Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Tuesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (2) HINDENBURG – woke up two starts back when Martina Rojas got aboard and went gate to wire to win by a head. He won even easier last out at 7-5 and meets the same claiming price for Gerry Brooks – 16% first start after a win.

2nd: (1) T C GREELEY – horse for the course won two in a row here in a similar pattern to the top choice with Martina Rojas aboard. He tired last out against this level and draws the rail with Antonio Gallardo.

3rd: (3) LEGIO – won here three starts back but then was off the board when moved up to this class level.

Race Two:

1st: (2) ADIOS BOBBY – beat this claiming level at the end of last season but did nothing in his next three starts. He dropped back down in class last out and won easily as the 19-10 favorite for Mike Pappada who wins 26% first start after a win.

2nd: (1) COUNTY COURT– rallied from off the pace to win going away two starts back here at 8-5 and then just missed last out. He draws the rail again for Ed Rojas – 29% with Pablo Morales and 24% going long.

3rd: (3) SNAKERATTLEANDROLL – was an even third three starts in a row and then was stuck wide last out.

Race Three:

1st: (3) SAN MARCO CITY – showed little when blinkers were put back on against much better than these. He dropped to this level last out and weakened late after making a big, middle move. Pablo Morales picks up the mount.

2nd: (4) LONG RAP SHEET – was soundly beaten on the dirt at Laurel and then shipped here for his Tapeta debut, where he beat bottom-level maiden claimers. He comes back at the right conditioned claiming level for Ed and Martina Rojas.

3rd: (2) UP FOR THE CHANCE – winless in nine tries here but he should be able to get in the money.

Race Four:

1st: (2) STARSHIP EMPIRE – horse for the course beat this level the last two times he faced them late last year. He was a distant second two starts back and then missed by a head last out in fast time. Willie Martinez rides back.

2nd: (4) STRIKE THE TOP – could not beat the top choice his last two starts but draws better than last out. Mike Rogers wins 16% with his overall claimers and going long. Antonio Gallardo rides back – 18% with his route mounts.

3rd: (1) TRAPPEZOID – went gate to wire on the dirt and then tired badly next out. He ran well here in his Tapeta debut here.

Race Five:

1st: (3) RED PIXIE – theoretically moves up in class but recent form is more important. He won two bottom-level claiming races in a row here and then moved up off the claim and beat $10K claimers. He’s won four of five starts here and gets Gallardo.

2nd: (6) BOURBON BLAST – was beaten three races in a row here but came back and won by almost five lengths. She moves back up in class for Joe Cheeks wins 13% with his route runners and the last 46 show a healthy flat-bet profit.

3rd: (1) FOLK HERO – ran well in two six-furlong sprints and then was a good third against allowance foes going two turns.

Race Six:

1st: (4) UNCLE JOCK – missed beating this state-bred allowance level by a neck and then was a more distant second last out. This son of Warrior’s Reward has tactical speed which Pablo Morales will have to use to keep from getting shuffled back.

2nd: (6) JOSH’S HONOR – tired in both starts against this allowance level but then was a good second going five furlongs against open $25K claimers. He comes back on two weeks’ rest and will be the one to catch.

3rd: (1) KOTYLOS – took him nine starts to break his maiden but he did it by over seven lengths.

Race Seven:

1st: (3) WARRIOR’S CAUSE – speedball had a close call in a turf sprint at Penn National where he led every step but the last. He shipped here and broke his maiden against open company and now takes on $32K with Pablo Morales back aboard.

2nd: (4) CANTSTEALMYTHUNDER – was a game second going two turns in his second career start then he rallied from way back to win going away in good time. This son of Dialed In is not exposed to the claim for Kevin Rice.

3rd: (1) MOON CAT – woke up two starts back with a good second against similar on the turf at Ellis Park.

Race Eight:

1st: (9) SOUPER SLEWS CASH – did nothing in her first two career starts but improved a lot when tried on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park. She was outrun on the dirt at Saratoga off the long layoff and now drops to the bottom here for Mike Trombetta.

2nd: (4) LT. LYDIA – missed by a nose from post 11 two starts back when she probably lost focus from being on the lead. She ran evenly last out and draws well with Rosario Montanez – flat-bet profit with his 84 sprint starts this year.

3rd: (3) SHE’S RATHER DANCE – speedy filly drops down in class for Marcus Vitali, who wins 31% against maiden claimers.