Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 18, 2023

Dick Powell offers his picks and analysis for the Monday racing card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (2) DREAMFUL – ran well in a long sprint two starts back in January on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. Claimed that day for $15K, she showed up here with a good second against this level for Bill Martin—22% second start off the claim. 

2nd: (3) CALVARY KAT – broke her maiden by over three lengths in her well-bet career debut. Sent off at odds on for her two-turn debut, she was a dull second but bounced back here to beat state-bred allowance foes by a nose.  

3rd: (1) ABBEY’S SNOW WHITE – horse for the course moves way up in class but she won her last two starts here. 

Race Two:

1st: (8) CHARLIE CHARLIE – horse for the course has had three even starts here this year at the age of 11, but looks like he can sit off a hot pace and make his move. Larry Hayes wins 26% with his overall claimers.

2nd: (6) QUARTERMASTER – turns back to a sprint after racing evenly going two turns here. He drops down in class for John Bourke, who wins 21% going long to short and 19% with his overall synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (2) FUTILE – speedball 10-year-old returns after running well on the dirt at Finger Lakes. 

Race Three:

1st: (2) COMMODORE BARRY – drops way down in class after being beaten about four lengths going six furlongs in very fast time against open allowance foes. Facing better, he has much better speed ratings than these.   

2nd: (5) LIFE MISSION – horse for the course was beaten 24 lengths two starts back against much better. He dropped down to the bottom last out and won by three lengths as the 3-5 favorite. Pablo Morales rides back. 

3rd: (6) LITTLE BIG – drops down to a more realistic class level after being outrun in his last two starts. 

Race Four:

1st: (5) CLOSETHEGAME SUGAR– just missed in a stakes race here last June in only his second career start, then he went to Saratoga and won a turf sprint stakes race. Last out nine days ago, he could not overcome post 11 up against a speed bias at Kentucky Downs.

2nd: (6) SURLY FURIOUS – just missed in a Grade 3 stakes race on the dirt at Mountaineer Park, then faded in the stretch here last out. He’s 6-for-10 here and has to tote topweight in the handicap conditions with Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (1) DIAMOND DUST – speedball breaking from the rail will be tough to catch with Willie Martinez. 

Race Five:

1st: (3) WOLFIE’S DYNAGHOST – has a good record on Tapeta out of town. He tired in a Grade 2 stakes race at Woodbine, then came back at Kentucky Downs and won by a head. Jonathan Thomas wins 31% second start off the layoff. 

2nd: (2) CARROTHERS – his second-place finish from post 10 in the Eclipse S. (G2) on the Tapeta at Woodbine is good enough to beat these, then was second there in his last out when he showed good early speed. 

3rd: (9) HUSH OF A STORM – won his Tapeta debut here two starts back, then was an even fourth in good time. 

Race Six:

1st: (3) ENSEMBLE – won by 10 lengths at Gulfstream Park in February in an off-the-turf event. She was an even fourth at Woodbine two starts back and should be able to work out a decent trip from the inside with Gallardo. 

2nd: (8) TOOLCAT – horse for the course chased a slow pace at Saratoga but came here and beat this optional claiming level by a neck. Ron Potts wins 14% first start after a win and 20% with his synthetic-track starters.  

3rd: (6) CASCADE PARK – horse for the course moves up a notch off a sharp win going this distance in fast time. 

Race Seven:

1st: (7) ROSES FOR DEBRA – finished first in her first four career starts here. She was beaten on the dirt at Keeneland but returned this year and won four straight turf sprints for Christophe Clement who brings in Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride.  

2nd: (9) OPENING BUZZ – has been freshened up after winning two sprints on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. She’s been training bullets for this and can get a piece of this at long odds.  

3rd: (10) ADALINE JULIA – dirt sprinter is plenty fast if she shows she can handle the Tapeta for Robertino Diodoro. 

Race Eight:

1st: (5) BRUMBA WAFFLE TOES – one-dimensional closer got up by a head three starts back, then missed by two lengths in his next two starts here against this allowance level. Jose Ortiz is in to ride for Kevin Rice.    

2nd: (7) STARSHIP EMPIRE – horse for the course is a gem of consistency and moves up in class off a win and a pair of seconds against $13,500 claimers. Cassondra Weaver wins 52% first start after a win.  

3rd: (3) E MINOR – He’s had two good races and two poor races here at Presque Isle Downs this year for Tim Hamm. 

Race Nine:

1st: (2) RUNAWAY HARRY – speedy horse for the course has won his last five starts and gets to hide out against these. He won going this distance last out and draws inside for a perfect trip with Ron Allen Jr. back in the irons. 

2nd: (6) FIRE’S FINALE – beat cheaper by 12 lengths going 1 1/8 miles on the dirt at Finger Lakes as the odds-on favorite. He held on for second last there and makes his Tapeta debut for Stacy Torelli, who wins 13% on synthetic tracks. 

3rd: (7) ATTORNEY TIM – has made 28 career starts, all on turf, and tries Tapeta in his second start off the claim by Wes Fletcher.