Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Tuesday’s action at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections. 

Race 1

1st: (2) BAYTOWN BARACUS – did nothing in his first four career starts but at least showed some speed two starts back going a mile on the turf at Ellis Park. He came back and raced evenly at Kentucky Downs and trains on Tapeta at Turfway Park. 

2nd: (3) NOTFANUTIN – tired in a turf sprint at Aqueduct, then came back here and raced evenly in a wide trip going 5 1/2 furlongs. He made a strong middle move here last out when stretched out to this distance.   

3rd: (6) SAKI BOMB – rallied from far back to get third here going five furlongs in his career debut. 

Race 2

1st: (1) STARSHIP MACYS – speedball breaking from the inside beat similar two starts in a row before moving up to allowance level and leading for about six furlongs. She drops back down in class for Mike Pappada, who wins 19% going long.  

2nd: (4) CIDSTAYINURLAINE – drops down in class after showing good speed here when she set demanding paces the last two. This is the lowest class she has raced against and gets in light with Brooke Bays. 

3rd: (8) ANADOR – turf mare tries Tapeta for the first time while dropping way down in class. 

Race 3

1st: (2) JOYS OF SUMMER – was right there in the deep stretch when making her well-bet career debut. Adam Rice wins 38% second time out and 21% against this maiden level. Daughter of Summer Front is a half to a stakes winner. 

2nd: (6) TWO SCOOPS – ran well in her career debut here, then did nothing in a turf sprint at Saratoga. She came back here and rallied from off the pace to miss by a neck. Pablo Morales picks up the mount for Tim Hamm.  

3rd: (8) INSTABRAT – was an even third here in her well-bet career debut and gets Brooke Bays, who gets off the co-third choice. 

Race 4

1st: (2) LAWN DART – horse for the course has won 13 times here, including a win against cheaper. She moves way up in class for Ed Rojas, who wins 29% first start after a win and 23% going short to long. 

2nd: (3) GENEVIEVE’S Z VA – horse for the course has won 10 times here and has many strong efforts against this class level. She can either go to the lead from here and work out a stalking pace with Victor Severino.   

3rd: (5) ROCK N REWARD – was a sharp winner in fast time going six furlongs two starts back, then raced evenly last out. 

Race 5

1st: (6) SICILIAN PRINCESS – still a maiden after seven tries but she was a good second two starts back in an off-the-turf event on a sloppy track, then raced evenly going 12 furlongs on the turf at Saratoga. Will Walden adds blinkers to the daughter of Justify. 

2nd: (1) KISS BLUE – tired on the turf two starts back in fast time at Ellis Park and then failed in a turf sprint there. She goes back to two turns and tries Tapeta from post 1 with Antonio Gallardo getting the mount. 

3rd: (3) MAHJONG GIRL – did nothing in her first four career starts and then ran better here going two turns. 

Race 6

1st: (9) GOTHAM GRAY – broke her maiden in her 14th try and then came back to just miss against this conditioned claiming level. Daughter of Frosted was a good second last out and looks like she has enough gate speed to overcome post 9. 

2nd: (10) GOOD TO BE TRUGE – won her well-bet career debut here, then raced evenly in her next three starts against much better company. She held well last out when dropped down in class and now takes another drop for John Fennessy.

3rd: (7) EQUINAMOUS – showed some speed in her last two starts here and now drops down in class. 

Race 7

1st: (5) HEY PADRE – held on by a neck after disputing the pace, then was an even fourth in his first start off the claim by Scooter Davis. Son of Hard Spun has run well against similar company this year and goes with Rosario Montanez. 

2nd: (2) TIZ TACT TOE – moves up in class off a gate-to-wire win here in fast time. He’s won here four times and draws well with Gaddiel Martinez. Ed Rojas wins 29% first start after a win and 27% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (11) THALBERG – beat this claiming level first start off the claim but has to overcome post 11.

Race 8

1st: (7) COMMODORE BARRY – was an even fourth two starts back here, then ran behind a fast pace going this distance in fast time. Tom Cooper wins 15% with his overall claimers and 11% with his sprint starters. 

2nd: (11) GENERAL WINSTON – drops way down in class off some even efforts here. Matt Kintz wins 15% with his synthetic-track starters and 14% with his overall claiming starters. 

3rd: (10) JUPITER BLUES – ran well on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park earlier this year and now drops to the bottom.