Connors’ Comments for Saturday, March 25, 2023

Mar 27, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Low 40s throughout the card … Stretch tailwind … After earlier rain, the track rated “good” for the first 11 races, and “fast” thereafter; the track was rated “+1” for the first four races, and “+0” thereafter … A very rough day for anybody trying to race in the two(+)-wide tier(s) during the second half: the headwind down the back often inhibited first-over moves and flow … HIS BEATS HANOVER was the one pacer on the day who won after being two-wide during the last half: he moved uncovered at the 5/8, went by midturn, and drew away. THE WALL joined the outer flow ¾ and was a distant best of the rest. TJ’S INDY PACER left to garner the pocket, shuffled some late turn then to the Pocono Pike, evenly. HEARTBEAT HILL moved behind cover, saw it get away from him when left raw on the turn, evenly. NO QUARTER dashed away from the pole and went three :27.4 quarters on the lead (reflecting the atypical wind pattern), had the winner go by on the turn and faded. YUPPER was not factor. GENERAL MONTANA N was actually the fastest off the gate but took back when he saw a bunch of others looking for early position, no factor thereafter. NORTHERN RAIN gapped at times at the back.

SECOND RACE – PERKINS tucked early then hustled to maintain the two-hole, sat behind an embattled half, outside midturn and went to the lead early stretch, held off ODDS ON DELRAY. The latter slid in fifth behind parked horses, stayed third-in until coming out behind the winner past midturn, wide in the lane and was doing well late. MODERN ROCK set the pace with parked horses hounding him most of the way, shook them off at the ¾ but then had fresh attackers coming at him, tired. DAVIDS COMING HOME gapped early, Pocono Pike, not too much to offer here. VIRGIN STORM had to swing wide around the decaying middle tiers on the turn and finished OK. CAPOZZO was four-wide before the ¾, got to three-wide on the turn while gaining, but was tiring in the stretch. SEAL O’NEILL rode behind the parked ROYHILL, tried to go three-wide around him before the 11/16 but faded alongside him; possibly the pair were in close quarters.

THIRD RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC was in front at the 1/8, rolled under a hold, a most impressive winner in a fast time. BLUESVILLE yielded to sit a perfect two-hole, didn’t give much stretch ground. LUCKBEWITHALEX was behind a struggler, circled him and went to the Pocono Pike, very strong finish. C-BET HANOVER gapped midrace then got closer, couldn’t gain late. THE OTHER THREE were never prominent in this quick mile.

FOURTH RACE – DRAGON STRIKES avoided the “dreaded” outer tier, swung wide in the stretch and gained strongly late to catch BELLOWS BINGE. The latter moved from second 3/16 to take over 5/16, set the pace, drew clear upper stretch but couldn’t keep going to the finish. ALWAYS BETTER left well with urging, on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose ¾ into the lane, but fought on to the wire. A FEARSOME HANOVER gapped in last, then found room between horses in tight quarters and was gaining late in the stretch. PUZZLING sat in, was not prominent. SOMBODYITREASURE was second-over but like so many today was not well-served by his cover, went three-wide but didn’t have much himself. DILLINGER came uncovered at the 3/8, never headed the pocket horse before tiring. TUXEDO BAY did not make his presence felt.

FIFTH RACE – DONTPASSMEHANOVER was underway from fifth before the ¼, had cover to before the 3/8 then went on to the lead into the second turn, overpowered these in the fastest mile of the year so far at Pocono, 1:50.4. VETTEL N outleft everybody, yielded but moved again at the ¼ in front of the winner, took the top again then let it go to the winner, couldn’t keep up on the far turn, but stayed game to be best of the rest. BETTORS DONTTELL was looped early, kept going to the lead near the ¼, saw two horses go by in quarter two and stayed in third, had nowhere to go far turn, finally to the Pocono Pike, OK but couldn’t quite make second. JUSTA LITTLE BIT A stayed in, evenly late. MR DS ROCK moved raw at the half but couldn’t get close to the lead. PRINCE OF TIDES never surfaced. TUGGIN ON MY HEART was rough after the start and finally made a break, recovered, followed nonflowing cover, couldn’t recover any more ground. LISBURN checked with the early breaker, was disconnected.

SIXTH RACE – More “all inner tier” … BUSBOY HANOVER quarter-moved, didn’t have pressure, held off the late move of UNICO LEGEND N. The latter went to the point, forced a tuck before the ¼, then yielded to the winner, stayed close and moved out in the lane, may have drifted out a bit but still was doing well late. DROPTHERAKEFREDDY wanted the lead but had to take the pocket 3/16, eased out on the turn, didn’t gain but held off a bunch for third. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN was four-wide early, dropped down to tuck fourth at the 1/8, evenly in the stretch. ARTIFACT HANOVER was second-over, three-wide through the far turn, fair late on a day where outer-tier horses struggled. BAMSKI ducked inside, deep Pocono Pike, evenly. BLAKEMORE moved three-wide ¾ from last, couldn’t get in it. HASH-TAG SWAG moved raw into turn two, never reached the leader before tiring.

SEVENTH RACE – CODE CRACKER looped this group four-wide early for the lead, yielded to sit the two-hole and stayed close, to the inside in the lane and had the punch to catch IMA HAPPY FELLA GB. The latter was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the ¼, set the pace, tried hard but didn’t have the late steps of the winner. SAMHARA N went three-wide at the ¾ from third-over, finished better than many today with his kind of trip. HECANDANCENCRUISE was second-over, inside past midturn, evenly. GROOVY MAN left some but took back, gapped in quarter two then was uncovered off turn two, dropped in third near the ¾, not too much left. DRAGON CITY never factored here. NOCH TEN left some, was roused at the half but faded from that point.

EIGHTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST left for command just before the 3/16, made mincemeat of these in the last panel. OUR MAJORDAN N was second-over, three-wide far turn and got to be the distant second over a tight group. HOMESTRETCH WES was trapped in when the pocket horse unplugged far turn, to the Pocono Pike and regained some ground. URBAN RENEWAL pushed early then yielded for the two-hole trip, started to go loose 11/16. THE NEXT THREE were moving OK at the wire after having to come from w-a-y out of it. ELWELL grinded into a 4-tuck at the 1/8, first-over into turn two, went 27.2 against the wind down the back making some gain, but then tired.

NINTH RACE – MISS MCKEE left some, moved 3/16 to take over 5/16, in firm control here. GRAPPLE HANOVER left well, had the early pocket then sat third, along the inside in the stretch and outclosed ROCK OF CASHEL for second. The latter raced three-high towards turn one, in front at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, came out headstretch but didn’t have all that much late; still far ahead of the rest. ARCHIBALD sat in, gapped far turn, evenly inside late. LEVITATION vacated fourth ¾, lost fourth in a picture. EXCHEQUER never was on the radar. TRICKY DICK moved out down the back but couldn’t get close. KASEVILLE was gapping before the ½.

TENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL left but was looped, got on top at the ¼, had a serious challenge from first-over DIVISION BELL, but after that one went offstride to headstretch had things fairly easy in the lane. FRONTIER ROLLO got early forward position, sat in, came up the inside with pace for second. PLAY THE FIELD quickly circled the field from post eight, yielded at the ¼ to the winner and sat tight, outside stretch but had no more gain. A BETTOR BEACH was far back and stuck inside on the turn, beat the outer tier horses. BRAVO TEX N sat in then backed out to second-over 5/8 but gapped, blindswitched, so-so once clear. MUDVILLE was in a dull flow, tried a three-wide maneuver 11/16 but never gained much. CAVIART VAL moved second-over but soon started to gap. DIVISION BELL started up raw into turn two, gained while going 27.1 down the back and was still in the fight for the win when making a break just before headstretch.

ELEVENTH RACE – SONNY WEAVER N, briefly four-wide early, went out to take control before the 3/16, got company past the half and fought that raw challenger off, had a pair of 27.2 back quarters in him to be a confident winner here. STOP STARING went on early to the top then yielded or the pocket, swung out for the drive, neither gained nor lost ground in the sprint home. NICHOLAS BEACH sat in third, had room up the inside, paced well but couldn’t go enough. PAT MCGARRY A looked at leaving but took back, was second-over and tightened in on cover in the fast third split, three-wide midturn, did well against the bias late. KEYSTONE STEAM gapped at the back, a little better late. SOUTHWIND PETYR couldn’t get involved from third-over. INDIGO ART charged out at the half and went 26.3 full-out down the back to put big-time pressure on the winner, but paid for his efforts in the last ¼.

TWELFTH RACE – SHORE OF HIMSELF left quickly, yielded for the pocket, came out with a rush 9/16 to get the lead 11/16 as the top two drew away, bore out in the stretch but managed to beat out WAR DAN DELIGHT N; an inquiry into whether SHORE OF HIMSELF’s drifting bothered the place horse enough for a placing revealed no cause for doing so. WAR DAN DELIGHT N left three-wide to two-wide to clear before the 3/16, did not fight too hard when the winner when past down the back but was kept alert to stay close, came out in the stretch and was wide in the lane, just missed. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was away near the rear, sat in, up the Pocono Pike for a very distant third over a bunch. SIMPLE KINDA MAN left, sat third, unplugged from the top two 5/8, so-so. JK OBJECTION tucked early, was uncovered into turn two, left behind by the top two 5/8, evenly. OH K MAN had cover which never reached the front. CENTURY FURY was not in the main picture; nor did NEWBIE enter the main picture.

THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE left, yielded past the 1/8 and stayed right in the action in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and just got the measure of his opposition in a close finish. CAVEMAN A took back early, started uncovered past the 3/8 (an especially hard trip today), grinded with no surcease, unlucky to be pictured out. CRUNCH HANOVER was outside 3/8, gapped a bit second-over down the back and on the far turn, then was pacing well as the line approached. IMAGINARY LINE went to control things past the 1/8, slowed the half then had an unshakeable first-over coming at him, gave way a little late. MULLINAX sat third-in, had no clear path late. WHITECOOKIE didn’t keep with cover third-over. THE LAST TWO were the last two throughout.

FOURTEENTH RACE – TNT BLUE CHIP was four-deep early, three-wide to the 1/8, then onward to two-wide to the lead 3/8 in very fast early splits, kept up the denuding tempo and found no one who could go with him as he went the fastest trot mile of the local season, 1:54.1. BULLY BOY HILL needed much of the quarter to clear a stubborn polesitting BEER CHEESE, relinquished for the pocket, wasn’t in the class of the winner but did well to be a clear second. BEER CHEESE dashed away, then finally yielded, sat third, couldn’t stay with the pocket horse to the ¾, just maintained third late against closers. HEART MATTERS had nongaining cover, finished with trot. CHAPHEART was uncovered at the half but didn’t get untracked today. THE NEXT TWO were no factors. AP HALL OF TRIX got a 4-tuck, gapped 11/16 and broke late on the turn.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, March 20, 2023

Mar 25, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperature rising through the 40s through the card … Stretch headwind … SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL got early forward position, moved 5/16 but was left out to dry, looking to be falling back on the turn but found renewed strength and put his nose on the wire just ahead of DONT JUDGE A BOOK. The latter headed right down the road setting a very quick pace, bravely held until the last step. MR CENSI left, backed off to fourth 3/16, vacated the rail into a blindswitch 5/8, cleared early stretch and had some late pace; an inquiry as to whether his coming off the rail down the back pushed a foe wide resulted in no placing. LOUKES PERRY moved quickly off the second turn and went out to the three-wide path before the 11/16, stayed wide thereafter, did well. A STUD NAMED SUE never factored. MOVE THE LINE gapped down the back. PICTONIAN THUNDER left well, yielded for the pocket, nothing left for the latter stages.

