Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Monday, Sept. 15, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (5) NELIDA – has a decent record in five starts here, with four coming against this claiming level. She rallied from far back to get up by a nose last out for the Spieths – 27% together. 

2nd: (4) WHEREVER WE ARE – stretches out to two turns off three descending efforts against allowance foes. This is her first try going long, but she has enough pedigree since her dam is by Ghostzapper.  

Race 2

1st: (2) XERCES – was a good third against this conditioned claiming level two starts back, then missed by a neck when moved up in class. She adds blinkers and draws well for Brandon Kulp, who is 5-for-8 with Pablo Morales.  

2nd: (6) LA CREMA – dropped down in class off some even efforts and was only beaten two lengths, then she raced evenly in slow time last out. Daughter of Kitten’s Joy drops down in class. 

3rd: (1) CRYSTAL WATER – horse for the course ran well two races in a row here, then could not handle better. 

Race 3

1st: (3) SILVER STYLE – missed by a length two starts back as the even-money favorite, then was second going six furlongs in fast time. He stretches back out to two turns for Kevin Rice, who wins 15% going long off two sprints.  

2nd: (1) YARDMAN – had a good season here last year, but after three modest tries, he improved some when dropped down to the bottom. He draws the rail for Joe Musarro, who wins 13% going long. 

3rd: (2) SHY DA RUNNER – speedball gets much-needed class relief but has plenty of back class here. 

Race 4

1st: (1) RED LITE DISTRICT – was a good third in her career debut going five furlongs in fast time. Daughter of City of Light should improve second time out for Matt Kintz, who wins 18% in this spot.  

2nd: (8) PRANCIN INTHE DARK – daughter of Hard Spun showed high speed in her well-bet career debut, then rallied for third in a wide trip on the dirt at Timonium. Ron Potts wins 21% with this surface switch. 

3rd: (6) SISTER HUSTLE – first-time starter is out of a dam that has produced four winners from five foals to race.  

Race 5

1st: (1) TOO FRACING LUCKY – won on the Tapeta at Turfway Park going six furlongs, then ran well in two starts on the turf at Mountaineer Park. Son of Violence draws the rail for a long sprint with Morales aboard. 

2nd: (3) SHAKIN IT UP LARRY – horse for the course tired in all three starts this year, so he has to drop down in class to find relief. Randy Russell wins 17% with his synthetic-track starters and 21% with Gaddiel Martinez. 

3rd: (4) IBRIM – tired going this distance against this claiming level for Scooter Davis. 

Race 6

1st: (4) HAPPYISASHAPPYDOES – horse for the course is 6-for-10 here, including two straight wins going this distance. He tired in a fast turf race at Colonial Downs last out and gets Antonio Gallardo. 

2nd: (2) CALVIN’S RIDE – has three wins and two seconds in five starts here this season, including the last two. He moves up a notch in class for Kevin Rice, who wins 19% first start after a win and on synthetic tracks. 

3rd: (1) ALEMAN – has to recover his form this winter at Turfway Park when he showed more gate speed. 

Race 7

1st: (4) KITTEN’S WAR – moves way up in class off three straight wins, but they were all in good time. Kevin Rice wins 19% first start after a win and 39% when he rides Israel Rodriguez.  

2nd: (1) LA ARTISTA – could not overcome a slow pace two starts back in her PID debut against this allowance level, then rallied for second in an Ohio-bred stakes race on the turf. Daughter of Klimt draws the rail with Gallardo. 

3rd: (6) DOROTEA DREAM – broke her maiden here, then after a good second on the turf, she won again. 

Race 8

1st: (4) STREAMSONG – dropped down to this class level and ran third each time, including as the beaten favorite last out. Son of Omaha Beach tries them again for Mike Pappada, who wins 27% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (1) CHILL BOSS – has been up and down the class ladder this season, but dropped down to this level and was a good second going this distance. Murray Rojas wins 17% with her synthetic-track starters and 23% with Martina. 

3rd: (2) STRATEGYFORYOU – took him 20 starts to break his maiden but his last two were not bad.