Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis
by Dick Powell

Tuesday 09/26/23

Race One:

1st: (6) FREYDIS – added blinkers and Lasix three starts back when her form improved. She missed by a length three starts back on the dirt at Penn National then was second there again. After being off for six months, she ran well there last out.

2nd: (4) GEARED UP – has yet to win here in 10 tries but has a second and six thirds. After running poorly two starts in tow, she came back against this state-bred maiden level and was a good second.

3rd: (7) HOPE SHE COMES – rallied from just off the pace to get second in a turf sprint two starts back at Penn National.

Race Two:

1st: (6) CONRADO – did little in his first two starts on Tapeta here but then woke up and just missed going gate to wire. Last out, she controlled the pace every step of the way to win by four lengths and has worked well since then.

2nd: (1) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – dropped down to this claiming price and was an even fourth. Claimed that day by Ed Rojas, he moved up in class to win easily last out as the odds-on favorite with Martina Rojas aboard.

3rd: (3) GRAVE DANGER – consistent source might be going the wrong way towards the end of the meet.

Race Three:

1st: (4) VACCINA – showed good speed going six furlongs two starts back then romped on the front end going this distance against better in fast time. She drops down another notch in class and gets Gaddiel Martinez back aboard.

2nd: (7) TIZ A COUNTRY GIRL – daughter of Tiznow tries Tapeta for the first time. She’s been sprinting out of town against similar company and gets leading rider Pablo Morales. Todd Beattie wins 24% third start off the layoff.

3rd: (8) IZZY’S MONSTER – beat similar on the turf two starts back at Hawthorne then won in Ohio for Larry Rivelli.

Race Four:

1st: (5) JARETH – horse for the course has won nine times here. Gelded son of Hard Spun just missed two starts back then had the lead in the deep stretch before being run down. Gerry Brooks claimed the 9-year-old in a sign of confidence.

2nd: (7) BIG CHICKEN MAN – horse for the course tired two starts back behind the top choice then was used hard before weakening in the final furlong. Randy Russell wins 14% with his overall claimers.

3rd: (8) SOUTH SEA – was kind of head strong in his first three starts here but finished well last out after settling early.

Race Five:

1st: (1) PROTECTTHEWITNESS – beat state-bred allowance foes by over six lengths then held well to be third against open allowance foes. After failing last out, she drops down to $8,500 claimers for Ed Rojas who wins 25% with his route runners.

2nd: (3) ANIPPE – broke her maiden three starts back here going this distance then beat modest claimers twice in a row as the odds-on favorite. Claimed by David Markgraf last out, she takes a small step up in class but is in rare form.

3rd: (7) SALLY’S MUSTANG – sprinter stretched out to two turns and rallied form off the pace to get up in time.

Race Six:

1st: (7) BARNEGAT LIGHT – beat this claiming level three starts back going this distance then raced evenly next out in much faster time. He raced evenly last out and I would not be surprised if Pablo Morales uses his speed to gain early position.

2nd: (4) DR. STEVE – speedball has two wins and two seconds in four starts at PID but comes in here off some strong efforts on the dirt at Penn National where he would gun to the front. Todd Beattie wins 26% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (1) GROUNDED – beat this claiming level back in June off the long layoff and gets in light with Axel Concepcion.

Race Seven:

1st: (5) GOING UP – broke his maiden here in his career debut then was a good third at Woodbine on their Tapeta against stakes horses. He romped in fast time on the dirt at Colonial Downs and shows up here off a 58 and change five-furlong breeze.

2nd: (3) BANNEKER – was an easy winner going six furlongs in his career debut. Son of Not This Time is out of a dam by Street Boss that won at two. Jack Sisterson wins 19% first start after a maiden win. Pablo Morales rides back.

3rd: (1) CATIRE VIZCAYA – weakened late in his career debut at Saratoga then won there going seven furlongs.

Race Eight:

1st: (5) READY SHE IS – has had to drop down looking for class relief. She was beaten less than three lengths last out against this level and now goes back to a long sprint. Eddie Dominguez rides back.

2nd: (10) SOUL OF THE BEAST – raced evenly here in her career debut against bottom maiden claimers. Claimed that day by Gerry Brooks, she came back and went gate to wire in fast time as the 11-10 favorite.

3rd: (8) WREAKING HAVOC – broke her maiden against decent company at Oaklawn then raced evenly here in her last two starts.