Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025

Dick Powell handicaps the Tuesday card at Presque Isle Downs.

Race 1

1st: (5) I’M HEADING EAST – horse for the course was claimed at Penn back in February, then won two straight here against better company. She was a good second against open company, then tired last out.  

2nd: (2) HALF BIRTHDAY – speedball went gate to wire two starts in a row here against this level, then was an even fourth when moved up in class. She was a good second last out for Scooter Davis, who wins 29% with Rosario Montanez.   

Race 2

1st: (4) LOOKIN LIKE LUCKY – did nothing in his first two career starts, then was a close third on a fast dirt track. He tired last out and now tries Tapeta for the first time. The son of Lookin at Lucky is a half to five winners, including a stakes winner. 

2nd: (2) GIFT EXCHANGE – faced this maiden claiming level going this distance two starts back and showed high speed for a half mile. Son of Hard Spun raced evenly last out against cheaper in a faster time.  

3rd: (6) MICHAELSHATRICK – still winless here after 12 tries, but he can rally in the clear from here. 

Race 3

1st: (2) MISS MOXEE – first-time starter ships in for Linda Rice, who wins 13% with her debut runners and 26% with her maiden claimers. She draws well and gets Israel Rodriguez. 

2nd: (1) LUCKY NUMBER THREE – first-time starter from Brandon Kulp who wins 15% with his debut runners. The son of Lookin at Lucky is out of a stakes-winning dam that has produced two winners from two foals to race.  

3rd: (4) KING OF SWORDS – just missed two starts back on the dirt when blinkers were added for the first time. 

Race 4

1st: (3) LA GIRVINA – raced evenly in her PID debut, then came back and won four in a row here, going two turns. She can make the lead or stalk the pace from here with Scott Spieth – 16% going long.   

2nd: (2) CURLIN’S GIRL – won going away in a long sprint when making her Tapeta debut, then lost all chance when she broke poorly. Daughter of Curlin was third in fast time and now stretches out to two turns. 

Race 5

1st: (3) WONDER WAVE – best race on the Tapeta was here two starts back against this class level in fast time. She made a middle move before weakening last out as the lukewarm favorite. Gallardo returns. 

2nd: (4) GROSSE ILE – speedball has run well on the turf, then broke her maiden going four furlongs on the bullring at Timonium. She ships here for Gerry Brooks, who wins 17% with his overall claimers.  

3rd: (1) LENA KAHLENA – makes her second start off the layoff for Randy Russell, who wins 20% in this spot. 

Race 6

1st: (3) MIDNIGHT AMBITION – just missed going gate to wire two starts back in fast time, then went gate to wire last out. He drops a notch in class for Murray Rojas, who goes with Willie Martinez – 19% with his route rides.  

2nd: (5) THE DOORMAN – won his PID debut here back in February against much better company, but off a dull effort last out, he drops down to the bottom for Rory Barron, who wins 16% with his overall claimers. 

3rd: (1) BURNIN TURF – weakened two starts back against much better, then won easily against this level. 

Race 7

1st: (2) ON RESERVE – improved some when Lasix was added three starts back, then was a good second next time out. She chased the pace to no avail last out and now drops down in class.   

2nd: (7) MRS. MANICOTTI – broke her maiden in her eighth career start, then came back and missed by a neck. She showed good speed in her last two starts for the Rojases.  

3rd: (6) SIP’N’ SPEED – lost all chance two starts back when she broke poorly from post one, then tired going long. 

Race 8

1st: (4) CHANNEL ME IN – still a maiden after 11 tries, but she improved after switching to Mark Hoffman, who added Lasix. Daughter of English Channel wins 16% on synthetics and gets Morales.  

2nd: (1) LUCY PLAYA – drops down in class after three starts each on turf and dirt. She has shown high speed from the gate when sent, so I expect Gallardo to do the same from post one. 

3rd: (7) STICKY BUN – flashed speed before tiring in her well-bet career debut going two turns here and drops weight.