Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Friday, July 4, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Friday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (4) COTTAGE GARDEN – still a maiden after eight tries, but she made her Tapeta debut here last out and held on for second after setting the pace. Daughter of Frosted gets in light with apprentice rider Amanda Poston.

2nd: (3) SOUPER ROLL – did nothing in her well-bet career debut in an off-the-turf event on a wet track at Laurel, then came here and was outkicked after disputing a slow pace. Mike Trombetta wins 17% second time going long.

3rd: (1) HALFIN – just missed going two turns at Turfway, then did nothing on the dirt. Last out start here was her best yet.

Race Two:

1st: (2) K P ALL SYSTEMS GO – finished up last year with an even effort when dropped down to this claiming level. He returned to the races here off the layoff and won by a neck for Jeff Englehart, who wins 21% second start off the layoff.

2nd: (1) CITY LEADER – returned to the races off the long layoff and won gamely after taking over early. He came back to hold on for fourth in good time and now drops to the bottom for Ron Potts, who wins 22% third start off the layoff.

3rd: (4) CLASSIC KING – beat similar on the dirt at Tampa Bay, then ran second two starts in a row here against better.

Race Three:

1st: (3) HALF BIRTHDAY – horse for the course has been remarkably consistent as long as she stays at this level. She won by four lengths as the odds-on favorite here and returns against the same level for Scooter Davis.

2nd: (2) GOLDEN HEART – speedy mare has not been finishing well on the dirt or turf and now tries Tapeta. She makes her third start off the layoff for Brandon Kulp, who wins 25% in this spot and 26% first start out of his barn.

3rd: (5) SERENADE A KITTEN – returns off a 352-day layoff but has some back class to handle this spot.

Race Four:

1st: (5) BLAZING BRAT – first-time starter from Tim Hamm who wins 13% with his debut runners and 21% against this maiden level. She is out of a winning dam that has produced nine winners from ten foals to race, including a stakes winner.

3rd: (3) SHEZ TWISTED – has the most experience of this whole group and was second in her last two starts. She ran well here against boys two starts back for Larry Rivelli, who wins 31% against this maiden level and 29% on synthetic tracks.

3rd: (4) EYE CANDY WARRIOR – first-time starter that is out of a dam that has produced two winners from two foals to race.

Race Five:

1st: (5) MORTAL SIN – took him 14 tries to break his maiden on the dirt at Penn National, then ran well on the turf at Laurel off the layoff when moved up in class. He returns to PID with blinkers returned and gets Willie Martinez.

2nd: (4) D’ORO LEMON – one-dimensional closer made up ground two starts back in his PID debut, then broke his maiden going away. He draws well for two turns and gets Pablo Morales, who shows a flat-bet profit with his route mounts this year.

3rd: (7) RUNNINGFORJOY – has yet to finish in the money in four Tapeta starts, but his speed ratings match up.

Race Six:

1st: (1) MORETASTIC – was run down in the deep stretch two starts back in her PID debut, then she just missed against this class level. Daughter of More Than Ready draws the rail for Maria Bowersock, who wins 30% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (2) ROCK N REWARD – raced evenly two starts back here against this class level, then missed by a length when he pressed the pace from post one. Leland Hayes wins 16% with his sprint starters and gets Gallardo back aboard.

3rd: (7) ALL ABOUT ME – comes in here off three straight wins, including the last two here.

Race Seven:

1st: (1) NOBALS – looked like the same horse that won the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) two years ago when he won in fast time going 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Churchill last out. He has won here before for Rivelli, who wins 36% against this stakes level.

2nd: (2) PONCE DE LEON – broke his maiden on Tapeta at Woodbine then came back here to win a stakes race in fast time. Off for a year, he missed by a neck here as the 3-5 favorite. Sofia Vives picks up the mount for Kelsey Danner.

3rd: (7) MY BUDDY B – won a Grade 3 stakes race on the dirt at Aqueduct two starts back, then ran poorly here off the layoff.

Race Eight:

1st: (7) CHANNEL ME IN – dropped down to this maiden claiming level in two starts here and raced evenly behind slow paces. He should be fit from those efforts, and his sire, English Channel, produces many winners on the Tapeta.

2nd: (8) DOROTEA DREAM – still a maiden after 11 tries, but his last two starts were not bad. Daughter of Jess’s Dream looks like she can run all day, so a strong pace will help her. Victor Severino rides back – flat-bet profit with his route mounts.

3rd: (1) SLAINTE MHATH – could be dangerous since the daughter of Uncle Mo has speed and the rail.