Connors’ Comments for Saturday, April 1, 2023

Apr 4, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – No, it’s not April Fool’s: the temperature went up through the card from the mid-60s to 70 … The stretch headwind seemed to sap the leaders: only six of fourteen horses ahead at the ¾ went on to win, and all six were favorites … CAVIART VAL dropped in fourth, gapped from the 3/8 until past the 5/8 then edged outside under urging, didn’t gain much until early stretch, but then showed courage (in a 30.2 kicker into the wind) to put his nose up on the line. DROPTHERAKEFREDDY left well to defend the pocket, then quarter-moved, didn’t get pressure until the winner’s late charge, just failed to hold him off. UNICO LEGEND N was three-wide early then two-wide to the front past the 1/8, yielded for a two-hole ride, outside headstretch, narrowed in a little but not quite enough. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN sat in then backed out to third-over ¾, swung wide and was moving very well late into the wind. BLACK CHEVRON N didn’t get much help from his cover, then gapped it. DERECHO wanted to leave between horses but took back and sat third, gapped out ¾. HASH-TAG SWAG was not heard from.

SECOND RACE – BETTOR MEMORIES came out before the 5/8 with good cover, left uncovered midturn as the first-over went by, determined and got the nod. PRINCE OF TIDES went a fast 1/8 to clear the pole horse, yielded for the two-hole, backed outside late turn and went wide early stretch, finished very well. MOTIVE HANOVER gapped in the second quarter, then came uncovered before the 5/8 and quickly engaged the leader, was kept out much of the turn before clearing, tired just a little bit late. THE WALL gapped badly down the back, then gradually narrowed in through the stretch. HIS BEATS HANOVER had late pace from an impossible spot. TUGGIN ON MY HEART yielded at the 1/8 then came right back out to take over the racetrack, set a fast pace with pressure from the 5/8, gave way the last 3/16. SILAS SEELSTER gapped from the 3/8. IM A GIGOLO N was always far back.

THIRD RACE – CLASSIFIED MATERIAL tucked fourth, then led the outer tier from going into turn two, grinded determinedly, made the lead towards headstretch and tenaciously held off this crew. A BETTOR BEACH was third-over, gapped cover three-wide late turn, then hit overdrive four-wide in the lane and made up a lot of ground into the wind. PLAY THE FIELD pushed the fast ¼, yielded then regained the throttle in front of the stands and got a rest to the half, came under pressure, not equal to this challenge. SAMSON BLUE CHIP had a great second-over trip, three-wide late turn, outpaced late. PUZZLING was shuffled to last, did OK in the stretch. ASTON HILL DAVE was used hard to gain control at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, not too much in the latter parts. GUINNESS PANIC stayed in and was shuffled badly, didn’t appear to have a clear path at crunch time.

FOURTH RACE – MARINER SEELSTER went to the top at the 1/8, slowed the half, fought with the first-over and gradually gained a little separation from that one. PERKINS spotted fourth, started raw into turn two and went up in 27 to challenge the winner, weakened only a little. DING DING DINGER left well then yielded to sit second, a bit loose down the back, Pocono Pike, evenly late. BAMSKI was hustled away and got third, stayed connected to the top ones but couldn’t gain much on them late. BLACKLIGHT moved outside but then ducked back in, got the last check. SIMPLE KINDA MAN was behind gappers much of the middle of the race. DAVIDS COMING HOME gapped early, moved outside but immediately had no forward gear. AMERICA’S GUEST developed a problem past the 3/8 and was pulled up.

FIFTH RACE – TNT BLUE CHIP exploded off the gate to hit the top past the 1/8 in a 27 opener, rated the half, didn’t have pressure until CHAPHEART narrowed in late, and broke his own record for fastest 2023 trotting mile at Pocono, 1:53.2. The latter went up belatedly and grabbed a four-tuck, went uncovered before the 5/8, didn’t really get close until late, when he showed a strong stretch kick. BULLY BOY HILL left strongly inside the winner and sat in the pocket, went a nice mile of his own. HEART MATTERS was forwardly-placed, struggled to stay semiconnected the last 3/8. DELGADO sat in and never factored. THE LAST THREE gapped while not able to get involved in the race.

SIXTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was three-wide to the 1/8, then briefly with cover then went on to take control past the ¼, rated the half, didn’t seem to have any problem in the latter stages. MUDVILLE did not have great cover third-over, three-wide midturn, finished strongly. BELLOWS BINGE left well, got in front 3/16, yielded for the pocket, came out of the hole early stretch but went sideways and needed to recalibrate, third. BRAVO TEX N went evenly inside. MINDTRIP started the outer flow then got cover but couldn’t stay with it. MAKE MY DEO never factored. ALWAYS BETTER was last most of the way, wide in the stretch but couldn’t get into the picture. CAVIART LUCA pushed the early fight to the 3/16 and yielded, back uncovered at the half, grinded but couldn’t really get at the leader, then tired in the stretch.

SEVENTH RACE – AMERICAN BOY N was second-over, swung three-wide past midturn, drew away while not looking like a 36-1 shot. CAVIART MAX advanced his way up the inside down the back, picked his way through traffic late turn/early stretch, had to move out to the path behind the second-over then go wider, finished well. INTRIGUED AGAIN gapped cover until early stretch, then found better steps. VIRGIN STORM was last, had traffic trouble on the turn, didn’t have the momentum of the outside ones once clear. ROCKIN THE BLAZE yielded for the pocket past the 1/8, horribly shuffled late turn as the pacesetter stopped, then finally to the Pocono Pike but not a sharp response once clear. HELTER SKELTER backed out to third-over, couldn’t muster much late. TUXEDO BAY left very well from PP8 and headed down the road, had no more left to give in the last 3/16. CAPTAIN T HANOVER moved raw at the half and battled the leader, empty through the lane.

EIGHTH RACE – SPORT SECRET went out for the early lead, yielded to the 5/16 but retook just past the 3/8, had a clear lead in early stretch then held off the late bid of LUCKBEWITHALEX. The latter was second-over, crucially blindswitched from before the ¾ through the turn, finally could swing wide to headstretch and finished with a full head of steam. MAXIMUS MIKI left and tucked midpack, underway to challenge before turn two, battled during a fast third quarter, then couldn’t keep going enough. LOU’S BEACH gapped then moved to third-over, three-wide 11/16, gained some but flattened midturn, came back a little late. BLUESVILLE kept a hole closed before the ¼, sat in, had room up the inside in the lane but didn’t gain. FOUR MORE YEARS left, found no hole so pressed on to 5/16 command, yielded for the two-hole, weakened before the ¾. IMA HAPPY FELLA GB was gapping at the back by the half.

NINTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST ducked in fourth to the 1/8, followed cover at the half, three-wide midturn as cover failed, determinedly for the tally. DRAGON STRIKES set the pace with two moves into turn two, dismissed the first-over with a fast third quarter, lasted a long way. HOMESTRETCH WES had room to improve up the inside, gapped a bit, then steadily in the Pocono Pike. TERRITORY was three-wide to the 1/8 to make the lead past the 5/16, yielded at the end of the frontstretch for the pocket, nothing left to offer late. IDEAL SON N had a little pace at the end. A FEARSOME HANOVER left a big gap down the back, then was moving well belatedly. URBAN RENEWAL also didn’t keep from midbackstretch, never in it. ELWELL left and pushed, yielded, uncovered top the half, went 27 down the back but then faded.

TENTH RACE – BETTORS DONTTELL improved position early, vacated third to go raw 9/16, grinded vs. the pacesetter as those two drew away in the last quarter, outpaced the leader to the line. PHOENIX OF FLUZZY left very hard, yielded in front of the stands but quickly regained, was in a hard battle from just past the 5/8, came out second-best but raced well. JUSTA LITTLE BIT A initially sat in but then was able to back out to follow cover, three-wide headstretch and closed very nicely. INDIGO ART gapped significantly from early backstretch, evenly late. MR DS ROCK was three-deep to the first bend, then two-wide challenging, came off the first turn on a line, advanced to the front then yielded, not much in the last quarter. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was not in a good cover flow. MIGHTY SANTANA N was outside early then got inside, not heard from again. DASH OF DANGER left a big hole from the 5/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide towards the 1/8, then fell behind cover to the 5/16, left raw there and was hustled to clear into the second turn, kept up the fast pace, bottomed out the opposition. MARION GONDOLIER had cover, followed it three-wide then went four-wide when the cover broke late turn, made up a lot of ground as the pace decelerated. DELICIOUSSTONE DK was out past a 27 opener to get the lead, yielded towards turn two and stayed with the fast pace, OK+ in the Pocono Pike. MISTER BOINGA got an early forward spot, sat in, so-so late. THE LAST CHAPTER pushed very hard early, yielded past the fast ¼, back out raw 11/16, couldn’t gain much on the second bid. SAY YOU DO had cover, three-wide far turn but broke late on the turn. MUSHANA broke 3/16.

