Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 2, 2024

Dick Powell offers his selections for the Labor Day card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (7) ANIPPE – horse for the course drops way down in class off three recent dull efforts. She draws outside but has enough gate speed to avoid being carried wide. Erin Walker rides back for Mike Pappada, who are 4-for-16 together over the last two months.  

2nd: (6) PROTECTTHEWITNESS – has been the beaten favorite in her last four starts, and all but the last came against better company. Ed Rojas wins 28% in his first starts after being beaten as the favorite and 27% with his claimers. 

3rd: (5) RAISE YOUR GAME – made her Tapeta debut a winning one here last out going six furlongs. 

Race 2

1st: (2) MAKE THE BED – just missed two starts back here going six furlongs, then lost all chance last out with a poor start. He comes back against the same maiden claiming level and switches to Ron Allen Jr.  

2nd: (10) IMPOSTER SYNDROME – dropped down to this class level last out and was a decent third after breaking behind the field from post 1. She draws outside with Martina Rojas, who wins 11% with her sprint rides. 

3rd: (6) SEYMOUR FASTER – did nothing in his first two career starts on turf, then just missed going short on dirt. 

Race 3

1st: (4) JOHN DUTTON – faced this state-bred allowance level two starts back and was a good second, then came back and raced evenly against open company claimers. Scooter Davis wins 27% with his synthetic-track starters.   

2nd: (6) MACKENZIE’S NOVVA – has been up and down the class ladder and just missed against this state-bred allowance level two starts back. He was an even third last out in fast time. Addiel Ayala rides back for Gerry Brooks, who are 32% together over the last 60 days. 

3rd: (2) SACHMO – rallied from off the pace to win going away on the turf last out at Penn National. 

Race 4

1st: (2) LEIPZIG – broke her maiden on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park last year. She had three turf starts at Hawthorne this year before coming here and showing good speed before weakening. 

2nd: (5) GOTHAM GRAY – took her 14 career starts to break her maiden here, then came back against this conditioned claiming level and missed by a head. Cally Herrington is only winning at 8% but is able to get leading rider Antonio Gallardo to ride back. 

3rd: (4) SENSIBLE MARRIAGE – took her 17 starts to break her maiden, then raced evenly against this class level. 

Race 5

1st: (2) COURT AND SPARK – because he once raced for $6,250 claimers last year, he’s eligible for this starter allowance level without being exposed. He was a good winner two starts back, then was an even third. 

2nd: (5) NOBLE JON – went gate to wire against first-level allowance foes here in his PID debut, then came back and beat $25,000 claimers. He beat $5,000 claimers in March and is eligible to race against these for Erin McClellan.  

3rd: (3) RESIST THE DEVIL – goes for his fourth straight win here for Kevin Rice, who wins 17% on synthetic tracks. 

Race 6

1st: (1) SAL’S BLUE JACKET – just missed two starts back on the turf against similar company, then came back and ran well to deep stretch. Mike Stidham wins 21% first start after being beaten as the favorite, and the filly draws the rail with Gallardo. 

2nd: (2) GENEVIEVE’S Z VA – horse for the course has won 10 times here and is still running well at the age of eight against strong company. She has dangerous early speed and will be tough to catch if she shakes loose early.  

3rd: (6) TOOLCAT – beat this class level the last two times she raced here for Ron Potts. 

Race 7

1st: (4) UNCLE KENNY – rallied from off a decent pace to get up in time against state-bred allowance foes. He came back and beat $25K claimers last out and moves up some in class for Potts, who wins 17% first start after a win. 

2nd: (5) FORTUNE SELLER – broke his maiden here by four lengths last year in his PID debut, then has raced on the turf since then. He should be fit from recent efforts at Ellis Park and now moves to Kevin Rice, who wins 23% first start out of his barn.   

3rd: (6) TAP THE SKY – was no match for the top choice last out here when he contested a demanding pace. 

Race 8

1st: (10) CHIPS LEGACY – dropped back down to maiden claimers last out and went gate to wire from post 1. He draws outside against cheaper winners but should be able to gain good position for Gaddiel Martinez, who wins 30% with Randy Russell over the last two months. 

2nd: (12) ON AN ISLAND – drops down in class off two strong seconds in his last three starts here. This is the cheapest class of winners he has faced for Scooter Davis, who wins 25% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (5) DANCING MISCHIEF – makes his Tapeta debut off two even efforts on the turf for Tim Girten.