Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024

Dick Powell offers his selections for the Wednesday program at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race 1

1st: (3) TAPPING OUT A TUNE – had two good races on the Tapeta earlier this year, then raced evenly in a turf sprint at Woodbine. He returns to the races for his PID debut for Kelsey Danner, who wins 16% with his maiden claimers. 

2nd: (4) R CHELLO – speedball was right there turning for home in his last two starts here when Lasix was added. He drops down to maiden claimers for the first time. Gaddiel Martinez gets the mount – 33% riding for Ed Rojas. 

3rd: (1) ADIOS ASHWOOD – woke up when Lasix and blinkers were added for his two-turn debut and drops in class and distance.

Race 2

1st: (5) HERONEANDONLY – did nothing when shipped to Saratoga going two turns, then came back here and missed by a length against better company. He drops down again for Gabe Goodwin, who trains on his own farm in Saratoga.   

2nd: (6) MIDNIGHT AMBITION – was soundly beaten in a dirt sprint at Churchill Downs two starts back, then dropped down to this class level back here and showed good speed for seven furlongs. Ed Rojas wins 26% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (2) SASSE’S CLASS – took him 11 tries to break his maiden, but he looked good doing it in fast time on the turf. 

Race 3

1st: (2) GRAND MORNING – did little in his first two career starts here but was a good second last out when stretched out to two turns. He draws well for Matt Kintz, who wins 19% against this maiden level and 15% on synthetic tracks. 

2nd: (1) CLAPPING – first-time starter from Mike Stidham, who wins 16% with his debut runners and 16% when they debut against this maiden level. Son of Not This Time (19% debut winners) is out of a dam who has produced four winners, including a stakes winner.

3rd: (6) VINO COURAGIO – was soundly beaten in his first three career starts but woke up with a good second next time out. 

Race 4

1st: (1) STARCRY – was a game second in her Tapeta debut here three starts back, then raced evenly when moved up in class off the claim. She dropped back down to this level and was an even third, and Antonio Gallardo rides back.  

2nd: (6) UPTOWN CAT – still a maiden after nine tries, but she dropped down to this level last out and was a good second. She comes right back for Tim Hamm, who wins 20% with his synthetic-track starters and 19% third start off the layoff. 

3rd: (7) PRECIOUS GRACE – ran much better last out against this level for Hamm. 

Race 5

1st: (6) MILLE DREAMS – has been consistent since dropping down in class. She just missed by a nose two starts back against these, then was a good second again behind a next-out winner.   

2nd: (3) ANADOR – got up by a nose in her Tapeta debut here two starts back, then just missed going gate to wire last out. Maria Bowersock wins 16% with her synthetic-track starters and 17% with Ron Allen Jr. 

3rd: (4) UPPITY UP – rallied from off the pace to win here two starts back, then raced evenly last out. 

Race 6

1st: (3) KITTEN’S WAR – did nothing in her first two career starts but broke her maiden by five lengths last out when dropped way down in class. Kevin Rice wins 29% third start off the layoff and 24% with Addiel Ayala. 

2nd: (5) WHAT’S GOOD – raced evenly two starts back, then missed by a head last out when she raced closer to the pace. Daughter of Cross Traffic has had many chances, but I think she has found the right spot with Victor Severino. 

3rd: (7) VANILLA BEAN – only 1-for-19 lifetime, but she was a good second here the last time she faced this level. 

Race 7

1st: (2) DEAR SANTA – turf horse tries Tapeta for the first time after winning four of his last five starts. Son of Tiznow has won both of his starts this year at Penn for Arnaud Delacour, who wins 25% first start after a win and 28% with this surface switch.  

2nd: (6) PEMAQUID PETE – prolific horse for the course has won 14 times here, including a sharp win against cheaper last out. He has good early speed, and Mike Allen will probably send him from the gate.

3rd: (3) Q F SEVENTY FIVE – horse for the course won here two starts back, then came back and won again. 

Race 8

1st: (4) SON OF LIBERTY – just missed two starts back when dropped down to this conditioned claiming level and came right back to beat them by two lengths. He comes back against the same level in his first start off the claim by Brendan Gilmartin.  

2nd: (5) COOPERSTOWN – one-dimensional closer just missed two starts in a row when dropped to this level, then he won going away in good time for Tim Girten, who wins 23% first start after a win. Pablo Morales rides back – 30% with Girten. 

3rd: (6) CITY LEADER – held well two starts back, then ran about the same race for Ron Potts.