TWELFTH RACE – The stretch headwind was still blowing, but the day’s last three races yielded the fastest last quarters … BUSBOY HANOVER was outleft, refused the two-hole and went on to the top past the ¼, rated the second split, then had plenty left in reserve. SHORE OF HIMSELF whooshed right to the top, let the winner go by, came out strongly near headstretch but couldn’t make much of a dent. MODERN ROCK sat third all the way, all-out late, a clear third. I’LL TAKE THE BET was second-over behind nonflowing cover, three-wide before headstretch, next in line. BLAKEMORE came out of fourth before the 5/8 but never threatened. THE LAST THREE gapped at or near the rear of the field.

THIRTEENTH RACE – DRAGON CITY was three-wide before the first curve, then onward to make the top 3/16, pushed a brusher a bit before yielding for the ultimate trip, stayed tight in the brutal third quarter, to the Pocono Pike, and kicked in midstretch to go by the embattled pair. SAMHARA N roared out of fourth at the half and paced 26.1 to challenge and got the better part of a length ahead to the ¾ but could not clear, caught by the pocket rocket, game for second. C-BET HANOVER left, yielded, quarter-moved, was pushed a bit before reclaiming the top, rated quarter two, then had to go into full sprint mode to deal with the first-over, gamely held that one outside far turn, big mile. THE OTHERS could not keep up with the front three during the last 3/8, though BOARDWALK BET had some late kick.

FOURTEENTH RACE – REBELLIOUS got a forward spot, third-in, behind a wall until past midstretch, then found a seam and strongly burst through to get the decision. I’LL DRINK TO THAT moved out at the ¾ to second-over, wide and finished well in a quick last quarter into the wind. SHVAIKO left strongly to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, OK but a step shy. BEAUMOND HANOVER made two speed moves, couldn’t hold the advantage to the wire. DOUBLEORNOTHING N was first-up 9/16 and went 26.4 with the wind, kept gaining on the turn, flattened out just a little. MR PROFETA gapped inside. WHITECOOKIE was looped leaving and was hung with no hole, taken back 3/16 and went back to last. SOMETHING BETTOR A broke way before the start, caught the field but didn’t enter contention.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, March 27, 2023

Mar 30, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperature dropped from 60 to the mid-50s through the card … Rain came before race 13 – what had been a “fast” track all day became a “good +1” track for the last two races … CONGRESSIONAL left, was a trifle rough into turn one then settled down, to the lead 3/16, rated the half, came home in 55.4 – 27.3 looking very good. CRUISE HANOVER took over early then yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and raced well. I WAS TRICKED, looking a bit hard to handle at points, stayed third-in, kept up right behind the top two late in the stretch. SIMPLY FAST was third-over past the 5/8, four-wide into the stretch and had some late speed. AXION HANOVER was second-over, tipped three-wide but could only go evenly in the sprint home. GATOR HANOVER commenced a big uncovered move off turn two but flattened out mid-far turn. METAL MAN was off a step or two behind the leavers, tucked fourth, moved to the outside before the half but was soon offstride.

SECOND RACE – LINCOLNJAMES was three-deep to turn one, in front before the ¼, rated the half then sped up to hold out the first-over from into the backstretch to into the frontstretch, drew clear. DISMISSAL SLIP was second-over, gapped a bit down the back, three-wide headstretch, along for second. I SOAR HIM FIRST went uncovered from before the clubhouse turn, battled the winner hard for almost 3/8 of a mile before backing off a bit, still a good outing. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was shuffled to last, circled a gapper then advanced along the rail through the last ¼. WESTERN TYRANT got the top into turn one, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t keep up on the far turn. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH was outside before the 3/8, wound up third-over, bore out down the backstretch, couldn’t enter contention. SKYWAY BILLY offered little. SAMMY THE BULL N offered some speed, then started gapping by the 3/8.

