Connors’ Comments for Sunday, February 26, 2023

Mar 2, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Mid to high 40s, with a stretch headwind … BULLVILLE TERROR came out raw to the 5/8, never let up and wore down WESTERN BEACHBOY right on the money. The latter left strongly and put up big numbers, still had a clear lead before late stretch but couldn’t hold on to the finish. FULSOME followed great cover and was far ahead of the rest in third. WAIMAC ATTACK N left, had to take back to tuck third 3/16, stayed in, proved to be best of the rest. SEAL O’NEILL left, dropped in the pocket before the 3/16, started to go loose 5/8. THE OTHERS couldn’t keep up with the fast fractions from down the back.

SECOND RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM went right to the lead, was in control, holding off a challenger to either side late. PANTHEON HANOVER left enough to protect the pocket and had a perfect trip, outside headstretch, bore out while gaining some. BETTOR’S WESTERN was second-over, circled dull cover 11/16 back to two-wide on the turn, then ducked in and went to the Pocono Pike, finished with consistent speed. CALVERY HILL was shuffled some, then got out, best of the others. DISMISSAL SLIP never got into the main action. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N went first-over into turn two, never got close, then bore way wide nearing headstretch. I SOAR HIM FIRST settled in third past the 1/8, gapping out before the 5/8. ARTACUS was no factor.

THIRD RACE — BULLVILLEKARLA had great cover that took her from last to second-over, left uncovered ¾, paced on nicely to score the triumph. FOR CHIPS SAKE was out 3/16 to get the top and kept a rival outside a like distance before yielding for the pocket, shuffled crucially on the turn, found room and closed very well up the inside. JOES BEAUTY made a steady raw move from past the 3/8 that carried her all the way to the lead to the ¾, a little tired late. BETTE TINA was three-wide to the 1/8, then had cover to the 3/16, then worked up to the lead 3/8, couldn’t keep the brusher out ¾, continued on determinedly. RHYME N ROLL left, pushed, yielded, was shuffled, a bit along the inside. RAINBOW RISING joined a lively flow but couldn’t go with it ¾. PLEASURE SEEKER was three-wide then two-wide with cover much of the first turn, tucked in, moved out again but couldn’t gain. SQ ALEXIA never surfaced.

FOURTH RACE – NASEY broke coming off the turn before the start and was on the dead run the entire mile while out wide, tripped the beam first but was placed for running the whole way. CHUCKY DE VIE went to the lead at the 1/8, kept a foe parked in fast fractions for these, was well clear of those trotting the last ¼. LADY’S IMAGE raced inside, to the Pocono Pike and had some late foot. TRICKY DICK was the last flat horse most of the way, wide stretch and gained as the tempo slowed. HAMMER CREEK was left uncovered two-wide the duration, not too bad finishing. AWSOME PAUL could muster little. ARCH CREDIT left, yielded, kept the pocket closed until past the ¾, tired. KEYSTONE THUNDER was off the gate, caught it, but then went to a break towards the start, ran the mile at the back of the pack.

FIFTH RACE – C-BET HANOVER left three-wide to the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half then came home in 55 far clear of these. SLICK RICHARD defended the pocket, lost a little ground in the big third quarter, narrowed back in a little, then fell a little further back but far clear for place. SWEET SHUNEY MOON went around a gapper before the 5/8, up the inside to win third over ALADDIN HANOVER. The latter was looped leaving, tucked third past the 1/8, came out far turn, didn’t gain while drifting out some. PLAY THE ACE got the last check. SPORTS BOX was behind a breaker at the ¼, never recovered. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH got a slow start, ran up on a horse at the ¼ and went offstride.

SIXTH RACE – PERKINS never saw the rail, advanced from last before the ¼, got cover to the 3/8, three-wide to the 11/16 to two-wide to the ¾, just kept digging in and took an impressive triumph. SAFENSOUND HANOVER left, finally accepted the pocket 3/16, stayed there then inside in the stretch, good but second-best. BLOW A CLOUD N was not interested in yielding, got pressure from the winner on the far turn, not quite enough pace to the line. PHILOSOPHIZER went in third early, kept up to the far turn. IC A FREE SPIRIT raced inside, gapped down the back, evenly late. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT tried to circle the fading first-over horse but didn’t gain much at all. LEAVE AND ROLL gapped at the back. JAFFA JOSH N didn’t get away well and was on a line early, flushed out raw 3/8, gained to the 5/8 then started to retreat.

SEVENTH RACE – MUSHANA came uncovered before turn two, pressured the leader down the back and had an advantage before the ¾ but couldn’t clear until the pacesetter broke far turn, then opened a clear margin, but was all-out to ward off ARGENTO. The latter sat in then backed out to be third-over in a good flow, shoved wide late turn, really eating up the ground through the lane to just miss. BROOKROAD MASTER was carried up very nicely by the winner, briefly wide around the breaker past midturn then down to the pylons, clearly third. BANG BANG BOINGA was five-wide early and three-wide to before the 3/16, got to the pocket before the ¼, struggling from the 5/8. BLOGMASTER was three-wide to the first turn to the front past the 1/8, put a rival in behind him, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, was in decent position far turn when the pacesetter broke, suffering “ix” and going to the infield. HALL IT OFF got early position, moved off the first turn to the top before the second, was under hard pressure from the 5/8 but kept the challenger outside until he went offstride mid-far turn. PAULIE WALNUTS left but was a bit rough four-wide, was two-wide just off of cover when breaking 3/16.

