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Presque Isle Downs Picks & Predictions — September 1, 2026

September 1, 20268 racesAll Presque Isle Downs picks

Results are in — see the official Presque Isle Downs chart and payouts (our top pick won 3 of 8)→

Happy Labor Day weekend, folks. Presque Isle Downs is putting on an 8-race all-dirt card to close out the summer, and conditions couldn't be much more cooperative — 82°F under partly cloudy skies should keep that strip fast and playing true. No weather excuses today; these horses have to run on merit.

The card is a solid mix of claiming and allowance company, and TrackWiz analysis has surfaced some genuinely interesting pace setups across the afternoon. The top of the card is very approachable for casual bettors, with three free races to get you started, while the back half gets more competitive — and more lucrative for those willing to dig deeper.

Eight races, one clean track, and a few prices worth chasing. Let's get into it.

Best Bets

Race 1

7:30 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

A clear top-two separate themselves from the field in this dirt mile-plus claimer, but the 3/1 morning line favorite and the 5/2 shot are close enough in the ratings that the race shape will matter plenty.

win5Starlit SkyML 3/1

Starlit Sky tops our TrackWiz ratings at 87.08 in this field — a meaningful edge over the competition. Trainer Ron G. Potts saddles two horses today, and Starlit Sky is clearly the barn's preferred runner with the better odds and the higher rating. The 3/1 morning line feels fair rather than generous, but with a career win rate of 16% and an average speed figure of 53 matching several rivals, it's the overall quality score that sets this one apart. Jockey Gaddiel A. Martinez gives the connections a polished pilot to manage the added ground of a mile and 70 yards.

place3Mistrial WindML 5/2

Mistrial Wind is the morning line favorite's closest rival in the ratings column at 80.62, and that 5/2 price reflects the public's confidence. What stands out here is a 25% career win rate — the best among any horse in this field — suggesting Israel O. Rodriguez will have a live mount who knows how to finish. At a mile and 70 yards, a horse with that kind of winning pedigree has the tactical experience to secure at minimum a piece of it.

show6Hits DifferentML 4/1

Hits Different opens at 4/1 and grades third in our ratings at 76.74, making it a logical inclusion in exacta and trifecta tickets. The John Fennessy barn has multiple runners on the card today and is clearly active, and David Delgado keeps the mount on a horse whose rating is clearly a step above the bottom half of this field. The 6% career win rate is a bit soft, but in a short field, exotics players should have this one underneath.

Race 2

7:57 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This six-furlong dirt claimer features a fascinating split between high-rated horses and horses with elite career win percentages — the two don't fully overlap, which opens the door for a surprise.

win1Forty LoveML 5/2

Forty Love rates out on top in our TrackWiz model at 82.24 and draws the rail in a six-furlong sprint — a surface and trip that should suit a horse with a 55 average speed figure, tied for the field's best. Trainer William N. Martin sends this one out at 5/2, and Antonio A. Gallardo is a capable pilot who can take advantage of the inside draw. The 11% career win rate is modest, but the overall rating dominates this field by a comfortable margin.

place3Ready Set CairoML 4/1

Ready Set Cairo is the closest challenger in the ratings at 80.91, and the 20% career win rate tells you this horse has already figured out how to hit the board. Israel O. Rodriguez picks up the mount for trainer Michael C. Pappada — a solid combination in sprint company. Opening at 4/1, there's genuine value here if the pace sets up for a horse that can track and pounce.

show4Gift ExchangeML 10/1

Gift Exchange is a sneaky inclusion for exotics at 10/1 morning line odds. The TrackWiz rating of 76.88 is actually third-best in the field — you're getting a well-rated horse at a longshot price, which is exactly the kind of overlay that makes trifectas worth playing. John Fennessy is a busy trainer on this card, and Mike Allen keeps the mount aboard a horse whose speed figure of 55 ties the field's best.

Race 3

8:24 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

The top three horses in this six-and-a-half furlong dirt claimer are rated within about five points of each other, setting up what could be a tight, competitive finish with multiple contenders sitting in the 80s.

win5Sydney StreetML 4/1

Sydney Street gets our top call at 4/1 despite being the second choice in the morning line, which suggests some potential overlay value. The TrackWiz rating of 85.62 leads this five-horse field, and a 19% career win rate on a horse going six and a half furlongs with an average speed figure of 55 checks a lot of boxes. Hector Rafael Diaz Jr. brings tactical experience in the saddle, and trainer Katy Cheeks has multiple horses entered today — this one appears to be the stronger of her entries based on the numbers.

place3Turf CatML 2/1

Turf Cat comes in as the 2/1 morning line favorite with a 82.47 rating and a 21% career win rate that suggests consistent competitiveness. Carlos Barbosa takes the mount for trainer Pavel Matejka, and the 56 average speed figure is tied for the field's best. If the favorite has any edge on class, it's in that raw speed profile — this is a horse capable of winning, and at minimum should be in the photo.

show4Enjoy the MusicML 9/2

Enjoy the Music brings the best career win percentage in this field at 28%, a number that's hard to ignore in a relatively small five-horse field. The 80.85 rating slots in neatly third, and Gaddiel A. Martinez is a jockey who has had plenty of live mounts on this card. At 9/2, including Enjoy the Music in the bottom of your trifectas is a reasonable hedge against the top two faltering.

