Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, June 24, 2024

Dick Powell outlines his selections for Monday’s card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (1) TONY SMALL – after a start on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs, he came here and won first time out against similar. After missing by a neck, he came back to win again last out for Mark Hoffman, who wins 20% of the time first start after a win.

2nd: (6) GET EVEN – ran well here last year against better company. He did nothing on the dirt this winter at Tampa Bay but shipped here and missed by a length behind the top choice.

3rd: (5) HE’S A GOOD DANCER – made two starts this year off the layoff and just missed both times.

Race Two:

1st: (3) FIGHT IN THE DOG – tired in her first two career starts here last year. She showed good speed in her debut two starts back then was an even fourth when she finally learned to relax. Erin Walker rides back.

2nd: (5) METANOIA – winless in her first eight career starts, but they all came on turf or dirt against better. She makes her Presque Isle debut for Wendy Uhacz, who is able to secure Pablo Morales to ride.

3rd: (4) SENSIBLE MARRIAGE – winless in 14 starts, but she did improve some here in her last two starts.

Race Three:

1st: (2) NICE ACE – finished up last season with three straight wins, including two stakes races. He came out this year with an even third going six furlongs and stretches out for Tim Girten, who wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (3) DECLARED – horse for the course won here 52 weeks ago then was off until three weeks ago, when he returned with an even fourth. He won last year second start off the layoff and tries to do it again.

3rd: (4) EXTRASEXYBIGDADDEE – was a game second last out in his third start of the year for Mike Trombetta.

Race Four:

1st: (2) LESLIE CHOW – went gate to wire in his Presque Isle debut after showing good form on the Tapeta at Woodbine last year. He got away with a slow pace last out, but he should get a ground-saving trip with Willie Martinez back aboard.

2nd: (1) CAMINO DE SANTIAGO – just missed here two starts back going this distance in good time against better. He came back with an even effort against the same group last out and draws the rail with Israel Rodriguez riding back.

3rd: (4) GRAEL – moves up in class off a close second last out. Pablo Morales rides back for Katy Cheeks.

Race Five:

1st: (6) MEANT TO BE LUCKY – speedball breaking from the rail pressed the pace here last out before weakening as the 11-10 favorite. Ed Rojas wins 33% with this drop-down and 29% in his first start off the claim.

2nd: (2) GOVERNOR ATWOOD – finished up last year with a good win going 5 1/2 furlongs. He came back off the eight-month layoff and was an even fourth against this level and should be tough with any improvement.

3rd: (3) SCRATCHOFF – showed some speed before tiring in his first two Presque Isle starts against better company. 

Race Six:

1st: (1) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course won 10 times here over the years. Finished up last year with a close second going 6 1/2 furlongs then returned off the layoff and led to the final yards.

2nd: (3) WAPITI WAY – doesn’t have the gate speed that some of these have, but he finishes well. He was a distant second last out against cheaper in his first start off the layoff and now moves up in class and distance.

3rd: (5) TAPSOLUTION – just missed going gate to wire against this class level.

Race Seven:

1st: (6) TESHIMA – ran well enough on the dirt to stay on it, but her form went bad at Tampa Bay. She shipped here for her Presque Isle debut and went gate to wire when stretched out to two turns. Walber Alencar returns — he wins 31% with his route rides this year.

2nd: (1) MILLE DREAMS – turf filly drops down in class for her Tapeta debut. She rallied from off the pace to get up in time to win going away last out at Tampa Bay against better. Matt Kintz wins 22% off medium rest.

3rd: (3) LUNAR UNIT – went gate to wire two starts back on the turf at Turf Paradise then tired there against better.

Race Eight:

1st: (6) MUTTLEY – won his first two starts on Tapeta here against similar company and as long as he doesn’t get claimed, he’ll keep beating them. Ed Rojas wins 31% of the time first start after a win, and the last 97 of those starts show a flat-bet profit.

2nd: (7) ARAK – raced well on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park this winter. Off a 10-week rest, he showed up here and went gate to wire going a two-turn mile. Son of Munnings comes back off the claim by Ed Rojas, who wins 29% with this move.

3rd: (3) LOUISIANIMAL – was an even third in his first start off the claim by Anthony Farrior — 28% in this spot.