Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Wednesday’s card at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections.

Race 1

1st: (5) BLUE SOLDIER – his speed ratings have improved lately as he has been dropping back off the pace. After a wide trip two starts back, he rallied for third at long odds for Marisa Monserrate, who wins 13% with her route starters.

2nd: (4) STARFORCE – one-dimensional closer rallied for third on the turf against better at Colonial Downs and ships here for Ricky Hendriks, who wins 16% with this surface switch.

3rd: (2) DUKE OF SICILY – tries Tapeta for the first time in his second start off a one-month freshening.

Race 2

1st: (3) SMART JOKER – beat cheaper on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, then shipped here and weakened late after a strong middle move. Last out, he raced on the lead to the deep stretch and should be fit against the same claiming level.

2nd: (1) STRIDER’S SLIDER – was a sharp winner two starts back on the dirt at Penn National, then just missed going gate to wire here in his Tapeta debut. He drops down in class for Brandon Kulp, who wins 28% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: (2) MOR SPRING SPIRIT – speedball dropped down in class last out and won by six lengths as the 1-2 favorite.

Race 3

1st: (7) SON OF LIBERTY – almost went gate to wire in his PID debut three starts back. He was beaten two lengths on the turf at Monmouth Park, then came back here against this level and his late rally fell a neck short.

2nd: (2) ALL THE RAGE – one-dimensional closer has been up and down the class ladder in New York. He was an even fourth at Finger Lakes last out and now tries Tapeta for Linda Rice, who is 4-for-11 going from dirt to synthetic.

3rd: (3) DANCING MISCHIEF – didn’t show much last out, but he was 9-5 and Pablo Morales rides back.

Race 4

1st: (6) IRISH STONE – missed by a nose against this maiden level when he rallied wide, then he came back and ran closer to the pace before weakening late. John Bourke wins 25% with his route starters and the last 102 of them show a flat-bet profit.

2nd: (3) AZOI – ran well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park over the winter. Since then, he has a good turf effort from post 10 at Ellis Park and then was a distant third in an off-the-turf event at Hawthorne. Bill Morey wins 24% going from dirt to synthetic.

3rd: (7) FROZEN FOUR – was claimed for $7,500 but ran well when moved up to this maiden level.

Race 5

1st: (1) JOHN DUTTON – was a good second in his PID debut against this state-bred allowance level, then was an even fourth. Back against this level, he rallied some going six furlongs in fast time and now stretches out to two turns from the rail with Willie Martinez.

2nd: (6) EFF THIRTY FIVE – speedy turf horse beat open allowance foes at Penn National and now takes on state-breds. Brittany Russell wins 20% first start after a win and 22% with her allowance starters.

3rd: (4) MAJOR THOMAS – turf speedball could be tough if Jomar Torres can shake him loose early.

Race 6

1st: (2) SPERANZAS WILL – beat better company going 5 1/2 furlongs, then came back and weakened going 6 1/2. He drops back in distance and draws well for Ed Rojas, who wins 27% with his overall claimers.

2nd: (1) MEROKEE – rallied for third in his Tapeta debut here, then came back and beat similar company last out. He stays at the same claiming level for Maria Bowersock, who wins 17% first start after a win.

3rd: (3) WEEKEND CONCERTO – tired in his first two starts here this season but rallied for second last out when rated early.

Race 7

1st: (4) TARSUS WARRIOR – held on for second at 9-10 in his career debut going six furlongs in fast time, then came back at 1-10 and romped by seven lengths. Tim Girten wins 30% first start after a maiden win and switches to Morales.

2nd: (1) HEAVY POUR – raced evenly in two turf starts going long, then returned here and beat state-bred allowance foes by four lengths going two turns. He drops back to a long sprint but keeps Antonio Gallardo.

3rd: (7) RECYCLE – versatile six-year-old does well sprinting and going long. John Fennessy wins 15% going long to short.

Race 8

1st: (3) COOPERSTOWN – dropped down to this conditioned claiming level two starts back and missed by a neck, then made up a ton of ground while racing last out to finish third. Tim Girten wins 21% with his synthetic-track starters.

2nd: (7) BALLINDINE – raced evenly two starts back when dropped down to this class level in his Tapeta debut here, then missed by a head. Son of Highland Reel meets the same group for Maria Bowersock, who wins 15% with her claiming starters.

3rd: (9) MY SANCTUARY – turf horse drops down in class and put blinkers back on after racing on the turf at Colonial Downs.