Aug 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm; stretch tailwind at the start … FRAZZLEBERRY left well to take over early, then pushed a brusher the length of the frontstretch in a quick Q2 (with the wind) before yielding for the pocket, waited until the lane then moved out and worked on by. MY WISH CAME TRUE left, briefly tucked third 3/16, soon back out on a quarter move but had to work to clear before the second turn, continued on quickly, went a big mile while well ahead of the rest. BARRYWHITE HANOVER had the early pocket then sat third much of the rest of the way, tiring nearing the ¾. COXCOMB stayed in, evenly. MY BOY JACK spotted, moved at the half, tried to circle dull cover 11/16 but didn’t make much forward progress. BETTORS AUTHORITY started slowly and was always out of the main picture. JET ACE came uncovered off turn two, gained little before fading a lot. WESTERN WALTZ fell far back.
SECOND RACE – THE WALL pushed an opponent well past a hot opener before yielding for the pocket, content to sit behind the fast pace until approaching the stretch, then outside and finished strongly. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP paced a stiff early price for getting the lead, continued on at a good clip, finished very well but beaten by the pocket rocket. STRAIGHT UP COOL started uncovered on turn two, got cover off that bend, gapped it then tightened behind it late backstretch, three-wide far turn, found better strides a little too late. STELLAR YANKEE went raw entering the backstretch, grinded, not a win factor but kept to task gamely. TONY TOO TALL sat third-in, Pocono Pike, evenly. FRISKIE ALL NIGHT looked at leaving but looked a bit rough and took back; he and THE OTHER PAIR were far removed late from the others.
THIRD RACE – UNDERTAKER took over 3/16 and rolled along, won nicely. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was third-over in a semiadvancing flow, four-wide late turn, had to steady upper stretch then regathered and passed a lot of horses late. AIN’T IT FUN stayed inside and gained a little late. LITTLEBITASWAGGER yielded for the pocket, eased out early stretch, lost a bit of ground. HUNDIE N gapped in quarter two, then moved uncovered and one-geared up, had to feather a little wide when the pocketsitter came out, OK. CONCUR stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and gained a bit late. ZOEES BOY HENRY was second-over, three-wide midturn, in tight quarters twice in the stretch (first from the outside, then from the inside), continued to pace steadily despite the road trouble. KILLER MARTINI was off the gate and always last.
FOURTH RACE – PURPLE POET was able to secure the pocket after the trouble past mid-first turn, waited, then outside to headstretch and paced his own last quarter in 27.1 to win with surprising ease. CURIOUS CORTEZ looked ready to surrender the lead and the inside when the outer foe broke and bothered another, so he set the pace, asked for more on the turn, could do nothing about the winner but stayed clear of the rest. PUZZLING stayed in, behind a gapper on the turn, beat that one out for the distant third. FRANCO TOTEM N spotted and avoided the early trouble, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. WHAT’S GOIN ON moved out but went back in when the outer tiers clogged. PLAY THE FIELD was wide leaving, pushed very wide when a horse made a break before the 3/16, took back to fourth off the first turn, moved out raw 11/16 but had no more in the tank. STELLAR BB moved out 5/8 then got cover, went three-wide when that one went nowhere, but himself had little to offer. SADIQ HANOVER left well, was getting close to be clearing to the lead inside when equipment failed, made a break and was pulled up with the marshal aiding.
FIFTH RACE – GOOD DEAL backed out to third-over at the half, swung three-wide early on the far turn and gained through that bend, stayed game and won in a blanket finish. HIGH BALLER left, a mite steppy and tucked fourth, uncovered down the backstretch and advanced rapidly (27.1 vs. the wind) to make a big challenge on the leader, looked shaken off headstretch but went on with great courage. RIFLEMAN was second-over, gapped 5/8, then found more, was blindswitched then backed out behind the winner and was four-wide in the lane, finished well. BETTOR NOT TALK was between horses much of the ¼, went to the lead past that point, had pressure most of the last half mile, gave way only a little bit. COPPER TEEN was three-wide 3/16 before backing off to tuck third, inside, was behind a wall of horses late. CERTIFIABLE stayed in, then backed out to fourth-over, three-wide far turn, came between horses, clear midstretch and gained. ELLIOT MOOSE pushed the ¼ and yielded for the pocket, had a good trip but didn’t have much late. DONTPASSME HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, picked up some ground widest late.
SIXTH RACE – DANDY moved second-over, gapped early backstretch but drew tighter, three-wide late turn, showed his late kick and determination again in defeating older foes. ONE AFTER NINE was out most of the ¼ to get control, yielded it for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, steadily but outkicked. RED REDEMPTION pushed the ¼, yielded but was quick to retake, couldn’t sustain his advantage. NIGHT FLYER K was uncovered into turn two, moved quickly to battle the leader early in the backstretch, kept up the attack, held OK. WORTHY OF HONOR sat in, not keeping tight ¾. EPOS OSTERVANG DK stayed in when the outer tier formed, never made a move. BEABOB’S BOSS broke approaching the start, recovered to catch the field, went outside but didn’t factor.
SEVENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was three-wide to the first turn, hit the front just past the ¼ but soon released the brusher, vacated the pocket 11/16 and steamed right by, very impressive. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN stayed on the rail, went to the Pocono Pike and had some late speed for the very distant second. BELLOWS BINGE pushed the winner early, yielded but immediately retook, left behind by the winner ¾ and fell back. IC A FREE SPIRIT sat in, gapped the loose pocketsitter on the turn, no factor. IDEAL COWBOY had traffic woes from last. WINNING IS SWEET went in fourth 3/16, came out 5/8 and would have had cover 11/16 if he could have reached it, left raw, very little. RAPTORS FLASH N was away last from the rail, outside, three-wide turn, didn’t gain.
EIGHTH RACE – CHATELROLL was uncovered at the half and in high gear quickly, went 26.3 the third split to battle the leader from the 5/8 all the way around the turn, after which he took the lead and drew off impressively. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN kept a hole closed early, got to the Pocono Pike and had late foot to catch NUTCRACKER SWEET for second. The latter was out to the ¼ to gain control but surrendered it quickly, outside behind the winner late turn, not quite enough for the deuce. PRAIRIE PANTHER left a big gap second-over, OK late. VETTEL N made two moves to control the pace, empty when called upon 3/16 out. ROCKIE GOT FRAMED was behind dull cover, inside, never prominent. JK MUSICMAN gapped at the back. CAVIART ROCKLAND was not a factor when breaking midturn.
