It’s getting harder to fill this opening section on a daily basis and I’m beginning to understand why other handicap writers don’t usually do these kinds of introductions. Anyway, let’s see what Tuesday’s card has in store.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 1 mile, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Melly B. Good (#5) jumps out in this short field with the jockey listing and a 3-furlong work in the 35 second bracket. Warrior’s Dolly (#1) ships in from Colonial, worth watching where the price falls. Last Move (#2) probably needed a start off the layoff, and could show some development here.
Race 1 selections:5-1-2
RACE 2 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:57
I’m not quite sure what the record is for shippers from Florida but I like seeing the class drop for Fast Fixer (#5) who comes in off an extensive Gulfstream campaign. ITM contributor Adam Discelipo (I hope that’s spelled right) also just recently did a thing on Twitter polling who people thought was the highest earning tapeta sires are and one of the correct answers was Bucchero, the sire of Fast Fixer (you should go check out Adam on Substack he seems like a nice guy with good handicapping skills). Cousin Ed (#6) usually comes off the layoff fresh and has a decent record at 6 furlongs, along with the claiming tag reduction. I don’t want to see Hightail Fox (#1) lose his streak of hitting the board, so I’ll slot him in third.
Race 2 selections:5-6-1
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 4:24
Quinntopia (#2) held steady for second in a loss at the start of the month, and he’s continued to work with some decent times. Vicky (#6) doesn’t have the workout times, but she’s out of Vekoma, and a half-brother won his debut on the turf, so there’s some angles to watch on this one, though I fear she’ll be bet down based on her sire. Boom (#3) keeps working great half-mile times, and I would hope to see some improvement from him in start number two.
Race 3 selections:2-6-3
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Post Time: 4:51
Xmas In Cairo (#1) has some crazy class receipts, losing to stakes horses Justifiable Steel and Thank You Amy in back-to-back starts, so this could be class relief for her. Boogie Woogie (#3) remains a consistent option to include, and has a solid record in state-bred allowance races. A P Sweetheart (#6) broke her maiden in her first try on the Erie tapeta, so she’s worth watching here despite some classier options in the field.
Race 4 selections:1-3-6
RACE 5 – 5 furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:18
Kanazawa (#2) has won her last three starts by multiple lengths, making him a lock here. Irish Victory (#6) will be on the pace and has consistently placed well going 5 furlongs. Half Birthday (#7) will be trying to chase the pace but I think he’ll get outrun by the top pair. She should still be game for third.
Race 5 selections:2-6-7
RACE 6 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $12,500 Post Time: 5:45
Rachel’s Wagon (#3) ran a tight schedule at Kentucky Downs where she got outclassed. After those two races over 12 and 10.5 furlongs, this distance should feel like a sprint to her. T’Ray (#2) moves out of the maiden ranks with speed figures that make him competitive in this race. Grab The Spark (#7) also faces winners for the first time but has shown an affinity for the tapeta, finishing top 2 in both his starts.
Race 6 selections:3-2-7
RACE 7 – 6 ½ furlongs, Allowance Post Time: 6:12
Au Corant (#1) won her last two starts on the PID all-weather and trainer Kelly Cogan has done very well in limited starts at Presque Isle. Tiger Division (#4) has an opportunity to be validated if Kanazawa runs big earlier in the card, and switching barns hasn’t seemed to slow her down. Redy Munny (#6) has a high ceiling, winning her first try on the tapeta in her third career start.
Race 7 selections:1-4-6
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 6:39
Starlit Sky (#1) has seen these conditions before. Large field, draw close to the rail, over a mile and 70 yards, on the last race of the day. The conditions are that similar to her last start that I feel comfortable using her to win. Equinamous (#9) saw an advantageous jockey switch to Taylor Kingsley and I like to see the partnership renewed. Sister Sola (#4) is a price but I want to see if the barn switch wakes her up. Street Sense progeny have a 17% win rate on synthetic routes, an impressive ratio in her favor for her first tapeta try.
Race 8 selections:1-9-4
See you tomorrow for more Presque Isle action!
