Presque Isle Downs: Horse racing pick of the day for Oct. 19

Weekday picks and plays for Thoroughbred racing.

Monday, Oct. 19

Presque Isle Downs, Race 5: H.B.P.A. Stakes (1 mile and 70 yards on Tapeta, 6:25 p.m. ET)

#11 Irony of Reality (10-1 on the morning line) boasts an impressive 5-2-0 record from eight starts over the Presque Isle Downs Tapeta, including a runner-up effort in the 2019 H.B.P.A. Stakes. 

Trained by Ron Potts (a 20% winner at Presque Isle), Irony of Reality displayed fine form when she rallied to victory by two lengths in a 1 1/16-mile allowance race over this track Aug. 19.

Iron of Reality subsequently finished last in a starter allowance at Pimlico, but that event was held on dirt, and the return to Tapeta should trigger a rebound.

Late runners fare well in 1-mile and 70-yard races at Presque Isle, and there appears to be plenty of pace for Iron of Reality to chase. Even better? She holds the best Brisnet Speed rating in the field.

At 10-1, Irony of Reality is worth betting to win and keying in the exacta, with #2 Madita (3-1) and #7 Xenobia (9-5).

$12 to win on #11 Irony of Reality
$3 exacta: 11 with 2,7 ($6)
$6 exacta: 2,7 with 11 ($12)
Total: $30

Good luck!