Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, May 17

Dick Powell offers his picks and analysis for the Wednesday racing card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1^st: (4) CITY OF CLOUDS – was a game second in his well-bet career debut on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs going six furlongs in fast time. He drops to maiden claimers for Tim Hamm, who wins 20% with this drop down.

2^nd: (1) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – ran well in a dirt sprint at Churchill Downs but did nothing when stretched out to two turns there. He added Lasix last out and was beaten less than three lengths in his Tapeta debut and moves back up in class off the claim.

3^rd: (2) GRAFT – could not overcome a poor start and wide trip in his career debut going short on the turf at Gulfstream Park.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (1) CHEWY CHEWY GOOD – mare has had five starts already this year, including a good win on the dirt at Parx. Her last three starts were terrible, but that is why she shows up here dropping down in class.

2^nd: (3) CHARLOTTE THE BRIT – returns off a 211-day layoff for Ed Rojas, who wins 19% in this spot and 23% with his synthetic-track starters. Daughter of Treasure Beach won easily here last year in her Tapeta debut.

3^rd: (7) WATERLOO SUNSET – returns off a 216-day layoff for Kim Schneider, but she took a few starts to come around last year.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (3) EMPTY ENVELOPE – was beaten a combined 87 lengths in her first four career starts on dirt but switched to turf last out and missed by a length going two turns. If she handles the Tapeta, she should be the strong horse in the stretch.

2^nd: (1) STORMIN MELLY – first-time starter by Mo Town out of a dam by Alphabet Soup that has produced four winners from five foals to race, including a stakes winner. Antonio Gallardo gets the ride.

3^rd: (6) DELTA WISHES – did nothing in her career debut after acting up at the gate for Tim Hamm, who wins 20% stretching out.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (5) MERINO WOOL – horse for the course stretched out to two turns here last year and promptly won her last three starts. She has a pace-stalking style and draws perfectly. Ed Rojas wins 31% first start after a win.

2^nd: (2) MIDNIGHT PIRATE– horse for the course won three in a row here last year. She spent the winter in Florida without an in-the-money finish, so she now gets on her preferred surface while dropping down in class.

3^rd: (1) FOLK HERO – speedball breaking from the inside draws the rail and gets in light with an apprentice rider.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (3) LEGEND OF CHARLIE – was a good second here in his Tapeta debut last September then ran even better two starts later against state-bred stakes foes. Tim Girten wins 27% with his allowance runners, and the last 98 show a flat-bet profit.

2^nd: (4) BRUMBA WAFFLE TOES – broke his maiden here last year when stretched out to two turns for the first time. He had some fast races since then and looks well-spotted here by Kevin Rice, who wins 18% going long to short.

3^rd: (6) WILLIE WANDO – broke his maiden here two starts back then was overmatched against stakes foes to finish up the season.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (5) SAINT GOAR – shows up here off five solid efforts at Mahoning Valley. He raced wide from post eight last out there but draws better today for Mike Pappada, who wins 18% with his route runners and 17% going from dirt to synthetic.

2^nd: (6) JEN’S SONG – horse for the course has 10 wins here over the years and 29 in-the-money finishes from 51 tries. He only had one win here last season but is fresh and ready to go with Willie Martinez getting the mount.

3^rd: (2) J BERESFORD TIPTON – should be fit from a series of turf races at Tampa Bay Downs and draws well with Scott Spieth.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (6) SAMURAI PRINCE – ran well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park before chasing the pace on the dirt. Bill Morey wins 26% going from dirt to synthetic and 24% first start after being beaten as the favorite. Antonio Gallardo picks up the ride.

2^nd: (7) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course is 9-for-16 here with five other placings. He won in fast time two starts back here then chased a fast pace going seven furlongs on the Tapeta at Woodbine. Pablo Morales rides.

3^rd: (1) SPIRITED SOL – still improving at the age of five off a big season racing on the Tapeta here last year.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (1) SUMMER PALACE – should be fit off three two-turn turf efforts and now drops down in class and distance for Leland Hayes. Regular rider from last year Pablo Morales rides back from the rail.

2^nd: (2) GOODTIME ARTIE – returns off a 211-day layoff for Matt Kintz, who wins 24% in this spot, and his last 198 synthetic-track starters show a flat-bet profit. Off the long layoff, Kintz decides not to expose him to the claim, so this is a free swing.

3^rd: (5) PERFECT PICTURE – moves up some in class for his Tapeta debut.