Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 11, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (6) NICOLE’S WILL – ran well here last year against top maidens. He has yet to run on Tapeta this season in three tries and now drops down in class for Lance Stokes, who wins 31% with his maiden claimers and is 2-for-10 with Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (4) ARTICLE – did nothing in his first two career starts, then came back with a good third at Saratoga, going nine furlongs on the dirt. Linda Rice wins 38% going from dirt to synthetic and 27% turning back to a sprint. 

3rd: (1) GIFT EXCHANGE – finished out last season with two good two-turn efforts when he made the lead both times. 

Race 2

1st: (9) RAVEN DANCE – was a good second in her PID debut two starts back, then she came back and ran evenly. She drops another notch in class for Todd Beattie, who wins 25% with his synthetic-track starters.  

2nd: (4) FILLYRULES – was beaten 29 lengths two starts back, then she added blinkers, turning back in distance, and held on for second going short. Daughter of Temple City draws much better today with Mike Allen back. 

3rd: (2) VANILLA CREAM – dropped to the bottom on the dirt at Charles Town and tries PID for Keith Dickey. 

Race 3

1st: (3) MOR SPRING SPIRIT – won here back in June by a nose, then romped by four off the claim going six furlongs in amazing time. He came back and did it again last out at 3-5 odds for Scooter Davis, who wins 34% first start after a win.

2nd: (6) SHADOW FACTOR – beat state-bred allowance foes, then faced these and missed by a neck. He comes back against open allowance foes for Ron Potts, who wins 32% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (1) FACE DOWN – faces open company from the rail and should get a stalking trip down on the inside with Pablo Morales. 

Race 4

1st: (8) CUPID MISSED – finished up last year with a good win against better claimers, then was off for almost eight months. She has had two even efforts against much better and now drops down to a more realistic class level. 

2nd: (7) VICOUNTESS – rallied for second two starts back here against similar company, then romped as the 3-2 favorite by over five lengths. She comes back against similar for Brandon Kulp, who wins 29% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (2) WHISPERING SEA – turns back to a sprint after beating this claiming level going two turns. 

Race 5

1st: (1) PACE – has done little in two starts here, but they came against much better company. He was an even fourth two starts back against allowance foes on the dirt at Thistledown and could be a stretch factor from the rail. 

2nd: (5) TODDCHERO – was a good second here two starts back in his PID debut, then came back and weakened in his first start off the claim by Juan Arriagada. Arriagada wins 30% second start off the claim and 39% first time in for a tag. 

3rd: (6) IBRIM – was a good third two starts back in fast time against much better company. 

Race 6

1st: (5) BURNIN TURF – went gate to wire two starts back, then moved up in class and tired after disputing the pace. He drops down in class for Arriagada, who wins 29% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (7) SECRETARY OF WAR – pulled away to a strong win two starts back, then was a game second against this class level. Matt Kintz wins 15% with his route runners and 14% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (8) EXTRA MEDIUM – horse for the course has plenty of back class here.

Race 7

1st: (5) FOREVER SOUPER – horse for the course won this race last year, then won the Presque Isle Mile in good time. He comes in here off two strong turf races for Mike Trombetta, who wins 21% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (1) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – horse for the course just missed two starts back here, then won by over five lengths last out. He should be tough if he can get away cleanly from post 1. 

3rd: (8) HE’S A MESS – romped in his first start off the claim, then held on last out against state-bred stakes foes. 

Race 8

1st: (5) FIRST FORAY – beat better three starts back, then tired next out when stretched out to two turns. She lost all chance against these when bumped at the start and gets Gallardo back aboard. 

2nd: (8) MOMENTOUS MISS – beat this claiming level two starts back here going this distance, then came back and raced wide from post 9. She has better gate speed than she showed last out.  

3rd: (6) KEEP IN TOUCH – showed good speed last out when dropped down to this class level.