Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, July 3, 2023

Dick Powell explains his selections for the Presque Isle Downs card on Monday.

Race 1

1st: (#2) KOTYLOS – improved some last year when blinkers were added. He came out of the layoff here with a good third, then added Lasix last out and was beaten a length. Randy Russell takes the blinkers off, and he shows a bullet workout without them.

2nd: (#1) CALVARY KAT – first-time starter from Tim Girten who wins 18% with his debut runners and 23% at this maiden level. Daughter of Army Mule (19% debut winners) is the first foal to race out of a dam by Afleet Alex.

3rd: (#5) NATURE TRAIL – still a maiden after nine tries, but she has six placings and was disqualified from the win last out.

Race 2

1st: (#2) UP FOR THE CHANCE – returned to the races off the long layoff and just missed going gate to wire at this class and distance. He moved up in class last out, weakened in the drive, and drops back down for John Fennessy – 22% with this move.

2nd: (#4) GRAVE DANGER – raced evenly on his return off the layoff, then broke his maiden by over three lengths going a mile in good time. Matt Kintz wins 23% third start off the layoff, and the son of Shaman Ghost gets in light again with Martina Rojas.    

3rd: (#5) SUMMER BOSS – speedball opened up an eight-length lead before tiring last out here against this level.

Race 3

1st: (#4) DAD’S LIL SPARK – gunned to the front from post 1 before weakening in the stretch while making his career debut here going two turns. Kevin Rice adds Lasix and gets Gaddiel Martinez back aboard.   

2nd: (#2) GEMINI MOON – returned here off an 11-month layoff and just missed against this maiden class and distance. He came back and showed good speed last out when moved up against winning claimers, and now drops back to a more realistic level.     

3rd: (#1) FREDDY’S MUSIC – still a maiden after 12 tries, but he was a good third last out off a brief rest.

Race 4

1st: (#4) SNAKERATTLEANDROLL – horse for the course won his seasonal debut, then raced evenly as the beaten favorite. He rallied from way back to just miss last out for Ed Rojas, who wins 23% with his route runners.

2nd: (#6) COUNTY COURT – nine-year-old has had three starts this year, and they were all against cheaper. He was a good second two starts back, then chased the pace wide. Pablo Morales picks up the mount for Rojas.

3rd: (#1) RATTLESNAKE RIDGE – eight-year-old made his Tapeta debut here two starts back and showed good speed to the final yards.

Race 5

1st: (#7) LAST MINUTE – first-time starter from Larry Rivelli who wins 17% with his debut runners and 28% against this maiden level. Son of The Factor (8% debut winners) is out of a stakes-placed dam by Distorted Humor and cost $475K back in April.    

2nd: (#8) READY FOR ACTION – first-time starter from Tim Hamm who wins 15% with his debut runners and 20% against this maiden level. Son of More than Ready (11% debut winners) is the first foal to race out of a dam by Carpe Diem (11% debut winners).

3rd: (#6) FACE DOWN – showed good speed here three weeks ago when used hard from the rail.

Race 6

1st: (#5) DIAMOND DUST – horse for the course with six wins and three seconds in only 11 tries. He just missed here two starts back in fast time, then went gate to wire last out for Scooter Davis, who wins 31% with his overall allowance runners.  

2nd: (#4) NICE ACE (cross-entered) – horse for the course not only has won eight times here over the years, but two stakes races last year. He finished the season with a dull effort at Woodbine, but returned seven months later and almost went gate to wire.

3rd: (#3) COURT AND SPARK – just missed against allowance foes here two starts back off the layoff, then won easily last out.

Race 7

1st: (#5) NOBALS – versatile Noble Mission gelding has won on the Tapeta at PID, Woodbine, and Turfway Park. He won a turf sprint in a Grade 2 stakes race at Churchill Downs last out for Rivelli, who wins 38% against this stakes level.        

2nd: (#4) NICE ACE (cross-entered) – horse for the course not only has won eight times here over the years, but two stakes races last year. He finished the season with a dull effort at Woodbine, but returned seven months later and almost went gate to wire.

3rd: (#2) TAPE TO TAPE – speedball has won twice on the Tapeta at Gulfstream and his last two starts on dirt.

Race 8

1st: (#3) JULIETTE FALLS – broke her maiden in her two-turn debut here last October. Off until three weeks ago, she weakened late after making a strong middle move going this distance in fast time. Willie Martinez rides back.

2nd: (#7) WORLDLY BEAUTY – did nothing here in her seasonal debut, but then dropped down to this conditioned claiming level and rallied for second. Hamm wins 21% third start off the layoff and with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (#2) WILL OR WON’T – broke her maiden first time out, then did poorly in her next four starts. Last out was much better.