Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Aug. 2

Race One:

1st: #2 SAINT GOAR – has been protected against allowance and starter allowance company at Mahoning Valley until he shipped here and showed high speed to the deep stretch in his Tapeta debut. Erin Walker rides back — 15% with Mike Pappada.

2nd: #1 UNCLE EARL – beat similar claiming company two starts back on the dirt at Belterra over a sloppy track then tired there last out. He has won on the Tapeta at Turfway Park and could be the one to catch from the rail with Willie Martinez.

3rd: #3 BEAR CREEK – drops down in class off two dull efforts for Mark Hoffman, who wins 16% with his sprint starters.

 

Race Two:

1st: #6 GOTTA GO GATOR – first-time starter with a remarkable pedigree for debut success. By Cajun Breeze (21% debut winners), he is out of a stakes-placed dam by West Acre (22% debut winners) that has produced four winners from four foals to race.

2nd: #5 SLIPPERY WHEN WET – first-time starter from Leland Hayes, who wins 14% with his maiden special weight starters. By Goldencents (13% debut winners), he is out of a dam by Drosselmeyer (12% debut winners) that has produced a winner.

3rd: #1 I STRONG – was a good third here against this class and distance then was outrun in a stakes race at Belterra.

 

Race Three:

1st: #2 DON’T DARE ME – speedball tries Tapeta for the first time. He romped by seven lengths as the 3-2 favorite last out at Mountaineer Park for Ed Clouston, who wins 23% of first starts out of his barn and the same percentage of first starts after a win.

2nd: #6 DETANGLER – horse for the course raced evenly two starts back then missed by a head last out when he disputed the pace. He drops down in class for Gerry Brooks, who wins 20% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: #5 ATLANTIC SUN – has won seven times here in 12 starts, including a fast win two starts back.

 

Race Four:

1st: #7 OVER IT – was a good third two starts back when moved up in class off the claim by Shana Lucarelli, then the son of Carpe Diem dropped down to this level and was an even second in a long sprint. Antonio Gallardo rides back.

2nd: #2 ABE HONESTLY – former turf horse dropped way down in class here for his Tapeta debut and was a game second behind a next-out winner. He moves up in class and distance for Aldana Spieth and gets Scott Spieth to ride back.

3rd: #5 FAST AXTON – speedball went gate to wire here last year but has tired badly in his next two starts.

 

Race Five:

1st: #2 PURE SPRING – is only 1-for-20 here lifetime and 3-for-76 overall, but he looks like he can handle this group stretching out to two turns. Huber Villa-Gomez is very good with his route mounts, and he should save ground on both turns.

2nd: #3 PAID THE PREACHER – has yet to hold on in his last three starts here going two turns, but he meets a weaker group today. Bill Martin wins 19% going long and 18% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: #7 SAMURAI SONG – was overmatched here against stakes company but was a good third two starts back.

 

Race Six:

1st: #7 JEN’S SONG – seems to have a class edge against these having faced allowance foes in his last six starts. He was an even third behind Hard Count two starts back then chased a fast pace. He drops way down in class while retaining Pablo Morales.

2nd: #6 HARD COUNT – went gate to wire when stretching out for the first time here three starts back then did it again next time out. He weakened last out and now drops down in class for Mark Hoffman, who is 4-for-10 when riding Antonio Gallardo.

3rd: #2 SURF AND TURF – one-dimensional closer rallied for second two starts back then raced evenly on a sloppy track.

 

Race Seven:

1st: #2 LINGUISTIC – improved in each of her first three career starts when she was a close second here. She came back with Lasix added and won by over seven lengths in fast time to give enough confidence that she can handle the move up to winners.

2nd: #6 NEW WAYS TO DREAM – broke her maiden in her Presque Isle debut then just missed in fast time. She followed that up with a pair of seconds and meets the same class level for Matt Kintz, who wins 25% of first starts after a win.

3rd: #5 BOO BOO KITTY – broke her maiden two starts back going gate to wire then tired last out when used hard from post one.

 

Race Eight:

1st: #1 HOLY TRUTH – horse for the course has had three starts this year and ran fourth each time. He showed good speed to the deep stretch last out for Bill Martin, who wins 19% with his route starters, and Walber Alencar wins 29% with his route mounts.

2nd: #4 BOOMIN GOOSE – horse for the course has won 10 times here. He’s been winless here in five tries against this level, but Katy Cheeks wins 15% with her overall claimers and picks up leading rider Pablo Morales.

3rd: #8 TAPSOLUTION – tries Tapeta after showing good speed on the dirt in Ohio this season.