Oct 20, 2021 | Entertainment, General News, Holiday, Keystone Grand Ballroom
Pittston native preforms in the Keystone Grand Ballroom on Sunday, December 12th
WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 20, 2021) –The“Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular” Holiday Show, starring Shawn Klush backed by The Fabulous Ambassadors makes a trip to Mohegan Sun Pocono this fall! Shawn Klush will grace the main stage on Sunday, December 12th in the Keystone Grand Ballroom with the best sounds of Elvis Presley. This all-ages show kicks off at 3:00pm.
Tickets start at $25 and are on sale Monday, October 25, 2021at 10:00am via Ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Box Office located at Player’s Club. Guests who purchase their tickets at the Box Office will receive one voucher per ticket for $10.00 in Free Slot Play, valid on Sunday, December 12th. Free Slot Play offer is for guests who are 21 and older.
The Closest Thing to the King in Concert was born and raised in the small coal-mining town of Pittston, Pennsylvania, and his love of music led him to begin imitating his musical idol, Elvis Presley. Shawn Klush performed in the Poconos region before embarking on a tour of Canada, where he competed in and won the $5,000.00 prize in the “Worldwide Elvis Competition” in Montreal. This piqued the interest of the award-winning Las Vegas show “Legends in Concert,” where he starred as ‘Elvis’ for many years in their Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, Branson, and Atlantic City show rooms. Every January, he performs in the “Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular Birthday Edition Tour,” an extravaganza featuring Elvis’ own musicians, singers, and friends, in major venues across the country.
The Luzerne County native has five CDs to his credit. JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, The Jordanaires, The Imperials, DJ Fontana, and Joe Esposito are among the musicians and singers he has shared the stage with. He played Elvis Presley in the CBS and VH1 hit TV miniseries “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.”
On Elvis’ 70th Birthday, Shawn became grand champion at the $25,000.00 “World Elvis Tribute Artist Competition”. He then received “The Peoples Choice Award” from Gibson Guitar Co in Nashville for “Best Concert Elvis”. Shawn was then named the “World’s Greatest Elvis” by 6.5 million international viewers on BBC1 Television in the United Kingdom. On the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ passing, Klush was named the ‘First Ever’ “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist” by Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis TN. Shawn has record breaking performances in the US, Switzerland, Canada Australia, the UK and South America. He was named “Worldwide Ambassador of Elvis” at the Las Vegas Hilton where he headlines the annual the Las Vegas Elvis Fest, celebrating Elvis’ historic Las Vegas Performances.
For more information on this exciting upcoming event in the Keystone Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono, visit our website.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, over 1900 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Oct 19, 2021 | Culture & History, Entertainment, Gaming, MGE, Special Events
Exciting Entertainment, incredible giveaways and can’t miss promotions take center stage as part of MSP’s 15th Anniversary Celebration
WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 19, 2021) – Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) turns 15 next month. In honor of this historic milestone, full bands will be returning to Breakers during the first weekend of November! MSP will also rollout a $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza, T-shirt giveaways, a Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spin event and more, beginning November 1st.
Entertainment
The long-awaited return of full bands at Breakers, one of the top Live Music Bar’s in PA, is in full swing. In celebration of Mohegan Sun Pocono’s 15th Anniversary, on Friday, November 12th, Pennsylvania’s premier blues-rock, power-trio, Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen, hit the stage for a much anticipated performance at 8:30pm. On the very next evening, November 13th, Ken Norton & The Fuchery are slated for an 8pm show. Highlighting this evening is a yet to be announced, very special performance from a four-time Grammy-nominated and Multi-Platinum recording artist!
Win Big!
Other 15th Anniversary celebrations are planned throughout the property such as the $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza from 5:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday, November 14th,where one lucky Momentum member will be selected every 15 minutes to win $1,500 Free Slot Play with a grand prize winner taking home a $15,000 cash prize at the end of the night. Momentum members can earn sweepstakes entries by simply playing their favorite slots and tables from Monday, November 1st through Sunday, November 14th with 15X entry multipliers on Tuesdays, November 2nd and November 9th.
On Friday, November 10th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, the Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spins promotion is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as well, as five Momentum members will be randomly selected every thirty minutes to win five free $15.00 spins on the exciting Wheel of Fortune Mystery Link slot machines!
Another $15,000 in cash is up for grabs with a special anniversary Spin it to Win It promotion on Thursday, November 11th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm where five winners every thirty minutes will spin the triple prize wheel to try and win the $15,000 cash grand prize!
