May 16, 2023 | General News, Shopping
New program, powered by eGIFTIFY, allows guests to order
and send digital gift cards
WILKES – BARRE, PA (May 16, 2023) – Mohegan Pennsylvania has launched an Enhanced Gift Card Program, powered by eGIFTIFY. Through this program, guests will be able to order and send customizable digital and traditional gift cards that can be used for shopping, dining, entertainment, the hotel at Mohegan Pennsylvania and the spa.
“We are very excited about this partnership with eGIFTIFY, and to be the first gaming destination in Northeast Pennsylvania to offer digital gift cards to our guests,” said Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania. “This innovative way of sending gift cards to friends and family is not only convenient, but it’s timely and secure.”
Digital gift cards can be purchased directly at moheganpa.com/giftcards and can be sent to recipients via email, SMS, Facebook or by printing a copy of the order. Traditional gift cards are also available for purchase via the Enhanced Gift Card Program and can be shipped to recipients. Gift cards cannot be used towards gaming and cannot be purchased with Momentum Dollars.
ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, 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 Pennsylvania features a 287-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania 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 MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
# # #
May 14, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Upper 60s; stretch tailwind … TIPSY MONI stayed tight on cover second-over, three-wide midturn to two-wide approaching headstretch, got the best of a three-horse battle. PORTOFINO was four-wide early and three-wide to the 3/16, then onward to the top just past the 5/16, set the pace, dealt with the first-over, outtrotted late but stayed game to retain second. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA made a slightly-delayed burst between horses to take over before the ¼, yielded, slightly loose down the back, to the Pocono Pike, lost second in a close photo. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC was inside, gapped down the back, gained on the turn then had to wait for the Pocono Pike, distant best of the rest. THE BLACK ACE left but then took back to tuck, moved third-over and wide behind the winner but couldn’t keep pace. GUCCI GIRL pushed the early proceedings, stayed in, no late factor. UFTON ABBY HANOVER made a good uncovered challenge in the third quarter before giving way. MATTER OF TRUST was at the rear.
SECOND RACE –BUILDING BOOST was third-over, went four-wide to the 11/16 to circle foes and got to two-wide covered on the turn, wide and wore down ERINWOOD YVES in the closing stages. The latter left well inside foes and wound up in the pocket, outside ¾ to take over turning for home, almost lasted to the wire. FULL SUPPORT was very wide to the first turn, out to the ¼ and went on at a good clip, not quite the equal of the top two but still good considering the total energy used. DONT GET SHOCKED was between horses early and tucked, to the pocket ¾, not quite enough late. ZEUS HANOVER was far back, wide to circle snarled traffic and got a check. MARVELOCITY offered little inside. PINK FLOYD HANOVER was second-over, three-wide 5/8 to get around a stalled foe but didn’t gain much. CROSS WATCHING was wide early, took back to tuck past the 1/8, outside again early on turn two but didn’t have much to give.
THIRD RACE – NASEY, with trotting hopples, was out three-high most of the ¼, took the front 5/16, went clear early backstretch and stayed clear until deep stretch. TRUMAN JR HANOVER was between horses most of the ¼ for the lead, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket much of the second half but came on a bit at the end. ARGENTO launched an uncovered bid from seventh 3/8, put in a very good one-geared effort. DART GUY was caught inside, so-so late. DAZZLNDASH HANOVER escaped the inside far turn, so-so. NICE STUFF pushed most of the ¼, had trouble keeping tight the last ½. SPREE had the dull cover of LUCKY MATTER, who tried to follow the show horse but gapped from past the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – P CHICO quarter-moved in front of a parked horse, in firm control the last half. STRONG BREW gapped inside but at least avoided the far turn difficulties, outside stretch and a distant second. REDDY FOX made the lead early, yielded for the pocket, got progressively looser the last half. FAIR KOUNTRY avoided trouble. MERCURY LANE was three-wide early, got to the pocket mid first turn, came out ¾ but then was pushed wide when a foe broke. KT DOUBLE DEUCE gapped throughout, also pushed wide far turn. ROWDER jumped early. SEVEN BEADS was off the gate, sat outside and made progress, may’ve been beginning to tire when breaking midturn.
FIFTH RACE – TIDAL SHARK sat in, then backed out to third-over, gapped slightly, better with advancing cover on the turn, wide and just up very late. ADRENALINE RUSH started a long uncovered move before the 3/8, kept grinding up, took over and crossed over early far turn, held until very late in an unlucky loss. ARTACHE HANOVER was between horses to a tuck third, shuffled back, swung widest and was narrowing in in the 30 kicker. WOODMERE ANDRIOLI backed out to second-over on the second turn, left uncovered early far turn, not quite enough late. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide early and onwards to the lead at the 1/8, set the pace and got extended pressure, yielded just past the ¾ and tired. HOWTOTRAINURDRAGON worked out a pocket trip, shuffled far turn as the leader tired, Pocono Pike but had little pace in recovery. SAFENSOUND HANOVER made a break while far back past midturn.
