Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Sept. 8, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Monday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (7) NUN GIMEL HAY PO – just missed going gate to wire two starts back here when she was able to make a clear lead, then she battled to the final furlong last out going a bit shorter.  

2nd: (3) KITTY OF WAR – dropped down to this maiden claiming level in her last three starts here and finished in the money each time. She raced evenly in her previous two starts, going two turns, and now returns to a sprint. 

3rd: (1) COURAGEOUS ARI – made a strong middle move here last out as the beaten favorite. 

Race 2

1st: (6) TOODLES – first-time starter from Tim Hamm, who wins 13% with his debut runners and 21% against this maiden level. Daughter of the incredibly hot Not This Time is a half to two stakes winners.  

2nd: (5) MOMS TRIBUTE – just missed here two starts back, then was a good second in a fast pace when pressing the pace wide. Michelle Brafford wins 18% against this maiden level and 15% with her sprinters. 

3rd: (3) BOOGIE WOOGIE – speedy filly has been caught in her last three starts, but is dangerous to take them all the way.  

Race 3

1st: (3) PREACH IT WARRIOR – went gate to wire two starts in a row on the dirt at Penn National, then lost all chance in a rough trip. He has experience here for Brandon Kulp, who wins 29% with his claimers and 24% with this surface switch. 

2nd: (1) RIVER OF TIME – ran well on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park, then was a good second in a fast turf sprint at Aqueduct. He has run well going two turns before and draws the rail with Willie Martinez. 

Race 4

1st: (1) SPARKLING RUBY – beat this claiming level, then was outrun when moved up to open allowance foes. She dropped down to this level again last out and was a good second. Daughter of War Front draws the rail with Scott Spieth. 

2nd: (5) LIZZIE BABY – was no match when moved up in class off the claim by Tim Girten, then she came back against this level and rallied for fourth when stuck behind a slow pace. Girten wins 36% first start after being beaten as the favorite.  

3rd: (7) AZTEC PRINCESS – just missed two starts back against these and gets in light with Brooke Bays. 

Race 5

1st: (4) SMART PHILLY – was a good third in her career debut after making a middle move and now stretches out to two turns for Murray Rojas. The daughter of Smarty Jones has more than enough pedigree to do it. 

2nd: (3) VIVA VIENNE – first-time starter from Brittany Russell, who wins 26% with her debut runners and 30% when they debut going long. Daughter of Essential Quality, who cost $200K as a yearling, is training well at Fair Hill.   

3rd: (8) GRAB MY TAB – tired going two turns for the first time, then hung on better last out. 

Race 6

1st: (1) VALIANT VICTORIA – tired in her first start off the long layoff against better company, then dropped down to this level and held on for third against these. She should be fit and ready third start off the layoff for the Spieths. 

2nd: (2) GOLDEN HEART – speedball held on for second from post 8 two starts back, then went gate to wire as the 6-5 favorite in good time. Kulp wins 24% first start after a win and 29% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (4) RUNAWAY BREEZE – rallied for third two starts back, then lost all chance when squeezed at the start. 

Race 7

1st: (5) HURRICANES ABLOWIN – broke his maiden by over five lengths three starts back, then missed by a neck when moved up to this level. He chased a fast pace last out and tries them again. 

2nd: (4) MALIBU WARRIOR – beat cheaper in an off-the-turf event at Penn, then was a good second there on a sloppy track. He raced evenly there last out and now tries PID for the first time. Antonio Gallardo wins 31% when riding for Kulp. 

3rd: (2) KING MENDELSSOHN – was a decent second in his PID debut, then just missed going six furlongs in fast time.  

Race 8

1st: (8) STONE’S THROW – went gate to wire on the dirt two starts back, then ran evenly here against better. He drops down to his lowest class yet for Rojas, who adds blinkers for the first time. 

2nd: (5) HIGHS N GOES – romped in a turf sprint over a yielding course last out at Penn and now drops down in class for his PID debut. Pablo Morales rides for Kulp – 7-for-9 together in the last 60 days. 

3rd: (1) WE CALLED SOL – was a good winner here two starts back, then did nothing on the dirt at Colonial.