Happy Labor Day everyone! What better day is there to sit down in the mid-afternoon and handicap a quick eight-race card? Scroll on down to get some Presque Isle Downs selections.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
It’s hard to go against Triple Secret (#6) after a front-running score last time out, and not much in this field looks to be in the same form as her. Shaunnasarpilfool (#7) suffered a defeat after three straight wins, but the top pair she faced last time have run back well, cataloging first and second place finishes in their next runs. Ohoopee (#1) took a step back for her first start from Tim Girten’s barn last time out, but it’s possible she turns it around here as she settles in.
Race 1 selections:6-7-1
RACE 2 – 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 3:57
Goose Hunter (#4) turned in his first workout since May, a 35.3 second work over 3 furlongs. His last race didn’t come back to much but the morning-line maker has him at 3-1 here. The Sinner Is You (#1) was only two lengths back from the win and makes a quick turnaround, possibly a good indication that the trainer thinks he’s ready to win. R Admiral (#5) cuts back to a sprint for the first time in a long time, and at one point he was able to win over sprints. It’s possible he needs this race to tune up for a further target, though.
Race 2 selections:4-1-5
RACE 3 – 1 mile, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 4:24
Hegseth (#2) has had some time to develop and turned a 47.1 second workout on August 25th (I still don’t have clockers sadly). Army Mule progeny also do above-average as 2-year-olds, and getting leading rider Gaddiel Martinez doesn’t hurt either. Grande Dunes (#7) makes an appearance from Eoin Harty’s barn, and any horse bearing the Godolphin silks is worth the consideration. I also love this Blame colt going long first time out as they tend to do well in routes. It’s double-trouble for the royal blue of Godolphin as Brendan Walsh sends Whitburn (#4) as well. This horse’s half-sibling really woke up when she hit the PID tapeta and I think this Lookin At Lucky gelding will be the same.
Race 3 selections:2-7-4
RACE 4 – 1 mile, 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 4:51
Nelida (#3) comes out of a tough second-place by a head to one of my favorite Presque Isle horses Silent Diva and the third place runner from that race came back to run second in her next start. Undergrad (#1) comes out of the same race as the #3 and I’m putting all my chips on that August 18th claimer coming back in tremendous form. Equinamos (#6) hasn’t impressed in recent starts but her last work didn’t come back too bad, so I’ll slot her into third.
Race 4 selections:3-1-6
RACE 5 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 5:18
Speaking of Silent Diva (#1), she pops up in this field. The pace scenario should suit her well on paper and her recent form has been good enough I feel confident touting her for the win. Kitten’s War (#3) is the most consistent horse for the distance, hitting the board 6 times in 11 tries going the distance with 5 of those being wins. Saratoga Gaze (#6) has tailed off in recent starts but I think a second ride for Taylor Kingsley should make the difference for the both of them.
Race 5 selections: 1-3-6
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming $10k Post Time: 5:45
This race looks very classy but I haven’t given up on Fadethenoise (#1) just yet. Two second-places haven’t deterred me though I do wish Edwin Gonzales would come back to ride him. Vinsanity (#5) proved to be a horse that needs to be going 6 furlongs, as he failed to make any headway going 5. He also switches riders to Huber Villa-gomez. How long does Tiz Big Money (#6) stay at the 6-1 morning line? Not very long with the leading rider Gaddiel Martinez and the leading trainer Randall Russel teaming up with this Colorado-bred.
Race 6 selections:1-5-6
RACE 7 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 6:12
Three of the four horses John Dutton (#2) faced last time out ran back in the money, including two winners in that group. He also boasts the highest last-out Beyer Speed Figure, earning an 80 for his third place finish. Calvin’s Ride (#1) will take a lot of money on the board for facing an allowance at Saratoga last time out, and he’s finished first or second in 8 of his 9 starts at Presque Isle. Certain (#4) is a horse that’s almost certainly going to hit the board as well, doing so in all but one of his starts going this distance, with 6 wins included in that statistic.
Race 7 selections:2-1-4
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Post Time: 6:39
I always go back and forth between whether or not a jockey change is a good thing or not. Sometimes I tip new riders getting on horses out of form. Sometimes I tip riders getting the call for a second ride after the first didn’t go so well. I’m going to do the latter and select Triple Start (#4) to get the job done after Taylor Kingsley was only a half-length off the win last time out in similar company. Maximum Faith (#6) should be a part of the early pace and has shown the ability to stick around on the front end. Culoir (#5) might be the best price of the day, seeing as in his only tapeta start he demolished a maiden claimer at Turfway by over 5 lengths.
Race 8 selections:4-6-5
Soon I’ll be able to take the time and really dig into these cards, and hopefully I’ll have some extra content to release for the quickly-approaching Masters Day card as well. Stay tuned to Presque Isle Downs, you won’t want to miss a moment!
