Welcome back to another round of Presque Isle handicapping. Let’s get right to Tuesday’s card, which promises to be another exciting eight-race event.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $12,500 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Alpha Cat (#5) had a rude awakening in a 7 furlong turf sprint at Belmont Park, his first start this year. His last start here was a win, and I think the rust will be knocked off from that Belmont try. Archimedes (#4) comes off a turf win at Monmouth and is by Caravaggio, one of the better synthetic sires by win percentage. Gift Exchange (#1) is comfortable in this class and sports the best last-out speed figure of the bunch.
Race 1 selections:5-4-1
RACE 2 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 3:57
Warrior’s Mission (#2) faces much similar company to last time and he finished ahead of each of those three horses. Wetlands Willy (#3) has hit the board consistently in his last three starts but moves back into protected company. Cosmic Connection (#5) makes an advantageous jockey change to Taylor Kingsley and this time last year nearly broke his maiden, missing by just ¾ of a length.
Race 2 selections:2-3-5
RACE 3 – 6 ½ furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 4:24
This is as difficult a five-horse field as you’ll find in the country. My heart and my mind agree that the favoritism is deserved for Heavy Pour (#1) who won the Grade 3 Vigil at Woodbine last time out as a part of an ongoing 4-race winning streak. I’d be wary of Petcoff (#5) because I know Brittany Russel doesn’t just ship to PID to get a start in them, she sends live horses. Have to respect the 5-2 line on the #5 here.
Race 3 selections:1-5
RACE 4 – 1 mile, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 4:51
Limo (#5) leaves the allowance ranks to run for the tag, a usual indicator of a horse dropping to a level they can win at. Freestate (#6) makes a similar move dropping from allowance company after only losing by a half-length in a blanket finish across the wire. I’m banking on Anthony Farrior’s runners being live here, and Desperate Proposal (#4) has never missed the board on the synthetic in three starts.
Race 4 selections:5-6-4
RACE 5 – 6 furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:18
Outhustle (#5) is the kind of horse you can’t look away from on paper and his most recent loss was only by a neck. Vinsanity (#1) gets Israel Rodriguez back in the saddle and the duo have teamed up for three wins this year, so I’m not counting him completely out. Span Of Control (#4) has a pair of 4th place runs since being claimed, but it’s possible in this field he can get up for third.
Race 5 selections:5-1-4
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 5:45
You simply have to play Beautiful Crazy (#3) in your wagers at 10-1 here. Her speed figures outclass the field especially on the tapeta, where she’s hit the board in 4-of-7 starts. I’m Heading East (#2) has hit the board consistently as of late and makes a jockey change to Antonio Gallardo, so it’s worth watching to see if that shakes her up. Float Away (#6) will be on the front end and tough under Cierra Pruitt. The pair crossed the wire first last time, so it’ll be interesting to see if they can repeat that success.
Race 6 selections:3-2-6
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Post Time: 6:12
Les Is Best (#7) comes off a 12 furlong race at Kentucky Downs, so this race should feel like a sprint to her. She was also only beaten by a neck two starts back right here at PID. Jenadriyah (#2) has not come off the claim in her best form, as evidenced by two 4th place runs in her last two starts. Switching to Taylor Kingsley might shake this filly up and get her back to better performances. Needed (#5) earned a nice speed figure for her efforts last time out and I think she’ll be competitive again here.
Race 7 selections:7-2-5
RACE 8 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 6:39
The Sinner Is You (#7) ran 5th but was only ¾ of a length off the win on a late-closing rail run. Tough Workout (#4) has never touched synthetic but comes down in tag from a Colonial Downs claiming race and is likely to be on the pace. Night Ride (#5) showed some improvement in his second start with Taylor Kingsley and I think he has a good shot to run well again.
Race 8 selections:7-4-5
See you tomorrow for more Presque Isle Downs action!
