Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, May 20, 2024

Dick Powell handicaps the opening day card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race One

1st: (7) GATITA SUAVE – It's been a long time since she saw the winner’s circle, but this is the lowest class she has raced against. Her record at Turfway Park was solid, and she has trained there since the end of March. Leading rider Pablo Morales gets the ride. 

2nd: (3) IRISH VICTORY – showed top speed here last year when she ran first and second in her PID debut. She finished up the season in poor form and now shows up dropping in class for the Spieths. 

3rd: (6) VARSITY DOLL – ran well here last year then broke her maiden on the Tapeta at Turfway.

Race Two

1st: (4) MACKENZIE’S NOVVA – moves up in class but it really doesn’t matter this early in the meet. He comes in off a pair of thirds going two turns for Gerry Brooks, who wins 20% off medium rest and 21% with his overall claimers.  

2nd: (6) VERY DEBONAIRE – drops down in claiming price off two dull efforts going two turns on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs. He shows some form on the Tapeta at Woodbine and at least should be fit for this. 

3rd: (1) ON AN ISLAND – returns to the races off a good win in his 15th career start last October. 

Race Three

1st: (1) WROTE IN STONE – horse for the course won twice here last season against better company than this. He has more than enough gate speed to keep up from post 1 and should be fresh off the layoff. 

2nd: (5) GREY CHARMER – raced evenly two starts back when blinkers were added, then he came back and his late rally fell a neck short as the beaten favorite. Kevin Rice wins 23% in this spot and 19% off medium rest. 

3rd: (7) AESTHETICALLY – turf sprinter tries Tapeta for the first time while dropping down some in class. 

Race Four

1st: (4) CHANGE THE HOUR – winless in 13 career starts here but he has six placings. He finished second against this state-bred maiden level here last year and starts out against the same group for Randy Russell. 

2nd: (10) REIGERT GIRLS – raced fourth here in her first two career starts then ran a similar race on the dirt at Parx. She just missed against open company fillies last out at Penn National and begins her season with Lasix added. 

3rd: (9) NOPALINO – son of Uncle Lino (18% debut winners) is out of a stakes-placed dam. 

Race Five

1st: (5) STONE’S THROW – broke his maiden easily by over six lengths when Lasix was added for the first time. His next two starts were solid, and he should be fit from a good second on the dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis last month. 

2nd: (1) CALL THE BALL – began his career here last year going this distance with a sharp win from post 1. He makes his second start off the long layoff for Ron Potts who wins 20% in this spot and 23% second-time Lasix.  

3rd: (2) REAPPLY – broke his maiden against cheap ones, then was second in this next two starts on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. 

Race Six

1st: (8) RILEY JEAN – showed improved speed when blinkers were added second time out, then was a good second in an off-the-turf event at the Fair Grounds. She raced evenly at Keeneland and now ships in here for Tom Amoss.  

2nd: (10) WARRIOR’S TREASURE – showed high speed in all three of her career starts last year here. Daughter of Cupid looks fit from recent work at Tampa Bay Downs for Potts, who wins 15% off this layoff length. 

3rd: (2) LEMON CURRY – improved second time out last year, then ran well against this maiden level last August. 

Race Seven

1st: (7) GRANDE TORTUGON – horse for the course ran well this winter at Turfway Park, then raced evenly from post 11 in a turf sprint at Keeneland last month. Morales picks up the mount. 

2nd: (2) HECTOR – broke his maiden here last year in his fourth career start. He beat decent optional claimers last out on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs for Potts, who wins 17% third start off the layoff and 15% first start after a win.     

3rd: (5) COLONEL POPPY – finished up last year with two good seconds against this open allowance level for Matt Kintz. 

Race Eight

1st: (5) ROCK WITH YOU – broke his maiden in his 11th try at Turfway Park, then came back there with a good second two starts later. Good young apprentice rider Andres Calleja rides back – big profit in 77 sprint races. 

2nd: (10) MR TITO’S – makes his synthetic debut in his 45th career start for Scooter Davis who claimed him two starts back. He ran well going seven furlongs in fast time at Tampa Bay Downs last out but has to overcome a wide draw.

3rd: (1) SPICY SHOT – horse for the course returns without being exposed to the claim off a 341-day layoff.