NINTH RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide to the lead 5/16, was under direct attack by three different horses at various points but held with great braveness. ROUGH ODDS followed the early backstretch sweeper wide, was left out three-wide 5/8 until past midturn, kept gaining in the lane in a dead-game performance of his own. BRAVO TEX N was away sharply from the rail and protected the pocket until late on the turn, won a photo over THE MOONSHADOW N for third. The latter took back early, sat in, got to the Pocono Pike, OK. CAVIART MAX was three-wide early then two-wide taking back much of the ¼, not long inside before again going two-wide, three-wide not far off turn two and challenged two-wide from the 5/8 to past midturn, then backed off. MAJOR DESIRE was not heard from. RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS was three-wide early and looped, lost cover 5/16 and went up to challenge but was left out in the breeze, looped 5/8 and gradually faded.
TENTH RACE – RUTHLESS HANOVER lived up to his name – three-wide to the first turn then two-wide to go up and wrest the lead, kept up a demanding tempo and equaled the 1:47.4 fastest mile of the local year. CASUAL COOL was the innermost of leavers, pushed the winner a ways before yielding, couldn’t keep up at the ¾ but held for second over J M MANDAMIN. The latter spotted early, went first-up (26.3 against the wind in Q3) without getting close to the winner, but kept to task doggedly. BEE TWO BEE passed laboring horses. HELLABALOU stayed close until mid-far turn. SOUTHWIND OZZI gapped in quarter two, was never a factor. THE OTHER TWO were well back.
ELEVENTH RACE – DICENTRA moved with cover on the second turn, gapped it, was left uncovered just past the 5/8, got inside just past the ¾, went to the Pocono Pike and won a blanket finish. AP HALL OF TRIX went right to the lead, resisted the backstretch brusher a bit then had him go by but stayed up on the bit, outside late turn, steadily to the wire to just miss. HALL IT OFF was on the move early on the second turn and made a big rush off the bend to challenge for the lead, worked by past the 5/8, but then just failed to maintain the advantage to the line. DAGON HANOVER backed out to the two-wide tier, gained in the slowing late tempo. MOON BRIDGE gapped much of the last half, then gained behind a wall of horses in the decelerating late tempo. UPFRONT STONE never factored. FASHION ON A STAR accepted the pocket past the 1/8, couldn’t keep pace from the 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – MINDTRIP was three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead 5/16, set the pace, drew clear early stretch, confidently handled to the wire. REGAL SON went a weird mile — he left, was looped, dangled outside midpack or further back, finally ducked in late backstretch, came up the rail and got the Pocono Pike when the pocketsitter moved out, paced steadily late. BROTHER JAMES moved out into a blindswitch later on the backstretch, cleared headstretch and had finishing pace. STAR MESSENGER shut a hole late first turn, moved uncovered at the half, challenged, fell back. UNICO LEGEND N was in front early, then yielded 5/16 for the pocket, outside for the drive but went backwards. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was always at or near the back. MAJOR BEAN was second-over, three-wide 11/16 but never got close.
THIRTEEN RACE – BIZYS BEATLE made the top, yielded for the pocket, used the Pocono Pike and drew away. A STUD NAMED SAM was last much of the way, moved out, three-wide midturn and four-wide headstretch, passed everyone else late. ROCK KING DEO went uncovered at the half, pressed the leader hard, a bit shy in the latter stages. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING went up wide and crossed over to the lead 3/16, had pressure from the first-over, couldn’t last. OWEN was inside, had clearance when the pocketsitter went to the Pike, not too much. ARTACHE HANOVER sat in, found a sliver of room early stretch and gained then was shut off near the wire. YANKEE OSBORNE was three-wide leaving, looked like he jumped over the shadow of a light pole before the 1/8, recovered and was outside, got cover, three-wide late turn but no more left to give. ROSE EXPRESS backed out to third-over, gapped, was blindswitched far turn, then had no room late.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Wind had calmed … INDICTABLE HANOVER moved uncovered at the half, speed-grinded his last half in 55 and just beat out the railshooting REDBANK BLAZE A. The latter left strongly from the inside, yielded to a brusher to sit in the pocket, urged to stay close on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and raced very well but was just edged out. GUINNESS PANIC was out just before the ¼ and went to the lead, went his middle half in 54.4, was passed to both sides midstretch. SHANE ADAM retained the early pocket, stayed in, nowhere to go on the turn, outside in the stretch and gained some late. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was second-over but gapped out; THE OTHER TWO also did not feature late.
Aug 1, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High 70s; intermittent stretch headwind … KASEVILLE made two speed moves, slowed the half, then remained in control the rest of the way. CHUCKY DE VIE was briefly three-wide early then went on two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, held second while not threatening the winner. DYLAN THE GREAT showed some early foot, moved out from third nearing the ¾, didn’t have enough late. CELEBRITY ROLEX slipped out to the ¾, evenly. ZLATAN stayed inside and got the last check. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was stuck behind nonadvancing cover. PRIMO PADRE moved out into turn two, got an excess of cover and went back in, no factor. PREACHER MAN went uncovered down the back but didn’t make a dent.
SECOND RACE – TIN ROOF RAIDER A went to the lead 3/16, would not let a challenger go in fast fractions, drew off late. BIG BAD BILL moved out at the half, reached the parked horse 5/8 and soon afterwards went three-wide, was three-deep the rest of the way, steadily for the distant second. HEARTBEAT HILL took back to tuck fourth 3/16, sat in, blocked on the far turn, got access to the Pocono Pike and was making up ground late. CLASSY HILL pushed the winner early, yielded and kept the pocket closed, faded in the lane. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT slipped in third past the 1/8, came uncovered early trying to make the lead but was left out to dry, didn’t fade too badly. LEAVE AND ROLL gapped cover. THE OTHER DUO did not enter the main picture.
