Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday June 12, 2024

Dick Powell furnishes his insights into Tuesday’s eight-race card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race One:

1st: (4) BOTITA – hasn’t run in 490 days but showed talent in each career start. She was an even third first time out, then dropped down off the claim and was a good second as the 11-10 favorite with blinkers added.  

2nd: (6) BLAH BLAH WORLD – did nothing on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park in 2022 but returned to the races here last week and was an even fourth with first-time Lasix. She drops down a notch in class and draws outside with Erin Walker. 

3rd: (5) NEXT DOT – has had 11 chances to graduate but shows two good seconds here in two tries this year. 

Race Two:

1st: (6) FLAWLESS BOURBON – horse for the course raced against better company in Florida but has plenty of back class here. Off for 130 days, he’s been training well here for Kevin Rice and gets 10 pounds off with apprentice rider Dereck Lopez.       

2nd: (4) TONY SMALL – was a sharp winner in his second start of the year against this class level then just missed by a neck. Son of Distorted Humor has a stalking running style and draws well with Martina Rojas. 

3rd: (3) FIELDER – 10-year-old is very fast and should hang on longer in his second start off the long layoff. 

Race Three:

1st: (5) DIAMOND DUST – has seven firsts and five seconds in only 15 starts here. The eight-year-old has good speed and held well for second against this level last out when used hard from post one. Scooter Davis wins 33% with his allowance runners.  

2nd: (3) WARRIOR’S PAYOFF – after three starts on dirt to begin his career, he won three straight here last year against good company. He finished up last year with a dull effort and returns for Brandon Kulp, who wins 22% off long layoffs.     

3rd: (2) SPIRITED SOL – sat just off the pace to win going away against this level in his first start off the long layoff. 

Race Four:

1st: (2) HEY PADRE – tired after pressing a fast pace in his first start off the long layoff and should be fit. Back against the same group, he draws inside with Gaddiel Martinez, who wins 18% with his route rides. 

2nd: (5) Q F SEVENTY FIVE – was a good second here last out against cheaper when he sat off a sluggish pace. He has plenty of back class on the turf for Ron Potts, who wins 17% going long and 20% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (4) PEMAQUID PETE – horse for the course could be dangerous if he shakes loose early with Walber Alencar. 

Race Five:

1st: (1) PHOBIA – still a maiden after 17 tries but at least he shows five seconds. He woke up last out with a good second in decent time against this maiden claiming level for Kevin Rice, who wins 16% against these, and the last 73 show a flat-bet profit. 

2nd: (5) SEA URCHIN – did nothing in his first seven career starts on the dirt at Finger Lakes but woke up here in his Tapeta debut at the end of last year. He came out this year and weakened after opening up a clear lead.  

3rd: (8) GRAY MEDALLION – was beaten 50 lengths in his first four career starts on dirt, then raced evenly here. 

Race Six:

1st: (4) RICHIESINTHEHOUSE – has five wins in only six career starts and has run well on Tapeta at Woodbine and Turfway Park. The 10-year-old gelding returns off a 79-day layoff and should be the one to catch with Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (7) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course breaking from the outside has enough gate speed to get over to the rail going into the turn. He returns off a 237-day layoff for Dave Markgraf with Huber Villa-Gomez back aboard.  

3rd: (6) ENJOY THE MUSIC – horse for the course drops down in class off the claim by Matt Kintz. 

Race Seven:

1st: (1) RECYCLE – made his Tapeta debut here last out against better. He opened up a big lead and only gave it up in the deep stretch with the fast pace taking its toll. He draws the rail with Walber Alencar, who wins 30% with his sprinters.  

2nd: (6) REELED IN – broke his maiden here by 10 lengths in his Tapeta debut, then just missed the next two starts against this allowance level. He ran well off the layoff and should be much fitter. Pablo Morales picks up the mount.   

3rd: (7) LEONARD’S LEGACY – has plenty of speed but moves up in class for Randy Russell. 

Race Eight:

1st: (8) AULT – amazing 12-year-old horse for the course was in the money in all five starts last year and was even claimed for this price two years ago at the end of his 10-year-old season. He can stalk the pace while clear with Pablo Morales.  

2nd: (2) EL SOLITARIO – raced evenly in his seasonal debut for John Fennessy. He won second off the long layoff last year so he might need a start under his belt to do his best. Kris Fox returns in the irons. 

3rd: (3) TEMPLET – set a modest pace here in his seasonal debut when he dropped to this level for the first time.