Exclusive 15th Anniversary T-shirts will also be given away on Friday, November 12th, starting at Noon. The first 500 Momentum Members to earn one Status Point, and then print their voucher at any Promo Kiosk, can redeem it for a free shirt!
Cheers to 15 Years! On Saturday, November 13th, Momentum members will have the chance to earn a special commemorative edition BrüMate Hopsulator Trio. Keep your favorite beverages cold with the most versatile can cooler in the world. For more information on all things 15th Anniversary at MSP, visit www.mohegansunpocono.com/15th-anniversary.html
The History of Mohegan Sun Pocono
Mohegan Sun Pocono was the first gaming destination that Mohegan Sun’s parent company, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), known as Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority in 2006, launched outside of Connecticut. By this time, MGE’s flagship property in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun, was a massive success story, becoming one of the highest grossing casino and entertainment destinations in the world. With that success, the Mohegan Tribe and MGE looked to expansion.
The very first venture in that plan, of which now has evolved to seven owned or operated properties across the globe, was Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP). Opened in November of 2006, MSP immediately became one of the premier casino destinations in Pennsylvania and played a major role in the further expansion of a burgeoning gaming and entertainment enterprise in MGE. The pathway for expanded gaming in Pennsylvania came about after legislation in 2004 allowed a select number of casinos to offer slot-based gaming. MGE saw northeast Pennsylvania as the perfect opportunity to expand their brand and expertise into a nearby region that had easy access to New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. Mohegan leadership also anticipated further gaming expansion in the great State of Pennsylvania, which came to fruition in 2006, when MSP became the very first destination in Pennsylvania to launch table games. Within ten years of that launch, Mohegan Sun Pocono had net revenues of roughly $300 million.
Today, MSP, which is located on 400 acres in the hillside of Plains, Pennsylvania, is home to more than 1,700 slot machines, more than 60 live table games including a Poker Room, live harness throughout most of the year, fine dining, various retail options, a world-class spa, live entertainment in Breakers, Bar Louie and the Keystone Grand Ballroom, and the 230+ Hotel at Mohegan Sun Pocono which marked a major event in MSP’s history when it opened on November 14, 2013.
Another key milestone came in October of 2019 when the Unibet Sportsbook at Mohegan Sun Pocono held its Grand Opening. Penn State football legend, LaVar Arrington, assisted in christening the new venue that featured live betting options, various kiosks, helpful teller booths, food & beverage options and a 28-foot wide high-def video wall where roughly 40 guests can take in all the major sports action. Along with this brick-and-mortar sports betting option for guests, Mohegan Sun Pocono also provides online sports and iGaming wagering through PA.Unibet.com and its associated mobile apps for Android and iPhone.
Mohegan Sun Pocono and its amazing team members, of which there are roughly 100 who have been with the company since day one, have also been committed to various charitable and community based efforts throughout its history. A longstanding partnership with the United Way of Wyoming Valley has produced regular giveaways and food bank initiatives and just recently, MSP served as a Covid-19 test-site for the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre PA region. In 2016, MSP also updated to a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that reduced energy consumption by 22% and limited its carbon footprint by 3,900 metric tons. Pennsylvania-based UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc. (UGI HVAC) installed the new system, and as part of this project, MSP and HVAC also worked with Penn State Hazelton engineering students as part of their Senior Design Capstone project, which focused on alternative energy and power generation.
Since its inception, Mohegan Sun Pocono has also contributed more than $1.6 billion in slot and table game tax revenue to the Commonwealth through August 2021.
As Mohegan Sun Pocono looks to the future, they will continue to grow as one of the premier casino and entertainment destinations in Pennsylvania.
More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Oct 18, 2021 | Community Relations, Entertainment, General News, Keystone Grand Ballroom, Special Events
Halloween party in Keystone Grand Ballroom features live entertainment and over $5,000 in cash prizes
WHAT: Boo Bash is back by popular demand! On Friday, October 29th, join Mohegan Sun Pocono in the Keystone Grand Ballroom for a free, no-cover Halloween celebration featuring a live performance by Drop Dead Sexy and a costume contest with over $5,000 in cash prizes.
