Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, July 17, 2024

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

Race One:

1st: (5) GREY CHARMER – returned off a 10-week layoff and just missed as the odds-on favorite after being shuffled back from post one. He raced evenly here last out and should be ready for Kevin Rice, who wins 30% of the time in this spot.

2nd: (2) AESTHETICALLY – turf sprinter tried Tapeta three starts back and was an even fourth. He dropped down a notch in his last two and now goes all the way down to the bottom for Katy Cheeks, who wins 12% with her sprint starters.

3rd: (6) CAPTAIN MAD JACK – missed by a neck two starts back then could not overcome post nine last out.

Race Two:

1st: (3) KAGERO – took her 12 tries to break her maiden, then she came back and missed by a neck as the 3-10 favorite. She was second again last out when moved way up in class and now drops back to the right level.

2nd: (2) READY SHE IS – returned off a nine-month layoff with a distant second against male runners then came back against females and weakened. She drops back down in class for Katy Cheeks, who wins 20% third start off the layoff.

3rd: (1) RIA FORMOSA – was outrun two starts back against better then missed by a neck against these last out.

Race Three:

1st: (4) CINCO DE MANDEE – speedy mare won first out here in May off the layoff then just missed in fast time. She chased the pace last out and meets the same group while getting in light again with Brooke Bays.

2nd: (1) LAWN DART – won from just off the pace two starts back here then weakened against this claiming level last out. Horse for the course has won 12 times here and draws the rail with Martina Rojas back aboard.

3rd: (2) POQUITO ROSE – began the year with two straight wins then ran third in the next two starts.

Race Four:

1st: (5) RANSEUR – dropped down to this class level last out in his Presque Isle debut, and he won going away as the lukewarm favorite. He comes back going two turns for Ed Rojas, who wins 29% first start after a win and 21% going short to long.

2nd: (2) SHIMMERING LEROID – off a pair of sprints in his first two Tapeta starts, he was a good third when stretched out to two turns. After a dull effort last out, he drops down in class for Leland Hayes.

3rd: (6) GOLDEN SODA – stretches out to two turns off a series of even sprints.

Race Five:

1st: (4) A KISS FOR KHOZAN – weakened after gunning to the front two starts back then held better when he pressed the pace against this class level. Rory Barron wins 29% third start off the layoff and 17% with his claimers.

2nd: (3) QUEEN WIGGY – made a sneaky middle move before tiring in her first start off the long layoff then held well for third when dropped down to this claiming level. Tim Girten wins 37% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (5) LET’S BE HONEST – has slightly improved in all three starts here this year.

Race Six:

1st: (3) JENNY LIND – was a sharp winner as the even-money favorite two starts back at Turfway Park then came here and rallied for second in fast time when moved back up to this allowance level.

2nd: (7) VACCINA – speedball opened up a big lead before tiring late then ran off last out before tiring. Cassandra Judd wins 13% with her synthetic-track starters. Huber Villa-Gomez will try to get her to conserve energy.

3rd: (6) TESHIMA – went gate to wire in her Presque Isle debut then came back and did it again.

Race Seven:

1st: (1) R ADMIRAL – made his first start of the year two starts back and dominated on the front end. He came back and beat allowance foes last out and drops back down in class for John Fennessy, a 22% winner first start after a win.

2nd: (5) STARSHIP EMPIRE – horse for the course has won nine times here with 10 placings in only 22 starts. He rallied strongly last out here behind a soft pace to miss by a neck for Scooter Davis, who wins 21% third start off the layoff.

3rd: (4) Q F SEVENTY FIVE – has had three starts here and won his last against similar company.

Race Eight:

1st: (3) GLOBAL HYSTERIA – was an even third two starts back here off the layoff then lost all chance when he stumbled badly at the start. He takes another drop in class here for Matt Kintz, who wins 24% third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (6) MAKE THE BED – has raced against this maiden claiming level the last two starts, but he doesn’t have to do much to finish in the money against these. Huber Villa-Gomez rides back — he's an 11% winner with his sprint rides.

3rd: (2) GET KHOZY – should be in shape off some steeplechase efforts earlier this year.