Oct 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Earlier rain caused the track to be rated “good +1” for the first four races, then a rerating to “fast +0” from the fifth on .. Warming temperatures … Stretch headwind late … STORMONT VENTNOR was underway from fourth before the ¼ to the lead 3/8, drew away before the ¾ and won like a 1-5 shot. BANZAI AS was uncovered from next-to-last off turn two, made a little progress, got cover ¾, wide in the lane and up for second in the last step. NICE STUFF gapped inside down the back then tightened in ¾, Pocono Pike, just edged for the deuce. DARTY left enough to protect the pocket, was blocked on the turn then came clear as the fading pocketsitter broke and went inside, so-so. LODI BANK ROBBER didn’t enter the picture. ARCH CREDIT left between horses and took third, moved outside ¾ but didn’t gain. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY gapped at the back. WINGS OF SPEED made the front going to curve one, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, began to unplug before the ¾, broke unsuccessfully trying to find more midturn and went to the centerfield.
SECOND RACE – WATCHWHATMYFEETDO rode second-over cover from past the half, three-wide past midturn, had the most kick late. STOWAWAY HANOVER went right to the lead, rated the second split then sped up in the third, almost lasted to the line. TRAFFIC JAM sat in third, blocked late far turn, to the Pocono Pike, some response. LITTLE SANDY TOES moved raw towards turn two, never really attacked the leader but held on OK. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was third-over, had belated pace. NATCHEZ BELLE left and settled into the pocket 3/16, was having trouble keeping close the last 5/16. MACH OF SHAME gapped at the back throughout; came back with “b.e.”
THIRD RACE – DIVINE MOONSHINE made the lead before the 1/8 in by far the fastest ¼ of the race, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, came out late turn and whooshed right by. OK SUNNY quarter-moved, set the pace at a non-taxing clip, but still could do little about the winner; stayed for second. AMBERS CHAMPION went out for the early pocket, inside, clear in the lane, high-lined to maintain third. GLOBAL DESIGN S was second-over at the half, swung wide for the stretch, so-so. TRINITY HANOVER was first-up at the half but never got close enough to be a major danger. BUCKET HEAD offered little. OLLIE EL broke 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – TRICK CARD secured the early pocket and waited, outside early stretch and closed in tandem with I AM GOLDEN to the far inside, just edged that one. The latter sat third on the rail, ducked right to the Pocono Pike and was just edged out. RUN ONEOVER N pulled past the ¼ to follow the parked horse, three-wide 11/16 to get two-wide far turn, best of the rest in a good mile. STATESMAN N went right to the lead, rated the half then sped up, drew clear around the far turn, but tired. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was looped early and took back, not inside until past the ¼, angled wide before midstretch and had some finishing kick. SAULSBROOK LANNY was outside behind cover near the back early, went up uncovered when his cover finally got in, went a good third quarter then had no more left. GRANTOR HANOVER was never prominent. CALVERY HILL was two-wide with little.
FIFTH RACE – In the sunshine now, track rerated to “fast +0” … JULA SILVER STATE tucked third, came raw 11/16, gradually grinded up and raced hard to be up in the shadow of the wire. UNMISTAKABLE was away second, moved 3/16 to gain control just after the ¼, had things her own way, held well in a long duel. RELENTLESS JACKIE left for 1/8 command, yielded for the pocket, not quite as good as the first two but better than the rest. MR TEE moved outside on the turn but did not gain. SURE BIRD was so-so to finish in a DH5 with SNICKERS BLUE CHIP. The latter broke 50 yards before the start, caught the back of the field and made a decent recovery – and everybody got a purse check.
SIXTH RACE – CAPTAINS MAID was three-wide early, dropped down behind cover then went on 3/16 while under no rush, on top before the 3/8, came home in 56 – 27.4 to hold her only challenger, BULLVILLEKARLA safely off under high-lining. The latter went out, induced a tuck, yielded to the winner and stayed close, outside late turn, raced well behind a very good horse. MADAME LEZA A left, took the early pocket 3/16, couldn’t stay with the top two late backstretch despite urging, a very distant third. MORE THAN KUTE gapped inside. MY CAM GIRL came raw 5/8 but couldn’t make much of an impact. HURRICANESKY was outside with little. NEW NUMBER WHO DIS gapped.
SEVENTH RACE – EVANNA left three-wide to get the lead at the 1/8, saw an early rival break, went on at a fast clip, had an open lead early stretch but went to a run, moved inside but galloped home, placed last for violation of the breaking rules. BELLA AVA sat in the two-hole, started to get loose ¾, looked like she was going to be second when the leader ran, placed first. CHOCOTURE spotted third, moved outside 11/16, finished decently. BARNEY MAC sat in, gapped on the turn, not bothered late by the breaking horse, evenly. O JONNIE was far back most of the way, finished gaining as the pace slowed. FLY EAGLE FLY never factored. CRITICAL MASS and SIX BAX were far back throughout. ETRA DE VIE left four-wide, was two-wide contending for early position when breaking 3/16, caught the field but then broke before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind starting to kick in … APEX SEELSTER had some speed, then worked out a dream second-over trip, uncovered late turn, wore down MAKE SOME WAVES. The latter took the early pocket at the 1/8, vacated third 9/16 and pressed the leader, got by that one late on the turn, held very well. STOP ACTION was behind a dull third-horse, three-wide and closing nicely for the distant third. SETTLEMOIR was three-deep to the 1/8, didn’t make the lead until near the 3/8 but did get a slowed second quarter, had pressure come to him, not enough to resist it. VAGANOVA spotted midpack, then gapped great cover while third-over. LUZIANA never featured. THE BUS A was out behind an excess of cover and didn’t reach. SI SEMALU went to the front, yielded to the 3/8, caught behind the tiring leader on the turn but was empty late.
