Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis Sept. 21

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Thursday's card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race One:

1st: (2) MAIDEN LANE – was an even fourth in her career debut, going five furlongs then showed much better speed as the 19-10 favorite. Tim Hamm wins 28% first start, after being beaten as the favorite, and 20% on synthetic tracks.    

2nd: (4) CUPID MISSED – flashed speed for a half-mile in her well-bet career debut. Then was right there to the deep stretch in an improved effort. Ron Potts wins 20% on synthetic tracks and 18% when he rides Huber Villa-Gomez. 

3rd: (1) TWISTED EMPRESS – was a good third in her career debut and doesn’t have to improve much to fit with these. 

Race Two:

1st: (1) BRADY – did little on dirt or turf against better maidens. Then shipped here and battled for the lead to the top of the stretch. He drops way down in class, and draws the rail with Willie Martinez. 

2nd: (7) KENJI’S EMPIRE – speedball missed by a neck here two starts back in his first start off the claim by John Fennessy. Then was used hard on the lead before weakening when blinkers were added.    

3rd: (2) GIZMO’S MISSION – shipped in from Canada and rallied for third against these with blinkers added. 

Race Three:

1st: (5) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course has won 10 times here, and has been bet in all six starts this year. He beat better company two starts back. Then raced evenly last out going 5 1/2 furlongs for Ed Rojas.  

2nd: (4) CANADIAN GAME – finished last season with an even effort, going two turns against similar company. Gelded son of Curlin, began this year with a fourth in a long sprint, and now stretches out to two turns.    

3rd: (6) HEIRLOOM KITTEN – raced wide two starts back, but bounced back with a better effort last out. 

Race Four:

1st: (1) GIACOMETTI – was claimed by Tim Girten three starts back, and promptly went gate to wire to win by 8 lengths. He showed good speed to the deep stretch when moved up in class, and now draws the rail with Martina Rojas back aboard.  

2nd: (2) HOUSEBUILDER – was an even fourth against stakes company in his first start off the claim. Then came back with a third versus open allowance foes. After chasing the pace on the turf last out, he drops down in class.  

3rd: (3) SHOOT YOUR CUFFS – has been running very consistently against state-bred allowance foes, and now drops down in class.

Race Five:

1st: (5) LEAVE ‘EM LOADED – has yet to win here in four tries, but finished third each time. He should be forwardly placed by Addiel Ayala, and will try to go gate to wire like his last start, when he was disqualified for a bump in the stretch. 

2nd: (8) FLIGHT TO PARADISE – after five starts this year only yielded a second place. He dropped down to this class level last out, and was beaten 1 1/4 lengths. If he can break well, he can work out a stalking trip for Gaddiel Martinez. 

3rd: (6) GIANT PAYDAY – winless this year against better, he now tries blinkers in an effort to wake him up. 

Race Six:

1st: (7) FLOAT AWAY – dropped down to this claiming level, and won easily as the even-money favorite two starts back. She held on for third last out for John Bourke, who wins 30% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (5) SOUPER SLEWS CASH – broke her maiden against bottom maidens in her Presque Isle Downs debut. Then she came back and won off the claim. She drops down a notch for Ron Potts who wins 14% with this move. Pablo Morales rides back. 

3rd: (9) ANA L – had to keep dropping class to find a field she could beat and has found a home against these. 

Race Seven:

1st: (4) DREAM WARRIOR – broke her maiden two starts back when Lasix was added, going six furlongs. She stretched out to two turns last out and led to the final yards, taking another shot for John Bourke—23% with Angel Stanley. 

2nd: (6) DETERMINED LILLY – tries Tapeta after running well on the turf at four different tracks. Daughter of Mendelssohn has good early speed, and is able to retain leading rider Pablo Morales for his Presque Isle Downs debut. 

3rd: (5) EFFICACIOUS – was an even fourth in her career debut. Then came back with first-time Lasix and broke her maiden. 

Race Eight:

1st: (1) CLEMSON TIGER – made a decent middle move before weakening two starts back against this level, and then missed by a length when she was placed second after a tough trip. Son of Noble Mission draws the rail with Scott Spieth. 

2nd: (3) VALDOLOBO – dropped down to this claiming level two starts back and led into the final furlong. He came back and ran an identical race for Bill Martin who wins 23% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

3rd: (5) SPETTACOLI – horse for the course has had six losses in a row here but can get a piece of this. 

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