Jun 12, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “The hazy day” … Warm, with a strong stretch tailwind (look at the fractions of the races) … Take the fractions of the opener as an example … NOPEWASNTME sat outside much of the first turn, went 26.3 to go to the lead 5/16 and then pushed the favorite until past the half, went to the Pocono Pike from the pocket and barely got there, big race. PACINO HANOVER moved at the ¼ and also went his second split in 26.3 making the top nearing the backstretch, just failed to hold the advantage. HURRIKANE CHUCK was right to the lead, saw two go by in a contested quarter two, outside stretch, did OK in a quick mile. VARNEY gapped most of the way to the 5/8, then got cover, three-wide around it late turn and made up good ground. TO THE HUNT sat in, evenly. DEMON BOY moved out raw 11/16 but didn’t gain. ARMED BANDIT gapped in last most of the race.
SECOND RACE – GLOBALDOMINATION N led from the first step to the last, repulsed an early bid and was clear the last 3/8 (despite each quarter being slower than the one before it, a statement ignoring the wind). ER VEGAS stayed connected, outside ¾, just along for second over SOUTHWIND DREDGE. The latter gapped a little near midrace then got in gear, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide ¾, couldn’t get closer. SELECT FRIDAY left and made the pocket at the ¼, loose of the winner most of the last half. THE NEXT TWO were not in the hunt. CHEYENNE REIJANE left, saw a horse take the pocket to the ¼ and moved into the frontstretch, tried to brush by but couldn’t, done to the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY moved raw 5/8 and kept gradually gaining, bore out in the stretch but still hauled in DEVIOUS PROMISES. The latter kept the pocket closed early and was the only one staying with the runaway leader, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch but couldn’t quite hold that advantage. BY A HOFF HANOVER was sent down the road in blazing numbers even on a speed day, got a bit tired midstretch. FAMOUS DAN stayed in until moving out in the stretch, next. WILLIE B WORTHY was between horses early, tucked third 3/16, disconnecting from the ½. SON OF LIBERTY was very wide leaving and three-wide most of the ¼, took back to tuck fifth past that station, moved out again but had no gain. FRAC offered little. NO NAME YANKEE was disconnecting before the half.
FOURTH RACE – FULL SUPPORT drifted out early then in gear to take over early in the frontstretch, under pressure down the back, appeared to have dealt with that one, then saw a bunch coming at him late despite his pacing in 27.4 (wind-aided), held on. HURRIKANE JOHNYBOY went to the lead before the first bend, yielded to the winner and stayed close, found room to go outside before midstretch, narrowed in menacingly. BULLVILLE STEPHANO came on the grind off turn two and fought with the leader, fell back some off the far turn but then redoubled his efforts and was right there. ZEUS HANOVER was second-over, three-wide nearing headstretch, steadily; SIMPLY FAST was third-over, four-wide near headstretch, steadily. DONT GET SHOCKED left, stayed in third, had to wait until past early stretch to get to the Pocono Pike, had some gain. BEACH VIBES was last but fairly close when breaking far turn.
FIFTH RACE – DIVINE SPIRIT bounced out straight to command, cut fast fractions appropriate with the wind, then blasted home in 27.4 to win all by himself. VALENTINE EXPRESS came raw from third 5/8, advanced some, couldn’t sustain any gain but stayed clear for the deuce. CRAZYCAT raced into the pocket, went loose on the far turn. SMART AS HILL took back to tuck fourth, not heard from again. SIMON GOT LUCKY came out uncovered then got cover, but then gapped it before the far turn. LOUS LIVIA was last, dropped far back.
SIXTH RACE — HOLY BEING was outside early, got in gear at the 1/8 to make the lead at the ¼, went along steadily. ALDEBARAN ACRUX moved out of third ¾ and advanced, made a break midstretch but recovered and was second; no reason for placing was found. GINA’S ON FIRE left quickly and got the lead, yielded at the ¼, pocket, not quite enough late. MISSILE stayed close to the 3/4. LONESTAR FASHION and U BAKE THE CAKE were behind a gapper early and never entered in contention; the same is true of FIGHT SONG, who broke way before the start, caught the field at the ¼, but never got close. GHIBLI started leaving a gap at the 3/8.
SEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN WHO left wide but easily crossed over to the lead before the 1/8, was clear from the half and even more clear when the “new” pocket horse broke ¾, giving ground late but way too far ahead. UNSETTLED BUSINESS was outside to the ¾ then was soon pushed wide after a foe broke, to two-wide uncovered, steadily made up stretch ground. BARNEY HANOVER left OK from the rail and was in the pocket, gapping from before the 5/8, not bothered too much by the breaker, next. THE NEXT THREE were well off the front end the last half. CRÈME DU LOU CRÈME went outside off turn two and got around the gapping pocket horse to retuck second to the ¾, but soon went offstride and to the infield.
EIGHTH RACE – NASEY left well, yielded and sat in the hole patiently, went to the Pocono Pike and got the better of JUSTLIKEHIM. The latter went up to take over 3/16, set the pace without much pressure, fought very hard to the line. DART GUY gapped much of midrace, some along the inside in the stretch. NICALO HANOVER left some, moved uncovered from third 11/16 but didn’t make serious inroads. ITS A HORSE backed off to tuck early, not heard from again. PATRICK HANOVER was never prominent. LEVITATION moved uncovered from last at the ½, broke to the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – PRAIRIE NUGGET tucked third at the 1/8, then went around a breaker 3/16 and enjoyed a pocket trip, outside headstretch and slowly wore down TO MY CREDIT. The latter went right to the front, slowed the half, grudgingly yielded late. THE NEXT THREE held their 3-4-5 positions trotting along evenly. A GREAT CHAPTER couldn’t keep up. UNCLE NINO left, took the two-hole at the 1/8 but then broke 3/16 and went inside the pylons, recovered and caught the field but broke again into turn two. DEVITO HANOVER broke past the start.
TENTH RACE – DIEHARD SEELSTER went in front at the 1/8, yielded in front of the stands for the two-hole, outside into the stretch and was moving well late to overhaul the pacesetter. SHADOWFAX moved just before the 1/8 and went a 27 second quarter with the wind to reach the top in a very fast half, strung the field out, was caught late. LADY’S IMAGE left and went to the early pocket, evenly well off the top two. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT never entered the main fight. MUSHANA gapped. TOWN VICTOR was rough both taking back early and at a couple of other points, far back. NICE STUFF made a bad break coming off the turn before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – KAY SAGE moved 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8 and kept going at a steady pace (her individual fractions were 28.1, 27.4, 28, 28) en route to an easy victory. BLAZING RAMONA made the top, got a challenger to go in behind, yielded to the winner, did well late but second-best. ON THE MONEY GB left well, got the early pocket at the 1/8, evenly in maintaining third. YOUNONOTHINJON was second-over, gapped cover late backstretch, ducked in on the turn, fair. BENICIO went her middle half in 54.3 raw in advancing a long way, had to right to fail to sustain her gain. BLANK CHEEK was in the outer flow but was not a threat. MO’S BEST ERA EVA was far back. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was gapping by the 3/8.