SECOND RACE — I’M BENICIO A tucked, then followed a parked horse 3/8, three-wide 11/16 to the lead to the ¾, ran away. CAVIART REAGAN dashed out to the lead, set the pace under pressure, no answer for the sweeping winner, did manage to hold the distant second. SPORTY DRAGON sat in the pocket, came out headstretch but couldn’t get by the pacesetter for second. LUZIANA sat in, no factor. BUTTER UP was last, four-wide off the final turn and gained a little on the rest of the field. LITERL LAD HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, backed outside down the back, three-wide ¾ but no gain. SKY CAPTAIN moved outside early but never advanced. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A was caught four-wide early, dropped behind cover then was left raw 3/16, found no hole so went up to battle the leader, looped and faded.

THIRD RACE – BETTOR’S WESTERN came out on the grind 11/16 and steadily advanced, paced away from his opposition late. BRIGADOON was on the move before the ¼ to the lead 5/16, set the pace, no match for the winner but fought on for second in a photo decision over POINTSMAN. The latter took control early, yielded for the pocket, got to second in the Pocono Pike deep stretch but hung a trifle late. ADRENALINE RUSH moved second-over ¾, not far off second. FIRE SHINE sat in, to the far inside stretch, not enough. CALVERY HILL gapped past the 5/8. WHERES MY MONEY made a brief break earlier, quickly recovered and caught the field, but had no more left to give 5/8.

FOURTH RACE – STEEL SCHOONER spotted, then was out behind good cover, uncovered midturn, kept on trotting strongly through the line. SMART AS HILL tailed the winner throughout and did well late in his own right. NASEY wanted the top and took it with two speed moves, got a bit tired past midstretch. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT moved uncovered 11/16, could tuck back into the pocket, up the inside late but didn’t have too much. GINGER TREE BRAD broke early, caught the field, three-wide ¾, not too bad in recovery. UPFRONT STONE was near the back in a blindswitch midturn when shoved wide by the trouble inside. JUSTIFY was no factor inside when suffering an “ix” running up on the breaker. PAULIE WALNUTS left and was parked 5/16 for the front, yielded for the two-hole, was struggling from down the backstretch, made a break on the far turn causing trouble.

FIFTH RACE – PACK YOUR BAGS sat last, moved three- and four-wide on the turn, finished like LE BARON ROUGE overwhelming this field. LINCOLNJAMES spotted, moved 5/16 but immediately rethought the maneuver and went back in, back out raw at the ½, challenged, went by late turn and went clear briefly midstretch, but outpaced, just saving second. PHILOSOPHIZER was second-over, gapped his cover, one-geared in the lane. THOR was stuck inside, a mild rally deep in the Pocono Pike. SCRAPPIN GOLD utilized the pole for his goal of setting the pace, got pressure, done past midturn. RUNWITHTHEBIGDOGS gapped third-over, three-wide midturn while doing a little better, then flattened. FRITZIE PIC UP MAN couldn’t outstep the rail horse early and took the pocket, had little to offer late.

SIXTH RACE – WARINER tucked in what turned out to be the three-hole, moved at the ½ and went by late backstretch in a 29.4 quarter with the wind, in hand late. UNCLE NINO left well to get the lead, set the pace until being passed by the winner, stayed tight, Pocono Pike, grabbed second. TEST MY WILL moved out before turn two, got cover at the half, left uncovered to the ¾ and challenged, tired a little late after being overland a long way. FAWN DE SIGN backed out and was three-wide far turn, next in line. WINE BAR maintained the pocket until not being able to keep up before the 5/8. DINKY WINKY drifted out then hit a high gear just past the 1/8, broke going up to challenge nearing the ¼. BULLVILLE REGGIE was never on the radar. FOX HOLE, off the gate, went outside but gapped.

SEVENTH RACE – DONT GET SHOCKED took a hole early, moved from third 5/8 and went 27.1 (with the wind) to clear past the ¾, kept on going with strong strides for a crushing win in very fast time for these. RIOT was outside while far back to get around a breaker, kept coming far turn, drifted wide some late but still was up for second. PANTHEON HANOVER quickly moved from third 3/16 to take over control, couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, a decent mile in the fast fractions. P H KENNY darted away from the rail, yielded for the pocket, so-so the last ¼. THE OTHERS were left way behind in this very fast mile.

EIGHTH RACE – HAMMER CREEK went right to the top, put the hammer down past the half and lost this field in the fast ¾, only home in 31 but way way ahead. BANG BANG BOINGA spotted, then moved outside from far back, three-wide far turn, trotted on well to defeat the mere mortals in here. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was also way back, also made up ground wide on the turn and through the stretch. KEYSTONE THUNDER sat in and was shuffled, went widest towards midstretch and passed tired horses. WILLIE B WORTHY got the pocket, already going loose not much off the second turn. TEDDY BROSEVELT dangled in the back early then moved up uncovered, never got close before tiring. CREATE MYSTIQUE was very wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, took back to settle third at the ¼, gapped from the 3/8, Pocono Pike in the lane but had little to offer. SUNDAE FUNDAY dropped further and further back.

NINTH RACE – BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT was uncovered at the half, hit a better gear 11/16 and advanced, ducked in as the pocketsitter came out late turn, through in the Pocono Pike and went on to a nice victory. SOHO WALLSTREET A left for the pocket, pulled out to headstretch, never had the lead but went on to take second late. MONTY MONO took the top at the 1/8, set a steady tempo of his choosing, couldn’t make the lead last in the stretch. I SAW HIM FIRST followed cover, not in that one’s league but OK. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N tucked fourth, inside, stuck inside until angling out late turn, wide but free too late. PAR INTENDED never surfaced. SKYWAY BILLY gapped in the three-hole. MAYBE NED came out from last, was third-over, not enough the last ¼.

