Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Thursday, July 3, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Thursday card at Presque Isle Downs.  

Race One:

1st: (2) DANEFIELD – raced well here two years ago, then only had one start last year in an Ohio-bred stakes race at Thistledown. Off for 425 days, he returns against bottom-level claimers. Can beat these on back class alone.  

2nd: (5) EXTRA MEDIUM – has had three starts this year, and his last was not bad. He was an even fourth last out for Mike Rogers, who wins 16% with his overall claimers and 13% with his sprinters. Mike Allen can work out a stalking trip from here.

3rd: (1) BEACH HOLIDAY – missed by a length last out off a five-month layoff against these. 

Race Two:

1st: (4) MOHTAFIL – rallied nicely for third as the odds-on favorite two starts back against this maiden claiming level, then missed by a length when bet heavily. Son of Kitten’s Joy has a good late kick, and Martina rides back for Murray. 

2nd: (5) VENIK – has finished off the board in his first four career starts on the dirt. He could not handle the sloppy track at Churchill last out and now makes his PID debut while dropping down in class for Linda Rice, who wins 25% in this spot. 

3rd: (3) ARTEMPUS – began his career last year with two strong turf races at Gulfstream but has shown little since then. 

Race Three:

1st: (5) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – began this season with a terrific gate-to-wire win two starts back in very fast time, then was second when he pressed a dawdling pace. Teresa Connelly wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite.     

2nd: (1) E MINOR – was an even third behind the top choice here in fast time, then beat open $25K claimers going away. Maria Bowersock wins 14% with her synthetic-track starters and draws the rail with Pablo Morales.  

3rd: (6) FORTUNE SELLER – won his PID debut here last year and was a good second last out for Kevin Rice. 

Race Four:

1st: (1) BEECHNUT TROPHY – could not handle better company in his first two starts here this year, then was a good second last out. She drops seven pounds and faced cheaper for John Bourke – 32% with his overall claimers.

3rd: (6) LADYS CHANT – beat similar by a nose on the dirt at Tampa Bay, then came back with an even fourth after making a threatening move. She drops down in class for Maria Bowersock, who wins 12% going long. 

3rd: (4) VINGATIVA – showed good speed in her PID debut here when moved up in class off the claim by Aldana Spieth. 

Race Five:

1st: (3) LILY’S TIME – was beaten 35 lengths two starts in a row on the dirt, then he shipped here and romped by over six lengths as the 7-5 favorite. Daughter of Not This Time moves up in class for Brandon Kulp, who wins 23% in this spot.  

2nd: (6) WHEREVER WE ARE – rallied for second here, second time out, then she came back and won easily going six furlongs in fast time. Adam Rice wins 33% with his overall claimers and 31% third start off the layoff. 

3rd: (7) HAZARD PAY – drops down looking for class relief. Tim Hamm wins 15% with this move. 

Race Six:

1st: (7) COCKTAIL KISSES – broke her maiden going two turns on the turf at Tampa Bay, then tired in her PID debut against open allowance foes. She came from off the pace going six furlongs and now stretches back out in distance.  

2nd: (6) PEACHES POINT – broke her maiden when dropped down to maiden claimers for the first time. After a poor break, she shipped here and was a good second going this distance against this maiden claiming level. 

3rd: (5) CLARAMENTE – raced evenly two starts back, then won easily when blinkers were added. 

Race Seven:

1st: (2) ROCKET DRAGON – ran well in his two previous Tapeta starts, then after a turf sprint at Tampa Bay, he came here and won going away against decent claiming company. Aldana Spieth wins 37% when he rides for Aldana. 

2nd: (5) KEYSTONE HANK – finished up last season with a good win against bottom claimers. He returned with an even effort, then moved up to this open allowance level and missed by just over a length. Kevin Rice wins 25% third start off the layoff. 

3rd: (7) THORN OF HEARTS – was a good second against state-bred allowance foes and beat them by a nose next out. 

Race Eight:

1st: (2) BURNIN TURF – has superior speed ratings earned against much better company. He had a few turf races at Tampa Bay, then shipped here and was outrun going a two-turn mile in fast time for Juan Arriagada, who wins 67% second start out of his barn. 

2nd: (8) COUNT OF AMAZONIA – has won four of five starts on the synthetic and makes his PID debut. He has plenty of back class for Bob Hess, Jr., who wins 20% with this dropdown and 10% going short to long.  

3rd: (9) BOLDNESS – popular gelding has been claimed nine times in a row, but the claim is waived here.