Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023

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

Race One:

1st: (3) DOUBLE DRIBBLE – showed interest for six furlongs in his well-bet career debut on the turf at Hawthorne. He drops down in class and distance while trying Tapeta for the first time for Larry Rivelli, who wins 27% with this dropdown.

2nd: (2) EMPTY MY POUCH – did nothing in his first three career starts against better maidens but woke up with an improved effort last out when dropped down. Katy Cheeks wins 30% with his maiden claimers and 15% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: (5) STEWIE – first-time starter from Ed Rojas has been training bullets here the past month and begins with Pablo Morales.

Race Two:

1st: (5) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – has yet to win here in five starts but they have all been solid enough to get by these. He missed by a nose at class and distance three starts back and then raced evenly as the odds-on favorite.

2nd: (4) DAD’S LIL SPARK – did little in two starts here but woke up when dropped to bottom maidens, where he was a close second. He came back and won last out and now takes on modest winners for Kevin Rice – 13% first start after a win.

3rd: (3) UP FOR THE CHANCE – winless in ten tries here but he just missed against cheaper in decent time.

Race Three:

1st: (3) TIZ TACT TOE – had been racing on the turf for most of his career but came here and won his PID debut. He was beaten a head as the 3-5 favorite last out when dropped down to this class level for Adam Rice.

2nd: (7) GRAVE DANGER – broke his maiden against cheap ones and then came right back to win again. He ran well two starts later, but then weakened last out for Matt Kintz, who wins 16% going long.

3rd: (4) GOODTIME ARTIE – after running evenly in a sprint, he came right back with two close finishes going two turns.

Race Four:

1st: (3) HOPE SHE COMES – improved in his third start of the year with a good second at 20-1 odds. She turned back to five furlongs last out and was a good second against open company. This filly looks ready to graduate.

2nd: (4) GEARED UP – still a maiden after 10 tries but she has six thirds in nine starts here. Her last two starts have been terrible but she goes back to Ron Potts, who had her when she was racing strong. Pablo Morales gets the mount.

3rd: (7) NATURE TRAIL – not a horse for the course but she’s been in the money in all five starts this year.

Race Five:

1st: (7) QUEEN WIGGY – didn’t do much when Lasix was added in her first two starts, but then she dropped down to this level and went gate to wire. Tim Girten wins 23% first start after a win and 38% when Pablo Morales rides.

2nd: (1) BRADITUDE – faced this level two starts back and held on for third. He faced state-breds last out and was third in very fast time for Ron Rogers, who wins 14% with his sprinters on synthetic tracks. Martina Rojas shows a flat-bet profit with her sprinters.

3rd: (2) RIVZONAROLL – speedball makes his Tapeta debut for Larry Rivelli, who wins 33% with this surface switch.

Race Six:

1st: (1) RAINBOW’S PRIDE – raced evenly in his Tapeta debut four starts back here in June and then came right back to win. He was third next time out in fast time and then ran about the same race last out. Tim Hamm wins 20% on synthetic tracks.

2nd: (6) PUTTHEBLAMEONME – got off to a slow start and rallied six wide to get up for second in his Tapeta debut here, and then ran the same race as the 19-10 favorite. Ron Potts wins 25% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (2) WARRIOR’S PAYOFF – speedball just missed going gate to wire two starts back and then went gate to wire here last out.

Race Seven:

1st: (5) PROTECTTHEWITNESS – speedball dropped down in class and romped after opening up a huge lead. She came back to beat state-bred allowance foes and then held for third against open foes. She’s the one to catch with Martina Rojas in the irons.

2nd: (4) AZTEC PRINCESS – ran well three straight times here against this level and then rallied for second to finish ahead of the top choice. Tim Hamm wins 27% first start after being beaten as the favorite and Pablo Morales rides back.

3rd: (6) ANIPPE – has improved dramatically since blinkers were added four starts back and moves up in class off 3 straight wins.

Race Eight:

1st: (3) KENJI’S EMPIRE – dropped down to this maiden claiming level two starts and was beaten at odds on. Claimed that day, he just missed going gate to wire at 4-5 odds. He adds blinkers today and should be able to run away and hide.

2nd: (6) JOYFUL GHOST – did nothing in his first two career starts and then shipped here off the eight-month layoff and was a good third against this maiden claiming level. Linda Rice wins 29% second time with Lasix and 27% with her overall maiden claimers.

3rd: (4) GIZMO’S MISSION – ships in from Canada and drops down in class after racing on Tapeta and turf.