Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

Dick Powell analyzes Tuesday’s program at Presque Isle Downs and offers his selections. 

Race 1

1st: (2) CHRIS’S KITTY – was a good second in her PID debut two starts back as the lukewarm favorite, then came back to crush maidens. Her last two starts indicate that she can handle restricted winners. 

2nd: (5) BUCCHINI – broke her maiden two starts back here in her second start of the year, then she was a good second in fast time against this class level for John Guciardo, whose claimers show a flat-bet profit. 

Race 2

1st: (1) STARSHIP BELMONT – speedball breaking from the inside does better going two turns than in sprints. She was a good second against this claiming level, then was third when moved up in class off the claim by Scooter Davis. 

2nd: (3) LINNY KATE – won her PID debut back in May, then just missed two starts back in fast time. She beat this level in her first start off the claim last out for Juan Arriagada, who wins 28% with his claimers. 

3rd: (6) WHISPERING SEA – won going two turns, then came back and won a long sprint. 

Race 3

1st: (2) SUGAR TREAT – was a good second two starts back off the long layoff when she switched to Randy Russell’s barn, then won last out in fast time. Russell wins 18% first start after a win and 15% third start off the layoff. 

2nd: (1) FIRST FORAY – romped in fast time last out, but she really didn’t have a foundation for such a big move forward, so it’s unlikely that she can come right back and do it again. Antonio Gallardo rides back for Brandon Kulp. 

3rd: (5) RED WREN – beat this class level the last time she faced them.

Race 4

1st: (2) YES I’M JESS – has run second in all three career starts here, and the last two were against this maiden level. He was part of one of the fastest maiden races last out and adds blinkers, which should help him make the lead. 

2nd: (6) SHANNONIA – showed high speed in his career debut here last month and should improve second time out with Lasix added. Teresa Connelly wins 17% with her second-time starters. 

3rd: (5) GLITCH – first-time starter from Guciardo who is training bullets for his debut. 

Race 5

1st: (2) FISTFULOFMONEY – broke his maiden second time out in his PID debut, then did nothing in a dirt stakes race at Saratoga. He was fourth in a Woodbine stakes race on the Tapeta and drops in class for Kevin Rice. 

2nd: (1) GO SIMPLE – woke up second time out when he battled for the early lead, then came back and broke his maiden last out. Son of Knicks Go should be able to handle six furlongs for the first time.

3rd: (4) EXPRESSO BAY – romped by seven lengths as the odds-on favorite on a sloppy dirt track at Penn. 

Race 6

1st: (3) ARTICLE – improved two starts back at nine furlongs at Saratoga, then came here and broke his maiden as the 4-5 favorite going six furlongs. He moves up in class and distance off the claim by Guciardo. 

2nd: (5) SHARON’S PRINCE – only 1-for-27 lifetime but has 12 placings. He rallied hard to get third here against better going shorter and tries two turns for Matt Kintz, who wins 10% stretching out.  

3rd: (6) D’ORO LEMON – just missed by a nose last out going this distance in very fast time. 

Race 7

1st: (6) DREAMING OF KONA – beat solid allowance horses on the dirt at Thistledown, then came here and beat this optional claiming level by a neck. He draws better today for the Spieths – 25% together. 

2nd: (3) YOU BET A FORTUNE – horse for the course has found a home here with three wins in four starts. He weakened a bit behind the top choice last out here in fast time for Jay Bernardini, who wins 24% first start after losing as the favorite.  

3rd: (4) JOHN DUTTON – speedball won three in a row, then held well for third going two turns in fast time. 

Race 8

1st: (3) SECRETARY OF WAR – couldn’t handle the added distance last out after setting a fast pace, but his three prior efforts here at class and distance yielded a win and two seconds.  

2nd: (4) BURNING LEAVES – won his PID debut against this level when he rallied from way back to win going away, then was third last out when he ran into traffic. Randy Russell wins 22% going long and 20% with Gaddiel Martinez.  

3rd: (5) MAYNARD – he drops a notch in class and switches from turf to synthetic.