Sep 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A hot and dry day; stretch headwind … BONNIE BEN ROCKIN settled into the pocket early, waited until getting room early stretch, then moved outside and worked past AMP IT UP N. The latter headed right down the road, just a bit shy in his first U.S. start. DS IT’SNOWORNEVER tucked fifth, stayed in, a clear if distant third. MY FIRST TIME stayed inside, not too much. HANDSOFFMYTITOS tucked third at the 1/8, came out 5/8, gained a little then faded a lot. HURRIKANE MON AMI spotted, moved out on the turn and wide headstretch, couldn’t gain. BRYCE never got close. JAM THAT GUITAR was already gapping before the ¼.
SECOND RACE – NEVER MIND N, adjusting to his new surroundings quickly, was on top 3/16, drew more and more clear through the last half in a fast pace and time for this class. TRICKY DICK left and had the pocket, unplugged past the half but maintained the distant deuce. ANDOVERS TOUCH had dull cover past the 5/8, came on some late. NO NAME YANKEE stayed on the rail until angling out headstretch, next. SPRING IN PARIS gapped at the back early, rode the inside to the last check. CRUSHWORTHY spotted third, really unplugged the last half. FLANAGAN FANTASY moved outside but was never a major danger. PRINCESS ALLIE went offstride past the ½.
THIRD RACE – ANNA’S WISH was fifth inside, suddenly had enough room to gain to the pocket as the three in front of her pulled past the 5/8, outside midstretch and just along over SWEET HOME. The latter was quickly on top, rated the half, fought off a challenger on the turn, then just couldn’t hang on to the advantage. BLOW POP came out just past the 5/8 but immediately was behind cover, gapped slightly on the turn then swung three-wide, finished OK. FASHIONATTIFFANYS was third-over, back in on the turn as the two-wide tier stopped making progress, evenly. COOL CUTE COOKIE was away for the pocket, came out approaching the 11/16 and challenged, but was tired by headstretch. UBIQUITOUS HANOVER fell further behind throughout the last half.
FOURTH RACE – STORYBOOK ENDING circled a gapper 5/8 and kept advancing inside, to the Pocono Pike and caught KELLY’S BABY. The latter was very wide early then dropped down behind cover, lost cover at the ¼ and made the top before the 3/8, was visibly tired late but still almost held. CHAMPAGNE HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside midturn, bore out a little early stretch, not quite enough although far ahead of the rest. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL was between horses to 1/8 command, yielded, was gapping more and more from the 3/8 on. WILD KAT G was never a factor. FREE DRINKS moved outside but couldn’t enter the action. QUINNPATRICKSHEA broke just after the start; COOL MISS WENDY broke coming off the turn before the start.
FIFTH RACE – BET ON BUTER was pinned in by parked horse, finally could get out 5/8 and challenged uncovered, looked to fade a bit midturn but then found more and paced strongly to the wire. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC slinkied outside at the half, inside dead cover, outside behind live cover past the 5/8, and three-wide headstretch, good but second-best. BETTORUPTHEANTE would not yield to a parked and challenging rival, tired in the stretch. MORE THAN YA KNOW kept the pocket tight and stayed close to headstretch, then came up devoid of gain. SOLAR EVENT gapped early, avoided congestion and got a check. CLEARCHOICE DE VIE left but could not summon enough speed to clear even though having a short advantage at at least one point, left behind midbackstretch. GINO SNIPER was very wide early, then followed cover, three-wide at the 5/8 but didn’t gain. TICTOCMOE didn’t enter the main picture.
SIXTH RACE – EMBRACE THE STONE was on top at the 1/8, pushed a foe then yielded 5/16 under a good hold, outside not long into the backstretch to the lead before the 11/16, stayed safe. TAILWIND PAT moved behind cover 11/16 after the winner cleared, three-wide in the stretch and finished steadily. ROJO MAN had cover early then uncovered at the 1/8 and on to the lead 5/16, rated the half, powerless to keep out the winner 11/16, not too much late. STANDTHEPAIN AS had to check behind a breaker first turn, circled a slow foe then kept gaining up the inside. SWAN MASSIVE HALL was well-placed, outside 11/16 after the change on the lead, but didn’t have much late. COMELETUSADOREHIM didn’t show very much. BELLAS TITAN broke 3/16 and went inside the pegs.
SEVENTH RACE – UNRESOLVED DEBT went to the lead and had a big advantage at the fast ¼ as the pocket horse broke, really slowed the second quarter, then picked up the pace and had no one get close to him. DIG THAT CURVE was outside down the backstretch but was very slow to show a faster gear, did pick it up on the turn and through the stretch but could not reach. SOUTH FOR WINTER was away third then inherited second after a breaker, closed a hole in the slow second panel, gave the pocket far turn but then rerallied in the Pocono Pike for show. FOX HOLE came out 5/8, retucked in the pocket on the turn, but came up empty late. KOLB HANOVER got a check. JOHNNY TRIX was off the gate and fell far back. DONATELLO HANOVER left and got the pocket at the 1/8, but soon thereafter went offstride as they were going quickly.
EIGHTH RACE – LIGHT AND TIGHT was on the lead just before the 3/16, slowed the second quarter, then sprinted home nicely in 56 – 27.3. STRESS FREE sat third until the 11/16, passed the pocketsitter than ducked in for the stretch drive, finished well. BLANK CHEEK immediately showed on top, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket at several points, held for third. HULA GIRL Z TAM passed tired foes AUTUMN MOON and ADULT SWIM.
NINTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE moved from third at the ¼, soon uncovered and needed until well past the 3/8 to clear (in a 30 quarter, though against the wind), held off the first-over, tiring late but kept it together for the tally. NICE STUFF was out 3/16 for command, saw two go by in quarter two, could advance to the pocket far turn, found a better gear in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get there. FOUR UNDER PAR, briefly wide early, had cover most of the ¼ then raw to get the lead 5/16, pushed the winner a little then yielded for the pocket, outside midturn before the sweeper could pin her in, went OK late. CELEBRITY ROLEX came up the inside OK from far back. CREEMORE made a brief break past the start but recovered quickly, got to second-over, three-wide before the ¾ and left three-wide midturn as the pocketsitter came out, flattened a bit but a good recovery overall. AFTER ALL PAUL was a bit hard to settle inside, joined the outer flow but never reached. TEDDY BROSEVELT tried to follow the sweeper but could not keep up. PREACHER MAN was uncovered into turn two, didn’t gain much on the leader then was looped and fell back.
TENTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH was away third then was second after the two-holer broke, out before the 3/8 to get the lead beyond the 3/8, drew away in the stretch. TRANQUILITY K left very well and went right to the top, was challenged 3/8 and let the winner go by to sit the pocket, stayed close to headstretch then backed off but did hold second. BY A HOFF HANOVER was uncovered 5/8, gained a bit but couldn’t sustain the move. ARGENTO gapped much of the way, then found better steps through the lane. SCOTTISH was way off the gate and never prominent. MUSCLE HALL had little from before the ¾. BILL BAUER left and reached the pocket at the 1/8, but then took a bad step and ran 3/16. PADRE was in a decent position second-over when losing his stride mid-far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – VEGAS ROCKS made the front to the 3/16, yielded to the retaking TWIN B EDGE and stayed on his back well into the stretch, edged out and went by the leader late. The latter left, pushed a bit, let the winner go, retook at the ¼, lost all but that one during a 27.4 third quarter, then just got edged out late. In the distant battle for third, CHANCELLORCULLEN N, who sat third but had started to gap before the ½, did hold for the show. BIG N BAD came out to the half but never got to third. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was gapping from early in the race. AN THE THUNDEROLLS swung wide from last but could have no impact. BEAST MODE was outside to little effect.
TWELFTH RACE – WEATHER VANES left, took the pocket, then quarter-moved, rated the second quarter, looked about to be passed by LADYBUGS N BOURBON ¾ when that one bore way out and interfered with another, left with a clear lead, held onto it in a 30.4 kicker to pay $116.40. BEER CHEESE tucked at the 1/8, avoided the trouble on the far turn and continued to gain up the inside to be close at the wire. FIGHT SONG also gained on the far turn, outside late turn, made up some ground. DIMANTE VIC and BRAVO ROMEO gapped most of the way yet still got checks. LADYBUGS N BOURBON closed an early gap, moved before the 5/8 and quickly advanced, had about a length lead at the ¾ but suddenly bore way wide bothering a foe, was placed. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT grabbed the racetrack early, yielded to the winner, moved out behind the first-over before the 3/4, ran up on that one when she misbehaved and suffered an “ix.” SNOWMAN HANOVER broke on the straightaway before the start.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Stretch headwind strong … ATTA BOY DAN was hustled away, moved from third to the lead in front of the stands while getting a slower second split into the wind, sprinted off a bit down the back then had horses coming after him, with the most persistent challenger, CONCUR, battling him to the wire but getting by. The latter was raw by the 3/8, one-geared along right to the end. MCNEIL Z TAM was second-over 3/8 then three-wide 5/8 the duration, got to second on the turn but flattened out some. STARVIN MARVIN swung wide after an inner trip and had some late pace. TELL THEM LOU left and got the front before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose the last half, faded further in the last 1/8. DIVISION BELL didn’t show too much between horses in the lane. RYCROFT N had the early led, relinquished at the ¼, not too much late. WINNING IS SWEET gapped third-over.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SMART AS HILL was looped and ranged up early, then was urged to clear just past the 5/16, parked the foe behind him, drew away to win for fun in a fast time for this type. AWSOME PAUL left three-wide to take over at the 1/8, pushed the winner then yielded then defended the pocket, was loose past the 5/8 but still preserved the distant second. DEWTIFUL’S GRACE protected her early pocket, yielded, gapped along the backstretch, outside on the turn, couldn’t get closer. PRESIDENTE ZETTE gapped early, stayed in, evenly. MATTER OF TRUST was outside behind dull cover, blocked upper stretch, then dove down to the Pocono Pike and salvaged the last check. IT’S SO FLUFFY was behind cover early, briefly three-wide 5/16 then back to two-wide when the winner finally cleared, left out in the air, tired. SVF CASH DEPOSIT was outside before the 5/8, went three-wide before midturn but only clogged that tier. PHANTOM RUSTY never contended.
Sep 3, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High 80s; mild stretch headwind to start … PICK A GENRE dashed right to command in a fast quarter, backed off the half then sped up again, coming home in 55.3 – 27.3 impressively. LIFETIMEEXPERIENCE got the pocket, a little loose late on the turn then outside stretch and was gaining some at the end of the sprint home. CODYS KNAPSACK came out of third 11/16 to challenge, bore wide coming out of the turn, resteadied and had some finishing kick. BULLVILLE FRANK moved outside 5/8 and got cover 11/16, came through two-wide headstretch as the first-over bore out, finished OK. LATEST ERA stayed in, gapped before the ¾, Pocono Pike, not that much. DIVINE RIGHT could not make up ground. THANOS wanted to leave but broke as the gate sprung, quickly rebalanced but never entered the main picture.
SECOND RACE – MILLENIUMS GIRL yielded near the quick ¼, sat the two-hole, backed out 11/16 when the first-over gained an advantage, swung wide off that cover headstretch and proved to have the most to the line. BROOKDALE JESSIE was uncovered on the second turn, quickly in gear pacing a third split in 27.1 to get a lead but never could cross over to the rail, held very gamely. CULINARY ARTIST gapped off the third quarter duel then tightened in on the turn, Pocono Pike, just missed second. FIRSTUP was out most of the quick quarter to get command, got a soft second split but then was under hard pressure in trying to not let the first-over clear, tired. DREAMING IMAGE wasn’t heard from. NARINA HANOVER tried to follow the cover of the first-over but couldn’t. TIGERS WATCHING N left and had tucked third before breaking nearing the ¼.