NINTH RACE – CHIPLOSIVE was on top 3/16, never threatened, drew clear in the last ¼. TUIS SHADOW stayed a connected third, outside midturn shortly before the pocket horse broke, then a clear second. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was behind the gapping BUTTER TOFFEE, outside into the far turn, just nipped that one for third. BROOKVIEW BLUTO was in front to the first bend, yielded for the two-hole, got a bit loose far turn and broke nearing headstretch. THE OTHER TWO were beginning to lose contact before the half.
TENTH RACE – BELIEVER got an early spot and waited in fourth until the ¾, moved up around the turn and trotted right on by in the lane. SEVEN IRON went wide for early command, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out behind the winner past midturn and was a clear second. BULLY BOY was quickly in gear late first turn and rushed to the lead, set a fast pace stringing out the field a long way, but was laboring late. NAMJE moved from second to the lead then let a foe go and sat the two-hole, loose down the back behind a fast ¾, Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain back ground. SCHNICKEL FRITZ moved outside but gapped. ANDOVERS TOUCH was off the gate and never a factor. STOP RESISTIN broke w-a-y before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – IMAGINEUWITHOUTME moved from fourth crisply near the ¼ and went right to the top, opened up a big lead 5/8 and coasted home much the best. FRANKIE ROCKS A was second-over, gapped down the back but better on the turn, wide off same and edged JEREMES GENERAL for second. The latter was in front at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼, stuck third-in down the back and around the turn, got clearance in the Pocono Pike, fair speed. LAREDO TORPEDO N went into the three-hole past the 1/8, moved back raw at the ½ but could do little more than form a “wedge” next to an equally-struggling pocketsitter much of the last half. SPORTY DRAGON, last most of the way, got the last check. HIGHVIEW CONALL N did not make his presence felt. HALF A BILLION was outside with little. LITTLE ADMIRAL, wide early, went to the lead just past a 26.4 quarter, yielded for the pocket, fell further and further back the last half.
TWELFTH RACE – JODY was four-wide early, dropped down to two-wide with cover and then into a hole to the 3/16, brushed 3/8 and made the lead at the half, got pressure on the far turn, but was up to all challenges. ARNIE’S ANGEL spotted, then quarter-moved to 3/8 command, yielded at the half, raced steadily behind a good winner. DELILAH DE VIE came from midpack at the half, didn’t make much of a dent down the back but was better in the last quarter. ROSE RUN VANTAGE used the rail well to control the ¼, saw two go by in quarter two, looked to be in tight quarters nearing the wire. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide early, raced up to the early pocket, inside, didn’t have much response late. A CRAFTY LADY was behind a gapper in the second quarter, then moved third-over, didn’t reach. JERICHO DIVA was second-over, gapped mid-far turn. BRING ME DIAMONDS and LILY GRACE never surfaced.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was three-wide early in going to the lead, yielded to the looped horse to sit the pocket, outside late turn, more than enough to defeat BATTING STATS. The latter was kept in by a dull outer flow, outside midturn and narrowed in in the diminishing tempo. BLAZING TRAIL was looped between horses early, worked to the top 3/8 and set the pace, no answer for the winner but held creditably. MUAY HANOVER advanced inside. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved out in the lane but couldn’t offer enough. FINAL DREAM left and yielded, started struggling at the 5/8. DAYTONA DREAMIN came uncovered but never gained. SKYWAY JAGUAR had dull cover, also never in the hunt.
Oct 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the low 50s … Late rain would turn the surface to “good +1” for race 12 and then “sloppy +1” for the last two races … SWEET N FAST N was three-wide leaving and got the pocket in the 26 opener, vacated same 11/16 and went right by the pacesetter, able to drew clear late. BOBBY DAZZLER went up raw off two turn, briefly three-wide before the ¾ to not lose momentum as a horse pulled, two-wide challenging on the turn, second-best. MAJOR DESIRE got position mid-first turn, evenly to be next-best. DAAMERICANSKY was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 3/16, made the top at the ¼ in a hot number, continued to ramble on, passed ¾ and tired. DREAM OF LUCK moved two-wide but gapped. AMERICAN CHROME had some speed, no factor late. LOUD SPLASH gapped at the back.
SECOND RACE – PALOMAR left well to clear 3/16, stayed in charge, drew away coming the last half in 55. MUSCLE MACH A left well enough to defend the pocket, couldn’t keep up on the far turn, photoed CLAYTONS BETTOR N for second. The latter left and spotted, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, a bit of late pace. BULLVILLE TERROR came out raw towards the 5/8, didn’t threaten but held on fairly well. BILBO HANOVER didn’t make his presence felt. DIVISION BELL came outside into turn two, got cover towards the 5/8, but didn’t close much. BLACKLIGHT was near the back throughout. ROLL WITH TIME gapped third-over.
THIRD RACE – ARTISTS RUFFLES moved second-over, three-wide late on the turn, wide and just edged everybody. ALEX TYE went on to command 3/16, yielded to the 3/8, pocket, Pocono Pike, just outkicked. WALTER MITTY sat in then backed out third-over past the ¾, angled widest midstretch and finished well. SULLIVAN was on the move from third before the ¼, took over before the 3/8, kept going fast, held well. THE CANDYMAN CAN was first to the top, yielded, stayed in third, went to the deep Pike, gained well midstretch, then may have been in too-tight quarters, did break just before the wire, placed. BRAVO TEX N moved grinding at the half, hung in there well.
FOURTH RACE – CHUCKY DE VIE backed off early, stayed in, angled off the pylons late turn and wider early stretch, just up to grab the DH1 with CONSUS VICTORY. The latter left to the lead then yielded to sit in the two-hole, shuffled a bit as the first-over went by on the turn (only to break), then went to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, caught for the tie in the last step. LIGHTFOOTED LEGEND went on to the lead past the 1/8, rated the half then sped up to try to keep the first-over outside, had lost the lead but kept the foe outside when that one ran headstretch and thus was given a second life, held pretty well. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK backed out to second-over ¾ when the original second-over ran, gapped the first-over on the turn, not bad. FRAC made no moves. VOSS VOLO started slowly, moved second-over but gapped in the fast third split, broke 11/16. MAJESTIC MARVEL was first-up into the second bend, went 27.3 down the back to take the lead early on the far turn, couldn’t quite clear inside, then broke turning for home.
FIFTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT was between horses leaving, crossed over then yielded off the first turn, right back out for the retake and went fast fractions, handled confidently late. BLOW A CLOUD N kept the opposition three-deep much of the opener then yielded, sat third, came to the pocket when the pocketsitter pulled but did not gain, up the Pocono Pike, gained some but didn’t really menace. HYPNOTICDREAM was locked in far back at the ¾, came up the inside for the very distant third. PEMBROKE JOEY offered little. TITANIUM N couldn’t get into the hunt. CAVIART MAX was three-wide 3/16 then went to the lead off the first turn, yielded for the two-hole, came out 11/16 but went backwards, drifted wider in the lane. PARKLANE JET moved uncovered towards the half but never got close.
SIXTH RACE – DING DING DINGER controlled this from the beginning to the end, opening a big lead down the backstretch, then under urging late to stay clear. MAJOR OFFENSE moved second-over behind non-helpful cover 5/8, three-wide to late turn, along for second. KILLER MARTINI gapped early then narrowed in, was third-over, four-wide in the stretch and had good if belated pace. DIALAMARA came out raw 5/8 from behind the gapper but only managed to go evenly along with that one. BARON MICHAEL left, was able to tuck in the pocket off the first turn, couldn’t keep up the last half. LORD OF MISRULE was too far back. TOATSMYGOATS gapped, offered little. KJ OWEN moved outside but never reached.
SEVENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST made the lead at the 1/8, yielded to sit a two-hole, eased out headstretch and went right by to win in fast time. SOMEBEACH BARON set the pace with two moves and rolled right along, lasted for second. REGAL SON had some cover leaving, went up and tucked third 3/16, pulled out 5/8, didn’t get close enough to the leader to pin the winner in, but paced steadily to the line. BELLOWS BINGE swung four-wide in the stretch and finished with speed. CINNAMACK came off the rail ¾ but soon ducked back in, not a major factor. TJ BLAST gapped at points, also never a major player.
EIGHTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-high to turn one and on top past the 1/8, was very strong on the engine throughout and won very easily. SORTIE gapped a bit early backstretch then found a better gear 11/16 and moved out, along for a clear second. GRAPPLE HANOVER stayed inside, avoided trouble, a distant third. MOON BRIDGE inherited the pocket at the ¼, stayed close until the ¾ then unplugged. BANK BOX TREASURE moved outside but could not gain. KATKIN MORGAN was no factor near the back. MASSIVE OPULENCE was inside, not keeping up when breaking an 1/8 out of a mile out. TWO AM got the early lead, yielded, broke off the first turn and was taken inside, developed a problem and was pulled up.
NINTH RACE – SPORTS TEEN got an early spot, moved after a fast quarter to the lead 3/8, opened a big lead soon after the half, stayed in control. FEHERTY was three-wide to the 1/8, forced to take a tuck at the ¼, moved 5/8 after the pocketsitter gapped, retucked in the two-hole ¾, gave honest chase all the way home. WILSONS VINNER was on top by the 1/8, retained the stick in a 26.2 opener then did yield for the pocket, gapped when the winner sped up early backstretch, managed to hold on to third over JANAID. The latter sat in until moving outside in the lane, almost up for the show. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE moved outside but just clogged a tier. SO SO DE VIE had to go four-wide around dull wide foes and had no chance. NIGHT EXPLORER moved behind cover but was soon left behind.
TENTH RACE – As a light rain began to fall … KING ALPHONSO went to the lead, hung a foe to the 3/8 then sat perfectly-placed behind a 55.4 middle-half duel, to the Pocono Pike, just overhauled the resilient leader RICH AND MISERABLE. The latter gradually worked his way to the front 3/8, kept up a very fast pace with a challenger right at him from just before the half, dug in very gamely to the finish. BALDAQUIN moved second-over 11/16, three-wide midturn, narrowed in steadily. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT did OK in a fast mile. MARION GONDOLIER was three-wide with cover on the far turn, couldn’t reach. JUST MAYBE THE ONE, rough-gaited both times on the upper turn, moved uncovered as soon as the place horse cleared and tried to brush to the top but was left raw in a 55.4 middle half, paid for that hard usage in the last 3/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – PICKLED PREACHER moved at the ¼, urged to get by before turn two in a fast half, kept up the speed down the back, drew clear despite a slackening pace. MAC ANOVER went up between horses to 1/8 command, soon yielded, sat in, edged out past the 5/8 but soon went back in, up the inside and was a no-factor second. RHP went on to command past the 1/8, pushed the brushing winner to almost the second turn then sat the pocket, outside late turn but did not gain. GONNAHAVEOMEMORE gapped both inside and outside, went back in on the turn, found room between horses and gained as the tempo slowed. MOVE THE LINE did not have good cover, three-wide turn, not all that much. ROCK THREE TIMES had little after an inside trip. LEAR SEELSTER trailed.
