Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis
by Dick Powell

Tuesday 07/18/23

Race One:

1st: (7) SNAKERATTLEANDROLL – began his season with a sharp win then was stuck off a slow pace next time out. He came back and just missed in a career-best effort before racing evenly last out. Antonio Gallardo picks up the mount.

2nd: (3) AULT – horse for the course went gate to wire here last September against better company. He came back and just missed in fast time next out then tired last out before going to the sideline. Bill Martin has waived his claiming price but adds Morales.

3rd: (6) FLAWLESS BOURBON – drops way down in class while looking for relief but he has some back class here.

Race Two:

1st: (8) KOTYLOS – added Lasix two starts back and just missed. He removed blinkers next out and made a strong middle moved before weakening. Son on Kantharos should benefit from the wide draw where he can work out a patient trip.

2nd: (2) LUMI – speedball has not been holding on against open company but could be dangerous in here while getting in light with Martina Rojas. Kevin Rice wins 15% with his overall synthetic-track starters and 17% with this move up in class.

3rd: (3) ONE SMALL WARRIOR – first-time starter from Tim Girten who wins 22% with his debut runners.

Race Three:

1st: (3) GREG’S HONOR – woke up on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park then shipped here and won his first two starts. He came back with a good second last out and drops a notch in class for Gerry Brooks who wins 18% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (6) RUNAWAY HARRY – won his Tapeta debut here by five easy lengths then finished up the track when moved up in class. He dropped down to bottom claimers and won easily and now takes another move up for Lance Stokes.

3rd: (5) CREATIVE CHOICE – horse for the course has dangerous early speed with Mike Allen.

Race Four:

1st: (1) JAZZ TIME GIRL – was right there to the final furlong in her Tapeta debut here then she dropped down to this maiden claiming level and opened up a big lead to the final furlong. The inside post should not hurt her at all.

2nd: (4) I’M HEADING EAST – showed some speed against better here then lost all chance when she dropped to this level but raced wide from post 11. She draws much better here for Ed Rojas who wins 24% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (3) UPTOWN CHARLOTTE – has improved in each of her three starts here and now has the blinkers removed.

Race Five:

1st: (7) VELOCIMO – was beaten by 25 lengths two starts back at Churchill Downs then shipped here and beat bottom-level maiden claimers going gate to wire despite being hard used from post one. Pablo Morales rides back.

2nd: (6) CALL ME PEAK – broke his maiden by five lengths here two starts back then was a good third to finish up last season. He drops down a notch in class with Addiel Ayala returning in the irons.

3rd: (2) SPIRITED DEBATE – speedball could not hang on in his first two starts with blinkers then went gate to wire last out.

Race Six:

1st: (2) UNCLE KENNY – was a game second in his career debut here going this distance for Ron Potts who wins 12% second time out and 17% against this maiden level. Son of Temple City has a pair of fast workouts here for this.

2nd: (7) FACE DOWN – showed good speed before tiring in his career debut then came back and held on better. He raced erratically last out but faces the same maiden level for Tim Girten who wins 24% against these and 20% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: (3) GAMBOLING GHOST – first-time starter for Jason DaCosta who wins 17% with his debut runners.

Race Seven:

1st: (3) RITAAN – ran well going two turns on the turf two starts back in Indiana then shipped here and broke her maiden going six furlongs. Daughter of More Than Ready is out of the immortal Sea The Stars and switches to Antonio Gallardo.

2nd: (6) SHE’S REDNECKER – took her nine starts to break her maiden which she did on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. Daughter of Kantharos ran well here last year and is training bullets for this. Matt Kintz wins 20% off the long layoff.

3rd: (5) CALVARY KAT – rallied from off the pace to beat state-bred maidens in her well-bet career debut.

Race Eight:

1st: (4) GIACOMETTI – was an even fourth against better company here two starts back then went gate to wire to win by four lengths. He drops down in class for Johanna Urieta who wins 33% with this kind of dropdown.

2nd: (7) CROWLEY’S WAR – been 10 months since he saw the winner’s circle. Son of War Front showed good speed on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs and now drops way down in class for Glenn Wismer who wins 25% with his overall claimers.

3rd: (6) SILVER TOKEN – faced this level going this distance the last two starts and ran well both times.