Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Dick Powell analyzes Tuesday's program at Presque Isle Downs and furnishes his selections.

Race 1

1st: (4) CUPID MISSED – beat this class going away when dropped down to this level to finish up last season. She came back with a wide trip against much better and now drops down to a more realistic class level for Ron Potts. 

2nd: (5) ROCK N REWARD – raced against this level two starts back here and was a game second then weakened late after making a strong middle move. Leland Hayes wins 16% with his sprinters and gets Gallardo back. 

3rd: (2) WHITEKNUCKLEFLYER – beat cheaper by five lengths as the odds-on favorite and moves up in class. 

Race 2

1st: (4) KITTEN’S WAR – broke her maiden by five lengths in her second PID start, then tired against this level to finish up the season. She came out this season with a good second and now tries them again for Kevin Rice.  

2nd: (7) SILENT DIVA – has some decent starts against this class level, but her last start off the claim, going six furlongs, was terrible. She drops down while stretching out and gets in light with Juan Belisario. 

3rd: (1) TANGO ZULU – was third at class and distance two starts back, then ran about the same race last out. 

Race 3

1st: (3) HALON – beat cheaper company by six lengths as the 2-1 favorite two starts back, then came back and was a good third against allowance foes. Ron Potts wins 31% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 22% with claimers. 

2nd: (2) CALVIN’S RIDE – just missed at long odds against open allowance foes two starts back in his PID debut, then he came back to win going away. Three-year-old son of Temple City drops a notch in class for Kevin Rice, who wins 17% first start after a win.  

3rd: (1) BARTULIA – speedball breaking from the rail just missed hanging on after opening up a commanding lead. 

Race 4

1st: (7) ROCKET DRAGON – pulled away to win easily with a terrific last quarter, then was third against this open allowance level. He draws perfectly for a stalking trip with Scott Spieth back to ride for Aldana – 31% together. 

2nd: (5) JUST RELAX – broke his maiden in his 8th try, then tired when moved way up in class off the claim. Against $25K claimers, he went gate to wire for Juan Arrigada, who wins 29% on synthetic tracks and 23% first start after a win.

3rd: (6) SHADOW FACTOR – was an even third here, then was third again on dirt at Penn. He came back to win here last out. 

Race 5

1st: (5) HAZARD PAY – was soundly beaten three races in a row when Lasix was added, but bounced back last out when she showed high speed to the top of the stretch. Tim Hamm wins 21% with his claimers and 17% third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (4) VALIANT ENYA – began to improve when blinkers were added and after two placings, she won going away as the odds-on favorite. John Fennessy wins 11% on synthetic tracks and gets Walber Alencar back aboard. 

3rd: (2) GOOD TO BE TRUGE – speedy mare could be hard to catch against this class level. 

Race 6

1st: (2) ESPIONAGE – ran well at Churchill when blinkers were put back on, then he tired next out on the dirt at Belterra. He chased the pace from post one as the 2-5 favorite for Karyn Wittek, who wins 25% with this surface switch. 

2nd: (4) CALL ME LATER – speedball went gate to wire here in his last two starts of the season. Son of Dialed in returned last out and led to the final yards against this optional claiming level for Randy Russell, who wins 21% second start off the layoff.  

3rd: (6) IMPACTO – missed by a neck two starts back as the 2-1 favorite, then was beaten at odds-on. 

Race 7

1st: (2) HURRICANE ABLOWIN – was beaten by 58 lengths two starts back when he dwelt at the start. He came back here three weeks later and broke his maiden by over five lengths and gave the impression that he can handle winners. 

2nd: (4) FACE DOWN – missed by a nose here off the long layoff against this level, then came back and was an even third in a traffic trip. Tim Girten wins 32% third start off the layoff and 21% on synthetic tracks. 

3rd: (5) STRIDER’S SLIDER – ran well here in his two starts last season and prepped for this with a dirt sprint at Penn.  

Race 8

1st: (9) PRACTICALITY – won her first start of the year, then was beaten seven races in a row. After an even third here last out, she drops down in class off the claim by Brandon Kulp, who wins 31% in this spot and 29% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (10) SALLY’S SASSY – won two in a row on the Tapeta at Golden Gate two years ago. She missed the entire 2024 season and ran against much better company. With little to show for it, she drops to the bottom for Todd Beattie, who wins 23% second up. 

3rd: (1) DOMINANT STRANGER – 9-year-old mare has run well here in the past but hasn’t won enough to be placed any higher.