Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Wednesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race One:

1st: (7) LA SCATTA – broke her maiden here in her two-turn debut, then ran poorly on the turf. She came back here with a good second in a slow-paced race, then tired last out. Teresa Connelly wins 14% first start out of her barn. 

2nd: (6) CANDY JANE – went gate to wire second time out when Lasix was added, then she was third next out. She held on gamely in her two-turn debut as the 9-5 favorite for Tim Hamm, who wins 29% in this spot. 

3rd: (5) MEET IN SECRET – was an even fourth against this level, going six furlongs, then ran well at two turns. 

Race Two:

1st: (4) LEONARD’S LEGACY – just missed in his seasonal debut back in June, then tired next out. He dropped down some two starts back, then was a game second against this claiming level for Randy Russell. 

2nd: (6) DANEFIELD – was a game second two starts back here in fast time, then came back and ran about the same race last out. The nine-year-old is still competitive and has enough gate speed to get a clear trip from here. 

3rd: (3) KEYSTONE HANK – rallied some two starts back going this distance, then ran evenly going long. 

Race Three:

1st: (3) EXPO CITY – was a good second as the 3-2 favorite going two turns, then he rallied from off the pace to get third as the odds-on favorite. The son of Not This Time gets a major rider switch to Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (1) THE BIG CON – first-time starter from Miguel Clement, who wins 16% with his debut runners. Son of Dark Angel is out of a stakes-winning dam that has produced three winners from four foals to race, including a stakes winner. 

3rd: (5) SEALAND – stretches out to two turns off two decent sprints here for Ron Potts.

Race Four:

1st: (1) MAXIMUM FAITH – speedball breaking from the rail beat similar two starts back then held on for second going this class and distance. Kevin Rice wins 19% with his synthetic-track starters and 17% going long.    

2nd: (2) BARTULIA – not quite a horse for the course, but he has three seconds and three thirds in six starts here. He prepped for this with two long sprints and draws well for a return to two turns. 

3rd: (6) RUNNINGFORJOY – was a good second two starts back in fast time behind a next-out winner. 

Race Five:

1st: (1) KING REIGERT – broke his maiden second time out in his two-turn debut but was taken down. He was third and second here against cheaper maiden claimers and now takes on state-bred maidens for Kevin Rice. 

2nd: (3) NOT RIGHT NOW – improved a lot last out with Lasix added, and he just missed going gate to wire. He faces the same maiden group for Tim Hamm, who wins 17% second start off the layoff.  

3rd: (2) WARRIOR’S MISSION – was a good second against these as the lukewarm favorite. 

Race Six:

1st: (3) NO TAPPIN OUT – her win here two starts back earned the highest Brisnet Speed rating of anyone in here, then she chased an outrageous pace when moved up in class. She drops down to a more realistic class level here.   

2nd: (2) FORGOTTEN PEACE – horse for the course has won 14 times here and all against good company. She was vanned off last out 71 days ago, but has three workouts to indicate she’s okay. 

3rd: (5) ALL ABOUT ME – horse for the course has won four of six here and has beaten similar company. 

Race Seven:

1st: (2) SPEIGHT THE SNOW – has been running well without winning. He dropped down to this conditioned claiming level last out and rallied wide for second as the odds-on favorite for Ron Potts, who wins 33% in this spot.    

2nd: (1) SILAS M P – broke his maiden two starts back when Lasix was added, then raced evenly against better. He drops down in class and draws the rail for Murray Rojas, who wins 17% with her synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (6) IMPOSTER SYNDROME – just can’t find the winner’s circle, but at least he gets in the money. 

Race Eight:

1st: (5) QUITE CONTINENTAL – drops way down in class after racing on the turf in New York for Linda Rice, who plays the claiming game better than anyone. Rice wins 25% with her overall claimers and 21% second off the layoff. 

2nd: (9) MARDENE – was an even fourth in her PID debut, then was outrun in a wide trip last out. She drops down in class for Matt Kintz, who wins 25% with this move and 20% third start off the layoff.  

3rd: (6) TAANGO ZULU – one-dimensional closer made up some ground behind a brutal pace last out.