Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Dick Powell outlines his selections for Tuesday’s card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One

1st: (1) MAGNUS EFFECT – was soundly beaten in his first five career starts on the turf by 86 lengths but then dropped down to this maiden claiming level here and just missed going gate to wire. He meets the same group from the rail with Scott Spieth.

2nd: (5) BLUE SOLDIER – still a maiden after 21 tries but has five placings, including a third against the top choice here in his first start in three months. If he can relax early, he should be a factor to the final yards.

3rd: (2) MR. YASUDA – another perennial maiden that ran against better here last out going 5 1/2 furlongs.

Race Two

1st: (2) CON ON THE RUN – speedball returned to the races off a 49-week layoff and led to the final yards in his Presque Isle debut. Claimed that day, he comes back against the same claiming level with Erin Walker riding back.

2nd: (4) UNCLE ANDREW – raced evenly against much better here going this distance off the long layoff then opened up a big lead going two turns. He drops down in class and distance and gets Huber Villa-Gomez.

3rd: (5) CAPTAIN MAD JACK – horse for the course should be fit and ready in his third start of the year.

Race Three

1st: (3) WHEELINGNDEALING – was a sharp winner here against first-level allowance foes last out going six furlongs in fast time. She drops down in class for the Spieths and will try to work out a sit-and-stalk trip.

2nd: (4) HONEY BELLA – moved up in class to win going away in her first start off the claim by Jay Bernardini. She has plenty of back class and tries a synthetic track for the first time. Pablo Morales picks up the ride.

3rd: (2) A KISS FOR KHOZAN – speedball tries Presque Isle Downs for the first time off a 136-day layoff for Rory Barron.

Race Four

1st: (3) UNCLE KENNY – finished out of the money in three starts on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs but then came here and missed by a length against this claiming level. Ron Potts wins 18% of the time second start off the layoff and 20% on synthetic tracks.

2nd: (1) REINVEST – chased the pace in his turf debut then shipped here and missed by a length behind the top choice. Son of Quality Road is out of a dam by Street Cry so he has plenty of pedigree and draws the rail with Pablo Morales.

3rd: (6) REAPPLY – won his Presque Isle debut two starts back then came back with an even fourth after a poor start.

Race Five

1st: (4) DIANTHUS – was trounced two starts back going nine furlongs on the turf at Churchill Downs then shipped here and missed by a half-length. Daughter of Australian turf sprinter Astern improved with blinkers and should be forwardly placed.

2nd: (3) LITTLE MISS MUNNY – was an even third here last out off a five-week layoff in her Presque Isle debut for Henry Miller, who wins 14% against this maiden level and 12% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: (7) MO CHAT – first-time starter from Jonathan Thomas, who wins 19% with his debut runners.

Race Six

1st: (2) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course has won 10 times here over the years. He showed high speed going six furlongs last out off the layoff and meets the same group for Dave Markgraf, who wins 19% with his overall claimers.

2nd: (4) THE CONNECTOR – was off for a year and a half before returning to the races at Gulfstream Park. He made a strong middle move before weakening last out here and turns back to 5 1/2 furlongs while getting in light with Brooke Bays.

3rd: (8) SPICY SHOT – recovered some from post one in his first start in 11 months and draws outside.

Race Seven

1st: (6) R ADMIRAL – speedy son of Astern went gate to wire to finish up last season and won his seasonal debut. John Fennessy wins 19% first start after a win and goes with Walber Alencar — 31% together the last two months.

2nd: (3) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – one-dimensional closer began the year with a close second against cheaper, then missed again in a long sprint. He stretches out to two turns for Kevin Rice, who wins 29% third start off the layoff.

3rd: (5) FRED GEORGE – woke up in his Tapeta debut here two starts back then won easily last out.

Race Eight

1st: (2) YANKEE TEA PARTY – finished out of the money in four starts here last year then shipped to Turf Paradise and was a good second in fast time. If he can approach that form, he’ll be tough with Brooke Bays.

2nd: (7) TRUSTME IAMADOCTOR – has some decent back class on Tapeta. He has shown better speed since blinkers were added two starts back for Mike Trombetta, who wins 21% with this drop-down.

3rd: (3) ELUSIVE CHANGE – first-time starter from Randy Russell, who wins 11% with his debut runners.