Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis
by Dick Powell
Wednesday 06/14/23
Race One:
1st: (1) JEN’S SONG – horse for the course has 10 wins here and 19 placings in 53 starts. 10-year-old looked good in his seasonal debut but did nothing last out so he drops down to a more realistic class level.
2nd: (6) SHAKIN IT UP LARRY – had a good season here last year and showed speed for a half-mile in his return to the races. He drops down to his lowest class level second start off the layoff for Randy Russell who wins 13% second start off the layoff.
3rd: (5) COMMODORE BARRY – began this year with two turf starts at Tampa Bay Downs then raced evenly here last out.
Race Two:
1st: (5) SIGN AND SEAL – filly is very fast and very dangerous. She chased the pace two starts back on the turf in her first start in five months then came back and won by a head. She had a big maiden win here last year on the front end and gets Pablo Morales.
2nd: (1) ELEGANT TASTE – beat open allowance foes on the dirt going a two-turn mile at Penn National then tired badly last out there. Daughter of Oxbow draws the rail for Erin McClellan who wins 19% with her overall claimers.
3rd: (6) SCOOP THERE IT IS – has yet to win here in eight tries but she has good early speed when right.
Race Three:
1st: (1) PROPER MANNERS – is only 1 for 12 the past two years but returned here last out and missed by a length in her PID debut as the even-money favorite. Ron Potts wins 27% first start after being beaten as the favorite.
2nd: (2) QUEEN OF CHILL – rallied to win going away two starts back on the Tapeta in her first start off the claim by Tim Girten then shipped here and was a sharp winner when moved way up in class. Pablo Morales rides back – 26% with his sprint mounts.
3rd: (4) GOLDEN SUN DROPS – beat better three starts back, did nothing on the turf, then won again back on the dirt.
Race Four:
1st: (7) RED HURRICANE – just missed hanging on two starts back after opening up a clear lead then went gate to wire on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park. Ed Bayeh wins 26% first start off the claim.
2nd: (3) SHAMMAH – began his career here last year with three straight strong starts. After finishing up the track against stakes foes here, he went to the sidelines until last week when he was a distant second against this claiming level.
3rd: (4) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – broke his maiden here three starts back then won going two turns two starts later.
Race Five:
1st: (7) CLASSIC RICHIE – first-time starter from Larry Rivelli who wins 18% with his debut runners and 28% against this maiden level. By young sire Classic Empire, he is the first foal to race from a dam by Super Saver.
2nd: (5) GOTTS GOT IT – showed high speed in his career debut here going 4 ½ furlongs and will be tough in here with the normal improvement with a start under his belt. Ron Potts wins 12% going dirt to synthetic and gets Erin Walker.
3rd: (1) FACE DOWN – first-time starter from Tim Girten who wins 19% with his debut runners and 24% at this maiden level.
Race Six:
1st: (7) WORLD’S ON HIGH – just missed two starts back in an off-the-turf event on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park then chased the pace there last out. He meets the same claiming level for Kevin Rice who wins 18% with his overall claimers.
2nd: (6) AMERICA’S GUEST – did little on dirt or turf in his first five career starts but woke up when shipped here and he beat low-level maiden claimers in his Tapeta debut. He moves up a notch in class off the claim by Glenn Wismer.
3rd: (3) GEMINI MOON – did nothing when beaten 34 lengths in his first four starts but just missed here last out.
Race Seven:
1st: (2) RICHIES NOBLE GIRL – winless in a couple of years but drops down to a more realistic class level. Daughter of Noble Mission tired here in fast time against much better and draws well with Antonio Gallardo.
2nd: (6) NEVISIAN SPIRIT – horse for the course is 7 for 12 here over the years but many came against cheaper company. She made her seasonal debut a winning one a month ago and should be able to handle the modest move up in class.
3rd: (7) MIDNIGHT PIRATE – one-dimensional closer was only beaten two lengths last out and moves up in class off the claim.
Race Eight:
1st: (3) EXPLOSIVE HUMOUR – showed good speed here last year but finished up with two dull efforts on the dirt at Mahoning Valley. He returned off a six-month layoff and went gate to wire last out and gets Erin Walker back aboard.
2nd: (7) EXTRA MEDIUM – had a win here last year in fast time to finish up last season. He has returned this year with two even efforts and should be fit and ready for Mike Rogers who wins 22% first start after being beaten as the favorite.
3rd: (8) SPICY SHOT – 8-year-old horse for the course returned off the layoff with a good second going 5 ½ furlongs.