SIXTH RACE – LEXUS RANGER left, yielded 3/16, gapped slightly third-in, got right to the Pocono Pike and was just up in a four-horse thriller. UNRESOLVED DEBT was second-over, three-wide around a struggler ¾ while still well off the pace, finished steadily and got second in the last step. ITS A HORSE was out between horses to 3/16 command, yielded for the pocket, outside towards headstretch, never ahead but fought on. LEVITATION was three-high 3/16 and onward to the lead after hard work 5/16, set the pace, held pretty well. STEEL SCHOONER was inside, blocked far turn, wide but didn’t gain. CRAZYCAT moved uncovered at the half but never threatened before fading. CUPID HANOVER never entered the picture.
SEVENTH RACE – P L PRINCESS C was on top before the 3/16, yielded to two foes in quarter two, backed out to second-over 11/16, then ducked in for the stretch and won in the Pocono Pike. HES EXPRESS moved out 5/16 and went up to take over mid-second turn, had pressure the rest of the way, staved off the outside foe but was overhauled up the inside. KALYPSO moved uncovered 5/8 and applied hard pressure, gamely to the line. SWEET GADGETS left a very big gap early and never made up ground. C DIDDY’S GAL left and yielded, made a “hidden” quarter-move and yielded again, tired from her early efforts. SUNSHINE CHIP couldn’t offer much.
EIGHTH RACE – BUDWEISER GIRL went on between horses to command past the 1/8, set the pace, put the first-over in behind her as she opened a clear lead on the turn, a clear margin she retained until very late. LADY LIRA was second-over, left uncovered midturn, found a much better gear late and was rapidly closing in, far ahead of the others. RUFFLES N LACE was three-wide to turn one, in third past the 1/8, moved uncovered 5/8, could tuck in the pocket far turn, but didn’t gain any further. DIGNITY HANOVER was the innermost of three quick starters, rode in the pocket, out of gas to the ¾. BT BABE stayed in, made no gain in the Pocono Pike. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER couldn’t keep with her cover. THE LAST TWO were never on the main radar.
NINTH RACE – FALANA HANOVER pushed outside foes early and yielded, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, gradually got the lead very late. MALTA MAGIC was stuck third-in until late on the turn, swung wide and finished with a rush. TOTALLY RIGGED had cover much of the first quarter then uncovered and finally claimed the lead before the 3/8, held that lead a long way in the stretch in a good race. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide to quarter command, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, not enough late. JK AE ONE gapped inside on the turn, angled wide and had some pace at the end. HOW SWEET IS THAT lost contact down the back but then found some pace at the end. ADULT SWIM was also way back most of the way. ALL YOU CAN EAT started uncovered then got cover 5/8, couldn’t keep up ¾.
TENTH RACE – SIMON GOT LUCKY picked up cover at the half but was not helped by it at all, got in gear when the cover ducked inside far turn, still not close early stretch but finished strong and just up on the money. TOWN VICTOR was between horses to take over 3/16, had hard pressure down the back and on the turn but shook that one off, almost lasted in a big showing. LADY’S IMAGE left and yielded for the two-hole, backed out late backstretch then went back to the Pocono Pike, photoed out. STICK WITH ME KID was three-wide before the 1/8 then tucked third after that point, came again with a bold raw move 5/8 but could not clear, held his ground very well. CHING CHING LUCKY got a check. HS JUDY JETSON gapped inside. MUSHANA spotted then moved out but didn’t do much. CREEMORE broke right at the start; returned with “b.e.”
ELEVENTH RACE – DELESTON was three-wide before the 3/16, backed off to take the 3-hole at the ¼, made a brief break 5/16, got to the passing lane to steady and quickly caught back, stayed in third, got the Pocono Pike and finished with a rush; an inquiry into his break gave no reason for placing. ESTEEM raced up to the early pocket, pulled nearing turn two and took the lead 5/8 in a fast third quarter, couldn’t stall the winner late but raced well in his own right. WATCH U R BACK took early control from the pole, yielded to a challenge 5/8 and kept up in the pocket, outside stretch, evenly. GALLIE GETAWAY avoided the deteriorating two-wide tier. TRIFECTA HANOVER gapped near or at the back. GATOR HANOVER was second-over, couldn’t stay with cover ¾. GRETZKY THE GREAT was uncovered 3/8 but got cover before the half, lost it again 5/8, challenged, couldn’t sustain. KING KONG KALIBRE was three-wide with cover early, tucked fourth, backed out to third-over but never entered the main action.