EIGHTH RACE – SPEAK YOUR MIND left some and dropped down third early, then quarter-moved to the lead 3/8, resisted the first-over then drew clear. SHES A BULLVILLE was inside and blocked, found room between rivals midstretch and did well to be second. FEAR HER TOUCH took 3/16 to get around the pole horse, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not too much punch late. FOX VALLEY CACHET rode the inside and passed the tired outer tier. JAGGED LITTLE PILL pushed the 3/16, yielded, back out again raw off turn two, challenged, faded from midturn. DIFFERENTFORGIRLS was second-over but gapped 5/8. MS TREACHEROUS posed no danger from third-over. ICARUS FALLS N was already gapping by the ¼, never in it.

NINTH RACE – CENTURY ENFORCER left well to be in front at the 1/8, rated the half, stayed clear of pressure until late, then needed reminding to keep going on to the wire. BLACKLIGHT was uncovered from just past the 3/8, grinded, kept on coming through the lane but couldn’t reach the winner. IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING was three-wide before the 1/8, took the pocket 3/16, followed nicely, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t find a little bit more late. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN, away last, gained up the inside, outside ¾, found his best strides late. WHATA TREASURE moved second-over 11/16, gained some, then flattened late. LUZIANA was outside early but went way wide on turn two, settled down but didn’t contend. HOLY MOMENT was never a major danger. WILSONS VINNER gapped out 5/8.

TENTH RACE – PURE SILKY intimidated this field. SOUTHWIND JAVA maintained the pocket in the lineup, a distant second over NADINA HANOVER. The latter came raw 5/8, paced her own back half in 55 to threaten for second. FRANTASY HANOVER sat last, waited for the Pocono Pike and had a pretty good response from an impossible spot. BETTOR B SAWYER was not prominent. FLIP THE SCRIPT sat third, out behind cover on the turn but had little to offer. SOME KINDA ANGEL was second-over 5/8 but couldn’t enter the main picture.

ELEVENTH RACE – HURRIKANE CHUCK was away well and took over at the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, withstood the late bid of pocketsitting THIRD PILLAR. The latter left to defend the two-hole, took his shot in the lane, good. COALFORD BET ALINE was briefly between horses early before tucking third, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, not as much as the top two but far ahead of the rest. WOODMERE ANDROLLI was uncovered at the 5/8 and gained, flattened out some. VARNEY was way back nearing the ¾, showed good last quarter speed. CROWN OF THORNS retucked around a gapper early backstretch, not a contender. LYONS SWIFT never factored. BLUE ASHES was gapping early and started losing contact just past the half.

TWELFTH RACE – AMBERS CHAMPION was uncovered before the 5/8, one-geared, wore down MANWILLING in a 31.1 last quarter. The latter moved from third and needed the length of the frontstretch to clear, couldn’t hold on. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over, fair. PISTOLS ASPIRATION made the lead to the first turn, forced a tuck, pushed the parked horse then yielded into turn two for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the stretch. GLIDE IN THE WIND sat in than moved out late turn, gained a little ground in the slowing pace. PHANNYS MATTER was hard to take back early, gapped near the half, stayed inside, a little in the Pocono Pike late. MARQUIS VOLO left, went into the pocket at the 1/8, sat in third, no forward gear late. GREEK LEGEND couldn’t get into contention.

THIRTEENTH RACE – IM A GIGOLO N left, had cover, briefly tucked third but then quarter-moved, had to work to clear before the second turn, was head-to-head with TRAY SURREAL the last 3/8, game to claim the victory. The latter came with a rush soon often the second turn, and fought very hard with the winner, gallant showing. ALWAYS A LOOK left well to early command, pushed the winner before yielding for the pocket, stayed close to the top two until the stretch, a clear third. LINCOLNJAMES gapped inside, doing slightly better late. BUTTER UP never achieved prominence. SNAP CALL was out behind bad cover, three-wide past the 5/8 back to two-wide but well off the lead, finished with “b.e.” ALL CHEDDAR was out at the ¼, stopped gaining early in the backstretch. SIR MACHALOT gapped at the back.

FOURTEENTH RACE – SO IRRESISTIBLE left but took back, proceeded uncovered at the half, went hoof-to-hoof with BRILLIANT BEAUTY the last 5/16 and just got in front in the shadow of the wire. The latter left hard, yielded, came again and set a very fast pace, had bigtime pressure from the winner, led to within the last pylon before the finish. GEORGIE MARTIN N was four-wide early and circled foes to get the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, started gapping 5/8 but still maintained the very distant third over a tightly-packed rest of the field. A CRAFTY LADY was behind gapping cover, wide late far turn, some at the end. MONEYMAKEHERSMILE went uncovered on turn two, soon gained cover but couldn’t stay with it. FIGHTING EVIL was briefly three-wide early, then between horses and looped, found a tuck off the first turn, inside, not heard from again. LIGHTNING LEIA was caught inside, swung widest headstretch and had some late pace on the extreme outside.

FIFTEENTH RACE – HEART MATTERS left to early command, yielded for the pocket at the ¼ and was a little loose at times in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got the nod over SAULSGOOD. The latter was uncovered 5/8 and gradually went up to challenge, game to the finish. ZETTE FLAME was third-over, widest with good late trot. PRETTY INTERESTING was looped early, drove on to the lead at the ¼ and rated the half, came up short at crunch time. WAVELIKEAQUEEN sat in, stayed with the pack without clearance in the stretch. U BAKE THE CAKE ducked to the far inside stretch, didn’t factor. MISS PRINCIPLE moved outside 9/16 and got cover 5/8, not enough.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, February 25, 2023

Feb 28, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperatures just under freezing the entire day … Stretch headwind at the start … BUSBOY HANOVER left well, yielded, rethought a quarter move, stayed close to the leader through quick fractions, outside stretch and got a small advantage midstretch, but then got resistance from ODDS ON DELRAY and just prevailed. The latter went to command before the 3/16 and kept up a good pace, fought bravely through the stretch. P L LEEROY stayed in, outside for the drive and closed well to nip DRAGON STRIKES for third. The latter came uncovered to the 5/8, gained some, then held well. REYS N A RUCKUS was three-wide early, slotted third 3/16, gapped from the ¾. ARTACHE HANOVER backed out to second-over but couldn’t keep up. THE OTHER TWO were always far behind.

