Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Aug. 22

Race One:

1st: #4 HOFBURG PALACE– drops down in class off two decent efforts going two turns against better maiden company. He showed good speed in a sprint here and should be fit from his recent efforts for Mike Trombetta.

2nd: #5 ROGERS GINGER – woke up two starts back here against this maiden claiming level then showed high speed again as the 17-10 favorite. Matt Kintz wins 24% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 22% with his synthetic-track starters.  

3rd: #6 AGGRANDIZE – first-time starter from Ricky Hendriks who is not known for debut success, but his horse is training well.

Race Two:

1st: #4 PEACH STREET – could not overcome post 10 in her career debut, then chased the pace in a turf sprint at Saratoga. She looks the best of those in here that have run and drops down in class while adding blinkers.

2nd: #3 WRECKING BALL – first-time starter from Maria Bowersock who wins 6% with her debut runners. Daughter of Amira’s Prince is out of a dam that has produced four winners from four foals to race and one of them won at two.

3rd #6 HOLD THE WARRIOR – has been beaten by 52 lengths in his first three starts but that was against much better company.

Race Three:

1st: #2 SWELTER – weakened in his career debut going five furlongs, then just missed when stretched out to two turns. Son of Tiznow has an inside post and strong early speed. Tim Hamm wins 23% on synthetic tracks and 18% second time going long.  

2nd: #1 DECEITFUL – first-time starter from Hamm who wins 16% with his debut runners and 17% when they debut at the maiden special weight level. Son of Hard Spun is out of a Giant’s Causeway dam that has produced a stakes winner.

3rd: #3 SLIPPERY WHEN WET – showed good speed to the final yards going five furlongs in his career debut.

Race Four:

1st: #5 TUDOX ROADSTER – tired going two turns three starts back, then came back and was an even third going six furlongs. She had to rally wide last out when moved up to allowance foes and drops back down for Ron Potts.   

2nd: #7 EVERY LITTLE BIT – returned to the races off a long layoff here and missed going gate to wire by a neck against this claiming level. She faded last out when moved up to allowance ranks with blinkers added and now drops back down.

3rd: #4 ETTAPLACE – broke her maiden in her 13th career start here off the long layoff and beat allowance foes last out.

Race Five:

1st: #4 CAPTAIN MAD JACK – dropped down to this claiming level two starts back, and his late rally fell a neck short. Claimed off that race by Shelly Radosevich, he came back with an even effort when moved up in class.

2nd: #9 DON’T DARE ME – romped against cheaper by seven lengths on the dirt at Mountaineer Park. He made his Tapeta debut here last out with a good second and now moves up a bit in class off the claim by Ed Rojas – 32% with this move.

3rd: #10 BLICHTON – horse for the course has won 16 times here with 17 placings and just missed against better.

Race Six:

1st: #10 CARPENTERS CALL – was Grade 3-placed in April on the turf at Gulfstream. He romped in a high-class allowance race going a mile in extremely fast time, then ran well going 11 furlongs on the turf at Monmouth Park in a Grade 1.

2nd: #11 SURLY FURIOUS – won an allowance race in blazing-fast time going two turns, then dropped back and romped going six furlongs against stakes foes. He weakened in a seven-furlong turf sprint at Woodbine last out and has to overcome post 11 here.  

3rd: #5 GROUNDED – very consistent horse for the course has earned his first try against stakes foes and could be hard to catch.

Race Seven:

1st: #1 K C ROCKET – broke his maiden in his eighth career start going 5 1/2 furlongs. He came back with two good efforts against allowance foes and tries them again for Bill Martin who wins 18% with his synthetic-track starters.   

2nd: #8 QUARTERMASTER – beat cheaper claimers two races in a row here, then ran well against allowance foes in his last two starts. John Bourke tries them again with Angel Stanley who should work out a stalking trip.

3rd: #11 CLOUD PLAY – was a good second against top company in fast time two starts back, then failed on the dirt going long.

Race Eight:

1st: #1 JINGLE BELLS – made up 14 lengths to win going away as the lukewarm favorite last out and comes back against the same claiming price for John Fennessy who wins 20% first start after a win. Nine-year-old draws the rail with David Delgado.

2nd: #10 PAUPING – won his Tapeta debut to kick off his season against much better but failed next out. After two poor efforts on the turf at Colonial Downs, he ships back here and drops down in class for Susan Cooney.

3rd: #7 PHAROAH’S PROPHECY – has some back class but recent form has been weak.