TWELFTH RACE – LIKE A WARRIOR moved out from fourth 11/16 and got cover, went wide in the lane and just was along over FRANKIE HILL. The latter left and was forwardly-placed, moved out raw before the 11/16 to challenge, went by to midstretch, just got nipped at the wire. KNIGHTS GUARD went to the top, saw an early rival break, yielded to a challenger 3/8, came back out down the back and regained command 5/8, tired. DINKY WINKY was briefly third-over, ducked in on the turn, evenly late along the inside. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN couldn’t make up the necessary ground. TOMBSTONE was looped early, went up after a horse broke to the 3/16, finally claimed the front to the 3/8, was challenged down the back and yielded past the 5/8, then tired further in the stretch. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was four-wide early then looped up to two-wide and looked to be ready to go by when breaking to the 3/16. TEST MY WILL was wide early, took back to tuck, steadily fell back in the last ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM headed right down the road, came home in 27.4 to hold off MICHAEL’S MONSTER as those two broke away from the rest. The latter went into the two-hole at the 1/8, was well-placed, took his shot in the lane, good but a bit shy. LINCOLNJAMES was never close, inside and a very distant third. SCRAPPIN GOLD moved out with cover down the back then back inside on the turn, little. KIMANI N was three-wide to the first turn then took back to tuck third, out again near the 5/8, gained a little bit then fell back a lot. ROARING SUCCESS was away slowly, violated the pylon rule at the ¼, lost contact, finished ahead of FORT APACHE SCOUT, who also lost contact, was placed behind that one.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HERODOTUS raced out to the lead before the 1/8, had only CRANTINI close most of the way, had a safe lead through the stretch in very fast time for this class. The latter kept close-up most of the way in the pocket, had a better gear a bit too late. USOSWEET BLUE CHIP circled gappers to tuck third far turn, third-best. MUSCLE HALL was better than the rest. SIR FRANK gapped in third most of the way, then fell back significantly. WEATHER VANES was far back outside on the far turn when making a break.
May 13, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm, with a stretch tailwind … ALL CASHED OUT was second-over, left two-wide raw when his cover broke 11/16 and immediately went to a higher gear, easily went past RED OVERBACH. The latter wanted to cut the pace and did so, clear late in the backstretch and part of the turn, but no match when the winner challenged. TUIS SHADOW came out in the stretch and caught TEDDY BROSEVELT for third. The latter left, took the pocket before the 3/16, fought an ever-losing fight to stay tight the last 5/16. TRUEMASS VOLO stayed inside for the last check. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was never close, outside on the turn, couldn’t make up enough ground. NO NAME YANKEE was no factor. FAMOUS DAN was wide early, tucked 3/16, uncovered at the half but didn’t gain before breaking to the 11/16.
SECOND RACE – BUDDY EARL left between horses to take over at the 1/8, let the parked foe go to sit the two-hole past the 3/8, outside headstretch and went right on by. HEZA SCOUNDREL was outside-last at the 1/8 then got in gear and steadily progressed to take over past the 3/8, no match for the winner but not bad at all to hold second. TO MY CREDIT left and yielded, stayed in, evenly. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was away last from the rail, gapped down the back then picked it up and followed cover, wide headstretch and doing better late. FAWN DE SIGN tucked at the 1/8, not heard from again. LEAST WEASEL moved uncovered 5/8, gained late backstretch and early on the turn but then ran out of gas.
THIRD RACE – FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES made the front at the 1/8, accelerated into the backstretch to briefly get clear then saw others catch up late backstretch, but still kept in charge to the wire. LORD OF MISRULE tucked third, stayed in and went along well for place. HES REALLY KEEN yielded at the 1/8, got closer to the winner late backstretch then moved out ¾, got tired very late. INTRIGUED AGAIN and PACK YOUR BAGS both went around an early gapper; the former was outside on the turn and doing a little better at the finish than the latter, who stayed inside. APPLE VALLEY ART wanted a forward position but broke early; caught the field. UNICO LEGEND N could not keep up early, stayed at the back of the pack, then significantly faded in the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – TRICKY DICK got away third but inherited the lead nearing the ¼ when the front two both went offstride, soon had a big advantage that he only widened the rest of the way. FRAC inherited the pocket, was loose of the winner before the 3/8, did hold on for the distant second. GREEK LEGEND broke 5/16 and went to the passing lane to settle down, caught the field, wide headstretch, and made a good recovery for third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was caught in on the far turn, had some trot in the Pocono Pike, just caught for third. CASH EMPIRE moved outside on the far turn but didn’t have much to offer. CRITICAL MASS sat third, gapped the gapping pocket horse late backstretch, little. ASKMELATER HANOVER charged right to the lead, broke 3/16, caught and was on the move again outside when breaking at the half. HAMMER CREEK left, tucked in the pocket, independently broke just after the leader ran 3/16.
FIFTH RACE – TRAIN STATION left well to defend the early pocket, sat in third then moved behind the backstretch challenger, left uncovered ¾, grinded on and took the decision late. RODMAN was out most of the ¼ for the lead, yielded to the retaker but pulled again 5/8, to the lead in a quick (for these) 3/4s, not quite enough. YANKEE CLOUT stayed in, caught behind a tiring foe on the turn, moved out in a blindswitch then back inside once clear and finished with pace. HESTONATOR was out in a good flow but couldn’t quite keep up the last 3/16. PARK STREET BLUES went to two-wide, three-wide headstretch, not enough. SOLAR BOLT gapped early and never entered the picture. BARNEY HANOVER was quickly on top, yielded at the ¼ but reclaimed the lead past the 3/8, was challenged down the back and was passed ¾, faded.