WHEN/WHERE: Friday, October 29th
8:00pm – 11:00pm
Keystone Grand Ballroom
IN DETAIL: At Mohegan Sun Pocono, Boo Bash is back and better than ever! On Saturday, October 29th, from 8:00pm to 11:00pm, join us in the Keystone Grand Ballroom for some spooky fun. Guests who bring their Halloween A-game will be awarded over $5,000 in cash prizes.
Costume Contest
Registration for the costume contest takes place right outside the Keystone Grand Ballroom from 8:00pm – 10:00pm. The premier party band on the East Coast, Drop Dead Sexy comes to rock the stage with the best music from Queen to Bon Jovi to Michael Jackson. Over $5,000 in cash prizes will be awarded for “scariest”, “sexiest”, “most casino”, and “most original” costumes. First place in each category takes home $500 cash, second place receives $250 and third place receives $150. Best overall costume wins $1,000! Plus, guests should be sure to dance by the stage, as the band will pick their favorite costume of the night and the winner receives $500! All winners will be announced at 11:00pm.
Guests must be 21 or older with valid ID to attend this event. Masks and full face paint are only allowed in the event space. Costume photos will be taken upon registration. Costumes are not required to attend.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including over 80 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Oct 18, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Card opens with a slight stretch headwind … WORLDSSTONECOLD AS made the lead, had outside challengers fill the holes behind him as the pocket horse broke past the ¼, rated the half, no problem the last half. JOE EXOTIC was up to challenge for the lead then took the pocket just past the ¼, sat close, not enough in the lane but clearly second. VINCENTI went second-over, three-wide late turn, along for third over COMMAND THE MARKET, who hugged the inside then didn’t show that much late. FATHER OF IRELAND avoided trouble and got the last check. MR BLUMETTI looked to leave but took back, then third-over, couldn’t rally enough. FASHION ON A STAR was three-wide to the 3/16, dropped down behind cover, got a 3-tuck past the 3/16, came again raw down the back, but faltered in the last quarter. ENDYMION came through well past the start and was protecting the pocket just past the ¼ when breaking, possibly because of a dislodged pylon on the track near the area of the break.
SECOND RACE – BETTORS AUTHORITY made the early lead, yielded to the favorite past the ¼ and sat the golden journey, moved out near headstretch as the first-over broke, sailed right on by. COUNTER OFFER went in fifth at the 3/16, backed out to be second-over, went inside far turn, up the Pocono Pike and got second. INTENTIONS got in gear at the 1/8 and grabbed the front past the ¼, set fractions a she pleased, came up short at crunch time. RAGE THE MOON, last much of the way, went wide around the other stragglers. DARLA HANOVER backed out to third-over but had little to offer. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO was boxed in behind a sluggish one much of the last half, Pocono Pike, not too much. DUSTUP HANOVER left and tucked second, couldn’t keep up the last 3/8. ROSA’S REBEL was uncovered going into the second turn, came a long way raw and had gotten to the pocketsitter’s flank when running late turn.
THIRD RACE – ONE AFTER NINE had the early pocket then quarter-moved, set a good pace and drew away from these. PRACTICAL CAT went to early command, yielded to sit in the pocket, saved second late over MELANIA. The latter was two-wide on the second turn but needed until almost to the ¾ to get to a gear enabling her to gain, three-wide late turn, finished steadily. STORM BRINGER gapped the last half. SHADRACK HANOVER ducked inside an early breaker and tucked third, came back out at the half, got up to the leader’s saddlepad before the ¾, then gradually ran out of gas. CHARMING BANK was never a factor. HALL IT OFF broke coming off turn two. DANZON HANOVER made a mistake as the field swung off the turn before the start. TUFF TO BE LINDY was vying for the early lead when making a break.
FOURTH RACE – DIGNITY HANOVER, a bit rank behind the gate, was content to trail in the main group, swung outside and wide, caught SAYONARA ANGEL late. The latter spotted, moved outside midturn, had the lead past early stretch, almost lasted to the line. I’M HAPPY HANOVER moved 3/16 to control the throttle 5/16, rated the half, didn’t have enough late. YOUNG MICHELLE went right to the lead, yielded for the two-hole and stayed connected, Pocono Pike, not too much. LADY’S REWARD lost stride at the start.
FIFTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was three-wide to the 1/8 and to the lead, never let up in an overpowering victory. NUMBER ONE HILL was between horses to the early pocket, stayed close until the stretch, clear of the rest. BOLTMAN had early speed and yielded to the outer pair, not too much in the lane but did retain third. LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN was uncovered at the half, almost got even with the pocket horse late backstretch, but then gave ground in the last 1/8. BULLVILLE JONATHAN stayed inside and got the last check. SIX DEGREES moved out second-over, three-wide as cover faltered, bore out some early stretch and didn’t make up ground. ARRHYTHMIC SURGE dangled outside midpack before fading. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
SIXTH RACE – VINYASA tucked third at the 1/8, moved outside 11/16 to challenge ¾, took over entering the stretch, then urged to hold off MYREANNA. The latter got to the lead, yielded before the 1/4, sat in, advanced when the pocketsitter broke on the turn, came up the Pocono Pike to just miss. MISS MAYTRIX was outside, not helped by sluggish then breaking cover, had some late trot. B FLOVER stayed back early then got in gear at the 1/8, needed almost to the second turn to clear though in pedestrian fractions, just came up empty late. BUCKET HEAD never featured. LILYBET was parked 3/16 before taking over, strung a brusher that far and more before yielding for the pocket, looking to stay close when going to a break midturn and was taken wide. KOKOMO was second-over but gapping before breaking far turn. CARAMELA HANOVER was offstride at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – DAGON HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8 and challenged, went right by on the turn, finished nicely. WORTHY OF HONOR was away quickly for command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, backed out behind the winner past midturn, a clear second once RED REDEMPTION broke. The latter sat in, angled wide into the stretch, was gaining but went to a run midstretch, placed. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was away second in the lineup-minus-one, moved to the lead 3/8, challenged on the far turn and gave way. ME TOO BABY stayed in, blocked on the turn, not too much once free. TRICKY DICK went uncovered off turn two, got to second-over but gapped. ABOVE THE CLOUDS never made the main radar.
EIGHTH RACE – OHARE HANOVER got early position, moved uncovered before the half and went up blazing to the lead just past the 5/8 while covering his third quarter in 26.2, drew away. TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK was parked with cover until the 3/16, then moved on to get the lead before the 3/8, surrendered without a fight to the winner, was kept alive and had a clear advantage in second. SEND IT IN JEROME was behind decaying cover, ducked inside for the stretch and beat out a couple for third. MY BOY JACK was kept out past the 3/16 before making the lead, then inside until slipping out to track cover 11/16, wide, couldn’t make up more ground. MOHAWK SEELSTER followed the winner but couldn’t go with that one 5/8 and was left raw, dropped back. A SHORE LEGACY gapped inside. MESSIER SEELSTER was gapping by the half. OCTAVE lost contact.
NINTH RACE – COACH K HANOVER came out of third into turn two uncovered, trotted in 27.4 down the back to gain an insurmountable lead. BACKSTREET PLAYER was looped, pressed on to take over at the ¼, yielded to the winner without a fight past the 5/8, was a clear second. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE inherited third-in 5/8 but gapped. BIG BEN HANOVER was out behind struggling cover, went between horses in the lane, not that much. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP followed the winner out but was soon gapping then left uncovered, had little. ZETTE FURY left well to take over early, yielded at the ¼, broke 5/8 looking to keep up and was taken inside the pylons. UNLEASH THE TITAN broke in last.
TENTH RACE – Blanket finish with horses coming from everywhere … BIPBOPNALLIE gapped about eight lengths off the top quartet and the hot pace just past the half, urged late backstretch, found more pace on the turn, swung wide, proved the best of seven in a 29.4 last quarter. HURRIKANE EMPEROR tucked third, moved into turn two after the pacesetter rebuffed the first challenger, made the front at the half and kept up the very quick pace to the ¾, tiring but held dead game to the last steps. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was three-wide leaving, went into the early pocket, tried to quarter-move but rethought that as the winner sped up, stayed in until late on the turn, stayed in the thick of it to the line. ACTOR HANOVER took command early, refused to let the first brusher go then yielded at the half, to the Pocono Pike, a half-step shy. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE was last, came all the way up the inside with good pace (in a 29.4 last quarter) to miss less than a length. MANKAT tucked, sat in, angled out early stretch but was unsuccessful in finding a clear path. BETTOR NOT TALK was out behind dull cover far back, three-wide ¾, gained steadily as the tempo slowed. LOTTERY WINNER came out off the second turn looking to clear a gapper (who would be the winner) but never made much progress.
