Close calls and misses marked most of the Monday card for me, but I was able to find the $20 dollar winner in the 6th. Silent Diva proved me wrong and won at a solid price as well. Are there prices to be found in this Tuesday card? Lets find out!
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Several runners here step onto the tapeta for the first time after running on the lawn, but I’ll opt for Moonpie Delight (#7), getting Gaddiel Martinez in the irons and showcasing early speed in each of her three starts. However, I fear that Miguel Clement’s Deference (#5) could blast through this field without breaking a sweat as she ships from the big leagues of the western New York circuit. Her last-out Beyer Speed Figure was 74 on turf, ranking 24 points higher than any other horse in the field. Trail Of Roses (#2) makes her tapeta debut as well after a 6 furlong run in Penn National mud, and Munnings is one of those sires who has an above-average percentage of winners on synth tracks. Leading rider Antonio Gallardo taking the call doesn’t hurt either.
Race 1 selections:7-5-2
RACE 2 – 6 ½ furlongs, Claiming $8,000 Post Time: 3:57
This race feels like it’s going to come down to who breaks well, with multiple early-speed types in the field. Burnin Turf (#5) comes down in tag after tough consecutive tilts against Van (3 for 4 on the Presque Isle synth) and Faster (3 straight wins, 2 at PID). This class relief is welcome for him, though I wish he’d retained his jockey Addiel Alaya. Carlos Barbosa is no slouch though, and he should suit the horse fine enough for me to slot the #5 in first. There seems to be tactical speed in Paschal Moon (#7), winner of 3 straight and he get familiar jockey Edwin Gonzales in the irons again. Two back he came from midpack, and last time he sat second before taking a commanding lead and never looking back. Tiz Big Money (#1) will be on the pace as usual, but with Walber Alencar in the saddle for the first time. Randall Russell’s barn has been heating up lately and this horse is also a back-to-back winner, so I’ll take a shot with the #1 for third.
Race 2 selections:5-7-1
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 4:24
Spirited Sol (#2) should have more to give here after disliking the slop in stakes company at Monmouth. Her 85 Beyer last time on Presque Isle tapeta is the fastest recent Beyer on synthetic and Martina Rojas retains the mount. Going Up (#5) gets the lucrative duo of jockey Gallardo and conditioner Ron Potts, and two works back traveled 5 furlongs in 58.3 seconds, a promising time that indicates this gelding should look fresh off the long layoff.
Race 3 selections:2-5
RACE 4 – 1 mile 70 yards, Starter Optional Claiming Post Time: 4:51
Time For An Angel (#5) has never missed the board in four starts at the distance and just won by 9 lengths last time out. Kimberly Despasquale has had good luck turning turf horse loose on the synthetic and I think I’m Blushing (#9) could show some tactical speed to help with the fast fractions that are almost guaranteed up front. Edwin Gonzales and Liberty Belle (#3) nearly had the win last time out and they face many familiar foes today. I look for this Constitution daughter to run big again.
Race 4 selections:5-9-3
RACE 5 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 5:18
The morning-line maker must not think much of Judy Chop (#5) in her first start against winners with the 6-1 line. He did break his maiden by over 12 lengths, but switches jockeys. Linda Rice sends out Epic Summer (#7), winless in two starts over the tapeta and drops from a $12,500 tag to this spot. Hightail Fox (#8) also drops in tag and should look competitive, having run each of his four starts this year in the money.
Race 5 selections: 5-7-8
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 5:45
Tiger Eye Pearl (#7) didn’t take the cutback well last time out, only finishing second by nearly 3 lengths, but with lots of horses raising to this tag his class might be on full display with Antonio Gallardo aboard. Boujie Betz (#6) raises in tag but her last race was rated as a 60 BSF, leading me to think she’ll show some ability here. Jenadriyah (#3) came from off the pace last time out and won by almost 6 lengths, and should be able to pass horses in her first bout against winners.
Race 6 selections:7-6-3
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $13,500 Post Time: 6:12
The drop from allowance company on Naked Eye (#7) seems suspicious, but it could be that they were out of spots to run in allowance conditions and the decision was made to drop. This Vekoma filly hasn’t lost going over 8 furlongs all year, and I see no reason for her to start now. Verbal Geyser (FR) (#4) has only finished out of the money at this distance once in 6 starts and has earned the bulk of her winnings on the tapeta. Love Her Lots (#5) worked 5 furlongs in 59.4 seconds, a solid enough work to make me think she’ll be ready for this race in her first start for Matthew Kintz.
Race 7 selections:7-4-5
RACE 8 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 6:39
Miss M M (#4) was only second by a half-length last out running 5 furlongs, and gets more ground to run over which will help her late-running style. Garnet And Gold (#7) drops from optional claiming company to this spot for the high-percentage Kevin Rice barn, and last race she ran into two gnarly opponents in Time For An Angel and Neoprene. Trumpetta (#8) cuts back in a return to the tapeta, and she seems as likely as any other horse here for third. Afleet Alex descendants are my kryptonite.
Race 8 selections:4-7-8
Gaddiel Martinez did not go quietly, winning three races to Antonio Gallardo’s one and sits one victory off Gallardo’s lead in the standings. Ron Potts has a hot barn right now, being the only trainer to win multiple races today with two. See you tomorrow for more Presque Isle action!
