Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 1, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Labor Day card at Presque Isle Downs. 

Race 1

1st: (6) TAKE CHARGE BOO – was a good second in her career debut here as a four-year-old two weeks ago. With the normal improvement a horse has second time out, she could be tough here. 

2nd: (2) HOPE SHE COMES – still a maiden after 18 tries, but she has six placings here. Each of her three starts showed improvement, and she should get a ground-saving trip from the rail with Kris Fox. 

3rd: (5) KUKU – finished up last season with a close second and tries Tapeta. Second start off the layoff. 

Race 2

1st: (5) SPEIGHT THE SNOW – showed some talent to begin his career last year but has steadily gone backwards this year. He drops farther down in class for Ron Potts, who wins 22% with this move.

2nd: (2) THUNDER CANE – didn’t run badly in his PID debut dropping down in class, then came back and rallied for second in good time. Son of Mendelssohn has more tactical speed than he showed last time out.  

3rd: (4) SPICE BAG – showed decent talent on the dirt at Monmouth Park for Mike Dini. 

Race 3

1st: (2) LITTLE LAMB CHOP – beat state-bred allowance foes two starts back here when shuffled back from post 1, then ran evenly in fast time against stronger open company.  

2nd: (3) FLEUR DELACOUR – ran her best first start of the year off the long layoff, then was used hard on the lead before weakening. She tired badly against open company last out for Mike Rogers.

Race 4

1st: (2) MAKE A MILLION – beat better here two starts back in her PID debut making her first start off the claim. She was third in a turf sprint at Colonial Downs and now drops way down in class for Tim Girten. 

2nd: (1) HAUT LES COEURS – took her seven starts to break her maiden, then came back to win at today’s distance. Back to two turns, she was an even third and now turns back to a sprint.  

3rd: (3) VALIANT ENYA – broke her maiden here two starts back as the odds-on favorite, then beat winners last out.

Race 5

1st: (1) CHILL BOSS – after tiring in a sprint here, he moved up in class and distance and held well after disputing the pace. He was no match for state-bred allowance foes last out and now drops down to the price he was claimed for. 

2nd: (6) STAYINYOURLANE – just missed at long odds two starts back against this level, then raced evenly last out. Maria Bowersock wins 14% on synthetic, and Antonio Gallardo fills in for the injured Ron Allen. 

3rd: (4) STREAMSONG – dropped down to this conditioned claiming level with a pair of thirds. 

Race 6

1st: (2) PANCHO SLIPS AWAY – improved some in his seasonal debut when Lasix was added, then came back and won gate to wire in very fast time. Kevin Rice wins 24% third start off the layoff and 33% with Israel Rodriguez. 

2nd: (5) FACE DOWN – beat state-bred allowance foes two starts back, then was a distant third against open company. He should benefit from the added distance with Pablo Morales back aboard. 

3rd: (4) TACTICAL HUMOR – moves up a notch in class second start off the claim and turns back in distance. 

Race 7

1st: (4) MRS. MANICOTTI – took her eight tries to break her maiden, then came right back and missed by a neck against this level. She tired last out when used hard on the lead, and Martina returns for Murray Rojas – 19% together.    

2nd: (6) WONDER WAVE – showed good speed two starts back against these going two turns, then rallied from far back to get second after being shuffled back from post 1. Potts wins 32% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

3rd: (9) LENA KAHLENA – very fast filly will try to hang on while getting in light again with Brooke Bays. 

Race 8

1st: (5) TAP THE SKY – just missed two starts back when he dropped down to this claiming level for the first time, then ran second again in much faster time. Teresa Connelly wins 36% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2nd: (8) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – horse for the course has been in the money 14 of 19 starts here. He was a good second two starts back, then was an even fourth last out in good time again.     

3rd: (2) GOOSE HUNTER – horse for the course drops down to bottom claimers for Adam Rice.