US Horse Racing Tips: Sandal to sing his song at Churchill Downs on Saturday

Our Stateside guru Paul Quigley kicks off the weekend with his racing tips from across the pond, with two from Gulfstream Park, one from Belmont at the Big A and finishing off with Churchill Downs.

Check out his US Horse Racing tips below for Saturday, 9 May, below.

20:30 Gulfstream Park - Celtic Dispute @ SP

The first of two stakes that are win and you’re in for Royal Ascot. Some trainers like Wes Ward have entered fillies against the colts. His Skara Brae (8) was backed as if defeat was out of the question on debut at Keeneland. She won by four lengths.

Looking at her pedigree, the switch to turf should not be a problem. Interestingly, Joao Moreira is booked to ride. Maybe Celtic Dispute (3) will offer value against her. She too is bred for the grass. Although fading late on her career debut, she showed plenty of ability.

Automatic Press (7) showed little on debut at Keeneland. Her trainer George Weaver has a fine record with second time starters and in these sprint stakes for juveniles. He is worth considering along with Braums Run (4) and Blackjack (2). The pair debut for very capable trainers.

21:34 Gulfstream Park - Easy Life @ SP

Pros and Cons (7) was well backed on debut at Keeneland. She managed to win despite being off a step slowly. She’s better than that length or so margin of victory suggests. Her trainer worked her on the turf locally for the switch in surface. Joker's Chic (1) attended the pace before fading late to be fourth behind her. There is likely a lot better to come Wes Ward’s filly. She draws well and Joao Moreira is booked for the ride.

Boots (9) and Liberty Rings (4) both ran well in their debuts locally. The first named won well. Liberty Rings (4) ran a close third in a faster maiden. The pair are possibilities in an open race. So too are at least a quartet of first time starters.

Of the Mark Casse trained duo, Pros and Cons (5) has a fine pedigree but is bred to need further. The dam of Sass Sass (8) was a sprinter.

Mo Town Foxy Brown (6) debuts for top locally based trainer Saffie Joseph. Easy Life (2) is a first time starter going for George Weaver. His trainer often points one of his best early two-year-olds for this race. He won this in 2023 with Crimson Advocate before taking The Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.

22:11 Belmont at The Big A - Growth Equity @ SP

A case can be made for all of these. Talk to Me Jimmy (5) was used up on the speed in The Grade 2 Wood Memorial last month. His stakes victory over course and distance prior to that is the best form in here. Admittedly, he rode a golden rail but he scored by eleven lengths. The runner up filled the same position in a stake at Colonial Downs next time. He’s done his best work on the lead. There is other front-end types in here but he may be able to clear them early on.

The other two stakes winners in here are Trendsetter (1) and Bull by the Horns (4). Trendsetter (1) looked much improved trying a route on dirt for the first time. The rail-drawn runner upset a Grade 3 field at Keeneland last month. If that run wasn’t an aberration, he’s a big player here. He finished third to Bull by the Horns (4) when he won a stake on Tapeta at Turfway in March. Based on speed figures, he has a bit to do. The late runner is likely to get plenty of pace to chase down which brings him into calculations.

The remaining trio go up markedly in class. Gulfy (6) is on a hat-trick after maiden claiming and starter wins. He may be starting to fulfil the potential of his pedigree. Like him, Growth Equity (3) and Azam (2) are likely to have their best races ahead of them. Both are last time out maiden winners.

Chad Brown’s Growth Equity (3) beat a good yardstick in March. He’s improved as he distances go longer. Another furlong to race will suit. Azam (2) graduated at Gulfstream showing improved form.

He is a half brother to multiple stakes and Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude. He’s playable if he doesn’t get any respect in the market.

22:28 Churchill Downs - Sandal's Song @ SP

Outfielder (8) won twice as a juvenile. In his other two starts, he ran well in Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville and was a pace casualty at The Breeders’ Cup. Wes Ward’s colt made his three-year-old debut in a stake at Turfway. He won it by four lengths at long odds on. The speed figure he earned wasn’t that high for the level. The way the runner up ran next time suggests it should be higher than given. He may be the quickest of these early so post eight may not be an issue. He’s the one to catch and beat under John Velazquez.

Half of this field ran in an ungraded stake with a biggish purse at Keeneland last month. Reb Five (1) got there late to beat Throckmorton (2) by a neck. The speed fell apart and the winner came from an unpromising position. Of the pair, Throckmorton (2) who sat closer to the pace has a chance of the reversing the form.

At face value, Sandal's Song (4) who has almost seven lengths to find seems a reach. He encountered minor trouble. Irad Ortiz quickly put his cue in the rack before the turn. To the eye, he still had some run in him. It was his first run since his a fine third to Charles Darwin The Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. The fact that Irad Ortiz rides him back suggests a much better effort second time out as a three-year-old.

Ketchum (6) lost his unbeaten record at The Fair Grounds in February. He may rebound to his best now freshened up. Rebel With a Cause (5) is improving winning back to back races at Gulfstream. Twilight Delight (3) ran well in two stakes as a juvenile since winning on debut. He may have improved physically in the seven months he has been away.

Click the links for all the latest Horse Racing Odds and Today's US Racing Odds

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights