Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, July 1, 2024

Dick Powell outlines his selections for Monday’s card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (1) HENRY’S WORLD – was soundly beaten in his last three starts by 39 lengths on the dirt at Tampa Bay before shipping here, where he romped by over six lengths. He comes back against the same group he was claimed for and gets in light with Dereck Lopez.

2nd: (5) CON ON THE RUN – just missed against this claiming level in two starts on the dirt at Mountaineer Park then was a game second in his Presque Isle debut. He comes back against the same group off the claim by Brendan Gilmartin.

3rd: (2) THALBERG – one-dimensional closer just missed against these last out at long odds for Gerry Brooks.

Race Two:

1st: (7) SPAN OF CONTROL – dropped down to this claiming level two starts back with a good third then won last out when he got up in time at 7-1. John Fennessy wins 20% first start after a win and 40% with Walber Alencar. 

2nd: (1) SMART JOKER – made a strong middle move here last out before weakening against this level in his Tapeta debut. He comes back from the rail for Maria Bowersock, who wins 16% with her sprinters and 24% with Ronnie Allen.

3rd: (3) BIG GEORGES KINGDM – ships in from Finger Lakes off a series of bullet workouts and gets Antonio Gallardo.

Race Three:

1st: (7) R CHELLO – was a well-beaten second in his well-bet career debut then just missed going gate to wire last out. Ed Rojas wins 26% with his synthetic-track starters and 22% with his sprinters. Martina rides back.

2nd: (6) ALPHA CAT – was beaten by 20 lengths in his career debut at Aqueduct then improved some last out. He’s been training at a private center outside of Saratoga and gets Gaddiel Martinez.

3rd: (3) HURRICANE DUDE – first-time starter from Tim Hamm, who wins 14% with his debut runners and is training well.

Race Four:

1st: (1) SPIRITED DEBATE – finished up last year with a good third after leading all the way then came back here eight months later and led for a half-mile against better. He drops down in class for John Fennessy, who wins 20% with this move.

2nd: (6) MR. BONES – tired here two starts back against much better then was an even fourth last out in fast time going 5 1/2 furlongs. He drops down in class and moves up in distance for Kevin Rice.

3rd: (5) RANSEUR – speedball makes his Presque Isle debut for Ed Rojas, who wins 23% first start out of his barn.

Race Five:

1st: (5) HEIRLOOM KITTEN – makes his 2024 debut off a 251-day layoff for Tim Girten, who wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite. Antonio Gallardo picks up the mount — 24% with his route mounts.

2nd: (1) AULT – horse for the course just missed in his final start last season, then the 12-year-old gelding returned here and just missed going two turns. He meets the same group from the rail with Pablo Morales back aboard.

3rd: (8) DIGITAL FOOTPRINT – dropped down to this claiming level and missed by a head then raced evenly in two starts this year.

Race Six:

1st: (4) VALENTINE BUG – horse for the course raced evenly here two starts back then rallied from way back to win going away against this state-bred class level. Nothing really changes so there is no reason he can’t do it again.

2nd: (5) YOU MUST CHILL – tries Tapeta for the first time at the age of eight. He has had two even efforts to prep for this and draws well for a stalking trip with Rosario Montanez. Scooter Davis wins 42% first start out of his barn and 35% against allowance foes.

3rd: 6) EPIC LUCK – ran well in two starts here, including a second behind the top choice.

Race Seven:

1st: (5) JUST MIGHT – speedball makes his Tapeta debut at the age of eight. He was a game second two starts back in an off-the-turf event at Churchill Downs then went gate to wire there in a turf sprint.

2nd: (10) CROSSTOWN SHOOTOUT – horse for the course won three straight on the Tapeta at Turfway Park then rallied from off the pace to get up by a neck here last out. Nolan Ramsey is off to a great start as a trainer.

3rd: (11) SPIRITED SOL – beat hard-knocking allowance foes two starts back off the layoff and was a game second last out.

Race Eight:

1st: (8) EXCLUSIVE ENTRY – speedball has had three starts here and held better each time. He just missed last out at 7-1 against this state-bred maiden level. John Bourke wins 20% with his synthetic-track starters, and Angel Stanley rides back.

2nd: (5) CHANGE THE HOUR – still winless in 15 tries, but he has five seconds and two thirds. His last five starts against this maiden group were solid, but it’s hard to put him on top with all the runner-up finishes.

3rd: (2) EMMA AT THE GATE – showed high speed in his career debut then raced evenly as the beaten favorite last out.