Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023

Dick Powell offers his selections and analysis for Wednesday's card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (4) LAWN DART – horse for the course has won ten times here in 27 starts. She beat this class level four starts back and then moved up off the claim in her next two starts. She returned to this group last out and weakened when blinkers were removed. 

2nd: (2) CINCO DE MANDEE – won here two starts back but weakened late after battling for the lead. She has plenty of back class and draws well with Erin Walker – 14% with her sprint rides. 

3rd: (1) DOWN TO EARTH – could get the perfect trip from the rail if the expected pace is strong. 

Race Two:

1st: (1) ITALIAN TWIN – winless in seven starts here but the first four came against much better company. He improved a lot last out going 6 1/2 furlongs and now stretches out from the rail with Angel Stanley aboard. 

2nd: (6) UPPITY UP – had to drop all the way to the bottom to break her maiden and then raced evenly in her next two starts. This daughter of English Channel settled better last out and rallied for second in a much-improved performance.  

3rd: (4) FOLLOW THROUGH – showed high speed going short and then came back here at a mile and held well after setting the pace.

Race Three:

1st: (2) HEAVY POUR – first-time starter from Tim Girten, who wins 19% with his debut runners and 22% at this maiden level. The gelded son of Stormy Atlantic (11% debut winners) is out of a dam that has produced two winners from two foals to race.  

2nd: (7) MISCHIEF EXPOSED – showed high speed in his career debut on the dirt at Finger Lakes. Not sure why a New York-bred comes here but if he shows the speed that he showed in his debut, he might be tough to catch.    

3rd: (3) EPIC KNIGHT – first-time starter by Constitution, who sires an impressive 18% first-time starters. 

Race Four:

1st: (7) THREE O ONE – former steeplechase horse has run four times here and improved each time. He went gate to wire to win by eight lengths last out at odds-on when he dominated in very fast time. Addiel Ayala rides back for Kevin Rice. 

2nd: (2) CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – added blinkers two starts back but raced evenly going six furlongs. He came back against this class and distance with a good second when he rallied from off the pace. 

3rd: (4) HUNTIN’ THE RUT – only 1 for 29 lifetime but she has early speed and some back class. 

Race Five:

1st: (6) ANNIE UP BUCK – horse for the course just missed two starts back here against this level and then was a wide-trip third at long odds when she moved up in class. John Guciardo wins 13% going long and 15% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (4) HONEY BOURBON – romped two starts back on the turf at Mountaineer Park and then came back with a third on Belterra’s turf. He has four wins on synthetic tracks and will be coming late with Andrea Ramgeet. 

3rd: (1) MIDNIGHT PIRATE – did little in her first two starts off the claim by Keith Dickey but improved a lot last out with blinkers. 

Race Six:

1st: (2) RUNAWAY HARRY – horse for the course speedball has won five of six starts here this year and they all came when he went gate to wire. He draws inside in his second start off the claim by David Markgraf. 

2nd: (5) CANADIAN GAME – showed little in his first start of the year going 6 1/2 furlongs and then stretched out to this distance and held well for third. The gelded son of Curlin gets Huber Villa-Gomez – 13% with his route rides. 

3rd: (6) HAIG POINT – was a good second two starts back here going six furlongs in fast time. 

Race Seven:

1st: (5) OMIKAMI – just missed here two starts back when her late rally fell just short and then was a distant third behind a runaway winner after a bad start. Ed Rojas wins 25% on synthetic tracks and he goes with Gaddiel Martinez. 

2nd: (6) LA REINA DEL NORTE – showed speed on the dirt at Thistledown in her first start in 10 months and then came back here and just missed in a wide trip. Sydney Rotunno wins 20% third start off the layoff and 21% against allowance foes. 

3rd: (1) FREYDIS – broke her maiden going gate to wire in her Tapeta debut. 

Race Eight:

1st: (8) PAPA HONOR – gelding by Honor Code goes back and forth between here and the turf at Mountaineer Park. He just missed there going a mile in fast time and then returned here and tired going two turns.   

2nd: (6) WHERE YOU WAS – horse for the course was an even third two starts back and then missed by a neck in fast time. He drops to bottom claimers for the first time. Ron Rogers wins 14% with his synthetic track starters and gets Antonio Gallardo.  

3rd: (2) EPIC – returns off a 470-day layoff for Bill Martin, who wins 15% in this spot. 

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