ELEVENTH RACE – SHIPNSTROL HANOVER quarter-moved from fourth to the lead just past the 3/8, went off to a clear lead on the turn and into the stretch, then survived the late burst of PERFECT QUEEN. The latter moved second-over, three-wide late turn, found her best kick late and was quickly narrowing in. KISSINYOUGOODBYE was fastest away, yielded to the winner for the pocket, gave a little ground the last 3/16. BETTE TINA tucked third at the 1/8, moved uncovered to the 5/8, didn’t menace but did OK. SOUTHWIND MOLLY went evenly. BETTING HANNAH went outside ¾ but couldn’t get into the main hunt. SWEET HELLO was three-wide leaving, took the early pocket just past the 1/8, stayed in, backed up in the last quarter. IN A DAZE lost contact past the half.
TWELFTH RACE – BALDAQUIN yielded and sit ready in the pocket, exploded when shown the Pocono Pike and won handily. BIG NUDGE spotted around slow starters, then was first-over at the half, went 27.3 down the back to put high heat on the leader, never had the lead but stayed very game to the wire. KATKIN MORGAN sat in, angled out before midstretch, then hit a high gear and closed strongly. SO LONG HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, slowed the half, then was under pressure not far past the 5/8, couldn’t sustain. DIVINE SPIRIT was second-over but gapped 5/8. CAVIART EMMA did not contend.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SOME KIND ANGEL made two speed moves to control the throttle, put these away for good with a 27.4 third quarter, unthreatened. BYGONE HANOVER started grinding at the half, never got close but kept on trying and took second late. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was three-wide to the first turn then went in front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, loose late backstretch, so-so late. HAZEL PARK gapped second-over, evenly. BETTER BID HANOVER had some early speed, sat in, but didn’t have much late. THE OTHERS were well off the checkgetters the second half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SPIT AND VINEGAR was three-wide early to a tuck at the 1/8, moved out behind the pocket horse on the turn then swung wide in early stretch, closed steadily to get the decision at $214.60, biggest win price of the 2021 Pocono season. FAWN DE TOUCH stayed in, gapped down the back then got tighter ¾, went all the way up to the pocket late turn and then to the Pocono Pike, briefly had the lead, just failed to hold on to it. FINLANDIA sat the pocket journey, came out late turn, just a bit shy. PAINT BY NUMBERS was in front at the 1/8, didn’t have pressure on the lead, tired. CHOCOLATE MATTERS stayed in, went evenly for the last check. WHAT A DAME had dull cover, not all that far off. QUICKEST HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field and went uncovered at the ¼, stayed midfield raw, pretty good recovery. DESTINY BLUE CHIP backed out to follow cover, wide, too far back. KISS AN ANGEL, off the gate, gapped at the ½, broke past midturn.
Oct 16, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – MEADOWBROOK FLASH was uncovered into turn two, got to retuck in the pocket past the 5/8, came out again midturn, paced gamely late to be up in the opener. DARK HORSE made two speed moves and set a pretty good pace, held the lead until very late. DARTH FADER tucked third 3/16, backed out behind the winner 5/8, left raw then got to tuck in third before the ¾, stayed along the inside and did OK. I AM GOLDEN and CALVARY HILL went inside of cover which drifted out in the backstretch, up for the last two checks. TRICK CARD never featured. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped, then was stuck behind a tired horse on the turn. REGAL HOPE made the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, started backing out of same 5/8. CODE MEISTER was directly out behind the winner’s cover, gapped off the second turn then drifted wide and fell far back.
SECOND RACE – UPTOWN LADY N was uncovered into turn two, paced 27 down the back to clear ¾, enough in reserve to withstand BRING ME DIAMONDS. The latter made the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/16, slipped out from third-in to second-over 11/16, to the pocket midturn, chased after the winner gamely while bearing out some. DELILAH DE VIE was in the outside flow, gapped it past the ¾, clear third. ARNIE’S ANGEL backed out to the two-wide tier, never got close. RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP left for forward positioning, in, shuffled then outside late turn, finished OK. GINGER TREE CAREY was outside 3/16 to secure command, had a parked foe brush by past the half, then was shuffled out of it to the ¾ and beyond. A CRAFTY LADY was outside midpack early then got in gear near the ¼, challenged for the lead and took over past the half, but was tired before the ¾. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
THIRD RACE – KAREN’S LADY was underway going into the second bend and soon got cover, three-wide late turn, ran down the leader midstretch then held off the closing OK SUNNY. The latter got away slowly, third-over, three-wide far turn slightly off the winner, finished steadily. DIVINE MOONSHINE worked up to the lead 3/16, was clear from past the ¼ until the 5/8 then got pressure, turned for home on the lead but couldn’t sustain. TSM EMILIA T sat in, shuffled a bit then out in a blindswitch headstretch, followed the path the winner took in the lane. FORTUNAPEDIA went ahead going to turn one, yielded 3/16, a bit loose in the pocket the rest of the way. AMBERS CHAMPION was not a factor here. SUNSEEKER HANOVER made a delayed early move and tucked fourth 3/16, sent up raw to the half, challenged but tired the last 1/8. TIPSY BARTENDER made a break while last at the half, did well to catch the back of the field.
