Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, June 17, 2024

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

Race One

1st: (6) SELASSIE – was beaten 33 lengths in his dirt debut, but came back here going a two-turn mile and won going away against modest maiden claimers. He showed good speed in his two starts on Tapeta and gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo back aboard.   

2nd: (1) TRAVELLER – ran well here two years ago, then went to the sidelines for 22 months. He returned here last out with an even fifth and drops down in class for Kim DePasquale, who is off to a slow start at the meet. 

3rd: (8) HIGH HEADED – was a game second against this class level two starts back, then just missed when moved up off the claim. 

Race Two

1st: (8) RAGTIME KITTY – first-time starter from Chris Davis, who wins 5% in this spot but 14% against this maiden level. Daughter of Union Rags (10% debut winners) is out of a winning dam by Wildcat Heir (16% debut winners).        

2nd: (2) HAZARD PAY – was an even third here in her well-bet career debut three weeks ago for Tim Hamm, who wins 15% second time out and 21% against this maiden level. Daughter of Maximus Mischief should improve here.  

3rd: (6) HEY SCOOTER – lost all chance with an awkward start in her career debut against top maidens at Churchill Downs. 

Race Three

1st: (2) HUSH OF A STORM – ran well here last year against top company, then did well at Turfway Park. Off for 107 days, he returns for Bill Morey, who wins 26% in this spot and first start after a win. 

2nd: (1) DREAMING OF KONA – just missed in fast time here last year, then was third in the Mr. Prospector (G3) on dirt at Gulfstream Park. Off for 79 days, he’s been training bullets for Aldana Spieth.      

3rd: (3) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – speedy gelding went gate to wire here 12 days ago in fast time. 

Race Four

1st: (4) MODAROSA – did nothing in her career debut last November on the dirt at Churchill Downs, then came back over six months later with a good second on a muddy track at Pimlico. Riley Mott wins 20% second start off the layoff. 

2nd: (1) SISTER EVE – rallied for second here after being shuffled back from post 1 in her career debut. She should be much sharper second time out for Girten, who wins 19% with his overall synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (3) REIGERT GIRLS – just missed two starts back against this maiden level when Lasix was added for the first time. 

Race Five

1st: (5) CAT ONE – just missed in her Tapeta debut at Gulfstream Park, then was soundly beaten there. She came back on the turf at Horseshoe Indiana with an improved effort when Lasix was added for the first time by Riley Mott. 

2nd: (3) SWEET NOLA – began this year with a poor effort on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, then was a good second here in her PID debut against this conditioned claiming level. Scott Spieth rides back for Aldana.   

3rd: (1) APPLECROSS – chased the pace here off the long layoff and now gets a major rider upgrade to Pablo Morales. 

Race Six

1st: (1) SOLAIR – was claimed for $10K at the end of last year at Tampa Bay, then was off for five months before showing up here and winning by over five lengths. Daughter of Dialed In moves up in class and draws the rail with Walber Alencar back aboard.  

2nd: (7) NO TAPPIN OUT – chased the pace in her dirt debut at Hawthorne, then came here and won easily going 5 1/2 furlongs in fast time. She moves up a notch in class for Morey, who wins 27% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (9) RILEY JEAN – daughter of Gun Runner broke her maiden here in her Tapeta debut for Tom Amoss. 

Race Seven

1st: (12) VOTE NO – has a tough post to overcome, but he broke his maiden here first time out last August, then came back to win a stakes race on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. His last two starts were kind of dull but can beat these with an alert getaway. 

2nd: (8) ROI SOLEIL – broke his maiden in his career debut on the turf at Monmouth Park, then returned eight months later with a close second in very fast time at Gulfstream Park. He was second in a stakes race on Tapeta at Woodbine and tries it again.    

3rd: (11) MR SKYLIGHT – was a sharp winner against allowance foes on the dirt at Keeneland, then was third in a Grade 3 stakes. 

Race Eight

1st: (7) RICHIES NOBLE GIRL – horse for the course missed by a nose in her seasonal debut, then came back and ran evenly when moved up in class. Ed Rojas wins 27% with his claimers and 19% third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (9) STARSHIP MACYS – returns off a 244-day layoff for Mike Pappada, who wins an amazing 35% in this spot. She has more than enough gate speed to overcome the wide draw with Eddie Dominguez.  

3rd: (6) PRETTY FLATTERING – raced evenly in her first start off the long layoff and should improve here.