TWELFTH RACE – ANDOVER CONTESSA was between horses early, made the front at the ¼, could back down Q3 into the wind, still could draw off. GRAPPLE HANOVER was the innermost of three leavers, pushed to the ¼ and yielded for the pocket, no match but a clear second. MAGICAL JOURNEY moved out from midpack past mid-far turn, along for third over MISTER BOINGA. The latter was three-wide past the 1/8 then tucked in third, not too much late. KASEVILLE never factored. ALLINDOTIME backed out behind cover, took the last check. MISS MUSCLE moved uncovered 9/16 from last, almost made it to midpack before tiring ¾. GET TO THE POINTE broke going into turn two.
Jun 11, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm; stretch tailwind … JOHNNY SACK pressed on early to the lead then yielded off the first turn, stayed close in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and along nicely. CABOT BEACH was three-wide early, then two-wide to take command off the first turn, couldn’t hold on to the advantage. HESTONATOR left from the rail, wound up third-in, came between horses in tight quarters with some late pace. BET ON BUTER settled n fourth near the 1/8, broke after the ¼, went up and got into his previous hole before the second turn, then moved uncovered before the 5/8, made another challenge then fell back. BE THE CAPTAIN was second-over, wide in the lane and moving well late. MIKI DE VIE never factored.
SECOND RACE – CHAPOLIER was far back early, gained three-wide from the 5/8, veered wide late turn but got straightened away, closed best into a slowing pace. CHUCKY DE VIE made the top at the 1/8 and then hung a foe in fast fractions, stayed on to get second just on the line. CREEMORE spotted fifth, moved second-over, blindswitched then to the pocket as the pocketsitter faded, just edged for place. LOUS LANCELOT spotted, was shuffled behind the tired pocketsitter much of the far turn then out into a blindswitch, back inside and did OK. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was out behind the parked horse, blindswitched past the 5/8, never a major factor. NANCY BAR was three-wide to the 1/8, then as left out in no man’s land during fast fractions, held pretty well a long way. KEYSTONE SERGEANT couldn’t rally enough. TEDDY BROSEVELT kept the pocket closed, then steadily fell back from the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP made the lead and yielded, backed out behind the parked horse 5/8, three-wide late turn, was moving best of all as the pace slowed down. TODDLER TANTRUM left, was behind cover then uncovered before the 3/16 to the front off turn one, rebuffed the early move of the favorite while going a very fast half, couldn’t quite hold to the wire. PANTHEON HANOVER stayed in, sharply angled wide headstretch and gained as the tempo declined. ARTACHE HANOVER was behind a two-wide gapper and was three-wide from nearing the 5/8 but never really entered contention. RUNHAPPY TEN took command before the 3/16 and yielded just into the frontstretch, gapped out late turn. AWESOMENESS slid in fifth 3/16, out behind cover on turn two but gapped the last half. RIOT tried to get to the top in the frontstretch but was left out in the air in a very fast half, pressured the leader before giving way. SPORTS BOX had all kinds of dull traffic ahead of him, had little chance trying to circle up four-wide from before the ¾.
FOURTH RACE – HESPOOKSHESCORES looped rivals to the first turn to take the lead, yielded past the 3/16 for the pocket, came out headstretch and went by easily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, got to the front past the 3/16, se a slow pace, still had little in the last 1/16, did hold second. CASHIER came out ¾, wide headstretch and bore wide in the lane, narrowed in. STRONG BREW inherited third, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. FAWN DE SIGN moved outside 11/16 but never did much. STAR HOPPING broke just before the start. SWEDISH HAT left from the pole, was in the early battle for second when breaking before the 3/16 and went inside. SOUTHWIND FIREBALL broke w-a-y before the start.
FIFTH RACE – ADULT SWIM went out well to the lead, forced a tuck, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went right by. NO CIGAR TONY got an early spot, moved before the ¼ to take command, could offer little resistance late; reported back with “b.e.” DOWNBYTHEBANKS went uncovered from midpack 11/16, did OK in the fast last ¼. PARTY LOUNGE left well, took a tuck 3/16, began to fade midturn. CAVIART SABRINA gapped, never entered the picture but did get a check. ALL YOU CAN EAT was far back behind nonadvancing cover. TRULY was outside before the half, made up ground until the 11/16, where she got cover and immediately started to gap it. HALLELUJAH CHORUS gapped, then fell further behind.
SIXTH RACE – CUTIECUMBER left between horses and sat the pocket journey, outside headstretch and proved to have the most late. RAVIOLI was three-wide leaving, had the top by the 1/8, set the pace as she pleased, not enough to withstand the winner. MISS HALL sat third, not in the league of the top two late but far ahead of the others. QUEEN CAMILLE gapped at several points. EVER HOPEFUL G broke coming off the turn before the start, caught the field by the 3/8, made up some ground down the backstretch but flattened in the last 3/16. MERCURY LANE never featured. NINA HANOVER was wide early, took back but broke nearing the first curve.
SEVENTH RACE – SCOTTY DEO was four-wide early, worked to two-wide with cover to the 3/16, then left raw and went right on to get the lead 3/8, never let up on the speed while stringing this field out and won impressively. P CHICO was three-wide leaving, then two-high to 3/16 command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, well ahead of the rest. PAUC HANOVER went right to the lead, yielded 3/16, wasn’t keeping up in the 3-hole from down the backstretch, just third over OPTRIX. The latter moved out with cover, ducked in far turn when cover stalled, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. JOLLY RANCHER moved uncovered 5/8 but never threatened. FOX HOLE gapped third-over. YO CARTER never entered the picture. BATTLESHIP LANDING gapped from the 5/8, broke in the stretch.
EIGHTH RACE – APPLE VALLEY ART found enough at the 1/8 to put the first challenger in behind, then kept another challenger parked, went clear headstretch and won handily. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was third-over and steadily advanced in that wide lane, enough to take second at the wire over IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING. The latter was actually ahead of the winner early but track geometry forced him to back off to the pocket 3/16, didn’t gain the last 1/8 and lost second very late. LACHIE MAGUIRE N was out behind cover early, tucked at the ¼ but was back out behind the cover 3/8, blindswitched 5/8, backed out to follow the three-wide cover far turn, steadily. SHARKY BEAR was buried inside, out in a blindswitch past midturn, angled wide and was OK late. LENWOODS REAL DEAL had cover to the 3/16 then was stuck raw on the rim, challenged a long way, was passed by several horses but still showed good energy in the luckless trip. BLAKEMORE couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. PERKINS was behind cover but didn’t enter contention.
