Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections for the Thursday card at Presque Isle Downs. 

 

Race One:

1^st: (3) GIACOMETTI – went gate to wire to win by over four lengths two starts back then dropped down in class and won by over five. Still not claimed despite solid speed ratings, he looks like he has this group at his mercy.

2^nd: (1) GRANDE TORTUGON – beat this claiming level the last three times he faced them. Two starts back, he raced evenly then showed high speed last out against open allowance foes. Ryan Walsh wins 14% with his overall sprinters.

3^rd: (2) HENRY’S WORLD – speedball moves up in class but is always dangerous if he breaks running.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (2) REGAL SPEAKER – beat this claiming level three starts back going two turns then was an even third when moved up in class. After racing fourth in a long sprint, he drops down to his favorable class and distance with Pablo Morales back aboard.

2^nd: (4) SPETTACOLI – horse for the course rallied for third two starts back then chased a modest pace last out. Nine-year-old gelding had three starts in July and should be fit against a modest group. John Fennessy wins 20% with Mike Allen.

3^rd: (5) C THE KING – just missed two starts back at 29-1 then did little last out in a wide trip.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (2) NOTACATBUTACARD – horse for the course began the season with three straight wins then could not handle the move up in class. He was a good third last out despite a rough start and gets leading rider Pablo Morales.

2^nd: (6) MILITARY DRILL – ran evenly two starts in a row against open allowance foes. He dropped down to this class level and won going away for Adam Rice — 23% first start after a win and is 3-for-7 with Gaddiel Martinez.

3^rd: (4) STRAIGHTOUTADUTTON – speedball could not handle open allowance foes but held for second against these last out.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (4) MAGIC LIFE – was the beaten favorite two starts back here at 6-5 then came back and beat maiden claimers by over four lengths at 4-5 when Lasix was added. Adam Rice wins 24% with his overall claimers.

2^nd: (5) AMERICA’S GUEST – was beaten two lengths after falling far behind against $25K claimers. Son of Candy Ride came back and ran a similar race last out. Glenn Wismer wins 28% going long to short and 24% with his overall claimers.

3^rd: (1) ASPLUNDER – seems to be the best of the rest based on his best effort fitting against these.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (7) EASTERN MARKET – first-time starter by Twirling Candy (18% debut winners) is out of a dam by Empire Maker that has produced a winner from two foals to race. She’s been training well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park for this.

2^nd: (5) DARK DAHLIA – woke up two starts back when she dropped back from post one then rallied hard on the outside. Daughter of Violence showed good speed last out and now removes blinkers.

3^rd: (2) DREAM WARRIOR – did nothing in her career debut but woke up last out when she missed by a neck.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (5) LADY YELLEN – made her Tapeta debut here two starts back and missed by a length against this claiming level. She was a decent third last out when moved up in class for John Fennessy, who wins 21% with this class dropdown.

2^nd: (7) LA PANDA – went gate to wire against better in very fast time. It was good enough to stay at that claiming level, but she did little last out so now she drops down in half. Daughter of sprinter The Big Beast gets in light with Martina Rojas.

3^rd: (1) BABY DRAGON – sprinter stretches out off two decent sprints here for Randy Russell, who wins 26% with this move.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (1) IMMORTALLOVE – was a good second in her career debut behind a next-out winner on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. She came back there and broke her maiden by four lengths as the 3-5 favorite when Lasix was added.

2^nd: (4) TIME FOR AN ANGEL – woke up here in her Presque Isle debut when blinkers were added and she was a game third. She came back and went gate to wire at 5-1. Daughter of Not This Time looks fit and ready for allowance company for John Bourke.

3^rd: (7) DREAMFUL – returns off a 210-day layoff for Bill Martin, who wins 15% off long layoffs.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (7) SAINT GOAR – was a sharp winner two starts back in very fast time then was an even third despite racing wide against this class level. Mike Pappada wins 19% with his overall sprinters and 17% with his synthetic-track starters.

2^nd: (10) DIAMOND DUST – horse for the course has won seven times and placed second four times in 13 starts at this track. He beat this level last out and since he is exposed to the claim here, he faces the same group.

3^rd: (4) CATCH ON EMOTIONAL – speedball went gate to wire two starts back in very fast time then was a good second last out.