THIRD RACE – OLD MAGIC was briefly wide then went on to 3/16 command, yielded just past the 3/8 to sit in the two-hole, tightened in down the back, outside headstretch, trotted right on by late. PLANTER’S PUNCH was underway just as the winner was clearing, made the lead 3/8, opened a big lead off turn two then saw the others narrow in, couldn’t handle the late burst of the winner. MOMMAS A DIVA left and got a good forward spot, gapped far turn but still a clear third. CHEROKEE JOY moved outside, three-wide far turn as cover faltered, next in line. ANDOVER JESS tucked early, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t summon much. EXCUSE MY BEAUTY moved out 5/8 but didn’t gain much before flattening. DON’T CRY DENA lost contact in the third quarter. FAWN DE DON’T broke past the start.
FOURTH RACE – FULSOME made the lead 3/16, had a parked foe just outside him from the 3/8 on, finally got rid of that pesky one and withstood pocketsitting STORMY BEACH. The latter went to the lead to the first turn then yielded for the pocket and stayed close the rest of the way. FRANK DEFORD was outside with cover to the ¼, then was out without cover, pressed the leader from the 3/8, held remarkably well. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH joined the two-wide tier on the first turn, fell back in the lane. AMAZON angled into the 3-hole past the 1/8, inside, was going to the Pocono Pike but broke, quickly caught on, placed behind the two lapped-on horses for a violation of the breaking rules. WIN PLACE’N SHOW wound up seventh early, gapped cover third-over. LATEST ATTRACTION did not enter contention. ALL CHEDDAR started slowly and was already disconnected by the 3/8.
FIFTH RACE – AVA MARIE moved uncovered 5/8 and gradually gained, proved the best in the stretch. TIPSY MONI was three-wide into the first turn, two-wide to the lead 3/16, slowed quarter two, still couldn’t ward off the winner. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA got the front into turn one then yielded 3/16, sat in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, evenly. SWEET TACTICS came outside at the half, reached the cover of the winner, didn’t have much to offer late. HALEY HILL was out with cover early, tucked third after a foe broke 3/16, not too much late. GUIDING STAR was going evenly when making a break nearing the wire. LOHAN’S LINDY was sitting third when going offstride 3/16, to the inside to get out of the way.
SIXTH RACE — A horse fell going to the first turn, losing his driver and causing another horse to do the same; the race was declared no contest. Both loose horses were caught and walked off under their own power.
SEVENTH RACE – SNOWMAN HANOVER moved outside late backstretch, left raw midturn, outfooted F SCOTT’S MUSE in the war of attrition. The latter went into the pocket 3/16, saw the two horses in front of him midturn make a break and go to either side, held second. FULL SCALE looked a bit green but at least stayed flat. TACTICAL FLAME broke before the ¼, caught the back of the field but then fell well back; was not placed after an inquiry. BULLSEYE HANOVER showed good early step for the top, set a slow pace, was passed just past the ¾ and made a break, going to the infield. KINGPIN HANOVER sat third, outside past the 5/8 and swept right by near the ¾, had a couple of lengths when making a break past midturn and going wide. PRAIRIE FAMOUS broke w-a-y before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – ONION GUM was looped leaving, methodically made his way to the lead 3/8, opened up a big lead before the ¾ and won all by himself. HOW DOO YOO GOO was third-over behind very dull cover, got into a better gear when that one finally tucked back inside, wide off the turn and well belatedly for second. FOX HOLE was forwardly-placed, boxed as the winner got away, to the Pocono Pike and had some finishing kick. CIVIL UNION was uncovered into the second turn, never headed the pocket horse until that one tired far turn. WARRAWEE YIMA got the last check. KNUT PALEMA was three-wide to the 1/8 then behind cover until tucking near the ¼, pulled second-over at the half but had nothing and went back in down the back. ANDOVERTHEWINNER went on to the top before the 3/16, yielded to the winner, gradually unplugged from just before the 5/8. PRAIRIE NUGGET showed very little.
NINTH RACE – NEWBIE was on the move early, was able to quickly work up to second-over and then the three-hole as the pocketsitter faded, inside in the stretch and paced away. DARK HORSE left well, tucked third at the 3/16, moved out going to the 5/8 and was able to tuck back into the pocket, outside late turn, good mile for second. REYS N A RUCKUS made the front 3/16 and put on a speed show, couldn’t quite carry it to the wire. LUZIANA stayed in, was shuffled then got out only to retuck in front of the fader, evenly along the inside late. HOPETOBEFIRST joined the outer tier, left uncovered at a distance before mid-far turn, OK. BEVANS CULLEN N stayed in, gained as the pace slowed late. TOWNLINE FLIGHT folded badly. SKYWAY BILLY pushed most of a good opening quarter before yielding, unplugged from the pocket from the half.
TENTH RACE – MISSION VOYAGE used the rail to maximum advantage and set wind-appropriate fractions, much the best. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY had to come a long way uncovered, wrested second late from BEYOND ORDINARY. The latter took the pocket, didn’t stay tight on the winner ¾, just missed for second. CREDIT CON went evenly inside. SMART AS HILL got the final payday. SVF CASH DEPOSIT came up second-over but gapped on the turn. NICE STUFF tucked fourth past the 1/8, started gapping off the second turn. PAPI HANOVER never featured.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN’S STAR made the lead at the 1/8, looked in charge throughout. ONE EYED WANDA made the lead briefly then yielded, sat in the two-hole, couldn’t stay tight the last ¼ but held off the rest. I FORBID YOU came uncovered past the half, went up and got to the flank of the winner, but was tired in the stretch. PRINCESS DAYNA was way back with stragglers 5/8, made up good ground. PJS FANCY DANCER never factored. LADY ELECTRA started outside towards turn two, got cover, gapped it ¾. MADELYNN SOPHIA was always far back. LET ME BE ME gapped throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – QUICK BET got to the top in good order, really slowed the half, then remained in control of the situation. CHAMPAGNE HANOVER backed out to second-over 5/8, three-wide midturn, made up good ground. STORYBOOK FEELING closed a gap after the first turn breaker, inside, to the Pocono Pike and just missed second. SOUTHERN AUTUMN left and yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up the last ¼. RHEIA ROSE was three-wide early, got a tuck when a foe broke, not a factor afterwards. QUINNPATRICKSHEA came uncovered on the second turn, didn’t reach the leader before giving way. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME was third to the 3/16 when breaking. COOL MISS WENDY was near the back of the pack, returned with “b.e.”