THIRD RACE – Stretch headwind for a short while … CAVIART REAGAN was away quickly and forced a tuck, picked up the pace when the first-over challenged, proved to be the best. MR CENSI was double-looped and three-wide early, tucked third at the 1/8, uncovered into the backstretch, not enough but good enough to take second over CAVIART SAGE. The latter left well, accepted the two-hole 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, was second midstretch but couldn’t sustain that position. LOUKES PERRY had a fine second-over trip, gapped a little down the back, had aim headstretch but went only evenly. SPORTY DRAGON was far back, split horses in tight quarters to get the final payday. SUNKEN TREASURE was not a threat inside. THE LAST TWO were far back in the two-wide tier, couldn’t get into the picture.

FOURTH RACE – RUFFLES N LACE sat a loose third until the 5/8, then narrowed in, came out nearing headstretch, inherited the win as the leader broke. WILD KAT G, 106-1, was away well to sit the pocket behind the fast fractions, held well for second after a foe misbehaved. NETWORK EXTENDER moved uncovered from midpack 11/16 and made up some ground. THE BLACK ACE headed straight down the road and had the field strung out, clear when making a break late on the far turn, righted and came back on well; an inquiry into the break revealed no reason for placing. KNIGHTS GUARD tucked fourth, was inside in the lane but had no gain. CHEROKEE JOY, off the gate, moved outside off turn two but couldn’t get in the first half of the field. TOP TUXEDO offered little. MEGA PINT broke early.

FIFTH RACE – HIGH VOLTAGE DEO left well but let outside leavers go, moved raw from third early in the backstretch and paced a 27.2 third quarter to go by the leader, maintained a safe margin in a big mile. RUSTY BEACH was looped early, had cover to the 3/16 then went on to grab the top 5/16, couldn’t keep the winner out down the back, stayed close, tried to come back in the Pocono Pike but didn’t have quite enough. PARK STREET BLUES joined a pretty good flow off turn two, three-wide midturn, up for third at the wire over TRIFECTA HANOVER. The later was away well to 3/16 command, yielded, couldn’t go with the top two ¾ and just missed show. WATCH U R BACK offered little. KING KONG KALIBRE tucked fifth, gapped out inside. CAPTAIN WHO stated outside to turn two, caught cover, couldn’t stay with it but still paced a third quarter of 27.1, then flattened the last 3/16. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME misstepped going into turn two.

SIXTH RACE – GINGER TREE BRAD worked his way to the lead 5/16 after a fast ¼, had clear advantage from the 5/8 to the wire, good time for this class. AWSOME PAUL was away well, hung the winner well into the frontstretch then yielded, started to get a bit loose 5/8, still a clear second. KEYSTONE THUNDER took a tuck, inside, outtrotted KEYSTONE SERGEANT for third. The latter sat in, advanced on the rail, was blocked far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and his rally almost got him third. DART GUY was stymied by nonflowing cover around the far turn, got the last check. TEDDY BROSEVELT moved uncovered at the half but never got close. COMMON PARLANCE was second-over, three-wide 11/16 but just clogged that tier. GREEK LEGEND fell far behind early and kept falling further behind; came back with “b.e.”

SEVENTH RACE – TWIN B ALLURE made two speed moves then yielded to the favorite, moved out headstretch, found a higher gear midstretch and was along into the 27.4 kicker. DANCE NUMBER sat outside early, went up behind the winner and took over 3/8, got a moderate middle half, then just lacked the requisite sprint home. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE was three-wide to the initial bend and made the lead 3/16, saw two go by, sat third, not quite their caliber today but a clear third. MOLLY MCARDLE got early positioning, faded. IDEAL ALEXA gapped early then got closer, uncovered 5/8 and moved up to the point of almost being equal with the pocket horse past midturn, but then made a break, made a good recovery once regathered. BIRDIE THREE had good cover but gapped midturn. SWEET GADGETS was a slinky nearing the backstretch before the start. KALYPSO got a slow start then broke soon after the word was given.

EIGHTH RACE – NASEY was between horses to the ¼, didn’t want the pocket so went on to 3/8 command, set a fast pace, clear on the turn, had enough to withstand DIVINE SPIRIT. The latter looked at leaving but took back, moved out with cover, three-wide midturn, made up a lot of ground with good late trot. CAMPBELLINI used the rail to keep foes three-wide to the ¼, yielded for the pocket, fell back in the last ¼. BEYOND THE LENS moved around a gapper late backstretch, outside late turn, didn’t gain. BLOGMASTER was three-wide almost all the ¼ before backing off to tuck third, gapped, so-so inside late. SANTA MONICA AS, wide, and MUSCLE GENE, inside, was affected by the break of JUSTIFY at the ¾ while all three looked out of contention.

