As the midweek rolls around, business starts to pick up in the racing world, so take a few moments and place a bet at Presque Isle Downs this Wednesday.
All times EDT
RACE 1 – 5 ½ furlongs, Maiden Claiming $25,000 Post Time: 3:30 p.m
A tough race of 2-year-olds to kick things off. I haven’t seen the Cyberknife progeny really burst out of the gate like they had earlier in the year, but I’m not letting it stop me from picking Kabitzen (#6) at the 9-2 morning line. Looking at times, Nessy (#2) jumps out at me as a horse that might simply be faster than his compatriots. With more experience he might be more focused as he was loose in the paddock before his last start and he’ll almost certainly be on the lead again. Trashy Mission (#1) is the only horse with experience at the distance, so it will be interesting to see how he runs in his second try going 5 ½ furlongs.
Race 1 selections:6-2-1
RACE 2 – Claiming $5,000 Post Time: 3:57
I can’t look away from the last work of We Called Sol (#6). His last work over the PID tapeta was a crazy 45.4 seconds over a half-mile, and he comes off a layoff started in February. It’s very possible he’s taken the next step in the midst of his 4-year-old season. He’s On The Fly (#2) looks much improved since joining Carol Skawinski’s stable and ran into the tough Showdown King last time out, a winner again since the #2 has hit the track. Golden Candy (#3) comes back down in tag after a state-bred $10k claimer, and this horse is capable of showing up even at 9 years old.
Race 2 selections:6-3-2
RACE 3 – 6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming $15,000 Post Time: 4:24
I’m willing to forgive Chalant (#2) for her third-place finish last time out as she makes just her third career start. I think this daughter of Echo Town has some talent and will break her maiden sooner rather than later. Tworly Bluebell (#1) was a close second last time out in her best race to date, and I like seeing Walber Alencar stay aboard here. Blue Earth (#5) as a first-time starter isn’t a bad bet, with a decent 48.4 second half-mile work to back her up.
Race 3 selections:2-1-5
RACE 4 – 6 furlongs, Claiming $6,250 Post Time: 4:51
In six starts this meet, Hightail Fox (#6) hasn’t run out of the money yet. He’s by far the classiest individual here and deserving of morning-line favoritism. Expresso Bay (#4) is dropping in tag and could flash some strength here, especially when getting the rookie Taylor Kingsley. My bias for Yoshida (JPN) as a stallion leads me to slot in Can Of Corn (#3) into third, and there are a couple of interesting numbers from two maiden races he ran at Turfway Park, including a second place finish.
Race 4 selections:6-4-3
RACE 5 – 5 ½ furlongs, Maiden Special Weight Post Time: 5:18
Cactus Kristopher (#5) ran the kind of debut that makes me excited to bet him in his next start, starting slow but coming from 10 lengths back to miss the wire by a head. Unfortunately, it seems the morning line maker was also impressed with that run, and he’ll open at 9-5, making me think this might be a horse I want singled on a multirace wager to try and maximize the value. Quinntopia (#3) is worth speculating at the 10-1 morning line, especially considering how she’s worked up to it. I remember something JK said in a Players’ Pod for Gulfstream Mondays, that a horse turning in a 3 furlong breeze rather than a 4- or 5-furlong work was a positive sign that a trainer thought the horse was ready, and Quinntopia took that breeze just over 36 seconds. This horse could be the sleeper pick of the day. Gangam Grey (#6) was a distant second last time out, but sports a (albeit slower) 3-furlong breeze of his own in preparation for his next start and will get Martina Rojas back in the saddle.
Race 5 selections: 5-3-6
RACE 6 – 5 furlongs, Starter Optional Claiming Post Time: 5:45
The last time Krispy Rice (#5) hit the Presque Isle all-weather track was three years ago, and since then she’s been all over the country, most recently at Oaklawn Park. The only note I have other than that the change of scenery should suit her is that I’m slightly miffed Huber Villa-gomez doesn’t get the call as he jockeyed her dam, Cactus Kris, when she was racing. Taylor Kingsley is no slouch though, and should get a good trip aboard. Half Birthday (#2) should get a nice closing trip with the way the track has played and has already shown good form in this class, with two wins earlier in the meet. Waterloo Sunset (#3) has only run out of the money once in 8 starts at 5 furlongs. I don’t see that changing today.
Race 6 selections:5-2-3
RACE 7 – 6 furlongs, Allowance Post Time: 6:12
I’m going to give the class-raising Jenadriyah (#3) a shot here based on her performance in her last start, finding the wire to win by just a nose. Violenta (#2) had an impressive win by over 4 lengths last time out, and if the price is right she should make for a smart play in any wager here. Elle’s Dancer (#5) was a close second in allowance company last time out, and should be strong here again.
Race 7 selections:3-2-5
RACE 8 – 1 mile 70 yards, Maiden Claiming $7,500 Post Time: 6:39
Cole’s Valentine (#1) had a rough run last time out in a distant third place, but two back he ran a closer second and has faced heavily biased tracks in nearly all her recent starts. Palisade (#6) can be forgiven from her first start and should look sharper in her second start. Caparbia (#7) is more of a gut play, as there isn’t anything in the form to indicate she’ll run well. However I’m a sucker for Karakontie and am willing to risk a small show bet on this one.
Race 8 selections:1-6-7
Gaddiel Martinez continues to dominate with a 4 win day yesterday, leaving little doubt as to who the leading rider will be once the meet comes to a close. Trainers Matt Kintz and Randall Russel picked up two wins each on the Tuesday card. See you next week for more Presque Isle Downs racing as we get ever closer to Masters Day!
By the way, I have a Twitter account now @StormToTheFront, I don’t use it as much as I could but hopefully I’ll start posting picks and other racing-related posts on there. I should probably post these on there.
