Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Sept. 21

Race One:

1st: #1 CHIC N WILBUR – takes a major drop in class for Kevin Rice. Son of Animal Kingdom has races in the past that would crush this field and even his recent starts are fast enough to win this. Throw in breaking from the rail, and he looks formidable.

2nd: #2 SIDE TRACKED – speedy horse for the course could be tough if he shakes loose early. He beat conditioned claimers two starts back then just missed against this level when he stalked a crawling pace.

3rd: #3 ST. PADDY’S DADDY – was a sharp winner two starts back then raced evenly last out.

 

Race Two:

1st: #4 EVERY LITTLE BIT – returned to the races off a long layoff with a sharp second when she opened up a big lead. For some reason, blinkers were added in the next two starts and she ran poorly, so now the blinkers come off and she drops down in class.

2nd: #5 WINTER PRINCESS – has raced on the turf in seven of her eight starts but was a good third on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park back in April going two turns. She adds blinkers today and drops down in class for Steve Klesaris.

3rd: #6 SO MOXIE – faced better two starts in a row then just missed against this class level last out.

 

Race Three:

1st: #2 RUNAWAY STAR – wasn’t doing much in two starts against state-bred allowance foes but dropped back to conditioned claimers and just missed going gate to wire. Cassondra Weaver wins 25% with her sprinters and synthetic starters.

2nd: #4 BIG BOSS BEN – ran well in his first two Tapeta starts here against much better company then shipped to Saratoga, where he chased the pace while wide in a turf sprint. He returns here and drops in class for Lance Stokes.

3rd: #5 CROWLEY’S WAR – broke his maiden in fast time three starts back and needs to replicate that form here.

 

Race Four:

1st: #1 GRAVE DANGER – showed speed going two turns in his first three starts on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park then shipped here and rallied from off the pace going six furlongs. He stretches back out from post one with Antonio Gallardo.

2nd: #5 HE IS READY – improved some going six furlongs two starts back then he chased the pace from post one. Son of More Than Ready stretches out to two turns for the first time and shows a quick half-mile breeze to get ready for this.

3rd: #7 BRAMBLE BEACH – still a maiden after 11 tries, but she showed good speed on the turf last out against better.

 

Race Five:

1st: #4 LAKE NAKURU – didn’t run bad in his first two starts here against better company then was only beaten two lengths from post 12 when dropped down to this class level. Tim Girten wins 34% of first starts after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: #3 SMOKEY LEE – was an even third when dropped down to this conditioned claiming level two starts back then came back and won as the 13-10 favorite. Pablo Morales rode him last out for the first time and returns today for Kevin Fletcher.

3rd: #2 SNAKERATTLEANDROLL – won from post 11 then drew it again and had no late rally. Sprint last out sharpens him up.

 

Race Six:

1st: #1 SUNSHINE CHARLIE – rallied nicely to get third in a blanket finish two starts back going five furlongs on the turf at Monmouth Park then did nothing there last out. He drops down to bottom claimers for new trainer Maria Bowersock.  

2nd: #11 I BELONG TO BECKY – showed some speed when dropped down to bottom claimers then moved up in class off the claim by Josh Hay and he ran a better race. Now he drops back down and picks up Addiel Ayala.

3rd: #8 GREAT BLAKE – dropped to this claiming level for the first time last out and held on for third nine days ago.

 

Race Seven:

1st: #5 ROSES FOR DEBRA – finished first in her first two career starts (was disqualified in her career debut) then came back to win a state-bred stakes race in very fast time. Daughter of Liam’s Map tries open company but is definitely fast enough.

2nd: #3 BABY NO WORRIES – took her a while to put it together, but she broke her maiden in her fifth career start then came right back to beat open allowance foes. She rallied for fourth in a stakes race last out and adds Lasix for the first time.

3rd: #4 ROYAL ENGAGEMENT – broke her maiden here in her career debut last year, but that meant she faced top company.

 

Race Eight:

1st: #3 PUNX – showed good speed going two turns against better. He dropped to this conditioned claiming level and led to the top of the stretch then broke poorly last out and was never in the race. Lance Stokes wins 25% with his route starters.

2nd: #5 FEAR THE DEER – broke his maiden on the turf at Gulfstream Park last year. In four starts this year, three came against better on the turf, and his lone Tapeta start was going 5 1/2 furlongs. Son of Declaration of War drops down in class.

3rd: #2 BREWING STORM – took him 14 tries to break his maiden then he did nothing against this level last out.