US Horse Racing Tips: Three to follow across the pond on Thursday

Paul Quigley, our US racing expert, has taken a deep dive into the cards on offer across the Atlantic on Thursday to offer up what he considers to be the three best bets of the day. Saratoga and Horseshoe Indianapolis are the meetings that have grabbed his attention.

Check out his three picks for the latest US Horse Racing Tips.

Horse Racing Odds

18:10 Saratoga (Race 1) - Jonathan Kiser Memorial Novice Steeplechase – Mr Percy (1) @ SP

American national hunt racing is not my bag. I did think this race was interesting on a number of levels. One of them is that a few of these started their careers on this side of the Atlantic. Lynches Knock (5) showed ability with Gordon Elliott.

He may be all the better for his first run Stateside. Jack Kennedy, who has rode him before, is coming over to renew the partnership. The former Joseph O’Brien-trained Mr Percy (1) is more exposed but has better form. He won The Irish Ebor a year ago after taking a Grade 2 hurdle at Fairyhouse. He couldn’t reel in Cyber Ninja (3) in April but has ran well in both starts since. Stepping up to 2m3f on these tight American turf tracks should suit.   

Lord Flintshire (7) was pretty talented on the flat. He’s had some training setbacks since. He is likely to strip a lot fitter for a comeback run at Fair Hill. The eight-year-old has been pointed to this race after missing it in 2025.

21:14 Horseshoe Indianapolis (Race 5) – Comes a Time (1) @ SP

Quite a few chances here but maybe not as the big as the field size implies. The rider of Memphis Pharoah (10) went plenty fast enough on the front end last time and he paid the price late on.

He still wasn’t beaten that far, running a similar speed figure to his comeback second. He’s a player on the class drop but may have company on the lead. Born Flashy (11) and Great Sword (3) get even more class relief. The first named has a tricky draw for his stalking running style.

Great Sword (3) finished ahead of him last time despite trying to close against the race flow. He’s an unexposed four-year-old who looks one of the more likely winners in this line up. 

Comes a Time (1) improved running second time with his trainer. He won a higher-priced claimer than this one, reeling in a decent yardstick who had his own way up front. That was on the dirt. He did run well in a deep race in Kentucky in a rare start on turf early in his career. His rider should be able to save some ground from his rail draw. The play. 

Fear and Loathing (6) found the distance too short and the company too hot on his comeback. This is a much better spot although he is on a long losing run. C'Est Magnifique (7) may be a late player.

22:12 Saratoga (Race 8) – Exhibition Only (4) @ SP

All of these three year olds have a chance. The one-mile dirt races at Saratoga begin in a chute before a sharp left hand bend. It often leads to hard luck stories. As a rule, getting inside position is a big advantage.

If he breaks cleanly, Exhibition Only (4) may take the lead on his own. He’s been in some tough spots since a wide margin maiden win. He gets the vote running first time as a gelding. There is a possibility Into the Light (1) can match him early or beat him to the front. He’s much improved of late. The rail-drawn runner was game in victory and ran a competitive speed figure when he graduated at Aqueduct last month.     

A trio of these have placed form in similar races to this one. Palacios (7) comes off a third at Churchill. Like him, the late-running Life Is Gravy (3) may improve for more ground. The in form Gethsemane (5) goes for trainer Linda Rice. Her acquisitions from Kentucky often up their game when she switches them to New York.     

Max Money (6) was in deep in a stake last time. This is a far more winnable spot. Swiss Army Knife (2) goes in the opposite direction class-wise. He was four lengths too good for a modest group of maiden claimers in May. His new trainer must like what he claimed as he’s in a much tougher spot.

Micanopy (8) is listed as the biggest price in this field on the morning line. He came close to rattling up a hat-trick at Delaware last month. If he’s a double-figure price, he may be worth a small interest.