TENTH RACE – SUNDOWN KID went away well to control from the pole, had REAL PEACE at his throat from the 5/8, paced on tenaciously for the success. The latter tucked third past the 1/8, moved quickly off turn two and was at the leader by the 5/8, paced his third quarter in 26.4, was at least equal to the winner at several points, came up just shy in a big outing. RIFLEMAN was second-over, gapped a little in the fast third quarter, kept coming to the wire. TEXAS MIKI gapped midpack down the back, moved wide in the stretch and was OK. AFLAME HANOVER defended the pocket, didn’t offer much through the lane. WAIMAC ATTACK N never got close. CALYPSO ROCK N gapped from early in the mile. CENTURY ENFORCER took back at the start and never reentered the picture.

ELEVENTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE quickly established command, slowed the second quarter, held off a tightly-packed field. MASSIVE OPULENCE left well and took the pocket at the1/8, awaited the Pocono Pike, got his chance, but couldn’t quite make it. NICE STUFF was second-over, blindswitched on the far turn, went inside the first-over in the lane, found enough room very late to take third in a four-horse picture. SPREE came grinding on the second turn and made a gradual advance, held his ground well in the drive. ARCH CREDIT had speed and was third-in, looked to want to split horses midstretch but may not have had enough room and appeared shut off. DIVINE SPIRIT gapped down the back, then did better on the turn and four-wide headstretch, narrowed in. RED REDEMPTION looked to leave but took back early, fourth-in, couldn’t gain contention. AMBERS CHAMPION was third-over past the 5/8 but gapped, then went three-wide late turn but didn’t have enough.

TWELFTH RACE –THREE WAYS N took instant command, rated quarter two while on a line on turn two, then sprinted in 27.3 down the back to open a huge lead he never relinquished. REDHOT ROMEO tucked fourth, made with cover 11/16 and then three-wide nearing headstretch, had the most late of the rest of this field. SAMMY THE BULL N was away for the pocket, went loose 5/8. CAVIART SKIPPER moved uncovered after the two-holer started gapping but couldn’t get closer. IMIDEAL HANOVER gapped down the back then caught the main bunch but couldn’t improve along the inside. THE OTHER DUO lost contact to the ¾.

THIRTEENTH RACE – COALFORD BET ALINE made a big 27.3 backstretch move raw to get the lead ¾, continued on nicely to the finish. CONGRESSIONAL, steppy at times again, was very wide leaving then took back to follow cover and then tuck, came uncovered into turn two, picked up cover from the winner and stayed with it, saw that one clear ¾ and was left raw again, continued to try hard. AMERICAN ZESTAR had the early pocket, moved in front of the stands to get the front, didn’t keep the winner out ¾, but continued to battle to the line. NOPEWASNTME had the best early speed, yielded, shuffled, evenly. WARRAWEE XTREME was third-over and not well-served by his cover, swung three-wide and was doing OK late. AXION HANOVER was in a dynamic cover flow but gapped far turn. LYONS PRIDE was three-wide to the 1/8, got in fourth towards the ¼, little in the second half. LYONS SWIFT was not so swift today.

FOURTEENTH RACE – MISTER BOINGA left for the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close in extremely fast fractions, popped up 11/16, went by in the stretch and equaled the local season’s fastest trot mile of 1:54.2. ONE AFTER NINE stayed closely-placed, outside past the 5/8 and soon had cover, second-best. SAYLOR streaked down the road at a wild pace, held pretty well. KOSHER MAHONEY was four-wide to the 1/8, backed off to tuck fifth before the ¼, couldn’t go with the top trio. TRUMAN JR HANOVER, wide early, slid in fourth just past the 1/8, couldn’t gain. THE REMAINING THREE were well off the top ones connected to the searing pace.

FIFTEENTH RACE – I WAS TRICKED was three-wide early, raced up to take over before the 1/8, slowed the half then was tapped entering the backstretch, responded by coming home in 56.2 – 28 in an impressive debut while holding off EL YERNO with encouragement. The latter moved with cover 5/8, three-wide headstretch, had very solid late kick. RUSTY BEACH moved into third at the 1/8, came outside past the 5/8 and advanced some, but couldn’t sustain that advance, next-best. MIGHT BE RIGHT left and got the pocket, not enough in the last ¼. RAYRAY gapped 11/16 but still got the last check. CRÈME DE LOU CRÈME was a bit off the gate when breaking 50 yards before the start, caught the field but was tired in the last ¼. ALEKSANDER was already losing contact by the ¼. HURRIKANE FERRIGNO broke at the ¼.

SIXTEENTH RACE – HAILEY’S SISTER went right to the front, held out the first-over and then the potential pocket rocket in a good showing. BLANK CHEEK was first to the lead then yielded for the two-hole, stayed close, had her chance in the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. HUNGRY FOR KISSES made third before he 1/8, moved uncovered 5/8 while going her third ¼ in 27.3, challenged hard and may have gotten to even terms early stretch, but couldn’t quite sustain her bid. BIRDIE THREE gapped 11/16. MARTARITAONDAROCKS was wide to the first curve, went in fourth at the 1/8, stayed connected with the top bunch most of the way but then gave way. IDEAL ALEXA and TRULY never entered the picture. BULLVILLE MEMORIAL had lost contact by the 3/8.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, March 26, 2023

Mar 22, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Near freezing temperatures all day, and a “+1” allowance given even though the track was “fast” … Stretch headwind … MARINER SEELSTER was two-wide early, let a horse circle him 3/16, followed his cover then proceeded up to take over nearing turn two, under heavy backstretch pressure, but drew clear. TERRITORY left rapidly to hit the top into turn one, yielded, backed out 5/8 and was strong on cover, three-wide headstretch, won second in a three-way photo. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN was in the outside flow, four-wide headstretch, came on well late. BAMSKI was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide just past the 5/16 to get the lead, yielded, pocket, gapped a little in the fast third quarter and on the turn, still second in deep stretch but didn’t have enough to retain second. BRUMBY was last, had some pace in the stretch with no clear path. WON LAST FEELING moved second-over but gapped early backstretch letting a horse out, went back in, not that much. ARTIFACT HANOVER was fifth at the “START” point but utilized the rail for good position early, first-over at the ½ and went 26.4 (albeit with the wind) to give the winner a stiff challenge, not much left late. PRAIRIE ROCKSTAR was never prominent.

