Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis
by Dick Powell
Tuesday 07/11/23
Race One:
1st: (2) CELEBRATORY – just missed in his PID debut when he opened up a clear lead and was run down at the wire as the 7-5 favorite. He came back and chased the pace wide and now drops way down in class for Cassondra Weaver.
2nd: (5) JUST WATCH ME NOW – horse for the course shipped in here from Golden Gate and promptly won going away. He came back and went gate to wire at 7-5 then raced evenly last out against this class level.
3rd: (3) LEGIO – just missed two starts back here against similar then won easy when he stalked the pace.
Race Two:
1st: (2) ALHAAN – was soundly beaten here going two turns against open maidens then dropped down in class and missed by a nose going six furlongs. Stretched back out, she rallied for third here back at two turns.
2nd: (1) SHE’D RATHER DANCE – still a maiden after six tries but she seems to be improving each time. Speedball held on for third two starts back then missed by a length against this maiden level going 5 ½ furlongs.
3rd: (5) ANIPPE – raced evenly here off the long layoff two starts back then improved some with blinkers added.
Race Three:
1st: (4) OUT FOR MYSELF – went gate to wire on the dirt two starts back at Mountaineer Park then faded going two turns on the turf. She drops down in class and distance for Juan Gotera. Eddie Jurado is in for the ride.
2nd: (6) SGT RECKLESS USMC – was soundly beaten by 65 lengths in her first two starts on the dirt then she came back on it and went gate to wire. Last out, she showed speed for six furlongs here and drops down in class.
3rd: (2) JESSICA BLAH BLAH – did nothing here in her first start off the long layoff then broke her maiden from far off the pace.
Race Four:
1st: (7) MARV’S MAGIC – did little going two turns on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs against better claimers. He shipped here for his PID debut and missed by a head as the 2-1 favorite when he dropped down to this claiming level.
2nd: (4) MIDNIGHT BLUE NOT – 10-year-old still firing bullets at his age. He won going two turns on the dirt at Hawthorne then he ran evenly in a turf sprint there. Back on the dirt there, he held on for second with Rocco Bowen who does great with speedy types.
3rd: (1) C THE KING – horse for the course has finished second three of his last four starts here.
Race Five:
1st: (3) R ADMIRAL – still a maiden after 11 tries but he has five seconds and two thirds. He returned here off a long layoff at class and distance but missed going gate to wire by a neck as the 11-10 favorite. Mike Allen rides back.
2nd: (6) CANTSTEALMYTHUNDER – dismissed at 29-1 in his career debut here, he was a terrific second going two turns after disputing the pace. Kevin Rice improves to 16% with his second-time starters and goes with Addiel Ayala.
3rd: (8) DR. HYDE – was beaten by 19 lengths two starts back when Lasix was added but he bounced back with a good third.
Race Six:
1st: (1) LOVELY EVER AFTER – ran well here last year against state-bred company. He returned with a good second as the odds-on favorite two starts back then weakened last out in fast time. Scott Spieth gets the mount from the rail.
2nd: (2) BENGALA JOY – ran well in her career debut on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs then she broke her maiden on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park. She was overmatched last out on the turf at Belmont and ships here for Christophe Clement.
3rd: (5) STARSHIP MACYS – speedball is always dangerous if she makes the lead no matter the class level.
Race Seven:
1st: (7) TOOLCAT – horse for the course was a sharp winner in fast time last out here going this distance in her third start off the layoff. She has to overcome a wide draws but gets Pablo Morales back aboard.
2nd: (2) DANA’S BEAUTY – stretches out to two turns off a pair of useful sprints here against similar company. She won here last year at this distance and the daughter of Not This Time draws well with Antonio Gallardo riding back.
3rd: (5) DO YOU LOVE ME – beat first-level allowance foes going short two starts back then stretched out and won again.
Race Eight:
1st: (5) KENJI’S EMPIRE – woke up two starts back when Lasix was added and he held on for second. He came back and ran about the same race last out and now drops way down in class for Teresa Connelly.
2nd: (1) BLOWN OUT – was beaten 31 lengths in his career debut going two turns on the turf at Indiana then shipped here and was third at class and distance for Matt Kintz who wins 26% with his overall maiden claimers.
3rd: (6) DOUBLE WARRIOR – still a maiden after 11 tries but they all came against better maiden company.