Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 23, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Monday’s card at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections.

Race 1

1st: (1) CHANGE THE HOUR – took him 16 tries to break his maiden, but he has yet to run a bad race against winners. He rallied for third two starts back against these, then just missed last out going this distance. Gaddiel Martinez rides back. 

2nd: (5) BANG A RANG – raced evenly here last October, then went to Tampa Bay Downs and broke his maiden going seven furlongs on the dirt.  He was an even fourth here last out and now drops down in class for Tim Hamm. 

3rd: (4) PENTATONIC – finally broke his maiden on a muddy track last out at Penn National and now tries Tapeta. 

Race 2

1st: (5) RAISE YOUR GAME – beat this claiming level two starts back from off the pace, then missed by a neck after pressing the pace. Daughter of Violence returns for Tim Girten, who wins 21% with his synthetic-track starters.   

2nd: (1) POQUITO ROSE – horse for the course has won 10 times here over the years. She began her nine-year-old season with two straight wins, but it looks like her form has tailed off a bit. A four-week rest might be the ticket.   

3rd: (4) FOREVER UNCAPTURED – beat better claimers two starts back, then chased in a turf sprint at Colonial Downs. 

Race 3

1st: (1) OUR STRONG VOWS – turf sprinter tries Tapeta for the first time while facing state-breds. She does her best running when she makes a late move, so she can drop back from the rail and finish with Martinez.  

2nd: (3) SPECTACULLARI – tried Tapeta for the first time last out, and she won going away at nearly 25-1 odds. She moves way up in class, but at least she showed she can get the distance and gets in light again with Brooke Bays. 

3rd: (6) LOUISE BROOKS – makes her Tapeta debut off a pair of solid turf tries at Delaware Park. 

Race 4

1st: (1) HOLD ON – rallied from far back to get third in an off-the-turf event at Delaware Park. Keri Brion wins 13% going short to long and 10% second time out. Daughter of Flatter can save ground from the rail with Scott Spieth. 

2nd: (6) EVERYBREATHYOUTAKE – showed high speed down the hill going seven furlongs at Kentucky Downs and should be fit to get two turns here. Daughter of Quality Road adds blinkers and Antonio Gallardo.

3rd: (5) ART NOUVEAU – tries two turns off three straight sprint tries here for Hamm – 20% going long off two sprints. 

Race 5

1st: (8) JIMMY RULES – was an even fourth in his career debut on the dirt at Horseshoe Indianapolis, then came back there and showed some early speed. Son of Jimmy Creed has been training on Tapeta at Turfway Park for Susan Anderson, who wins 14% with this surface change.   

2nd: (2) SIG – still a maiden after 10 tries. He was a good second in fast time against this maiden level here last out and draws the same post. Willie Martinez rides back – 11% with his sprint rides. 

3rd: (5) R CHELLO – just missed going gate to wire in his second start, but then had a rough trip last out. 

Race 6

1st: (1) RICHIESINTHEHOUSE – horse for the course has won eight times with two seconds in only 10 tries here. He beat this class level last out and draws the same post with Erin Walker riding back.  

2nd: (7) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course has 12 wins here over the years against better. He was an even fourth last out off a brief rest and now drops down to his lowest price yet for Ed Rojas, who wins 27% second start off the layoff. 

3rd: (8) FIELDER – only has five career wins here but just missed last out behind the top choice. 

Race 7

1st: (5) DWELLER – ran well here against state-bred allowance foes, then beat them on the dirt at Penn National. She raced evenly in a turf sprint last out for Brandon Kulp, who wins 29% with his synthetic-track starters.   

2nd: (7) PAGEANT PRINCESS – has done her best racing on the turf against similar company and now tries Tapeta going six furlongs. Kathleen Demasi wins 18% first start after a win and 20% with her allowance runners.     

3rd: (3) STRUTSHERSTUFF – romped by over five lengths in her well-bet career debut on the turf at Colonial Downs. 

Race 8

1st: (4) GREEN CHILE – just missed two starts back when the daughter of Ghostzapper pressed the pace, then she came back with an even third. Matt Kintz wins 15% with his synthetic-track starters and with his sprinters.  

2nd: (5) KAGERO – beat similar company three starts back, then ran evenly behind the top choice. She rallied for second last out and gets Walber Alencar, who shows a flat-bet profit with his 84 sprint rides this year. 

3rd: (6) SECRET WISPER – has dangerous gate speed and could be tough to catch if she shakes loose early.