Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Thursday's card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race One:

1st: (4) ACCEPT THE OUTCOME – was a good second going six furlongs on the turf back in April at Aqueduct but then tired after a half-mile next out. Off a 10-week layoff, he rallied wide after a poor start at Saratoga and now makes her Tapeta debut.

2nd: (6) BROOKLYN GIRLEE – held well for second in her well-bet career debut in an off-the-turf event and then tired next out at Saratoga. This daughter of Nyquist was a good second on the turf at Delaware Park for Arnaud Delacour, who is 32% going to synthetic.

3rd: (2) NO TAPPIN OUT – rallied for second in her career debut on Tapeta at Turfway Park back in January.

Race Two:

1st: (3) PATRIOT DRIVE – ran well in two starts in a row against $8,500 claimers and then dropped down in class and missed by less than two lengths as the 6-5 favorite. Ed Rojas wins 26% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 22% with his claimers.

2nd: (5) PAPA HONOR – only has four starts in 2023, all versus low-level rivals on Tapeta and turf. He missed by a neck last out going two turns on the turf at Mountaineer Park for Jay Bernardini, who wins 15% with this surface switch.

3rd: (4) EXPRESS PHAROAH – did nothing here two starts back in a sprint and then ran much better going two turns in a slow-paced race.

Race Three:

1st: (2) STRAIGHTOUTADUTTON – found a home against $8,500 claimers the last four starts and now gets to hide out against starter allowance foes. He has good gate speed which has been the way to go in long sprints here.

2nd: (3) STARSHIP EMPIRE – won going two turns two starts back as the odds-on favorite then was a good third going nine furlongs against open allowance foes. Cassondra Weaver drops him down in class and distance.

3rd: (6) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – horse for the course has run well going this distance in the past against better company.

Race Four:

1st: (7) WHERE YOU WAS – was a good second two starts back in fast time against better and then came back against this level with an even third while racing wide. Ron Rogers wins 15% on synthetic tracks and he goes with Martina Rojas.

2nd: (4) SUMMERFEST – horse for the course missed by a head two starts back against these and then beat open company last out when he overcame a bad trip. Tim Girten wins 22% first start after a win and gets Antonio Gallardo back aboard.

3rd: (3) FIELDER – beat this level by three lengths and then came back and did it again by a head against the top two.

Race Five:

1st: (4) RIVZONAROLL – made his Tapeta debut here last out as the 7-5 favorite and held on for fourth against better competition. Larry Rivelli wins 32% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 27% dropping down two or more classes.

2nd: (1) DONTINVADEMYSPACE – suddenly blossomed in his last start when he beat similar in good time and earned his highest speed rating by 10 points. Not sure why but a repeat of it puts him in the mix here.

3rd: (6) SCIENCE TO WIN – has been stuck at this conditioned claiming level for over a year but just missed last out.

Race Six:

1st: (6) BERYL RACER – after racing evenly in her career debut here going 4 1/2 furlongs, she raced well in a turf sprint at Belterra. Last out she had no shot at Kentucky Downs in a rough trip and drops down here looking for class relief.

2nd: (8) WARRIOR BERNICE – first-time starter from Tim Girten, who wins 21% with his debut runners and 23% with his maiden claimers. This daughter of Warrior’s Reward (12% debut winners) is out of a winning dam by Into Mischief (15% debut winners).

3rd: (9) QUEEN CATALINA – lost all chance at the start in her career debut on the dirt at Mountaineer Park.

Race Seven:

1st: (4) CHIC N WILBUR – horse for the course beat this claiming level two starts back then. He tired last out when involved in a faster pace and has to have the lead to do his best but Erin Walker fits him very well.

2nd: (3) HARD COUNT – was a sharp winner going seven furlongs on the turf at Mountaineer Park last out against better for Jay Bernardini, who wins 22% first start after a win and 17% going sprint to route. Jose Leon picks up the mount.

3rd: (6) FUEL THE BERN – beat cheaper two starts in a row and now moves up in class for Cassondra Weaver.

Race Eight:

1st: (7) RICHIES NOBLE GIRL – daughter of Noble Mission (full-brother to the great Frankel) dropped down to this level and was a good third and then came back and won his last start from just off the pace. Ed Rojas wins 32% first start after a win.

2nd: (9) THISAINTJUMPSTREET – horse for the course comes in here off six straight solid efforts against this class level. After losing the lead in the deep stretch two starts back, she came back to win at 7-10 odds with Erin Walker.

3rd: (4) FOLK HERO – the last time she faced this claiming level, she won by seven lengths for Ed and Martina Rojas.