Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Dick Powell analyzes Wednesday’s Presque Isle Downs card and offers his selections.

Race One:

1st: (4) LORD OF LEGENDS – after his first start of the year off the long layoff, he came back and held well to be third against this claiming level. Jamie Buhrow is winless with 12 starters this year but he fits well against this group. 

2nd: (7) WAPITI WAY – was claimed for this price three starts back in his first start of the season. He was a good third when moved up in class, then came back and raced evenly. Now, he drops back down for Kevin Rice, who wins 17% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: (6) CALL ME GUSTO – rallied from off the pace on dirt two starts back, then showed good speed going two turns. 

Race Two:

1st: (7) YANKEE HUMOR – missed by a nose in Arizona, then shipped here and rallied for third against this level. He came back with a good second last out going longer for Marcus Vitali, who wins 23% third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (5) BAKERS PRIDE – broke his maiden here in his well-bet career debut going 5 1/2 furlongs in decent time and comes back at the right class level for Scooter Davis, who wins 26% with his synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (2) TRUSTME IAMADOCTOR – went gate to wire two starts back from post 11, then raced evenly last out. 

Race Three:

1st: (6) GAVEL – broke his maiden on dirt in an off-the-turf event at Hawthorne, then shipped here and was a good second. He was used hard from post one to just miss as the odds-on favorite for Larry Rivelli, who wins 30% first start after losing as the favorite. 

2nd: (1) OUTSIDER – broke his maiden first time out when he rallied from far off the pace, then came back against these and was a good third in fast time. He needs a fast pace but should be able to rally up the rai.    

3rd: (2) MIDNIGHT AMBITION – was a sharp winner two starts back on the dirt at Churchill, then raced evenly here last out.

Race Four:

1st: (1) CHEERFUL TROUT – still a maiden after nine starts but raced well going two turns the last two starts. She drops back to six furlongs and draws the rail with Willie Martinez – 12% with his sprint rides. 

2nd: (2) SHEZ UNTAPPABLE – finished third in all three starts here against this state-bred maiden level. She improved each start for Randy Russell, who wins 13% against this maiden level and with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (5) LITTLE LAMB CHOP – speedy filly tries Tapeta for the first time and should improve with blinkers removed.

Race Five:

1st: (2) CERTAIN – beat open allowance foes two starts back with a strong, late rally then he came back with an even effort in fast time. He drops down in class for Teresa Conelly, who wins 13% with her synthetic-track starters. 

2nd: (1) GENERAL WINSTON – has had three decent starts to get the year going but he drops down to a lower level looking for class relief. He has some big races in the past that easily win this and is fast enough to keep up early from post one. 

3rd: (4) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course has won 12 times with 10 placings and is in good form. 

Race Six:

1st: (7) ATROCIOUS – stretched out to two turns two starts back and rallied for third. He came back and just missed and now tries again for Kevin Rice, who wins 17% with his synthetic-track starters and 14% going long. 

2nd: (3) SECRET TREASURE – missed by a nose two starts back when he finished ahead of the top choice, then missed by a neck last out. Son of Arrogate can stalk the pace while saving ground with Erin Walker. 

3rd: (9) BERNIN TUNE – was an even third in his career debut going two turns on the turf 339 days ago. 

Race Seven:

1st: (6) HEAVEN RULES – ran well here in her career debut a year ago, then returned 11 months later and went gate to wire. She was a good second last out against this level and adds Lasix for the first time. 

2nd: (2) ROCK N REWARD – beat state-bred allowance foes two starts back here, then was an even fourth last out against state-bred stakes foes. Tim Girten wins 23% with his allowance runners and 20% with his sprinters. 

3rd: (8) HIDDEN CLASS – ran poorly to begin the year on turf and dirt but shipped here and was a good fourth going two turns. 

Race Eight:

1st: (2) FROZEN FOUR – improved some two starts back on the turf when Lasix was added then raced evenly with blinkers. He takes a gigantic class drop for his Tapeta debut and new trainer Kevin Rice. 

2nd: (4) ELM STREET – still a maiden after 10 tries but when he dropped down to this maiden claiming level last out, he was a decent fourth from post 10 going six furlongs. He stretches out to two turns with Pablo Morales back aboard. 

3rd: (5) STRATEGYFORYOU – still a maiden after 11 tries but he showed good speed last out and takes another drop in class.