NINTH RACE – KING JAMES N was widest of five leavers, three-wide to the 1/8 then gained to get the lead 5/16, rated quarter two then had a challenger to his right down the back, whom he shook off, then had two foes gaining on him inside in the lane but held them off gamely. STONEBRIDGE DUEL grabbed the racetrack at the 1/8, made the winner work for the lead and sat the pocket, had his chance in the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite make it. KILOWATT KID N got a forward early spot, sat third-in, blocked on the turn, went right to the deep Pike, did well but couldn’t gain enough. DONT JUDGE A BOOK left well and yielded, started uncovered into turn two and made a big challenge, won fourth in a three-way picture. TERRY A HANOVER was third-over, had to circle wide at the ¾, finished OK. BIG BOSS HILL gapped early and was never prominent. KEY ADVISOR did not factor. GLOBALDOMINATION N moved outside 3/8 and soon picked up cover, but then was soon gapping that cover, reported “b.e.”

TENTH RACE – BETTOR’S WESTERN was three-wide early, briefly tucked third 3/16 but then came again with a quarter-move, opened some clear space late backstretch, made a brief break to the 3/4 but immediately righted, retained enough to win the GOC Championship; an inquiry into the break gave no cause for placing. PANTHEON HANOVER grinded up from the 3/8 until reaching a vacant pocket ¾, tried very hard to the line while far ahead of the others. CAVIART SKIPPER was second-over, uncovered on the far turn, beat out several rivals in a picture for third. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT utilized the rail early, third-in, blocked behind a tired horse far turn, backed out late turn and then swung wide, only evenly late. REDHOT ROMEO was far back, a bit of pace on the end. PHILOSOPHIZER sat in, didn’t gain prominence. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was shuffled, never entered the main picture. BRIGADOON was hard-used to clear the pole horse, yielded to the winner, started gapping out in the pocket 5/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE tucked at the 1/8, then was second-over before the 5/8, three-wide late turn, just caught WHAT THAT IS on the end of it. The latter took control from the pole and rolled right on, saw off the first-over, just caught in the final steps. SMART AS HILL gained along the inside down the back, locked in on the turn, angled clear midstretch and finished nicely. ARCH CREDIT protected the two-hole, not enough late. R HERBIE BLUE CHIP came uncovered from third off the second turn, reached the leader’s wheel just before the ¾, then started to fade. TUIS SHADOW never featured. SCIROCCO PATRICK pulled third-over but went backwards.

TWELFTH RACE – RIFLEMAN was looped and outside, looked to tuck then thought he might try going on when a foe moved early, but finally did tuck when that one received resistance bidding for the top, out again 5/8 to grind, just got by in a gritty effort. AFLAME HANOVER defended the pocket early then came out of the hole 3/16 in front of the winner, was used to clear to the lead 3/8, had only the one major challenger and almost defeated that one. MOVE THE LINE was second-over, couldn’t keep up mid-far turn, distant third. PICTONIAN THUNDER didn’t have enough. CAPTAIN CASH swooped the field before turn one, was very reluctant to yield when challenged before the 3/8 but did so, backed up in the pocket the last ¼. PHANTOM SHADOW was caught behind the fading pocketsitter but had no recovery once clear.

THIRTEENTH RACE – Rain before the race; the track was rerated to “good +1” … SECRET OR NOT got out to third-over 3/8, followed cover, went three-wide just past midturn, had the most trot late. GINGERTREE STAKIAS trailed, moved out to the four-path late turn, solidly late. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR emerged with the distant pocket behind the runaway early horse, then almost came up over the back of the driver of that one as he caught up, squeezed out to second-over before the second turn, left uncovered 11/16, got the lead early stretch and held it to past midstretch. CAN’T SAY NO was parked with cover until past the 3/8, went on to grind uncovered, got in the pocket 11/16, to the Pocono Pike, a very good showing. CHIEF JUSTICE was shuffled to last, finally got going midturn and had to angle out to five-wide early stretch for a clear path, finished in overdrive. HAMMER CREEK gained along the inside, then was shuffled far turn, out in a blindswitch, couldn’t recover enough ground. TRUMAN JR HANOVER couldn’t reach the gaping hole behind the early runaway and was parked, urged to clear past the 3/8, tired in the stretch. ASKMELATER HANOVER bolted out and opened a big lead mid-first turn, had the field catch up 3/8, folded badly. … There was a general inquiry as to the conduct of the race near the 3/8 pole, but no action was taken.