NINTH RACE – SILENT NIGHT turned out to be quarter-mover #2, briefly three-wide before the 3/8 then going to two-wide when making a break, reset before turn two and rushed up, took the lead ¾, was handled cautiously late when others came back on her but seemed in control very late. CHEROKEE JOY was three-wide early to the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/8, moved outside on the far turn after the lead changed hands, just nipped WAL STREET LADY for second. The latter pulled the pocket as QM#1, got the top 3/8, couldn’t not resist the winner ¾, kept on going late. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER moved out far turn, best of the others. SANTA MONICA AS went evenly. GADOT HANOVER gapped out in the last half. I CANT REFUSE broke at the start.
TENTH RACE – CERULEAN HANOVER made the lead 3/16, yielded to a brusher to the second turn and stayed tight during the backstretch duel, outside midturn, saw LOUSAIN BOLT get away upper stretch but kept digging gamely and got the decision very late. The latter came with a roar before the half and went up in 27 against the wind to go head-to-head with the leader, finally cleared that one far turn, just failed to hold the lead to the wire. FOUT left well, yielded, gave a tuck to a foe past the ¼ so he could brush to the lead before turn two, dueled with a tough rival from the 5/8, weakened a bit in the last 1/8. KID FROM THE BRONX was wide to the first turn then behind cover, raw 3/16, got a hole 5/16 to clear the way for a brusher and was under a hold in the hole 3/8, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make a comeback. CAPTAIN UP stayed in, shuffled some, wedged between horses in extremely tight quarters with pace late. LOOTABLE gapped the backstretch duel, couldn’t enter into the main battle.
ELEVENTH RACE – HAMMER CREEK strung the field out early in a lineup minus the breaker, had only MUSCLES JARED stay with him most of the last half, held off that rival. The latter stayed close in the pocket, outside late turn, bore out through the stretch but still gained. QUINCY MARKET was last of the main pack ¾, three-wide circling the rest to be clearly third. CRITICAL MASS had trouble staying close throughout, separated from the top two in the third quarter. BOASTER COASTER tried to go around a gapper down the back but could not, inside far turn, far back. CELEBRITY SERENA never got going. MATTER OF TRUST showed in front as the gate sprang then made a break a few strides into the race.
TWELFTH RACE – HES REALLY KEEN was three-deep early, in front just past the 1/8, never got much pressure after a slow second quarter, came home in 55.2. MISTER DAYTONA N was away between horses and got the two-hole, loose of the leader on the turn but preserved the deuce. ASTON HILL DAVE was third-over, three-wide 5/8, urged 11/16, got to two-wide far turn, good race. MUSICAL BOX pushed the 1/8, yielded, not enough in the last stanza. BOLTMAN was second-over behind the parked horse, blindswitched then himself tried to go up three-wide, got the final payday. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE struggled to stay tight inside, briefly blocked late far turn, but little once clear. DILLINGER was three-wide early outside of “slow tuckers” then rode uncovered midpack, advanced some off the second turn but then faded. HOOSIER SHARK was last at every call.
THIRTEENTH RACE – EXCHEQUER, benefitting from the pace, sat third-in, angled wide past early stretch and got in high enough gear quickly enough to just catch HOT SUMMER KNIGHT. The latter went to the lead at the 1/8 then yielded for the two-hole, sat right behind the protracted duel, outside late turn, went to the lead midstretch, just missed. PADRE was three-wide to the 3/16, circled a foe then got in front just before the ¼, under a lot of pressure from the foe he looped, couldn’t keep the lead. ARCHIBALD was last, four-wide late turn, in close quarters early stretch, outfinished the others. FORREST sat in and was shuffled, not too much late. SORTIE didn’t get in gear until well past the 5/8, three-wide with cover far turn, not much response. FREDDIE MAC gapped early, then moved out down the back, three-wide ¾ but with little. TUIS SHADOW stayed outside in the first turn, went up to challenge but was left two-wide raw, contested the pace until the far turn then tired.
Jun 10, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – The temperature started at 70 and fell through the card, as they usually do on these nighttime programs … Stretch headwind … IMMANUEL K S went to the lead at the 1/8, set a fast pace stringing out the field, getting a little tired late but with too big a lead to overcome. STONE MASON didn’t move outside until before the 11/16, then kept coming on solidly. MACMORRIS HANOVER defended the pocket, started going loose down the back, held for third. CHOCO CHARLIE came out behind cover but gapped it, evenly. MARION GONDOLIER was hard to settle back early, did OK. STEALING tucked third at the 1/8, not too much late. HUNTING AS was gapping before the half.
SECOND RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR spotted third, stayed in then backed out to second-over 5/8, edged wide headstretch, took a while for him to find his best kick but did so just in the nick of time to take the triumph. CAVIART VAL left, accepted the two-hole, Pocono Pike, got a brief lead in deep stretch, just missed. LAST MACH was out behind cover early, then was raw from the ¼, in gear off turn two and battled with the pacesetter the rest of the way, very big mile to be in the fight to the wire. REGAL ESCAPE headed down the road, fought with the persistent first-over, not far off at all. CENTURY IGLESIAS had dull cover, wide and best of the rest. LUZIANA never featured. PHANTOM SHADOW was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-high until squeezing in fourth at the ¼, backed out down the back but couldn’t keep up so went back in, not prominent thereafter. LATEST ATTRACTION was inside, faded badly.
THIRD RACE – The American Harness Drivers Club of amateur horsemen are back … LINDYS BOOZE CRUZ sat in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and prevailed in the driving finish. BLOGMASTER started uncovered at the 3/8, grinded up, made the lead towards midstretch, flattened slightly. WINNERESS sat in and was shuffled, OK in the deep Pike. KING CAST set all the pace, had a persistent challenger, a bit shy late. POSSESS THE STONE sat in and was shuffled to last, outside ¾, started inside towards headstretch but saw traffic and angled out wide, moving very well but too late. CAMPBELLINI was second-over from last, couldn’t quite keep up the last 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – LAZ sat in the very loose pocket, got closer past the ¾, to the Pocono Pike and reeled in STAY GROUNDED late. The latter was off to the races setting very fast fractions, opened a giant lead down the back, but couldn’t maintain his advantage all the way to the finish. SPARROW HANOVER gapped early, circled stragglers down the back to retuck fourth, then was moving with very high velocity through the stretch. MOTLEY RAY got away third, came out 5/8 but couldn’t pass the gapping pocket horse / winner, kept going OK. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was away slowly, stayed against the pylons and got the last check. VORACIOUS was two-wide with little. MIGHT BE RIGHT was three-wide to the 3/16, took back to get in fourth just past the ¼, then gapped out the last half. HURRIKANE IRONHEAD had lost contact by the 3/8.
FIFTH RACE – AHDC … WILLY WALTON hustled up to the lead 3/16, rated the half, shook off pressure, won measuring over the potential pocket rocket JIVE NINETY FIVE. The latter was away alertly to protect the pocket, stayed close, outside stretch, gained a little but didn’t really threaten. TRUMP THIS was second-over 3/8, went inside ¾, then tipped out again in the stretch, best of the rest. MASSTER BLUE was never close. FAMOUS CANTAB was behind unhelpful cover, wide, not prominent. ALL RISE sat in, backed out late backstretch, offered little. SOUTHWIND FROST went in 3/16, back uncovered 3/8 and challenged a long way, then shaken off, broke while no factor.
