REAGAN’S FLAME HEADLINES GRADE 2 MASTERS ON STAKES-PACKED FRIDAY AT PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS

From Kevin Kilroy
Presque Isle Downs & Casino —-

Reagan’s Flame; Keeneland Photo
REAGAN’S FLAME HEADLINES GRADE 2 MASTERS ON STAKES-PACKED FRIDAY AT PRESQUE ISLE DOWNS

Late Pick 4 and Late Pick 5 each carry estimated $100,000 pools on five-stakes card

ERIE, Pa. (Sept. 17, 2026) — Reagan’s Flame, a two-time graded-stakes winner this season for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., heads a field of nine older fillies and mares in Friday’s Grade 2 $300,000 Presque Isle Downs Masters, the centerpiece of 2026 Masters Stakes Race Day, which features five stakes worth $725,000 in purses at Presque Isle Downs.

The Masters, carded as Race 9, anchors a stakes lineup that also includes the $150,000 Presque Isle Mile (Race 8), $100,000 Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes (Race 7), $75,000 Power by Far Stakes (Race 5), and $100,000 Presque Isle Debutante (Race 3). The Late Pick 4 and Late Pick 5 each carry an estimated $100,000 pool.

Reagan’s Flame, owned by St. Elias Stable, BAG Racing Stables, Turf Express Racing and Watkins Diamond Stables, enters the 6 1/2-furlong Masters off a 3 1/4-length victory in the Seaway Stakes (G3) at Woodbine on Aug. 22. The 8-5 morning-line favorite also won the Whimsical Stakes (G3) earlier this season. Edgard Zayas will ride from post 5.

Joseph also will saddle Paradise City, the 9-2 fourth choice, for C2 Racing Stable and Shining Stables. The 4-year-old daughter of McKinzie earned her first stakes victory in July when she won the Saylorville Stakes at Prairie Meadows, then stepped into Grade 1 company and finished fifth in the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga.

The Masters field also includes graded-stakes winners Pondering and Les Reys. Pondering, the 3-1 second choice for Godolphin and trainer Brendan Walsh, won the 2025 Bessarabian Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. French-bred Les Reys, 4-1 for trainer Miguel Clement and owners West Point Thoroughbreds and Peter Leidel, won last fall’s Ontario Fashion Stakes (G3) at Woodbine.

One race earlier, defending champion Encino returns as the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $150,000 Presque Isle Mile. The Brad Cox trainee will face seven rivals in the 1 1/16-mile event for 3-year-olds and upward.

Friday’s wagering menu will connect Presque Isle Downs with Saturday’s marquee card at Parx Racing. The 50-cent Pennsylvania Pick 4 links the Presque Isle Mile and Masters with the Cotillion Stakes(G1) and Pennsylvania Derby(G1). The $1 Keystone Daily Double connects the Masters with the Pennsylvania Derby. Both wagers carry a 15% takeout.

Fans attending Masters Stakes Race Day can also take part in pop-up prize giveaways featuring Presque Isle Downs Masters T-shirts. Food vendors will include Erie Hot Dog Cart, A Waffle Miracle and Cousins Maine Lobster.

First post for the 10-race card is 5 p.m. ET.