TWELFTH RACE – Track now downgraded to “good +1” … ARTACHE HANOVER took over control past the 1/8, slowed the half , had a horse come to him late backstretch but didn’t have to pick up the tempo, then picked it up to the tune of 27.1 to draw away. ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN was second-over, three-wide late turn, beat out the rest. POINTSMAN was forwardly-placed, came out 5/8 and challenged the leader, was shaken off but held OK. SPORTSMANSHIP was in front to turn one then yielded for the two-hole, struggled the last 1/8. MILITARY MASTER A was third-over, fair late. SKYWAY BILLY didn’t enter the picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Track downgraded again to “sloppy +1” … SIMPLY VOLO left and went into the early pocket 3/16, vacated the pegs to go raw 5/8 and challenged in a decent pace under these conditions, went by on the turn and drew clear, didn’t want much more late but got the job done. CAN’T SAY NO left for the lead, yielded to a brusher and sat the two-hole, moved out midturn as the winner went by the pacesetter, found his best strides a bit too late (or was it the slowing pace?). THISISSHE gapped early, swung wide and was moving very well late. CREWS HILLTOPPER did not have good cover, OK late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved second-over but gapped, ducked inside, not too much on the end. ARCHIBALD was on the move before the ¼ to go up to get the lead, went on at a decent clip, got pressure 11/16, fell back in the last quarter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH had the early lead, pushed the brusher a bit before yielding for the two-hole, squeezed out midturn before the sweeper could drop down to two-wide, drew away. Four-way battle for second: STATEMENT MADE A was third-over, swept three-wide heading to the far turn, finished steadily to take second. HORSE left, went into the early pocket past the 1/8, gapped third-in down the back, but then could rerally some to miss second only by a bit. JK MUSICMAN was looped, took a hole at the 1/8, then was underway again nearing the ¼ to be on top 3/8, couldn’t maintain his margin. P L MUNSON followed the sweeper, had kick on the end. SHAMMA LAMMA was inside, didn’t get a call. ATTA BOY DAN was first-up to the half, never reached the leaders and fell back. CAMWOOD was second-over, blindswitched from past the 11/16, little late.
Oct 25, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Cool, with a strong stretch headwind … WHAT A DAME was looped, shunned a two-tuck to go on to the lead going to the 3/8, drew clear off turn two as the pocketsitter gave way, saw SPIT AND VINEGAR narrow in in the last quarter but held that one at bay. SPIT AND VINEGAR wound up uncovered down the back as a horse tucked into the vacant pocket, herself got a two-hole tuck ¾, gained some inside but had to settle for second. QUICKEST HANOVER was never close, outperformed the others. VINYASA pulled early backstretch to retuck in the two-hole, but then couldn’t keep up. CHOCOLATE MATTERS offered little. MASSIVE MATTER, not on the gate, broke in last at the half. TUFF TO BE LINDY left to the lead before turn one, yielded 5/16, started gapping out soon after the half then broke.
SECOND RACE – NUMBER ONE HIT went right to the lead, backed off the half, came home in 55.1 and needed to to defeat OHARE HANOVER. The latter used the rail to defend the pocket, stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike and did very well. ALMANAC took back early to tuck fourth, moved second-over, three-wide before headstretch and found his best steps a little too late. BULLVILLE JONATHAN came first-over before the 5/8 and went 27.1 with the wind to challenge the leader, couldn’t sustain in the stretch. BOLTMAN moved third-over, didn’t have much so went back inside in front of a gapper, so-so late. THE REMAINING FOUR stayed in and had no influence on the outcome of this race.
THIRD RACE – BJORNSSON made the front into turn one, pushed the favorite most of the length of the frontstretch before yielding for the pocket, outside midturn and went by in a matter of steps, drew away. GOLDEN GLIDER moved out off the first turn, ranged up to command before the second turn, got a breather down the back, but had no answer for the winner, held second. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE moved outside ¾ and outfooted A ONE A for third. The latter had early speed, but then gapped most of the way from the ¼, so-so. MATS PALEMA was third-wide early, backed off to tuck third but then ran approaching the ¼. ZETTE FLAME miscued before turn two.
FOURTH RACE – SOME KINDA ANGEL moved just before the ¼ as an outside horse came up, went to the lead to the 3/8, went a hot third split trying to keep the first-over out but could not, but doggedly stayed on and caught that one late. PERFECT QUEEN came uncovered in a big hurry down the backstretch, went 26.4 all-out and cleared the winner before midturn, but the big move took its toll late. CHERISH HANOVER was out with cover off the top two when forced wide around the inside trouble, ducked to the inside and recovered well to be third ahead of SOUTHWIND MOLLY. The latter was outside down the back well off the front two, probably the least affected by the breaker, couldn’t quite get third. CAVIART LIZZIE and ALWAYS B SOMEWHERE were not in contention when having to go wide far turn. CHILLIN BY THE POOL was looped early and outside, briefly had cover from the winner nearing the ¼, broke 5/16, caught the back of the pack then was pushed wide. LIFELUVN YANKEE circled the field early, yielded to the winner in front of the stands, couldn’t keep up in the backstretch duel, broke ¾ and affected all but the leaders.
FIFTH RACE – SENNA moved from third just before the ¼ and got the lead, had an easy time of it. BIG BEN HANOVER had some gate jet, went along evenly until coming out midturn when the pocketsitter gapped, clear second. MR TEE followed along, just up for third over TSM PRINCE TRISTAN. The latter rushed past the field to the first turn, yielded for the pocket, stayed connected until the ¾. SURE BIRD gapped at the back of the main pack. KING KENNY lost his gait before the ¼.
SIXTH RACE – ALMOST KAREN was three-wide early, tucked third, quarter-moved to command just past the 3/8, drew away easily. KISSINYOUGOODBYE gave a good blast towards the first turn to take over control of the stick, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, didn’t gain in the lane but held second. BYGONE HANOVER moved uncovered off the second turn and grinded up, held well while far ahead of the others. SWEET HELLO had some early speed, no factor thereafter. HAZEL PARK moved early, got cover into the backstretch but gapped it at the other end of the backstraight; BETTE TINA was third-over in the two-wide lane but also couldn’t do enough. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was four-wide early, cleared down to two-wide and tucked before the ¼, not much in the last quarter. THE OTHER PAIR were off the main radar.
SEVENTH RACE – LITTLE PINK LIES yielded and was content to sit the pocket at 1-20, outside nearing headstretch and went by without being asked. BUTTERFLY FACE S left for command before the 3/16, rated the half then sprinted down the back, no match for the winner but better than the others. RUFFLE MY TRUFFLES sat third, gapped as the pace increased down the back, then got tighter then faded some in the lane. MONEY MATTERS was second-over behind non-progressing cover, wide and had some kick late. SAYONARA ANGEL stayed semi-connected and got the last payday. BANK BREAKS got a 4-tuck at the 1/8, moved again raw 5/8 but could make little headway. YOUNG MICHELLE never factored. TSM EMILIA S was well off the gate and never close. BETTER SINCE broke early in the race.
