Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (2) REELED IN – hard to like off his most recent efforts, but they came against much better company. He ran well here last year and should improve off an even effort against open allowance company.

2nd: (3) CHIPS LEGACY – moves up a notch in class off a good second in fast time. He faces state-bred conditioned claimers for Randy Russell, who wins 16% on synthetic tracks and 22% with Gaddiel Martinez. 

3rd: (6) COLONEL POPPY – seems to have enough back class and ran well with blinkers put back on last out. 

Race 2

1st: (3) HALF BIRTHDAY – horse for the course beat bottom claimers two starts in a row, then moved up in class and ran fourth in very fast time. Scooter Davis wins 28% with his synthetic-track starters.

2nd: (1) WHITEKNUCKLEFLYER – dropped down to this class level off the claim by Adam Rice, and she won by five lengths. After a good third against optional claimers, she dropped back down to these and was second at 2-5. 

3rd: (5) I’M HEADING EAST – beat this level here last year in good time and began this season with two wins. 

Race 3

1st: (3) LA SCATTA – broke her maiden here in her PID debut, then did nothing on the turf. She came back here with a good second going two turns as the 4-5 favorite for Riley Mott, who wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (1) KEEPTHEDREAMALIVE – failed in two starts on the dirt, then raced evenly on turf. She tried Tapeta here last out and promptly broke her maiden going six furlongs. She stretches out to two turns from the rail with Antonio Gallardo.  

3rd: (5) ELIZA VANCE – broke her maiden by 21 lengths in her two-turn debut on dirt at Hawthorne. 

Race 4

1st: (6) CASHIER CHECK – just missed here two starts back against similar company, then came back to beat them as the 8-5 favorite. Versatile horse can run on or off the pace for Davis, who wins 35% first start after a win.  

2nd: (3) STARSHIP EMPIRE – won two in a row to begin this season here, then raced evenly in his last two. Horse for the course draws well for Ron Potts, who wins 22% with his synthetic-track starters. Pablo Morales returns. 

3rd: (5) THE BEST DISTANCE – beat cheaper in his first start off the claim for Juan Arriagada, then raced evenly. 

Race 5

1st: (3) JEN D’ORO – was badly outrun in her well-bet career debut on the dirt at Laurel, then was a good second here against this maiden level. Tim Hamm wins 30% first start after being beaten as the favorite and is 5-for-11 with Morales.

2nd: (2) MISS THALIA – first-time starter from Matt Kintz, who wins 9% with his debut runners and 16% against this maiden level. Daughter of Goldencents (10% debut winners) has been training bullets here.  

3rd: (7) UNLIMITED GOLD – first-time starter from Arriagada, who wins 15% with his debut runners. 

Race 6

1st: (4) TOP RECRUIT – claimed out of a dirt race at Tampa Bay Downs, he shipped here and won two in a row. Last out, he faced much better company and was a good second and now drops down to a more realistic level.   

2nd: (7) MOR SPRING SPIRIT – speedball breaking from the outside has won four in a row here this season and is 7-for-11 over the years. He beat this starter allowance level by four lengths three starts back for Davis. 

3rd: (6) ENJOY THE MUSIC – horse for the course has won 12 times here but not this year so far. 

Race 7

1st: (6) CLARAMENTE – broke her maiden here against cheaper, then was a good second against this allowance level two starts later. She raced evenly in fast time last out and should be able to work out a stalking trip.   

2nd: (4) A CASE OF YOU – won both starts here last year, then won again second time out in good time. She moves up a notch in class off the claim by Davis – 22% with this move and 35% first start after a win.

3rd: (5) LITTLE MARTHA – beat mid-level claimers two starts back, then was third behind the top choice last out. 

Race 8

1st: (6) NUN GIMEL HAY PO – was a well-beaten second two starts back, then was much closer last out at 4-1 against this maiden claiming level. Potts wins 22% with his synthetic-track starters and 20% sprinting. 

2nd: (8) COURAGEOUS ARI – winless in 12 starts here but has seven placings. She drops down to bottom-level maiden claimers for Carol Skawinski, who despite not having a win this year is able to get leading rider Gallardo.    

3rd: (7) COUNTRY MANOR – ships in from Finger Lakes for her PID debut and is able to get Morales.