Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 7, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections for the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

 

Race One:

1^st: (1) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – broke his maiden against cheap ones on the Tapeta at Turfway but has run well here against this conditioned claiming level going two turns. Son of Kitten’s Joy removes blinkers and gets Gallardo back aboard.

2^nd: (3) PREGAME – dropped down to this conditioned claiming level for his Tapeta debut and was an even third to finish up last year. He could not handle the move back up in class so he’s back to where he belongs.

3^rd: (7) TIZ TACT TOE – only 1-for-20 lifetime but most of them came against better company.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (6) KOTYLOS – has had many chances but just can’t seem to win. Yet, his best race was when Lasix was added three starts back and he just missed last out after taking the lead in the deep stretch. Gaddiel Martinez rides back.

2^nd: (4) CALL ME NOW – first-time starter from Tim Girten, who wins 23% with his debut runners and 24% against this maiden level. He’s by Broken Vow (9% debut winners) out of a dam that has produced four winners from five foals to race.

3^rd: (3) OVERTIME CHARLIE – first-time starter by Adios Charlie (14% debut winners) has been training well for this.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (5) BLOODHOUND – first-time starter from Ron Potts, who wins 12% with his debut runners. By Mastery (7% debut winners), he is out of a stakes-placed dam that has produced four winners from five foals to race, including two stakes winners.

2^nd: (4) WHY NOT ME – was an even fourth in his career debut here going 4 1/2 furlongs and now gets to go longer. Tim Hamm wins 14% with his second-time starters, and he adds blinkers in an attempt to quicken him up.

3^rd: (7) SO CLOSE SO FAR – didn’t show much in his career debut but is in good hands with Tim Girten.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (4) BREEZY CONNECTION – won two in a row here against similar then was a distant second when moved up to open allowance company. Gerry Brooks wins 18% first start after being beaten as the favorite and gets in light with Martina Rojas.

2^nd: (2) RED PIXIE – horse for the course has won four of five in her last five in a row. She was claimed for $5K two starts back going a mile then romped when moved up in class. Antonio Gallardo rides back for Gerry Brooks — 3-for-10 together lately.

3^rd: (7) BATH AND TENNIS – was a sharp winner two starts back against cheaper.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (2) DAWGMENTALITY – improved when blinkers were added three starts back against this state-bred allowance level. Son of Smarty Jones came back with a good second next out then beat open $25K claimers last out in good time.

2^nd: (5) EPIC LUCK – was right behind the top choice two starts back then ran poorly after flashing speed for five furlongs. He goes back to state-bred company for Aldana Spieth, who wins 16% when Scott Spieth rides.

3^rd: (1) SHY DA RUNNER – was soundly beaten in his last two starts on dirt but came here and ran well despite a slow start.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (1) ANIPPE – improved some when blinkers were added and she stretched out to two turns. She came back to break her maiden last out and now meets the right group of conditioned claimers for Ed and Martina Rojas.

2^nd: (2) PATH TO VICTORY – rallied from far back to just miss by a head two starts back then she broke her maiden by eight lengths in her 17th career try. John Fennessy wins 11% with his synthetic-track starters and 20% with Mike Allen aboard.

3^rd: (6) STORMIN MELLY – broke her maiden first time out then raced evenly in her next three starts.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (2) LOON CRY – broke her maiden on the turf going seven furlongs in fast time at Belmont Park. She came back there and won going six furlongs from far back for Christophe Clement, who wins 20% with this surface switch.

2^nd: (6) SIX SENSE – won her well-bet career debut going six furlongs on the Tapeta at Woodbine then came back there and beat allowance foes. Daughter of Violence can work out a stalking trip with Kaz Kimura back aboard.

3^rd: (3) STARS ON FIRE – broke her maiden at the end of last year going five furlongs on the turf and won her last start.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (7) NATHANIEL’S HOPE – still winless after 21 tries, but he has run well against this maiden level. After being beaten by over five lengths two starts back, he just missed last out as the beaten favorite.

2^nd: (2) FREDDY’S MUSIC – finished three lengths behind the top choice two starts back then just missed by a nose last out against better maiden claimers. He draws inside, removes blinkers and drops down in class.

3^rd: (3) GEMINI MOON – was an even third two starts back but then a blinkers experiment change failed last out.