SIXTH RACE – DOUBLE DIPPIN was the only outside leaver, got to the top before the ¼, opened a big lead on the far turn, saw that lead shrinking as FEELING OPTIMISTIC came on but had enough clear space to remain safe. The latter was outside, was able to come through two-wide on the turn as the first-over went wide and the second-over went inside, finished strongly. POWHATAN was second-over, ducked in mid-far turn when the first-up suddenly stopped, inside stretch, fair. ACTION SHOT shot through at the start, hung the winner a while then yielded, started to gap in the pocket before the 11/16. ACCELERATE came uncovered at the half, was gaining near the 3/4 when he suddenly lost his action and drifted wide. THE REST were never prominent in this one.
SEVENTH RACE – SELENA DEO was three-wide leaving then two-wide until taking the pocket 3/16, waited, to the Pocono Pike, got the win in a not-fast race. DIVINE ZETTE moved outside ¾, was doing better late (in a 30 kicker). QUEEN OF THORNTON tucked, sat in, moved outside before midstretch and finished OK while possibly in tight quarters between horses. TAILWIND PAT set a moderate pace, not quite enough. BINGO BRAIN gapped early, then underway uncovered into turn two, went the fastest quarter of anyone in the race (28.3) going up to challenge into the wind, held OK. IN YOUR DREAMS DEO was out at the half but immediately was gapping. LIRA HANOVER jumped before the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – ANGELPEDIA left between horses to the front 3/16, got a slow half then sped up, in firm control with a :27.4 last quarter and a long stride to the wire. PERFECT PASSION sat third while slightly loose midrace, came out late turn and was clearly second. QUARANTINA relinquished for the pocket 3/8, had no more left to give late. WILD JIGGY S was caught in very early, finally cleared early backstretch, three-wide past the 5/8 but never advanced. FLARES ZIVA didn’t have too much inside. OLD MAGIC was three-wide early then took back behind cover, lost that 3/16 and was left midpack on the rim, faded the last ¼. ROSITA took back to last, then was on the move past the ¼ behind the parked horse, blindswitched, backed out behind the wide one on the turn but then broke.
NINTH RACE – THINK OF GALAXIES was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, went on two-wide and needed until the 3/8 to get the lead, had a clear advantage most of the last half and was in control to the finish. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER got to the front at the 1/8, hung the winner to the 3/8 then yielded, loose in the pocket most of the last half, found her best strides late. EMMY LOU HAYES pushed early and yielded, stayed third-in, inside stretch and wasn’t too far away at the wire. BULLVILLEKARLA sat in and went evenly. BETTE TINA was uncovered at the 3/8, couldn’t quite reach the top three but held her ground decently after a hard trip. TARGARYEN EMPRESS was inside and not a factor; TRAFFIC JAM was outside and not a factor.
TENTH RACE – BOND, a 3YO trotting filly in her first start of the year, cleared to the lead from PP8 before the first turn, got her own pace, then was lightly-asked towards midstretch and came home in :26.4 in a commanding performance. RAILEE SOMETHING was in high gear early and secured the pocket, moved outside midturn as a foe came up to give herself options, gained late on the turn, then held courageously while trotting her own last quarter in 26.4, great effort. BELLA MACCHIATO maintained her position behind the top two, decisioned HEAVEN HANOVER for third. The latter moved out 11/16 and gained well, got cover from the place horse just past midturn, just edged for third. OVER BOARD stayed in and got the last check. TIPSY MONI moved out with cover but couldn’t go enough. HEART ON FIRE was outleft and took back all the way to last, not heard from thereafter. BABY TAKE A VOW was caught inside on the far turn, made a break headstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – WESTBEACH wound up with a perfect pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike and caught REACHTHRUTHESKY AS late. The latter took over the racetrack in a fast opener, got a second quarter breather, then tacked on two 27.4 quarters but was caught by the pocket rocket. SIRI BLUE CHIP sat third, under a hold past the 3/8, moved out past the 5/8 and gained on the far turn, just a bit shy of the top two late in a good showing. DANCE CLUB was briefly third-over late backstretch but ducked back in, OK. ABBY ROSE was second-over, moved out 11/16 and kicked out the plugs but couldn’t keep up. RIGHTFULLY MINE took back to last, disconnected in the last ¼.
TWELFTH RACE – FASHION ANNIE moved at the ¼, got cover then proceeded on uncovered to the top early on turn two, was not to be denied here. SWEET ON HER was off of three early contenders while out with cover, lost the cover past the 1/8 and went on to the front 5/16, saw two go by in rapid succession, vacated third ¾ as the pocketsitter started to give way, very good after a hard trip. YES PLEASE came uncovered from midpack before the 5/8, got cover to the ¾ but gapped it on the turn, was doing a bit better once straightened away. PIANO BAR got forward position, stayed in past the 5/8 and was shuffled far turn, forced to wait in the Pocono Pike, fair. PEMBROKE MONI was far back behind not-great cover, wide stretch and OK. LADY LITA also was shuffled far turn, switched directions a couple of times in the last 1/8 trying to gain clearance, OK. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was never prominent. PORTULACA, three-wide to turn one, got to the lead, yielded, moved off turn one in front of the winner to get the top back, yielded early second turn, nothing left for the last quarter.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE had the pocket early, moved to get the top of the first turn then yielded 3/8 to sit the pocket, outside early stretch and outpaced THE WALL late. The latter was looped and spotted, then was the last one to the top 3/8, OK but couldn’t hold back the winner. TREVOR ONE had moribund cover, swung three-wide before the ¾ and circled up well to two-wide midturn, next in line. KATIES BET was stuck behind a tired one on the turn, but didn’t gain much once reaching the Pocono Pike. SOMBODYITREASURE was quickly on top, saw two go by in quarter two, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. PERFECT BET had dull cover, was blindswitched, never prominent. CLOSING STATEMENT moved uncovered towards turn two, had very little to offer the last 7/16.
Jun 8, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm; stretch tailwind to start but it calmed down early … CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was the innermost of three leavers, forced the middle one to tuck then let the outside one go off the first turn, sat the pocket, outside stretch and right by. SOUTHPORT BEACH had an excess of cover, had to come five-wide headstretch and closed very strongly to get second in a photo. LADYFORD DOLLAR GB showed no spark along the inside until the stretch, then gained some in the Pocono Pike but still was edged for second. ARTIFACT HANOVER had to go four-wide nearing the stretch from third-over, OK. WON LAST FEELING came uncovered off turn two then got cover 5/8, three-wide late turn, outkicked. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was three-wide leaving, pressed on two-wide to take over just past a 26.1 opener, kept up a good clip on the lead, little left late. YUPPER was badly shuffled behind a far turn gapper, had to weave for clearance, finished with pace. THANOS left between horses, tucked in, back out raw 5/8, folded in the lane.
