Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Oct. 13, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (5) VALIANT VICTORIA – dropped down to this level two starts back in her second start of the year and held on for third after disputing the pace. She was a good second last out when moved up in class for the Spieths. 

2nd: (2) RUNAWAY BREEZE – one-dimensional closer just missed by a nose two starts back, then was an even fourth last out for Katy Cheeks, who wins 12% with her sprinters.    

3rd: (4) ECHO SEVEN – tired in her PID debut, then held on for third after taking the lead in the deep stretch. 

Race 2

1st: (4) STARSHIP LEGACY – could not keep up two starts back in a very fast race, then came back and rallied for second when stuck behind a dawdling pace. John Fennessy’s last 204 maiden claiming starters show a flat-bet profit. 

2nd: (6) PIVOT TO THE POWER – British-bred mare tries synthetic for the first time. She had no shot against males on the dirt two starts back, then was a close second from post 10 on the turf. 

3rd: (1) DOWHATEVERITTAKES – still a maiden after 13 tries, but she rallied for second in her PID debut last out. 

Race 3

1st: (3) MALIBU MUSE – missed by a length in her career debut on the dirt at Indiana, then tired next out going seven furlongs at Colonial. She showed good speed before tiring when blinkers were added last out at Churchill. 

2nd: (1) MACLEAN’S LULLABY – ran second three times on the Tapeta at Turfway, but was outrun in her last two starts on the turf. She makes her PID debut for Pavel Matejka, who wins 22% with this surface switch.   

3rd: (4) FORBIDDEN FRIEND – daughter of McKinzie makes her Tapeta debut for Vicky Oliver. 

Race 4

1st: (5) THALBERG – horse for the course just missed here two starts back, then won by three lengths in fast time last out. Justin Morrell wins 11% with his claimers, and he gets leading rider Antonio Gallardo back aboard. 

2nd: (2) KOTYLOS – rallied for third two starts back against better, then moved way up in class and was a good fourth. Randy Russell wins 29% with this dropdown and 17% with his synthetic-track starters.   

3rd: (7) PEARL OF ACLAIM – began the season with a good win here, then won two turf sprints at Penn. 

Race 5

1st: (9) HONOR BRIGHT – rushed up to press the pace in her well-bet career debut on the dirt at Delaware Park, and now the daughter of Quality Road makes her Tapeta debut for Mike Stidham. 

2nd: (5) MIDWEST PRINCESS – was an even third going two turns in her well-bet career debut for Will Walden, who wins 33% with his second-time starters and 30% when he adds blinkers.  

3rd: (1) COLONIAL SENSE – first-time starter is working well for Riley Mott, who wins 7% with his debut runners.

Race 6

1st: (4) EXPRESSO BAY – romped by over seven lengths in his well-bet career debut on a sloppy track at Penn, then came here and just missed for Todd Beattie, who wins 27% with his overall two-year-olds.      

2nd: (5) LEFTNATEAWALKIN – broke his maiden last time out when he dominated on the front end from post 8 and now faces winners from a better draw. Scooter Davis wins 35% with his allowance runners.  

3rd: (6) JES SEE ME – broke his maiden by seven lengths against state-breds, then ran well against open company. 

Race 7

1st: (2) TODDCHERO – went gate to wire two starts back when he dropped down to similar company, then he just missed when moved up in class in a long sprint. Juan Arriagada wins 36% when he rides Gallardo.  

2nd: (7) YOU BET A FORTUNE – speedball won his first three career starts at PID, then he was a good third in fast time as the heavy favorite. He could not make the lead last out, but the outside draw could help him here.  

3rd: (4) SAINT GOAR – just missed against similar company two starts back, then missed by a nose last out. 

Race 8

1st: (5) FADETHENOISE – chased the pace in his PID debut two starts back, then dropped down to this claiming level and won easily as the 2-5 favorite. Brandon Kulp wins 29% with his claimers and 25% first start after a win. 

2nd: (6) SHY DA RUNNER – tired late going two turns here when dropped to this level, then came back at six furlongs and won easily at 3-5. Martina Rojas rides for Kulp – 2-for-9 together. 

3rd: (8) RANSOM MONEY – drops down to bottom claimers for the first time and gets Gallardo.