Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 12, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Monday's card at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections.

Race 1

1st: (2) THALBERG – beat this claiming level the last time he faced them. He raced evenly when moved up in class, then his late rally fell just short. Gerry Brooks wins 20% with his overall claimers and 19% with his synthetic-track starters. 

2nd: (6) HENRY’S WORLD – speedball went gate to wire against these three starts back, then was run down in his last two. He draws outside, from where apprentice rider Dereck Lopez can wait until the far turn to open up.  

3rd: (4) DR RAGS – was an even fourth in his PID debut, then missed by a head at 18-1 odds.

Race 2

1st: (7) CHEROKEE CHATTER – horse for the course dropped down to this claiming level for the first time and almost went gate to wire. She has enough gate speed to work out a clear stalking trip with Gaddiel Martinez. 

2nd: (6) MOLISE – was soundly beaten in her last two starts of 2023, so when she returned, it was against much cheaper company. Off a nine-month layoff, the daughter of Ghostzapper was right there in deep stretch. 

3rd: (8) SONG OF INDY – horse for the course has won 11 times here but has yet to break through this year. 

Race 3

1st: (6) SPERANZAS WILL – broke his maiden two starts back by over six lengths when making his Tapeta debut here. He did nothing when moved up in class and distance and now drops down for Ed Rojas, who strikes at 31% with this move. 

2nd: (4) CHANGE THE HOUR – took 16 tries to break his maiden and finally held on gamely after disputing the pace. He came back against this level and just missed with Gaddiel Martinez, who is 24% riding for Randy Russell. 

3rd: (2) MALIBU’S BOSS MAN – dirt sprinter tries Tapeta for the first time. Trainer Todd Beattie wins 25% on synthetic tracks. 

Race 4

1st: (2) RICHARD HOOTY – dropped down to this claiming level for the first time two starts back and won going away. He came back from post 6 and missed by less than a length. From post 2, he should be able to run the same winning race from two back.  

2nd: (8) CATATUMBO – his inconsistency is due to moving up and down the class ladder. After chasing better two starts back, he missed by a length against this level last out in a slow-paced race. 

3rd: (1) YADI – has a solid record against this class level and draws the rail with Ron Allen Jr. 

Race 5

1st: (2) TOOLCAT – ran well here last year before going to the sidelines for five months. After two dirt sprints at Finger Lakes, he beat this optional claiming level last out and only picks up two pounds. Pablo Morales rides back. 

2nd: (5) INTO DISCO – just missed on the turf two starts back, then made her Tapeta debut here and was a good third when stuck behind a slow pace. Riley Mott wins 33% with his synthetic-track starters and gets Willie Martinez. 

3rd: (3) CUPID’S STRIKE – ran well on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs this winter, then was an even fourth here in her Tapeta debut. 

Race 6

1st: (4) DRUNKLE – made a strong middle move before weakening in his well-bet career debut going five furlongs. He came out of that effort with a strong five-furlong breeze and can beat these with the normal second-start improvement. 

2nd: (6) HIGHS N LOWS – tired in his career debut, then held on longer last out. Third time could be the charm for Kevin Rice, who wins 17% against this maiden level and 13% with his two-year-old runners. 

3rd: (5) SPEIGHT THE SNOW – was a good second in his career debut and showed that he can pass horses. 

Race 7

1st: (6) FOREVER SOUPER – ran well in his lone synthetic-track start and shows up here off a dominant victory in a nine-furlong stakes race in very fast time. Mike Trombetta has been shipping in live horses and gets Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (1) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – horse for the course won his first two starts here against high-class company, then faded on soft turf in a stakes race at Colonial Downs. Willie Martinez wins 29% with his route mounts this year. 

3rd: (2) PEMAQUID PETE – horse for the course has won 13 times here, including his last two starts going this distance. 

Race 8

1st: (3) HIGH HEADED – has yet to win here in three tries but ran second each time. He just missed two starts back when moved up in class, then was a good second as the odds-on favorite. He takes another drop in class for Rojas – 31% with this move. 

2nd: (7) DUKE SKYWALKER – has yet to win here in four tries, but they all came going short, and now he stretches out to two turns. John Fennessy wins 22% with this dropdown and goes with Mike Allen. 

3rd: (6) SNIP THE ROSES – rallied from way back to get second against these two starts back. 

Race 9

1st: (1) NEEDED – best race was a close second on a sloppy track at Aqueduct. After six months off, she flashed speed on the dirt at Saratoga and now drops down for Linda Rice, who wins 33% with this move and 28% second start out of her barn. 

2nd: (7) PRISCILLA’S COVE – turf sprinter from Indiana ran well two starts back, then tired last out. Riley Mott wins 29% going from turf to synthetic and 21% with his overall maiden claimers. 

3rd: (9) BUILT’IN ABILITY – drops down in class off some even efforts for Erin McClellan, who wins 20% against maiden claimers.