Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Oct. 6

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

Race One:

1st: #4 WHONEW’S TREASURE – dropped down to this maiden claiming level and raced well with first-time Lasix. He was a close third next time out, then chased a fast pace last out when moved up in class.

2nd: #6 HE IS READY – raced well in two sprints here then stretched out to two turns and showed high speed to the deep stretch after opening up a big lead. Gaddiel Martinez picks up the mount – flat-bet profit with his 131 route rides this year.

3rd: #5 GRAVE DANGER – turned back to a sprint and raced wide then ran well when stretched out to two turns for Matt Kintz.

Race Two:

1st: #6 LACEE – horse for the course was a sharp winner Sept. 12, then came back and got up for second in an improved effort. She raced evenly last out here last week and comes back against the same group for Cathy Rosantz, who wins 19% going long.

2nd: #1 A REAL HERO – was claimed for $12.5K back in June and came back against that level with a win, second and third. She benefited from a fast pace last out and drops down to bottom claimers from post one.

3rd: #8 KEYPIT – went gate to wire two starts back then cased the top choice last out for Adam Rice, who wins 17% on synthetic.

Race Three:

1st: #2 CITY PLAN – goes back and forth between turf and synthetic. He was a sharp winner two starts back on the turf at Mountaineer Park, then came back to Belterra and tired after forcing a decent pace. Addiel Ayala gets the ride.

2nd:  #1 STARSHIP EMPIRE – has four wins and five seconds from 11 starts here. He dropped down in class last out and got up by a head going two turns in decent time and should be able to save ground from post one to the stretch.  

3rd: #4 CANADIAN GAME – returned off an eight-month layoff with a good second going 6 1/2 furlongs in fast time.

Race Four:

1st: #7 SEASIDE BOY – had some poor races on the dirt at Oaklawn Park over the winter, then shipped here six months later and rallied for second going six furlongs. The son of Munnings stretches out for Bill Martin, who wins 18% going short to long.

2nd: #5 PAPI BELLO – one-dimensional closer that rallied from way back to get second two starts in a row in his PID debut, then just missed against this conditioned claiming level going this distance in fast time. Scott Spieth rides back.

3rd: #1 LIGHT CRUISER – son of English Channel tries Tapeta for the first time after showing some ability on the turf.

Race Five:

1st: #7 PRETTY RACHEL – shipped down from Canada in very good form. She battled to the deep stretch against this allowance level, then was a game second last out as the odds-on favorite.  Scooter Davis wins 32% with his synthetic starters.

2nd: #1 EVERY LITTLE BIT – ran well to begin the year but then threw in two clunkers when blinkers were added. They came off last out and she romped by four lengths after opening up a big lead. Pablo Morales rides back from the rail.

3rd: #3 ELIA – missed by a head two starts back against this allowance level, then broke a bit slow from post one.

Race Six:

1st: #5 STEVIS MAN – ultimate horse for the course has won 21 times here and is still firing at the age of 12. He was a game second in fast time two starts back, then chased the pace when moved up in class by Shelly Radosevich.

2nd: #4 SAMURAI LEGACY – beat similar two starts back in fast time when he opened up a big lead and dominated from there. He chased the pace last out before weakening going five furlongs for Dave Markgraf, who wins 16% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: #2 BLICHTON – horse for the course has won 17 times here and lost two races in a row by a nose before winning last out.

Race Seven:

1st: #5 IRISH DREAM GIRL – rallied for second as the lukewarm favorite two starts back in her Tapeta debut. She came back against this level and was an even third in very fast time. Gerry Bennett wins 19% with his sprinters.   

2nd: #7 LINGUISTIC – broke her maiden here when Lasix was added, then she came back with a second. Next out, she romped by four lengths in blazing time and that earned here a spot in the Masters (G2) where she did not break well.

3rd: #9 POSH PLAYDAY – beat open allowance foes here last out and now tries optional claimers for Glenn Wismer.

Race Eight:

1st: #6 SWEET AMY – ran poorly in her first four career starts against better maiden company, including two starts against males. She dropped down to this maiden claiming level last out and just missed going gate to wire.

2nd: #3 VAN HAVEN – showed some speed before tiring two starts back against good maidens, then came back with an even third. Daughter of the great Candy Ride drops down to maiden claimers for Todd Beattie, who wins 29% at this level.

3rd: #4 SPEED CHESS – ran well up at Woodbine on the Tapeta against better maidens and drops in class here.