SECOND RACE – VASARI N, flicked at throughout the mile, was second-over early on turn two, three-wide before the ¾, took the lead early stretch and went on nicely. LAST MACH gapped in last, underway three-wide with cover far turn then four-wide in the stretch, passed a lot of horses in the 30.3 kicker. DING DING DINGER got to the front at the 1/8, rolled on a fast pace, gave way some. SKYWAY BALLISTIC improved position early, first-over into turn two, couldn’t reach the leader but held OK. SIMPLE KINDA MAN was buried, zig-zagged without ever gaining full clearance while with pace. HASH-TAG SWAG sat in, went to the deep Pocono Pike but didn’t enter contention. COWBOY COOL had little to offer from third-over. VINOVIO left, got the lead, yielded, sat the pocket, came up empty late.

THIRD RACE – SORTIE came uncovered from third 5/8 and trotted right to command ¾, an easy victory. SWEET HEART AS stayed connected, outside late turn, took second away late from CHUCKY DE VIE. The latter inherited the pocket after a breaker, backed out behind the winner, couldn’t last for second nearing the wire. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT left, inherited the lead soon after yielding as a foe broke, set the pace, passed ¾, not that much late. CHOCO CHARLIE, a bit off the gate, got the last check. TRICKY DICK and TUIS SHADOW couldn’t keep up the last ½. ASKMELATER HANOVER left and was just in the process of clearing at the 1/8 when going offstride.

FOURTH RACE – PERKINS took command, yielded for the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike and asserted himself over BLOW A CLOUD N in a two-horse main course. The latter was in front at the 1/8, cut even fractions, held well. HOOSIER SHARK spotted third, so-so in the latter stages. BEACH BLANKET BOOK closed an early gap, went uncovered 9/16 but never got closer than a nose ahead of the pocket horse ¾, tired and drifted out significantly. THISISHOWWEDOIT backed out late backstretch, four-wide headstretch, then inside the drifter for the last check. GLOBALDOMINATION N never entered the picture. KILLER MARTINI was asked for speed at the start but got no response, wound up second-over, three-wide late turn but empty.

FIFTH RACE – MISTER DAYTONA N left and grabbed the pocket, used the Pocono Pike to perfect advantage to catch a stubborn P L LEEROY. The latter was in front by the 1/8, rated the half then had to speed up to battle a hard challenger, finally caught to his left in a big effort. HIGH IMPRESSION was uncovered into turn two, went 26.4 down the back and got a small lead late backstretch, held tenaciously to the wire in a mile as good as the top two. DOCTOR BB had speed, backed out to follow cover, wide and narrowing as the tempo slowed. JONAH moved second-over, evenly the last quarter. THE OTHER TWO gapped at the back, then narrowed in in the decelerating late pace.

SIXTH RACE – THE GYPSY QUEEN IR made two speed moves in the first half, let the first-over go ¾ and stayed close, back out in the stretch and won handily. INTO THE UNKNOWN was third-over, three-wide around a gapper midturn, closed well to take second late. ST LADS BIJOU yielded, moved uncovered 9/16 and went on by ¾, couldn’t resist the late chargers. FOX VALLEY CACHET was three-wide early, briefly with cover then uncovered to get the front 5/16, yielded, inside, fair late. BLAZING RAMONA couldn’t keep up down the back. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was no factor from fourth-over. SHES A BULLVILLE never made her presence felt. FEAR HER TOUCH was second-over, fell apart in the last quarter.

SEVENTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, then two-wide, got in gear nearing the ¼ and rushed to the top 5/16, dashed clear late in the backstretch and stayed clear until midstretch, then withstood the inside move of AIN’T IT FUN. The latter left, put a foe in behind, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, was loose from the 11/16 until into the stretch, then came back some along the inside. MAJESTIC KIWI N was second-over, three-wide ¾, another doing been in deep stretch than in upper stretch. ARTACHE HANOVER got the early two-hole, then sat in third, fair while in close quarters through the stretch. MY WISH CAME TRUE was raw going into the second bend, never really got close to the leader but wasn’t that far off. HUDSEN A was rough early, gapped inside. PLAY THE ACE gapped at the back throughout. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was third-over, three- wide with cover far turn and four-wide near headstretch but didn’t gain.

EIGHTH RACE – BRIGHT SIDE UP took over past the 1/8, got a breather in quarter two while still stringing out the field, then said goodbye to these at the 5/8. SAULSGOOD moved outside at the 5/8, grinded well off the winner, along for second. FASHION CANTAB stayed in, came out in a blindswitch headstretch, went between horses and dead-heated BY A HOFF HANOVER for third. The latter was second-over, gapped cover late backstretch, fair in the lane. PHANNYS MATTER was hard to take back in the first quarter, wide stretch and gained some. WAVELIKEAQUEEN was inside, behind a tired one on the turn, but didn’t gain once clear. BAR COINS was no factor. MISS PRINCIPLE made the front, yielded for the pocket, steadily lost ground the last 3/8.