SECOND RACE – DO WORK SON went right to the lead, yielded to the early brusher to sit the pocket, outside ¾, gradually grinded to the top then held off the inside threat. GLOBALDOMINATION N took back at the start, stayed in, gapped a little on the turn while looking a little on a line, steadily in the Pocono Pike. CURBSIDE PICKUP defended the pocket early then came outside 3/16 to take over 5/16, set the pace, not enough to last to the wire. SIMPLE KINDA MAN sat in and was locked in far turn, cleared headstretch, found a good late gear. PARK OFFICIAL started uncovered from last into turn two, never got near the front. CAPTAIN COOK backed out to second-over but also never factored.

THIRD RACE – CAVIART MAX was between horses early and made the top just past a fast opener, continued quickly in keeping a foe parked, kept on going on the lead, a little tired nearing the wire but still safe. JK OBJECTION used the rail to great advantage and worked out the pocket trip, couldn’t go with the winner but defeated the rest. SAMSON BLUE CHIP was among a host of prospective early leavers, tucked midpack 3/16, stayed in, room in the stretch, fair. IDEAL STAR N was outside early, wound up third-over, followed cover three-wide then had to go four-wide late turn, closed very well after a hard trip. URBAN RENEWAL was three-wide much of the ¼ before going behind the cover of the winenr, soon lost that and was let out on the rim, held his ground pretty well considering the rough trip. SHORE OF HIMSELF came outside at the half, three-wide 11/16, but couldn’t gain. LITTLE POWER stayed in, was blocked far turn, but then cleared inside and couldn’t muster much. CAPOZZO never got close.

FOURTH RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC left, took a 3-tuck 3/16, uncovered 9/16, grinded, showed grittiness to outpace a bunch of foes. SOMETHING BETTOR A used the rail well to maintain the pocket, Pocono Pike, may have gotten to even terms midstretch, proved best in a tight group contending second. DANCING JOE moved second-over in a good flow, three-wide approaching late turn, OK. COWBOY COOL was third-over, four-wide in the lane, finished well. LATEST ERA was last and behind a dull one far turn, moved out a lane headstretch, had solid pace while quite possibly never being fully clear. BLUESVILLE was four-wide to the 1/8 to clear just beyond that point, backed off the second quarter, then under pressure, not enough late. PHANTOM SHADOW gapped inside. HELTER SKELTER fell far back in the stretch.

FIFTH RACE – ELWELL tucked early then quarter-moved, had a pair of 28 back quarters in him and needed all of that to prevail in a three-way late duel. BELLOWS BINGE left sharply to 1/8 command, yielded to the winner, came outside late turn and wide in the stretch, steadily gained on the top two. INDIGO ART took an early spot, launched uncovered 5/8 and went ding-dong with the winner throughout the last quarter, holding nicely. ASTON HILL DAVE was urged hard leaving and did have the early pocket, stayed in, not enough at crunch time. PLAY THE FIELD did not surface. DARK ENERGY N moved outside but immediately gapped; MINDTRIP moved out behind that gapper, tried to circle up three-wide but could not.

SIXTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH moved from third at the ¼, needed the length of the frontstretch to clear to the lead, but had no problem thereafter. TORRONE left smartly to make the lead in a quick quarter, pushed the winner some before yielding for the pocket, held on to that position. BULLY BOY HILL came out 5/8 and made up a lot of ground quickly, held his position well nearing the line. CRESCENT BEAUTY sat in, outside around a gapper past midturn, finished steadily. CHAMPAGNE HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 to the pocket just beyond that point, inside, gapped some on the turn, then found a bit of renewed vigor inside late. AP HALL OF TRIX and DIEHARD SEELSTER never made their presence felt. MASSIVE MATTER backed out to second-over 5/8 and gained behind cover, but broke ¾.

SEVENTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER was looped leaving, tucked fourth 3/16, outside down the back and gained, three-wide late turn, just along late in the slowing last quarter after the hot pace. REDBANK BLAZE A was urged leaving, settled into the pocket, followed cover past the 5/8, left uncovered to the far turn, may have had the lead for a step or two deep stretch, just caught. SUNDOWN KID outleft everybody from post eight, was hard to take back enough to let the brusher go at the ½, right back out to the 5/8 and by at the very quick ¾, held to late in the mile in a big display of energy. PATERNITY SUIT A sat in, got clear in the deep Pocono Pike past early stretch, OK. I DRAINTHESWAMP A moved at the quarter but was driven and hard-pressed to clear by the fast half, yielded into the far turn, tried to rally back in the Pike but couldn’t. SKIP TO MY LOU never entered the main picture. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was in the outer tier, four-wide approaching headstretch, couldn’t reach. TELL THEM LOU lost contact just past the half.