SIXTH RACE—PERFECT PASSION moved out towards the 3/16 and grinded up to take over 3/8 while picking up the pace, firmly in charge the rest of the way. NINA HANOVER went up to the lead 3/16 in a slow opener, yielded to the winner for the two-hole, maintained second late over MEADOWBROOK ROSE. The latter had cover early, tucked late on the first turn, came out raw 5/8 and gained until midturn, then went on steadily. TSM EMILIA T relinquished the lead 3/16, in, not that much late. EVER HOPEFUL G advanced with cover late backstretch, evenly late. MELODRAMA was not a factor. ULURU tucked third, inside, gapped far turn, then broke going to the Pocono Pike. WAVERLY HANOVER was last at every call, fell back further in the lane.
SEVENTH RACE – SWEET HEART AS moved second-over past the 5/8, three-wide headstretch, just overhauled SAY YOU DO. The latter was looped and out most of the ¼ to get the top, yielded to the chalk to sit in the two-hole, outside early stretch, made the lead near deep stretch, just missed. DEE’S RED DELICIOUS was parked with cover most of the ¼, proceeded up to take the top 3/8, went a fairly quick ¾, didn’t have much at crunch time. GREAT MAGIC outleft everybody, yielded and sat third-in, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, even response once clear. JIVE NINETY FIVE was third-over and followed cover three-wide, fair. PADRE gapped in last, then found room between horses and gained a bit. ONE AFTER NINE was shuffled, didn’t look to be clear. CHUCKY DE VIE moved uncovered before the 5/8 but didn’t make much of an impact before tiring.
EIGHTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N was three-wide to the first turn, in front before the 3/16, looked to have good control of this throughout. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN moved from next-to-last to be second-over, gapped down the back then closer on the turn, wide and steadily for the deuce. BETTOR’S WESTERN left between horses and settled in third, to the Pocono Pike and OK. CHEYENNE REIJANE left to defend the pocket, urged ¾ but couldn’t keep tight. PERKINS rode on the outside the first half then hit a higher gear, went 27.1 down the back to be the closest challenger, held well after the long journey. BLACKLIGHT never featured; nor did BLOOD BROTHER. MISTER DAYTONA N was outside but didn’t have enough.
NINTH RACE – I CANT REFUSE was three-wide to the 3/16 to the top just before the ¼, got a soft middle half, opened up a big lead midturn and coasted home with a nice 28.3 kick. BABY TAKE A VOW was innermost of three leavers, sat the pocket trip, saw the winner get away from midturn to early stretch, then found her best kick and narrowed back in well. U GURL was second-over early backstretch, three-wide past the ¾ and along for a distant third. RAVIOLI took the inner route until nearing headstretch, angled wide the first half of the stretch, OK late. TSM LOYAL T got underway uncovered off turn two and gained into the moderate third quarter, couldn’t keep gaining when the pace accelerated. MISCHIEVOUS G was between horses until tucking third 3/16, not all that much left late. CHAPTER TRAX gapped early backstretch, tighter and third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn, fell back. MISS HALL trailed, made a stretch break.
TENTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE moved before the ¼ to get the lead and strung out the field with quick fractions, drew away. DAGON HANOVER went to the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the stretch, well ahead of the others. MARION GONDOLIER came off the rail with cover late backstretch, fair late for third. FIREINSIDEMYVEINS left, tucked fourth past the 1/8, outside 11/16, gained a little, then was tiring very late. KASEVILLE took back and sat third, left a gap much of the last ½. GRAPPLE HANOVER was far back. CHOCO CHARLIE gapped much of the way. DROP THE MIC was right up against the gate when breaking before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – LINEMUP KNOCKMBACK raced with cover early then proceeded on to the lead 5/16, received little pressure and won handily. MIKI B MOUSE moved uncovered 5/8, one-geared and was good to be second. MORE PLEASE was out most of the ¼ to get command, yielded, pocket, couldn’t keep going the last 1/8. EAZY HUNTING was second-over, evenly. LADY’S CHOICE K pushed a rival to the ¼ and yielded, inside, not much late. BIRDIE THREE did not factor. IDEAL ALEXA moved early, wound up third-over but gapped past the 5/8. LURKINGINTHESHADOWS was last at every call.
TWELFTH RACE – FINEST MOMENT was outleft and wide early, went to the pocket at the 1/8, then moved at the ¼ to get the lead soon afterward, kept the first-over at then dug in and withstood KOBE B on the line. The latter was second=over before the 5/8, three-wide past midturn, gained but just missed. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP tucked third, gapped in the second quarter then in one-gear mode and came raw down the back, held his ground well. PAUC HANOVER quickly outleft everybody, yielded, stayed close in the two-hole but didn’t have much late. ACTION SHOT was caught in on the far turn, so-so late. PRAIRIE NUGGET was never prominent. DANCEHALL KING moved out but soon broke late backstretch. F SCOTT’S MUSE broke at the half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – UPALLNIGHTBLUECHIP had to be steered around the breaker on turn two, was way back but made up a lot of ground in Q3, outside far turn, got cover then three-wide before the top of the lane, drew away. I’M A BIG SHOT went into the pocket to the first turn, stayed close to the leader, outside midturn, outkicked but steady and second. CLEVELAND B MIKI also had to dodge the breaker, slower to make up ground than the winner but finished well to take third on the line. VORACIOUS got in third at the 1/8 then left a big gap for the next 5/8 of a mile, evenly in the last ¼. PAULS BANDIT was bothered but never recovered much. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME was away quickly, set the pace with only the pocket horse close, gave it up in the last 1/8. ON DAVID was behind a gapper then became a gapper 3/8, broke entering turn two.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH was very wide early, wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to 3/16 command, slowed quarter two then took off down the back, not pressured. VARNEY moved uncovered at the half, stayed at his task steadily though not threatening. ROCK THREE TIMES stayed in until the far turn, was moving well at the line. GOOD DEAL was three-wide early to make the lead at the 1/8, tiring in the stretch. PHANTOM SHADOW was first to go outside, gapped second-over. OHARE HANOVER was behind gappers. LUZIANA offered little. LATEST ATTRACTION left but was taken way back to tuck in his own hole, gapped out 5/8.
