Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 29, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (5) IRISH VICTORY – horse for the course tired two starts back when moved too far up in class, but bounced back with a good second after opening up a clear lead. Scott Spieth wins 22% with his sprinters. 

2nd: (3) MORETASTIC – had no shot two starts back in a turf sprint but came back here and chased the pace from post one going six furlongs. Daughter of More Than Ready drops down in class and distance. 

3rd: (6) FIRST FORAY – moves up in class off two wins in a row for Brandon Kulp. 

Race Two:

1st: (5) ENGLISH ROCKER – rallied for third here in his well-bet career debut, going nine furlongs, then chased the pace on the turf at Kentucky Downs. Riley Mott wins 30% going from turf to synthetic, and he adds blinkers. 

2nd: (6) COASTAL BREEZE – was an even third going six furlongs in his career debut, then came back with a good third in fast time. The son of Bernardini stretches out to two turns and gets in light again with Amanda Poston. 

3rd: (4) AND THAT’S MY STORY – still winless after 11 tries here, but he has six placings.

Race Three:

1st: (6) GAVEL – beat similar company two starts back on the dirt at Hawthorne, then came back and just missed. Son of Into Mischief ships here for Larry Rivelli, who wins 30% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (5) SAINT GOAR – dropped down in class two starts back and raced evenly, then just missed against these in fast time. Mike Papada wins 17% with his claiming starters, and the last 260 show a flat-bet profit. 

3rd: (1) FLUID SITUATION – has been training here but racing on the turf at Saratoga this summer for Kevin Rice. 

Race Four:

1st: (2) CON ON THE RUN – speedball went gate to wire two starts back in his first start off the claim by Ron Potts, then he came right back and did it again at odds-on. He moves up a notch in class in great form.  

2nd: (7) SPEEDY HANS – last two starts were not good, but he has a couple of past efforts that can take this. Son of Constitution has plenty of back class on Tapeta at Delaware Park.  

3rd: (5) VALIANT VICTORIA – horse for the course has plenty of speed for the Spieths. 

Race Five:

1st: (5) SPARKLING RUBY – just missed two starts back at course and distance, then came back with an even third as the odds-on favorite. One-dimensional closer draws in the middle with Scott Spieth.   

2nd: (6) HAUT LES COEURS – won two in a row here from just off the pace, then was a good third behind the top choice two starts back. She raced evenly back at six furlongs and now stretches back out.  

3rd: (3) DOROTEA DREAM – moves up in class after rallying from far back to win going away two starts back. 

Race Six:

1st: (6) GENERAL WINSTON – drops down in class off two even thirds against better. Horse for the course won his seasonal debut, but that meant he raced against better company. Now, he drops down to where he belongs.   

2nd: (2) RIDLEY PARK – beat this claiming level first time he faced them on the dirt at Penn, then ran second there his last two starts. Brandon Kulp wins 29% with his overall claimers and 23% with this surface switch.  

3rd: (4) TRUTH AND HONESTY – dropped down to this class level and won by five, then did nothing. 

Race Seven:

1st: (3) TARSUS WARRIOR – ran well here in three sprint starts, then went to Penn and won a turf sprint by over four lengths. He just missed there last out against stakes foes and should be the one to catch in here.   

2nd: (2) SCHNIITTKER – got up in time to win by a head two starts back, then came back here and won easily in fast time. John Guciardo wins 16% with his synthetic-track starters and 11% first start after a win. 

3rd: (4) SHAKIN IT UP LARRY – horse for the course held well after pressing the pace last out.

Race Eight:

1st: (3) GROWTH CAPITAL – ran great on the turf at Tampa Bay this winter, then came here and had to drop to the bottom to be competitive. He showed high speed last out for Arriagada, who wins 29% going long off two sprints.   

2nd: (8) BURNING LEAVES – won his PID debut here three starts back when he rallied from far back, then raced evenly in his last two starts. Randy Russell wins 30% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

3rd: (2) KANT BEAT THE ROCK – won here as the odds-on favorite in his PID debut for Joe Sharp.