Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Dick Powell's views of all eight races at Presque Isle Downs on Tuesday.  

Race One

1st: (2) UNICORN SALLY – ran well against better company here in two starts last year. She returns without being exposed to the claim for Gerry Brooks, who wins 21% with his claiming starters and 15% going from dirt to synthetic. 

2nd: (7) SONG OF INDY – horse for the course has 11 wins and nine seconds here over the years and ran well in her debut last year. She draws outside with Martina Rojas, who still gets the apprentice allowance.  

3rd: (1) WILD LOOKER – just missed here to finish up last season and should benefit from a recent effort on dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. 

Race Two

1st: (5) GOLDEN SODA – has yet to win here in seven starts but has five placings, and all came against similar or better company. He was an even fourth two starts back in a wide trip, then rallied for third in fast time when dropped to this class level.   

2nd: (6) KEYSTONE HANK – did nothing over the winter on dirt at Penn National but has some past races here that are good enough to beat these. Two very fast five-furlong breezes indicate that he is ready.  

3rd: (4) REVERE NOTE – for some reason his form got worse as he raced at Turfway Park, so he’s been freshened up for this. 

Race Three

1st: (2) FIELDER – horse for the course won three in a row here last season, then finished up with a good third. Off for 211 days, he has strong early speed and draws well with Pablo Morales – 16% with his sprint rides. 

2nd: (6) TONY SMALL – won here last June with Rojas aboard. He should get a lot out of his fourth on the dirt in very fast time at Tampa Bay Downs last month for Mark Hoffman, who wins 29% second start off the layoff.  

3rd: (1) TAPSOLUTION – moves up in class off the claim by Scooter Davis, who wins 20% off medium rest. 

Race Four

1st: (6) I’M HEADING EAST – rallied from off the pace after being shuffled back from post 1, then showed much better speed next time out. She comes back against the same level for Ed Rojas, who wins 32% off long rest. 

2nd: (1) ROSIE’S ALIBI – stakes-placed filly by Justify was a decent second going two turns at Keeneland, then did nothing in her turf debut. Mike Trombetta wins 16% against allowance foes, and he is able to get Antonio Gallardo.  

3rd: (2) OMIKAMI – returns for her seasonal debut for Ed Rojas, who wins 32% off long layoffs and 28% first off the claim. 

Race Five

1st: (5) NO TAPPIN OUT – broke her maiden near the end of last season, then raced well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. She did little on the dirt at Hawthorne for Bill Morey, who wins 26% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (1) DEVIL AT MIDNIGHT – Throw out her recent turf sprint effort and her form is very good. She moves up a notch in class after showing high speed on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park for Melanie Giddings, who wins 19% with her overall claimers. 

3rd: (2) CLOUD IN THE WIND – improved some when moving to state-bred company to break her maiden last out with second-time Lasix. 

Race Six

1st: (6) SECRET TREASURE – spent the winter on dirt and turf against high-class maidens and ran well each time. Son of Arrogate stays at two turns for Ron Potts, who wins 28% going from turf to synthetic.   

2nd: (5) EXPRESS STAR – has improved since going to two turns here last fall. His last race was a move backward, so he went to the sidelines for seven months. Son of Preservationist can run all day and gets Addiel Ayala. 

3rd: (2) STREAMSONG – ran big in his second career start for Mike Pappada, who wins 48% first start out of his barn. 

Race Seven

1st: (8) RUNAWAY HARRY – finished up last season here with two clear-cut wins going two turns, then won two more on dirt. Horse for the course is 6-for-7 here, and most came against decent company. 

2nd: (6) PEMAQUID PETE – horse for the course going for win number 12. He won five times here last season and earned $64K in purses – all against open company runners. Morales picks up another live mount. 

3rd: (2) VAN – finished up last season with a sharp win going this distance in very fast time.

Race Eight

1st: (4) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – seems to have enough back class and solid efforts on Tapeta to boss this group. Ed Rojas wins 27% with his claiming starters. Son of Kitten’s Joy gets in light with Martina Rojas. 

2nd: (9) DIGITAL FOOTPRINT – ran well against better, then dropped down to this claiming level and his late rally fell a head short. Matt Kintz wins 23% first start after being beaten as the favorite and goes with Ron Allen Jr. 

3rd: (10) GIANT PAYDAY – versatile 10-year-old by Giant’s Causeway can set the pace or sit just off of it.