Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Wednesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (1) PRACTICALITY – daughter of Practical Joke drops down in class off a series of even dirt sprints at Tampa Bay Downs. He has recent form compared to many in this field and draws the rail with Israel Rodriguez. 

2nd: (2) THE CONNECTOR – returns off a long layoff over a surface that he is 6 for 15. He won two straight sprints here last year with Brooke Bays. Mark Hoffman wins 17% on synthetic, and his last 115 starters show a flat-bet profit.  

3rd: (5) SHORTY MAC – raced in turf sprints last year but shows some form here two years ago against stronger company. 

Race Two:

1st: (6) UNCOMMON – chased the pace in her career debut going two turns on the turf at Gulfstream Park, then showed high speed on it before tiring at Tampa Bay. Daughter of Quality Road should be able to handle the surface switch. 

2nd: (5) PALACE LIGHTS – had some decent efforts against maiden claimers and now moves up in class while switching surfaces. She has a strong late kick, and Israel Rodriguez fits her like a glove.  

3rd: (3) KISS ME AGAIN – still winless after 12 tries, but she draws well with Antonio Gallardo. 

Race Three:

1st: (5) CANDY CAUSE – was claimed for $20K two starts back but did little when moved way up in class on the turf at Churchill Downs. Daughter of Candy Ride drops way down in class for Linda Rice, who wins 27% second start off the claim. 

2nd: (4) BAYTOWN STORM – took her 15 tries to break her maiden, which she did last out here in very good time. She returns against modest winners for Paul McEntee, who trains here on the Tapeta at Turfway Park.

3rd: (6) AZTEC PRINCESS – is only 2 for 17 on synthetic tracks here, but has six seconds and six thirds, so she clearly likes it here. 

Race Four:

1st: (1) GENERAL WINSTON – began last year with a sensational second here going six furlongs in fast time off a similar layoff to this. He won two in a row before finishing up with an even fourth last season and is training well for this.  

3rd: (3) RICHIESINTHEHOUSE – went gate to wire three starts back here then tired in a long sprint. He finished up the season with a good third and returns off the layoff for Mike Pappada, who wins 17% in this spot.  

3rd: (8) KEYSTONE HANK – was a good second off a similar layoff, then won going away when moved up in class. 

Race Five:

1st: (5) ITZCOATL – dirt sprinter tries Tapeta for the first time. He won his last start at Belterra when he showed good speed on a tiring track. Shelly Radosevich wins 13% first start after a win and gets Martina Rojas.  

2nd: (3) ONE LAST BID – added blinkers three starts back and won going away in a wide trip from post 10 on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. Son of Kingman (who sired a classic winner in Ireland over the weekend) did little last out at Laurel.   

3rd: (1) AWESOME WIND – won two races on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park but has been off the board in his last two dirt starts.  

Race Six:

1st: (3) STARSHIP LIBERTY – raced evenly before weakening in her career debut on the Tapeta at Turfway Park, then just missed going gate to wire there. Daughter of Constitution ships up from Churchill for Kelsey Danner, who wins 17% on synthetic tracks.  

2nd: (6) LITTLE MISS MUNNY – after a good second on the dirt at Mahoning Valley, she came back with a second against allowance foes. She ran well here last year and gets Addiel Ayala.   

3rd: (1) POR VOCE – one-dimensional closer tries Tapeta for the first time with blinkers added. 

Race Seven:

1st: (1) GROUNDED – horse for the course has won 11 of 22 starts here over the years. He beat this optional claiming level by six lengths going gate to wire last August and will be tough from post one with his natural gate speed. 

2nd: (2) DECLARED – returned to the races with an even fourth in fast time to begin last year, then was fourth two more times. He woke up last start with a close second again in fast time for John Bourke, who wins 22% off long layoffs. 

3rd: (7) READ ON – romped against similar on Tapeta at Gulfstream, then ran well on the turf at Tampa Bay. 

Race Eight:

1st: (1) SKIPPY TOWN – was soundly beaten in both career starts against better and was bet both times. He drops way down in class and now adds blinkers in an effort to keep him near the pace.  

2nd: (3) SNOVEMBER – still a maiden after 10 tries and has never finished in the money. Still, he has enough recent starts to maintain his form. Ron Allen, Jr. picks up the ride.  

3rd: (4) BROMISTA – finished up last season with a couple of near misses. 

Join us on June 7 for a rematch that will shake the stands. Many top Kentucky Derby contenders return for the Belmont S. (G1) to fight for the finish, including probable contender Journalism, winner of Preakness 150, and Sovereignty, winner of Derby 151. Who will stand in the winner's circle for Belmont?

Stay with us throughout Belmont Day during stakes races as we bring you the latest horse racing news, live odds, expert picks, and more. It is sure to be an exciting day of racing!