Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024

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

Race 1

1st: (3) JUST WATCH ME NOW – could not overcome post 11 three starts back and then raced wide again before weakening. He showed much better gate speed last out for Ron Allen Jr., who wins 10% with his sprint rides. 

2nd: (4) WAPITI WAY – rallied for third two starts back as the beaten favorite, then raced evenly in a wide trip. Horse for the course draws much better today with Walber Alencar, who wins 20% with his sprint rides and the last 89 show a flat-bet profit.   

3rd: (7) SEEING RED – did nothing against allowance foes but then missed by a length when dropped down to this level. 

Race 2

1st: (4) INDIAN SPIDEROO – speedball held well two starts back when dropped down to this conditioned claiming level, then just missed last out after having a clear lead in the deep stretch. Matt Kintz wins 14% going long. 

2nd: (5) SINGALONG – one-dimensional closer raced evenly two starts back and then ran about the same race last out. Kevin Rice removes blinkers and wins 18% when he does, and the daughter of Tonalist gets in light with Brooke Bays. 

3rd: (1) BACALL – was an even third two starts back but then tired some last out. 

Race 3

1st: (5) VANILLA BEAN – ran well here against better company when blinkers were put back on, then was a good second when dropped down in class. Mike Rogers wins 14% first start after being beaten as the favorite.  

2nd: (3) TOOTSIE TOES – did nothing in her first two career starts and then broke her maiden in an off-the-turf event at Monmouth Park. She was a distant third here last out and now drops way down in class for Ron Potts, who is 5-for-9 with Pablo Morales over the last 60 days. 

3rd: (2) SENSIBLE MARRIAGE – was a good second against cheaper $6,250 claiming rivals two starts back and then showed high speed last out. 

Race 4

1st: (8) KITTEN’S WAR – did nothing in her career debut on the turf at Gulfstream Park back in February, then shipped here and weakened after making a strong middle move. Kevin Rice wins 15% with his maiden claimers. 

2nd: (3) BLAME THE WARRIOR – ran well here to begin her career going two turns against much better maidens. After running poorly, she was a good second on the turf at Penn National and now comes back against cheaper company. 

3rd: (9) ARMOURED – was an even fourth at long odds in a rough career debut here against this maiden level. 

Race 5

1st: (1) INSTABRAT – was a good third in her well-bet career debut here, then she came back and showed good speed before tiring. Daughter of Instagrand draws the rail and gets a rider upgrade to Pablo Morales. 

2nd: (2) MOCHA DIANE – raced evenly in her well-bet career debut and even though she faded in the last quarter, leading rider Antonio Gallardo rides back. Tim Girten wins 38% with this maiden dropdown. 

3rd: (6) SNOW IS FLYING – first-time starter from Michael Dini, who wins 12% when they debut against maiden claimers.

Race 6

1st: (6) RED PIXIE – horse for the course is 9-for-14 here with most coming against better company. After running third two starts back, she won easily here last out. She now moves up off the claim by Scooter Davis, who wins 10% with this move. 

2nd: (4) ENGLISH CHARM – ran well in two turf starts in Indiana before shipping here and winning at this distance in fast time. Daughter of English Channel returns for Joe Sharp, who wins 20% first start after a win. 

3rd: (5) LADY HAMILTON – right back against the same group that she beat easily last out. 

Race 7

1st: (7) TILTED TOWERS – showed good speed on a sloppy track at Churchill Downs two starts back and then tired last out at Ellis Park. Adam Rice wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 30% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (5) STRAIGHTOUTADUTTON – nine-year-old horse for the course held on in his second start of the year, then got caught in a long sprint. He could hang on against allowance foes and now drops down in class and distance for Randy Russell. 

3rd: (4) IRISH UNITY – ran well here last year in his lone PID start and ships in from Ohio in good form. 

Race 8

1st: (7) MISCHIEF WARRIOR – beat this claiming level, then came back and ran second two races in a row when used hard on the front end. Tim Girten wins 40% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 36% with Pablo Morales over the last 60 days.   

2nd: (4) NEW BERN – raced evenly in his first two tries on Tapeta here and then held on by a head when he raced on the pace. Son of Bernardini meets similar company for Teresa Connelly, who wins 17% first start after a win. 

3rd: (2) TRIPLE START – rallied from far back to get third in his first start against this class level.