Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Aug. 4, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (2) HAZARD PAY – after being beaten by 13 lengths, she dropped down to this conditioned claiming level and held on for second at long odds. She ran a similar race last out for Tim Hamm, who wins 21% with his overall claimers. 

2nd: (1) HAUT LES COEURS – ran well in all three starts here this season and was favored in each one. She broke her maiden going two turns last out and turns back to a sprint. Israel Rodriguez rides back.   

3rd: (4) ON RESERVE – was third her last two starts behind the top choice and improved some with Lasix last out. 

Race 2

1st: (2) I’M NO ANGEL – was moved up to break his maiden two starts back here, then came back and beat winners as the 3-5 favorite. He draws well for Ron Potts, who wins 22% with his overall claimers and 16% first start after a win.   

2nd: (5) TIZ LUCKY – showed good speed two starts back here in his second start of the year, then came back against this conditioned claiming level and held well for second. Ron Potts wins 22% with his synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (3) THIRD CITY – won two in a row on the dirt at Tampa Bay, then tired in both starts here. 

Race 3

1st: (5) SWEET NOLA – was claimed for $6,250 back at Tampa Bay, and she has proceeded to win her next five starts, including her last two starts here when moved way up in class. Juan Arriagada wins 62% with Willie Martinez.  

2nd: (3) A CASE OF YOU – beat similar here, then finished up last season with a sharp win going two turns. She could not overcome post 10 on the turf at Delaware Park and now returns to the Tapeta with Pablo Morales aboard.  

3rd: (2) STARSHIP BELMONT – was claimed here two starts back and came back with a good third as the 2-1 favorite. 

Race 4

1st: (4) CATCH ON EMOTIONAL – was off for two years before returning here with a good effort two starts back. He tired late last out and now drops down to bottom claimers for Carol Skawinski, who wins 16% third start off the layoff.  

2nd: (3) BEAR CREEK – was a good third behind two next-out winners, then came back with an even effort. Last out, he dropped down to the bottom and was a good third, going a bit longer.   

3rd: (7) RONIC – was beaten less than a length in his first start off the claim by John Guciardo, then ran well with these. 

Race 5

1st: (6) THE BEST DISTANCE – beat bottom claimers two starts back, then moved up in class off the claim and won easily. He takes another move up in class for Arriagada, who wins 23% first start after a win.   

2nd: (3) RUNAWAY HARRY – horse for the course is 9 for 14 here but was caught in his last two starts. He drops down in class in his third start of the year for Mike Pappada, who wins 29% in this spot. 

3rd: (5) STRIKE APPEAL – shows good speed on the dirt and could be dangerous here if he breaks running. 

Race 6

1st: (9) AWESOME EMPRESS – went gate to wire in her PID debut, then rallied for third in good time when moved up to this allowance level. She was third again last out and draws outside with Sofia Vives.  

2nd: (1) LA GIRVINA – chased the pace from post nine in her PID debut, then came back and beat cheaper by over six lengths. Last out, she rallied from just off the pace to win going away for Matt Kintz.  

3rd: (4) CLARAMENTE – broke her maiden by six lengths two starts back, then romped in fast time last out. 

Race 7

1st: (10) MIGHTY ERIU – turf sprinter makes her Tapeta debut for Brendan Walsh, who wins 14% with this surface switch. She looks like she has enough gate speed to work out a stalking trip with Ben Curtis. 

2nd: (3) BARBARA JOAN – went gate to wire from post 10 in a turf sprint at Gulfstream in very fast time. She came back with a good second on the Tapeta at Woodbine for Mark Casse, who seems to be winning with everything. 

3rd: (4) BRINDI – won two similar stakes races at Woodbine, then raced evenly in a turf sprint at Saratoga. 

Race 8

1st: (3) HIGH TRACK – still a maiden after 12 tries but has four seconds in seven starts here. She was a good second against this maiden claiming level last out and should be able to save ground on the first turn. 

2nd: (6) STROKE OF LUCK – held well two starts back going this distance there, then rallied from far back to get third last out. Murray Rojas wins 19% with her synthetic-track starters and 11% with Martina. 

3rd: (9) CHANNEL ME IN – ran well in her first two starts of the year, then was terrible last out.