May 11, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature around 60 most of the card … Track rated “good,” although the “+1” variant was removed after two races because of quick clockings … LOUKES PERRY was second-over, strongly three-wide 11/16 to challenge two-wide ¾, took the lead late turn, held off the late bid of SHORE OF HIMSELF. The latter left on top, yielded to a looped foe to sit the pocket, crucially stuck behind that one late far turn then backed out behind the winner, almost caught him in a good mile. STONEBRIDGE DUEL was looped to the first turn, pressed on to the lead just past the ¼, couldn’t withstand the winner late far turn, held OK. A FEARSOME HANOVER gapped a little at a couple of points, inside, some rally. MUDVILLE was second-over, couldn’t go with the winner three-wide far turn, fair late. JK OBJECTION was never a factor. Y S MATHIS BRO left some, came uncovered at the half, looped to the ¾ and fell back sharply.
SECOND RACE – CASUAL COOL, under a hold behind the gate, was outleft but retained the pocket, quarter-moved, set a fast pace, had an insistent foe in CAVIART LUCA but just withstood him. The latter moved uncovered early in the backstretch, one-gear speed-grinded, gave game chase to the wire. AFLAME HANOVER was second-over, started three-wide late turn but then dipped down into the Pocono Pike, raced well. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was third-over, blindswitched 11/16 through the turn, best of the rest. SHVAIKO was stuck inside far turn but couldn’t regather when clear in the stretch. ONTO EL DORADO N was fourth-over, three-wide 11/16 but never went forward much. HOMESTRETCH WES never got into it. IM A POWERPLAY A left sharply, yielded for the pocket, began to go loose from the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – HEART MATTERS stayed connected in third, roared out ¾ full of trot, drew away. CHAPHEART was three-wide to the 5/8 to try to clear the parked horse, was kept three-wide when the winner pulled then dropped down behind her midturn, gamely to be second. COLLEGE TUITION forced an action-packed quarter, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. VELVET STYLE was last much of the way, angled wide and finished well. CANTSTOP YANKEE was three-wide to the ¼ then went on to take command 5/16, not enough late. RACER DAN stayed in, didn’t appear to be clear late. ANGELONIA looked at leaving but took back, no factor late. AP HALL OF TRIX was between horses to the ¼, looped and was stuck on the outside midpack, started to fall back 5/8, broke late turn.
FOURTH RACE – MODERN ROCK was parked just off cover while advancing much of the way to the 3/8, then up to take the front nearing turn two, had pressure, impressive winner. COWBOY COOL showed speed, sat in and was brutally shuffled, avoided the clogged outer tiers, found room between horses midstretch and rallied strongly. ODDS ON DELRAY went out between horses to 3/16 command, yielded, made a “hidden” quarter-move then yielded, Pocono Pike, came up a bit shy. DILLINGER was out on a long uncovered grind from the 3/8, wasn’t a threat in the stretch but held his ground well. TERRITORY backed out to third-over, four-wide in the lane and steadily. HIGH IMPRESSION mad the lead nearing the ¼, in, was caught inside while gapping a little ¾, deep Pike, not too much late. MARINER SEELSTER looked at leaving but took way back, then second-over, three-wide midturn, not enough late. CAVIART VAL gapped at the back.
FIFTH RACE – DA DELIGHTFUL left quickly right to the top, yielded to the brusher and sat the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and went right by. KASHED UP A moved from second before the ¼ to the lead, got a slow half, didn’t seem to have much excuse except the winenr was better. THE WALL stayed in, able to angle wide early stretch and finished with a rush. SAN DOMINO A started on the grind to the second turn, never really was close but an improved mile overall. PRINCE OF TIDES spotted early, stayed in third, so-so along the inside late, returned with “b.e.” CHATELROLL was looped early and backed off, was shuffled to last, had some late speed in very tight quarters. RIFLEMAN gapped second-over. TERRY A HANOVER got in the two-wide flow but didn’t advance.
SIXTH RACE – RELENTLESS JULIE didn’t move until following cover 11/16 behind the very fast pace, wide in the stretch and by nicely. HUNGRY FOR KISSES came raw 11/16 and advanced, never ahead but was along for second. GINGER TREE COCO was moved at the ¼, paced her own middle half in 54.1 while establishing a sizable lead, but was tired in the last 1/16. BLANK CHEEK made the top, yielded, shuffled, then free and far the best of the rest, ALWAYS A DANCER got to the top just past the 1/8, yielded, was loose in the pocket the last 3/8. LULU ROCKS couldn’t go enough.