FOURTEENTH RACE – FOLLOW YOUR HEART mustered enough early for the pocket, the only one keeping up behind the quick pace, pulled ¾ and went right on by, tons the best today. A STUD NAMED SAM got a forward spot, gapped from the 1/4 to the 5/8, moved outside to the ¾, briefly had cover then lost it, enough for second. SPORTS BOX was the first outside 11/16, got cover, three-wide midturn, edged out SEND IT IN JEROME for third in the quick mile. The latter moved out on the far turn, outkicked for third late. BUTTER UP spotted early then was not heard from. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A made the lead 3/16 and was flying on the lead with only the winner staying connected, had that one shoot right by midturn, faded. THE LAST TWO were gapping by the half.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, March 26, 2023

Mar 29, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – The warmest day of the year so far – temperatures in the mid-50s – and the wind “back at its normal stretch headwind” … ERINWOOD YVES went in fourth at the 1/8, could wait until the ¾ to move outside as there was no forward flow, followed cover on the turn then tipped wide, ate up the ground voraciously late to be just along. PANETTONE HANOVER was looped early, got command at the ¼, slowed the second quarter then sprinted in 27 hoping to get away, almost did but just missed. COALFORD BET ALINE made a big start to get by everybody early, yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, kept up well in the 55 back half. WHISKEY BREAK gapped inside on the far turn, fair late. GONE BEFORE DAWN had an excess of cover, wide and paced his own last half in 54 in a solid try. ALADDIN HANOVER came out from third 5/8 and went in 26.4 down the back to try to get close, continued his efforts around the turn but then couldn’t sustain them. DANCING JOE moved outside off the second turn but never reached late-developing cover. SWEET SHUNEY MOON got an early spot, not heard from thereafter.

SECOND RACE – VICIOUS CIRCLE was inside of the big leavers, saw them go by then moved at the quarter to regain the throttle, dashed clear down the back and wasn’t threatened despite the slowing last quarter. BETTE TINA was second-over, left uncovered far turn, so-so to get a DH2 with DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE. The latter retucked around a gapper, moved out again on the turn, had some late gain to achieve the tie for second. ROCKNROLL NELLA was very wide early, challenged then settled for the pocket at the ¼, moved out down the back, gained some then flattened a little, far ahead of the rest. TIGERS WATCHING N left between horses to take the front, forced a tuck, then yielded to the winner 3/8, couldn’t keep pace from the 5/8 and fell back. NARINA HANOVER was never prominent. TSM WESTERN SOUL started gapping early.

THIRD RACE – RIOT started uncovered just off turn two and went 27 with the wind to battle the leader, put that one away early stretch and was a very good winner. SPORTSMANSHIP came off the rail ¾, three-wide and closed nicely to be a very clear second. TODDLER TANTRUM was looped out of the gate, went on to get the lead at the ¼, slowed the half then added a second fast odd-numbered quarter down the back dueling with the winner, quite tired very late. BEACH BLANKET BOOK was last, outside down the back, wide, made up good ground while drifting way out towards the grandstand side. KIMANI N was outside early but had little to offer. SCRAPPIN GOLD yielded for the early pocket, vacated third-in past the 5/8 to follow cover but to no avail. IC A FREE SPIRIT gunned away for the lead, yielded, started to struggle to keep up 11/16. WILSONS VINNER had no impact in this contest.

FOURTH RACE – THE GYPSY QUEEN IR got a very good second-over trip, rarin’ to go when tipped three-wide midturn, drew clear. CATIE FAYE HANOVER stayed in, went to the path behind the winner headstretch and outclosed the others. ST LADS BIJOU was outleft, slid into the early two-hole, came out of third with a rush 3/8 to get the lead by the half, not too far off second. BLANK CHEEK left well for the early top spot, yielded, back uncovered early backstretch and challenged, tired a bit late. YOUNONOTHINJON moved out from last before the ¾, weaved through stretch traffic with horse. FOX VALLEY CACHET, outside early, refused a three-tuck and pressed on to the front 3/8, yielded at the half, started unplugging on the far turn. SHES A BULLVILLE gapped. FOX VALLEY HADLEY was third-over, gapped then narrowed in 3/4, then gapped on the turn before breaking.

