Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025

Dick Powell analyzes the Tuesday action at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections.

Race 1

1st: (6) GRANDE TORTUGON – horse for the course was a good third on the dirt two starts back at Mountaineer, then shipped here and beat this class level easily as the 2-1 favorite. He comes back against the same level.

2nd: (7) GET EVEN – romped by seven lengths two starts back here when blinkers were added, then he came back with a good second as the odds-on favorite. Scooter Davis wins 41% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

3rd: (5) GROWTH CAPITAL – drops down in class off a good second in a long sprint here for Arriagada. 

Race 2

1st: (2) KING REIGERT – did nothing in his well-bet career debut but bounced back with a sharp win going two turns, but was disqualified. He rallied for third last out and is still eligible for this maiden level. 

2nd: (4) STROKE OF LUCK – has improved since dropping down to this maiden claiming level. She’s been well-bet in her last three starts and faces the same group for the Rojases – 14% against maiden claimers. 

3rd: (1) STRATEGYFORYOU – showed high speed two starts back before tiring, then just missed going gate to wire. 

Race 3

1st: (3) MOHTAFIL – was a game second three starts back when blinkers were added, then ran well the next out in a slow-paced race. He broke his maiden last out and now takes on winners for the Rojases. 

2nd: (1) BREATH DEEPLY – missed by a nose in his PID debut, then came back and weakened late after making a strong, middle move. Scott Spieth should be able to work out a decent trip from post one. 

3rd: (4) STREAMSONG – one-dimensional closer rallied from far back to get third when dropped down to this level. 

Race 4

1st: (2) CALVIN’S RIDE – beat open allowance foes two starts back in decent time, then dropped down to this claiming level and missed by a nose. He draws well again, and Kevin Rice removes blinkers – 18% when he does. 

2nd: (5) ARTEMPUS – went gate to wire in his PID debut two starts back, then beat similar by five lengths as the odds-on favorite. Juan Arriagada wins 26% third start off the layoff and 24% first start after a win.   

3rd: (6) IRISH STONE – rallied from way back to win going away, then was an even third when moved up to this level. 

Race 5

1st: (5) J R JONE Z – was a sharp winner in his PID debut two starts back, then was an even third when moved up in class off the claim by Scooter Davis, who wins 36% in this spot and 24% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (7) SECRET TROUBLE – chased a slow pace two starts back, then dropped down to this class level and tired later going six furlongs. An outside post in a long sprint should work out for him. 

3rd: (2) RANSOM MONEY – was the beaten favorite two starts back, then romped last out against cheaper. 

Race 6

1st: (1) IRISH VICTORY – finished up last year with two straight gate-to-wire wins, then began this year with a gate-to-wire victory. From post one, he should be able to do it again for Scott Spieth, who wins 24% with his sprint rides. 

2nd: (4) ALL ABOUT ME – won three starts in a row, including one against this level. After tiring next out, she bounced back with an easy win against similar company for Shelly Radosevich, who wins 18% first start after a win.  

3rd: (7) MORETASTIC – just missed against these two starts back then romped as the 13-10 favorite. 

Race 7

1st: (5) YOU BET A FORTUNE – horse for the course is three for three here and handled similar in the last two starts. He pulled away in his previous start for Jay Bernardini, who wins 25% first start after a win and 19% with Tapara.  

2nd: (3) JOHN DUTTON – began the year with two straight wins, then was a good third against stakes foes going two turns. He drops back to a sprint for Scooter Davis, who wins 42% with Rosario Montanez. 

3rd: (4) DREAMING OF KONA – raced evenly against this class level two starts back then won on the dirt. 

Race 8

1st: (3) TAP THE SKY – dropped down to bottom claimers and just missed as the 11-10 favorite. He tries them again for Teresa Connelly, who wins 39% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (6) BEAR CREEK – was third the last two starts here against this class level. He stretches out to two turns with a strong pedigree and gets the leading rider, Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (11) ERLAN – was a good third last out against his level and can get a piece of this at a price.