SEVENTH RACE – Drizzling … ARCHERY SEELSTER moved raw at the 5/8 and went up to challenge, had the lead late turn but couldn’t clear, just fended off the inside move of SHARE THE WEALTH. The latter had the early pocket, was quarter-mover #1, to the lead then yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, almost enough. BRIGHT SIDE UP went up sharply off the second turn to be second-over, gapped a little the latter part of the turn, steadily. FRANK THE ELDER was quarter-mover #2, briefly three-wide then onward to 3/8 command, not enough this evening. AGGIORNAMENTO went wide in the lane and had finishing kick. BULLY BOY HILL was fastest away, saw two brush by, inside, not too much late. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS was last when breaking late on the far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – PROUD MARY was three-wide early to the lead, yielded and had a great trip in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and with steady speed just got her nose up first. HELLO YES HI was briefly four-wide, went up and got command 3/16, held up off the right-hand challenger, just missed against the one to her left. ODDS ON HAIL MARY had speed, uncovered to the 5/8 and challenged the leader very hard, very good but just shy at photo time. SWEET PHENOMENA was second-over, couldn’t quite stay with the top three but best of the rest. NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was never in the main picture. ABSOLUTE POWER was third-over, gapped a gapper. HURRIKANE LADY LOU didn’t keep pace in the last stanza.
NINTH RACE – DING DING DINGER was between horses most of a 26.3 opener to get the top, rated quarter two, got pressure only from the pocketsitting CAPTAIN MALICIOUS in the stretch and held together over that one. The latter was innermost of the early battle of three, maintained the pocket, stayed there until headstretch, made up ground but not quite enough. PLAY THE FIELD was three-wide almost to the 3/16 before having to settle third, stayed connected, OK late after the hard initial stanza. KINGSTONS BAD BOY avoided the outer tier, gapped down the back then did somewhat better. MIDNIGHT DAY was uncovered before the ½ but never got close to the lead. THE OTHER TWO didn’t benefit from nonadvancing cover.
TENTH RACE – C IS FOR COOKIE defended the pocket then quarter-moved, set the pace of her choosing, again responded when asked early stretch, safely. DIAMONDSNPEARLS made the front, yielded and stayed close in the two-hole, out headstretch, narrowed in but too late. EXTREME Z TAM was second-over, angled inside past midturn and paced well along the inside late well in advance of the others. DUCHENNE never factored. RACIN HUNGRY was uncovered at the half and went up in 27 but could get no closer than a nose ahead of the pocket horse early far turn before fading. ROMANTIC EVENING never surfaced. ULTIMATE LOULOU couldn’t get around the winner early and accepted third 3/16, gapped early backstretch, got closer, then fell back again.
ELEVENTH RACE – SOUTH BEACH STAR was parked early, bypassed the 3-hole and drove on to the lead, hard-used to get it before the second turn in a 53.3 half, continued very quickly to the ¾, dug in to withstand BAD TOTHE BONE N in the fastest mile of the Pocono season, 1:48.2. The latter tried to put everybody in behind early but had the winner come up to press, yielded past the 3/8, stayed close, outside early stretch and was chewing up the ground late in a big mile of his own. BETTORS DONTTELL tucked early, sat in, next in line. SPORT SECRET went around early backstretch gappers, back inside, some late. MAXIMUS MIKI never featured. KEYSTONE STEAM left a huge gap at the half, never got close, made a short break early far turn. SERIOUSLY HANOVER came out at the ¼, followed cover, was left raw past the 3/8, took the second turn badly, went up to challenge, but then tired significantly.
TWELFTH RACE – ALWAYS B NAUGHTY was between horses early, on top 3/16, shook off the first-over and had things pretty easy. HUNGRY FOR LOVE left to protect the pocket, did as well as she could but clearly second-best. DUCHESS HILL kept a hole closed late first turn, sat in, third. HALLELUJAH HANOVER stayed inside, shuffled to last, no factor. DOLE WHIP was three-wide to the first turn, then backed off and tucked fourth, came again 5/8 and advanced but saw her move stall to mid-far turn. MY HUNGRY GIRL moved out behind backstretch cover but couldn’t get in the mix.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL made the lead just before the 3/16, showed his usual handiness and tenaciousness with no horse getting past his wheel, in control for nine straight wins. BUSBOY HANOVER buzzed away to the top then yielded for the golden journey, to the Pocono Pike, game but outpaced by a toughie. MAKE SOME WAVES was three-wide to the 1/8 circling taking-back foes, tucked fourth, went uncovered on turn two, “inched” (announcer Jim’s word) up, held his ground very gamely after a hard trip. THE DARK SHADOW was third-over, three-wide from midturn, closed well. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was second-over, accepted the blindswitch on the turn as not tight on cover, then in tight quarters late while moving along evenly. URBAN RENEWAL had some speed, sat in, not prominent. INDIGO ART was in a very hard spot. REGAL ESCAPE was fourth-in, had some traffic to maneuver through in the stretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LUCKBEWITHALEX made his own luck, coming first-over on turn two, speed-grinding in 26.3 to take on the pacesetter LOU’S BEACH, then outfooted that one late. The latter gradually got in gear early and made the lead off turn one, rolled along at a fast clip under pressure, held quite well. BOSTON was first on top, yielded to the winner to sit the two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, just came up a bit shy. SAMHARA N gapped down the back, stayed inside then angled wide early stretch and finished well. JK GOING WEST stayed connected, evenly late. DRAGON CITY was second-over, not tight on cover far turn, evenly. GROOVY MAN gapped his cover from third-over.
