Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Dick Powell analyzes the Tuesday action at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (2) LINNY KATE – overcame post 11 two starts back on the turf at Tampa Bay Downs, then came back there with a good second chasing the pace. She draws well and should get a perfect trip with Pablo Morales. 

2nd: (6) STARSHIP BELMONT – was badly beaten in her first start off the claim but woke up when dropped down to a similar claiming level. She did nothing on dirt last out at Keeneland and now returns to PID, where she has run well before. 

3rd: (3) BEECHNUT TROPHY – has some big races on Tapeta in the past at Gulfstream and is well-rested for this. 

Race 2

1st: (5) NIGHT NURSE – did nothing here last year in her lone Tapeta start, but it was against much better company. Kevin Rice wins 24% going from dirt to synthetic and 23% first start out of his barn. 

2nd: (7) PERFECT PINK – broke her maiden second time out on a sloppy track, then was beaten by 73 lengths in her next three starts. She has good speed and picks up last year’s leading rider, Antonio Gallardo. 

3rd: (1) PIN SHOT BABE – broke her maiden two starts back, then did nothing next time out. 

Race 3

1st: (2) DOUBLE AIRO – went gate to wire two starts back on the dirt at Laurel and now makes her Tapeta debut against state-breds. She does her best running when she breaks well, and trainer Bob Bailes shows a flat-bet profit with his last 338 sprinters. 

2nd: (4) MAYFLY – took her nine tries to break her maiden, but she did it here last October in her Tapeta debut. Daughter of More Than Ready ran well in two subsequent turf races at Tampa Bay and gets Gallardo, who won on her last year. 

3rd: (5) I’M HEADING EAST – ran third against this class level here four times the past two years. 

Race 4

1st: (7) MR. COLOSSAL – raced evenly in his dirt debut when blinkers and Lasix were added for the first time, then just missed on the turf in a slow-paced race. He disliked yielding turf last out at Keeneland and meets lesser maidens here.  

2nd: (4) FETE – raced evenly in his well-bet career debut going six furlongs at Turfway, then did nothing on the dirt at Keeneland. Eoin Harty wins 35% second time going long and 17% going from dirt to synthetic.   

3rd: (5) MISSIONARY MAN – did nothing two starts back but woke up here last year going two turns in decent time. 

Race 5

1st: (6) GLOBES – sports a decent record on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park. He ran well this winter on the dirt at Tampa Bay with a good second against this optional claimer level. Juan Arriagada wins 31% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

2nd: (7) CASHIER CHECK – just missed going this distance on the turf at Gulfstream Park two starts back, then tired last out at Tampa. He was claimed for this price by Scooter Davis – 23% with this move and 45% first start after being beaten as the favorite. 

3rd: (4) THE DOORMAN – shows up here in decent form from four dirt races at Tampa Bay. 

Race 6

1st: (2) GREY CHARMER – horse for the course ran well here last year when dropped down to this class level. He has enough gate speed to keep from getting shuffled back too far with Israel Rodriguez back aboard.  

2nd: (6) THALBERG – beat this claiming level last August, then ran well against better. He finished up last year with an even third going two turns for Louis Ruberto, who wins 17% off long layoffs and 13% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (7) FOUNDER – has been well over a year since his last win, but they were all against much better company. 

Race 7

1st: (8) GOOD TO BE TRUGE – speedball was not able to hang on in her last three starts here, but they were against solid company. She was a solid third after setting a demanding pace last out 208 days ago, and Mike Allen returns in the irons. 

2nd: (2) MAKE A MILLION – broke her maiden by a nose three starts back at Turfway, then was out of the money in her last two. She moves up a notch off the claim by Tim Girten – 18% with this move and 28% here last year.  

3rd: (4) HOUSE OF MAGIC – daughter of Good Magic has been off the board in her last two starts and drops a notch in class. 

Race 8

1st: (5) MAGIC LIFE – returns to the races off a 215-day layoff and gets his claim waived. She was a good second last out here in fast time for Louis Ruberto, who wins 17% off long layoffs and should be able to get a stalking trip from here.   

2nd: (1) LA TOURISTA – has already had seven starts this season, all on the dirt. She shows three wins on synthetic tracks in the past and could get a trip from the rail if Willie Martinez breaks him cleanly.  

3rd: (2) TRAUMARAMA – went gate to wire two starts back at Mountaineer Park and makes her Tapeta debut for Justin Morrell.