Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 18, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race 1

1st: (7) KITTEN’S WAR – did nothing in her first two career starts, then woke up and went gate to wire to win by five lengths. After two decent starts, she came back to get up by a neck last out as the 11-10 favorite. 

2nd: (2) TRAUMARAMA – could not overcome a poor start going six furlongs two starts back, then was a fast third when stretched out to two turns. Rosario Montanez wins an amazing 24% with his route mounts. 

3rd: (6) WHAT’S GOOD – speedball went gate to wire here three starts back, but tired in her last two starts. 

Race 2

1st: (5) AND THATS MY STORY – has yet to win here in 10 starts but has five placings. He finished first two starts back, but was taken down, then tired late. He gets Brooke Bays back, who rode him two starts back, and drops seven pounds. 

2nd: (2) NORTH SHIP – still a maiden after 13 tries, but he was a good third two starts back, then raced evenly. John Bourke wins 25% with his route starters and 23% with his synthetic-track runners.

3rd: (4) DIVER – almost overcame a rough trip last out here when he missed by a neck behind a repeat winner. 

Race 3

1st: (4) BOUJIE BETZ – had the lead in the deep stretch before weakening two starts back against stakes foes, then her late rally fell a head short. Back in against the same class level with Antonio Gallardo back, she should be tough again. 

2nd: (1) FUNDING – hard runner to judge since she broke her maiden first time out but only did it by a neck, and the final time was not that good. Graham Motion wins 21% first start after a maiden win, and Pablo Morales returns. 

3rd: (3) SHEZ UNTAPPABLE – broke her maiden, then came back with a sharp win two starts back for Randy Russell. 

Race 4

1st: (8) SILVER STYLE – showed good speed before weakening in his PID debut two starts back, then was right there for six furlongs from post 9. He gets in light with Bays, and Kevin Rice does well third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (1) BEACH HOLIDAY – was moved up to second two starts back here, then rallied nicely for second in an improved effort. The gelded son of Into Mischief is now with Bernard Kleine, who shows a flat-bet profit with his synthetic runners. 

3rd: (3) LIGHTNING CHARLIE – drops a notch in class off five dull efforts so far this year. 

Race 5

1st: (7) THALBERG – showed high speed three starts back when he pressed a brutal pace. He rallied some as the 2-1 favorite next out, then just missed in fast time again. Justin Morrell is able to get Gallardo to ride back.

2nd: (2) DUNDIE – won a couple on the dirt at Tampa Bay, then was outrun in his last start there. Off for four months, he won here by a nose as the 4-5 favorite and now moves up in class for Juan Arriagada – 25% second start off the layoff. 

3rd: (4) CALL ME LATER – speedball finished up last year with two straight wins and now drops in class third off the layoff.

Race 6

1st: (6) HAUT LES COEURS – won going two turns, then turned back to a sprint and won going away. She stretches back out to two turns for Mike Pappada, who wins 24% first start after a win and 13% going short to long. 

2nd: (2) LIZZIE BABY – romped by five lengths three starts back, then was an even third when dropped down to this claiming level. She chased a slow pace when moved way up in class off the claim by Tim Girten

3rd: (4) LA CREMA – one-dimensional closer stretches out to two turns off three sprints this year. 

Race 7

1st: (10) GIRL OF MY DREAMS – won her PID debut in good time, then came back and was second in fast time. She chased a brutal pace in a turf sprint at Horseshoe Indianapolis for Anna Meah, who wins 14% going turf to synthetic. Sophie Doyle rides.

2nd: (6) PRINCESS RUNAWAY – horse for the course just missed in a turf sprint at Penn National, then came back here and won going away against state-bred optional claimers. Her times don’t look fast enough, but she likes to win. 

3rd: (1) MS. TART – classy filly can sit the rail and unleash a big late kick.

Race 8

1st: (9) ITZA KITTY – has gradually gotten better as she dropped down in maiden class. After an even effort two starts back, she dropped down to this level and was a good third after being shuffled back from post 1. 

2nd: (5) KITTY OF WAR – was a good second against this level going six furlongs, then she was an even third when stretched out to two turns. Lance Stokes wins 29% with his maiden claimers, and Gallardo rides back. 

3rd: (1) ROCK TUNE – stretched out nicely when she just missed going gate to wire and draws the rail today.