May 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Starting at 46o and rising five degrees through the card … Stretch headwind … Another tough (but not impossible) day for the front-end or for those two-wide and far back in the backstretch (to win; many got minor placings) … MISS PRINCIPLE made the lead, yielded and sat the pocket, started to edge out near headstretch and could go wide when a rival broke, just along. UFTON ABBY HANOVER came uncovered from well back 5/8, trotted right up to challenge, to the lead early stretch, good race. DEVIOUS PROMISE was forwardly-placed, to the Pocono Pike, fair. GUCCI GIRL left between horses and tucked fourth, sat in and was blocked far turn, looked to be in tight quarters late with some trot. DOUBLE A SAMANTHA was three-wide to the 1/8 and two-wide most of the ¼ for the lead, slowed the half, but had no late answer. SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC was well back, moved wide, then had to duck inside the breaker early stretch. WEATHER VANES was outside and following cover, was in a contending position when breaking approaching the top of the stretch. BAR COINS was very wide early, broke searching for a spot first turn.
SECOND RACE – ADULT SWIM moved with cover 5/8, gapped it until late on the turn, then better and wide, and along late. P L PRINCESS C let, yielded, came out from third 5/8 and challenged, went to the lead in the lane but couldn’t quite last to the line. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE made the lead at the 1/8 and surrendered it for the pocket 3/16, gapped on the turn, then outside behind the top two and third. WILD BLUE WONDER was three-wide early, on top 3/16, came under challenge 11/16, tired through the stretch. ODDS ON RED ZONE sat in, gained a little down the back, outside far turn but with little. THE NEXT TWO lost contact down the back. SELINA HANOVER was inside, faded.
THIRD RACE – ESTEEM set a pretty good pace, drew clear before the ¾, then held together over HESTONATOR. The latter went in third at the 1/8, came back out raw to the 5/8, finished steadily but couldn’t entirely reduce the winner’s margin. P L PHOENIX slotted fourth 3/16, then second-over but gapped cover, fair late. VORACIOUS stayed in, came on some late. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was third-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t get close. DEL MAR DOUG left and defended the pocket, but then tired 11/16. FATEFUL DUEL was already gapping by the half, faded further.
FOURTH RACE — LEXUS HANOVER settled in the pocket before the 3/16, moved outside after a foe brushed by past the 5/8, went up to challenge as those two drew away from the field, just up in the last step. EMMA TOWN BUD tucked third at the 1/8, moved early on the backstretch and went 27.4 in clearing to the lead, tried very hard but was just caught on the money. JUSTIFY was far behind sluggish horses until late backstretch, then outside and three-wide headstretch, along for the distant third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE came out to go around a tiring horse after struggling to keep up, two-wide turn, couldn’t hold third. GREEK LEGEND gapped but got a payday. WILLIE B WORTHY went down the rod from the rail, all done 5/8. PAYMAQ broke near the 5/16. QUINCY MARKET went offstride before the first bend.
FIFTH RACE – SINATRA DE VIE was outside down the back off the two leaders, then got in gear towards the 11/16 and advanced raw, took over midstretch. FASHION KEN was away second, moved early backstretch and cleared 11/16, no match for the winner late though retaining second. WALLANDAR was three-wide early, made the lead into the initial curve, fought back against a backstretch challenge but then yielded, stayed close and tried to the end. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN started to gap in the sped-up third quarter. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT never factored. DONATELLO HANOVER was gapping outside when breaking ¾. BATTLESHIP LANDING was looking to tuck into third to the 3/16 when losing his bearings.
SIXTH RACE – TIPSY MONI was far back, moved with cover down the back and three-wide on the turn, circled up to second and then tucked inside for the stretch, went on the very tired leader as an anti-bias winner. MISSILE was looped early, went on to 3/16 command, opened a huge lead down the back and still looked gone nearing headstretch, but got very tired. MUSCLE HALL came out behind the winner and followed that’s one path, stayed wide, third. LOUS LANCELOT was not in the picture. U BAKE THE CAKE briefly had cover then was left uncovered well off the leader, didn’t gain. CURADH had just moved out when the pocket horse broke, quickly retucked but never made up ground. WAVELIKEAQUEEN had the lead right away, yielded, began unplugging in the pocket into the backstretch then broke 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – SAINT LOUIE pulled the pocket on a quarter-move, buried these with a 28 third quarter, tons the best. P CHICO was away third, got tighter late backstretch and moved out, to a clear second by early stretch. FLARES ZIVA was outside behind the place horse on the turn, third with no one close behind him. MISS HALL took back to tuck fifth 3/16, not on the radar again. THE NEXT TWO struggled. A GREAT CHAPTER broke when last on the backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – I’M AMUSED was a bit loose in the pocket from the 1/8 until the ½, moved out 5/8 and went right by, soon opening a huge lead, well-clear the rest of the way. LADY LIRA followed cover, wide stretch and closed well. DEFACEMENT sat third, followed the winner out but could only one-gear, tried to the end. RHIANNON HANOVER stayed in, was blocked on the turn, didn’t enter in the main fight. EVER HOPEFUL G trailed the main pack most of the way. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA quickly made the lead in a fast quarter while opening a big lead, had the field get closer early down the back, yielded late backstretch, fell back. CHEROKEE JOY had just moved two-wide at the half when breaking.
