I almost thought this article wasn’t going to happen, due to some technical difficulties. Thankfully I’m back with more picks for Presque Isle so let’s get into the first card of the week.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
If the speed figures hold up, Lady Hamilton (#5) should run roughshod over this group. Red Hot Spark (#3) ran third behind the #5 last time out and I’d expect to see her flex some class in this spot. Innana’s Quest (#4) lowers in class here with the tag drop and the two horses that finished ahead of her last time out both ran in the money in their next starts.
Race 1 selections:5-3-4
RACE 2 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $12,500 Post Time: 3:57
Time Leap (#4) ran big in two starts here last year and she faces a drop in class to the lowest tag she’s been at. Rock Tune (#2) made the rise well last time and sticks around, earning a speed figure that makes him competitive here. Knicks Factor (#1) will be on the pace and I think that will net him, if not the win, a good finish at least.
Race 2 selections:4-2-1
RACE 3 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $8,500 Post Time: 4:24
Cocktail Kisses (#5) returns to a more comfortable class with a leading style that makes her more likely here. La Crema (#6) looked flat in her last two starts but is coming off a break. Taco Cat Backwards (#4) took them gate to wire last time and should be a horse to watch in this field.
Race 3 selections:5-6-4
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 4:51
Queen’s Quill (#3) has workout times that jump out in this group and has room to improve in her second start. Chalant (#6) showed some grit against a horse who ran second in her first start against winners, Tworly Bluebell. Miss Watermelon (#5) might find herself more comfortable here than she was in her last race at Saratoga.
Race 4 selections:3-6-5
RACE 5 – 1 mile 70 yards, Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 5:18
Wetlands Willy (#7) has performed well going long and has caught biased tracks in his last three starts. Trophy Husband (#4) is another horse to key in on who really likes going long, and showed distaste for sprinting. He’s in the spot he needs to be in. Snowstorm (#3) tried to take them all the way but got caught at the wire to lose by a neck, so there’s room for improvement in her second start with Matt Kintz as conditioner.
Race 5 selections:7-4-3
RACE 6 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:45
I can forgive He’s A Mess (#1) for his run in the Presque Isle Mile because he never really had a shot in a race with Encino and winner Neoequos. This should be a spot of class relief for him. King Mendelssohn (#5) will be tough company to keep, winning his last two starts by multiple lengths on the front end. Shadow Factor (#3) comes out of the Power By Far Stakes and I think he’ll be classy enough to get third in this spot.
Race 6 selections:1-5-3
RACE 7 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $12,500 Post Time: 6:12
Kid Rich (#6) has improved after a rough first go on the Erie tapeta and should look much improved in his third start in Kevin Rice’s barn. Go Simple (#7) drops in tag and should find this field to be more comfortable for him. Sealand (#2) earned a speed figure that ties for the fastest, but faces winners for the first time. Worth keeping an eye on.
Race 7 selections:6-7-2
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 6:39
Too Much Fun (#3) leads a group of horses coming out of a similar race earlier this month, and should be the class of the field again today. Gus’s Gal (#6) faces many horses who haven’t shown an affinity for going longer, and Michael Pappada has a 21% win rate stretching out a horse who was sprinting previously. I’d love to see Channel Me In (#8) return to form and in this bigger field the possibilities are endless
Race 8 selections:3-6-8
See you tomorrow for more Presque Isle action!
