Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, May 24, 2023

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

Race One:

1^st: (5) TRIPLE R RATED – woke up here last year when Lasix was added. She promptly broke her maiden against open company and then beat state-bred allowance foes. The filly then ran poorly in her next two starts to finish up the season.

2^nd: (3) BETTER CALL MAMA – this confirmed turf sprinter tries synthetic for the first time. She has a big, late kick going short and should fit well against mid-level claimers. The daughter of Handsome Mike ran well last year off a similar layoff.

3^rd: (4) QUEEN OF CHILL – added Lasix over the winter and won two of her first three starts with it at Turfway Park.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (5) AMERICA’S GUEST – has yet to finish in the money after five tries but he takes a gigantic drop in class for his Tapeta debut. This son of Candy Ride has two decent tries going two turns on the turf and gets jockey Pablo Morales.

2^nd: (1) MAGIC WIZARD – had three starts here last year but he comes in here off three even turf efforts going two turns against better maidens. Mike Allen rides back from the rail.

3^rd: (4) MOCA MONSTER – still winless after 15 tries but at least most of them came against better maidens.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (1) JARETH – hard-knocking horse for the course has won nine times here including a win against this claiming level last October. Trainer Rory Barron wins 24% first start after a win and jockey Ronnie Allen, Jr. rides back from the rail.

2^nd: (2) NOTACATBUTACARD – finished up last season with three straight in-the-money races against this claiming level. The last two came going two turns but one-turn sprints are probably better for him. This son of Discreet Cat gets rider Antonio Gallardo.

3^rd: (3) OLDZFOURFORTYTWO – horse for the course goes for win number 10 here at the young age of eight.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (4) BUGLE BARRY – not quite a horse for the course but he has 15 placings with nearly all coming against better company. Versatile 9-year-old can show gate speed on occasion and will need to with apprentice rider Alice Beckman aboard.

2^nd: (6) CELEBRATORY – has won on turf and synthetic previously and done so over multiple tracks. This son of Congrats can stalk the early speed from out here with jockey Gaddiel Martinez. Trainer Cassondra Weaver wins 23% first start out of her barn and 24% with her overall claimers.

3^rd: (3) DIGITAL FOOTPRINT – hasn’t seen the winner’s circle in 51 weeks but the son of Giant’s Causeway has lots of back class.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (6) LOVELY EVER AFTER – had a good season here in 2022 with six starts that earned him over $67K. He was a good third against this allowance level but then was overmatched last out against stakes foes.

2^nd: (4) SALIT – daughter of American Pharoah broke her maiden on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs in February and then ran well there last out in good time. Trainer Matt Kintz wins 29% going turf to synthetic and 19% with his overall synthetic-track starters.

3^rd: (5) SCOOP THERE IT IS – moves way up in class but should be fit from recent efforts on the dirt at Mahoning Valley.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (8) ALHAAN – ran well on the turf at Gulfstream Park and then came back there in an off-the-turf event on the Tapeta, where the filly finished an even second. This daughter of Kitten’s Joy has to keep from racing too wide but has a fitness edge over those coming off layoffs.

2^nd: (9) SOLDIERESS – showed good speed before weakening going seven furlongs on the dirt in her well-bet career debut at Tampa Bay Downs. She tries Tapeta and two turns for the Spieths.

3^rd: (6) ANNA LUCIA – first-time starter by Medaglia d’Oro who is out of stakes-winning dam by Giant’s Causeway.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (7) MERINO WOOL – broke her maiden in her Tapeta debut at Turfway Park going a mile there and then came back with a good third two starts later in fast time. Trainer Tim Girten wins 27% with his allowance starters and the last 100 of them show a flat-bet profit.

2^nd: (3) ANOINT – was a game second here last October against state-bred allowance foes and then went to Penn National, where she won by 10 lengths on the dirt. Trainer Keri Brion wins 21% off long layoffs and 27% with her allowance runners.

3^rd: (5) BOURBON BLAST – moves way up in class but has two recent starts at Tampa Bay Downs to provide some fitness.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (6) ROWDY JESS – very inconsistent as a 4-year-old but he has run well when he was bet well so watch the board. His last two were poor on the dirt but adds blinkers and should be able to sit off the early speed.

2^nd: (7) RUNAWAY HARRY – speedy gelding could be tough if he can shake loose early. He has yet to win on Tapeta but they all came against better company. Trainer Chris Davis adds jockey Antonio Gallardo and removes blinkers.

3^rd: (9) FREE SHIPPING – has a decent record on the Tapeta at Gulfstream and drops another notch in class.