EIGHTH RACE — DIVINE RIGHT moved uncovered 5/8 and went up quickly to challenge the leader, pulled away in the lane with twin 28.1s coming home. ADAYONTHEBAY moved outside 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8 and rated the half, pulled away from all but the winner on the far turn, tired but did hold second. ROPE THAT MOON was away well, yielded before the 3/8 for the pocket, didn’t stay with the top two on the turn, evenly inside stretch and almost second. CAVIART RICHMOND gapped at a few points, had some late pace. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO left and took the early pocket into the first turn, inside, urged but couldn’t respond. DARIO HANOVER had no say in this.
NINTH RACE – BY A HOFF HANOVER took command early, rated the half then sprinted down the back to a huge lead that he only added to late. COMEONOVER HANOVER tucked third past the 1/8, moved out far turn after the winner had gotten away, up for second. SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN was far back, wide in the stretch and finished willingly. FATHER OF IRELAND stayed inside, didn’t have much. COMMAND THE MARKET moved outside far turn but didn’t gain. MR BLUMETTI charged through and defended the pocket, lost ground to the leader throughout the last half. JOE EXOTIC broke early and then bothered a foe, caught the field but couldn’t get into the main action, placed. KAACHING KAACHING broke next to the other breaker, then was further bothered.
TENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was last, outside to the ¾, hit high gear after his cover broke midturn, angled wide and picked up embattled foes. BIPBOPNALLIE defended the pocket until the 3/8 then saw the parked horse get in, retucked around a gapper, himself gapped around the far turn, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, but involvement in the wild fractions caught up to him. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE laid off the cutthroat half, was first to move down the backstretch and retucked in the pocket, outside midturn but couldn’t go forward much. ACTOR HANOVER set sail from the rail, parked a foe, kept on marching in hot fractions, tired. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was outside then left uncovered while far back ¾, broke trying to gain more. MANKAT left, had to stay out in the air until getting the two-hole past the 3/8 in speedy numbers, faded down the backstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – ONE AFTER NINE slid in fourth past the 1/8 behind the early battlers, then quarter-moved to control the throttle, proved much the best in here. LOVE THIS BAR was three-wide to the 1/8, pressed on to gain the lead past a fast quarter then yielded to the winner, not in that one’s league but a clear second. PRACTICAL CAT had early speed, came back uncovered before the 5/8, third-best in a decent outing. HALL IT OFF was two-wide to the 1/8 to the lead, yielded past the ¼, sat in then backed out to second-over before the ¾ but didn’t gain. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS was shuffled, three-wide around the far turn and was along for the last check. GROSSETO AS and STORM BRINGER were two-wide to no effect. PAINT BY NUMBERS was always far back. HURRIKANE WILLIE G left well but was caught four-wide towards turn one, wrangled back to tuck before the 3/8, inside, broke on the far turn.
TWELFTH RACE — NUTTINBUTHEBEST went straight to the front, rated the second quarter, then paced home in 56 – 27.4 as much the best. AILEY HANOVER kept up pretty well in the pocket and was far ahead of the others. CHEEKIE BABE slid in fourth at the 3/16, came out early stretch and just caught TSM PRINCESS LEXI for show. The latter was well-placed but didn’t have too much late. BEACH BALLSY was three-wide early, wrestled to a midpack tuck late on the first turn, on the move again raw 3/8, got to the rump of the pocket horse but no closer. IMONABEACH HANOVER did not have dynamic cover while second-over, three-wide far turn, didn’t enter into it. MAKE A SCENE was off the gate and gapped at the back. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was a bit rank when moved third-over, fell back considerably in the stretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BIG NUDGE came out to follow the parked horse past the 3/8, three-wide soon off the second turn to get to two-wide and quickly to the lead 11/16, ran away and hid. SO LONG HANOVER got a forward spot, stayed in past the 3/8 and was badly shuffled, had to wait for the Pocono Pike long after the winner was gone, along for second. DAGON HANOVER followed the cover of the winner, left uncovered before the 3/4 after trotting in about 27 down the back, flattened a little. TRICKY DICK was three-wide late backstretch well off the lead, picked up the rest. AP HALL OF TRIX was never prominent. WORTHY OF HONOR got to the lead past the 1/8, had constant pressure, fell back in the stretch. BANG BANG BOINGA was looped early, went up to challenge but could not clear and was outside, looped 11/16. RED REDEMPTION yielded to sit the pocket, appeared to be contemplating backing outside on the turn but ran, to the infield. DIVINE SPIRIT miscued early.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PHILOSOPHIZER moved uncovered just before the half then picked up cover, gapped it down the back but then got closer, wide in the stretch and had the most late for the sixth win of the day for driver Tyler Buter. COUNTER OFFER yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, never had the lead but was along for second. BETTORS AUTHORITY went in fourth past the 1/8, raw at the half and challenged, held OK. MESSIER SEELSTER got to the front, rated the half, then came under pressure, couldn’t sustain the advantage. ROSA’S REBEL was third-over, wide in the lane, didn’t gain. SEND IT IN JEROME was shuffled to last, widest and moving well at the wire. MY BOY JACK sat in third, could offer little late. OCTAVE never was heard from.
