Thursday racing from now till the end of the meet! Let’s take a look at what this card has to offer.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Spoken Vow (#2) could get a relatively uncontested lead here, making her the right pace play in this spot. Pedital (#4) drops in claiming tag, to a spot where she should be more comfortable. Foggy Bar Blues (#3) will want the extra half-furlong as she comes out of a stiff race from the middle of September.
Race 1 selections:2-4-3
RACE 2 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 3:57
I don’t see Maximum Faith (#2) being bested on the front end of this light field. I wonder how many starts Good Directions (#5) will need before he’s race-ready, but I like seeing this Liam’s Map son extend in distance.
Race 2 selections:2-5
RACE 3 – 6 ½ furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 4:24
Uncle Kef (#5) has been running behind Bossy Wossy, the standout 2-year-old at PID, and should find kinder company in this spot. It will be interesting to see if Trashy Mission (#1) has another big run in him after breaking his maiden by 7 lengths. Freedom Hall (#3) is by Independence Hall, whose progeny have performed well on the synthetic and I think his surface switch will go well.
Race 3 selections:5-1-3
RACE 4 – 1 mile, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 4:51
Nuts And Bolts (#3) is the only horse proven at both the track and distance at hand, marking 3 wins in 4 starts on the Erie all-weather surface. Storm Bay (#4) isn’t bad on the tapeta and consistently hits the board at this distance. La Arista (#1) has finished 3rd in her last three starts, and I’d bank on her doing it a fourth time.
Race 4 selections:3-4-1
RACE 5 – 1 mile, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 5:18
Intimate (#6) has shown success routing and generally had more improved performances with Walber Alencar at the helm. Starship Discovery (#3) arguably lowers in class here and sports the fastest speed figures of the bunch. Hardly Ready (#4) has performed well at this distance in maiden company and I’d expect that experience to translate to success here.
Race 5 selections:6-3-4
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 5:45
I don’t like the jockey change but I still think Inchon (#7) has the best shot here coming off a win. Iceberg Slim (#6) makes the class drop from Thistledown and his only PIDF start was a win in May. Thunder Cane (#2) has an opportunity to be overlooked here and could strike for a spot in the money after running flat since last time.
Race 6 selections:7-6-2
RACE 7 – 1 & 1/16th mile, Claiming $8,500 Post Time: 6:12
Drunk On Sake (#6) is on a two-race winning streak, and I don’t see him slowing down now. Neoking (#1) was only ¾ of a length off the win last time out and I expect him to run back to that effort. Disco Cents (#2) won last time out after switching to jockey David Delgado, so it will be interesting to see that partnership renewed here.
Race 7 selections:6-1-2
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 6:39
R Admiral (#5) was only a neck short of winning last time out, and the quick turnaround indicates a ‘win now’ mentality. Tommy Bee (#6) has finished runner-up in his last two starts and could break through here. Gliding Afleet (#8) showed up big last time out for third and I’d expect another big run for this son of Nyquist.
Race 8 selections:5-6-8
See you next week for more Presque Isle Downs racing!