FIFTH RACE – QUARANTINA gradually worked through past the start to the lead, forced an opponent to take a hole, rated quarter two, opened a big lead around the far turn, coasting late. GADOT HANOVER closed the gap to the winner after inheriting the pocket, couldn’t keep up far turn but was doing better late. STRIKING TACTFUL came out in a blindswitch far turn and was the distant third. RAVIOLI avoided incident. MY BELFAST ANGEL was always far back. LUCKY LIMERICK left, wanted the lead but had to settle for the two-hole, broke 5/16, recovered and was making up ground well before breaking again 5/8. MISCHIEVOUS G was always far back. BINGO BRAIN gapped throughout, then broke headstretch.

SIXTH RACE – ROCKIN THE BLAZE made his intentions clear throughout, forcing tucks, rating quarter two, then sprinting off the last 3/8 as if it were a drive in the park. ER VEGAS sat third, gapped the pocket horse early on the turn, then narrowed in some and went by that one late for the distant second. MY WISH CAME TRUE left, took the pocket 3/16, couldn’t stay with the winner 5/8, couldn’t hold second late but was an acre ahead of the rest. PLAY THE ACE gapped midrace inside, outfinished the others. RYCROFT N was wide early, spotted fifth 3/16, moved with ineffective cover but gapped it anyway, then was left raw ¾, little. ARTACHE HANOVER never entered the picture. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO started raw into turn two but never got anywhere near the winner, ducked in far turn, faded. LITTLE POWER was away last from the rail, no factor.

SEVENTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT moved outside behind the first-over ¾, left raw when that one broke late turn, trotted by for the biggest price of the year at Pocono, $135.40. ONE AFTER NINE left quickly to take the top, yielded to the chalk 3/8, loose ¾, then suddenly with the lead late turn as the pacesetter and first-over next to him went offstride, held second as maybe a fast pace caught up with him. CHUCKY DE VIE was outleft and tucked third, came out in the stretch, evenly. SWEET HEART AS and DAGON HANOVER got the last checks. MASSIVE OPULENCE started a good uncovered move 5/8, alongside the pocketsitter midturn when the leader broke, suffered an “ix” in the momentary confusion while looking to have a good chance with the favorite out. ARGENTO had lost contact by the half. HARRY KNOWS IR defended the pocket, moved at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, opened up a big advantage to a fast ¾, but made a break just past midturn, just beyond where a lightpole shadow crossed the track (?), to the infield.

EIGHTH RACE – HIGH IMPRESSION got an early forward spot then quarter-moved, overpowered these the last 5/16. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING emerged uncovered early on turn two, grinded, never close but second over SPORTS BETTOR. The latter first sat in then backed out behind the cover of the place horse, was moving a little better late. MAJESTIC KIWI N was originally second-over but gapped early backstretch letting a horse out, next in line. WON LAST FEELING left for control, seated a rival, then yielded for the pocket, unplugged 11/16. JONAH was wide early, raced into the pocket 3/16, blocked on the far turn but then had little once clear. ISITFRIDAYYET never factored.

NINTH RACE – FASHION KEN was looped but remained outside early, got in gear nearing the ¼ and took over 3/8 in a slow half, held off this crew in a fairly slow mile even for maiden trotters. TEST MY WILL was away well for the early pocket, yielded, backed out ¾, three-wide headstretch, had enough to grab second ahead of the inside-charging WENTWORTH HANOVER. The latter moved up from last two-wide, ducked in ¾ and finished steadily in the Pocono Pike to just miss the deuce. UNCLE NINO left well to take over early, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. FAWN DE SIGN gapped, still got the last check. WINE BAR gapped down the backstretch. FULL SCALE was outside before the second turn, went three-wide around the parked horse 5/8 and continued to advance until past mid-far turn, then tired and got a little rough. IT IS WELL was caught three-wide most of the ¼, then got cover to the 3/8, then was left raw while not threatening before fading.