Oct 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Only in the lower 50s throughout the card … JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE went right to the lead and set a wild pace for these even in midsummer, had NAMJE tighten in in the pocket from the ¾, fought head-to-head with that one before holding on in a 32 kicker after the hot numbers. The latter yielded, gapped though staying reasonably close then gaining from the ¾, outside stretch, just lacked the needed kick late. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK was last in a different area code most of the race, in a blindswitch headstretch and along between horses for a very distant third. LODI BANK ROBBER swung wide on the far turn and almost made third. BATTING STATS was left uncovered down the back, evenly. NICE STUFF tucked, then took back for a tuck, moved and retucked fourth down the back, little thereafter. ROSE RUN RUDI was away third, left a big gap from the 3/8. MEADOWBRANCH RUDY was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked in, was not keeping up by the 3/8.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind in earnest … MILADY DENVER A left between horses and got the early pocket, came out late turn, grinded past VELOCITY MCSWEETS in the last step. The latter was three-wide early, got the lead past the 1/8, set the pace, barely beaten in a good race. MOVE OVER SIS got forward position, stayed in for the stretch, couldn’t gain. MORE THAN KUTE moved off the rail with cover late turn, couldn’t gain. HURRIKANESKY and RHYME N ROLL both gapped before the half, had a private race for fifth which the former won. MY CAM GIRL, looking a bit hard to handle, went uncovered into turn two, started to back up before the ¾.TRUSSED UP TRUDY misbehaved right at the start.
THIRD RACE – TIPSY BARTENDER wound up in the pocket early, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8 and had a clear lead thereafter, then crushed them with a :28.4 last quarter against the wind. FORTUNAPEDIA was widest of the leavers, saw one break and went on to command 1/8, yielded in front of the stands, soon was loose in the pocket, held for the very remote second. RELENTLESS JACKIE was between horses leaving, broke, caught the field by the ¼, outside with stagnant cover, uncovered on the turn, made a very good recovery to get third. AMBERS CHAMPION stayed semi-connected, not enough for a major minor award late. OK SUNNY was uncovered into turn two, retucked fourth ¾, little thereafter. BRUTAL APOLOGY was gapping before the half. DIVINE MOONSHINE broke w-a-y before the start. TART OF MY HEART broke an 1/8 before the start, recovered and cut the pack only to run again at the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – DARTH FADER was three-wide to the 1/8 then cleared to the lead 3/16, had an open lead much of the last half, was faltering late (29.4 last quarter) but was kept going to the wire. I AM GOLDEN was second-over from last behind not-great cover, wide in the stretch and finished nicely. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME used the rail to enough advantage to maintain the pocket, went loose before the 5/8, came back a little in the slowing tempo. FRANKIE ROCKS A moved raw off the second turn, never got close to the leader. CALVERY HILL left between horses then tucked just past the 1/8, little late. BAYONET lost contact with the field.
FIFTH RACE – Six within a half length at the wire is usually a sign of a diminishing pace … CIRCLE OF LIFE AS went up between horses on a slight delay, made the lead past a quick quarter and also put up a quick half, then came home in 1:01.3 but held off the onrushing masses. PHANTOM RUSTY got the top early, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, room inside the leader in the stretch, argued with that one to the line. LATOKA was second-over, three-wide late turn, gained but not quite enough. FASHION WINNER was three-wide to the 3/16, took a tuck past the ¼, underway again raw to the 5/8, went up and challenged the leader around the turn, held well after a hard journey. EVANNA was third-over, four-wide stretch and gained as the pace diminished. NOBLE WARRAWEE was third-in, room deep in the Pocono Pike, not off by much – but no check. PRAYERS DO MATTER never factored. ONE FANCY KID broke at the half. MONEY MAVEN was off the gate and never improved.
SIXTH RACE –Wind shifting to a stretch tailwind … OURLITTLEGENERAL A tucked fourth past the 1/8, then gradually closed in while third after a foe broke near the ¼, outside and three-wide past midturn, paced away. BIG MACH, a bit rank early, retucked around a gapper late in the backstretch, made up enough ground to get the nod over VAGANOVA for second. The latter took control 3/16, went on at a pretty good clip, tired in the lane. SI SEMALU was first to show, yielded for the pocket, moved outside midturn but could not advance despite urging, went back inside late turn, not too much. THE BUS A couldn’t offer much. BETTORS HOPE left a big gap before the 5/8. PAY LATER was never a factor. OUTRAGEOUS STORY was third 3/16 when making a break and going to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – JOEY PRO was three-wide early, secured the lead at the 1/8, drew away the last 3/8. BANZAI AS moved uncovered 5/8, kept on going well to be well ahead of the remainder. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN moved out and soon got cover but gapped it, distant best of the others. BUTTER TOFFEE couldn’t keep up the last ¼. ALLY WAY CAST yielded for the pocket, was running on fumes the last 3/8. SIX BAX was never close. VITANI AS broke at the half.
EIGHTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL got a forward spot early, moved 11/16, challenged, went by and won in control. APEX SEELSTER was behind the winner, gapped before the ¾ then closer following his cover on the turn, good to be second far ahead of the rest. MAKE SOME WAVES was between horses while wide early, tucked fifth, gapped the front four on the turn, then angled out early stretch and picked up the pacesetter and pocketsitter. SONG CYCLE SENESE came through in a big group of leavers, went to the lead, got a rival to tuck, set a good pace, had nothing left in the stretch. HOW ARE YEE JOHN left wide, got the two-hole past the 1/8, kept up, also had no gain in the lane. THE OTHER FOUR were in the back throughout and never had a say in this.
NINTH RACE – SCHNICKEL FRITZ was first on the front, yielded for the two-hole, moved outside past midturn, went by early stretch, gamely able to take the win here as the pace slowed. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT went uncovered past the 11/16, got cover on the turn, wide, kept coming but just missed. ARCH CREDIT sat third-in, got to the pocket and the Pocono Pike, had a chance inside, just short. PUERTO RICO moved out far turn, OK. WATKINS went evenly. GEMOLOGIST went to the lead at the 1/8, set the pace, passed shortly into the stretch and faded. KISS ON FIRE AS broke at the start.
