Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, June 25, 2024

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

Race One

1st: (6) OMIKAMI – returned here off the long layoff with a good second from off the pace, then she raced evenly last out in a wide trip. She drops down in class for Ed Rojas, who wins 22% going short to long. 

2nd: (3) XERCES – raced evenly after a poor start going 5 1/2 furlongs, then stretched out to two turns and went gate to wire. She drops down a bit in class for Tim Girten who goes with Pablo Morales – 5 for 15 together. 

3rd: (4) UPPITY UP – just missed here two starts back in her second start off the long layoff. 

Race Two

1st: (7) IMPOSTER SYNDROME – still a maiden after 13 tries, but he has two seconds in four starts here. He returned to the races against this maiden claiming level two starts back with a good second, then tired when moved up in class.  

2nd: (9) AWESOME FANTASY – ran well on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, then shipped here in his first start off the claim and tired after making a wide, middle move. He drops down in class for Maria Bowersock, who wins 15% second start out of her barn. 

3rd: (1) SPERANZAS WILL – drops down in class off some even efforts on turf and mud.

Race Three

1st: (6) LAWN DART – horse for the course has won 11 times here. After a trip to Arizona in February, she came back here and missed by a length after a clumsy start. Rojas wins 26% second start off the layoff. 

2nd: (2) TUDOR PEAK – dropped down to this claiming level last out here in her PID debut, and she was an even third as the 2-1 favorite. This is her third start off the layoff, and she adds blinkers and Gaddiel Martinez.   

3rd: (4) ABBEY’S SNOW WHITE – horse for the course has won 11 times here and could be fit in her third start of the season. 

Race Four

1st: (3) MOST DIVINE – was soundly beaten in two starts this spring at Tampa Bay Downs against better maiden company. She shipped here and trailed the field in an even effort and drops down in class for Mark Hoffman.  

2nd: (5) K’ANTHEIA – spent the winter at Oaklawn Park where she was overmatched against stronger company. Her last start at Churchill Downs was terrible, so she ships here for her PID debut for new trainer Tim Hamm, who wins 20% in this spot. 

3rd: (6) SUNSET VIBES – began her career against this maiden level and raced evenly. Adds Lasix for the first time. 

Race Five

1st: (2) CUPID’S STRIKE – ran well on the turf at Tampa Bay with three seconds in four starts. She has good speed, with a fast workout here, and draws inside for Tim Hamm, who wins 34% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (3) TIME FOR AN ANGEL – horse for the course has been tried in stakes company three times with little success and drops back down in class for John Bourke, who wins 31% third start off the layoff.    

3rd: (5) RED PIXIE – one-dimensional closer beat cheaper here last out in her first start off the long layoff. 

Race Six

1st: (8) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – began this season with a good second going a two-turn mile behind a slow pace, then came back and missed by a nose in an identical finish. He returns against the same group in his first start off the claim by Rory Barron. 

2nd: (3) ADIOS BOBBY – horse for the course ran well here last year then went to Mahoning Valley, where he was beaten by 94 lengths in three starts. He returned here last out and held on for second as the 8-5 favorite with Erin Walker.  

3rd: (5) EPIC – 10-year-old gelding has only four starts in the past three seasons but raced evenly here last out. 

Race Seven

1st: (8) TAKEMETOTHEBEACH – went gate to wire in her career debut here, then held well for second in an off-the-turf stakes race at Saratoga. She came back here and tired in a stakes race. After two starts on the turf out of town, she’s back where she belongs. 

2nd: (5) VICTORY BADGE – turf filly by Medaglia d’Oro tries Tapeta for the first time. After breaking her maiden at the end of last season, she came back with two dull efforts and adds blinkers by Mike Trombetta – 14% when he does.  

3rd: (3) VACCINA – speedy mare is always dangerous if she can shake loose early with Walber Alencar. 

Race Eight

1st: (8) MACKENZIE’S NOVVA – one of the first horses making a fourth start at the meet. After an even fourth two starts back, he rallied to just miss as the odds-on favorite last out. Gerry Brooks wins 21% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (7) INTERCHANGER – was an even fourth in his Tapeta debut two starts back here off the long layoff, then improved some last out. He has a shot to be up on the pace with Rosario Montanez. 

3rd: (5) UP FOR THE CHANCE– rallied for second in his seasonal debut, then tired last out in the final furlong.