THIRTEENTH RACE – DRAGON ROARS AGAIN roared four-wide to the first turn to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16 but quick on the retake, went a fast third quarter to open some distance, then had enough to the last to the line. A STUD NAMED SAM was forwardly-placed, outside stretch and was making up ground on the winner. FROMASHESTOASHES N was three-wide and looped to the 1/8, soon two-wide and worked on to the top 5/16, yielded to sit in the two-hole, couldn’t stay tight but didn’t fade badly. MCNEIL Z TAM sat in, angled out early stretch and gained. SEE YA WRITE N was third-over behind bad cover, finally could swing wide far turn, made up some ground. BASS PLAYER was too far back. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT moved out raw soon after the retake and was first-over, couldn’t gain not much past the 5/16. BARNABAS was second-over, moved three-wide but went backwards.
FOURTEENTH RACE – THE LAST CHAPTER left and was three-wide, backed off to third at the 1/8, came out raw ¾ and advanced to challenge, proved the strongest from midstretch. GRAPPLE HANOVER had to work to clear the pole horse to the 3/16, slowed the half then accelerated, not enough at the end but well ahead of the rest. LIVING PROOF I AM went away strongly, yielded to sit in the two-hole, a bit loose from down the back, then faded the last 1/8, still third. KEEGAN HO went evenly. JUSTIFY passed WHAT A DAME for the last check. SPRING IN PARIS trailed throughout.
Jul 31, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Upper 70s range; stretch headwind … MIGHTY STUFF left, yielded, moved off the first turn to the lead, yielded again and sat in the two-hole in fast fractions, outside headstretch and worked past MAGICAL JOURNEY. The latter got underway from fifth off the first turn, briefly had cover then proceeded on to the lead into turn two, fast ¾, very good but couldn’t withstand the winner. KEYSTONE THUNDER was four-wide leaving, tucked 3/16, out nearing the ¾, tucked third on the turn, loomed in the Pocono Pike but flattened late. LAZER JET took back early to tuck, had cover late backstretch, uncovered midturn, found better strides a little too late. CHARMING BANK was three-wide early to 3/16 command, saw two go by in quarter two, started to gap 11/16. ANDOVERS TOUCH gapped early and never factored. GREEK LEGEND broke to the 3/8, quickly righted but couldn’t enter contention. CHARLATAN HANOVER showed very little.
SECOND RACE – TERRY A HANOVER went on to the lead before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, took over midstretch, then faced a leftside challenge from DIVISION BELL and just prevailed. The latter stayed in all the way, went to the deep Pocono Pike and just missed. SULLIVAN yielded, sat in and was shuffled to last, three-wide turn and four-wide headstretch, very good despite bad luck. WHATA TREASURE was underway into turn two and was second-over, three-wide midturn when cover faltered, kept on coming as the pace slowed. CAVIART STETSON was looped early, looked for a hole but found none so reengaged and went to the lead 3/8, turned back the first-over but was caught. LOVE THE ACTION moved outside from last but ducked back in, not prominent. CALL HIM ROCKY started uncovered before the pacesetter cleared to the top, then made a long challenge, flattened out ¾.
THIRD RACE – STRONGERTHANLINDY was content to sit fourth until late backstretch, when he gained rapidly, took the lead late turn but then had to be kept to hustling to hold on to the lead. HIGHGATE left, forced a tuck then strung a foe out to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, shuffled a bit on the turn, then to the Pocono Pike and almost had enough to get there. MATS PALEMA was out three-wide 3/16 then a like distance two-wide to get the front, yielded the lead but not the inside around the turn, fought on (in the 1:30 last 3/4s). ORIGINAL SMOKEY took the pocket past the 3/16, wound up third-in, backed out behind the winner on the turn but gapped a little, then went on evenly. PRECISE FASHION made a break early, made a huge recovery to catch the field by the backstretch, tried to thread between horses in very tight quarters approaching the wire, huge effort after the error. SOUTH FOR WINTER gapped at the 5/8. FAMOUS DAN broke early, made some recovery then broke again at the half.
FOURTH RACE –UTE BLUE CHIP was still gapping a bit when moved outside from fourth off the second turn, grinded up and kept on grinding to take the decision over BLANK CHEEK. The latter was in front before the 1/8, yielded in front of the stands for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, came up just shy. CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE moved off the first turn to the lead before the 3/8, slowed the half then picked up the pace, tired in the latter stages. UBIQUITOUS HANOVER gapped slightly second-over. C DIDDY’S GAL swung wide from last and got the last check. SOUTHWIND COCKTAIL got the early two-spot, faded from the 5/8. JUST SHOCKING did not get close.
FIFTH RACE – KELLY’S BABY went on to 3/16 command, had the field strung out behind her, ran away in the stretch. HONORABLE LADY gained early pocket positioning, stayed close to the winner until the stretch, then was a clear second. SAINT TRIXIE gapped a bit inside down the back and through the turn, to the Pocono Pike, just edged a bunch for the distant third. ARVA DE VIE moved uncovered 5/8 but couldn’t get close. PRAY AND HUSTLE was forwardly-placed but went loose in the three-hole 11/16. TSM LOYAL T was outside but far back, went between horses in the lane and may not have had full clearance to battle for a higher position at the wire. MADISON HANOVER gapped out late backstretch.
SIXTH RACE – COMBUSTION was out in the two-wide flow, left uncovered as a foe cleared on the turn, ducked inside that one and was just along. FULL SUPPORT started uncovered at the ½, got cover 5/8, lost it as the cover went inside after the breaker, went on to take the lead, just failed to last in a good last quarter. BARBOSSA HANOVER moved outside ¾, best of the others. BULLVILLE STEPHANO was last, had some belated gain. LUCKISONTHEWAY left and got the pocket, pulled out before the 5/8, briefly got the lead as the pacesetter broke 11/16 but was soon passed, faded. ALWAYS RUTHLESS tucked third at the 1/8, to the pocket before the 5/8, briefly checked after the leader ran, but had no more to give thereafter. LIFE IS A BET was far back. SWEET TIMBER went to the lead in a quick quarter, strung the field out in quarter two, had his rivals coming to him 11/16 when making a break and going to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – CHOCOLATE MATTERS sat in the pocket until the stretch, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually trotted away. FRAC was on top just past the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, couldn’t stall the winner but was clear of the rest. O JONNIE tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, followed the winner at a short distance in the stretch to claim show. KEYSTONE SERGEANT went uncovered at the half, edged closer to get to the wheel of the leader on the turn, flattened a little. SCIROCCO PATRICK gapped second-over, evenly. CATELLO TOO didn’t have a great flow from which to operate from third-over, wide and had some trot late. BAZAAR BAZAAR never factored. PRAIRIE VIRTUE took back on the first turn to last, could see them all from there.