TENTH RACE – Wind all but calm … LOVELY DONNA sat fourth until the 11/16, then hit a very high gear quickly and had collared the leader before headstretch, drew away. SHOULDABEENATD sat third, out behind the winner midturn, in gear late to be along for second. BETALADY pushed early then yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough kick. MAJOR OCCASION A went to the top at the 1/8, set the pace as she pleased, was overwhelmed by the move of the winner on the turn, so-so late. THE OTHER DUO sat at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – ADRIANO HANOVER was unhurried early, on the move into turn two and paced 27.2 down the back to challenge the leader, finally worked by that stubborn one in midstretch. NIALL HANOVER was three-deep to 1/8 command, rolled on the lead, held well until very late. LITTLE ADMIRAL was on front to turn one, yielded, two-hole, Pocono Pike, so-so. BRINGITONHOME N got early position, was hustled to get out to follow the winner late backstretch but gapped. LAREDO TORPEDO N moved behind the winner to the half but was soon gapping. THE OTHER TWOSOME never were in the hunt.
TWELFTH RACE – LITTLE SANDY TOES left between horses and landed in the pocket, a little loose in the two-hole throughout, to the Pocono Pike and just caught RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP on the money. The latter was three-wide towards turn one to command past the 1/8, set the pace, just outsprinted. CAPTAINS MAID moved second-over, found her best strides midstretch and was doing well late. WATCHWHATMYFEETDO came uncovered to the 5/8, got to the leader’s wheel at the ¾ but no closer, kept digging to the line. BULLVILLEKARLA couldn’t make her presence felt; nor could LITTLE HONEYBADGER. MADAME LEZA A had gate speed, started to gap at the half, a gap which, after tightening briefly 5/8, grew bigger in the last ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide and needed until the 3/8 to clear, immediately had the parked horse come at him but managed to keep him outside in the fast fractions, drew clear after a lot of energy use. CHOCO CHARLIE came on the move at the half to follow the parked horse, three-wide midturn, closed well and a clear second. KEYSTONE THUNDER left, couldn’t clear the pole horse so took a tuck past the 1/8, stayed in the pocket, gapped the last 3/16. STOP RESISTIN wound up third-over, three-wide with cover midturn, not enough kick. BELIEVER was four-wide early then ducked behind cover, lost that 3/8 so went up to challenge hard, had a ¾ of a length lead past the 5/8 but was not allowed to clear by the winner, inevitably had to pay a price but went a big mile. THE BACK DUO never entered the picture.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DELISHKA N was four-wide early and looped, grinded to the front 3/8 and got a breather to the half, picked it up down the back as the first-over came up, in control in the last quarter. A CRAFTY LADY moved out on the second turn, came up raw in 27.1 to challenge the winner, not in her league but game to maintain second. DELILAH DE VIE followed the place horse, three-wide in the stretch, almost second. ARNIE’S ANGEL was third-over in the good outer flow, not bad late. GRANT ME THIS went to the early lead, yielded to the 3/16, inside, shuffled a little headstretch, but not that much once clear. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL was not a major presence. WIGGLE DELIGHT went wide but was too far back. TRAFFIC JAM never factored. KAITLYN N was five-wide towards the first turn, three-wide towards the 1/8 and got the lead, yielded to the 3/8, found the early effort catching up to her ¾.
Oct 20, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A warmish day for mid-October in the mountains to start: “fast +0” races 1-4; it rained hard during the fifth race, causing the track to be “sloppy +1” from the fifth race on, and temperatures would drop after the rain came through … Stretch headwind … MAJOR DESIRE protected the pocket early, considered a quarter-move but retreated, then came full-bore at the half and paced down the back in 26.2 to open a good lead, saw others catching up but held to the wire. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was away quickly for the lead, yielded past the 26.2 opener, backed out as the winner brushed past 5/8 and was in a new pocket to the ¾, outside stretch, very good mile. LINCOLN JAMES gapped early, outside and followed cover 5/8, left uncovered ¾, went on well to the line. MUSCLE MACH A came all the way up the inside to be next. CLASSY HILL wasn’t keeping up with the deposed leader ¾ then outside, not that much. LEAR SEELSTER gapped both inside and outside. HULOU was used to clear past the fast opener, held no defense against the backstretch brusher, faded.
SECOND RACE – CAPTAIN CASH used the rail to maximum advantage, set the pace, lost all but one in a 26.3 third quarter, and then was safe over the pocketsitter despite giving some ground very late. JK MUSICMAN was away well to land the two-hole, stuck with the winner throughout, not quite enough to go by but far ahead of the rest. BELLOWS BINGE left well wide but soon took back and tucked fifth, stayed in and was stuck behind a gapping one, out in a blindswitch late turn, between horses for third. WAGON MASTER was uncovered at the half but never reached the front pair, ducked in for the stretch, next. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N was second-over, three-wide midturn, evenly. SO SO DE VIE had cover but had too far to come. BLACKLIGHT went around the gapping ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN before the half; neither were factors. PATERNITY SUIT A landed the 3-hole early, started to gap out 5/8 despite urging.
THIRD RACE – RIVER OTTER burst out to the lead, went fast odd-numbered quarters with the wind establishing a commanding lead, tired and bore out a bit in the stretch but had enough to get to the wire first. ZLATAN worked up to the pocket 3/16, loose of the leader most of the way, went inside of the winner in the lane and gained some ground. SWANCREDIT sat third, gapped a gapper, next. CASH FOR GOLD was never prominent; nor was MUAY HANOVER. ZOOMING came uncovered at the half but never got close. INVINCIBLE had a slow start, then broke past the 5/16.
FOURTH RACE – DAAMERICANSKY was another who went fast with the wind, to get to the lead then to open a safe margin, not troubled at the end. BARON MICHAEL was wide leaving, took back to a midpack tuck, stayed inside and went up the Pocono Pike to be a non-threatening second. FEHERTY was two-wide, went to the pegs fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over at the half, wasn’t helped when cover tired on the turn and had to go three-wide, moving well late. SPORTS TEEN was off the front two early, started raw at the half, made a bid into the quick third split but then tired. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was looking to move outside at the half but made a break; DIALAMARA, right behind, suffered an “ix”; BLOW A CLOUD N was pushed very wide; and PICKLED PREACHER ducked inside the trouble inside the pegs; all those involved in this incident were effectively taken out of the race.
