Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Aug. 29

Race One:

1st: #3 THISAINTJUMPSTREET – has not seen the winner’s circle in a couple of years but only recently dropped down to this claiming level. She just missed two starts back going this distance then lost all chance last out with a poor start.

2nd: #5 SAMURAI SONG – beat state-bred allowance foes last out and now that she has used up that condition, Adam Rice drops her down to bottom-level claimers. She has plenty of back class and gets Gaddiel Martinez back aboard.

3rd: #2 ROLLING MO – stretched out to this distance and won easily then raced evenly in her last two starts.

 

Race Two:

1st: #5 OLE G MAN – was an even third when blinkers were added three starts back then improved here going six furlongs in fast time. He moved up in class in a turf sprint at Penn National and now tries two turns with apprentice rider Alice Beckman.

2nd: #6 MID ATLANTIC – didn’t show much in his first two career starts on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park then shipped here and rallied for second in a wide trip when dropped way down in class.

3rd: #2 MR GHOST – tries Tapeta for the first time after racing on dirt at Finger Lakes.

 

Race Three:

1st: #6 NO DRAMA – beat similar company three starts back going six furlongs then failed when stretched out to two turns. He came back at six furlongs and just missed for Mike Rogers, who wins 16% with his overall claimers.  

2nd: #3 INCITATUS – ran well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park this winter. He shipped here and after two poor starts against much better company, he showed high speed in a long sprint and just missed. Willie Martinez rides back.

3rd: #1 SQUIRREL – speedball breaking from the rail could be tough to catch if Addiel Ayala can break him running.

 

Race Four:

1st: #1 STEVIS MAN – 12-year-old horse for the course won here for the 21st time two starts back against much better company but tired after a half mile last out. He drops down in class, draws the rail and gets Walber Alencar back aboard.

2nd: #5 GREAT BLAKE – beat open allowance foes two starts back in June then was a good second last out behind the top choice. Mark Hoffman wins 18% with his overall claimers and is 4-for-9 when he rides Antonio Gallardo.

3rd: #2 KICKS ON SIXTY SIX – moves up a bit in class off the claim by Randy Russell, who switches to Alberto Burgos.

 

Race Five:

1st: #3 ANNIE UP BUCK – horse for the course showed good speed before tiring two starts back then came back against this level and missed by a head. Gaddiel Martinez picks up the mount and has a flat-bet profit with his 85 route mounts this year.

2nd: #4 SONG OF INDY – horse for the course goes for win No. 10 here. He dropped down to this claiming level last out and won by a nose for Mike Rogers, who wins 18% of first starts after a win and 19% when he uses Addiel Ayala.

3rd: #1 NEVISIAN SPIRIT – has won five of eight starts here, but many of them came against cheaper company.

 

Race Six:

1st: #4 PRETTY RACHEL – ships down from Canada off a series of solid races on Tapeta. She went gate to wire two starts back despite a sluggish start then just missed hanging on there last out.

2nd: #5 LINGUISTIC – added Lasix two starts back, and she promptly broke her maiden by seven lengths. She came back as the odds-on favorite and was a good second in very fast time behind Boo Boo Kitty, who came back to win a stakes race in fast time.

3rd: #2 NEW WAYS TO DREAM – very consistent filly could get a piece of this off her best effort.

 

Race Seven:

1st: #5 SMOKY BLUES – horse for the course romped here three starts back then moved up in class and won easily. He was an even fourth against stakes foes in outrageous time last out and now drops a bit in class for Cassondra Weaver.

2nd: #4 ENJOY THE MUSIC – has won seven of 11 starts here, including four of his five starts this year. He beat first-level allowance foes last out in good time despite having some traffic from the inside and gets Avery Whisman back aboard.

3rd: #3 THE PROGRAMMER – finished up last year with a sharp win then returned at Saratoga on the dirt.

 

Race Eight:

1st: #2 WHONEW’S TREASURE – has tried dirt short, turf short, Tapeta long and Tapeta short but at least when he added Lasix last out he was right there in the deep stretch going two turns against this maiden claiming level.

2nd: #1 NATHANIEL’S HOPE – still winless after 13 tries but at least he was an even third going six furlongs last out. He’s bred to sprint but at least Eddie Dominguez can save ground from post one and try to nurse his speed.

3rd: #6 OLD FORTY FIVE – Adam Rice takes the blinkers off after taking the lead in the deep stretch then losing focus.