Jul 26, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid to high 80s; stretch headwind … MUSCLES JARED moved 5/8 and quickly went by ¾, won by a ton. CHOCOLATE MATTERS stayed semiconnected, wide into the stretch and a clear distant second. PHANTOM RUSTY had the pocket, backed out behind the winner ¾, not too much. PADRE set the pace, had no answer for the winner ¾ and tired. GREEK LEGEND was away slowly and was never a factor. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke before the first turn.
SECOND RACE – HORSE was innermost of three leavers, maintained the pocket and stayed close, outside late turn, paced away easily from the pacesetting BRACKLEY BEACH. The latter was three-wide early to the lead at the 1/8, kept the field strung out, clearly second-best. BIG BAD BILL left between horses and tucked third to the 1/8, held that position to the line. JUST A WRANGLER moved outside from way back 5/8, never a major danger. THE OTHER TWO never presented a threat.
THIRD RACE – PURE HOPE S inherited the pocket after the first turn breaker, a bit loose in the pocket, up the Pocono Pike and trotted by late. HALEY HILL was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide to 1/8 command, was clear on the lead until the stretch, outtrotted near the line. OLD MAGIC struggled a little in third near the ¾, evenly late while well ahead of the rest. VALLORA KEMP made the early pocket, broke 3/16, recovered enough to be a very distant fourth. ARDELLA stayed fairly close until the stretch, then fell way back. MOMMAS A DIVA broke early.
FOURTH RACE – HOW THE HELL moved uncovered 5/8 and gradually advanced, had the most in the second half of the stretch. ROJO MAN was away second then quarter-moved, set the pace, held the lead to midstretch. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP, a little off the gate, tried to follow the winner but couldn’t quite keep up, some late. STANDTHEPAIN AS looked to be leaving but broke early, made a big recovery but did finish ahead of tiring horses. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was quickly on the lead, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed close until the stretch then had nothing left to give. WINE BAR was not away quickly, stayed out of the way of the first turn breaker, never got into the main battle. ROWDER gave way very badly heading to the ¾.
FIFTH RACE – GOTTA GET CRACKIN took control from the pole and fronted these throughout, saw off a brief challenge on the far turn and won in hand. PARTNER DOLAN was three-wide to the 1/8, fit into third near the ¼, came out raw 5/8 to advance and look menacing ¾, flattened a little late turn, bore out in the stretch but continued to pursue. CIVIL UNION made the pocket at the 1/8, a bit loose from the 5/8, fell back inside in the lane. BATTLESHIP LANDING stayed in until the stretch, couldn’t gain. FOX HOLE moved into turn two, wound up third-over but was behind a dull second-over, avoided that one when he broke on the turn, got the final payday. SCOTTY DEO came uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t reach it, broke early far turn. EVER HOPEFUL G was struggling near the back when breaking far turn. BT BABE misbehaved at the start.
SIXTH RACE — FRAZZLEBERRY made two speed moves in a fast-slow-fast pattern, the second “fast” because FULSOME reached him at the 5/8 and would not go away to the wire, just held on as the tempo moderated. The latter came with a rush at the half and was out raw fighting the winner from midbackstretch onward, unlucky to lose. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH lagged in the fast third fraction then was in gear on the turn, wide and gaining steadily. WIN PLACE’N SHOW was second-over but gapped, tucked in on the far turn, wedged between horses in what appeared very tight quarters, gained through the lane. AMAZON left well and made the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner and never was far behind the big second half duel, just a bit shy late. LATEST ATTRACTION had too much ground to make up. I’LL TAKE THE BET never featured. RENO DINERO gapped the front two in the first split, then faded from third starting at the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – POSSESS THE STONE was three-wide to the first turn and onward to the lead, really wasn’t tested until the stretch and had enough to win against this group. SPRING IN PARIS left between horses and wound up in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, close but had to settle for a DH2. JUSTIFY tucked fourth while slightly rough, uncovered near the 5/8, bore out in the stretch but still trotted home evenly for his 18.5% reward. CRITICAL MASS left some from the rail, backed out to second-over, even finish. SCIROCCO PATRICK was out second-over 5/8 but gapped, ducked in far turn, evenly. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY gapped, then had too far to come even in a slowing pace. IDEAL SCHOONER went wide late turn but couldn’t reach. FRAC never f(r)actored.
