Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Oct. 25

Race One:

1st: #1 EAGLES PALACE – took him 18 starts to break his maiden but has run well since then. He beat similar claimers from post 10 then was second and third against this level. He draws the rail and gets Erin Walker back aboard.

2nd: #2 MY BOY BLUE – tired late in his Tapeta debut here then dropped down in class and won by a head. He made a strong middle move last out and returns against the same class level for Lilli Kurtinecz.  

3rd: #5 JAMA DILLON – won his Tapeta debut here last out going a furlong farther in decent time with Pablo Morales aboard.

 

Race Two:

1st: #5 PRETTY DEVIL – ran okay on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park back in the summer. She shipped here and romped by nine lengths going six furlongs and comes back against the right group for Scooter Davis, who wins 34% on synthetic tracks.

2nd: #3 HIGHWAY QUEEN – been a long time since she made the winner’s circle but rallied some after a rough start against this level here for Steve Klesaris, who wins 17% of first starts after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: #8 MORE RANSOM (scratched) – broke her maiden three starts back when Lasix and blinkers were added for the first time.

 

Race Three:

1st: #6 CHIC N WILBUR – dropped down to this level two starts back and was a game second in fast time. He won last out when allowed to set a dawdling pace in his first start off the claim by Shelly Radosevich, who wins 19% of first starts after a win.

2nd: #8 POLLOCK – beat this claiming level three times in his last six starts here. Gelded son of Tapit won his last two by narrow margins and Walber Alencar rides back — 42% riding for John Guciardo and 20% with his route mounts.

3rd: #5 AULT – horse for the course went gate to wire two starts back against better company.

 

Race Four:

1st: #1 PREGAME – finally broke his maiden in his 12th career start then came back and was a good second against solid company. He tired badly last out on the dirt at Prairie Meadows, and the son of More Than Ready tries Tapeta for the first time.

2nd: #4 HUNTIN’ THE RUT – speedball tired two starts back here against cheaper company then moved up to high-class optional claimers and missed by a neck after opening up a clear lead. Cathy Rozantz wins 19% with her route starters.

3rd: #3 MARK THE MOOSE – moved up to this class level off the claim and was a good second as the beaten favorite.

 

Race Five:

1st: #1 CITY PLAN – Seven-year-old gelding has been on the road racing here and on the turf out of town. He gunned to the front last out and was run down late against this class level and should get another inside trip with Addiel Ayala back aboard.

2nd: #4 TEMPLET – romped by six lengths as the 7-5 favorite on the dirt at Mountaineer Park then raced evenly here against first-level allowance foes. Teresa Connelly wins 24% of first starts after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: #5 FLAWLESS BOURBON – was soundly beaten going six furlongs then ran much better going two turns in fast time.

 

Race Six:

1st: #3 RIO ABAJO – tired both times going this distance but they were fast races. He came back at six furlongs and was a terrific second in fast time and now goes back to a route for Ed Rojas, who wins 34% going short to long.

2nd: #7 JO JO HANS (scratched) – drops down in class after running well against open company. He rallied from far back to get third going nine furlongs in very fast time. Gerry Brooks wins 19% with his synthetic-track starters and 14% going long.

3rd: #9 ROBBY’S RANSOM – beat state-breds going six furlongs three starts back then won going long against open allowance foes.

 

Race Seven:

1st: #9 CARROTHERS – was a sharp winner in very fast time two starts back as the 11-10 favorite then went out of town looking for a turf stakes race, but it was rained off and he was fourth in the slop. Kent Sweezey wins 14% with his synthetic-track starters.

2nd: #1 HARROW (scratched) – interesting name for a horse on a track that doesn’t need to be harrowed. He won two in a row here going two turns then raced evenly last out. Tim Hamm wins 25% of third starts off the layoff and 22% when he uses Pablo Morales.   

3rd: #8 GOODIE GOOMER – won going six furlongs then stretched out and won going two turns last out here.

 

Race Eight:

1st: #5 GORDIAN KNOT – dominated two races on the dirt at Parx Racing, including a win in a $200K stakes race. He ships here and makes his Tapeta debut for Guadalupe Preciado, who wins 35% against this stakes level and 23% of first starts off a win.

2nd: #9 MOVISITOR – son of Uncle Mo broke his maiden here against open company two starts back then tried turf at Aqueduct but it rained and came up yielding. He comes back to the Tapeta, where he has shown good speed before.

3rd: #10 DAWGMENTALITY – took him three starts to break his maiden here but then was a good second in an open company stake.

 

Race Nine:

1st: #4 CATHMOR – horse for the course has won eight times here and is still running well at the age of eight. He just missed two starts back when his rally fell a neck short, then the gelded son of Ghostzapper was caught wide last out.

2nd: #6 DECEITFUL ANTHONY – beat this claiming level in his Tapeta debut here then raced evenly when moved up in class. He showed high speed away from the gate last out when dropped back down by Mike Pappada and gets Erin Walker back.

3rd: #11 TAPSOLUTION – won at class and distance two races in a row then set the pace going nine furlongs against much better.