Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Oct. 21, 2024

Dick Powell guides you through Monday’s card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (6) NEEDED – took her nine tries to break her maiden but once she did at odds-on, she came back and won again. Today, she faces similar claiming company for Brendan Gilmartin, who claimed her three starts back. 

2nd: (1) DOMINANT STRANGER – just missed against this class level going two turns two starts back, then ran a strong second in a wide trip going this distance last out. Eight-year-old mare has run second 12 times here, so we can only place her so high.  

3rd: (3) KEEP IN TOUCH – speedy filly held on for second behind the top choice in her PID debut. 

Race 2

1st: (4) SECRET TREASURE – broke his maiden here in his 16th try, but they all came against top company. He dropped down to this class level and was an even third, then a close second. Pablo Morales is 6-for-11 riding for Ron Potts.  

2nd: (2) DIZZY KITTY – another perennial maiden that took 11 starts to break his maiden, but then ran well against this conditioned claiming level He dropped down in class last out with an even third in fast time and now moves back up off the claim.  

3rd: (6) FAMOUS FINAL SCENE – broke his maiden here, then came back here with an even fourth behind the top choice. 

Race 3

1st: (6) FACE DOWN – was a good third against this state-bred allowance level, then beat open $25K claimers from off the pace. He raced evenly against the same next out and now moves back up in class for Tim Girten, who wins 31% with Antonio Gallardo.  

2nd: (3) LEONARD’S LEGACY – just missed two starts back ahead of the top choice, then tired last out when chasing from the inside. He draws a bit better today for Randy Russell, who wins 18% with his allowance runners.    

3rd: (4) HECTOR – missed by a length two starts back against these, then raced evenly last out in a wide trip. 

Race 4

1st: (3) MAJOR THOMAS – ran well on the turf at Penn including a close third in a stakes race. He made his Tapeta debut here last out and just missed going gate to wire in good time. Bernie Houghton wins 17% with his route starters.  

2nd: (6) MAX BARLEY – one-dimensional closer was up for third in a turf stakes race at Parx, then did little next out. He makes his Tapeta debut off a 52-day layoff for Mike Zalatas, who wins 25% off medium rest. 

3rd: (5) HOLY MOLY MOSES – rallied from far back to get up for second against better in his Tapeta debut here last out. 

Race 5

1st: (2) THE BOY’S WARRIOR – broke his maiden first time out here by coming from off the pace, then beat similar stakes foes on the dirt at Parx Racing last out by nine lengths. He ships back here for Girten, who wins 23% first start after a win. 

2nd: (4) BALLAD OF WARRIOR – broke his maiden here first time out, then was an even fourth against open company stakes foes. He came back and showed better speed last out against allowance foes. 

3rd: (6) DANCING ON AIR – showed good speed against open maidens here, then was a game second against state-bred ones. 

Race 6

1st: (5) HEAVEN RULES – looked great beating allowance foes two starts back, then showed high speed before weakening in the Presque Isle Downs Masters (G2). She drops down in class here and gets Lasix back on.

2nd: (3) FORGOTTEN PEACE – horse for the course won 14 times here including going 5-for-5 this year. She has a stalk and pounce running style that works well for Girten, who wins 23% first start after a win. 

3rd: (1) TRIPLE R RATED – horse for the course has won her last three starts here by going gate to wire each time. 

Race 7

1st: (3) TEMPUS – one-dimensional closer rallied for third here the last two starts, and he looks to be the most qualified to get 1 1/2 miles based on his pedigree. Huber Villa-Gomez can get to the rail and save ground while waiting.  

2nd: (1) OUR MAN MIKE – ships down from Finger Lakes in good form. He rallied from far back to win going away by five lengths two starts back, then did it again last out for Mike Ferraro, who wins 35% first start after a win.  

3rd: (4) RUNAWAY HARRY – horse for the course has won nine of 11 starts here and could be dangerous on the lead. 

Race 8

1st: (2) THALBERG – beat better claimers by five lengths three starts back, then missed by a head next time out in a wide trip from post 10. He drops down to bottom claimers, whom he beat the last two times he faced them. 

2nd: (1) ARAK – raced evenly going six furlongs here against this claiming level. He stretched out in class last out and won going away for Scooter Davis, who wins 23% first start after a win. 

3rd: (3) GREY CHARMER – beat this claiming level two races in a row going two turns, then was second against these last out.