Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 14, 2023

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

Race One:

1st: (2) CAN I GET AN AMEN – was an even third in a turf sprint at Penn National two starts back, then she came back here and went gate to wire to beat similar claiming company. She has plenty of back class and gets Addiel Ayala back aboard.

2nd: (1) LISA MARIE – returned off the long layoff to win by a nose going two turns. She did nothing next time out, but was a decent third when she turned back to six furlongs. Ron Potts wins 14% with this dropdown.

3rd: (4) DEISE DELIGHT – did nothing two starts back going two turns on the turf, then just missed against these.

Race Two:

1st: (4) AMERICAN UNION – after being claimed for this price, he hid out in starter allowance company. He dropped back down to this claiming price, and his late rally fell a head short. Willie Martinez rides back – 14% with his sprint mounts.

2nd: (1) K’S LITTLE BILL – horse for the course returns off a 292-day layoff for Bill Martin, who wins 15% in this spot. 11-year-old did his best racing last year at the start of the season, so we’ll see if he comes out running. Martina Rojas picks up the mount.

3rd: (2) JARETH – horse for the course has won nine times here, but has only come close in five starts this year.

Race Three:

1st: (1) VILLAGE QUEEN – was a good second two starts back going two turns against better company. She dropped down in class and distance last out and was a good second. Potts wins 15% going short to long.

2nd: (2) CASCADE PARK – beat this claiming level the last time she faced them. Claimed that day, she was outrun in her next three starts, but showed signs of progress last out when only beaten over a length on the turf at Belterra.

3rd: (3) GENEVIEVE’S Z VA – horse for the course should have a pace advantage that Ayala can exploit.

Race Four:

1st: (7) AMARETTO SOUR – still a maiden after 19 tries but 12 of them came on turf and six others on dirt. She had one start here against better, and this is the cheapest company she has yet to face.

2nd: (6) MULSANNE – began the year with a dull effort on soft turf against males. She came here and was a good third in her Tapeta debut when dropped down to this level. Ricky Hendriks wins 18% with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: (5) EMPTY ENVELOPE – began the season here with a decent third, then did nothing in her next two. Last start was better.

Race Five:

1st: (1) LAWN DART – horse for the course has won 10 times here including two starts back. Claimed that day for $5K, she moved up to this level last out and showed high speed to deep stretch behind a repeat winner.

2nd: (4) FIELDER – tired against these, then just missed when moved up off the claim. He raced evenly last out and now drops down in class for Leland Hayes, who wins 14% with his sprinters. Pablo Morales gets the mount.

3rd: (6) OLDZFOURFORTYTWO – horse for the course just missed two starts back in fast time.

Race Six:

1st: (2) RICHIES NOBLE GIRL – beat $13.5K claimers two starts back, then did nothing when dropped down a notch. Daughter of Noble Mission drops to the bottom for Ed Rojas, who wins 25% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (6) MIDNIGHT FROST – just missed going two turns on the turf at Belterra, then shipped here and was a close second as the 8-5 favorite when dropped to this level. Richard Estvanko wins 20% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (3) THISAINTJUMPSTREET – consistent horse for the course was a sharp winner two starts back.

Race Seven:

1st: (8) MARISSA’S LADY – won three stakes races on the Tapeta going this distance last year. After a poor start on the dirt two starts back, she prepped for this with a fast win against high-class allowance foes. Morales rides back for Bill Morey.

2nd: (3) DO YOU LOVE ME – horse for the course has won six times and run second twice in eight starts. She has won her last three starts including a quick sprint three starts back for John Bourke, who wins 30% first start after a win.

3rd: (5) READY TO VENTURE – won a two-turn stakes race here last year and turns back to a sprint off the long layoff.

Race Eight:

1st: (3) FLOAT AWAY – raced well to begin the year here. After weakening to be third last out, she drops down in class for Bourke, who wins 20% with his overall claimers and 19% with his synthetic-track starters.

2nd: (2) ANA L – raced evenly two starts back going two turns against better, then dropped down to this conditioned claiming level and missed by a length in fast time at 5 1/2 furlongs. Katy Cheeks wins 15% with her sprint starters.

3rd: (1) REVEILLE SONG – keeps dropping down looking for class relief and is now in Gerry Brooks’ barn.