THIRD RACE – There was an inquiry into the overall conduct of the race, with a placing … ALL RISE was parked to the lead in another fast opener, set the pace, saw a short lead suddenly become a huge lead as the pocket and first-over horses locked up to the ¾ scattering the others, a bit tired late but way far ahead. FAIR GLIDER pushed the fast ¼ then yielded for the pocket, had his right wheel become entangled with the left wheel of the first-over and lost considerable ground, untangled and stayed second. SHOEMAKER HANOVER gained position behind the three early fighters, wound up third, came out 11/16 but didn’t get a wheel clear of the pocket horse and got tangled up causing massive interference, recovered for third but was placed. RIVER OTTER was three-wide past the 1/8 then took back to two-wide covered, outside 5/16 when appearing to clip a rival’s wheel and going on a break, fell back to last, came along the inside through the traffic far turn and finished with trot. TSM PHOTO BUGGER went wide around the trouble. CHIEF JUSTICE was shoved extremely wide avoiding the trouble and made an “ix.” SERRANO VOLO was inside and had no way to avoid the stackup, also made an “ix.”
FOURTH RACE – Wind has picked up, and would continue to affect the races though not that hard of a wind … TEMPURA HANOVER kept close to the leading JUXTA COWGIRL from the pocket, moved out headstretch, was just up on the money in an exciting Nap-Nap finish. The latter cleared at the 1/8, showed the drastic second panel slowdown that has been used all card, picked it up, just missed in the shadow of the wire. ANOTHER BEACH DAY sat third, couldn’t gain late but well clear of the rest. JB’S STAR DANCER was first to pull, got cover but it was no good, three-wide headstretch and had enough rally to be next. DELISHKA N sat in and couldn’t make an impact. ABUELITA HANOVER was hurt by no outside flow. THE FUN MARSHALL was gapping early and never was on the main radar. CRUSH ME got in fourth 3/16, came raw at the half but gained little, clogging up the two-wide path.
FIFTH RACE – INNISFALLEN got the early lead, was clear from early on then opened a double-digit-length lead down the back, had SILVERMASS VOLO make a big recovery but it came up short. The latter pulled behind the parked horse on the second turn, three-wide to circle that one before the 5/8, got to the “pocket” before the ¾, finished in 27.4 gaining sharply but was too far back. WARRIOR WAY closed a hole early, was stuck in by the “wedge” forming midbackstretch, finally got to the Pocono Pike and was the very very distant third. CAMPBELLINI was last and in another area code down the back, swung wide and passed some rivals. WINNERESS tried to go three-wide around the traffic but then herself caused more traffic. MY BIG KADILLAC was loose in the pocket from the ¼, a situation which got worse as the race progressed. THE BIG MUSCLE was stuck outside midpack throughout, never in the main hunt.
SIXTH RACE – CONTINUALOU moved uncovered 9/16 and went 26.4 the third quarter speed-grinding, made the lead early stretch and did not surrender it. JACANA was away third, was behind a gapper then backed out before the 11/16, found a better gear in the stretch and narrowed in late. BRING ME DIAMONDS got the lead easily, on her own until the winner challenged 11/16, kept her out on the turn but then gave way. TALL POPPY N gapped all the way around in the pocket. FREE FLYIN TICKET was two-wide but had little to offer. STELLENBOSCH was not prominent.
SEVENTH RACE – HEARTBREAK HOTEL started walking the lonely street of first-over at the 9/16, grinded into contention, had sharp late pace to get this decision. PATSVILLE was in charge early, yielded to the brushing favorite for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by much and edged FREE TO BE ME for second. The latter spotted fourth, then moved out past the ¼ and had the racetrack going into turn two, held well but couldn’t hold the lead to the wire. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME got towed up in fine fashion by the winner, but didn’t have the stretch steps. WHO’S SMOKIN N left well and yielded, inside, gapped from the 3/8 on. SOME KINDA ANGEL was never close. FAST MACHINE was inside behind a gapper from the 3/8 but showed little once clear.
EIGHTH RACE – TECHYS ANGEL A was away second, well off the leader early then reeled her in to the 3/8, half-and-half from the pocket on the turn to see which stretch path would be better, swung wide and finished strongly. ANDRA DAY moved out raw past the 5/8 and challenged the leader, couldn’t stall the winner. GOLDEN QUEST N moved outside, gapped cover, then was doing better late. SLY ELEANOR N blasted out to a large early lead, rated the half, had pressure come to her on the turn, couldn’t sustain the advantage. SARAH’S LILLY gapped inside; THE OTHER TWO were also near the back and could offer little.
NINTH RACE – LIGHTNING LEIA came uncovered at the half and grinded relentlessly, came her own last ¼ in 27.2 to catch CAPTAIN’S STAR. The latter tucked, moved from third at the quarter, really slowed the half then took off again, couldn’t ward off the tough winner. KAY SAGE was second-over, was abreast of the inside horse when she broke so not affected, gapped a bit into the lane and ducked inside, OK in the Pocono Pike. REENACTMENT was third-over, had just started to tip three-wide midturn when perhaps pushed a bit wider by the inside confusion, next in line. BETTE TINA was three-wide leaving, made the pocket at the 1/8, inside, bothered some by the breaker but bounced back to get the last payday. CAVIART CARMEL was far back, shoved very wide by the far turn confusion. SUGAR BOWL was inside in the back, bothered. ODDS ON GAMMA was four-wide to the first turn to be on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, was still very much in contention when failed equipment caused her to make a break and go inside the pylons.
TENTH RACE – FIRE START HANOVER left, moved from third 5/16 and cleared the new leader into the second turn, strong through the lane. MAJORCA N was three-wide early, got the front, yielded at the ¼ then made a “hidden” early move to retake after which she relinquished to the winner for the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but second-best. EASY TO PLEASE was uncovered from off the second turn and grinded up, did well. DRAMA ACT was three-wide past the 1/8, went on to the lead at the ¼ only to see two brush past her in quarter two, stayed in, angled wide early stretch but couldn’t gain much though giving a good effort. WESTBEACH left but took back, not heard from thereafter. NUTTINBUTHEBEST moved second-over but was gapping at the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAXIMUS RED A got the early pocket, quarter-moved and backed off the half, then added a pair of 27.4 quarters to win handily. SHOREVIEW made the lead with relative ease, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, neither gained nor lost ground. GONNAHAVESOMEMORE moved behind stale cover, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw while pacing a 27 third quarter, tried hard to the wire. BABES DIG ME offered little inside; same story for EFFRONTE A. DO WORK SON tried to travel the same path as the show horse but couldn’t go enough. DOCTOR BUTCH stepped out first-over but then backed up badly.
