Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024

Dick Powell handicaps the Tuesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (6) FIRST FORAY – did nothing in her first two career starts on turf and dirt. She came here last out and was a good second for Tim Girten, who wins 40% against maiden claimers and 20% with his synthetic-track starters. 

2nd: (4) SHEZ UNTAPPABLE – has run evenly here in her three starts against state-bred maidens and now tries open maiden claimers. Randy Russell is winning 27% at this meet and 29% when he rides Gaddiel Martinez over the last 60 days.  

3rd: (1) MIDNIGHT FAME – still a maiden after seven tries, but this is the lowest class she has ever faced. 

Race 2

1st: (5) TARSUS WARRIOR – showed high speed to the deep stretch in his well-bet career debut going this distance in fast time. He earned an 85 Brisnet Speed rating that dwarfs this field. Girten wins 41% in his first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (4) OPHELIAS DREAM – began her career in good form last year. After running poorly in her seasonal debut, she added Lasix and improved some in each of her last two starts.    

3rd: (6) ADIOS ASHWOOD – chased the pace in his well-bet career debut and should improve for Ben Delong. 

Race 3

1st: (5) LADY HAMILTON – raced evenly on the turf two starts in a row, then switched to the Ed Rojas barn and held well for second in fast time. She comes back against similar company and gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo back. 

2nd: (6) WILD DELIGHT – just missed two starts back when stretched out to this distance, then raced evenly going six furlongs. At two turns, she can use her gate speed to best advantage. Martina Rojas wins 16% with speedy types.   

3rd: (2) BOURBON BLAST – could not touch the top choice two starts back and then ran much better last out when dropped in class. 

Race 4

1st: (5) COURAGEOUS ARI – improved a lot two starts back at long odds, then just missed by a head after chasing the pace from post 1 when blinkers were added. Her last two starts were good enough to beat this field.

2nd: (4) TESSITURA – first-time starter from Eoin Harty, who wins 12% with debut runners and 13% against this maiden level. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro (12% debut winners) is training well and gets Willie Martinez. 

3rd: (3) MOCHA DIANE – first-time starter from Tim Girten, who wins 15% with his debut runners. 

Race 5

1st: (5) VALIANT VICTORIA – her best recent race was a good third here in fast time against much better company. She could not handle open allowance foes last out and now drops down to a more realistic level.   

2nd: (3) KAGERO – took her 12 starts to break her maiden, but it looks like she has figured it out at the age of six with a win and two seconds since then. Walber Alencar rides back for John Fennessy; they have won 26% together over the past 60 days. 

3rd: (8) TUDOR PEAK – has run well without winning in three starts here this year. 

Race 6

1st: (1) AND THATS MY STORY – did little in his first three career starts going short, then stretched out and was a good third. He draws the rail and adds blinkers. His dam was a stakes winner and has produced six winners from seven starters.  

2nd: (2) MISSIONARY MAN – chased the pace in a wide trip from post 10 in his career debut at Ellis Park on the turf. His 72 Brisnet speed rating is higher than these horses', but he’s still an unknown factor. Riley Mott is 5-for-7 riding Antonio Gallardo over the last two months. 

3rd: (8) NICOLE’S WILL – showed speed in his career debut going short but then just missed when stretched out to two turns. 

Race 7

1st: (7) R ADMIRAL – horse for the course has found a home here in his last 10 starts. He’s been up and down the class ladder, and this is the lowest claiming price he has been risked for. He has more than enough gate speed to work out a trip from here. 

2nd: (2) Q F SEVENTY FIVE – rallied from off the pace to win two in a row here going this distance, then made a big middle move before weakening late. Ron Potts wins 30% of his first starts after being beaten as the favorite. 

3rd: (5) STARSHIP EMPIRE – hard to put on top with three straight narrow losses, but at least he’s right in it. 

Race 8

1st: (5) UNCLE JOCK – was a good winner two starts back but could not overcome post 10 last out in a wide trip. He draws much better today and switches to Pablo Morales, who's 4-for-5 riding for Potts lately. 

2nd: (2) HENRY’S WORLD – speedball breaking from the inside should benefit going 5 1/2 furlongs. After winning easily to start the season here, he’s been second in his last three starts. He gets in light with Dereck Lopez. 

3rd: (1) EXTRA MEDIUM – rallied from off the pace to win going away two starts back, then chased the pace last out.