SECOND RACE – CONTROL HEAVEN took control from the pole, parked a rival from the 3/8 to the ¾, then just drew away from everybody. BULLVILLE FRANK was wide early, raced into the 3-hole 3/16 but didn’t stay there long as out and moving again at the ¼ but given the cold shoulder, left behind as the winner powered off in the last ¼ but persevered very gamely. A STUD NAMED SAM was second-over, wide early stretch and won a photo for third over ADAM CROCKER A. The latter left and rode in the two-hole, urged before the ¾ but couldn’t stay with the winner, tired some. CALYPSO ROCK N stayed inside, so-so. MCNEIL Z TAM gapped 5/8 and never got close. LUC ROCKS gapped in last much of the way. GOOD DEAL moved third-over early second turn, didn’t keep with the backstretch flow.
THIRD RACE – LEXUS RANGER left, yielded 3/16, moved 5/16 to regain 3/8, had a long, hard fight with FRANK THE ELDER but held that one off gamely. The latter was also game, moving uncovered before the 5/8 and dueling hard with the winner the last ¼, just shy. CANTSTOP YANKEE was three-wide to the 1/8, to the lead 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, close but not quite. AP HALL OF TRIX stayed in, OK+ in the deep Pike. HEART MATTERS stayed connected throughout (though looking all-out to do so) until the late going. BULLY BOY HILL left between horses, was looking to tuck third when galloping 1/8. HAND DOVER DAN was a little off the gate, broke nearing the 1/8.
FOURTH RACE – SIMPLE KINDA MAN was three-wide leaving and got the lead at the 1/8, didn’t have much pressure cutting the pace until ROLLINWITHAMBITION came to him late, held him off. The latter left well and preserved the pocket, stayed behind the winner until almost midstretch, then edged out but couldn’t quite reach, still a good race for the 25-1 shot. A BETTOR BEACH backed out at the half behind stagnant cover, three-wide at the ¾, along for third over GONNAHAVEONEMORE. The latter was urged early, went into the three-hole, came out uncovered past the 5/8, held evenly. COWBOY COOL pulled into the lower turn but had too many two-wide in front of him so ducked back in, never close. BLOW A CLOUD N spotted midpack past the 1/8, gapped the last ¼, came back with “b.e.” FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was uncovered on turn two but didn’t advance, got cover 5/8 but soon gapped it..
FIFTH RACE – CODE CRACKER was out most of the quarter for the front, kept a challenger parked, then was in firm control the last ¼. FRISKIE ALL NITE was buried inside, swung out nearing headstretch and wider early stretch, closed well to take second. HORSE was fastest away, yielded near the ¼ and stayed tight in the pocket until the ¾. SHVAIKO stayed inside, couldn’t quite make second. BENJI’S BEST was four-wide early and three-deep to the 1/8, in fifth at the ¼, back out behind the parked horse to turn two, three-wide 5/8 to uncovered two-wide midturn, had a reason to be tired late considering all the ground he had to cover. AFLAME HANOVER moved out in a non-flow and went back in, not prominent. URBAN RENEWAL was outside but gapped. PARMESAN N was wide early, had cover to the ¼ then left raw, couldn’t clear, backed up from before the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – BEE TWO BEE moved out 3/8, was rightlined three-wide at the half and got to first-over early backstretch, gradually speedgrinded up to the rampaging leader, took over headstretch and drew clear in a big race. MR PROFETA sat in until the far turn, swung wide and did well to be best of the rest – the third straight race where a fancied horse won and a big longshot was second. KASHED UP A sped away then yielded for the two-hole, stayed close then backed out behind the winner midturn, did well. DIRT ON MY BOOTS moved up late turn and swung very wide, closed in. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A (that’s hard to spell) was last, blocked through the stretch. TERRY A HANOVER closed a hole 3/16, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. CIGAR SMOKING TONY made the lead past the 1/8 and continued to put up eyepopping fractions, was challenged far turn and paid the price for the fast pace late. STONEBRIDGE KARIS was three-wide early, then was doomed to the long raw route, faded.
SEVENTH RACE – DEWEY ARNOLD shot right out to the front, yielded but then quarter-moved, set the pace, had to be very game to just hold off the inside move of KENZIESKY HANOVER. The latter was three-wide early, proceeded up two-wide to 3/16 command, yielded for the pocket and stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike, tough race to lose. SPEED AWAY left a gap in third most of the way to the ¾, moved out on the turn, raced well an acre ahead of the rest. BLENHEIM and DAGON HANOVER just could not keep up. EUROBOND moved out at the half but jumped it off early backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – A FEARSOME HANOVER was far back early while gapping, moved out while still gapping a fairly-quick pace 5/8, in gear three-wide to circle a dull two-wider ¾, back to three-wide headstretch, had the most late. DEALT A WINNER was wide early, settled fourth 3/16, uncovered at the half and made a sharp move down the back to fight the leader, couldn’t stall the closing winner but hung in there tough to take the photo for second. PLAY THE FIELD went to the front at the 1/8 and rolled along, got pressure from the place horse from past the 5/8 and side-by-side with him most of the last quarter, just edged for the deuce. TERRITORY yielded and sat the pocket, Pocono Pike, step-and-a-half shy. MARINER SEELSTER stayed in, to the deep Pike, fair. GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE sat in, outside headstretch but not much to offer. MIDNIGHT DAY sat in then backed outside but didn’t gain.
NINTH RACE – DELICIOUSSTONE DK went on top 3/16, set a good pace, was able to rebuff the late move of COLLEGE TUITION. The latter yielded to sit the pocket, gapped a bit towards midturn, then gradually narrowed in to take a good second. ZETTE FLAME sat third the whole way. ARCHERY SEELSTER stayed in, Pocono Pike, almost third. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES followed what turned out to be not-so-good cover, wide late turn, made up ground late. SOUTHWIND ARTURO was uncovered off the second turn, subpar today. SNOWMAN HANOVER was off the gate and lost contact in the last half.
TENTH RACE – Stretch tailwind picking up again … BETTORS DONTTELL was wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, uncovered off the second turn and went up in 26.4 down the back although not reaching the leader until almost headstretch, continued on to a very big victory. PAT MCGARRY A was third-over, not wide off cover until early stretch, finally found his best strides late and decisioned CASUAL COOL for place. The latter went to the top then saw two go by in short order, inside, came out on the turn then ducked in for stretch clearance, may’ve lost second to a horse with momentum. HEZA KINGSLAYER A was second-over, not quite enough. LUCKBEWITHALEX tucked third, came out at the ¼ to get the lead and set very speedy fractions, still ahead late turn, but tired. SPORT SECRET had little chance after being buried inside. ROCKAPELO left, moved 3/16 to get the lead then in turn yielded, went loose ¾. BRANQUINHO lost contact at the back in the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – TUGGIN ON MY HEART darted right out to the lead, yielded and sat contently in the two-hole, then responded when shown the Pocono Pike and took a good victory. I’M BENICIO A tucked, moved outside 11/16 to challenge, battled courageously to the wire. PARK OFFICIAL was looped early, settled fourth towards the ¼, sat in, edged out before midstretch and was gaining at the finish. VOYAGER moved 3/16 in front of a parked horse and took over the top, set the pace, couldn’t sustain to the wire. MODERN ROCK gapped second-over, came on a little late. MAKE SOME WAVES was way back early, followed cover, fair late. THE OTHER PAIR did not feature.
