Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 25, 2023

Dick Powell gives his insights on Monday's card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (5) ELIA – Ours is not to reason why. Huge dropdown from Lance Stokes showed good speed two starts back then tired last out. She returns off the layoff but her half-mile breeze on Sept. 14 should calm any fears why. 

2nd: (6) ROLLING MO – was beaten by 41 lengths before dropping down to the bottom and missing by a length from post 1. She draws much better for a clear stalking trip with Jose Riquelme.

3rd: (1) SO MOXIE – ran well two starts back when dropped to this level, then just missed here last out. 

Race Two:

1st: (3) LUCKY SMILE – speedball went gate to wire two starts back here when dropped down to bottom maiden claimers. Gelded son of Tapit showed good speed to the final furlong last out at 3-10 for Katy Cheeks. 

2nd: (2) GOVERNOR ATWOOD – took him 13 starts to break his maiden against bottom level ones. He came back here with a terrific second last out when he made the lead from post 8. Randy Russell wins 14% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (6) TAPIO – broke his maiden first time out on dirt last year and now drops down in class for his Tapeta debut. 

Race Three:

1st: (7) BLOODHOUND – gunned to the front before weakening in his career debut here. He raced evenly at Colonial Downs in a turf sprint and now returns here for Ron Potts, who wins 29% with this surface switch. 

2nd: (5) RED WREN – was a good second behind a repeat winner against males when making her career debut from post 1. She came back here against these fillies and was a good second at even money and now returns against open maidens. 

3rd: (4) FIRE WIRE – first-time starter working well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park for Bill Morey, who wins 12% on debut. 

Race Four:

1st: (2) TACTICAL PAJAMAS – horse for the course beat much better three starts back going six furlongs. She showed good speed again next out then just missed against state-bred stakes horses going two turns. She draws well and should be the speed in here. 

2nd: (1) RED PIXIE – never be afraid to bet a horse that is moving up in class as long as she is in good form. Horse for the course has won five of her six local starts this year and should work out an inside trip with Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (7) VILLAGE QUEEN – horse for the course was a close second as the beaten favorite against this level two starts back. 

Race Five:

1st: (6) DAWGMENTALITY – rallied from off the pace in his first start, then went gate to wire last out to win easily at 3-2 odds. Gelded son of Smarty Jones beat this level the last time he faced them on July 14. 

2nd: (3) AMERICA’S GUEST – broke his maiden here going five furlongs, then beat similar gong this distance. He just missed last out when outkicked in a very slow-paced race for Stokes, who wins 20% with his route runners.  

3rd: (2) SHY DA RUNNER – weakened going two turns two starts back, then won going 5 1/2 furlongs. 

Race Six:

1st: (6) REELED IN – was beaten 37 lengths in three starts on the dirt at Oaklawn Park, then showed up here four months later and broke his maiden by 10 lengths going six furlongs in fast time as the 2-5 favorite. 

2nd: (4) WARRIOR’S PAYOFF – speedball broke his maiden here against open company in his Tapeta debut, then beat open company allowance foes. He meets state-bred allowance foes for Brandon Kulp, who is 7-for-13 on synthetic tracks. 

3rd: (3) PUTTHEBLAMEONME – drops back to state-bred company after a trio of fast sprints against open company. 

Race Seven:

1st: (1) SHE’S FIRE – ran well here in her career debut, then broke her maiden going six furlongs on the turf at Belmont Park. Throw out her last start at Woodbine and she comes back over a surface that she has the highest speed rating over. 

2nd: (8) ROSA – rallied from off the pace to win going away at Woodbine on the Tapeta, then raced evenly there in a wide trip on the turf. She adds blinkers and Kaz Kimura is in for the ride – 23% with his sprint rides.  

3rd: (10) SNOW DANCE – ran well going two turns on the turf at Saratoga in her career debut, then tired there from post 10.  

Race Eight:

1st: (1) UP IN ARMS – horse for the course was in better form last year but shows signs of breaking through. She raced wide two starts back, then showed better speed last out for Tim Hamm, who wins 21% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (5) HAPPY TAPPY TIM – was the beaten favorite two starts in a row on the dirt at Penn National, then romped there by over six lengths. Daughter of Tapiture makes her Tapeta debut for Kulp, who wins 24% first start after a win. 

3rd: (6) CINCO DE MANDEE – horse for the course continues to drop down looking for class relief.