Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023

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

 

Race One:

1^st: (2) TRUCKIN TOMMY – showed high speed to the final furlong in his delayed career debut then raced evenly last out. Five-year-old gelding drops way down in class for Mike Pappada, who wins 35% with his maiden claimers.

2^nd: (3) LUCKY SMILE – did nothing in his first three career starts then showed some improvement when dropped down in class at Churchill Downs. He came here and weakened late as the beaten favorite for Katy Cheeks, who wins 26% after losing as the fave.

3^rd: (1) SHARP PLAY BOY – only decent race in four starts was on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park against better company.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (2) OMIKAMI – broke her maiden by 11 lengths going two turns on the dirt at Penn National then came here and just missed against state-bred allowance foes. She was a distant third last out in very fast time and drops back down in class.

2^nd: (1) I’M HEADING EAST – just missed two starts back against bottom maiden claimers then broke her maiden against decent company last out. She takes on state-bred $10K claimers and gets Pablo Morales back aboard.

3^rd: (7) UPTOWN CHARLOTTE – rallied some two starts back to get second then beat bottom maiden claimers last out.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (6) GURT’S WARRIOR – makes his Tapeta debut after three starts on the dirt at Penn National. Son of Warrior’s Reward has some gate speed and showed a decent five-furlong breeze here last week for new trainer Tim Girten.

2^nd: (5) GEMINI MOON – began this year with a close second against this maiden claiming level going this distance. He raced evenly in his next two starts then tired last out when blinkers were put back on. They come off today, and Erin Walker rides back.

3^rd: (4) UPTOWNJACOB BROWN – has some back class on dirt and makes his Tapeta debut with Martina Rojas.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (1) KENJI’S EMPIRE – speedball breaking from the rail held well to be second two starts back against better. Last out against bottom maiden claimers, he pressed the pace wide after a sluggish start and now comes back off the John Fennessy claim.

2^nd: (5) TWELVETWO – was beaten double digits in his first five career starts but dropped down to this maiden claiming level and improved. He was even better last out in a wide trip.

3^rd: (2) COMMANDING – just missed two starts back on the dirt at Penn National, where he showed high speed.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (5) VOORHEES – began the season with an easy maiden win here then had a pair of seconds in his next four starts. Tim Hamm wins 21% with his overall claimers and synthetic-track starters. Jose Riquelme rides back.

2^nd: (4) GOVERNOR ATWOOD – took him 13 tries to break his maiden and comes back against modest conditioned winners. Randy Russell wins 40% first start after a maiden win and 13% with his overall claimers.

3^rd: (3) SPIRITED DEBATE – speedball broke his maiden in his ninth career start then weakened last out against winners.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (1) RUNAWAY HARRY – went gate to wire to win by five lengths then did nothing when moved too far up in class. He dropped back down to a reasonable level and won his last two, draws the rail today and gets Pablo Morales.

2^nd: (5) GREG’S HONOR – horse for the course won his first two starts here then was a game second as the 6-5 favorite. He was an even third against this claiming level last out for Gerry Brooks, who wins 18% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3^rd: (7) TEMPUS – horse for the course has a decent finishing kick and could get a piece.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (6) HALF BIRTHDAY – horse for the course was a game second off the long layoff then just missed here when moved up in class. She absolutely romped by seven lengths last out against first-level allowance foes for Matt Kintz.

2^nd: (5) LENTEN ROSE – ran well here going two turns then dropped down to six furlongs and beat $25K claimers easily. She moves up a notch in class for Ron Potts, who wins 13% first start after a win and 20% with synthetic-track starters.

3^rd: (4) DANA’S BEAUTY – turns back to a sprint after tiring going six furlongs against similar company.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (8) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course has won eight times here, including a nose victory last out after opening up a clear lead. Son of First Samurai comes right back and should be the controlling speed from the outside.

2^nd: (9) GREAT BLAKE – won in fast time three starts back then raced evenly in his next two starts. Still firing bullets at the age of nine, Mark Hoffman wins 20% with his overall claimers, and his last 102 sprinters show a flat-bet profit.

3^rd: (10) CHAMPION BY DESIGN – beat $6,250 claimers two starts back then could not handle the move up off the claim.