Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for the Thursday, Oct. 26, card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (3) ON AN ISLAND – could not overcome post 11 two starts back but still was able to get up for third against this maiden level. He was a good second against open company for Cassondra Weaver, who wins 54% second start out of her barn.

2nd: (7) CHANGE THE HOUR – still winless after 12 tries but he has five placings. He missed by a nose two back behind the top choice and then was a close second when he almost overcame a stumbling start. Gaddiel Martinez rides back.

3rd: (6) RECKLESS JONES – made a strong middle move before weakening and removes blinkers for the first time.

Race Two:

1st: (2) MIDNIGHT IN PRAGUE – ran well two starts back on the turf when Lasix was added. She came back here and opened up a clear lead before weakening. She drops in class for Neil Morris, who wins 14% with his maiden claimers.

2nd: (4) CASTLE BORN – ran well two races in a row since switching barns. She just missed here two starts back and then was an even third at 6-5 last out. Antonio Gallardo rides back – 21% with his sprint rides.

3rd: (6) KAGERO – turns back to a sprint after racing evenly going two turns for John Fennessy.

Race Three:

1st: (2) FORGOTTEN PEACE – horse for the course raced evenly two starts back against similar company and then came back and just missed by a half-length in fast time. Tim Girten wins 29% second start off the layoff and 26% with his allowance runners.

2nd: (4) RUSTY MY BROTHER – prospered with three of four wins to start off this year. He raced evenly going two turns but then dropped back to a sprint last out and weakened in third. Tim Girten wins 20% with his allowance runners.  

3rd: (5) VILLAGE QUEEN – moves up in class after going back and forth between sprints and routes.

Race Four:

1st: (7) JOSH’S HONOR – was a sharp winner two starts back when dropped down to this claiming price. He held on for second last out after breaking a bit slow from post one. Mike Rogers wins 24% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (8) LEONARD’S LEGACY – his only win this year was only by a nose so he drops way down in class. He held well for third last out against better company. Randy Russell wins 15% with his claimers and 35% when he uses Martinez.

3rd: (5) BACKDOORPARTY – one dimensional closer rallied from far back to third when dropped down to this class level.

Race Five:

1st: (4) FIERCE AND STRONG – raced wide in his Tapeta debut here two starts back and then just missed by a head when his late rally fell just short. Scooter Davis wins 44% first start out of his barn and gets Willie Martinez.

2nd: (6) SANTO – speedball won two in a row on the dirt at Penn National and then came here and was an even third in fast time going a two-turn mile. He comes back against the same state-bred maiden group for Erin McClellan, who wins 21% with allowance runners.

3rd: (8) RAINAS ROLLIN – was a sharp winner going 5 1/2 furlongs against decent claimers but then weakened last out against these.

Race Six:

1st: (6) PEMAQUID PETE – Horse for the course speedball won three races in a row against similar company. He was a good second when moved up in class and then tired last out in very fast time for John Fennessy.

2nd: (1) COMEDIC TIMING – The gelded son of Into Mischief has been racing on turf or wet tracks this year. He made his Tapeta debut here last out and was an even third from post one. Ed Rojas wins 24% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: (8) COUNTY COURT – rallied from off the pace to win going away by three lengths two starts back in decent time.

Race Seven:

1st: (5) OUTHUSTLE – won his first two career starts here and then was third against open allowance foes. Freshened up for two months, he returned with an even fourth in fast time for Randy Russell.

2nd: (1) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course raced evenly two starts back going short and then he just missed going two turns. Back to a sprint, he draws the rail with Pablo Morales – 26% with his sprint mounts.  

3rd: (7) WROTE IN STONE – went gate to wire two starts back against open allowance foe and then tired last out.

Race Eight:

1st: (3) E MINOR – broke his maiden by a neck in his Tapeta debut and then raced evenly against this allowance level. He runs his best when he breaks well so look for Angel Stanley to hustle him away from the gate to gain position.

2nd: (4) COLONEL POPPY – stretches out to two turns after a fast second here going six furlongs in fast time. He has enough gate speed to be up on the pace with Pablo Morales getting the mount for Matt Kintz.

3rd: (6) STARSHIP EMPIRE – was a good third going this distance two starts back and then won a long sprint here last out.