TENTH RACE – CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was third-over, three-wide to the ¾ through the turn, benefited from the protracted front-end duel and finished the best. TERRITORY left, forced a tuck, momentarily bore wide late first turn but steadied, yielded 3/8 and stayed in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss it all by much. MISTER DAYTONA N was fourth-over, gapped, wide in the stretch and came on with pace. BLOW A CLOUD N left, took the pocket 3/16, backed out to second-over 5/8, was blindswitched while slightly gapping, evenly late. MAKE SOME WAVES wasn’t fast away from the gate then rolled up, had cover until the chalk cleared past the 5/16, was head-to-head with that one in good fractions the rest of the way, held courageously. P L LEEROY came out of third just before the ¼ to the lead past the 5/16, had no rest battling the parked challenger the rest of the way, tired. BRUMBY never entered contention. DL’S BIG ELVIS disconnected in the last half.

ELEVENTH RACE – MAN DONTFORGET ME left for the early pocket, moved before the ¼ to take the top off turn one then pushed her main foe almost to the second turn before releasing for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, then utilized it well to take it all. FRANTASY HANOVER was outleft and settled third, pulled out 5/16 and worked to the lead towards the bottom curve, set the rest of the pace, just caught on the inside while far ahead of the rest. GEORGIE MARTIN N gapped inside down the back, stayed inside and just got third over PEARL HARBOUR N. The latter burst right to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, couldn’t quite keep up late turn and couldn’t quite hold third. CRAZY CUTE gapped in last early, then followed cover 5/8 but never was prominent. THE STUNNING NUN N was raw at the half and moved up well in the third quarter and much of the turn, then tired. BETTERB CHEVRON N never was on the radar.

TWELFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND ARTURO got position leaving, stuck inside until headstretch then out in a blindswitch, saw room develop between horses midstretch and shot right through for an easy victory. HAND DOVER DAN had great cover, three-wide headstretch and may’ve drifted a little wider than that through the lane, steadily to grab second from RACER DAN. The latter was uncovered on turn two, made a big 27.2 move down the back to engage the leader, momentarily ahead midstretch, caught by closers but still an impressive showing. FIREINSIDEMYVEINS made the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half then had to pick it up 5/8 in the face of the tough first-over bid, not enough late. INFINITE ZETTE raced in the pocket, got a little loose late backstretch. DONZEL HANOVER joined a good outer tier but couldn’t stay with it. K J DIAMOND gapped out before the 5/8. RESOLVING broke nearing the backstretch before the start and ran the entire mile.

THIRTEENTH RACE – PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL left well, pushed a foe, yielded but came on the retake 5/16 to take control again and rate the half, opened up down the back and was a very impressive winner. BELFAST N was uncovered from sixth at the half and roared up in 26.3 to get into the pocket late on the backstretch, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t make any further inroads. SHES PUKKA N was three-wide to the first turn, then two-wide to command off that bend, yielded, couldn’t keep up late backstretch, stayed on evenly. A BETTOR GAME got early position, outside on the far turn, OK. BULLVILLE KARLA struggled from the 5/8. NONE OF THE LAST THREE were ever major contenders.

FOURTEENTH RACE – BE BEST moved up to the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and just by SPEAKING OF COFFEE very late. The latter made two speed moves to control the throttle, came up just shy. BETTOR B SAWYER sat in, didn’t appear to have a path between the top two late. SOME KINDA ANGEL started uncovered 3/8, did better from the 5/8 to mid-far turn, hung in there pretty well. SHADOW ONE was third-over behind dull cover, four-wide in the stretch and finished well. ICARUS FALLS N was shuffled, not a late factor. PLEASURE SEEKER was last most of the mile. FOR CHIPS SAKE was second-over at the 3/8, gapped cover late backstretch.

FIFTEENTH RACE – NICE GUY EDDIE got a great second-over trip from the 3/8 onward, tipped wide for the stretch and trotted right away from these. BY A HOFF HANOVER was looped and used to clear past the 1/8, got pressure from the half continuing down the back and into the turn, did well to hold off the others for second. LOUS LANCELOT stayed in, locked in on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and just missed second. CHARLIE BAR moved raw 3/8, battled the leader hard the third quarter and to midturn, lost a little momentum from there. GINA’S ON FIRE was three-wide to the first turn, looped a parked foe, let that one go past the ¼ to sit the pocket, struggled in the last ¼. PHANNYS MATTER looked at leaving but took back; that one and THE OTHER TWO were not heard from again.