EIGHTH RACE – STELLAR BB charged through at the start right to the lead, had no problems at all. DON’T JUDGE A BOOK defended the pocket from the rail, came outside headstretch but did not make up ground. DRAGONOLOGY moved second-over, three-wide around tiring cover, best of the others. A STUD NAMED SAM sat in, gapped a little, some late pace in the Pocono Pike. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL vacated third at the 5/8, moved up some but could not sustain that bid midturn. THE NEXT TWO never entered the picture. COCOSFELLA came out off turn two but went backwards.

NINTH RACE – KEYSTONE STEAM was three-wide 3/16 then parked the rest of the way without cover, grinded in fast fractions, went by the leader headstretch and drew off in a fast mile like it was nothing. DILLINGER sat in then moved out at the half, had dull cover, three-wide then four-wide headstretch, finished very well. DASH OF DANGER was buried inside, out in a blindswitch late turn, then angled inside for clearance early stretch, did get to second past midstretch but was outpaced late for the deuce. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN went away rapidly (25.4 to the ¼), rated the half then was pressured by the parked winner, had no answer for him in the stretch. MEADOWBROOK FLASH moved 3/8 to be second-over, three-wide late on the turn but little response. THANOS was looped leaving and was rough, made the pocket 3/16 and stayed close, came out behind the winner late turn, little left in the last 1/8. I’LL TAKE THE BET gapped at the back. DERECHO was inside, started to gap out 5/8.

TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL went to the lead, saw two go by then moved out at the ¼, reclaimed the lead before the 3/8, opened some space early stretch then was hustled to keep the advantage – welcome back, Eric Goodell. HEMSWORTH N was last, third-over, four-wide headstretch, still sixth nearing midstretch, went a gigantic last 1/16 to jut miss. CARLISIMO was second-over, three-wide late turn, took third in a photo. DELIGHTFUL DUDE N started raw at the half, never reached the leader, held OK. WHITECOOKIE was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the ¼, yielded for the pocket, came up a bit shy in the lane. SHVAIKO was looped and between horses until crossing over 3/16, yielded, third-in, so-so in the Pocono Pike. DANCE IT OUT was not a factor.

ELEVENTH RACE – STONEBRIDGE REEF worked to the lead to the 1/8, slowed the half, then came home in 54.4 in the cold to withstand an opponent to both sides. PHOENIX OF FLUZZY yielded into turn one to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, gamely but couldn’t quite work by. DRAGON CITY tucked third early, moved outside headstretch, was doing very well late. BOUNTY HUNTER stayed in, distant best of the rest. IDEAL BEACH moved uncovered into turn two but didn’t make up ground in the very swift back half. THE NEXT DUO never factored. GROOVY MAN was second-over, tried to circle non-advancing cover 11/16 but could not.

TWELFTH RACE – LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE made two speed moves to 3/8 command, rated the half, drew off through the stretch. MIGHTY SANTANA N was three-wide to the 1/8, cleared with taps at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t go with the winner in speedy time through the stretch, won a three-horse photo for second. RIFLEMAN went around a gapper down the back, two- and three-wide nearing headstretch, found his best steps a trifle too late. ROCKIN MARTY A stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, looked to be third and maybe second but flattened slightly late. LETS ROLL started 9/16 and made a good charge in a fast third split, but couldn’t sustain the move. THE NEXT TWO were not on the main radar. RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS lost contact early backstretch.

THIRTEENTH RACE – EUROBOND, on his own early off the top ones, sat in towards turn two and was badly shuffled, could back out only at headstretch, swung four-wide in the drive but was still seventh nearing midstretch, relied on back class and a 30.1 last quarter to just be up on the money. SKYWAY KON MAN moved second-over, gapped cover, left uncovered midturn, went steadily, unfortunate to lose in the last step. SWEET HEART AS joined the outer flow 11/16, gained in the slowing tempo. ANDOVER CONTESSA stayed in and was shuffled back, swung out far turn and wide in the lane, not quite enough. CAN’T SAY NO got early forward position, launched raw 5/16 and grinded away, made the lead midturn, had the trip catch up with him very late. LUCKY WEEKEND left between horses for the pocket, shuffled very badly when the pacesetter stopped, couldn’t move out until headstretch, then ducked inside the stretch leader and finished steadily. R HERBIE BLUE CHIP was not prominent. SAYLOR sailed three-wide to the lead early, under pressure a long way, passed midturn and faded.

FOURTEENTH RACE – HEARTBEAT HILL got a great trip second-over, but didn’t look like a $71.20 shot swinging wide and drawing away. BOBBY K HILL tailed the winner, second in the last steps to complete a $859.80 “Hill” exacta. LORD OF MISRULE had early speed, stayed in, blocked, angled out midstretch, responded well once clear. BRAVO TEX N left between horses to get the pocket past the 1/8, Pocono Pike, didn’t have any rally. BROTHER JAMES was buried inside, tried the deep Pike but may have been in tight quarters. ONTO EL DORADO N got in gear past the 3/8 and grinded up a long way uncovered, head-to-head on the far turn, overwhelmed by the late speed. SPORTY DRAGON did not feature. CAPTAIN CASH was three-deep just past the 1/8 to clear in a quick opener, rated the half, had opposition come creeping up on him, tired in the last 1/8.

