Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis
by Dick Powell
Tuesday 08/29/23
Race One:
1st: (6) ABBEY’S SNOW WHITE – horse for the course was an even fourth two starts back against this claiming level. She won in her first start off the claim against better and now drops back down for Gerry Brooks who wins 19% with his overall claimers.
2nd: (5) PROPER MANNERS – held well for third two starts back against better then came back to beat this level going this distance. Ron Potts wins 13% first start after a win and 33% when he rides Ron Allen, Jr.
3rd: (4) WILD LOOKER – was a sharp winner in her second start of the year then raced evenly last out.
Race Two:
1st: (5) BECAUSEOFTHEBRAVE – did little in her Tapeta debut then did even worse as the beaten favorite on the dirt at Finger Lakes. She came back here and just missed going gate to wire in her two-turn debut.
2nd: (7) MULSANNE – was a good third behind the top choice two starts back in her Tapeta debut then came back with a good second in decent time. She has some back class on the turf and fits with these for Ricky Hendriks.
3rd: (8) HOLY SKULL – was soundly beaten in her first three career starts but improved a little last out against better maidens.
Race Three:
1st: (1) WARRIOR’S MISS – broke her maiden going six furlongs on the dirt then ran poorly next time out against allowance foes. She was a good second here in her Tapeta debut for Tim Girten who wins 20% with his overall synthetic-track starters.
2nd: (3) FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD – decent daughter of Liam’s Map makes her Tapeta debut for Tim Girten who wins 23% with this surface switch. She showed high speed before weakening last out against allowance foes and gets Pablo Morales.
3rd: (4) LORI’S EYES – moves way up in class but ran well in her Tapeta debut for Bill Martin.
Race Four:
1st: (6) JARETH – horse for the course has yet to win here in six tries but his last three starts were good enough to beat these. Son of Hard Spun can work out a stalking trip from here and gets Rosario Montanez – flat-bet profit with 91 sprint rides this year.
2nd: (3) LEBASI – returned off the long layoff with an even third two starts back then rallied for second in very fast time going six furlongs. Son of Adios Charlie gets Addiel Ayala back aboard who will have to wind him up for one big run.
3rd: (5) K’S LITTLE BILL – horse for the course has seven wins and five seconds in 21 starts here over the years.
Race Five:
1st: (5) FLAWLESS BOURBON – dropped down to the bottom two starts back and won easily at even money. He came back and just missed last out. Now back with Tina Ramgeet, Andrew rides back – 21% together.
2nd: (3) SIDE TRACKED – horse for the course has won six times here. He took advantage of restricted conditions last out and won going away for Ron Potts who wins 18% with his overall claimers. Huber Villa-Gomez rides back.
3rd: (4) TEXAS GANO – one-dimensional closer got up in time by a head two starts back in his first start for Kevin Rice.
Race Six:
1st: (5) NIGHT CAP – could not overcome post 11 on the turf in a stakes race at Tampa Bay Downs then came back there and beat high-priced claimers by over four lengths. After racing evenly at Monmouth, she makes her Tapeta debut for Gerry Bennett.
2nd: (4) WILDL DELIGHT – amazing horse for the course is three for three against similar company. She beat open, first-level allowance foes last out and now gets exposed for $40K. Martina Rojas rides back.
3rd: (3) HALF BIRTHDAY – beat open first-level allowance foes by seven lengths two starts back then raced evenly with these.
Race Seven:
1st: (1) GET EVEN – has been stuck at this allowance level since being claimed by Lisa Allen. He just missed in his last two starts against this group going this distance and should be the one to catch from the rail with Mike Allen.
2nd: (2) BRUMBA WAFFLE TOES – rallied from off the pace to beat cheaper two starts back then was third against these behind the top choice. Kevin Rice wins 15% with his route starters and 24% when he rides Addiel Ayala.
3rd: (8) GREY INVASION – moves up some in class off a good win and can stalk the pace from here.
Race Eight:
1st: (9) GRUIT – fell far back in his career debut before showing interest late. He ran much better last out to be a distant second while racing wide after being shuffled back so with another improvement he might handle this weak group.
2nd: (3) HUMBLE JOE – showed some speed before weakening at 34-1 in his career debut behind the top choice. Son of Amira’s Prince comes from an inexperienced barn so it’s hard to gauge how much he can improve second time out.
3rd: (2) OVERTIME CHARLIE – no match for the top 2 in his career debut but took some money so there were expectations.