EIGHTH RACE – CHARLESTON was uncovered before the 5/8 and grinded up, won fairly easily. SOUTHWIND GUINESS backed out behind the winner on the turn, paused briefly early stretch in confusion, then regathered and finished well for second. ALEXA’S FANTASY made the pocket past the 1/8, was going to go to the Pocono Pike but the leader drifted down into it, so had to take back and go outside, came back OK. TWIN B HIGH TECH sat in, was committed to the deep Pike when there was trouble, couldn’t recover. VEGAN set the pace, hard to steer battling early stretch and went down into the Pocono Pike causing confusion, tired. MARY MARTHA was away slowly and was always far back, came back with “b.e.” SUNSHINE CHIP retucked around the gapper but then herself came up empty.
NINTH RACE – SCOTTISH was out most of the quarter taking back, gapped then closer ¾, had enough to trot past everybody in a 31 kicker. WEATHER VANES was in the pocket after an early breaker, started to edge out headstretch but then went to the Pocono Pike, outkicked to the far outside. SUNBERRY HANOVER was around the breaker to the lead, set a slow pace, still did not hold up. JOHNNY TRIX gapped then got closer and moved raw 5/8, got aflank of the pocket horse but no closer. STANDTHEPAIN AS sat third, loose midrace then closer, tried the deep Pike and may have been in tight quarters when breaking midstretch. OSVALDO HANOVER was far back, trying to make up ground when breaking early stretch. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP left and had a slight lead until breaking towards the first curve.
TENTH RACE – BLACK HAWK DOWN was away third, moved outside 9/16 and grinded up, went right on by in the stretch. ROBERTSIN was looped early, in front off turn one, slowed the half then sped up, couldn’t shake the first-over in a quick third quarter then gave way, just photoing out two others for second. ARGENTO and AGGIORNAMENTO were both far back entering the stretch (the latter after breaking leaving), then both finished solidly wide. AMBERS CHAMPION looped rivals to the top, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, not enough in the latter stages. PADRE moved outside but gapped cover. MATTER OF TRUST never entered the main picture. BILL BAUER moved out to follow cover but broke before the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – MIKI MINAJ was three-wide early then two-wide to the front 3/16, pushed a brusher then yielded and stayed connected, had the room to back out and then go wide early stretch, went past these easily. MCDREAMER tucked, then quarter-moved but was pushed to clear past the 3/8, had to fight the first-over late backstretch through the turn, powerless to stop the winner. DANCE PARTNER made the early lead, yielded, gapped in third at the half but then got in gear and went first-over before the 5/8, challenged late backstretch and around the bend, couldn’t sustain the move. HANDSOFFMYTITOS gapped down the backstretch, evenly late. JITTERBUG FLIP was behind a dull one third-over, beat out the rest. THE NEXT TWO were never prominent. WARRAWEE EXTREME moved uncovered into turn two and got cover before midbackstretch but gapped it despite urging.
TWELFTH RACE – EXAMINER HANOVER was three-wide early, got the lead by the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, moved out 5/8 and cleared to the lead easily, won safely. CLAYTONS BETTOR N made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket, outside when the winner went by late backstretch, left raw then quickly took the pocket, tried in the lane but second-best. BIG BOSS HILL sat in and was shuffled when the inner tier collapsed, out in a blindswitch midturn, found room between horses in the stretch and had a good late response. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL started the outer train on turn two, got cover but gapped it, evenly. LEVINE closed well from far back for the last check. JAHAN HANOVER was in the cover flow but didn’t have much late response. STARVIN MARVIN never factored. HITMAN HILL moved at the quarter and went on to the lead 3/8, packed it in when challenged late backstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FIX-IT-UP avoided trouble and slow starters early, moved uncovered past the 5/8, had a small lead on the turn, an advantage he extended through the lane. MUSCLES JARED tried for the early lead but accepted the pocket 3/16, out behind the winner ¾, clearly second. TUIS SHADOW started slowly, found a path from far back and went wide on the turn, finished well. CUPID HANOVER set the pace, under pressure from the 11/16, not enough late. SUNDANCEDIAMOND also was away slowly, moved outside but never got close. TEDDY BROSEVELT tucked third after a foe broke, fell back. ONE MARGARITA misstepped 3/16 and went to the infield, made another break far turn.
Jul 30, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot and stretch headwind until midcard, when rain came in, got the track rerated to “sloppy +1,” and started a cooling process … ROCK KING DEO moved with good cover second-over, couldn’t stay with the first-over upper stretch as he took over but then surged at the end to be up in the last step. AMERICA’S GUEST pulled from third 5/8 and challenged, got a lead far turn and went clear early stretch, couldn’t quite hold on despite frantic urging. BNG’S EXPRESS was in control of a lineup once the outside two horses had trouble, rated the half, couldn’t handle pressure far turn, just lasted for third. AIN’T IT FUN stayed in, gapped, had some late pace. ARTACHE HANOVER had the pocket in the lineup, shuffled as the pacesetter tired far turn, finally got to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have much response. OWEN left and was between horses past the 1/8 when making a break, took out IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING dropping in behind him, placed behind that one.
SECOND RACE – BOARDWALK BET let the front end settle then was in gear before the 3/16 and cleared in front of the stands, slowed the half then picked up the pace to ward off the first-over, drew clear in the lane. STORMY HALL GB was wide early to the top, yielded for the pocket, got a bit loose an 1/8 out but maintained second over DIVINE RIGHT. The latter protected early position, was third-in, to the Pocono Pike and just missed place. MAJOR SHOW was carried up well second-over, gapped a little far turn, then had some pace on the end of it. DILLINGER wasn’t keeping up on the turn, inside, evenly. BAY CITY was third=over, three-wide late turn, couldn’t reach. ZEUS HANOVER started the outer tier early, challenged with a good move in Q3, but couldn’t sustain.