FIFTEENTH RACE – CAVIART LUCA was away between horses to secure the pocket past the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t have a sharp late response but had enough to defeat this field. SOMEBODYITREASURE was three-wide past the 1/8 and onward to the lead, rated the half, had hounding pressure, second-best. TERRY A HANOVER made the two to his right work to clear early, third-in, deep Pocono Pike, not quite enough. BIG BOSS HILL moved third-over at the half, stayed on cover until tipping wide nearing midstretch, OK late. DOUBLEORNOTHING N had a great trip second-over, three-wide late turn, outkicked. REGAL ESCAPE sat in, blocked through the stretch but was gaining. WARDAN EXPRESS A slid in fourth early, came first-up on the second turn, made progress until just past midturn. CALYPSO ROCK N trailed at every call.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, February 19, 2023

Feb 27, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Around 50 degrees all day … Stretch headwind … PERKINS took a long time before settling first turn, then was out first-over from seventh 3/8, grinded including a 26.4 third quarter to get the lead but not the rail near the ¾ and through the turn, kept on going in remarkable fashion. THREE WAYS N had control before the 1/8, yielded off the first turn for the pocket, backed out behind the winner headstretch, not enough, just second over BLOW A CLOUD N. The latter was close to the main action, to the Pocono Pike and gained. JAFFA JOSH N was three-wide early, in gear at the 1/8, made the lead just past the ¼ and slowed the half, then had to speed up when the winner challenged, not quite enough late. PAPIAMENTO stayed in, struggled from the 5/8. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT backed out to second-over but gapped most of the last half. SKYWAY BILLY never factored. SETONCRUISECONTROL got a slow start, never a major danger.

SECOND RACE – SPEAK YOUR MIND dashed right to the front, yielded to sit in the two-hole, vacated same early stretch and paced right on by. FEAR HER TOUCH was looped early, in gear at the 1/8 while a trifle rough, took over the front off turn one, rated the pace then sped up, couldn’t handle the winner but was far ahead of the rest. SHES A BULLVILLE was second-over, three-wide when her cover stalled midturn, just along for third over DIFFERENTFORGIRLS. The latter gapped in last, came up the inside in the stretch and passed tired foes. MS TREACHEROUS had a forward spot but didn’t have too much in the last 3/16. RAINBOW RISING went raw 9/16 and gained steadily until tiring mid-far turn.

THIRD RACE – GINGERTREE STAKIAS was well-placed second-over behind a fast pace, wide headstretch, kept digging in the latter stages and got the job done late. NASEY was three-deep to turn one, made the lead at the 1/8 in a fast quarter and continued quickly, just caught in the last strides. COMMON PARLANCE was directly on top, yielded to sit the pocket behind fast fractions, Pocono Pike, may have been bottomed a bit chasing the fast pace. BANG BANG BOINGA looked all-out to stay connected most of the way. HAMMER CREEK offered very little; same case with SUNDAE FUNDAY.

FOURTH RACE – BAD MS JOHNSON was looped leaving, in front 3/16, yielded to an early brusher, came out of the two-hole past midturn, didn’t have a quick burst but went on steadily and won a blanket finish. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was the first to the lead, yielded, sat third-in, got to the pocket midturn, Pocono Pike, brief lead deep stretch, photoed out. ODDS ON GAMMA quarter-moved and set the pace, came up just a bit shy.TSM WESTERN SOUL stayed in, got room deep in the Pocono Pike, not very far off. BULLVILLE KARLA moved behind the parked horse, circled three-wide 5/8 and was left out wide much of the rest of the way, closed determinedly. FOR CHIPS SAKE came out from fourth 11/16, got cover midturn, not enough. RHYME N ROLL took all the way back to last, never factored. BETTE TINA was stuck out three-deep to the ¼ in traffic, then was two-wide raw, couldn’t gain from the 5/8 on.

FIFTH RACE – SAY YOU DO went to the front at the 1/8 and had a very easy time of it. ARGENTO made a strong brush out of fifth just before the 5/8, dropped into the pocket midturn, a clear second. TRICKY DICK backed out ¾, uncovered midturn, along for the no-factor third. AMBERS CHAMPION yielded early for the pocket, started to gap before the ¾. PHOTO BOMBER was shuffled some but didn’t recover ground. GREEK LEGEND was away slowly and was never close. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke just past the 5/16.

SIXTH RACE – CHUMLEY N, a little rough-gaited, was parked to the ¼ for the lead, slowed the half, drew clear far turn, then was giving way a little late but had opened enough of a lead to hold on. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide well past the 1/8, tucked third late first turn, moved out midturn then wide, was narrowing in on the winner well late. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N used the rail to great advantage and secured the pocket trip, started to struggle a little before the ¾, evenly late. BETTOR’S WESTERN was three-wide with cover to the 1/8, tucked fourth, uncovered before the half, gained down the back but couldn’t sustain that gain although holding decently late. TODDLER TANTRUM didn’t show much inside. DISMISSAL SLIP was never close. NIGHT EXPLORER moved second-over but soon was going backwards.

SEVENTH RACE – After a recall caused by #s2-3 getting entwined before the start … CANTSTOP YANKEE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the front 3/16, went clear 5/8, had five lengths when the trouble occurred on the turn, way ahead in a very fast and impressive mile. RACER DAN moved out ¾, went back in, then wide around trouble late turn, finished well to get second. COUNT JOGGING left well, pulled from third 11/16, was bothered by the breaker far turn but stayed onstride, couldn’t hang on to second late. MISS PRINCIPLE followed cover, suffered an “ix” in the late incident. SAULSGOOD was third on the rail far turn when the horse in front him made a break, made an “ix” and went to the infield. DON’T I WISH had speed to get the lead, yielded, started to gap 5/8, made a break just past midturn scattering many horses. There was an inquiry but it revealed that the horse affected finished ahead of the one causing the trouble. WAVELIKEAQUEEN wasn’t close when making a break far turn.