Sep 1, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the low 80s … Slight stretch tailwind at the start … BULLVILLE TERROR got a fine trip second-over, went wide late turn and was able to pace to the front. AFLAME HANOVER quarter-moved and set the pace, had pressure on him from the 5/8, dispensed with that one but couldn’t hold off the wide closer. TRAY SURREAL was uncovered on the second turn and went 27.2 against a breeze to challenge, held OK. FRISKIE ALL NITE sat in, spent most of the stretch angling wide and gaining. MCMIKE was wide early, took a 4-tuck, backed out to third-over but wasn’t a major factor. ACTOR HANOVER took the pocket 3/16, sat in, gapped far turn. CAVIART SAGE pushed away from the rail and forced tucks, yielded for the two-hole, but was loose in it from the 5/8. ROCK THREE TIMES gapped at the back.
SECOND RACE – The fractions posted during the race were amended to 26.4, 55.2, 1:25, 1:53.3 … BLENHEIM was out on the second turn and got good cover 5/8, wide late on the turn and trotted to the fore. RICH AND MISERABLE got to third-over, gapped cover a bit, never tipped wide in the lane but followed the winner home well. TIMESTORM left well, was forwardly-placed, moved uncovered 5/8 and challenged, just got edged for second. SORELLA was on the move just before the ¼, needed the length of the frontstretch to clear in a fast half, couldn’t maintain her lead. MISS MCKEE had early position, was not keeping up far turn. TOKYO SEELSTER busted away in 26.4 for the top, pushed the favorite most of the second quarter before yielding, then was unplugging 11/16. MUSHANA trailed throughout.
THIRD RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION mad the lead then yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, shuffled then gapped 5/8, slid all the way up the inside to the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, and to victory. BLACKLIGHT was uncovered from before turn two, speed-grinded raw in challenging, held a long way very gamely at 40-1. JIMS PERFECT TEN was third-over, was behind a bad gapper so looped that one down the back, continued three-wide on the turn, good on a day where it was hard for wide closers to be along in time. MY WISH CAME TRUE was hustled away but was only midpack, very slow to clear between horses in midstretch and in tight quarters, had good pace. BRAVO TEX N had cover most of the ¼ then went up to take over 3/8, had a hard first-over challenger to deal with, succumbed. KINGSTONS BAD BOY got to the front at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out late backstretch, was blindswitched, not too much late. WHAT’S GOIN ON moved second-over but immediately was gapping, ducked back in.
FOURTH RACE – KINDA LUCKY LINDY was gapping the first half as were several of these, moved 5/8 and had his cover retuck 11/16, went up raw, wrested command headstretch and opened up a clear margin upper stretch, easily. CHAPOLIER moved early in the backstretch, was eased out to the three-wide path before the 11/16 and remained three-wide the duration, saw the winner slip away early stretch but still went on determinedly. SAY YOU DO followed the place horse’s cover and was next in line. MUSCLES JARED made his way off the rail before the 11/16 and was blindswitched, gapped two-wide, evenly late. THE LIONKING AS roared away to a big lead he kept to the 3/8, then had pressure on the lead the rest of the way, got the earlier challenge to retuck but then faced new pressure, tired in the last 1/8. GRAPPLE HANOVER never factored. FIX-IT-UP got the early pocket by rail default, closed the gap approaching the 3/8 then went right on to challenge but was left outside, tucked late backstretch and faded. LEVITATION couldn’t stay connected.
FIFTH RACE – IDEAL WHEEL left well and was content in the pocket until the 11/16, when he pulled and went right to the lead, opened up an insurmountable advantage. CURIOUS CORTEZ tucked third, followed the winner out then retucked second on the turn, had little late response, just holding onto second. OWEN gapped midrace, sat in, weaved through traffic in the lane to wind up on the inside and gaining well. AIN’T IT FUN went evenly. AMAZON moved with cover, wide, didn’t gain enough. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO took over early, set a reasonable tempo for these, but had nothing when challenged late backstretch. SPORTY DRAGON gapped midrace and never tightened in.
SIXTH RACE – LUISELLA rushed up into the first turn and took over control off the first turn, turned back the stern challenge of SPEED AWAY and drew off in an impressive mile. The latter moved from fifth going to turn two, made a big burst off the second turn and pushed the winner hard raw into the wind, backed off midturn and retucked, far ahead of the rest. HURRIKANE WILLIE G went to the top, yielded off the first bend for the pocket, struggled to keep close to the third quarter duelers, went inside a pylon on the far turn, won a photo for third but was placed fourth for the violation. DICENTRA came on from last to beat tired horses. FASHION ON A STAR gapped inside; RIPPLE OF HOPE gapped outside.
SEVENTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR got away third, sat in to the second turn and remained third-in, got to the pocket and then the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter pulled late turn, had the pace to win and did so. STAR MESSENGER was in front at the ¼, went a fast second panel on his own then had a big fight with the first-over down the back, retained the lead a long way and retained second. SADIQ HANOVER pushed the ¼ and yielded to sit the two-hole, came out late turn, OK. INDIGO ART had good cover until it tired ¾ then had to go wide, came on steadily. THE MOONSHADOW N stayed in then backed outside, ducked in far turn and was behind the winner, but didn’t have those kind of steps late. NEWBIE went to the outer flow, three-wide with cover on the far turn, not enough. PURPLE POET was uncovered from sixth 3/8 and then went a big 3/8 to be head-to-head challenging for the lead down the back to the ¾, but at that point backed off suddenly.
EIGHTH RACE – CARLISIMO got towed up second-over from last behind a grinder, three-wide late turn and finished with high energy to catch VETTEL N on the line. The latter was three-wide just past the 1/8 and onward to the lead at the ¼, got a breather in turn two then picked it up, came home in 55 – 27.1 and still got caught. DA DELIGHTFUL left between horses to the lead before the 3/16, relinquished for the two-hole, moved out, neither gained nor lost stretch ground. CHATELROLL sat in and was shuffled, angled wide late on the turn and came home well between horses. HORSE made the lead, pushed and yielded, not enough in the last 3/16. DEALER’S TABLE started raw into turn one and grinded up, couldn’t continue his gain. BRONX SEELSTER was not a contender.
NINTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE made the lead at the ¼, rebuffed an early move and then benefited later as the outer tiers all clogged, drew off. DRAGON STRIKES left and yielded for the two-hole, second-best. BROTHER JAMES and A STUD NAMED SAM parlayed inside trips into good checks. PUZZLING was shuffled to last and out in a blindswitch near headstretch, got the last check coming between horses after finding some room. REGAL SON left some, came at the quarter but did not find the speed to go by despite urging, stuck first-over, fell back. ROUGH ODDS was behind clogged two- and three-wide tiers, four-wide headstretch, no shot. MINDTRIP raced into fourth 3/16, then moved second-over, three-wide early in the backstretch but never gained outside the parked horse.
TENTH RACE – BACKSTREET SHADOW started uncovered towards turn two, hit a higher gear early in the backstretch and paced his own third split in 26.1 to clear to the lead before the ¾, then ran away the rest of the way. PRICELESS BEACH was behind the winner nearing the half but could not match his third quarter move and was left raw, did go on to take second. JACK’S LEGEND N went up on a slightly-delayed basis and tucked third at the ¼, sat in, was shuffled and came back out on the turn, still could not reach second. J M MANDAMIN made the front 3/16 and set an appropriate pace for this class, then got steamrollered down the back. PYRO was shuffled, a bit late on the far outside. MARK WITHA K pushed the pacesetter some before yielding, no response in the stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – PARMESAN N took back early, was third-over but saw each of the two two-wides in front of him retreat to the rail, went onward and finished strongly to be up right on the money. WHITECOOKIE was in front to the first turn, set the pace, strung the field out, got pressure 11/16 but forced that one back in behind, seemed to waver just a little and only just in the shadow of the wire. TOWN GOSSIP sat the pocket, challenged 11/16 but was back in the pocket just past midturn, to the Pocono Pike, a step shy and well ahead of the rest. TAM MAJOR A came out off the second turn, went past a gapper, got cover 11/16 then ducked in, not that much late. THE NEXT THREE were well off the main action. LYONS KING was third early, couldn’t keep up most of the last half.
TWELFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND SANDOR was revved up early today and pulled everybody in behind him by just past the ¼, sailed along without a challenge on the lead. BETTOR NOT TALK was outside but shuffled to last 5/8, had to be ten lengths back when he commenced a giant three-wide brush to clear the dead wood and get to third by the turn and second by headstretch, stayed on, very good race with very poor luck. CERTIFIABLE angled out headstretch and was up for the distant third. JIM BLUE was four-wide early then went behind the two outside leavers, angled to the pocket while they were three-across fighting before the ¼, stayed reasonably close to the leader until late backstretch. MAJOR SHOW couldn’t gain. FRAZZLEBERRY was between horses arguing for the lead until finally retreating to third at the ¼, was tired at the half. HIGH BALLER came out at the half behind a sluggish horse, was blindswitched by the place horse, no factor. CARLAS MACH A was three-wide to the ¼ before tucking, came out again uncovered but did not gain, had “b.e.”
THIRTEENTH RACE – THE DARK SHADOW took control easily and kept it easily while being rocked home. BIG BOSS HILL advanced up the inside around the moribund outside horses, moved out late turn then ducked back to the Pocono Pike and continued to gain. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA stayed in until late turn, caught up the inside in the battle for second. SHANE ADAM left for the pocket, left behind midturn. CAPTAIN MULZAC came out at the half but had no forward gear. The other “CAPTAINS,” CASH and MALICIOUS, were gapped way off the action. LITERL LAD HANOVER had cover, tried to go around it 5/8 but just hung while three-deep.
Aug 29, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Fast +0” until rain came after the ninth race, at which time the surface was rerated to “sloppy +1” … Mid-70s … Stretch headwind for the first part of the card … CAPTAIN COOK got a fine ride second-over, three-wide late turn, went to the lead past midstretch and got the job done. WARRAWEE XTREME was third-over, four-wide headstretch, took a little while for him to find high gear but gained as he did. MCDREAMER was out to the 3/8 before taking over, rested to the half, had a horse grind to him, couldn’t hold off the closers. LATEST ATTRACTION tucked, stuck third-in, got to the Pocono Pike, fair. WIN PLACE’N SHOW tucked fourth, in, out in a blindswitch headstretch, found the path behind the winner and had some foot on the end. DOCTOR BB gradually advanced raw from going into the second turn, tired. CURRENT YANKEE went to the lead, pushed a foe to the 3/8 before yielding, empty in the stretch. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT could not get into the fight from fourth-over.
SECOND RACE – FOUR UNDER PAR was very wide leaving, three-wide to the 1/8, and two-wide to the front at the ¼, but from there he was strong, drawing clear from before the 5/8. MATTER OF TRUST yielded for the pocket, unplugged early backstretch but still managed to keep going and win a three-horse photo for second. THE IRISHMAN was second-over, three-wide ¾, steady though without enough speed. LAZER JET got in third, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. GREEK LEGEND closed a frontstretch gap and went uncovered into turn two, grinded off the leader, gave way some late in the battle for major minor honors. ZSA ZSA DABOR never factored. FRENCH MONI had little inside; CRITICAL MASS had little outside.
THIRD RACE – PACINO HANOVER settled in fourth at the 1/8, took the length of the frontstretch to brush up to the lead, but then came home in 55.2 as fully in control of these. DOUBLE DOUBLE yielded, raced closely-placed, outside late turn with some pace. MY FIRST TIME was in front past the 1/8, pushed the winner a bit before yielding, tired in the last 1/8. JERSEY JUSTICE was far back but did circle the rest. LEROY GIBBS and JUDICIAL couldn’t go this much; nor could CREME DE LOU CREME, who then made a bad break early far turn. BADLANDS SUN jumped at the half.