TWELFTH RACE – YANKS DUGOUT was looped, raced up to the two-hole to the 3/16, a bit loose of the leader on the turn, outside early stretch and surged just enough to be the last winner of “Allard/Burke Day.” SPECIAL PROSECUTOR left very sharply, rated the half, opened up a little on the turn, just nabbed in the shadow of the wire. BRECKENRIDGE backed out to third-over 11/16, three-wide ¾, circled a gapper and went back to two-wide midturn, wide again in the lane and win a three-horse picture for third. SHARE THE WEALTH stayed third-inside, evenly. SEVENTIER was slightly off the gate, moved uncovered on turn two, advanced in quarter three but couldn’t sustain the advance. KINDA LUCKY LINDY was second-over, gapped before the ¾ and went back to the pylons. SAY YOU DO broke off the second bend.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ELWELL was three-wide to the first turn, got the lead 3/16, didn’t really have pressure, was kept after to keep SHORE OF HIMSELF safe in the 55.1 back half. The latter went to command early, yielded for the two-hole and stayed plugged-in, came up the Pocono Pike and good but had to settle for second. INDIGO ART sat third-in, couldn’t keep up ¾. THE DARK SHADOW was second-over 3/8, didn’t tip wide from behind declining cover until late on the turn, came on some. ODDS ON DELRAY came out raw from second-last 3/8 and made a god midrace move, but he couldn’t sustain it. ROUGH ODDS gapped before the 5/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HAZEVILLE left, yielded, regained, accelerated to meet the stiff backstretch challenge of the first-over as those two separated from the field, drew off by himself late. SPORTY M THREE was three-wide early, looped and took back to fourth, came uncovered and went head-to-head with the winner while going his own third split in 26.1, couldn’t clear, went in behind the winner headstretch, held second in a good outing. BUILDING BOOST was third-over, behind gapping cover down the back, four-wide headstretch and was finishing strongly. DRAGONONTHEBEACH left, took back to tuck, stuck behind a gapping horse from the backstretch around the turn, found room between horses before midstretch, OK late. OUTWIT OUTRUN was outpaced as second-over in the fast third quarter, closer on the turn then three-wide, fair. ERINWOOD YVES was near the back, had stretch clearance but didn’t gain. OAKWOOD VEGAS IR was four-wide but cleared other leaving rivals, yielded to the winner, started to go loose before the 5/8. LOUKES PERRY, a bit off the gate, trailed.
Jun 4, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s to low 80s as summer approaches … DIEHARD SEELSTER yielded for a pocket trip, came out late turn and went by with ease. NICALO HANOVER sat fourth-in, benefitted when the two-in and three-in moved out for the stretch, steadily. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was in front just past the 1/8, set the pace under no pressure, but gave way. ITS A HORSE slotted third at the 1/8, outside stretch but only so-so. NICE STUFF did not have great cover, three-wide midturn, not on the main radar. CAN’T SAY NO was put underway 3/8 but never reached the leader before retreating far turn. WARRIOR WAY didn’t make his presence felt. ARGENTO broke past the start.
SECOND RACE – TASTE OF HONEY was looped, worked to take control at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out behind the first-over late turn, wide and defeated the second-half battlers. ZEUS HANOVER quarter-moved and put up crisp fractions while fighting the first-over from past the 5/8, held well. NOPEWASNTME came out uncovered at the half, went his third split in 27 to throw high heat at the leader, held solidly. DONT GET SHOCKED left better than anybody, saw horses go past early, stayed in, moved out a path stretch but couldn’t do that much. VARNEY was last, moved out, tried to circle a sluggish foe ¾ but made no meaningful progress. BEACH VIBES got cover at the half but gapped it. ALADDIN HANOVER never entered the main picture.
THIRD RACE – PARK STREET BLUES was looped and tucked third 3/16, moved 5/16 to take the lead past the 3/8, went on at a good clip without pressure, just enough. CAPTAIN WHO was three-wide before the first turn and continued on to take the lead, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside headstretch, with the 22-1 shot giving the 4-5 winner all he wanted late. PAULS BANDIT moved out midturn, stayed behind the pulling pocketsitter until midstretch, found best strides a little too late. BARNEY HANOVER was first on top, saw two go by, inside, evenly. GOFORBROKE YANKEE never surfaced. HUNGRY TO SUCCEED stayed outside early, was moving up late first turn when breaking, tried to recover but could not.
FOURTH RACE – KASEVILLE was three-high to the 1/8 and on the lead thereafter, rated quarter two, looked to being handled confidently late. FREDDIE MAC yielded and stalked in the two-hole, outside for the drive, enough for a DH2 with CHING CHING LUCKY. The latter was shuffled to last, three-wide ¾ and made a solid move on the turn, kept coming from well out of it to earn the tie for second. TRUMP THIS left between horses, tucked third, had his shot up the Pocono Pike but just a bit below the top three here. EXCHEQUER went uncovered 3/8, one-geared up in quarter three but couldn’t sustain the gain. SUM FOR ALL was never prominent. TRUEMASS VOLO was second-over, blindswitched ¾ just as he started to fade.
FIFTH RACE – KARABOUDJAN was between horses to the lead 3/16, slowed quarter two then picked up the pace, clear from before the ¾. SMOOTH LANDING left, got an inside spot that turned out to be the pocket after a breaker, did her best to stay close and did a pretty good job of that until the stretch, clearly second. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT showed some early speed, inside, next. PUB HOPPING stayed flat. SEMINOLE MOON sat fourth-in until the stretch, broke looking for more midstretch, placed for LOB. QUEBEC HANOVER was briefly four-deep then three-wide 3/16, had just gotten to two-wide when making a break late first turn, caught back and went up in the slow second quarter, nothing left in the last stanza. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY didn’t offer much here.
SIXTH RACE – SOUTHWIND DREDGE spotted midpack early, started to grind before the half, kept advancing and took the lead early stretch, gamely to withstand PERKINS. The latter got a golden trip second-over, went wide in the lane and narrowed in but couldn’t quite get there. ER VEGAS defended the early pocket, to the Pocono Pike, had pace, just came up shy. AIN’T IT FUN circled a backstretch gapper, moved out midturn, came between horses in the lane, gained, may’ve been shut off at the wire. ROYHILL left, took a 3-tuck, stayed in, to the deep Pike, couldn’t get into the main late battle. PLAY THE ACE gapped at a couple of points. CAVIART SAGE set the pace, had the winner come to him going into the far turn, was tired coming out of that bend.
