Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for the Monday, Oct. 23, card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (4) UPTOWN CHARLOTTE – has prospered since shipping here in May and broke her maiden going this distance. After tiring in her first starts against winners, she ran well the last two starts against one class better.

2nd: (1) REAL GOOD VYBZ – just missed two starts back here in decent time then broke her maiden in her 23rd start. Sometimes these perennial maidens get it together after hitting the winner’s circle, and either of her last two starts put her in the mix.

3rd: (5) FAMILY BAND – has some back class and faces bottom claimers for Tim Hamm. 

Race Two:

1st: (3) GIACOMETTI – horse for the course speedball only wins when he is on the lead but looks like he can boss these around. He battled last out before giving up but gets Martina Rojas back — 17% with her sprint rides.

2nd: (6) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – was an even third here two starts back going this distance then lost all chance going two turns when he broke poorly. He has plenty of back class and will be a stretch factor.

3rd: (5) HAMMER LANE – just missed two starts back when he moved up in class off the claim by Cassondra Weaver.

Race Three:

1st: (6) STRAIGHTOUTADUTTON – speedball went gate to wire against this claiming level three starts back then missed by a neck next out. He tired late last out when moved up a bit in class and distance for Randy Russell.

2nd: (7) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course beat optional $25K claimers then raced evenly against similar. Going two turns last out as the odds-on favorite, he just missed and now drops down in class for Ed and Martina Rojas.    

3rd: (3) SMOKY BLUES – horse for the course drops way down in class at the end of the season for Weaver.

Race Four:

1st: (6) CHARLOTTE THE BRIT – is 8-for-16 over the years. She won going two turns two starts back then romped by five lengths as the 8-5 favorite in her first start off the claim by Ed Rojas. Martina rides back — 36% for her father.

2nd: (2) GET NONE – won two turf sprints in a row earlier this year. She was an even second two starts back on turf then romped from off the pace here when dropped down to bottom claimers. Larry Rivelli wins 33% first start off the claim.

3rd: (3) HOT BODE – didn’t make her Presque Isle debut until July this year and has won two of three starts against good company.

Race Five:

1st: (5) MORTAL SIN – was a good second here two starts back going two turns then could not overcome post 11 back on the turf in a stakes race at Laurel. He should be a major stretch factor with Victor Carrasco. 

2nd: (6) ABRAMS – was soundly beaten in his career debut going short on the dirt then shipped here and was a good third from post eight going two turns. He draws better today and should show good speed for Angel Stanley.   

3rd: (4) FOURONEOHSMOKESHOW – first-time starter from Keri Brion, who wins 13% with her debut runners.

Race Six:

1st: (1) HEY PADRE – was stuck at the first-level allowance group all year until he won handily last out. Son of Hard Spun draws the rail and faces tough optional claiming foes. Gaddiel Martinez rides back — flat-bet profit with his 116 route starters.

2nd: (3) EXTRASEXYBIGDADDEE – was the beaten favorite three starts back against these then missed by a nose as the even-money favorite. He won in very fast time last out and meets the same group for Mike Trombetta.  

3rd: (4) AMERICA’S JUSTICE – son of American Pharoah goes back and forth from Finger Lakes and will be tough here.

Race Seven:

1st: (5) NOTICE OF ACTION – won his career debut on the dirt at Parx then came back there on a sloppy track and beat stakes foes. Son of Hoppertunity tries Tapeta for the first time for Bobbi Hawthorne, who wins 23% with her two-year-olds.  

2nd: (1) GOING UP – very fast son of Mineshaft ran a monster race in a restricted stakes race on the dirt at Colonial Downs two starts back then tired here against open company stakes foes. Ron Potts wins 20% with his two-year-olds.

3rd: (4) HEAVY POUR – was a professional winner in his career debut here for Tim Girten.

Race Eight:

1st: (5) CASTLE BORN – still a maiden after 23 tries but this is the lowest maiden claiming level she has ever faced. Since coming here, she just missed in her Presque Isle debut then was an even third as the 6-5 favorite. Antonio Gallardo rides back.

2nd: (7) WINE IN THE DARK – turf horse held on for third on a muddy track two starts back then was right there in the deep stretch before weakening back on the turf at Delaware Park. Ricky Hendriks wins 21% with this surface switch.

3rd: (6) SUPER GEUSE – returns second start off the layoff after just missing against these at 35-1.