Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Friday, Aug. 15, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps Friday’s card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race 1

1st: (4) EXPO CITY – was a good second here in his well-bet career debut going this distance. Son of Not This Time gets in light again with Amada Poston. Eoin Harty wins 38% second time going long. 

2nd: (5) A MILLION DREAMS – faced better on the dirt and turf in his first two career starts for Kevin Rice, who wins 16% against this maiden level and 15% with this surface switch. Israel Rodriguez picks up the ride.  

3rd: (3) GRAB MY TAB – did nothing in her career debut going short, then was a good third behind the top choice. 

Race 2

1st: (6) STARSHIP BELMONT – showed high speed two starts in a row, then came back and ran about the same race. She drops down in class for Scooter Davis, who wins 28% with his synthetic-track starters.  

2nd: (2) I’M HEADING EAST – rallied from off the pace to win two in a row at the start of this season, then faced this class level and held on for second as the odds-on favorite. Brandon Kulp wins 29% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (3) HALF BIRTHDAY – moves up in class off two easy wins here for Davis, who wins 35% first start after a win. 

Race 3

1st: (3) BEAR CREEK – ran well here against this class level the last two starts and has 21 placings here over the years. He has not won in over two years but gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (6) SUMMERFEST – horse for the course was a good third two starts back when dropped down to this level, then chased the pace going two turns. Lisa Allen wins 15% with her overall claimers.  

3rd: (9) KEYSTONE HANK – finished up last year with a win against this class level and just placed third here last out going long. 

Race 4

1st: (1) ADIOS BUCCANEER – almost went gate to wire two starts back when he opened up a clear lead before being caught. Last out, he stalked a slow pace and was outkicked to the wire for the Allens.  

2nd: (8) PRINCE OF AYRSHIRE – beat cheaper two starts in a row when he sat and pounced to convincing wins. He was a good second ahead of the top choice last out for the Spieths. 

3rd: (9) UNCLE TRULY – was a good third in his PID debut, then came back and won by a head at decent odds. 

Race 5

1st: (2) SPANISH CARA – had to drop to the bottom to break her maiden, which she did easily last out at 6-5. She takes on modest winners from post 2 with Pablo Morales back – 36% when he rides for Tim Hamm. 

2nd: (1) WONDER WAVE – turns back to a sprint after racing evenly going two turns here. Ron Potts wins 17% going long to short and 22% with his synthetic-track starters. Gallardo rides back – 3-for-10 riding for Potts. 

3rd: (3) MRS. MANICOTTI – broke her maiden wo starts back then just missed against this class level.

Race 6

1st: (2) MOMS TRIBUTE– improved some two starts back, then just missed going gate to wire when he broke running. Michelle Bradford wins 19% with her maiden special weight starters and 15% going short.  

2nd: (3) GOING STREAKIN – raced evenly in two starts on the turf going two turns at Tampa Bay, then shipped here and was a good third in fast time at today’s distance. Hamm wins 21% against this maiden level.  

3rd: (7) CELESTIAL SPEED – did nothing on dirt at Saratoga and is now with Kevin Rice. 

Race 7

1st: (5) UNBRIDLED PEACE – ran great in her first three career starts on dirt and Tapeta. She finished first two starts back, but was taken down, then chased the pace last out. Juan Arriagada wins 30% with his synthetic-track starters. 

2nd: (3) FLEUR DELACOUR – began the season with an even third, then came back and showed good speed in her first start off the claim. Mike Rogers wins 23% third start off the layoff and 17% second start out of his barn. 

3rd: (1) WHEREVER WE ARE – broke her maiden, then beat cheap winners by four lengths in good time. 

Race 8

1st: (4) CHRIS’S KITTY – was soundly beaten on the dirt at Tampa, then shipped here and rallied for second against this maiden claiming level. Matt Kintz wins 19% first start after being beaten as the favorite and 16% second start off the layoff.  

2nd: (2) DONYAJUANITA – showed good speed in her career debut going a mile on the turf at Laurel. She drops down in class and distance for Keri Brion, who wins 14% off medium rest. Scott Spieth picks up the ride.   

3rd: (3) FILLYRULES – was beaten 44 lengths in her first three starts, then was a good second when blinkers were added.