THIRD RACE – Three in, three out at the quarter … ABSOLUTE POWER was away second then was quarter-mover #1, yielded for the pocket, outside midturn and quickly in gear, drew clear past midstretch. GINGER TREE COCO was quarter-mover #2, cover to the 5/16 then uncovered to command just past the 3/8, set the pace, couldn’t stall the winner late. ULTIMATE LOULOU left well to the lead at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, started to struggle to keep up 11/16, still far ahead of the rest. ADULT SWIM never made a splash here. SUNNY PASADENA was uncovered off the second turn but never got close. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE looked at leaving but took back, never really settled against the pegs and tried moving up again past the 3/8, got cover but couldn’t impact much.
FOURTH RACE – CRAZY ABOUT PAT was limbed three-deep to the 3/16 then two-wide 5/16 before getting the lead, braced for the charge of favored pocketsitter JOEY PRO and withstood that one in a long drive. The latter left between horses, crossed over 3/16 and yielded 5/16, out towards midturn, good but not quite enough. TRUMP THIS was third-over in a nonflow, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide on the turn, next in line. STEEL RESERVE was buried inside, angled to widest headstretch and finished well. NATURAL KEMP was outside behind a going-nowhere horse and was blindswitched, cleared, evenly. WARRIOR WAY left but took all the way back to last, no factor thereafter. CAMPBELLINI pushed the early action, yielded, started to gap midturn. POSSESS THE STONE looked to be half-and-half down the back whether to come out or not, stayed in and was no factor.
FIFTH RACE – HELLO YES HI grinded up to the lead at the ¼, slowed the half yet still strung out the field, drew away with back fractions of 56 – 27.3. PROUD MARY defended the pocket and stayed tight most of the way, then had to settle for second. STRAWBERRY FIELDS came out of third ¾, ducked inside stretch, OK. GINGER TREE LENA couldn’t keep up far turn. THE LAST TWO could make no impact.
SIXTH RACE – The amateur drivers got into the recent Dead Heat For Win mania at Pocono – and appropriate that as rain increased, one of the horses involved was WALKINGINTHERAIN, who sat the pocket, backed out as the first-over brushed by, was left raw, cleared to the inside on the turn, outside headstretch and was up to tie BIG NUDGE. The latter came uncovered on the second turn and built up steam to go by to the ¾, lasted for the DH1. SILVERMASS VOLO stayed connected and also backed out, followed cover, wide in the lane and didn’t miss by much. TIDQUIST gradually took back, moved outside with cover then was three-wide 11/16 the duration, far back fourth. THE BIG MUSCLE gapped at points, moved outside but didn’t go anywhere. TAKE SHAPE set the pace, all one when challenged ¾. INNISFALLEN gapped, no factor.
SEVENTH RACE – Track changed to “sloppy +1,” and probably brought gradual cooling … MY LITTLE CAPTAIN spotted, came with a quick burst just past the 5/8 and challenged hard, proved the best in a three-way stretch fight. DOLE WHIM moved out behind the winner, went to the Pocono Pike, went on steadily and was second. HALLELUJAH HANOVER was looped, went on at the 1/8 to take over by the ¼, yielded to another early mover for the pocket, then pulled same early in the backstretch to regain command, fought with the winner, a little tired late. SQUARE DEAL was first to the top, saw many lead changes, not quite enough late. LITTLE LADY J moved out before the ¼, briefly with cover then on to the top 3/8, yielded 5/8 and faded. ESPERANZA HANOVER was not keeping up when breaking far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – A CRAFTY LADY tucked fourth just past the 1/8, then was uncovered headed to turn two, grinded to the top before headstretch, enough to withstand the closers. THEREWASTHISGIRL was third-over, three-wide around a gapper far turn, steadily closed in. SLICK ARTIST A followed the place horse and finished with pace. BRONZE OVER N had an excess of cover, came between horses in tight quarters late and did well. FREE FLYIN TICKET made the front then yielded for the two-hole, shuffled far turn, but then didn’t have much late, came back with “b.e.” TRAFFIC JAM made two early moves to set the pace, tired in the last 3/16. BYGONE HANOVER was third-in, shuffled far turn, finally to the Pocono Pike, didn’t gain. CHIPPER DAISY kept up well second-over until the ¾, then gapped and was blindswitched.
NINTH RACE – FAST MACHINE went to the lead at the 1/8 and raced on an open-length lead throughout, came home in 55.2 in the slop all by herself. EAGER TO PLEASE yielded at the 1/8 and was loose in the two-hole all the way around, but still far clear of the rest. BARDMIRY couldn’t stay with the pocket horse, held on for third in the fast last half. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was being slowly-advancing cover but still gapped, a little better at the end. LIGHTNING LEIA went first-over into turn two but never got close, tired in the lane. DRAGON SPARKS had little inside. BROOKDALE JESSIE was near the rear throughout.
TENTH RACE – Wind had calmed after the storm came through … DRAMA ACT made the lead 3/16, slowed the half then picked it up to meet a stiff first-over challenge, drew away in the stretch. SHES PUKKA N pushed the early issue then yielded for the pocket and stayed connected, battled on to hold second over MILIEU HANOVER. The latter moved up sharply first-over with a 26.4 third quarter, kept fighting on the turn, then tired some. SLY ELEANOR N went up for an early tuck and got one third nearing the 3/16, inside, Pocono Pike, OK. TECHYS ANGEL A hustled to catch up with cover to the second turn, gapped then hustled again to catch up to it late backstretch, went three-wide but couldn’t improve. TEMPURA HANOVER sat in and gapped down the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – WESTBEACH was uncovered into the second turn, went 27 down the back to take a shot at the leader, finally worked to the front very late. SCARLETT HANOVER had a good trip second-over, swung wide but couldn’t quite get there. TALK SHOW CHICA went quickly to the lead, really slowed quarter two then picked it up as the challengers came on, held to near deep stretch. CRAZY CUTE tucked second to the 3/16, just a little loose much of the rest of the way. THE OTHER PAIR were not prominent.
