Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, June 23, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (5) GREY CHARMER – finished up last season with a win and a pair of seconds against this claiming level. He returned here 19 days ago and raced evenly for Kevin Rice, who wins 19% in his first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (3) KENTUCKY GHOST – ran evenly in his last start on the turf at Indy and now drops way down in class for Richard Estvanko. Son of Ghostzapper wins 11% with his overall claimers and draws well with Jane Elliott.

3rd: (6) JOE PHILLIPS – the addition of blinkers two starts back did not work out, but he missed by a neck without them.

Race 2

1st: (1) PRAIRIE HAWK – showed high speed on the dirt against much better this winter at Tampa Bay. He held on well as the 3-2 favorite in his PID debut, and now the gelded son of Curlin turns back in class and distance.

2nd: (5) LIGHTNING CHARLIE – dropped down in class and raced evenly to finish up last season, then came back here two weeks ago and was a good second going six furlongs. He moves up a notch in class and gets in light again with Brooke Bays.

3rd: (3) OUR ETHAN CHARLES – improved here in his second PID start when dropped to this class level.

Race 3

1st: (4) CALVARY KAT – improved some when Lasix was added last season. She was a distant second here against similar last out and now turns back to a sprint for Brandon Kulp, who wins 22% going long to short.

2nd: (1) ROCK N REWARD – was a good third here as the beaten favorite, then moved up in class off the claim and raced evenly. Leland Hayes wins 29% third start off the layoff and gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo.

Race 4

1st: (1) SANDY LANE KITTEN – almost went gate to wire in his PID debut here at the age of 10, then came back and ran about the same race. He draws the rail again for Juan Arriagada, who wins 30% in his first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (8) JEN’S SONG – horse for the course has won 12 times here at the age of 12. He chased the pace in his two starts here this year. He has plenty of back class and gets Addiel Ayala back aboard.

3rd: (3) SMILE BRYAN – showed good speed in his PID debut here at the age of 9 against much better company.

Race 5

1st: (6) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – was outrun at long odds against stakes foes on the turf two starts back in very fast time. He shipped here and won easily in fast time as the odds-on favorite for Teresa Connelly.

2nd: (2) GROUNDED – horse for the course just missed two starts back on the turf at Tampa Bay, then came here four months later and won going away. Scooter Davis wins 34% with his allowance runners and 29% first start after a win.

3rd: (5) CHIRON – one-dimensional closer beat stakes foes at Turfway Park, then did nothing in his next two starts.

Race 6

1st: (2) CANDY REWARD – horse for the course won three of four starts here last season, including a stakes race in fast time. She came back at Penn National and won on the dirt in March and now tries state-bred optional claimers. 

2nd: (4) CLOUD IN THE WIND – ran well without winning too much, but prepped for this with three wins out of three dirt sprint starts at Penn National. She has good early speed and gets Gallardo for the first time. 

3rd: (5) RUSTY MY BROTHER – beat similar two starts back here going a two-turn mile, then won again to finish up her season. 

Race 7

1st: (9) SETTLING STORM – versatile mare can run on or off the pace. She rallied for second on the turf at Tampa Bay behind a fast pace, then came here and rallied for third in her PID debut. Pavel Matejka wins 15% second start off the layoff. 

2nd: (4) KISS BLUE – raced evenly going 1 1/4 miles on the Tapeta at Turfway Park, then shipped here and was a good second but ahead of the top choice. Riley Mott wins 25% with his overall synthetic-track starters and 20% second start off the layoff. 

3rd: (1) MS SEDONA – one-dimensional closer has been freshened up by Adam Rice. 

Race 8

1st: (5) NAUGHTY FAVORS – was an even second at 9-1 going this distance, then tired next out when she pressed a demanding pace. Daughter of Collected draws well for a stalking trip where Israel Rodriguez can use her gate speed. 

2nd: (1) LENA KAHLENA – broke her maiden second time out last October, then was off until three weeks ago when she came back and led to the final furlong.  She gets in light again with Bays – flat-bet profit with her sprint rides. 

3rd: (6) JOYS OF SUMMER – improved when Lasix was added in her first start off the layoff, then chased the pace last out.