Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025

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

Race 1

1st: (3) YOUREAWIZARD HARRY – first-time starter from Kevin Rice who wins 13% with his debut runners and 16% against this maiden level. The son of Protonico (12% debut winners) is from the Giant’s Causeway line, which does well here. 

2nd: (2) SEALAND – raced evenly in his well-bet career debut here, going this distance for Ron Potts, who wins 30% with his second-time starters. The son of Omaha Beach is a half to four winners from four other foals to race.  

Race 2

1st: (3) WARRIOR’S MISSION – just missed two starts back here when dropped down in class, then he moved back up to this level and rallied for second. Matt Kintz wins 20% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (5) DOUBLE UP LARRY – has yet to run a bad race but is still winless in five starts. He was a good second two starts back, then raced evenly in a wide trip after being shuffled back. Brooke Bays rides back.  

3rd: (6) CHUBS ROCKET – was an even fourth in last, two starts back he chased a fast pace against open maidens. Blinkers on.

Race 3

1st: (2) CHEERFUL TROUT – still a maiden after 18 tries, but she has seven placings here in 13 tries. Since adding blinkers, she has shown better gate speed and draws inside with Willie Martinez, who wins 17% with his route mounts.  

2nd: (3) STARSHIP LEGACY – improved last out in her two-turn debut with a good third against this maiden claiming level. She finished full of run and will be tough if she can run the same race. 

Race 4

1st: (1) RONIC – has run well against this claiming level each time on dirt. He shipped here and beat them in fast time coming from off the pace and draws inside for John Guciardo, who wins 27% second start off the layoff. 

2nd: (2) GROWTH CAPITAL – was a good second in a long sprint two starts back here, then dropped down to this level and was an even third. Juan Arriagada wins 30% with his synthetic-track starters. 

3rd: (3) SHOWDOWN KING – beat slightly better last out in fast time and now drops down to the bottom. 

Race 5

1st: (5) SMOOCH UP – romped by six lengths here in her well-bet career debut, then held on for third on the dirt against stakes foes at Colonial Downs. She returns here and drops down some in class for Ron Potts. 

2nd: (4) NAME DROPPER – rallied from far off the pace to get up in time on the dirt at Churchill Downs against decent maiden claimers. Tim Hamm wins 17% first start after a maiden win and 22% off medium rest.  

Race 6

1st: (3) CANDY JANE – flashed speed in her well-bet career debut, then came back to break her maiden when Lasix was added. She ran well last out and faces the same group from a better post.    

2nd: (2) BAYTOWN STORM – took her 15 starts to break her maiden, then she came back with a second here last out against these. She draws well and gets McKenna Anderson, who has won on her before. 

3rd: (7) DIRIYAH – ran well in her first two career starts in off-the-turf events, then moved up too far in class. 

Race 7

1st: (5) TODDCHERO – was a good second in his PID debut against better, then came back and ran evenly. He dropped down to this level and won as the odds-on favorite, and tries them again while only picking up two pounds.  

2nd: (4) CERTAIN – horse for the course was a good second two starts back as the 7-5 favorite, then raced evenly in fast time when stretched out to two turns. He turns back to a sprint and gets Morales, who is 3 for 6 riding for Connelly. 

3rd: (6) FLUID SITUATION – ships in from Saratoga, where he pressed extremely fast paces in a pair of turf sprints. 

Race 8

1st: (3) SPANISH CARA – took her 11 starts before she broke her maiden here, then came right back to beat winners easily. She basically runs for a “For Sale” sign here against the same group she just beat, and seems to be sound. 

2nd: (1) CANDI GIRL – rallied for fourth in her first start off the claim by Brandon Kulp, who wins 31% with this move and 24% second start off the layoff. She draws the rail and gets Martina Rojas back aboard.     

3rd: (2) SUGAR TREAT – was a good third in her PID debut, going shorter for Randy Russell, who wins 19% second start off the layoff.