Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024

Dick Powell handicaps the Tuesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (2) REAPPLY – missed by a nose two starts back going this distance against similar company and then raced evenly going six furlongs in a fast time. Tim Girten wins 16% going short to long and 22% with Antonio Gallardo over the last 60 days. 

2nd: (3) PARTNER TOURS – beat cheaper company three starts back at Presque Isle Downs going two turns and raced evenly when moving up in class. He dropped way down last out and fell a head short. This son of Tourist seems to be better going two turns.  

3rd: (4) CALL THE BALL – rallied from way back two starts back on a sloppy track at Mountaineer Park before recording a third on the turf. 

Race 2

1st: (7) STARCRY – makes her Tapeta debut after four starts on turf, but she has experience working over it at Fair Hill. She was an even fourth against better competition last out for Brittany Russell, who wins 43% with a two-class drop. 

2nd: (2) WEST COAST SONG – her last four races came on four different racetracks and three different surfaces. She showed good speed on the turf in her last two starts on turf and draws inside with Huber Villa-Gomez. 

3rd: (4) SLAINTE MHATH – was soundly beaten in five straight sprints but ran well in her last two starts going two turns. 

Race 3

1st: (3) SECRET TREASURE – son of Arrogate ran well in his last three starts going two turns here against this maiden level. His dam was a stakes winner and has produced four winners, including two stakes winners. 

2nd: (1) IRISH STONE – raced evenly in an 11-runner field two starts back and then missed by a nose when he tried to close behind a slow pace. John Bourke wins 24% going long and 20% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (2) FROZEN FOUR – was out of the money in five straight races but just missed going two turns here in his PID debut. 

Race 4

1st: (1) CAPTAIN MAD JACK – horse for the course has improved some, recording a good third from post 7 last out and now draws the rail. Erin Walker does well with sprint rides and should be able to get this old-timer a decent trip while saving ground.  

2nd: (8) TAPSOLUTION – raced evenly in three straight starts against better company but woke up last out with a good third when dropping down to this level. Scooter Davis wins 28% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (3) COMMODORE BARRY – won his season finale last year and then raced evenly off the layoff. 

Race 5

1st: (7) TRIPLE R RATED – horse for the course won easily two starts back in fast time, then came back and did it again. She moves up a notch in class for Randy Russell, who wins 13% first start after a win and 19% with Gaddiel Martinez over the last two months.

2nd: (3) FLIRTINI – ran well on the Tapeta earlier this year at Gulfstream Park. Her last two starts were out of the money, but the daughter of Kantharos has dangerous early speed with Willie Martinez. 

3rd: (6) FLOAT AWAY – moves up in class off an easy win for John Bourke, who wins 32% in this spot.

Race 6

1st: (1) SHE’S GOT RHYTHM – broke her maiden in her two-turn debut here two starts back and missed by a length when she came back against winners. She drops down in class and gets in light with Brooke Bays. 

2nd: (7) INDIAN SPIDEROO – had some decent races on the Tapeta and was a game second when she almost went gate to wire last out. She will be dangerous again if Israel Rodriguez sends her to the front again. 

3rd: (8) SENSIBLE MARRIAGE – took 17 starts to break her maiden and then came back with an even third last out. 

Race 7

1st: (4) ROCK N REWARD – horse for the course beat state-bred allowance foes three back and then held on for fourth against stakes foes. She rebounded with a good win against open company for Tim Girten, who wins 20% first start after a win. 

2nd: (2) RUSTY MY BROTHER – speedy filly has won five times here and does her best running going one turn. She held well for second last out when blinkers were added off the claim by Ed Rojas, who wins 23% second start off a claim.  

3rd: (6) BOURBON BREEZE – rallied from off the pace to get up by a head in her Tapeta debut here last out. 

Race 8

1st: (8) NIGHT RIDE – ran well last year going two turns here against much better company. He did nothing two starts back and now drops way down in class for Lance Stokes, who wins 21% going short to long. 

2nd: (3) MISCHIEF WARRIOR – showed good speed two starts back here when dropped to this claiming price, then went gate to wire by three lengths last out in decent time. Pablo Morales rides back for Tim Girten in a winning combination 43% of the time over the last 60 days. 

3rd: (4) HIGH HEADED – one-dimensional closer won going away as the odds-on favorite last out.