FOURTH RACE – Drizzle during the race … CURADH left with good speed, got his own way on the lead, drew clear ¾ but started to tire late and just did hold off WARINER. The latter also was away well to get the early pocket easily, wasn’t tight from the ¾ to midstretch, then narrowed the margin steadily. LIKE A WARRIOR sat third the entire way. PRAIRIE NUGGET stayed flat and went around the gapping VENDETTA KEMP. ROSE RUN YANKEE came outside ¾ but broke midturn. SWAN MASSIVE HALL jumped at the 3/16. ANDOVERTHEWINNER was double-looped early and broke taking back from a wide position past the 1/8.
FIFTH RACE – TUGGIN ON MY HEART left and took over the racetrack at the ¼, had only SHORE OF HIMSELF stay close in the 55.1 back half, and held that one at bay under confident handling. SHORE OF HIMSELF enjoyed a great two-hole trip, moved out to challenge and raced very nicely but had to settle for second. VEGAS ROCKS sat third and gapped at points, looked a clear third midstretch but tired and just did hold that spot. ROCKS FANTASY sat in, evenly. Neither LEAVE AND ROLL nor AN THE THUNDEROLLS rolled into a contending position. BARNARD HANOVER moved outside ¾ but was empty. STARK HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start.
SIXTH RACE – FAMOUS DAN was looped, went on to get command 3/16, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, moved out to late turn, lost a little ground straightening away but regathered and trotted by nearing the wire. FRANKIE HILL followed the winner then went on when he cleared 3/16 and himself made the top 5/16, set the pace as he pleased, couldn’t quite hold up. U BAKE THE CAKE had good gate speed, saw two go by, gapped a little down the back, had the chance to go to the pocket and then the Pocono Pike when the winner moved out late turn, flattened a little bit. MOJAVE HANOVER came outside 5/8, steadily. ROJO MAN couldn’t offer much. ROSE ABOVE IT moved two-wide but never moved up. EMBRACE THE STONE broke 11/16. PRIMO VOMO miscued an 1/8 before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – More drizzle … AMAZON (already in-to-go for $20,000 on Saturday) made the lead then yielded to his main rival to sit the two-hole, moved outside and easily powered by. REYS N A RUCKUS was away second, outside before the ¼ to the lead before the 3/8, went a big third quarter which bottomed all the opposition – but one. MCKEE CREEK was away third and stayed there, to the Pocono Pike but had no gain late. LEAR SEELSTER also stayed in and was shuffled to last, clear late as the outer tiers collapsed and finished strongly. SAFENSOUND HANOVER sat in then backed out to second-over 5/8 in front of a gapper, had that cover fail on him so went three-wide, evenly. ZOEES BOY HENRY was uncovered from past the 3/8, held his ground in the fast third quarter then backed off in the fourth. SPINOUT was off the gate and never in the main picture. MONEYORROSES moved second-over but gapped out before the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind shifting to a stretch tailwind … MIRASOL S moved with cover at the half, got to retuck in the pocket behind a battle, took the short way home and own nicely in fast time for these. SAINT TRIXIE tucked, moved with cover then lost it, went on to the lead into the backstretch, had immediate pressure in fast fractions, held well but was second-best. HALEY HILL went to the top early, saw two lead changes and then was shuffled as an opponent tired 5/8, backed out to two-wide then tucked back in, OK for third. THE EMPRESS ICE was far back most of the way, finished alertly. NETWORK EXTENDER tucked in fourth past the 1/8, moved with cover and was left raw early backstretch, challenged hard in a fast ¾, gave way in the stretch. THE NEXT PAIR were not heard from. SPARKLING TILE S defended the pocket, moved to the lead 3/8 and came under immediate attack, yielded into the backstretch and soon was steadily falling back.
NINTH RACE – CANDY TRADER came out at the ¼ and had cover following him as advancing raw, mildly urged to get by going into turn two, fended off the first-over and was clear late. MY BOY JACK left and took command early, strung the winner out through the frontstretch before yielding, held his ground well. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE was in the early pocket, stayed in, even response late. ALWAYS BETTER followed the winner out and was left raw on the clubhouse turn, battled, held pretty well. MISTER DAVID C sat in, made a break 5/8 and went off the course, recovered, made a big three-wide move far turn and continued through the stretch, but placed for the trouble associated with the break. I’LL TAKE THE BET was not a factor. BETTER WAY TO ROCK was very wide early, three-wide to the 1/8, then got in at the ¼, was shuffled and had to get out of the way of the 5/8 breaker, couldn’t renter the main contest. SUCRETARIAT joined the early outer flow from last, wound up second-over but gapped.
TENTH RACE – Rain (which had almost ended by the time the race started) came in and changed the track over to “sloppy +1”; no wind … SWEET HEART AS wound up second-over, three-wide before the ¾ around failing cover, kept on going and was along as the late pace slowed. KEEGAN HO was innermost of the leaders, encouraged several to tuck and finally yielded after a brisk 5/16, popped out of the pocket ¾, held for second in a photo with NICE STUFF. The latter was away last and buried inside, got access to the deep Pocono Pike and was moving very quickly at the end. SUNDANCEDIAMOND stayed in, angled out early stretch and had some late foot. TRUEMASS VOLO stayed in third, went to the pocket on the turn, not too much late. CREDIT CON was four-wide to the first turn, three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the 5/16 to get the lead, tired after the hard early exertion. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS tried to follow the winner’s sweep move but couldn’t stay with him. TRAIN edged out at the half but didn’t advance much before fading.
