Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday September 18, 2024

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

Race 1:

1st: (7) PRECIOUS GRACE – did nothing in her first two career starts on turf but was a decent third here against this maiden claiming level. After racing wide in another sprint, Tim Hamm stretches her out to two turns and gets in light again. 

2nd: (5) K’ANTHEIA – did nothing against better maidens on the dirt before trying Tapeta here last out and racing evenly. She drops down another notch in class for Tim Hamm, who wins 23% with this move. Pablo Morales rides back. 

3rd: (4) MOST DIVINE – been a maiden after 11 tries but drops down to the bottom for Matt Kintz. 

Race 2:

1st: (1) LUCKY RUNNING CAT – was an even fourth two starts in a row on the turf at Penn National against better then faded last out. He drops down in class for Kathy Demasi, who wins 20% going long to short. 

2nd: (6) YOUMUSTBEA WEASLEY – moves back up in class after missing by a length here last out. He has plenty of back class, so the move up off the claim is not really significant. Antonio Gallardo picks up the mount. 

3rd: (4) CARLOTUK – takes a big drop in class after running poorly three straight ties for Gerry Brooks. 

Race 3:

1st: (8) NEEDED – dropped down to this maiden claiming level for the first time and was a good second in her Tapeta debut. She came back and ran the same race but was claimed by a winless trainer, which should help the price. 

2nd: (9) IRISH ANGEL – didn’t do much in three turf starts at three different tracks but woke up with a good second last out at long odds on the dirt. If she can show that kind of gate speed again, she has a big chance with Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (2) HOPE SHE COMES – still a maiden after 15 tries but she has six placings here.

Race 4:

1st: (1) SPAN OF CONTROL – was a sharp winner two starts back here going this distance in fast time. He came back to run well when moved up in class and now drops down to the bottom for John Fennessy, who wins 11% with his overall claimers.  

2nd: (4) HENRY’S WORLD – speedball has two wins and three seconds here against this level in his past five starts. Each time he has been able to make the lead and he’ll try to hang on with Brooke Bays.

3rd: (3) UBIQUITOUS – drops down to bottom claimers for the first time with Gallardo getting aboard. 

Race 5:

1st: (7) SHOWDOWN KING – won his PID debut here in July, then was an even third when moved up off the claim by Teresa Connelly. He missed by a neck when stretched out to two turns and drops way down in class. 

2nd: (8) ELM STREET – took him 11 tries to break his maiden but then came back and romped by six lengths against winners. Tim Girten wins 21% first start after a win and wins 40% with Pablo Morales aboard.  

3rd: (6) HARI – was a distant second two starts back here when dropped down to this claiming level. 

Race 6:

1st: (2) HECTOR – beat open company allowance foes two starts back here in a long sprint, then missed by a length as the 3-10 favorite against state-breds. He drops down to claimers for the first time, and Ron Potts wins 28% in this spot.  

2nd: (4) STRIDER’S SLIDER – dirt sprinter from Penn National has won two of his last four starts there against similar company. Son of Warrior’s Reward tries Tapeta for the first time for Brandon Kulp, who wins 28% with this surface switch. 

3rd: (5) FACE DOWN – barely got up in time two starts back and then was an even third in a wide trip last out. 

Race 7:

1st: (6) MISCHIEF WARRIOR – beat similar going this distance two starts back, then was second against these when he sat off a fast pace. Tim Girten wins 21% with his synthetic-track starters and gets Morales. 

2nd: (8) LIGHTNING CHARLIE – didn’t do much in his first start off the long layoff going six furlongs, then came back and missed by a length at class and distance last out. Randy Russell wins 16% second start off the layoff and 22% with Gaddiel Martinez.   

3rd: (1) HIGH HEADED – one-dimensional closer won against similar company, then was third last out off the claim by Connelly. 

Race 8:

1st: (8) ARROGATES DREAM – daughter of the great Arrogate has been racing on turf lately and finally tries Tapeta while dropping way down in class. She could not overcome post 12 but does her best when she uses her gate speed.  

2nd: (5) INDIAN SPIDEROO – dropped down to this class level and held on for second both times after opening up clear leads. Matt Kintz wins 15% going long and with his synthetic-track starters.  

3rd: (1) BACALL – was an even fourth in her Tapeta debut here two starts back, then made up some ground last out.