looks much improved in two starts as a four year old. A comeback win in a conditions event at Keeneland was followed up by a close up fourth in a Grade 3 at Churchill. The trio that beat her are class acts who would be skinny prices if in this line up. She should get pace to chase down. If she doesn’t get hung too wide, she should go very close.

An on-song Charlene's Dream (6) can win this. She won stakes in 2024 and 2025 including one here and a Grade 2 last August. The five year old has had only one start this term in April. It was sprinting. She is best on or near the speed over a mile/mile plus. She’s proven fresh and some of her pace rivals may be scratched out of this. That wouldn’t help Miwa (7). The mount of Irad Ortiz may be worth siding with all the same. She beat a very decent allowance conditions field on her comeback at Churchill last month. In the hope she gets a little speed to chase down, she gets the vote.

Modarosa (1) is improving, beating a field of Pennsylvania breds in a stake last time. Go Town (5) is much improved since a trainer change, rattling up a hat-trick. Princess Attitude (9) has a place chance of a victory in an allowance conditions event at Churchill. Calamity (8) may improve for her comeback.

23:40 Horseshoe Indianapolis (Race 12) – The Indiana Derby (Grade 3) – Our Moneyman (4) @ SP

This is a fascinating renewal. There are runners with proven stakes form and a few likely improvers in this line up. In the former category is the pacey Desert Gate (9). He won back to stakes at Oaklawn and Lone Star by open lengths. On the back of that, he was made favourite for The Grade 3 Ohio Derby. He didn’t run badly there in fourth. It probably proved his victories in Arkansas and Texas flattered him a little. Without question he can win this. He may need a canny ride as there are other front-end types in here.

One of the likely speeds is Creole Chrome (6). He thrashed a field on Louisiana breds by ten lengths last month. His detractors can point out he’s been well beaten both times he’s faced open company. In fairness, they were against stellar fields and he never made the lead on his own. If Desert Gate (9) is scratched to run in a stake at Prairie Meadows, his chances increase considerably.

Even if Desert Gate (9) comes out, there is still plenty of speed types in here. Out of the Woods (7) has been on the lead in his last three races. He won the first two of them before being ran down by an improver in a stake at Delaware. He’s a player but maybe the likely race flow means Our Moneyman (4) can reverse the form with him from Churchill in May. There he lost by just over a length when Desert Gate (9) dictated the tempo. He has since ran a fine second in a Grade 3 back at Churchill.

There are two last time out maiden winners in here. Zihnal (3) has now ran well in both his starts on dirt. Unlike the other contenders, he has a run and a victory over today’s track. The Brad Cox trained Leading Change (8) will take more money. He looked a stakes winner in the making when winning by six lengths on debut at Churchill last month. That was over seven furlongs. As his half sister was a graded stakes winner over a trip, running over an extended mile should improve him. He lacks experience but looked very professional first time out. Irad Ortiz gives up a likely full book of rides at Saratoga to renew the partnership. He’s the runner to fear and worth a saving forecast at least.

Bricklin (5) didn’t reproduce a fine run in The Grade 1 Arkansas Derby next time.