Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Thursday Oct. 9, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Thursday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (2) AQUITANIA ARRIVAL – was only beaten a length in his first start off the claim then tired next out in a long sprint in fast time. He was used hard from post one last out and now drops down to bottom claimers.  

2nd: (3) ROMANTIC GAMBLE – speedball won three races in a row on the dirt at Penn against low-level claimers. He has won on fast, sloppy and muddy tracks and makes his PID debut for Brandon Kulp who wins 24% first start after a win.   

3rd: (4) THE SINNER IS YOU – horse for the course has won 14 times here and beat these the last time he faced them. 

Race Two:

1st: (6) WAR OFFICER – was claimed for $40K at Saratoga two starts back then lost all chance when he broke poorly going long at Aqueduct. Here, the gelded son of War Front drops down to $25K by Linda Rice who wins 26% in this spot. 

2nd: (4) MAXIMUM FAITH – beat similar claiming company three starts back then held on for second when allowed to set a slow pace. Kevin Rice wins 20% with his claimers and 33% with Addiel Ayala. 

3rd: (2) D’ORO LEMON – won going away two starts back then missed by a head against this claiming level. 

Race Three:

1st: (2) THANK YOU AMY – won her career debut here going short then tired in a stakes race at Woodbine as the beaten favorite. She came back here to win easily then tired last out back against stakes foes. 

2nd: (3) MISS MOXEE – romped by over seven lengths in her career debut here against maiden claimers for Linda Rice who wins 24% first start after a maiden win and 31% with her synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (4) BALLYKEEFE – broke her maiden by three lengths in a turf sprint at Delaware Park.

Race Four:

1st: (2) GREY CHARMER – won by a neck three starts back against one level better then did nothing when dropped down in class going this distance in fast time. He showed some late kick last out and draws inside. 

2nd: (3) SAMARITANO – beat this class level by five lengths three starts back then did nothing when moved up in class. He dropped back down to this level and rallied for third for the Spieths – 23% together.  

3rd: (6) IOYA AGAIN – woke up at 12-1 last out when he made up a ton of ground in his second start off the layoff. 

Race Five:

1st: (4) RIDGIE – rallied for second in her well-bet career debut after breaking in from post one and now draws much better for Maria Bowersock who wins 21% with her second-time starters. 

2nd: (6) DONT BLAME COURT – raced evenly in her career debut then came back and ran about the same race. She is a half-sister to a 2yo winner and picks up leading rider Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (8) BATTLE WING – first-time starter by Uncle Mo (14% debut winners) from Larry Rivelli – 26% on debut. 

Race Six:

1st: (2) OUTHUSTLE – raced evenly against this claiming level two starts back then moved up in class and went gate to wire in fast time at this distance. Randy Russell wins 16% first start after a win and Mike Allen rides back.     

2nd: (1) SNOWNAME – horse for the course tired badly against these but came back to beat optional claimers going gate to wire for Kevin Rice who wins 19% first start after a win and 20% with his overall claimers.   

3rd: (5) IN SKY WE TRUST – dirt sprinter makes his synthetic-track debut off three straight wins. 

Race Seven:

1st: (4) PRINCE OF AYRSHIRE – one-dimensional closer was a good third in fast time two starts back then won going away last out. Son of English Channel gets Scott Spieth back – flat-bet profit with his 87 route mounts this year. 

2nd: (5) DRILLING FOR GOLD – very fast turf runner tries synthetic for the first time. He’s won three of his last five starts for Brittany Russell who wins 30% with this surface switch and gets Gallardo. 

3rd: (3) MAYNARD – scratched Tuesday for this spot which looks a lot tougher. 

Race Eight:

1st: (5) SPANISH CARA – had to drop down to bottom level maidens to graduate then came back and won easily. She tired last out and meets the same group for Tim Hamm who wins 29% first start after being beaten as the favorite.  

2nd: (3) MISS FOXANN – tired when stretched out in class and distance two starts back then just missed going six furlongs against this class level. Daughter of Kantharos has raced herself into shape. 

3rd: (6) KANAZAWA – was beaten by 51 lengths in her first three starts but woke up in her last two.