Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 19, 2024

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

Race 1

1st: (1) ELECTROSTATIC – speedball went gate to wire against similar company last out going two turns. Now he drops back to a long sprint for Scooter Davis, who wins 28% first start after a win. He draws the rail with Willie Martinez back aboard. 

2nd: (7) BEACH HOLIDAY – missed by a length two starts back here against this class level going six furlongs in fast time, then raced evenly in slow time going two turns. Gelded son of Into Mischief will be the strongest in the lane. 

3rd: (2) JOSH’S HONOR – began this season with a sharp win but was out of the money in his last two. 

Race 2

1st: (6) CAROLINA SUN – showed some speed in two starts on the Tapeta at Turfway Park, then raced evenly in a turf sprint at Colonial Downs. She drops down in class and gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo back aboard.  

2nd: (3) LITTLE LAMB CHOP – showed good speed in a turf sprint, then on a fast dirt track at Penn National. She made her PID debut last out and went gate to wire as the 13-10 favorite for Kevin Rice.  

3rd: (1) MAIDEN LANE – finished out of the money in her first two starts of the season, but she improved a lot last out against these. 

Race 3

1st: (3) GUACO – missed by a length against better in his first start off the claim, then came back against these, and his late rally fell short. He has a habit of breaking awkwardly, and the blinkers come off today.  

2nd: (6) RESIST THE DEVIL – horse for the course dropped down to the bottom and won easily. Not claimed that day, he came back and did it again last out. Now, he moves up a notch in class and gets in light again with Dereck Lopez.

3rd: (4) GOLDEN SODA – after weakening going two turns, he returned with a good win going 5 1/2 furlongs. 

Race 4

1st: (3) WEEKEND CONCERTO – raced well on the Tapeta this winter at Gulfstream Park against decent company. Off for 94 days, the son of the red-hot Mendelssohn returns for Matt Kintz, who wins 16% in this spot. 

2nd: (6) YANKEE HUMOR – was a good second here two starts back, then was an even third as the 13-10 favorite. His last race was a step backward, but he has some recent efforts that can beat these.  

3rd: (2) DANCING MISCHIEF – turf specialist drops down in class for his Tapeta debut.  

Race 5

1st: (4) YADI – horse for the course was a game second two starts back, then he won going away last out. He moves up a notch in class for Cathy Rosantz, who wins 13% first start after a win. Ron Allen Jr. rides back.  

2nd: (5) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course is 27-12-3-7 over the years and began this season with a sharp win against open $25K claimers. Ed Rojas wins 40% with this class dropdown and 27% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (8) RICHIESINTHEHOUSE – has won seven of eight starts here and is still winning at the age of 10. 

Race 6

1st: (5) WHEELINGNDEALING – began the season with a sharp win against open allowance foes here, then was an even third. Her last two starts were not very good, so she drops down in class for Aldana Spieth.

2nd: (7) QUEEN WIGGY – showed good speed before weakening two starts back, then held on grimly back against the same group. She moves up a notch in class for leading trainer Tim Girten, who gets leading rider Gallardo to ride back.  

3rd: (2) A KISS FOR KHOZAN – just missed two starts back, then weakened last out. 

Race 7

1st: (4) MISS BETTY – speedy mare makes her Tapeta debut. She’s been running well on the dirt against open allowance foes and tries Tapeta against a field that she can boss on the front end. Andrew Ramgeet wins 32% riding for Tina Ramgeet. 

2nd: (2) QUEEN OF THE MUD – has had five career starts, all on turf. She was stakes-placed in her last two starts and shows some workouts on the Tapeta at Fair Hill. Jose Ortiz is in to ride for Graham Motion. 

3rd: (1) SUNDAY SHOES – won three of her first four career starts, then had a rough trip against Grade 3 stakes company. 

Race 8

1st: (1) IMPOSTER SYNDROME – still a maiden after 15 tries, but he has five seconds, and they all came against better maiden company. He showed good speed two starts back, then was interfered with last out.  

2nd: (4) MOR SPRINT SPIRIT – returns to the races off an 88-day layoff for new trainer Gerry Brooks, who drops him down to bottom maiden claimers. He has good gate speed and the right rider in Addiel Ayala, currently striking at 28% with Brooks. 

3rd: (8) BLOODHOUNE – drops down to the bottom after two poor starts against much better company.