Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Wednesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (7) PANCHO SLIPS AWAY – speedball broke his maiden in very fast time but has finished off the board in his last three starts against open allowance foes. He drops way down for Kevin Rice, who wins 33% with Rodriguez.  

2nd: (5) SHANNONIA – just missed at 2-5 two starts back, then rallied from just off the pace to win at 1-10. He drops down to claimers for Ron Potts, who wins 21% first start after a maiden win. 

3rd: (1) AU SOME WARRIOR – makes his PID debut for Brandon Kulp, who wins 29% with his overall claimers. 

Race Two:

1st: (8) UNLIMITED GOLD – was off the board in her first two career starts, then dropped down to this maiden claiming level and held on for second. Juan Arriagada wins 27% with his synthetic-track starters.   

2nd: (3) JUST FANCY FREE – went gate to wire to hold on grimly to break her maiden first time out, but was taken down on the dirt at Parx. She comes back 15 days later for her PID debut and gets Martina Rojas. 

3rd: (4) PRANCIN INTHE DARK – tired in her well-bet career debut here, then ran about the same race last out.  

Race Three:

1st: (2) CELESTIAL SPEED – was beaten by 16 lengths two starts here, then bounced back with a six-length win in fast time. She drops down in class while stretching out in distance for Kevin Rice, who wins 31% first time for a tag. 

2nd: (5) QUILL PEN – was a good second two starts back against this conditioned claiming level, then missed by a neck in fast time. Keri Brion wins 15% with her synthetic-track starters and 13% going long. 

3rd: (1) LADY VINTAGE – was off the board in her first three career starts on turf, then romped here in her PID debut. 

Race Four:

1st: (1) STARSHIP EMPIRE – horse for the course won going 1 1/4 miles two starts back, then beat this claiming level easily last out. He draws the rail with Morales – 5 for 10 riding for Potts. 

2nd: (4) BRILLIANT JOURNEY – showed high speed before tiring two starts back here, then she was beaten at 7-5 last out. Scooter Davis wins 39% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 29% going long.   

3rd: (7) MAYNARD – ran well in his PID debut, then moved up in class off the claim by Ralph Baez. 

Race Five:

1st: (2) RIVER OF TIME – held well for third as the even-money favorite in his PID debut, then he came back and ran well before tiring. He drops way down in class for Tim Girten, who wins 21% second start out of his barn.  

2nd: (3) CHILL BOSS – after two in-the-money finishes, he came back and won going away for the Rojases – 18% together. The three-year-old has the potential to improve, which puts him right there against these. 

3rd: (5) HERONEANDONLY – just missed two starts back, then beat better last out with Brooke Bays back. 

Race Six:

1st: (3) GOLDEN HEART – won two in a row here against this level, then was nailed on the wire. She hasn’t been claimed, so Brandon Kulp keeps running her for this price. Martina Rojas gets the mount – 3 for 8 with Kulp. 

2nd: (6) BEDTIME STORY – was a game second here two starts back, then moved up in class off the Ron Potts claim and rallied for third. She drops back down and gets Gallardo back aboard. 

3rd: (7) SPANISH CARA – horse for the course has three decisive wins in her last four starts here. 

Race Seven:

1st: (3) MORETASTIC – was an even third two starts back here against better, then dropped down to this level and won easily at 1-2 odds. Maria Bowersock wins 14% with her sprinters and synthetic-track starters. 

2nd: (6) VICOUUNTESS – horse for the course has won here last three starts, including one against similar two starts back. She loves it here, and Pablo Morales should be able to get her to work out a stalking trip. 

3rd: (8) HALF BIRTHDAY – horse for the course moves up in class for Scooter Davis. 

Race Eight:

1st: (6) MAGNUS EFFECT – still winless after 17 tries, but she seems to run the same race over and over again. Her last race might have been his best, and it was his second start with blinkers added.  

2nd: (11) MY VACATION – turf runner was a game third last out at the Meadowlands against better maidens and now drops in class for his PID debut. Jorge Delgado wins 23% with this dropdown and 28% with his maiden claimers. 

3rd: (10) DOMINATOR C. – was a close third last out in a career-best performance.