ELEVENTH RACE – MADELYNN SOPHIA left for the lead, yielded at the ¼ to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and quickly to a lead she would maintain to the wire. JAGGED LITTLE PILL wound up third-in, started to edge out headstretch but with traffic looming went back all the way down to the deep Pike and finished well. DOC’S FAITH, wide early before tucking, was in good position second-over, looked to run in early stretch and had to be straightened, then moving well once resettled. AMERICAN BEACHBABE was used to the 26.4 quarter to get the lead, slowed the half then had a very serious backstretch challenger, tired. PJS FANCY DANCER didn’t enter the main picture from third-over. PRINCESS DAYNA pulled out off turn two, took a couple of strides to get in gear then came with a big challenging burst and actually did get a brief short lead, but couldn’t sustain the move. SWEET GADGETS broke 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – SORTIE came uncovered 3/8, moved steadily up and went past to the lead ¾, won by a country mile. MISS MUSCLE sat in, gapped down the back, got a little closer inside on the turn and was the distant second. KASEVILLE wanted to go by early but took back when an inside horse was insistent, had the lead anyway at the ¼ when that one broke, pressured down the back and yielded ¾, went on evenly thereafter. AMADOR was far back with cover, swung wide and had belated trot. MUFASA AS had cover, didn’t enter the hunt. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT never got into the mainstream of the race. CHUCKY DE VIE was wide early then tucked third at the 1/8, backed out behind the winner but was just left raw and clogging a tier. WILLIE B WORTHY came through at the start and wanted to have the lead, then broke near the ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – NOME HANOVER moved out behind the parked horse and was three-wide before the 5/8 to be two-wide raw after that spot, grinded, proved to have the most. MCNEIL Z TAM followed the winner from the 5/8 to the 7/8, tipped wide, couldn’t quite get there. JK MUSICMAN was outstepped early, went to the lead at the ¼ and hurried on as a foe was parked, couldn’t last late. ATTA BOY DAN outleft everybody, yielded for the pocket and stayed close, Pocono Pike but not enough. LORD OF MISRULE stayed close but didn’t have much late. WINDSONG JACK was looped, had cover to the ¼, then was left raw, looped 5/8 and fell back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HOT SUMMER KNIGHT made the top 3/16, held off the first-over challenge of MOON BRIDGE and drew clear at the end. The latter went up to tuck third 3/16, uncovered before the ½ and argued in a fast third quarter with the winner, was turned back but fought on gamely for second. SWIZZLE HANOVER was second-over at the ½, ducked in to the pocket far turn, Pocono Pike, just missed place. ROUNDTOWN ROCKER defended the pocket until the ¾ then unplugged, still a distant best of the rest. WHAT A DAME could not gain significantly. SPIT AND VINEGAR sat in, shuffled some far turn but not too much once free. FRAC broke before the start. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS moved outside third-over, still far back when breaking 11/16.
Aug 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Precipitation, and a rating of the track that was “good +1” for the first four races and “sloppy +1” thereafter … Stretch tailwind to start … EFFRONTE A went right to the lead and set the pace, came home in 27.2 to hold off the game A BETTOR BEACH. The latter tucked fifth at the 1/8, moved out 5/8 and was soon three-wide to circle the parked horse, two-wide on the turn, didn’t give an inch in a good battle home. HURRIKANEKINGJAMES defended the pocket, a little shy in the Pocono Pike. STARVIN MARVIN kept plugged in, outside in the stretch but didn’t make up any ground. JACKAMINO couldn’t go with late backstretch cover and was three-wide on the urn, got the final payday. LUZIANA and PARKLANE TERROR never factored. GRIFFON HANOVER was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, could find no hole so spent life on the rim, left behind in the last ¼.
SECOND RACE – DAGON HANOVER was on top at the 1/8, didn’t get much pressure on the lead, drew away in the last 1/8. KEYSTONE THUNDER left and yielded to sit in the pocket, kept up well until late turn, still second. SMART AS HILL raced inside and went OK. JUSTIFY had a bit of pace up the inside to decision CREEMORE for fourth. The latter looked to be wanting to get away quickly but broke right after the start, recovered and made second-over behind the parked horse but gapped that cover, three-wide far turn, in all not a bad recovery. BRIGITTE BI started uncovered 3/8, got as close as even with the pocketsitter but no closer before backing off. CELEBRITY SERENA took back to tuck fifth before the ¼, not heard from again. O JONNIE didn’t show much.
THIRD RACE – FULL SUPPORT was outside to the ¼, soon left raw and to the lead 5/16, got relatively soft middle fractions, then threw a 27 kicker (wind-aided) to leave these well behind. LITE N SWEET outleft everybody, saw two brush by early, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and edged BARBOSSA HANOVER for second. The latter was looped and three-wide to turn one, went up to take control at the ¼, quick to yield for the pocket, couldn’t sprint enough late. MORE THAN YA KNOW backed out behind stale cover but went back in, next. I’M TALKIN HUNGRY went to second-over to the 5/8, gapped ¾. EXCURSION gained solidly from last in the third split, but was tired soon after passing that station.
FOURTH RACE – DISTANCE LEARNING moved out 3/16 to get the top off the first turn, yielded, inherited the lead at the half, had a stern challenge from DIG THAT CURVE after a slow third quarter, held him off impressively by kicking home in 28 (wind-aided). The later picked his way through trouble, moved outside towards the ¾, may have had a nose up midturn, trotted hard under cautious handling through the lane, just missed. UNRESOLVED DEBT broke an 1/8 before the start, gradually mounted a big recovery until he was a tight second-over late backstretch, tired a little (understandably). KOLB HANOVER was on top to the 1/8, saw two others go by, fell back in the last 3/16. WALDO FASHION was out before the ¼ to the lead past same, lost his composure while on top going to the half. STANDTHEPAIN AS jumped going to the first turn. STRONG BREW first broke off the turn going to the start.
FIFTH RACE – Track now rated “sloppy +1” after some more precipitation … CHARLESTON was unhurried to the 5/8, where he moved outside and rapidly made up ground, challenged pacesetter SWEET HOME, didn’t power away but got the better of that rival. SWEET HOME made two moves before the ¼ to control the throttle, held her ground very staunchly. QUEEN SUN RYSER was loose in the 3-spot, backed out behind the winner far turn, came on late to be third. NO GEL NIKKI went on to take the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, not enough in the last 1/8. BULLVILLE HILDA never surfaced. ADULT SWIM gapped second-over.