FOURTH RACE – FRANKIE ROCKS A wound up in the pocket, loose most of the way to the 11/16 then narrowed in, outside headstretch and went right on by. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was the only quick lever, set the pace without much pressure, couldn’t go as much as the winner late, clear of the rest. SAULSBOOK LANNY was outside midpack early, gradually worked his way a little close while out in the air, held remarkably well. JEREMES GENERAL took back past the start and was never again prominent. PAY LATER came up the Pocono Pike for the last check. A WISH FOR WINGS never factored, CHANCELLORCULLEN N moved out third-over but didn’t get in the picture. HALF A BILLION followed the parked horse and advanced, three-wide headstretch but with little late.
FIFTH RACE – LILY GRACE left and gained command at the 1/8, had an easy time of it. MADAME LEZA A came uncovered at the 5/8, far-back second ahead of the rest. TSM ARTEMIS T followed cover and was third. MORE THAN KUTE looked to leave but took back, stayed in, shuffled badly far turn then was clear in the stretch as the fader was taken inside the pylons, not too much late. MOVE OVER SIS went around a gapper and got the last check; BEAM M W was that gapper. IDEAL IN CASH left and defended the pocket, stayed close to the ¾ then backed off, developed a problem and was taken to the infield headstretch.
SIXTH RACE – A fluctuating wind was a little more a stretch tailwind here … ANDOVERS TOUCH was between horses to the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, enough to hold off YANKEE GIRLFRIEND. The latter moved second-over before the 5/8, three-wide to headstretch, narrowed in well (though the pace was considerably slower late). WINGS OF SPEED was three-wide to the 1/8 and then in front 3/16, strung out the field to a fast half, couldn’t make his advantage stand to the wire. SWISS HONEY moved uncovered 9/16, kept up a one-gear effort to the wire. BARNEY MAC gapped third-over, then came on for the last check. O JONNIE was never close. PHANTOM RUSTY gapped inside past the 5/8. WILLIAM STAR pushed to the 1/8, yielded, seemed to be struggling to keep up the last half and eventually gapped.
SEVENTH RACE – ADRIANO HANOVER was away last, had cover second-over, three-wide ¾ and circled to two-wide midturn to the lead headstretch, drew away. SPORTSMANSHIP was the innermost of the hard leavers and yielded, inside, moved outside into a blindswitch late turn, came on between horses for second. BRINGITONHOME was wide leaving to the top then relinquished for the pocket, saw the winner get away while waiting for the Pocono Pike, just missed second. LAREDO TORPEDO N was in the middle of a gaggle of leavers, looped, proceeded up to the lead 5/16, rated the half, came under attack on the far turn, fell back. BIG MACH moved out with cover, couldn’t stay with the three-wide move of the winner, OK. TOPVILLE CRUISER offered little. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was five-wide leaving and three-wide just past the 1/8, where he took back to tuck, came raw again on the second turn, grinded, left behind in the last ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – The stretch tailwind has strengthened … MASSIVE OPULENCE moved third-over, gapped cover most of the backstretch then closer nearing the far turn, swing four-wide headstretch, still fifth midstretch but had the most late. CREWS HILLTOPPER made two speed moves, fought off a stern challenge from the first-over, held gamely to win a four-way picture for the deuce. TEDDY BROSVELT moved with good cover second-over, three-wide headstretch, steadily but outtrotted. KEYSTONE THUNDER went to early command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, fair. CLASSICALITY tucked in fourth past the 1/8, then moved again uncovered towards the half, battled the pacesetter hard, held well. MARVELOUSTRIX sat in, shuffled on the turn then out in a blindswitch, had no clear stretch path. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO left and got third at the 1/8, not much the last 3/16. KEYSTONE SERGEANT couldn’t make up ground from last.