SEVENTH RACE – PURE HOPE S was limbed most of the quarter getting the lead, had no problem after that and drew away. MISSILE got the early lead, yielded towards the ¼, kept close in the pocket until past mid-far turn, way ahead of the rest. WEATHER VANES tucked third, gapped most of the last ¼, preserved third. RUFFLES N LACES didn’t offer much. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was off the gate then broke at the start but quickly caught, went raw down the back but never got close, then fell further back. UFTON ABBY HANOVER didn’t offer much. TALKIN’ BOUT YOU was uncovered 3/8, was taking the second turn badly then broke at the half.
EIGHTH RACE – ONE HUNDRED POOF refused an early hole and took over 3/8, strung out the field to the ¾, then went about three-wide into the far turn, restraightened, then was immeasurably aided when the pocket horse broke and took out much of the field, all alone in a speedy if adventurous win. PRAIRIE NUGGET moved outside 11/16, was alongside the breaking horse past the ¾ and was not affected, held for second. DEVITO HANOVER followed the cover of the place horse, pushed a bit wide on the far turn, showed some recovery late. TACTICAL FLAME was bothered in the outer flow. RFL’S JASPER went to the lead at the 1/8, pushed the winner to the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, broke past the ¾ causing trouble, went to the infield, placed. TO MY CREDIT was rough and slinky-like coming out of the turn before the start, last, checked when the trouble started and then made an ‘ix.” TOMMY BOY HANOVER was right behind the breaker, suffered an “ix” and also went to the infield.
NINTH RACE – BULLVILLE STEPHANO gapped the torrid pace early then got closer, stayed in far turn, found room between horses and finished well in a “flukish” 1:49 mile given the wild pace. THAT DOG WILL HUNT was three-wide to the 1/8, got the pocket at the ¼, stayed very close to the outrageous pace, Pocono Pike, made a short brief lead midstretch but likely was bottomed chasing the big numbers. SIMPLY FAST was bothered early, came out raw from way back 11/16, finished sharply. THORN TOAD was out on mission with 26.1, 53.3, 1:20.4 in “nw2,” couldn’t sustain to the line. FOUT yielded, gave the pocket at the ¼, moved out ¾, went evenly. TRAIN STATION was bothered early, never in it. ESTEEM was gaping before the half. SOUTHWIND SAMBUCCA had his air shut off before the ¼, went to the infield, was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – DART GUY went uncovered past the 3/8, grinded up and sailed by on the turn, nice victory. CRAZYCAT was out between horses to the lead, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, slipped outside as the winner went by the pacesetter, left uncovered far turn, chased the winner home steadily. SIMON GOT LUCKY was behind the winner but gapped slightly letting the place horse get out, three-wide midturn, steadily. SMART AS HILL was well back in the flow, between horses in the stretch, OK. DIVINE SPIRIT was last-over, widest and gained some late. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT tucked third, caught behind the tiring pacesetter through the turn, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t build any momentum. TRUMAN JR HANOVER stayed in, gapped down the back. TOWN VICTOR was three-wide early to the lead 3/16, nothing left in the last panel.
ELEVENTH RACE – UTOPIA BLUE CHIP was looped early, went up behind a pocketpuller and then by that one to the 3/8, fought off a challenger and was clear after the midstretch incident. SALDANA HANOVER moved at the half and pressured the leader, a clear second (but there was trouble behind). BIRDIE THREE went to command past the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, inside, bothered when the horse fell midstretch. LADY’S CHOICE K also kept to the inside, checked sharply with the midstretch trouble. MY SWEET KATE broke at the ¼ wiping out a rival, recovered and went up to challenge while staying out in the three-path, remained three-wide the rest of the way and was close to midturn, then faded, placed for the early incident. SWEET GADGETS was grabbed into hard to avoid a ¼ breaker, lost contact down the back, then had to avoid another problem near the end. SUMMER DREAMS was outside down the back, gapped and was blindswitched, then couldn’t avoid the fallen horse midstretch and ran loose afterwards. LURKINGNTHESHADOWS yielded, moved 3/16 to retake then yielded again, pocket, to the Pocono Pike and looked to be in a good spot to be second when suddenly falling midstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – EMIRA MIL IT took the pocket, moved 5/8 and was right by 3/4, drew off at will. SAINT TRIXIE took control from the pole, rated the half, couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, did last for second. U BAKE THE CAKE stayed in, gapped 11/16, evenly in the Pocono Pike. GINA’S ON FIRE stayed close to the top two in third until coming out headstretch, but had very little to give. LOUS LANCELOT was never in it. FIGHT SONG went off-key the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – KAY SAGE yielded early for the pocket, was taken to the Pocono Pike and responded immediately to overhaul BLAZING RAMONA. The latter was in front quickly, withstood pressure from the favorite to her right, but then couldn’t beat out the foe to her left. BENICIO moved out past the 5/8 and quickly moved up to press the leader, couldn’t quite sustain that move to the wire. TIME TO ROAR tucked third going to turn one, sat inside, evenly. THE NEXT TWO gapped at the back down the back. REGGAE HANOVER moved second-over but couldn’t stay with cover, then ran midturn.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JOEY came just before the ¼ after the early dustup was resolving itself, moved to the front past the 3/8, looked to be well in control. ANDOVER CONTESSA moved from last into turn two and got cover before the half, went up behind that two-wide one, three-wide midturn, finished well. HALL IT OFF was the innermost of three early battlers, yielded, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, enough for show. MISS MUSCLE was between horses to the 3/16 until tucking third, back out raw before the half, gained, held well after a hard trp. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was three-wide 3/16 then moved on to the lead, yielded past the 3/8 for the pocket, had little punch in the stretch. SWIZZLE HANOVER moved outside but gapped. WHAT THAT IS never was prominent.
Jun 4, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Summer is coming … MARION GONDOLIER was underway before the ¼ and went right to the lead, rated the half, was challenged down the back, retained control to the wire. AP HALL OF TRIX raced up to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose n the turn, but then better in the Pocono Pike late while well ahead of the others. TUIS SHADOW left, made the lead, yielded, came out raw early backstretch and challenged the leader from past the 5/8 around the turn, tired but preserved third in a three-horse picture. STEEL SCHOONER gapped inside, evenly late. CREEMORE was second-over but not tight on cover. KINGPIN HANOVER retucked around the gapping TRICKY DICK; neither factored, with the latter offstride in the lane.
SECOND RACE – LACHIE MAGUIRE N was second-over but gapped his cover from early backstretch to headstretch, tipped wide and gradually worked his way to the front. ASTON HILL DAVE was on the grind from early on the clubhouse bend, challenged hard, held stubbornly. APPLE VALLEY ART left, settled in the two-hole just past the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, came up just shy. MUSICAL BOX sat in, angled wide early stretch and gained late. BLAKEMORE went out in 26.4 to establish the lead, slowed the half then had to pick it up with a tough challenger pestering, tired. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS couldn’t do much from third-over.
