US racing tips: Tom Collins is confident sprinter can bounce back at Thistledown

Liberate
8.50 Thistledown
3pts win

Thistledown, the biggest racecourse in Ohio, headlines the US action on Tuesday and it is fair to say the action isn't exactly thrilling. Their meet started just five days ago and there isn't much to go in terms of recent course form.

However, for those of you who will look to play throughout the card, the main jockeys to follow are Gerardo Corrales and Luis Rivera, while Jeffrey Radosevich has been the leading trainer here for some time.

Having analysed the eight races, there aren't many solid punting opportunities aside from Timothy Hamm's Liberate, who runs in the feature $21,500 allowance (8.50) contest over 5½f.

A morning line price of 5-2 is extremely generous based on this gelding's juvenile form last year. He won his maiden at this track on debut, bursting clear of his rivals to hit the line 17 and a half lengths ahead with plenty more in tank.

Black type victories followed at Belterra Park and back at this venue in the Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes, in which he earned the race comment 'won as rider pleased'.

He was shipped to Monmouth after that but suffered a torrid trip and lost his unbeaten record, before getting back into the winner's circle at Mahoning Valley in October with another bloodless success.

Liberate was heavily punted on his three-year-old reappearance at Tampa Bay Downs in one of the best allowance optional claimers at the track in a long time but failed to fire.

It was his first run for seven months and he missed a beat at the start, but nevertheless it was still disappointing.

He has since worked well at this venue and everything looks in line for a much better display. I would be shocked if 5-2 was offered but if it is, he looks a fantastic bet in this field, especially given he has got an inside gate in stall two and Corrales rides.

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