Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, July 21, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (5) SHIVAREE – won by almost four lengths the last time he faced this claiming level. He showed good speed in his PID debut two starts back, then tired on the dirt at Thistledown. Willie Martinez is 3-for-3 riding for Juan Arriagada the past two weeks.

2nd: (4) BOLDNESS – popular gelding was claimed nine races in a row, then ran evenly in his PID debut against better. Claimed by Kevin Rice two starts back, he drops down to the bottom.

3rd: (3) GREY CHARMER – ran well here last year against these, but hasn’t been the same horse in three starts this year. 

Race 2

1st: (3) STARSHIP MACYS – speedball went gate to wire here last out in her second start of the season, and there is no reason she can’t come back and do it again. Mike Pappada wins 30% third start off the layoff and 23% first start after a win. 

2nd: (4) RED ELEANOR – was a good third against better in her PID debut two starts back when making her first start off the claim by Arriagada. She was used hard from post 1 last out and might be able to stalk the top choice. 

3rd: (5) QUEEN ANNA T – has found a home here with three straight strong races and now stretches out to two turns. 

Race 3

1st: (6) PRINCESS RUNAWAY – romped in her only two PID starts last year against similar company. She comes back here off two solid turf sprints at Penn National. Kathy Demasi wins 24% third start off the layoff, and Pablo Morales gets the ride. 

2nd: (5) RUSTY MY BROTHER – horse for the course has won eight of 16 local starts including her last start against open company. She has dangerous early speed, and Antonio Gallardo gets the mount. 

3rd: (1) TRIPLE R RATED – showed high speed two starts back, then raced evenly in her first start off the claim by Ron Potts. 

Race 4

1st: (1) RED LITE DISTRICT – firster from Matt Kintz who wins 10% with his debut runners and 17% with these maidens. Son of City of Light (13% debut winners) is out of a dam that has produced six winners from seven foals to race, including two stakes winners.  

2nd: (3) SMOOCH UP – firster from Potts who wins 17% with his debut runners and 20% against this maiden level. Daughter of Cupid (10% debut winners) is out of a dam that has produced five winners from five foals to race, including a stakes winner. 

3rd: (4) BLAZING BRAT – was an even third in his career debut here for Tim Hamm who wins 16% second time out. 

Race 5

1st: (2) BOUJIE BETZ – broke her maiden here two starts back in her second start of the year, then was outkicked when moved up to stakes company. Daughter of Warrior’s Reward draws inside and gets Gallardo – 3-for-9 riding for Teresa Connelly the past two months. 

2nd: (1) LITTLE LAMB CHOP – horse for the course ran well in both starts this year, and she should be a major stretch factor with Addiel Ayala back aboard. Adam Rice wins 36% third start off the layoff and 26% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (4) SHEZ UNTAPPABLE – broke her maiden two starts back off the layoff, then came back and won easily. 

Race 6

1st: (5) OLD TOWN ROAD – won two in a row on the dirt at Tampa Bay then came here and won going away as the odds-on favorite. He broke awkwardly last out here in very fast time and drops a bit in class for Arriagada/Gallardo. 

2nd: (6) SNOWNAME – beat open allowance foes two starts back, then tired against optional claimers. He drops all the way down to optional $10K claimers for Kevin Rice, who wins 18% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (8) THALBERG – raced evenly going two turns, then came back and was a good second in very fast time. 

Race 7

1st: (3) JOHN DUTTON – moves up to stakes company after using up his state-bred allowance conditions with two easy wins. Scooter Davis wins 32% first start after a win and 55% when he rides Rosario Montanez. 

2nd: (2) DYLAN’S RUBY – beat state-bred allowance foes at Parx, then was a good second going two turns on the turf at Penn National. Son of Classic Empire makes his PID debut for John Servis, who wins 12% with his synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (5) GOING UP – beat open company two starts back going six furlongs, then chased the pace after a poor sprint start. 

Race 8

1st: (7) CHEERFUL TROUT – was a good third against open company maiden $15K claimers and now drops down to bottom maiden claimers. She has run well here without winning and gets Gaddiel Martinez, who is winning 15% this season. 

2nd: (5) SLAINTE MHATH – daughter of Uncle Mo has plenty of speed and will be the one to catch with careful handling. She draws in the middle and is out of a winning Scat Daddy dam, so there is enough pedigree. 

3rd: (2) STROKE OF LUCK – was a good third against these going two turns, then held well when pressing the pace.