EIGHTH RACE – PURE SILKY quarter-moved, took the length of the frontstretch to get the front, drew off in the last quarter in a big mile. FIGHTING EVIL was out to the 3/16 to hit the front, pushed the winner in front of the stands then yielded, couldn’t keep up far turn, but did hold on for the distant second. GEORGIE MARTIN N grabbed the front right away, yielded 3/16, third-in and with nowhere to go far turn, then to the Pocono Pike, had a shot at place but couldn’t quite get there. LIGHTNING LEIA came out 5/8, made mild progress but couldn’t sustain the gain. NADINA HANOVER and A CRAFTY LADY were near the rear throughout. MONEYMAKEHERSMILE came out to the half, finally got cover 5/8, but then couldn’t stay with it.

NINTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER went out for early position, maintained the lead when a challenger broke and parked another foe, drew clear late backstretch and through the turn, tired some late but had enough of a cushion. CAN’T SAY NO left behind a wall and got a spot, inside until midturn then popped out, ate into the winner’s margin with a good showing. SECRET OR NOT had speed, was able to maintain the pocket but struggled to keep tight in it much of the last half, evenly in the Pocono Pike. THE NEXT TWO HORSES avoided the outer tier and the breaker for the last checks. SCIROCCO PATRICK moved with cover but couldn’t gain contention. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was four-wide early, then was left two-wide raw from just before the ¼, tired. REDWHITE N GOO was three-wide early, was challenging for the lead when running 3/16.

TENTH RACE – ALWAYS BETTER left between horses and got the pocket, moved at the ¼ in front of LUCKBEWITHALEX but retreated when the pacesetter showed no inclination to yield, sat the pocket, up the inside and best late. C-BET HANOVER was winging when the gate sprung and cleared by the 1/8, showed he did not want to yield, went a big third quarter, drifted out in the stretch and couldn’t stall the winner although holding on to the deuce. LUCKBEWITHALEX left, was outsped and settled third, came just before the ¼ only to see the pocket horse pull and then see the pacesetter put them all back in, a bit headstrong inside, moved out headstretch, inside of the drifting winner in the lane, good but not quite second. VEL LETSROLL SOUTH got around a gapper early backstretch, far the best of the rest. CRACK A SMILE started uncovered towards turn two, did pace 26.3 down the back but didn’t threaten before fading. BULLVILLE FRANK never entered into it. SPORTS BOX got jammed up a bit on turn two and steadied losing a position, outside past the 5/8, didn’t gain, then broke far turn.

ELEVENTH RACE – RABLE came outside raw 3/8 and was constantly asked in grinding up, drew away from these easily late. STELLENBOSCH left, finally went into the 3-hole to the 3/16, sat in, blocked on the turn, to the deep Pocono Pike and did well to be a distant second to a good winner. SHADOW ONE was second-over, couldn’t quite stay with cover from just before the ¾, had to correct course early stretch as the pacesetter drifted, just edged for second. FIRSTUP was third-up but couldn’t stay with cover, wide stretch and OK. VEL DONNA left hard then yielded, sat second, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a sharp late response. SPEAKING OF COFFEE percolated away to 1/8 command in a 26.3 opener, rated the half then came under relentless attack by the winner, tired and drifted out a little upper stretch. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD fell way back.

TWELFTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN yielded for the pocket at the 1/8, quarter-moved and set the pace, looked like he had gotten away headstretch but between tiring some and the pursuit of BRAVO TEX N the margin shrunk through the lane. The latter eased into a good 4-tuck, uncovered before the 5/8, kept on coming determinedly but unable to catch the winner. HOOSIER SHARK was forwardly-placed, stayed in, outfooted BLUE OCEAN for third. The latter made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have all that much late. PHILOSOPHIZER was uncovered from seventh, got cover before the 5/8 but couldn’t go with it. LOVE YOURSELF left a gap most of the way, MCNULTY Z TAM tried to circle dull cover but could not. WHATA TREASURE stayed in, then had bad traffic difficulty from late backstretch.

THIRTEENTH RACE – ZETTE FLAME came through at the start, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose off the leader down the back, but got closer, came out late turn, and won the battle to the wire. KNIGHTS GUARD left very nicely, set the pace, overhauled by the pocket horse. HEIST spotted fourth, gapped at the half and never hit a high gear until early stretch, then angled outside and finished with solid trot. BAR COINS was three-wide to the 1/8, backed off to tuck third by the 5/16, urged but couldn’t produce any more in the latter stages. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY and UNRESOLVED DEBT couldn’t go enough here. QUINNPATRICKSHEA looked to leave but took a bad step right at the start and broke. TEST MY WILL jumped before the ¼.

FOURTEENTH RACE — CRAZY CUTE was in front at the 1/8, yielded, pulled from third at the half and went a back half of 55 raw, cleared far turn, very game to garner the triumph. SO IRRESISTIBLE went to the fore at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, moved out when the winenr cleared, pursued gamely to the line in a very big race of her own. THE STUNNING NUN N pushed the 1/8, yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, was challenged hard by the winner and couldn’t hold that one out midturn, maybe not the speed of the top two but game. BRILLIANT BEAUTY gapped the winner’s cover, OK. SOUTHWIND JAVA was last, blocked on the far turn, a bit of belated pace. BETTOR B SAWYER gapped down the back. FLIP THE SCRIPT left behind cover, tucked 3/16, outside but couldn’t keep up the last 3/8.