NINTH RACE – MAKE SOME WAVES was underway just past the 3/8 and was all business crossing over past the 5/8, never in danger. CRUISE PATROL joined the outside flow off turn two, left uncovered mid-far turn, paced very well to be the distant second. BLACKLIGHT backed out after a shuffle when the inner tier collapsed, wide in the stretch and along for third. SEAL O’NEILL left to get the early lead, yielded at the ¼, inside, shuffled badly then out in a blindswitch, did well to recover for fourth. IC A FREE SPIRIT was under urging early but could only get away third, then shuffled all the way to last, wide, not a late factor. SPORTSMANSHIP followed the winner then was left uncovered, tucked in the “pocket” midturn but all done at that point. RYCROFT N pressed on to get the early lead, set the pace, had no answer when challenged down the back.

TENTH RACE – IDIOSYNCRATIC tucked third at the 1/8, moved just before the ¼ in front of a parked horse and went up to take over, handled the first-over then drew off upper stretch, in control. ERINWOOD YVES was outleft, got in fourth off the first turn as the winner commenced a brush, stayed in, had sharp pace up the Pocono Pike to edge COMET CRUSADER N. The latter got away well and got into the early pocket, stayed in third until going two-wide late turn, wide in the stretch and moving very well late. ALADDIN HANOVER had first-over duty, went 27.2 down the back but couldn’t get close than the winner’s wheel, best of the rest. BAY CITY was away well, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner, had no response in the lane. VEL BITTER CHIP had traffic difficulties. SLICK RICHARD gapped. BUILDING BOOST gapped second-over, was fading when breaking nearing headstretch.

ELEVENTH RACE – KEPT UNDER WRAPS A, finally getting some good local luck, went to the top then yielded early for the pocket, had a great trip before going to the Pocono Pike, and won easily. DERECHO moved from the pocket at the 1/8 to 3/16 command, had pressure from the first-over, caught by a fresh horse up the inside, had pretty well to retain second over I GET THAT. The latter was uncovered at the half, challenged through fairly mild fractions, almost got the deuce. CAPOZZO stayed in, couldn’t get into the late battle. WF EEYORE was never a presence. COCOSFELLA A was second-over but gapped; SAULSBROOK RAPTOR was behind that dull cover, three-wide late turn but did not rally.

TWELFTH RACE – DROPTHERAKEFREDDY led for 5280 feet, set a decent pace, gave a little ground to CRACK A SMILE late but still seemed safe. The latter went into the pocket past the 1/8, a bit loose from late backstretch around much of the turn, did a little bit in the stretch. MADDOX HANOVER stayed in and was badly blocked behind the stragglers far turn, to the Pocono Pike and along for third.  LORD OF MISRULE left some but got a bit steppy into the first turn, third, started to gap past the 5/8. SONG CYCLE SENESE never got close. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING was second-over behind nonflowing cover, wide for the stretch but didn’t gain. ISITFRIDAYYET closed an early gap, came out at the half but never made much progress before faltering.

THIRTEENTH RACE – INTRIGUED AGAIN was last most of the way, got rolling behind cover three-wide ¾ and went four-wide late turn, just up as the pace slowed into the wind. DL’S BIG ELVIS was looped early, methodically went up to get command 3/8, came under pressure, shook that one off, just missed in the last couple steps. AMERICA’S GUEST was second-over, three-wide midturn, best of the others. JET ACE left for the pocket, under a hold in the hole at the ¼ and popped back out 3/8, challenged long and hard, held well. SPORTS BETTOR was two-wide, blindswitched on the far turn, had to back out and widest, OK late. TISADREAM N never was in the picture. WESTERN WALTZ was three-wide early to clear at the 1/8, pushed a foe to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, tired at the ¾.

FOURTEENTH RACE – CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL pushed away well and kept the pocket, pulled from that spot to the ¾ and challenged, a safe winner today. GLOBAL CRUSH made a good third quarter move although not reaching the leaders until getting cover from the pocketpuller to the ¾, second-best. ROYHILL reached the top just past the 1/8 and rolled along, couldn’t carry his speed to the wire. LOUD SPLASH was last, gapped cover, then had better pace late. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO was not a major danger. ER VEGAS never entered the picture. SAFENSOUND HANOVER started well, took the tuck behind the two inside leavers, started to gap by the 3/8.

FIFTEENTH RACE – WILD BLUE YONDER was like everyone else far back in the middle half, followed cover gaining, ducked inside headstretch then to the Pocono Pike, just got there in the shadow of the wire. RELENTLESS JULIE quarter-moved, went her middle half in 55.4 while opening a huge lead, stayed game but couldn’t last to the line. DANCE NUMBER was uncovered 5/8 and ate into the leader’s margin to headstretch, flattened slightly after working hard 5/8 to 7/8. SPEAKTOYOURMANAGER made the lead at the 1/8, yielded to the brusher and was gapping badly before the 3/8, distant best of the rest. LADY’S CHOICE K was in the pocket, far back, couldn’t make a comeback. THE LAST THREE were disconnected by the half: C DIDDY’S GAL came back with “b.e.”, and ADULT SWIM was off the gate.