SIXTH RACE – Wind has calmed … CHARMING SPIRIT was away second, sat in, backed out to follow cover 11/16, briefly in midturn as the first-over broke then outside in the stretch, along. SVF CASH DEPOSIT was on the move 3/16 from fourth, got the lead 5/16 and set the pace, resisted the first-over but couldn’t quite deal with the winner. NO NAME YANKEE gapped on the turn, moved outside headstretch and made up ground in the lane. ANDOVERS TOUCH was three-leaving, took a tuck, made a good uncovered move from early backstretch and was challenging the leader when breaking midturn, ran home, placed to last. TRICKY DICK avoided trouble. KEYSTONE ORION came through at the start to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, empty at the ¾. PRINCESS ALLIE was two-wide but gapped, broke. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN jumped early.
SEVENTH RACE – Sunshine on a cloudy day … CODYS KNAPSACK was away second then got going 3/16 to take over 5/16, drew off in the last 3/16. BUILDING BOOST stayed in, outside late turn and was able to take second. DIVINE RIGHT backed out third-over behind dull foes, swung four-wide late turn and had a huge late kick. YS DO IT RIGHT was inside in last, found room midstretch and had a good late burst. LATEST ERA was second but gapped most of the backstretch, then tighter, then three-wide when the raw horse tired but not all that much. ADDISON HANOVER cleared to the lead early, yielded past the ¼, kept the pocket tight until midturn, then fell back. BEACH CHIEF moved 3/8 but couldn’t summon the speed necessary to clear to the lead, tired at the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch tailwind again picked up … LETSDOIT S was a little off the gate but still went up early and tucked fourth, moved raw 3/8 and grinded, by the leader before a quick ¾, stayed clear. PADRE left some, kept in good contact, outside as the winenr was clearing 11/16 and came home steadily for second. SHARE THE WEALTH got the lead into turn one, yielded, stayed in, came out in the stretch, angled inside the place horse midstretch and finished steadily. BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide leaving, to the top past the 1/8 in a fast opener, rated the half then stepped it up but couldn’t keep the winner out, tired. MONEY MATTERS couldn’t go enough to stay with cover. MATS PALEMA picked his way through simultaneous breakers late backstretch but never got close. Both NORTHERN BLIZZARD and DIMANTE VIC broke while far back late backstretch.
NINTH RACE – GINO SNIPER was quarter-mover #2, strung the field out down the backstretch, really wasn’t threatened late. BULLVILLE STEPHANO started uncovered 5/8 and put in a good grind to be second. AJAYI left and quickly had the pocket, not enough late. GABE HANOVER outleft everybody, had two go by in quarter two, sat in, had to angle past midstretch as he was in tight quarters as the pocket horse tired. GOOD WILL LINDY improved position early, backed out midturn, evenly. THE OTHER THREE all lost contact nearing or in the third quarter.
TENTH RACE – THERESNOLIMIT S spotted fourth, led the outer charge on turn two, speed-grinded up and went by before the ¾, was given a good test by ABRUZZO late but passed it. The latter followed the winner’s cover, gapped it slightly late backstretch but kept advancing, ducked in briefly on the turn then out again in the stretch, came home in 56 – 27.3 over off conditions in a very big mile. JOYGO was third-over and stayed with the flow, best of the others. THEWINNERTAKEITALL went to the lead, yielded to a brusher for the pocket, shuffled when that one was passed then moved outside midturn, fair. ARGENTO was away slowly, got in the outside flow, earned the last paycheck. CHAKE left well and took the early pocket, inside, shuffled considerably far turn, but little once free in the Pocono Pike. FRANK THE ELDER tucked third at the 1/8, then quarter-moved, was under intense pressure from the winner and gave way to the ¾. SCOTTISH was disconnected from early on.
ELEVENTH RACE – Shifting mild breeze … CAPTAIN ROMANCE took control from the pole and set the pace, came home 55.2 – 27.3 and needed every bit of it to defeat MAXIMUS RED A. The latter squeezed in fifth to the 3/16, moved uncovered 11/16 and gained with every step thereafter, finishing in 26.3 and just missing. BETTOR MEMORIES was away well to maintain the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by much. GONNAHAVEONEMORE sat third, angled out between horses for the drive but never found clearance. WESTERN TYRANT got the final check. AIR GUITAR gapped much of the way. PASSPORT TO ART moved outside but didn’t gain. DO WORK SON was last at every call; finished with “b.e.”
TWELFTH RACE – Wind calm again … ZAPPA went to the top 3/16 in a quick quarter, got his own way on the front end, held off the late rush of PRECISE FASHION for fans of Edgar(d) Varèse. The latter horse pushed early then sat in the two-hole, came on well but also came on just shy. BRAVO ROMEO had some finishing speed to be the distant third. WEATHER VANES was in traffic headstretch, could angle inside and finished gaining. TNT BLUE CHIP was not on the main radar. BEER CHEESE tucked fourth, briefly moved out down the back but soon was back in, couldn’t keep up. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT sat third, was stopping to a walk near the wire. FIGHT SONG was in the back throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Threatening skies … ODDS ON GAMMA, connected early, quarter-moved to the lead 3/8, went on at a good clip, just had enough to defeat I FORBID YOU. The latter showed speed and made the front, yielded for the two-hole, moved out early stretch but temporarily lost her action, regathered and was narrowing in well late. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was uncovered from the 3/8, never closer to the winner than at the finish. CAVIART CARMEL got an early spot, stayed in and gapped some, outside stretch then ducked to an inner path with some pace. BETTE TINA was behind dull cover and went three-wide 11/16, put in a couple of shaky steps just past the ¾, finished steadily. SHE’S MAGICAL went up to the early pocket, not much thereafter. RAVISHIN RUBY was always far back. SHES A BULLVILLE got cover but gapped it throughout the second half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY was third-over behind cover that was soon gapping, three-wide 5/8, briefly to two-wide midturn then right back out three-deep, kept coming and went past everybody. DEWTIFUL’S GRACE made the lead just off the first turn, set the pace, fought and regain second over ARCH CREDIT late. The latter went quickly to the front, yielded for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, may have had a nose up midstretch, just failed in the picture for second. SPRING IN PARIS came out raw 5/8, evenly. AMBERS CHAMPION took third early, inside, to the deep Pocono Pike, evenly. PHANTOM RUSTY was never prominent. BOSCH came outside off the second turn but immediately was leaving a gap. GIVEM THE GOO broke w-a-y before the start.
