US Horse Racing Tips: Paul marks your Saturday card from Saratoga

Paul Quigley, our resident US horse racing expert, is back on Saturday to kick off the weekend by taking a look at the racing on offer across the Atlantic. He's fixated his gaze on the action taking place at Saratoga, with all four of his selections coming from this meeting.

Read on for his US Horse Racing Tips.

Horse Racing Odds

19:54 Saratoga - Goodbye to Romance @ SP

The only stakes winner in this line up is The Wes Ward trained Waggley (1). She’s a filly taking on the boys. She maintained her unbeaten record in the slop at Churchill but was hardly impressive in a three horse race. Maybe she improves getting back on a dry track. However, there are plenty alternatives to her. Booked (2) improved off his debut to beat Jack's Golden Goal (6) in a maiden locally. He ran a decent speed figure but did have an experience edge over the runner up.

The rest of this field is made up of juveniles who won their only starts to date. Of them, Goodbye to Romance (3) gets a narrow vote. He won well at Aqueduct. His trainer Jena Antonucci rarely has a runner fully cranked up for their debuts. He could take another step forward second time out. That is likely for Churchill debut winner Vissino (5). Mark Casse is another trainer whose runners regularly come for their first start.

Ashcroft Lane (7) thrashed a field of maidens in the slop at Aqueduct. Pocket Listing (4), Regent's Park (8) and Rasasi (9) were less impressive on their debuts. The trio can’t be discounted.

21:06 Saratoga - Kensington Lane @ SP

There is a strong UK and Irish challenge in both The Grade 1’s on the card. On form, Abashiri (8) is the better of the invaders in this race. She won on debut at Kempton in November.

She’s ran into True Love and Precise in The Group 1 Betfred and Irish 1,000 Guineas since. Although beaten three and four lengths respectively, that may be a cut above The Stateside form. On pedigree, she should improve for more ground. Her trainer Charlie Appleby has a super strike rate in New York. He won this race in 2024. Kensington Lane (3) finished a couple of lengths behind her at The Curragh. She more exposed than her old rival but is progressing with racing. A Group 3 win in May testifies to that. She will be a bigger price than Abashiri (8) so may be worth a small interest.

Trainer Chad Bown has farmed this race over the years, winning it eight times. Both his runners are players here. Fitz Right (6) had Time to Dream (2) a length or so behind her when winning a Grade 2 here last month. She can run her race no matter what the pace scenario. That may be crucial there is not a lot of speed in here. Depending on Abashiri (8) is ridden, Chad Brown’s other runner Just Aloof (1) may be on a soft lead. She lost in a blanket finish to Imaginationthelady (10) in a Grade 2 at Churchill in May.

Faithful Departed (4) is much improved of late. She beat the consistent good yardstick Storm's Wake (5) in a Grade 3 at Churchill in May. That was over today’s nine furlong distance. She may be a big price going for a low profile trainer. Ultimate Love (9) is likely to be double figure odds too. She ran well at The Breeders’ Cup and made a fine comeback at Laurel.

Carmensita (7) was a Grade 1 runner up in Argentina last November. She stayed on from the rear on her Stateside debut.

21:42 Saratoga - Tiztastic @ SP

This is a wide open renewal. Phileas Fogg (6) edged out Antiquarian (7) in this race in 2025. Both runners have to be reckoned with. The pair have speed but can sit just off the pace and run their race. Antiquarian (7) paid the price for trying to force the issue in a deep Grade 1 over a mile here last time. Forged Steel (2) is another front-end type. He is progressing with racing, slamming a Grade 2 field at Santa Anita in May.

Trainer Bill Mott has a pair of interesting runners. His Stars and Stripes (9) is a progressive four-year-old who won a Grade 3 at Keeneland in April. His stablemate Parchment Party (4) has won his last four starts on dirt, all stakes.

They were over a mile-and-a-half or more. He may be just as effective cutting back to ten furlongs. Yo Daddy (3) has form over today’s distance. He had Classicist (1) back in third when winning a stake over 10 furlongs in April.

Original Sin (10) is another much improved four year old. He had Hit Show (8) back in third when taking a Grade 3 at Churchill in May. Hit Show (8) did run below his best on his return from The Dubai World Cup. The six-year-old has plenty of back form that says he can win this.

Tiztastic (5) was a promising three year old early in 2025. His win at Churchill in May suggests he may be able to compete well in a Grade 2 like this one. Jose Ortiz won a Grade 1 at Churchill for the same trainer and owner. He is a possible upsetter.

Maybe take him at a big price and use him in forecasts with Antiquarian (7) and Hit Show (8). Obstacle (11) is a tougher read. He is a multiple stakes winner in Uruguay who is making his Stateside debut.

22:20 Saratoga - Pacific Avenue @ SP

Many chances here with the invaders having two big players. Title Role (9) and Pacific Avenue (6) are no strangers to each other. They ran one-two in a stake at Meydan in February. Title Role (9) improved off his comeback to take The Group 2 German 2,000 Guineas in May. His pedigree suggests he will improve for more ground here. His old rival Pacific Avenue (6) ran with credit when third to Gstaad In The Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas. He should be effective over nine furlongs.

The home team are no pushovers. The best of them on form is Remember Mamba (3). His unbeaten run came to an end when second in a Grade 1 at Churchill in May. The winner is the best American trained three year old turf horse around. The fourth has won two stakes by open lengths since. He did get decent fractions to chase down and this race is likely to be run slower early. The mount of Jose Ortiz is still a big player.

Like Remember Mamba (3), Touch of Fire (10) and West End Kid (8) have three-from-four career records. Both horses could have drawn better but are worth considering. Touch of Fire (10) won a stake by three lengths from Tiernanogue (7) over today’s distance at Churchill in May.

West End Kid (8) beat Blackmail (1) and Bottas (2) in a local Grade 3 prep for this. Bottas (2) was having his first race since The Breeders’ Cup. He may improve a bit second time back in 2026.

Trainer Graham Motion has won the last two running’s of this race. He is represented by Turf Star (5) who won a stake at Laurel in May. He will be a big price. So too will be Third Coast (5). He is improving, taking a stake at Monmouth last time.