FIFTEENTH RACE – VIVA LAS VEGAS sat in third, found room to angle out headstretch and went by very easily. ONTO EL DORADO N went up grinding on the second turn, one-geared home steadily and just up for second. LADYFORD BUCK GB grabbed the early lead and set the pace, came up short in his U.S. bow. WESTERN WALTZ left, backed off to tuck before the 3/16, wound up in the pocket, slightly gapped in same the last 3/8. FULSOME never factored. BAY BRUTE moved second-over but didn’t enter the main battle. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH got a slow start and never featured. CODYS KNAPSACK left well three-wide, two-wide and challenging for the lead 3/16 when making a break.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

Feb 23, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – The 2023 racing season kicked off under sunny skies and temperatures a bit over the freezing level … Stretch headwind … MAC’S MARVEL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide until taking over off the first turn, got a second quarter breather, then had successive 27.3 quarters home to be in charge of these. PATERNITY SUIT A was hustled early to maintain position, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, couldn’t quite stay with the winner midturn, paced on solidly late. VIRGIN STORM took back nearing the 1/8, stayed third-in, clearly third. CAPTAIN CASH did not have good cover, wide in the lane and a distant fourth. HEARTBEAT HILL stayed in, gapped out ¾. IM A GIGOLO N moved uncovered at the half but never got close. SNAP CALL moved outside but couldn’t keep up and went back in down the back. ROYHILL fell back in the last quarter.

SECOND RACE – MUDVILLE moved uncovered going into the second turn, grinded up, had the lead far turn but couldn’t clear, raced well to get this decision. HIGH IMPRESSION left OK, quarter-moved to the lead 3/8, was pressured by the winner and kept that one outside on the turn, persevered second as others narrowed in late. OHOKA JOHNNY N went to the lead at the 1/8, forced a tuck, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, evenly late. BUSBOY HANOVER backed out to third-over off turn two, came on well in the stretch. P L LEEROY was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide just past to the 1/8, to two-wide and then the pocket 3/16, locked in on the turn, couldn’t find room along the inside early stretch, angled out past midstretch and gained. SHANGHAI BOBBY had great cover but didn’t stay with it, came back with “b.e.” AIN’T IT FUN was last at every station.

THIRD RACE – BROTHER JAMES eased back into third 3/16, was tight on the pocket horse then moved out at the ½, went his own third quarter with the wind in 26.3 to clear before the ¾, drew away as much the best. LORD OF MISRULE forced an early lineup, made the winner work for the lead but couldn’t hold him out, a bit tired late but could preserve second over CENTURY ENFORCER. The latter moved behind the winner but couldn’t stay with him in the wicked third split, got to the rail third midturn, finished steadily. BLACKLIGHT gapped cover, best of the far-behind rest. HOLY MOMENT defended the pocket, gave ground most of the last half. THE OTHERS were far behind.

FOURTH RACE – IDEAL BEACH moved out at the ¼ and gained the length of the frontstretch to get the lead, was not under a threat most of the rest of the way. AMP IT UP N left but couldn’t get around the rail horse, stayed in then moved out 11/16 after a two-wide horse broke, wide late turn and closed well. DROPTHERAKEFREDDY used the rail well for positioning, shuffled a little far turn, outside early stretch and got to second but surrendered that spot late. SLICK RICHARD backed out behind the winner to the 3/8, was left raw before the half, didn’t threaten but held OK. SWEET SHUNEY MOON was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide to command off turn one after hard usage, yielded into turn two, couldn’t go with the winner the last ¼, finished with “b.e.” ALWAYS A LOOK grabbed an early 4-tuck, stayed in, evenly along the rail late. TSM TRISTAN T never factored. LATEST ATTRACTION came out from last and was moving well gaining to catch cover when taking a bad step and breaking 11/16.

FIFTH RACE – DASH OF DANGER was left out three-wide to the contentious ¼, finally made the top 3/8, yielded at the half and stayed close in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, just held off the amazing DILLINGER. The latter was out on the limb the whole way, grinded uncovered from the half and gained, had no quit in him and was unlucky to lose after a giant effort at 38-1. IDEAL STAR N pushed away hard from the rail, moved out 3/8 after the early fireworks had cleared and went by at the half, went a fast ¾, held well in the stretch. CAPOZZO backed out to follow cover, gapped ¾, best of the rest. BOBBY K HILL moved outside but never got close; DERECHO also did not make his presence felt. HASH-TAG SWAG let well to clear at the 1/8, was under pressure and yielded at the ¼, shuffled inside but couldn’t keep up far turn. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO was left out in no-man’s land early, cleared past the ¼ then yielded, inside, couldn’t keep going ¾.

SIXTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER had early positioning, moved 5/16 to the lead into turn two during a speedy half, kept up the quick tempo and had the fastest time of the day in a bottom-level conditioned pace. BULLVILLE TERROR passed a gapping foe to the 3/8, inside then two- and then three-wide on the turn, finished steadily. DON’T JUDGE A BOOK left, yielded, came back out raw into the fast ¾, didn’t do badly at all. STELLAR BB was three-wide to bend one and two-wide 3/16 to get the top in a fast ¼, yielded for the pocket, got a little loose at the 5/8. COCOSFELLA A tucked fourth at the 1/8, no more left to offer 5/8. THE LAST THREE were far away from the main action.

SEVENTH RACE – EL TORO LOCO was forwardly-placed early, moved 5/16 to take the lead under the line the first time, looked to be in control to the wire. BULLY BOY HILL was third-over, three-wide midturn, raced nicely but had too far to come. TORRONE was looped leaving and tucked fourth 3/16, uncovered at the half and challenged hard, held well. AP HALL OF TRIX was second-over, only evenly the last quarter. CRESCENT BEAUTY swung four-wide headstretch and finished alertly. CREATE MYSTIQUE was four-wide to turn one, three-wide to before the 1/8, took back for the pocket 3/16, shuffled inside far turn, but had little once free. TITANS HOPE drove on to the lead and forced a tuck, yielded for the two-hole, struggled from the ¾. K J DIAMOND never gained contention.