EIGHTH RACE – CAPTAIN’S STAR took immediate control from the pole, walked to the half, rebuffed the first-over then held off favored TWO PROUD with solid 55.1 – 27.1 speed. The left protected the pocket, had his shot in the stretch and did well but lacked the needed quickstep. IMAREALROCKINLADY tucked third, seemed to be fighting to be given her head much of the way, did move outside 11/16 and quickly moved to the flank of the winner, but then backed off and didn’t hold third by much. JAGGED LITTLE PILL and LET ME BE ME gapped midrace, evenly late. HELLRUNNER HANOVER was not prominent. SWEETBEEDO went frontward belatedly, midpack when breaking 3/16.
NINTH RACE – MYREANNA gapped midpack down the back, closer and then up the Pocono Pike to get the victory. SOUTHERN AUTUMN was three-wide leaving then onward to the lead 3/16, went a slow Q2, picked it up when challenged, couldn’t hold on to the lead to the wire. PLUM WINE went to the front going to turn one, yielded, tightened in the pocket down the back, outside past midturn after the first-over broke, but drifted wide and lost ground. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL gapped cover the second half. WILD KAT G went uncovered 3/8, made a nice long challenge, but went offstride midturn. QUINNPATRICKSHEA broke right past the start. GOO GOO LU LU made a delayed forward move early, had about reached third on the outside when miscuing 3/16.
TENTH RACE – TOP ME OFF let the early scene resolve itself then moved up, made the lead 3/8, was in no danger the rest of the way. LADY’S IMAGE was three-wide early, moved to the point 3/16, yielded a like distance later for the pocket, went loose in the stretch but still held second. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY moved out behind dull cover on the turn, had some trot on the end. THE LAST CHAPTER left and had the early pocket, vacated third ¾ but did not gain at all. VIC’S WINNER moved outside but didn’t enter contention. ZLATAN was struggling to keep up the last 5/16. TEDDY BROSEVELT never entered the main picture. KEEGAN HO was trying for early positioning when making a break nearing turn one.
ELEVENTH RACE – ABRUZZO trotted to command 3/16, rated the pace as he pleased then drew away with a last quarter of 28.4. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT yielded for the pocket, unplugged mid-far turn but still a clear second. THE WORLD OWES ME was locked in from the 5/8, finally clear in the Pocono Pike and was along for third. FAMOUS DAN moved uncovered with little effect. PRIMO VOLO was outside near the rearward half of the field until midrace then got cover, three-wide headstretch but didn’t gain. U BAKE THE CAKE was wide early, behind cover then spotted third 3/16, left a widening gap in third from the 5/8. NORTHERN BLIZZARD never got close; nor did MOJAVE HANOVER.
TWELFTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO used track geometry to maximum advantage in setting the pace, drew off in the last quarter. CHUCKY DE VIE went into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close to the ¾, then unplugged but still retained second. GRAPPLE HANOVER spotted third at the 1/8, was semiloose from the pocket horse down the back, retained third. WILLIE B WORTHY moved outside before the ¾ but couldn’t get close for even second. CELEBRITY ROLEX didn’t have much inside. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT showed little. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY made a break while midpack 3/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – REDBANK BLAZE A forced a 25.4 quarter in a hot battle, yielded but retook 3/8, kept right on rolling and took a new mark of 1:50.2 at age nine in the second-bottom class. LEVINE was wide early, got in third at the ¼, gapped down the back, then outside far turn as the pocketsitter gave way, a clear if distant second. HEARTBEAT HILL came on for third edging out A STUD NAMED SAM, who came on from far back. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN was four-wide past the 1/8, two-wide to the lead in a 25.4 opener, yielded, stayed close to the 11/16 then packed it in. BAY MEADOWS left, was three-wide and about to be looped so took a midpack tuck, uncovered off turn two but never got close. BLUEJEANSNREDWINGS got away last from the rail, little. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was gapping by the half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CUPID HANOVER left and got the early pocket behind the fast pace, started to ease out late turn then chose to go inside, along in the Pocono Pike; an inquiry was launched to check on possible interference headstretch, which was disallowed, but then the inquiry expanded to include a possible pylon violation, and it was found that CUPID HANOVER did go inside a pylon, for which he was placed fourth, behind the three horses lapped on him at the wire. DICENTRA tucked third, came clear early stretch and was making up ground in the 31 kicker; placed first. PREACHER MAN was out with cover but gapped it, then gained in the slowing tempo late. MAGICAL JOURNEY went huge fractions on the front end, held the lead a long way before tiring. SUNDANCEDIAMOND broke before the first turn, recovered but gapped, narrowed in as the pace slowed. SPIT AND VINEGAR gapped down the back. LAZER JET moved uncovered 5/8, challenged, made a break turning for home. ARCHIBALD was looped, went offstride 3/16.
