Horse Racing Odds - Heavy hitters to race at Presque Isle Downs
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- Who: Thoroughbreds – Diamondrella, Flashing, Game Face, Informed Decision
- What: Horse Racing Odds – The Presque Isle Downs Masters
- Where: Presque Isle Downs
- When: Saturday, September 12th
It’s a rare occasion in horse racing odds when four Grade 1 winners show up in the same race. When that race is at Presque Isle Downs, it’s unprecedented. Barring scratches, that’s what we’re in for in the 3rd Running of The Presque Isle Downs Masters (Grade III) on Saturday. Grade 1 winners Diamondrella, Flashing, Game Face and Informed Decision will be part of a 12-horse field for The PID Masters, which has attracted other talented runners such as Bear Now, Porte Bonheur and Dubai Majesty. Throw in local talent like Sweet Lorena and Rollicking Affair, and you’re looking at a race that holds appeal for fans of all stripes. Of the four Grade 1 winners, only Informed Decision has ever raced over a poly-track surface, and she’s done so with great success (4-for-4, earnings of $497,657, with a top Beyer Speed Figure of 105). She also shows a strong series of works over the local strip, from late June through mid-August. Those factors would appear to give her a decided edge over the competition. Nevertheless, if you bet horses, there are others that merit consideration. Diamondrella has enjoyed all of her success on the grass, including a runaway victory last out over 2008 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf champ Forever Together. That was her sixth consecutive victory over progressively tougher competition, and she’s been training up a storm at her Saratoga base. Regular rider Rajiv Maragh retains the mount. If Diamondrella takes to the new surface, the 6 ½ furlong distance of The Masters should be right in her wheelhouse. The 3YO filly Flashing exits her first Grade 1 victory in The Test Stakes at Saratoga, and she may just be scratching the surface of her immense potential. Rider Richard Migliore, who was aboard for the first time in The Test, retains the mount. Game Face is on a two-race winning streak, and has been favored in eight straight races against top competition. She’ll get plenty of support at the windows, as is often the case with runners trained by Todd Pletcher and ridden by Edgar Prado. I’ll stick with Informed Decision at odds of 2-1 or better. She weakened last out in The Ballerina, but I’m not so sure that she’s at her best in the slop. One thing’s for sure...it’s hard to argue with her success on poly-track, and she appears to have a home-court advantage as well. She should get the money from just off the pace. That’s my horse racing betting tip for the weekend. Happy gambling!
Pete Mitchell is BetOnline.com's horse racing expert.