NINTH RACE – MUSHANA sat in, came out in a blindswitch late turn, able to find room between horses midstretch and finished with the most trot. SMART AS HILL was uncovered 5/8, kept his momentum going by moving three-wide ¾ as a horse pulled out, drifted wide late but still got the deuce. HS JUDY JETSON kept close in the pocket, moved outside ¾, took the lead early stretch but couldn’t sustain the advantage. ITS A HORSE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16 in a fast quarter, set a moderate middle half, was challenged on the turn, gave way. SPREE left between horses to tuck third, had the Pocono Pike but couldn’t produce much late. NASEY was leaving but broke at the start, went behind the starting gate to settle down, but couldn’t recover nearly enough.
TENTH RACE – KADDARI left well then quarter-moved before the parked horse came up closer, set the pace, drew clear early stretch and won handily. OVER BOARD was last much of the way, swung four-wide before the stretch and made up a lot of ground to be second. A GOOD CHARDONNAY left well, yielded for the two-hole, outside stretch but couldn’t gain. I CANT REFUSE was looped early and tucked third past the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, evenly. BABY OIL moved second-over 5/8, three-wide midturn, evenly. QUITE FAST left but was left parked, rode unhurried two-wide to the backstretch, then accelerated, missed third by less than two lengths after a luckless trip. EEE Z WOW sat in, looked to be in tight quarters to the line. QUARANTINA sat in, not a major factor today.
ELEVENTH RACE – ZETTE FLAME was briefly wide, moved into the pocket to the 3/16 after a breaker, waited until early backstretch then moved and went by easily late backstretch, stayed clear. DROP THE MIC gapped down the back then hit a better gear towards the far turn, outside then retucked, far ahead of the rest. ROSALINE set sail early, couldn’t handle the winner’s move but had the virtue of staying flat. ULI BLUE CHIP left a giant gap from the frontstretch, made a break early stretch but regathered and came back for fourth; an inquiry into that break showed no reason for placing. THE BLACK ACE got away second but broke at the 1/8. STREET SMARTS was third when breaking at the half, finally regained stride but then broke early on the far turn and ran home, placed. FOOLISH MONI left a gap early then tightened up, only to lose gait at the half.
TWELFTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE rode along nicely in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and got the decision here. TRUMAN JR HANOVER left to quickly get the lead, slowed Q2 then was asked to accelerate, was challenged until the far turn, saw the right-hand opponent beak but was caught by the left-hand foe. DAZZLNDASH HANOVER went along evenly, not a great response late. SIMON GOT LUCKY waited in third then challenged on the far turn, was definitely in contention when breaking midstretch, regained composure after major damage had been done; an inquiry showed no reason for placing because of the break. CREEMORE was outside down the back but didn’t get close. LUCKY MATTER trailed throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER kept outside leavers outside much of the ¼, then quarter-moved, went clear 5/8 and was a runaway winner. HEARTBEAT HILL was three-wide to the 3/16 before finally clearing, relinquished for the pocket, went loose 5/8, fought on to win a photo for the distant second. FRISKIE ALL NITE was able to go out in a blindswitch past the 5/8, went up behind cover then ducked in midturn, Pocono Pike, may’ve gotten a nose up for second deep stretch but was decisioned on the line. ALADDIN HANOVER moved out 11/16, flattened out some. VARNEY gained ground outside from last, nudged out three-deep 5/8, gained to the far turn then could progress no more. STENDAHL HANOVER never featured. MOVE THE LINE was between horses 3/16 before securing the early pocket, couldn’t stay close to the gapping pocket horse 11/16. LUCKISONTHEWAY was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked at the ¼, came two-wide to the 5/8 but had very little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – IN A TINY WAY was underway with a rush going to the 3/8, made the lead 5/8, stayed safely clear for The Trot Man. HALL IT OFF moved out down the back and made a big three-wide move to two-wide before the ¾, went on very gamely. SWIZZLE HANOVER left, pushed the early pace then yielded for the pocket, wasn’t keeping tight far turn, then outside and grabbed third on the money. CHARLIE BAR was on to the lead 5/16 after a good quarter, rated the next panel, yielded without a fight 5/8 and gradually fell back bit by bit. DIVINE SPIRIT was locked inside far turn, got to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have too much of a kick. MISS MUSCLE was wide early, then out with cover before getting in midpack at the ¼, not heard from afterwards. JIVE NINETY FIVE followed the winner’s cover although not able to stay with it, left raw, was looped to the ¾, fell back. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES moved third-over from last in the early flow, broke off turn two.