Jul 24, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … PRAIRIE HANDSOME got tighter in the strung-out field nearing the 5/8 then moved uncovered, went by past the ¾ and was briefly clear, then extended to hold off the closers. PLAY THE ACE was loose in the pocket the first 3/8 then snug, was stuck when the lead changed hands ¾ and had to back out, in gear in the stretch and just failed to recover the lost ground. BEACH CHIEF moved out with cover 11/16, gapped it and was left raw when it cleared just past the ¾, then narrowed in, held pretty well. FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX took a long time to get around a gapper and was off the leaders to nearing the stretch, went between horses with steady pace. WAR OF WILL strung the whole field out to the 3/8 then most of them until past the 5/8, but surrendered readily when challenged. WEST IS BEST left an ever-increasing gap.
SECOND RACE – BARNABAS was third-over behind gapping cover, stacked four-wide late turn and zoomed past everybody at crunch time. HOPETOBEFIRST was loose in the pocket most of the way, went to the Pocono Pike and got a brief lead midstretch before being outpaced by the winner, held second in a big photo. TIN ROOF RAIDER A was second-over but wasn’t staying with cover late backstretch, three-wide late turn, did OK late. TUGGIN ON MY HEART looped the field quickly, maintained a sizable advantage despite a slow second quarter, had the others catch up by the 5/8, still was ahead well into the stretch, only to tire. OHIO VINTAGE stayed in, came on some in the deep Pike. BENSON BOYS N was looped early and tucked third, came uncovered off turn two, gained in the third quarter and for some of the turn, but couldn’t keep going. PERSEVERANT lost contact down the back and was pulled up.
THIRD RACE – VANESSA J left, yielded at the ¼ but was quick on the retake, in command thereafter. LADY LIRA moved out from third before the ¾, went around the fading pocketsitter, clearly second-best. ULURU stayed flat and passed tired horses for the distant third. WISTERIA HANOVER was wide early, went up two-wide to take the lead at the ¼, soon yielded for the pocket, unplugged from the 5/8. RISK ON stayed fairly close until the ¾. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was leaving when making a break, quickly caught the back of the field, came out uncovered off the second turn but made another misstep before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – KILEE ROCKS went right to the front in a largely strung-out field, had the pocket horse to deal with late turn, but opened a clear margin when that one lost ground coming off the bend, enough to hold off her recovery. CHANCES ARE IDEAL tightened in to the pocket, came out to challenge and gained, but then lost her momentum straightening away, gained ground late but had lost her chance. SWEET GADGETS tucked fourth, passed a tired foe for third in the stretch; said foe was LIZZIANA, who had stayed semiconnected in third until the far turn. BEST DIVA broke coming off turn two. WORKINGONATAN was already leaving a big gap before the half. C DIDDY’S GAL was well off the gate, another who fell further and further back.
FIFTH RACE – The beginning of some wild longshot action; here a $108.80 horse heads the least-bet three finishing ahead of the most-bet three … BROADWAY SENSATION stayed flat and connected, outside ¾, three-wide late turn and a bit wider than that towards headstretch as her lefthand rival went offstride, trotted on to the top in a slowing tempo. GUCCI GIRL was looped, going up towards the lead 3/16 and grabbed it as the leader broke, set the pace to her liking, couldn’t stall the winner. GINA’S ON FIRE was in tight quarters yielding past the 1/8, then avoided the breaker and sat in the pocket, evenly late and far ahead of the misbehavers. PIANO BAR was three-wide early, cleared while close to the rail horse, then ran 3/16 and went to the infield, caught the field but then had nothing left late. BABY TAKE A VOW wound up third after early confusion, moved uncovered 11/16 and advanced, appeared to be looking to sustain her rally but broke before headstretch. JULIETTE broke before the start.
SIXTH RACE (a semi island of normalcy) – BROTHER JAMES was fourth at the START point but gradually built speed from the rail and with track geometry got everybody in behind him by the ¼, then was sent on a lungclearing with wild middle numbers stretching the field, decelerated (understandably after a 1:20.4 ¾) but was far gone. BULLVILLE TERROR was the only horse tight on his cover off the second turn and 5/8 was moved out to grind up, did well in being the closest to the runaway. BLACKLIGHT was behind the unplugging pocketsitter and shuffled late turn, found room, between horses early stretch and was third. LITERL LAD HANOVER was very wide early, three-wide much of the 3/16, then found the two-hole at the ¼, gradually gapped out the second half. FIXED IDEA was inside, moved out in a blindswitch late turn but didn’t advance. AMERICA’S GUEST moved outside to try to gain but could not. LUZIANA was always far behind.