TWELFTH RACE – ABBY ROSE was third-over, made a big three-wide move around the far turn and sustained the gain to get the decision. BRILLIANT BEAUTY came through at the start and controlled the throttle, fought with the first-over a long way and tied that one for second. IRON MISTRESS took on first-over duties off the second bend, grinded away all the way to the finish. JUXTA COWGIRL was second-over, gapped some ¾ and was blindswitched, a little better at the end. ABUELITA HANOVER stayed in, gapped, then angled wide in the lane and came on late. ROSE RUN VICTORIA left and was three-wide nearing turn one, took the pocket at the 1/8, tired. SUNRISE HANOVER gapped at the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DELISHKA N went right to the lead, got a rest to the half, then was in no danger of being caught. SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N was wide early, went up to tuck third at the 1/8, found room between horses before midstretch and came on well for second. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER left and yielded for the two-hole, was found wanting at crunch time. NIMAH FRANCO N started uncovered before the 3/8, never really threatened the leader, held OK. GREENHILLDEBATABLE slotted fourth, came out late on the turn, up for the last check. NARINA HANOVER moved with cover 3/8 but was already gapping coming off the second turn. TSM ARTEMIS T didn’t show enough. MADAME LEZA A got a slow start and gapped at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STRAIGHT UP COOL is probably best described as “two-wide the duration,” although he might have been half-and-half at points: left wide, followed a quarter-mover, may or may not have had the room to tuck in the pocket just past the 3/8 but went on raw, challenged, may have been one-and-a-half wide late on the turn, found on courageously and came home in 28 after all the usage to get the nod. TONY TOO TALL moved from second early in front of the winner, then had that one coming at him the entire way, just missed on the money. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA was third-over, followed cover three-wide late on the turn, narrowed in nicely. DEETZY was out behind the parked winner, three-wide 11/16 the duration, held his ground well to the finish. ROCK THREE TIMES got the last check. RYCROFT N gapped at the back. BELLOWS BINGE went away well to command, saw two go by quarter two, not much late, returned with “b.e.” GONNAHAVEONEMORE did not factor.
Jul 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot, with a stretch tailwind, and a good race to start the day … LETS ROLL lived up to his name past the half, pacing 26.3 down the back to engage the leader IMAGINARY LINE, had a short advantage most of the way from the 3/4, finally inched away from that tough rival very late. The latter got no rest whatsoever: three-wide early, he then went behind cover until past the 3/16, then was outside fighting against the wind for the next quarter mile to get the top, had the winner come at him at the 5/8, refused to let that one edge away until the very end. THE WALL was third-over behind dull cover, saw his cover duck in far turn and advanced, finished very well. GUINNESS PANIC from post two needed most of the quarter to get around the post one horse, then was challenged for the lead and yielded only approaching turn two, sat close behind the last half battle, went to the Pocono Pike, came up just a bit shy late. JK MUSICMAN was second-over, gapped and ducked inside far turn, held well. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was fourth-over, didn’t enter contention. LYONS NIGHT HAWK sat in behind DOUBLEORNOTHING N but was not blocked by that one as himself gapping. The latter forced the first quarter and yielded, started to gap 11/16.
SECOND RACE – BUTTER UP left well, yielded before the ¼ and sat the two-hole, loose through the backstretch and part of the turn then edged closer, kept edging closer and closer until getting by late. MAJOR BEAN made the front just before the ¼, had a clear lead from the half until late turn, almost held off the winner and far ahead of the rest. BIONIC was out with cover to the 5/8 then lost it, proved best of the rest. WESTERN WALTZ was outside, ducked in on the turn, next in line. JET ACE sat in and was badly shuffled down the back as the 3-holer came up empty, couldn’t recover enough. MY BOY JACK was outside, advanced raw from the ¼ until getting in the 3-hole before the 5/8, but thereafter gapped the top two. CODYS KNAPSACK was also caught in the backstretch shuffle, never a factor. SEAL O’NEILL tucked third, came out at the ¼ but quickly retreated, then couldn’t stay in contact from the half.
THIRD RACE – PRACTICAL CAT left strongly to clear the field before the first turn, hung a foe almost to the 3/8 before yielding for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, lead past midstretch, just edged out the game LUISELLA. The latter tucked fourth, started uncovered 5/8 and relentlessly inched up, fought very hard only to be beaten to the far inside by the pocket horse. AP HALL OF TRIX was looped early, needed until the 3/8 to clear, continued at a good clip with mounting pressure, held well to the line between horses. UPFRONT STONE maintained the early pocket, then left a slight gap from the half onward, outside far turn, not enough. MOON BRIDGE was blocked far turn, worked clear and finished nicely. GUMDROP HANOVER gapped inside. CHING CHING LUCKY never factored. TRICKY DICK gapped cover.
FOURTH RACE – HIGH BALLER moved from third 5/16 to the lead just past the 3/8 and set wind-appropriate fractions, had to be good to hold back JIM BLUE. The latter went right to the lead, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, used the Pocono Pike and had a good response that didn’t miss by much against a good winner. CAPTAIN SLEAZE sat well-placed throughout, best of the rest of the field. RIFLEMAN started grinding from far back at the half, was looped ¾ and had cover on the turn, had to go three-wide headstretch, performed well. TRAY SURREAL never was in the main picture. ELLIOT MOOSE tucked fourth, was no factor late. GOOD DEAL came out off the second turn and started a three-wide sweep past the 5/8 carrying him to two-wide ¾ and contention, but was empty headstretch.
FIFTH RACE – DEE’S RED DELICIOUS had to work most of the ¼ before taking over, rated the half, was under siege by MISS MCKEE the last 1/8 but just held off that one. The latter pushed hard to the ¼ then yielded to sit in the pocket, outside late turn, narrowed in steadily in the lane, just shy. NO DRAMA PLEASE was three-wide early to tuck third past the 1/8, stayed third, to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. SWEET HEART AS was uncovered 9/16, advanced, steadily in the latter stages. NIGHT FLYER K moved out on the turn and had some trot on the end. SAY YOU DO looked at leaving but took back, not heard from again. CHOCO CHARLIE moved outside with cover but couldn’t keep up. COCKTAILS N DREAMS was always far back.