The first three races give you a nice warm-up sampler — a route, a sprint, and a mid-distance — all on dirt. Starlit Sky opens the card at a juicy 3/1 morning line in a mile-and-70-yard claiming event, posting one of the stronger TrackWiz ratings among the free picks at 87.08. Then Forty Love and Sydney Street follow up in their respective sprints, both drawing favorable pace setups based on our pre-race scenario projections.

One thing to watch early: the 6-furlong and 6½-furlong sprints (Races 2 and 3) should help us get a read on whether the rail is playing live or whether you want horses with room to work outside. File that away before you start building your tickets on the back half of the card.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

8:51 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

Secretary of War stands head and shoulders above this field in the ratings, but the 9/5 morning line price means bettors have to decide if a heavy favorite over a mile and 70 yards is worth structuring exotics around.

win1Secretary of WarML 9/5

Secretary of War is the class of this field by a wide margin — the TrackWiz rating of 88.83 is nearly 30 points clear of the second-best horse in the race, which is a commanding separation. Trainer S. Matthew Kintz sends out a horse with a 15% career win rate, which may sound modest, but the quality score here suggests this horse has simply been competing at higher levels than today's competition. Gaddiel A. Martinez is in the irons and has been one of the busier, more reliable pilots on the card today. At 9/5, this is a horse you build exotics around rather than fade.

place7Keystone HankML 3/1

Keystone Hank opens at 3/1 with the second-highest rating in the field at 59.45 — a significant step below the top choice, but clearly the second-best option TrackWiz analysis identifies. Jockey Addiel J. Ayala picks up the mount for trainer Justin R. Morrell, and a 10% career win rate in what looks like a lightly raced profile could mean this horse still has upside. In a race where the favorite profiles as a heavy win contender, the place and show pools on Keystone Hank could offer value.

show4I'm No AngelML 12/1

I'm No Angel opens at a generous 12/1 morning line, yet the TrackWiz rating of 50.22 actually edges out a couple of other horses in this field. The 16% career win rate is solid for this level, and Antonio A. Gallardo is a capable handler. At big board odds with a competitive rating, this is the type of horse that sneaks into trifectas when the chalk runs its race and a surprise surfaces for second.

Race 5

9:18 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

This six-furlong allowance features a clear top pick from the ratings that is being let go at a price — it's the kind of race where a sharp bettor's best play and the morning line don't fully line up.

win6Call Me LaterML 5/2

Call Me Later tops the TrackWiz ratings in this allowance at 87.81 — the highest score in the field by a noticeable margin — and yet opens at 5/2, not the shortest price on the board. That's the kind of mild overlay that grabs our attention. Jockey Addiel J. Ayala rides for trainer Randall R. Russell, and the 56 average speed figure is tied for best in the race. A 12% career win rate may keep some casual bettors off, but at this level on a six-furlong dirt sprint, the quality score tells the real story.

place1Braggart JoeML 2/1

Braggart Joe is the morning line favorite at 2/1 and brings a career win rate of 25% — the highest in this field — which explains why the public will hammer this one. Trainer Scooter Davis sends out Antonio A. Gallardo, and a 55 average speed figure in a sprint company suggests this horse can run with the field's best. While our model rates Call Me Later higher, Braggart Joe's win percentage in sprints is a legitimate counter-argument, and place tickets on him make plenty of sense.

show4Thorn of HeartsML 3/1

Thorn of Hearts opens at 3/1 with a 63.47 rating and a 56 average speed figure that matches the field's top mark. Carlos Barbosa takes the mount for trainer Michael C. Pappada, and a 15% career win rate in allowance company shows this horse has competitive experience at an honest level. For trifecta players, Thorn of Hearts offers a reasonable bridge between the top choices and the longer shots.

