Apparently, last night I pasted my words into the post, saved the draft… and never hit publish! My sincere apologies as the season both picks up and winds down at such a breakneck pace. Slow down, summer, I have some more Presque Isle Downs racing to watch! August is always one of those months that never seems to slow down, and we’re almost 2/3rds of the way through! Let’s slow down for just a minute to take a look an interesting Wednesday card.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
The race will most likely come down to Thy Name Is Woman (#2) and Hot Gamer (#1). I’m leaning towards the #1 since she showed strength on both biased and unbiased track conditions and gets leading rider Gaddiel Martinez. The #2 was close last time out but that came on a biased track and her run two races ago was not impressive. Bottled Time (#4) slots in nicely for third as the horse switches surfaces and Timothy Hamm has a strong 21% win rate with horses in their second start off a layoff.
Race 1 selections:1-2-4
RACE 2 – 1 mile, Maiden Claiming $10,000 Post Time: 3:57
I would hope a poor ‘first start with trainer’ stat and an excellent ‘turf to synthetic’ stat can even out the 9-2 line on Ron Potts’ Nina Lee (#6) who comes to his barn from the New York circuit. If Cole’s Valentine (#4) runs back to her last race she’ll be dangerous, only finishing second by just under two lengths last out. Too Much Fun (#2) might be a sneaky good price coming up from south Florida, especially with the barn switch.
Race 2 selections:6-4-2
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $30,000 Post Time: 4:24
Violenta (#2) and Walber Alencar are on a roll and the pair have gotten better every time out, winning their last start after a pair of podium finishes two and three starts back. Don’t knock I B Flyin (#5) as he drops to the tag for the first time.
Race 3 selections:2-5
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 4:51
Though Stark County (#1) has to face some similar company, things should get easier for him this time out with the drop in tag. Alabama Sleeper (#7) will get a part of the early pace and I expect him to get a good trip with Gaddiel Martinez in the saddle. Grab The Spark (#4) made a nice transition to tapeta last time out and I would expect this race to show more of the same.
Race 4 selections:1-7-4
RACE 5 – 5 furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming $10k Post Time: 5:18
Bigonzetti (#5) has won his last two races with two different jocks and switches again, this time to Martinez. Straightouttadutton (#6) showed the ability to pass horses last time out, a tactical element he hadn’t flashed before. Call Me Later (#2) should be be a promising choice for third as that’s where he’s run in his last two starts.
Race 5 selections:5-6-2
RACE 6 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:45
Bossy Wossy (#4) romped by an absurd margin and it would be great to see that kind of run again. Uncle Kef (#1) had some tough runs in his early career and should like returning to the site of his maiden score. Icebreak (#2) has done well in the Midwest but has run in stakes company, so I would hope to see some class shown from him
Race 6 selections:4-1-2
RACE 7 – 1 mile 70 yards, Allowance Optional Claiming Post Time: 6:12
I don’t see any reason to go against the dominance of Grounded (#1) who’s 12-for-18 at the distance and coming off back-to-back wins. Heavy Pour (#5) turned the highest last-out Beyer, comes off two straight wins and turned a nice half-mile work in this month but loses regular jock Martinez, though Israel Rodriguez is no slouch either. He’s A Mess (#3) has the high-profile team-up of Antonio Gallardo and Scooter Davis and has run behind Grounded in two of his last three starts, so look for that to happen again.
Race 7 selections:1-5-3
RACE 8 – 5 ½ furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 6:39
Keep Vanishing Wish (#2) on your radar, coming out of Gulfstream with decent synthetic form and a trainer with a low start count. Princess Charming (#1) looked sharp in her first start in Erie with a 3-length win and just worked 3 furlongs in 35 seconds. Victor Severino had a good run last time with Sweet Carol James (#11) and looked much improved at this class last out.
Race 8 selections:2-1-11
I’ll see you next week for more Presque Isle Downs racing!