NINTH RACE – TW LAUXMONT left and forced tucks from similarly-minded horses outside him, had the field strung out behind him much of the way, bore out badly in the 30.3 last quarter but still held it together for the win. KISS ON FIRE AS tucked third going to the first turn, didn’t move again until late on the turn, went inside the drifting winner and finished well. CHOCOTURE went out between horses and secured the pocket, urged ¾ as the winner opened distance, so-so inside late. LODI BANK ROBBER was back in a group well off the top three down the back, three-wide ¾ and finished very well. FASHION WINNER was gapping before the half. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE came out past the half but couldn’t get close. LAKEVIEW TAMMY was never in it.
TENTH RACE – WARRAWEE UBEAUT, a 2018 Breeders Crown champion here, went up to take the pocket past the 1/8, sat behind slow (for these) fractions, took to the Pocono Pike and had a 27 last quarter in her to take the victory. SHES PUKKA N dashed away to control the pace as she pleased, held off all but the inside sprinter. CRAZY CUTE had to circle a bad gapper at the half, moved out ¾ and charged home with typical determination. SWEET LUCY LOU didn’t hold the pocket past the 1/8 and gapped a little until late backstretch, then didn’t have enough sprint in the dash home. BOLT OF BEAUTY circled the gapper, then was second-over, not enough. BYE BYE FELICIA was being tapped past the ¼ with no response, had a problem and was pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – GRANT ME THIS moved out raw 9/16 but caught cover 5/8, three-wide midturn, wore down CASIE’S BELIEVER late. The latter took over early, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, came out 5/8 and challenged hard, had the lead but not the inside around the turn, just failed to get the job done. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was four-wide early, went up two-wide to 3/16 command, saw the pocketsitter pull 5/8 and had to battle that one, tired. WATCHWHATMYFEETDO stayed connected, went to the pocket to the ¾, evenly late. YES DOUBLE DOWN got the last check after never being a major factor. LITTLE SANDY TOES tried to leave but took back, gapped at several midrace points. BULLVILLEKARLA never reached; nor did ELM GROVE MADDY.
TWELFTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN backed out to follow cover into turn two, lost cover off that bend, tucked third 5/8, outside midturn and wide in the lane, along late. SCHNICKEL FRITZ yielded to sit the two-hole, outside past midturn, made the lead in the lane, tried hard but came up just short. WATKINS left and was outside just past the 1/8 to get control, rolled right along, tired before midstretch. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT joined the over flow at the half, retucked fourth late backstretch, stayed inside, not prominent. BUTTER TOFFEE never got a call. MISS VET HANOVER before just before the start, recovered and went up uncovered 3/8, but broke again at the half. ALLY WAY CAST had trouble keeping up most of the way. INVINCIBLE jumped early.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DIVISION BELL stayed fourth-in, had clearance early stretch and angled wide, exploded in the last 1/16 with sharp speed. ATTA BOY DAN was looped, got to the front at the ¼, didn’t have much pressure on the lead, just couldn’t handle the sharp closing punch of the winner. HYPNOTICDREAM was buried in behind the winner, charged in the deep Pocono Pike after that one angled outside, finished well. SI SEMALU stayed in, had room in the Pike but was outkicked. SONG CYCLE SENESE was three-wide to the 1/8 then took over, yielded to a looped foe and sat the pocket, came out headstretch but didn’t have much to offer. SETTLEMOIR was stuck behind moribund cover. APEX SEELSTER went uncovered 3/8, gained slowly to the 11/16, then stopped gaining. VAGANOVA was second-over, three-wide to the ¾ but just clogged that tier. DEERFIELD BEACH was a bit hard to put in a hole early, never factored.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NAMJE was third early then quarter-moved and rated the ½, handled fairly confidently late for a neck winner. JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead, got a looped foe to tuck, then yielded to the winner to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, gained incrementally, didn’t get there. BANZAI AS, a little off the gate, swung three-wide from third-over ¾, along for third. ARCH CREDIT was looped leaving and took the pocket 3/16, stayed in, had room inside in the stretch, so-so. ROSE RUN RUDI was shuffled, swung wide, closed with some trot. BATTING STATS was second-over, blindswitched ¾ through the turn and into the stretch, then could angle in and had some trot left. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK went uncovered towards turn two, made a bid, tired in the stretch. CELEBRITY MASERATI gapped at the back.