Race 6

9:45 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 1/2 fur · Dirt

An allowance optional claiming at six and a half furlongs where the ratings paint a clearer picture than the morning line — the top-rated horse opens at 4/1 rather than as the favorite, which is worth noting.

win4Trail of RosesML 4/1

Trail of Roses leads the field in TrackWiz ratings at 85.62 and comes in with a career win rate of 33% — a standout figure in this six-horse field that suggests this is a horse that knows how to win. Antonio A. Gallardo takes the mount for trainer Todd M. Beattie, who also has Just One Kiss entered today, but Trail of Roses is clearly the stable's stronger contender based on the numbers. The 4/1 morning line feels like an opportunity given the rating advantage and win percentage.

place6Inspire CourageML 3/1

Inspire Courage opens at 3/1 for trainer S. Matthew Kintz — the same barn sending out Secretary of War in Race 4 — and the 70.68 rating slots in second in this field. Scott Spieth takes the mount on a horse with a 56 average speed figure tied for best in the race, and while a 9% career win rate is modest, the quality of recent efforts reflected in the rating suggests improvement. This is a horse worth siding with underneath in exactas.

show3Hardly ReadyML 8/1

Hardly Ready draws attention at 8/1 on the morning line with a 68.86 rating that actually grades third in the field — better than the favorite Cactus Cairo in the ratings despite the longer odds. Trainer J. Michael Rogers puts Martina Rojas in the irons, and a 16% career win rate keeps this one from being a pure throw-out. At those board odds in an allowance optional claiming race, Hardly Ready is a trifecta live shot worth including.

Race 7

10:12 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

Shez Untappable stands out clearly at the top of the ratings in this six-furlong allowance, but a field with several horses clustered between 60 and 70 means the supporting cast could create genuine exacta and trifecta interest.

win6Shez UntappableML 5/2

Shez Untappable posts an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this seven-horse field — and does so for trainer Randall R. Russell, who also sends out Boogie Woogie in this same race. The fact that Russell deploys two horses here and Shez Untappable is the higher-rated runner is a useful signal about barn confidence. Gaddiel A. Martinez, one of the more active jockeys on the card today, gets the call, and a 56 average speed figure is the best in the field. At 5/2, this is a solid play to anchor win tickets.

place5Boogie WoogieML 7/2

Boogie Woogie brings a 22% career win rate — second-best in the field — and opens at 7/2 for the same Randall R. Russell barn that saddles the top pick. Walber Alencar handles the mount on a horse with a 69.9 rating that comfortably grades second in the field. In a race where the top two are stablemates, there's a built-in pace cooperation angle, and Boogie Woogie could be the one to clean up if Shez Untappable draws extra pressure.

show7Au CourantML 3/1

Au Courant opens at 3/1 with a 64.92 rating and a 20% career win rate that reflects genuine competitive ability at this level. Trainer Kelly A. Colgan sends out Martina Rojas on a horse with a 55 average speed figure — on par with several key rivals. This is not a throw-in at 3/1; it's a horse with solid credentials that simply finds two strong horses above it in the ratings. Trifecta players should keep Au Courant in the bottom of most combinations.

Race 8

10:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi 70 yd · Dirt

The deepest field on the card — nine horses going a mile and 70 yards on dirt — and a genuine overlay opportunity sits at 8/1 in the morning line, making this race one of the most interesting on the card for value hunters.

win3Ramblin BettsML 8/1

Ramblin Betts opens at 8/1 on the morning line, but the TrackWiz rating of 79.79 tops this nine-horse field — that's a meaningful pricing discrepancy that our analysis flags as a value opportunity. A career win rate of 18% and an average speed figure of 54 — the best among the field's top contenders — gives trainer Ron G. Potts a horse that should be dangerous at a price. Gaddiel A. Martinez takes the mount, and with his record on today's card, this is a live 8/1 shot that deserves respect as a win bet, not just an exotic play.

place1MakoaML 7/2

Makoa grades second in the ratings at 71.59 and draws the rail in a nine-horse field going a route of ground — a post that demands a clean early trip but can save ground in a big field. Trainer Darien Rodriguez sends out Rosario Montanez on a horse with a 53 average speed figure, and while the 8% career win rate is one of the lower marks in the field, the quality of the rating tells a more competitive story. At 7/2, Makoa is the logical place play underneath the longshot top choice.

show4ElfuegomasbrilanteML 3/1

Elfuegomasbrilante opens at 3/1 and is third in our ratings at 69.8, making it a fair short-priced contender in a field this size. Carlos Barbosa handles the mount for trainer Brandon L. Kulp, and a 53 average speed figure is consistent with the mid-pack of this nine-horse field. The 5% career win rate is a flag, but in a race this full, hitting the board is a very different proposition from winning, and the rating justifies show consideration in deeper trifecta structures.

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Starlit Sky, Forty Love, and Sydney Street are your free best bets to get the day started — all three have solid TrackWiz ratings and pace scenarios we like. The real meat of the card is in Races 4 through 8, where Secretary of War, Call Me Later, and a compelling longshot angle on Ramblin Betts give subscribers plenty to work with. Full breakdowns, exotic tickets, and pace projections are all waiting for you — grab a TrackWiz subscription and make the most of this Labor Day card.

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