SEVENTH RACE – First four finishers were 16-1, 26-1, 10-1, and 99-1 … PEMBROKE MONEY pulled from third ¾ to challenge, was in a three-way battle most of the stretch but asserted herself late in a diminishing tempo. STICK WITH ME stuck with the leader in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and took a short lead past midstretch, but tired late. FINE WINE FASHION had just yielded when finding herself back on top after a breaker, faster in Q2 than Q1, tired midstretch. KT DOUBLE DEUCE stayed flat, gapped from before the ¼, a little tighter far turn but then faded. ANGELPEDIA had just made the top at the 1/8 when running. TIPSY MONI broke leaving shortly past the start. VALENTINE BLESSING broke w-a-y before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – The short longshot period concludes with a $132.60 winner … TSM BATMAN was fourth-in, was able to duck to the deep Pocono Pike and came through to be up in a blanket finish. DILLINGER tucked fourth past the 1/8, moved uncovered into turn two and grinded into a fast third split to be in major contention, held gamely to the line. BAY BRUTE took the early pocket then seemed a handful, helmetbumping down the back, had a golden trip but when taken to the Pocono Pike but seemed to resist the move leftward, finally got going but was photoed out. MAJOR SHOW set the pace, sped up down the back as challengers came on, didn’t miss by too much. DIVINE RIGHTS was second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. JM’S ROLLIN was third-in, out into a blindswitch late turn, never found a clear path. ZEUS HANOVER gained late as the pace slowed. SPORTS SECTION gapped third-over, followed three-wide cover but couldn’t gain.
NINTH RACE – PEPPERMINT MAN had the early pocket, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, drew clear throughout the last half. MIKI DE VIE made the front easily, yielded for the two-hole, got gradually looser from the leader, held second over RUSTY BEACH. The latter came outside from fourth just past the ¾ and finished well. CHARLEY DUPONT gapped down the back, best of the rest. LIFE IS A BET and TICTOCMOE were never in the picture. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC tucked third at the 1/8, looked a contender for major minor awards as late as headstretch but came up empty late. CRUISE HANOVER was well off the gate, then broke 3/16 and went to the infield.
TENTH RACE – PORTULACA was very wide early, three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ to get the lead, slowed quarter two then picked it up, had FASHION ANNIE bearing down on her late, but in the battle of the two first round PaSS winners, the 14-1 shot held off the 1-5 shot. The later moved second-over and wide in the lane, came her own last half in 56.2 but couldn’t get by the winner. WILD RUDY S tucked third, came out down the back to challenge, fell back a little late but did OK. PLANTER’S PUNCH defended the pocket, Pocono Pike but lost some ground. THE OTHER THREE all gapped at various points, with AVA MARIE breaking far turn trying to get closer.
ELEVENTH RACE – LIFETIME EXPERIENCE controlled the throttle throughout, held off a group of late contenders. PINK FLOYD HANOVER made a delayed leave and raced up into the two-hole 3/16, sent to the Pocono Pike, just failed to take it all. LENDA HAND MAN speed-grinded in 27.2 to battle the leader, lost a little ground straightening away but came back on late. BULLVILLE FRANK was second-over, gapped ¾, found better strides very late. LUCKISONTHEWAY stayed in third, gapped a bit as the pace picked up down the back, to the deep Pike, didn’t get there, might have been in tight quarters. THE OTHER DUO were in the back and didn’t make their presence felt.
TWELFTH RACE – SPEED AWAY moved quickly in front of the stands to the lead, was four lengths clear at the 5/8 and just expanded that margin in fast time for this class. SEVENSHOTSOBOURBON had early control from the pole, yielded to the winner, gapped from the half but stayed flat and was well ahead of the rest. ARGENTO was up for third over HODA HANOVER, who was gapping from the 3/8. AMBERS CHAMPION stayed flat and was rewarded with a check. ONE MARGARITA left, was finding no holes when breaking 3/16, couldn’t recover. CHARMING BANK stayed fairly close to the gapping pocket horse until the turn, where she misbehaved. MATTER OF TRUST broke heading towards turn one.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FRISKIE ALL NITE left to defend the pocket, moved outside into the stretch and caught BIG BOSS HILL. The latter left between horses and struck the front at the 3/16, rated the half then came home in 55.3 and still was caught, good outing. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA was second-over, three-wide late turn, edged MEADOWBROOK FLASH for show. The latter was uncovered going into the clubhouse turn, moved up some then flattened out. STARVIN MARVIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked third, in contention for a board spot until tiring late. SPINNAKER HANOVER was not prominent. SHAMMA LAMMA had a slow start then gapped. TOATSMYGOATS struggled throughout the last half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MISS MUSCLE was the innermost of the hard leavers and put everybody behind in a fast quarter, slowed the half, drew clear through the stretch. TUIS SHADOW sat inside, angled out early stretch and hit a higher gear midstretch, overhauled the rest. KEYSTONE THUNDER was looped leaving, with cover until tucking fifth, then uncovered into turn two, reached the wheel of the pocket horse but didn’t get closer until the stretch, one-geared home. HURRIKANE WILLIE G took the early pocket then gave it up near the ¼, sat in third, gapped a little down the back, Pocono Pike, not much. TRAIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then raced on to get in the two-hole, actually stayed close to the winenr until nearing headstretch, then tired. THE OTHERS never made their presence felt.
