It feels like forever since I’ve had some Presque Isle Downs to handicap, between Saratoga, Del Mar, Kentucky Downs, and all these big names flying about, sometimes you just gotta slow down and enjoy some Monday racing. Let’s get the week off to a good start.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $5000 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Mrs. Manicotti (#4) is the only close favorite that has shown the ability to kick in on an unbiased track, and comes off the strength of back-to-back wins. Showdown King (#2) turned the highest last-out Beyer Speed Figure in the field, has never finished worse than second in three starts at the distance, and it was around this time last year he was in the midst of a 4-win streak. He could be dangerous now that he seems to finally be revved up. Wrote In Stone (#3) liked the switch to jockey Rosario Montanez, winning last out, and promises to be up on the pace again.
Race 1 selections:4-2-3
RACE 2 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:57
The horse on a roll here is Dominant Stranger (#3), running in the money her last 5 starts against quality company in horses like La Panda. Whispering Sea (#2) is a horse that took a step back in her 5-year-old campaign, with the hope that Carlos Barbosa can figure her out in his second start with her. Principia (#5) has had some of her better races on Gulfstream Park’s synth course, but she hasn’t seen the tapeta in three years. Perhaps a return to tapeta wakes up this 6-year-old mare.
Race 2 selections:3-2-5
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 4:24
After months of maiden special weights, these 2-year-old races are beginning to diversify. I love the morning line on Chestnut Queen (#2) who ships from the Ohio circuit fresh off a front-running win at Belterra Park. Her sire, Yoshida, has progeny doing sensational on the synthetic with a 19% win rate. True Blessing (#4) moves to the elite barn of Joe Sharp, who calls Antonio Gallardo to ride in the orange and blue of Mike Repole’s eponymous stable. I wouldn’t count this Life Is Good filly out.
Race 3 selections: 2-4
RACE 4 – Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 4:51
I see nothing wrong with trying to hit a Timothy Hamm double with Queen’s Quill (#5) getting apprentice Taylor Kingsley up and posting consistent 5-furlong works clocking in around 59 seconds. One thing I’m going to be wary of is when a horse is entered after working at a training center (and it’s something we all should keep at the back of our minds from time to time) so seeing Littlefield Durmont enter in Ready Munny (#3) has me thinking this horse is live. Todd Beattie does a lot with not much and getting Gallardo on Explosive Run (#2) for her first time out is always helpful, and she should have higher expectations being out of Hard Spun.
Race 4 selections:5-3-2
RACE 5 – Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 5:18
This one is going between Frenchman James (#5) and Alabama Sleeper (#3), but the question remains as to which one? I’d lean towards the #3 given the connections of having Randall Russel, leading trainer and Gaddiel Martinez, leading jockey. Still pencil in the #5 for second as the horse has been close, but I think he’ll have his day another time. Keep an eye on King Of Swords (#6) who makes the first start of his 3-year-old season, and gets rookie jock Taylor Kingsley along with that weight allowance.
Race 5 selections: 3-5-6
RACE 6 – 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $13,500 Post Time: 5:45
You have to think Vinsanity (#5) just wasn’t himself last time out and I’m loathe to give up on him considering two things. One: Israel Rodriguez goes to this horse despite other horses featuring him prominently in the past performances. Two: he drops back to a guaranteed claiming tag, a drop in class, slight though it may appear. Reteko (#6) is also a horse Im interested in based on what he showed early in the meet, I’d love to see him run back into form here. Outhustle (#3) beat one of my favorite horses at Presque Isle, Fadethenoise, last time out and will be tough to beat on the strength of back-to-back wins.
Race 6 selections:5-6-3
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Post Time: 6:12
Every horse out of the last race Standpoint (#5) that has run back has finished in the money, an impressive stat that shows the depth of that July 22nd allowance. I think it’s also telling that Martina Rojas jumps ship on Chill Boss (#3) here to ride the #5 horse. I’ll pencil in the #3 for second based on her last race, a good second place that paid rather well on the tote board. King Reigert (#1) stands to improve off a close third to Chill Boss and a head loss to Duck Hunter (#6) last time out, but I think he’ll get it turned around with Gaddiel Martinez.
Race 7 selections:5-3-1-6
RACE 8 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 6:39
Dark Danger (#1) should be a threat after he just barely lost at Belterra last time out, and has tapeta experience at Gulfstream and Woodbine. Getoutyourwallet (#7) should make you want to do just that with a 10-1 morning line making his first synthetic start with Israel Rodriguez on board. Maybern (#3) drops in tag and should look classy in this field.
Race 8 selections:1-7-3
Short outro for me today, as I’m late for other goings-ons tonight. See you tomorrow for more Presque Isle racing!