SIXTH RACE – SADIQ HANOVER took over early, yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, outside in the stretch and worked past MINDTRIP. The latter cleared at the ¼, was not under pressure, couldn’t stall the winner. THE MOONSHADOW N stayed third the entire way. DRAGON STRIKES backed out behind the parked horse 11/16 then went looping ¾, three-wide through the turn, finished steadily. CAVIART MAX was outside the duration, not too bad for the last payday. FRANCO TOTEM N was outside early behind the parked horse but couldn’t do much. SEXY BLUE CHIP broke past the start. WRAPPERS DELIGHT A looked to start to have a problem before turn two, broke off that bend and was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING was in front at the 1/8, strung the field out early then left them behind late. BALDAQUIN advanced inside of two-wide horses down the back, finished well though not in the league of the winner. MARION GONDOLIER was making sure of preserving the pocket, left behind down the back and not quite enough to preserve second. SORTIE stayed in and was next in line. MYSTICAL WYNN was between horses early, took back to tuck third, moved out late backstretch even though well off the horse in front of him, couldn’t make an impact. BLENHEIM was second-over well off the front, three-wide ¾ but broke and ran home, placed behind THE OTHER TWO, who never were major dangers.
EIGHTH RACE – PARMESAN N had a good second-over trip, three-wide late turn, the strongest horse late. WESTERN TYRANT forced a fast quarter and yielded, moved raw ½ and grinded, never ahead but steadily for the deuce. INDIGO ART was third-over, didn’t tip wide but followed the path of the first-over and won third in a photo. SEVENTH SECRET was kept out to the 26.2 ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, moved between horses in the stretch, evenly. STELLAR YANKEE struggled at the back of the main field. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was four-wide to the 1/8, dropped down to two-wide cover after a breaker, left raw at the ¼ and pressed on to 3/8 command, set the pace, got pressure before the ¾, tired. DO WORK SON was three-wide leaving, suffered an “ex” just past the 1/8. MONTEFALCO N broke before the start.
NINTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was between horses in a spirited duel, tucked before the ¼ and maintained the pocket, pulled out to the 5/8 and went three-wide soon afterwards to sweep the fighters, opened a big lead, tiring some but too far ahead. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was far back, got to third-over then three-wide far turn, kept coming on and took second. RAPTORS FLIGHT N got around a gapper past the half and retucked, was shuffled ¾ and then out in a two-wide blindswitch, with steady pace once clear late. LEAR SEELSTER stayed connected with the embattled front end, slipped outside to the 11/16, fair late. UNDERTAKER was near the rear of the field throughout. WINNING IS SWEET was stuck out three-wide to past the 3/16, then two-wide raw the duration, was looped ¾ and faded. IC A FREE SPIRIT was hard-used to win the lead nearing the ¼, then kept a foe parked, gave way the last 5/16. ALWAYS THE SUN was always in the shade.
TENTH RACE – CATCH THE FIRE showed his class, going up wide early to challenge for the lead, not getting it until well past a 25.4 opener, then just humming along in fast fractions, drawing clear in the last quarter, tying for the fastest mile of the year at Pocono in 1:47.4, which is only 4/5 of a second off the all-time record for 5/8-mile tracks. J M MANDAMIN vacated fourth 5/8 and went up to get closer to the leader, couldn’t sustain that bid but was very good to maintain second over ULTIMAROCA. The latter left very hard and forced the winner to work quite hard to get the front, sat the pocket, started to get loose ¾ but fought on bravely to the line. DA DELIGHTFUL went even in the big mile. STONE HANOVER was out second-over past the 5/8 but gapped. SOUTHWIND OZZI never entered contention. CAPTAIN MULZAC gapped early and was in against a very tough bunch.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION lived up to his name today, refusing to yield early, setting the pace, then drawing clear in the last 3/16. REGAL SON came uncovered down the back but never got closer than the place horse’s saddlepad until the stretch, where he showed grit in battling on for the distant deuce. PLAY THE FIELD was wide early, challenged hard for the front but had to settle for the pocket past the ¼, stayed in contact with the winner until the far turn, couldn’t hold second late. KINGSTONS BAD BOY sat in, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t improve his position. WHAT’S GOIN ON had to circle three-wide far turn to get around dull cover, did OK. CONCUR didn’t emerge as a major danger; nor did BLACKLIGHT. STELLAR BB left but was looped, in fourth 3/16, then moved second-over, but had nothing more to give ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – ROUGH ODDS moved uncovered before the half, went up raw in 26.3 with the wind to hound the leader, then showed grit in overcoming the rough trip and drawing away. CURIOUS CORTEZ was out most of a quick ¼ to make the lead, slowed the half then sprinted again as the winner came up, proved no match for that one but did retain second. UNION LEGEND N was away nicely from the pole, pushed the quarter and yielded to sit tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach place., ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP angled in for an early tuck, looked to come out near the half but gapped and tucked back in, went on OK. PURPLE POST found himself stuck behind a side-by-side pair of sluggish horses on the turn, moved wide and finished alertly. COOL BLUES MAN couldn’t offer much. KILLER MARTINI gapped outside. MAJOR DESIRE was 4-5 lengths off the gate and never got into the flow.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL worked to the lead 3/16, didn’t get a tough half, then scurried home in 27.2 and then 27.1 to defeat tough foes. CAPTAIN FANCY maintained third early, went to the pocket to the ¾ when the two-holer pulled, and the 70-1 shot went to the Pocono Pike and won a photo over the 11-10 shot for second. WESTERN JOE pushed the winner then yielded, stayed tight then came out to the ¾ to challenge, couldn’t go by and then couldn’t hold second, though a good race. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN looked at leaving but then took back to his own hole, outside 5/8, got cover ¾, OK late in the sprint home. VANILLA MALTED moved outside but gapped, ducked back in, got the last check. TOWN GOSSIP was wide looking at leaving but took back; he and THE OTHER TWO were in the back of the field thereafter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JAGGED ROCKS pushed a foe to the 3/16, yielded but was quick on the retake, set a good pace with the top two drawing off in the last 1/8, and the pacesetter holding off COPPER TEEN. The latter was as noted in front 3/16 then yielded to sit in the two-hole, stayed there until the stretch, narrowed in well but was photoed out. CAPTIVATE HANOVER was last of the main bunch far off the top pair, circled the others with good late foot. NUI BA DEN N circled a straggler, outside midturn but outkicked for third in a picture. SHANE ADAM was never prominent. CAVIART STONE retucked third a long way off the top pair, no pace late. ARTIFACT HANOVER was having a problem to the 3/8 and was pulled up.