FIFTH RACE – This is the race where it rained hard, and the track was rerated to “sloppy +1” … MR HOUDINI had good cover second-over, three-wide late turn, and had the most trot coming home. THISISSHE was uncovered soon off the second turn, applied steady pressure, gamely to the wire. MAJESTIC MARVEL was out until the 3/16 for the lead, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, so-so response. CIMERONKEN was first to show but took a balky step early, settled then took back, moved outside midturn, finishing decently wide. CREWS HILLTOPPER was underway before the quarter to control the throttle and rated the half, was pressured, didn’t have enough to last to the line. FRAC offered little.
SIXTH RACE – IMAROCNROLLEGEND N dashed to the top, pushed a brusher a bit then yielded for the pocket, outside to headstretch and sailed by to make George Napolitano Jr. the 26th driver to reach $100,000,000 in career driving earnings. KEYSTONE PHOENIX moved at the quarter, had to be chased a little to clear before the second turn, strung most of the field out until the far turn, had to settle for second. STATEMENT MADE A got the early pocket, then sat third-in, angled out early stretch but didn’t gain. BULLVILLE TERROR went evenly inside. SHAMMA LAMMA went wide in the stretch and had some pace. P L MUNSON moved outside from far back down the back, gained some, evenly. MAJOR OFFENSE was gapping before the ¼, never in it.
SEVENTH RACE – ATTA BOY DAN left under urging, as did the horse to his right, and got the lead because of track geometry, rolled down the back, then stayed clear of the opposition. PARKLANE JET was second-over 11/16, gapped then was better the later they got on the turn, wide and closed nicely. MAC ANOVER wanted the lead but backed off past the 1/8, just failed to hold second. MOVE THE LINE went evenly. BEACH FIRE K was uncovered 5/8 and grinded, backed off the last 1/8. ROCK THREE TIMES gapped at the back.
EIGHTH RACE – KING ALPHONSO was between horses leaving, pressed on well past a fast opener to get the lead, dashed a bit clear on the turn, successfully dealt with those narrowing in late. HOCKEY HANOVER tucked fourth behind the three early battlers, moved uncovered at the half, grinded up, kept on coming late in a game performance. MARION GONDOLIER was behind dull cover and moved three-wide ¾, gained through the last quarter nicely (even if it was in only 30). MISS MC KEE was three-wide to the 3/16 then backed off to tuck third, moved outside ¾, briefly blindswitched, got clear, OK. GRAPPLE HANOVER was inside, paused briefly when a horse made a break past midturn, but didn’t gain thereafter. ENZIO was outside with cover that he could not reach most of the last half. SORTIE broke moving out second-over before the half. ARCHIBALD was innermost among the three early fighters, finally yielded to the 3/8, struggled to stay close from before the 5/8, broke midturn and went inside the pylons.
NINTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL was away well for a midpack tuck, moved first-over and gradually advanced putting pressure on the leader, got a small advantage on the turn, proved the best with a 54.2 last half raw. GOOD ROCKIN had a good second-over journey, didn’t have the speed of the winner on the turn, along for second late. IM A GIGOLO N pressed on to get the lead past a 26.3 opener, rated the half then had to step it up as the winner came calling, held OK. NUTCRACKER SWEET left well, yielded after a fast quarter, slightly shuffled late turn, but then not all that much when finding the Pocono Pike. BILLY BADGER N passed the others for the last check while never a factor. BAY MEADOWS stayed up-close early, then began to back off 5/8. CAMWOOD was gapping early and was not ever a contender.
TENTH RACE—AMIGO VOLO was on top before turn one, made a foe work past a good opener to clear, then immediately retook, got a very moderate middle half, then came home in 27.4 into the wind in total control. EUROBOND went up to get the lead past the ¼, yielded for the pocket, no match for the winner, held second well. GHOSTINTHESHELL S protected the pocket early, sat third, couldn’t make up last ground. PATRIARCH HANOVER was uncovered 11/16, gained a bit then flattened out. MYSTICAL WYNN couldn’t go with these. RICH AND MISERABLE was last when breaking 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – AMERICAN REBEL initially sat in then backed out to third-over 9/16, followed advancing cover, four-wide headstretch, finished solidly (in a slowing last quarter) to just catch INDIGO ART. The latter got a good second-over trip, three-wide late turn, made the lead midstretch, just nipped by the late flyer. STELLAR BB was away nicely, made the lead 3/16, yielded to the retaker for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not quite enough kick late. ARTISTS RUFFLES started grinding to the half, never really looked the leader in the eye until headstretch, carried on gamely. THE CANDYMAN CAN set the pace with two moves, rated the half, but then couldn’t sustain the lead. SULLIVAN was third-in, spent most of the stretch angling wide looking for clearance, had pace at the end. BABES DIG ME and LORD OF MISRULE weren’t far back at the end but never were major players.
TWELFTH RACE – ALEX TYE started raw towards turn two, went in 27 down the back, battled the leader head-to-head the last quarter and got the decision. REGAL SON was parked past the ¼ to get the lead, set wind-appropriate fractions, held very gamely. BENJI’S BEST was third-over, wide late turn, next one home. WALTER MITTY was second-over but gapped a bit and was blindswitched, evenly in the path behind the winner. TJ BLAST left, took the pocket at the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. WHITE HAIR ROCKS sat in, spent the upper stretch angling wide and finished quickest of all. BOBBY DAZZLER left very well, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed close, came up empty in the stretch. SOMEBEACH BARON did not enter the main picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GANGSTER HANOVER gradually worked up to 5/16 command, came home in 56.2 and was far ahead from the 5/8. THE LIONKING AS flashed good speed to clear nearing the first turn, kept the winner out to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, clear second. JUST MAYBE THE ONE left and got a forward spot, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. SOUTHWIND FROST sat in, won fourth in a photo over MAX. The latter came uncovered off turn two but made little headway in the fast third quarter, evenly. KENOGAMI COCO gapped second-over. MACMORRIS HANOVER and TWO AM were never close. LUCKY MATTER broke just past the start, recovered, but broke again before the ¾.
