Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Sept. 22

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

Race One:

1st: #4 CITY TRIPPER – tired in his career debut, then dropped down to this maiden claiming level and was a good third in a rough trip. He meets the same group and draws better with Kris Fox back aboard.

2nd: #6 SLIPPERY WHEN WET – showed good speed in his career debut against better maiden company but did nothing when stretched out to two turns. He ran a little bit better last out and now drops down in class and distance.

3rd: #3 AIR ONE – opened up a big lead going a mile on the turf at Colonial Downs then tired here against these last out.

Race Two:

1st: #2 MACRELLETTA – broke her maiden in her 14th career start here, then came back against this conditioned claiming level and was a good third in fast time. She did little last out when moved up in class and now faces a more realistic group.

2nd: #6 SHES A THREAT – can’t put her on top being 1 for 25 lifetime and winless in eight tries here but she has run second three times in a row against this class level and figures to do it again. Mike Allen rides back for John Fennessy.

3rd: #1 RAW HONEY – broke her maiden in her 12th try going six furlongs then ran well going two turns against better.

Race Three:

1st: #1 SERENE WARRIOR – beat better going six furlongs three starts back, then tired next out when moved way up in class. She showed speed and tired last out for Tim Girten, who wins 34% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: #6 LIMONATA – returned off a six-month layoff with three even efforts, then dropped down to this claiming level and rallied for third. Lance Stokes wins 19% with his synthetic-track starters and 17% with his sprinters.

3rd: #5 LOOKING FOR LOVE – speedball faces more prolific winners and drops a notch in class.

Race Four:

1st: #4 TIDAL WATERS – has prospered since dropping down to this claiming level. He was claimed by Tim Girten for this price and promptly won three of his next four with only a neck loss getting in the way. Pablo Morales rides back.

2nd: #2 LAWN DART – beat this claiming level by seven lengths the last time he faced them. She’s been running well against better claimers and her class edge should help. Gerry Brooks wins 20% with his overall claimers and 19% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: #6 CHARLOTTE THE BRIT – was a good second going two turns then raced evenly in a sprint.

Race Five:

1st: #7 DECEITFUL ANTHONY – made his Tapeta debut a winning one two starts back here against bottom claimers. He moved up to this class level and was a game second as the 3-2 favorite. Mike Pappada wins 36% first start after being beaten as the favorite.  

2nd: #6 STUCK UP – horse for the course just missed two starts back in a long sprint then returned against bottom claimers and won going away as the 9-5 favorite. Ron Potts wins 17% first start after a win and 18% with his overall claimers.

3rd: #1 CANADIAN GAME – returns to the races off a 242-day layoff and drops down in class and distance.

Race Six:

1st: #7 CRYSTAL SHIP – showed good speed in her well-bet career debut here going this distance, then came right back and won in very fast time. The daughter of Midshipman takes on winners for the first time. Antonio Gallardo rides back for John Bourke.

2nd: #6 NEW WAYS TO DREAM – broke her maiden here against males in her Tapeta debut and has run well against winners since then. Her speed ratings went down in her last two starts so that is of some concern but they were very fast races.

3rd: #1 HIDEKI – ran well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park, then came here six months later and just missed with these.

Race Seven:

1st: #2 LET’S BE CLEAR – beat $50K claimers going seven furlongs on the dirt at Belmont Park, then raced evenly at Saratoga after being bumped at the start. The daughter of Munnings won her Tapeta debut back in March at Turfway Park and gets Morales.

2nd: #6 SHE’S DANCING – romped by three lengths in her Tapeta debut here, then came back and held well for third after disputing the pace. Flint Stites wins 13% third start off the layoff and with his synthetic-track starters.

3rd: #1 SPANISH DELIGHT – beat allowance foes here three starts back but has been outrun in her two starts since then.

Race Eight:

1st: #3 NEVISIAN SPIRIT – was claimed for this price two starts back and just missed when moved up in class. She made a strong rally last out before weakening late and now drops down to the bottom for Ron Potts, who wins 24% first start after losing as the favorite.

2nd: #1 KEYPIT – has been in good form lately and drops a notch. She went gate to wire last out here when allowed to set an even pace and will try to do it again from post one. Kevin Rice wins 36% first start after a win and 33% with Gaddiel Martinez.

3rd: #2 WILD LOOKER – has been knocking around against this claiming level but won last out going six furlongs.