SIXTEENTH RACE – GATOR HANOVER got forward position, moved out from behind a gapper 3/8 and was able to tuck in the pocket at the ½, to the Pocono Pike and did the best late. TRIFECTA HANOVER went inside the drifting horse 5/8 and advanced raw, held well to win a photo for second. BARNEY HANOVER let a foe go then came again 3/16 to make the lead past the ¼, got a moderate middle half but still didn’t show enough. PARK STREET BLUES was wide in the drive and finished well. CAPTAIN WHO joined the backstretch flow, OK late. WATCH U R BACK got jammed up past the 5/8 when the inner tier accordioned, never featured after that. DARIO HANOVER gapped at the back. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was wide early and got to the top, left a gap 3/8 that was filled by the winner, drifted out and wide midbackstretch and dropped way out of it.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, March 18, 2023

Mar 21, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

BENJI’S BEST was uncovered to the half, rushed by the leader ¾ and was off by himself late. MUDVILLE was third-over, blindswitched 11/16 but advanced in the blindswitch on the turn, clear early stretch and just up for the distant second. MINDTRIP had the winner’s cover, couldn’t stay with it to the ¾ and two-wide raw on the turn, to the inside headstretch, just failed to preserve second. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO stayed in and was shuffled to last, four-wide past midturn, OK. MODERN ROCK was in front at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, very badly shuffled on the far turn, but didn’t gain once clearing. DRAGON STRIKES came three-wide from last past the 5/8 but only served to clog that tier. NOCH TEN was very wide leaving and four-high to just before the 1/8, tucked third at the ¼, badly shuffled, but no late response. SAMSON BLUE CHIP was three-wide to the 1/8, then went up to take over at the ¼, kept up a quick tempo, all done when challenged before the ¾.

SECOND RACE – IMAGINARY LINE went to the point at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼ for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and along. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was used to clear past the ¼, had to speed up again when a big first-over challenger emerged, shook off that one, couldn’t quit withstand the winner. HIS BEATS HANOVER stayed in and was shuffled, found room deep in the Pike and closed very well. HEARTBEAT HILL had some early speed, inside, gapped in the fast third split, evenly late. SHVAIKO came three-wide past the 5/8, one-geared in the slowing last quarter. KILOWATT KID N was on the move at the half and soon went three-wide to two-wide 5/8 while pacing his (wind-aided) third quarter in 26.3, held on pretty well after the big energy use down the back. MR PROFETA was away last and never in it. TERRY A HANOVER was three- then two-wide with cover to the ¼, then left raw, looped 5/8 and fell back.

THIRD RACE – SOMBODYITREASURE left well and got the pocket at the 1/8, sat in third until going two-wide with cover midturn, wide in the lane and closed well after the scalding pace. ALWAYS BETTER came uncovered at the 5/8, grinded, never ahead but steadily for the deuce. FRONTIER ROLLO left well, forced a tuck, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, may’ve been bottomed a bit behind the fast pace. CAVIART MAX quarter-moved and put up very hot fractions, paid the price in the lane. THE OTHER THREE were never in the main picture.

FOURTH RACE – CODE CRACKER was fourth-in, was able to come through in the deep Pocono Pike and was able to outfoot this crew late. GROOVY MAN had cover leaving, spotted fourth at the 1/8, inside, to the Pocono Pike, got a tiny brief lead deep stretch, just missed. YS DO IT RIGHT was looped out of the gate, pressed on to 3/16 command, got a second quarter breather and wasn’t pressured on the lead, came up just shy. BLUESVILLE left sharply to circle the field early, yielded for the pocket, outside headstretch, not quite enough late. MAJOR SHOW was second-over, three-wide past midturn, found his best strides too late. C-BET HANOVER showed speed, pulled uncovered at the half, evenly while never posing a large threat. THE OTHER TWO were in the back throughout.

FIFTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was outleft, tucked third then quarter-moved, proved far superior to his opposition here. PLAY THE FIELD was three-deep to turn one to 1/8 command, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t do much about the winner but was a clear second. BRAVO TEX N was uncovered off the second turn, never got close and dropped in third late turn, a distant third. A FEARSOME HANOVER was last, circled quite a few horses wide in the stretch. PUZZLING gapped cover 5/8. STELLAR BB was in the outer flow but had little to offer. LATEST ERA gapped inside. DECOY left, yielded at the 1/8, third-in, backed up in the last ¼.

SIXTH RACE – HARRY KNOWS IR was three-wide leaving and got around the breaker 3/16, patiently to the top 3/8 and immediately started stringing out the field, coasted home. JULA MAGICIAN came outside past the ¾ and grabbed the distant second. MYSTICAL WYNN moved outside late turn and got up for third. GRAPPLE HANOVER left well for the lead, yielded 3/8, then struggled to stay close to the winner, fair late. MUSHANA couldn’t keep up the last half. CHIPLOSIVE was off the gate, had a touch of belated trot. MARION GONDOLIER was never a factor. SAY YOU DO was between horses moving up towards the front when breaking 3/16.

SEVENTH RACE – CAVIART VAL made the lead just before the 1/8, slowed the half, then was resistant to a big bid from the first-over, drew clear early stretch and was mildly kept to task to be safe. DIVISION BELL was uncovered into turn two, paced 27.1 raw down the back to seriously challenge the winner, shaken off early stretch but tried with good courage to the line. URBAN RENEWAL went to the lead then yielded for the two-hole, not quite enough in the last ¼ although not bad. ODDS ON DELRAY sat in, found clearance past midturn, four-wide in the lane and was moving well late. IDEAL STAR N had good cover second-over, three-wide headstretch but faded. LITTLE POWER and ROCKET RUSSELL were never factors.

EIGHTH RACE – WHAT SHOULD I GOO looked to consider a tuck early but found the hole shut and went on to the lead, yielded before the 3/8, outside midturn, directly to the lead, won easily. CHAPHEART was a long way back when starting uncovered, made up a lot of ground in a good showing of his own. BULLY BOY HILL was on the lead at the 1/8, yielded, third-in, moved out in the stretch but couldn’t save second. THE NEXT THREE stayed in and went along evenly. ILBENEEDINSTITCHES left, had cover, left uncovered and went on to the lead just before the 3/8, set the pace, folded. FOREVERHILLREIGN gapped.

NINTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide early then two-wide 3/16 for command, yielded for the pocket, moved to the Pocono Pike and had the necessary kick from the good spot to defeat these. TUXEDO BAY launched uncovered nearing the 3/8 and had reached the pacesetter by the 9/16, went 26.4 with the wind down the back battling that one, never took a backwards step. VIRGIN STORM gapped cover second-over in the fast third quarter, then swung four-wide in the stretch and gained as things slowed a bit. DAVIDS COMING HOME was buried inside, could get to the inside of the winner deep in the Pike, not quite enough steps. I’LL TAKE THE BET stayed in early and was shuffled to last, swung five-wide in the drive and narrowed in. BIG BOSS HILL was actually the first to show off the gate but took back as surrounded by speedy foes, stayed in, blocked through the stretch. MEADOWBROOK FLASH showed speed and yielded, backed out at the half but gapped in the fast Q3, three-wide late turn, not enough. SHORE OF HIMSELF was four-wide early then fell in behind cover, uncovered 3/16 on to the lead 5/16, rated quarter two then was under the gun, not enough left late.

TENTH RACE – STOP STARING went out between horses for the lead then yielded for the pocket, angled out sharply near headstretch, opened a clear lead midstretch, coaxed through the line to stay safe. KEYSTONE STEAM was second-over, three-wide 11/16 through the turn, lost ground straightening away but re-dug in and finished well. MIGHTY SANTANA N followed the place horse then swung wide, good late. MULLINAX showed speed and yielded, sat in, Pocono Pike, not that much. JUSTA LITTLE BIT A was last inside, had justa little bit of pace deep in the Pike. WHITECOOKIE was three-wide to the first turn then two-wide to the 3/16 for the lead in a very fast opener, rated the second split, had the early work catch up to him in the last 1/8. DANCIN DRAGON eased into a midpack tuck, then was first-over to the second turn, didn’t really threaten.

ELEVENTH RACE – GUINNESS PANIC moved uncovered at the half and roared to the lead 11/16, opened a big margin, then held together in a slowing last ¼. HOMESTRETCH WES was double-looped, proceeded onward to the lead off the first turn, yielded approaching curve two, got back out before the 11/16 and was able to retuck in the pocket, kept at his task gamely. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN left, took the lead at the 1/8, saw two horses go by in the second stanza, also was able to back out down the back, briefly retucked on the turn then out again for the stretch, fair. OUR MAJORDAN A left and had the pocket early, stayed in, wide in the stretch, OK and far ahead of the rest. A BETTOR BEACH had dull cover and took off three-wide 5/8, had gained until breaking mid-far turn, recovered for the last check. LATE MAIL N didn’t deliver today. BOBBY K HILL would have been in a good flow had he been able to keep up with it. CAPTAIN T HANOVER pulled from fourth at the ¼, left uncovered 5/16 and needed most of the frontstretch to clear, no answer when the winner challenged beyond the 5/8.

TWELFTH RACE – DANDY, in play from the start, was three-wide just past the 1/8, pressed on but was hung out well past the 3/8 to get the lead, but proved to be very tough in staying clear. EUROBOND gapped midrace, found a better gear 11/16 and outside, didn’t really threaten. DOUBLE ACCOUNT made the top, forced a tuck, kept the winner out until nearing the second turn then yielded for the pocket, didn’t have all that much punch in the stretch. ROBBIE PEV stayed in and gapped, evenly. MACMORRIS HANOVER avoided trouble and had some trot at the end of it. TOP ME OFF couldn’t go this much. BLENHEIM was outside at a distance down the back, broke far turn. P L NOTSONICE left, took the pocket, didn’t appear comfortable in the hole and ran 5/16, went to the infield.

THIRTEENTH RACE – BLACK CHEVRON N, well-handled, was third-over from last, stayed in the lively flow then ducked inside midturn, could rally up a clear Pocono Pike and got the win here though they weren’t going fast late. DILLINGER was second-over, gapped a little down the back then better, uncovered ¾, inside midturn, out again late turn, steadily. ASTON HILL DAVE backed outside and got in a good flow, not far off at the wire. AMP IT UP N sat in and was shuffled to last far turn, widest and good late. AMERICAN REBEL left between horses, tucked at the 1/8, also a shuffle victim far turn, out in a blindswitch late turn, fair in traffic late. SECRECY tucked fourth at the1/8, went first-up on the clubhouse turn, paced past ¾, but couldn’t sustain the progress. JK OBJECTION took the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, hopelessly shuffled as the leader stopped ¾, but made no recovery. CENTURY FURY made two speed moves, no response when challenged ¾.

FOURTEENTH RACE – DONTPASSMEHANOVER had to overcome the raw journey, went in 26.4 to press his case down the back, then drew clear in a very impressive display. BIG FRITZ was three-wide to the first turn, then two-wide to 3/16 command, rolled on at a good clip, second-best. STONEBRIDGE REEF took over at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, a bit loose the last ¼. DRAGON CITY sat in and was shuffled to last, out in a blindswitch headstretch, kept feathering his way wider through the lane, with a good surge widest late. P L LOU was first to show, yielded, sat third-in, gapped down the back. LUCKBEWITHALEX was second-over, moved up in quarter three but couldn’t sustain the gain. AMERICAN CLASSIC never factored. SOMETHING BETTOR A gapped third-over.

FIFTEENTH RACE – DASH OF DANGER went out for the pocket trip and stayed mostly connected, to the Pocono Pike and along in a slowing last quarter. BULLVILLE TERROR was three-wide leaving, in third past the 1/8, back out raw off turn two, one-geared from there, OK. DO WORK SON was buried inside, weaved through traffic with late pace. TJ’S INDY PACER took control from the pole, went a fast third quarter without pressure, ran out of gas. CRUNCH HANOVER was first to move, wound up third-over, not a factor. DOUBLEORNOTHING N never surfaced. DRAGON SAID was very wide early, got in fourth 3/16, then came second-over, faded.