THIRD RACE – BAR KEEP DE VIE went to the point before the 3/16, had a slow middle half, drew away. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was wide early and took back, pulled out before the ¾ and went three-wide midturn, came a long long way to just get second at the wire in a good showing. SWEDISH HAT left and sat the pocket, just missed holding second. THE NEXT TWO raced inside and made no moves. STRONG BREW pulled out before the 5/8 but didn’t offer too much. UNCLE NINO broke an 1/8 before the start, recovered enough to be a couple of lengths off the main pack, but broke again headstretch. FAWN DE SIGN miscued not long past the start.
FOURTH RACE – SWANKY HANOVER (with one “Matt” driving for another) was three-wide 3/16 and went on to get the lead at the ¼, rated the half, then drew clear for the last half. CHEROKEE JOY moved out third-over, ducked inside far turn and gained, used the Pocono Pike and won a three-way photo for second. GADOT HANOVER left between horses to get the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep tight the second half and was edged for second. PERFECT PASSION gapped second-over, three-wide late turn, also in the place photo. SANTA MONICA AS was uncovered from early backstretch but never got close. RHIANNON HANOVER was behind a breaker before the 3/8, never got into the race. DIGNITY HANOVER gapped the gapping pocket horse. ALDEBARAN BURST was inside near the rear when lapsing from gait before the 3/8.
FIFTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM left, yielded past the 5/16, retook command, had hard pressure from the first-over, tiring a bit late but courageously went on. RUNHAPPY TEN gapped second-over much of the backstretch then tightened, three-wide midturn, gaining in the lane. BRIGADOON sat in, came up the Pocono Pike and wasn’t too far off. KIMANI N was last, angled four-wide in the lane, couldn’t get there. MICHAEL’S MONSTER left and tucked, gapped in quarter two then got in gear and made a stiff first-up move, held OK. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide past the 1/8, in front 5/16, yielded for the pocket, struggled to stay close from before the ¾. SKYWAY BILLY had little third-over.
SIXTH RACE – WALL STREET LADY got early position, moved out at the ¼, went after the new leader 5/16 and cleared 3/8, head-to-head with RAVIOLI from the 11/16 around the turn, proved the better than his foe. The latter moved uncovered 9/16 and was fighting hard with the winner from the 11/16, not quite enough but a big race nonetheless. BINGO BRAIN raced second-over but gapped cover, next in line. EVER HOPEFUL K made the front at the 1/8, yielded, trapped in on the far turn, angled wide and had some finishing trot. KT DOUBLE DEUCE was wide early, up to challenge and cleared 5/16, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close to mid-far turn. QUEEN CAMILLE was well off the gate and never factored. LIRA HANOVER was gapping by the half. PRINCESS CAITLYN miscued past the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – BRAVO ANGEL S was wide early and made the front 3/16, saw two go by and sat third, gapped a bit far turn, to the Pocono Pike, then quickly found much better steps midstretch and finished strongly to get the decision. MIRASOL S was content to ride outside with cover to the quarter, then left raw and onward to command 3/8, rated the half, trotted well to the line but just got beat by a horse with a huge late burst. OVER BOARD was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside to headstretch, stayed in the major battle to the line. KNICKKNACK HANOVER went raw before the 5/8 but never contended. I CANT REFUSE got the last check after an inside trip. BELLAS TITAN lost contact in the last half. BT BABE had edged out before the half but broke early on the backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – Note: MIKI DE VIE had a severe equipment problem nearing the ¼ and was taken to the outside fence, lost the driver, and galloped until corralled by the marshal; the other drivers were aware of the trouble happening well outside them, but the conduct of the race was not affected … CERULEAN HANOVER blasted off to the top, yielded, was loose in the pocket from early backstretch until the final turn, where he drew nearer, then paced right on by late. BET ON BUTER drifted out then went up to take over, went a big third quarter to gain a big lead, but couldn’t make the lead stand up. HESTONATOR stayed inside, finished well. CABOT BEACH failed to keep up the last half. FENDI HANOVER and TRIFECTA HANOVER were gapping by the half. RUSTY BEACH lost contact down the back. MIKI DE VIE had the difficulties described above.
NINTH RACE – SWEET CHEYENNE came out 5/8, did not have lively cover, three-wide before headstretch and finished very briskly to get up in the late steps over LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK. The latter looped everybody out of the gate, saw two go by, came out to challenge 11/16 as part of a front duo that drew away on the turn, took over midstretch but outkicked late. UTE BLUE CHIP pulled from midpack near the ¼, had cover then went up raw to clear nearing turn two, set the pace, came under pressure, tired but held third. EVERDEEN came uncovered before the half but never gained too much as one-paced. ADULT SWIM was looped early and between horses, got into the early pocket 3/16, in, blocked before midstretch in tight quarters, seemed to have some pace. TRULY moved out down the back then went back in, not a late factor. ESPERANZA HANOVER was looped and three-wide to the 3/16, pressed on two-high to 5/16 command, yielded, gapped from near the ¾. ILUVLOUCY was always at the back.
TENTH RACE – HOLY BEING was extremely wide leaving, three-wide to the 1/8, refused a 3-tuck 3/16 and worked up to the lead 5/16, got a relatively modest (58.4) middle half, retained control to the wire. QUARANTINA circled wide early, two-wide to the lead past the 1/8, yielded 5/16, stayed connected in the pocket, neither gained nor lost ground late. OLD MAGIC got a good forward spot from the rail, outside in the stretch, evenly. LONESTAR FASHION was no factor after racing inside. DEVIOUS PROMISES advanced second-over, then had to go three-wide as his cover broke just past the ¾, not a factor thereafter. THE NEXT PAIR were near the back throughout. UNRESOLVED DEBT started uncovered 9/16 and made steady progress down the back, but then jumped just past the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING left sharply to quickly make the lead, yielded off turn one for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike then had enough to catch RIOT. The latter went up into a 3-tuck into the first turn, moved raw 9/16 and grinded up to challenge, took a short lead early stretch but drifted while perhaps a bit rough and could not sustain the lead to the finish. SPORTSMANSHIP left defending the pocket then moved before the ¼ to take over the lead, set the pace with the pressure of the place horse, tired bit by bit the last 1/8. HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON had good cover but gapped it on the turn. WHAT’S GOIN ON never entered the picture. TIDAL SHARK trailed.
TWELFTH RACE – OPTRIX gapped third much of the way in a strung-out field, moved outside late turn, went by after the leader broke and got the job done at 50-1, throwing the gimmick bets into carryover situations. JOLLY RANCHER stayed errorless and gained some late to be a clear second. KNIGHTS GUARD had an open length lead from the 1/8 to late backstretch, then tired. FOX HOLE gapped. P CHICO wasn’t tight in the pocket until late backstretch, challenged, went by on the turn but broke straightening for home. THE NEXT TWO were far far back throughout. SHARP CURVE was away third, made a break 3/16.