EIGHTH RACE – CAVIART MAX was away well for the pocket then quarter-moved, went a big third panel and maintained a safe lead to the finish. YS DO IT RIGHT was looped leaving and settled third at the 3/16, moved uncovered 9/16, not quite in the league of the winner, tucked in the pocket far turn, photoed out KEYSTONE STEAM for second. The latter was wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, then moved with cover, kept going forward. SIMPLE KINDA MAN was inside, didn’t offer much the last 3/8. MEADOWBROOK FLASH never factored. JD’S NOAH was three-wide early, on top to the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, backed up steadily the last 3/16.

NINTH RACE – SHVAIKO left very hard to defend position from the rail, finally yielded before the 3/8 to sit the pocket trip, outside before late turn, gradually got by HIGH BALLER. The latter was out three-high most of a quick quarter, got the top before the 3/8, went on at a good clip, held stubbornly. BECKHAMS Z TAM stayed in, finally angled clear early stretch and finished very strongly. CALYPSO ROCK N left, was forced to take the pocket before the ¼, stayed third-in until getting the pocket after its former occupant pulled, didn’t have that much in the last 1/16. MAJOR FERNCO N was parked behind cover until dropping in past the ¼, out to follow a two-wider before the ½, three-wide around the parked horse down the back, got new cover midturn, couldn’t offer much more of a forward gear after a hard trip. CAPTAIN COOK was not heard from. NORTHERN REIN was slightly off the gate then broke early. DECOY was very wide early and took back, was still stuck on the outside and coverless before the 3/8, looped down the back and faded.

TENTH RACE – ELWELL moved at the 1/8 to quarter command, slowed the half, then withstood the persistent challenge of INDIGO ART. The latter edged out raw at the half and went 26.4 down the back to pressure the winner, couldn’t go as much as that one but clearly second-best after a good race. MINDTRIP followed lively cover, couldn’t stay with it ¾, held for third. BELLOWS BINGE was buried inside, angled way out to widest headstretch and finished strongly. DARK ENERGY N stayed in, not all that much. ASTON HILL DAVE showed some speed, stayed in until coming out with cover midturn, not a stretch factor. PLAY THE FIELD grabbed the top right away then yielded to the winner, done at the ¾. BIG BOSS HILL was outside early but never reached cover.

ELEVENTH RACE – MIND HUNTER was three-wide to the first bend and on top at the 1/8, rated the half then picked up the pace stringing out pursuers, challenged by PHOENIX OF FLUZZY to his inside in the stretch but proved strongest. The latter went to command nearing turn one and yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and loomed, but flattened slightly very late. DRAGON CITY improved position early, looked all-out late backstretch to stay tight, came outside late turn, paced stoutly just to the right of the two battlers. FOUR MORE YEARS was looped, tucked past mid-first turn, up the inside late, did OK+. THE OTHERS did not leave and did not get into the main picture.

TWELFTH RACE – MR DS ROCK kept control from the pole in a fast quarter then rated the half, picked up the pace to keep pressure at bay, won solidly. PRINCE OF TIDES was three-high most of the ¼ before taking a 3-tuck, inside, to the Pocono Pike and finished well. CAVIART LUCA was two-wide most of the ¼ before tucking, evenly late. B STONEY sat in, went to the deep Pike, gained then flattened slightly while possibly approaching tight quarters. RIFLEMAN moved out third-over, gapped letting a horse out, went three-wide ¾ and was four-wide nearing headstretch, beat out the others in the outer tier. TJ’S INDY PACER was uncovered into turn two, went up in 27 to challenge down the back and held well until early stretch, then showed the effects of his trip. SOMETHING BETTOR A sat in then moved out into a blindswitch past the 5/8, not prominent late. WATER SPORTS TEEN went up well second-over, three-wide nearing headstretch, little late.

THIRTEENTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL had some speed, was third-in and looked hopelessly boxed, came out into a blindswitch headstretch then angled inside of the pacesetter/first-over combo into the Pocono Pike and finished with a rush to get the nod. LOVE THE BLUES N came first-over from the second turn, fought hard with the leader, just got second on the money. THANOS was wide leaving then two-wide to command 5/16, had hard pressure, held nicely. SAMSON BLUE CHIP got towed up nicely second-over, wide late turn, couldn’t quite close enough. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN backed out to third-over, widest headstretch, did well from a tough spot. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO led before the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, not quite enough the last 3/16.

FOURTEENTH RACE – THE WALL was four-wide fully to the 1/8, three-wide most of the ¼, then two-wide to the front to the 5/16, set the pace, got pressure late backstretch, shook that one off, won handily. ARTIST BEST went to the front at the 1/8, yielded past the first turn for the pocket, held second over a fast-closing DO WORK SON. The latter had dull cover third-over, went inside in the stretch and made up good ground. REAGAN BLUE CHIP showed speed, stayed in, angled out headstretch and finally found clearance to midstretch, fair; there was an inquiry as to whether he impeded the breaker, but no placing was made. SPORTY DRAGON stayed in, not prominent in the last ¼. REVELRY was second-over but gapped cover, pushed wide in the stretch. GLOBALDOMINATION N was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked just past the 3/16, was uncovered into turn two, hit a higher gear late backstretch and pressed the leader hard, but then fell back in the last 3/16, got in close quarters and made a break.