Tough breaks for me, but I had the winner in my selections a few times and overplayed my hand with other horses. Let’s bounce back with this Wednesday card.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $15,000 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
Kevin Rice brings Freestate (#4) back into his barn after a brief stint elsewhere, and this horse hasn’t had it easy in the maiden ranks, facing off against future stakes winners like Intricate Spirit, Remember Mamba, Attfield, Schwarzenegger, this year’s Tom Ridge winner Squad Goals, and the list goes on. Yes I’m Jess (#6) has finished second a baffling 4 times in 6 Presque Isle starts, but no wins. Dropping to a tag and getting a start in her last time out might get him locked in. Trophy Husband (#3) has a high ceiling as he’s only made one start and comes from the last day of a very tough Oaklawn Park meet. Juan Arriagada has a 24% win rate with horses starting with his barn for the first time.
Race 1 selections:4-6-3
RACE 2 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 3:57
Elfuegomasbrilante (#2) might be the single of the day even at this short price, which will go even shorter as post time approaches. In his only tapeta start all the way back in 2024, he came second by a neck to a horse jockeyed by the great Pablo Morales. Antonio Gallardo does not get the call to renew old partnerships, as Gaddiel Martinez is set for the ride, and this horse comes from the tough Mid-Atlantic circuit where he’s raced at Laurel Park, Delaware Park and Colonial Downs. Gallardo hops aboard Twist ‘n Twirl (#5) who’s been in good form recently with two finishes in the money and should compete well staying at his current tag. He’s A Pisces (#6) feels like the only decent option for third here in this field, the only other horse to showcase ability at this distance.
Race 2 selections:2-5-6
RACE 3 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $12,500 Post Time: 4:24
If Twist ‘n Twirl looks competitive in Race 2, then Gun Policy (#4) should look similar as he raises his claiming tag, but I don’t like the jockey change. Losing Villa-Gomez warrants the 6-1 line, and I think the low weight of Prototype (#6) will get around him. He’ll be part of the early pace and should be hustled under Israel Rodriguez. Despite the class raise I’ll take Yoheda Money Maker (#1) for third, a horse never out of the money in 7 starts going this distance.
Race 3 selections:4-6-1
RACE 4 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 4:51
Makoa (#5) comes from a late-June race where the two horses ahead of him ran back for a first and a second place finish. This slash in tag will help him and he puts blinkers on for the first time. It’s hard to bet against Linda Rice and Thirteen G’s (#4) comes down in tag, always a dangerous move when made by Linda. Traveller (#6) hasn’t run out of the money in his last three starts, and I don’t see that trend changing today.
Race 4 selections:5-4-6
RACE 5 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:18
Avoid Quasi Warrior (#1) for the win here, a horse who has never touched the tapeta. I’ll take the ultra-consistent King Mendelssohn (#3) to get the win. He hasn’t run out of the money for almost a year and won his last two starts. I wouldn’t go against that streak breaking today. Hector (#2) has been excellent when paired with Huber Villa-Gomez, and I expect him to shake off his last effort. I’ll still pencil Quasi Warrior for third because I think he’ll make a decent transition, I just don’t want any money on him with that morning line.
Race 5 selections:3-2-1
RACE 6 – 6 ½ furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:45
Where You Was (#2) drops from allowance optional claiming company to compete here, and I think he’ll find this field more to his liking. However, Top Recruit (#3) gets a half-furlong more to run him down after losing out to the #2 last time out by only a neck. It should be a contentious bout between these two once again. Wicked Genius (#6) will enjoy a return to synthetic as his best speed figures come on Gulfstream Park’s tapeta track.
Race 6 selections:2-3-6
RACE 7 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 6:12
I’ll take 7-1 on Boogie Woogie (#7) in this race all day. This horse is 8-for-8 in the money lifetime, and drops from allowance company to the claiming ranks. Miss Betty (#3) returns to the tapeta after almost a year on the dirt, and she faces the weakest class on the tapeta yet after stakes tries and higher optional claiming company. Shez Untappable (#4) comes out of the same race as the #7 and I think she will be strong again here.
Race 7 selections:7-3-4
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 6:39
Maynard (#10) has a tough draw but posted the highest last-out Beyer of the group and he also drops in class today. Goose Hunter (#6) is another class dropper who had a tough race last out that I don’t think reflects the horse’s ability. Keystone Hank (#5) finished a distant second and should show the ability to pass horses again here.
Race 8 selections:10-6-5
Gaddiel Martinez finished the day with another three wins, reclaiming the jockey standings from Antonio Gallardo. Taylor Kingsly had a nice day filling in for an ill rider, scoring two wins on the card. Randall Russel’s barn has been heating up, scoring two wins today. See you next week for another round of Presque Isle Downs handicapping!
