Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Dick Powell outlines his selections for Tuesday’s card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (4) SEA URCHIN – still a maiden after 10 tries, but the first seven came against much better company on dirt. He opened up a big lead two starts ago and then ran about the same race last out. Ron Potts wins 18% of the time with this dropdown.

2nd: (6) ELEVATED CAUSEWAY – was a good fourth in his Tapeta debut at Gulfstream Park and then came back here two starts later and was a good third. Scooter Davis wins 41% of his first starts out of his barn.

3rd: (7) LUCIOS ZORAN – was soundly beaten in his first four career starts on turf and dirt but was a good second here last out.

Race Two:

1st: (3) GREY CHARMER – just missed at Turfway Park as the beaten favorite two starts ago and then his late rally fell a neck short here as the odds-on favorite going a bit shorter. Kevin Rice wins 22% of his first starts after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (5) COURT AND SPARK – ran well here last year against much better competition but the claim out of his last race was voided, so here he is making his first start in 208 days. He showed a nice allowance win here last June, so the back class is there.

3rd: (2) JUST WATCH ME NOW – raced evenly here against this level in his second start of the year and gets in light again.

Race Three:

1st: (4) JEN’S SONG – horse for the course has 11 wins and 19 placings here. He’s been running against better competition this year without any success and drops in class for Kim DePasquale. Pablo Morales rides back.

2nd: (2) RICHARD HOOTY – finished up last year with a good win going two turns and then weakened here last time out after making a strong middle move. He should benefit from a race under his belt and a drop in class.

3rd: (1) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – moves up a notch in class off a sharp win last out as the 11-10 favorite.

Race Four:

1st: (2) A KISS FOR KHOZAN – went gate to wire two starts ago on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. Off for four months, she showed high speed for a half-mile before weakening against much better competition. Erin Walker rides back.

2nd: (5) LET’S BE HONEST – was a good second here two starts back in her PID debut and then she rallied wide for third the last time out. Joe Musarro wins 24% of the time with his claimers and is 4 for 13 with his sprinters.

3rd: (1) QUEEN WIGGY – horse for the course has won four times here for Tim Girten.

Race Five:

1st: (1) STARSHIP EMPIRE – horse for the course beat allowance foes here last October going two turns and then weakened here off the long layoff, going six furlongs. Willie Martinez rides back from the rail, winning 27% of the time with his route mounts.

2nd: (5) Q F SEVENTY FIVE – was a good second going a two-turn mile in a fast time two starts ago and then was an even third last out against better company. Ron Potts wins 17% of the time with his route starters and 19% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: (2) VAN – has had three starts here this year and draws well with Erin Walker back aboard.

Race Six:

1st: (4) LEONARD’S LEGACY – went gate to wire two starts back in his first start off a long layoff and then tired the last time out against state-bred allowance foes. He will be tough to catch if he shakes loose early with Gaddiel Martinez.

2nd: (5) RICHIESINTHEHOUSE – horse for the course has won six of seven starts here and won at 7-5 here going six furlongs in fast time. Showing no signs of letting up at the age of 10, he draws well with Antonio Gallardo riding back.

3rd: (6) MEAN TWEETS – moved up off the claim two starts back and showed good speed before weakening.

Race Seven:

1st: (7) OUTHUSTLE – won his first two starts here last year and then was a good third against this allowance level. He returned this year with a good win against open $25,000 claimers and now tries allowance foes again off a very fast workout.

2nd: (3) HECTOR – missed by a neck two starts back after making a strong middle move that led to him racing against stakes foes last out. He drops back to a reasonable level for Ron Potts, who wins 22% of the time against this class level.

3rd: (4) RECYCLE – opened up a big lead going two turns in his second Tapeta race and then beat state-bred allowance foes.

Race Eight:

1st: (2) HE’S A LUCKY GUY – mostly a turf horse, he was a good second here going two turns against this maiden claiming level the last time out. Scooter Davis wins 41% of the time in his first starts out of his barn and 20% in a second start off a layoff.

2nd: (6) BE ON NOTICE – drops back down to maiden claimers after two starts at Mountaineer Park. He had some decent finishes on the Tapeta at Woodbine last year. Louis Ruberto wins 14% of the time in his third start off a layoff.

3rd: (8) I’M THE CABANA BOY – drops down to maiden claimers off two even efforts going short here.