Jul 23, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A card of all females on a typically seasonal-warm twilight … Stretch headwind … NUTTINBUTHEBEST was parked 3/16 for the top, in turn yielded to sit the pocket, behind a three-wide wall on the turn, but went to the Pocono Pike and easily got the job done. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME was second-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, enough to hold off SOUTHWIND JAVA for second. The latter left and yielded, sat in, then backed out to get behind the place horse three-wide on the turn, got in high gear a little too late to catch that one. MIKI ROSE had cover to the 3/16, then was raw past the 26.2 opener to clear, set the pace, had hard pressure in the third quarter, paid a price for the odd-numbered quarters’ exertions. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD sat in, found room between horses in the stretch and was gaining. SHES A SASSY BEACH was underway raw on turn two, went her own third split in 26.3 and did have a brief short advantage late backstretch, but couldn’t sustain. OOH REAL GOOD stayed in with little. SILENT CROSSING made no impact.
SECOND RACE – NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was looped and out most of the ¼ for command, yielded for the pocket, initially lost a little ground when the sprint home started far turn, but found a higher gear and sailed by for Pocket Rocket Kakaley. CALLIOPE HANOVER quarter-moved and had a very soft middle half, just outsprinted to the wire. STRAWBERRY FIELDS came out raw from fifth 5/8 and gained quickly in the slow third split, held on very well. TO ALL A GOODNIGHT gapped in front of the stands, sat in then backed out third-over, four-wide in the stretch and flying late. MARGOT HANOVER worked out a second-over trip from seventh but didn’t have enough late. CAPTAIN VIOLET J left well to take over early then yielded, stayed in, not enough response when the tempo increased. HUNGRY FOR MONEY stayed in, not prominent. SLIM FAST broke shortly before the start.
THIRD RACE – FREE FLYIN TICKET was on top quickly looping horses, went a quick (for these) third quarter to draw clear, then drifted out in the stretch but still held together. NIMAH FRANCO N was out behind nonadvancing cover and was three-wide 11/16 the duration, steadily narrowed in. GREENHILLDEBATABLE was looped, got the pocket, gapped down the back, came out in the stretch, had to alert course to go inside the drifting winner, tired a little late. LADY ELECTRA was four-wide out of the far turn and had a bit pf pace on the grandstand side as the tempo slowed. RELLA TIVITY closed a hole on turn one, inside, not enough late. ELLEOFADELI was looped and three-wide early, took back to fourth late first turn, came out raw down the backstretch but went nowhere. WESTERN SHOWGIRL made no impact.
FOURTH RACE – BEACH COWGIRL left, took a tuck third early, moved 5/8 and stepped right to the lead in a very fast ¾, kept eating up the track under a mild urge and stopped the timer in 1:50.2, within a fifth of a second of the 5/8-mile track’s world record for baby fillies – in her second lifetime start. HELLO YES HI was able to get outside to the ¾ and closed very well to just catch HALLELUJAH HANOVER, who had followed the winner and got to tuck in the pocket late turn (and both of those fillies were timed within 3/5 of a second of the world record). GINGER TREE COCO did not want to go into the hole and pressed on to take over before the 3/8 in wicked fractions for these, couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, held OK. PROUD MARY set sail early, did yield to sit the two-hole, was behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn but herself had little more to offer. THE OTHER DUO could not make their mark here.
FIFTH RACE – GINGER TREE LENA went on to take over at the ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside midturn, gradually wore down LOVE YOU SO. The latter moved outside with cover from fourth before the ¼, left raw off the first turn and took over 3/8, rated the half then sped up and stretched the field in the third split, had the lead for a long way in the stretch. DONTLETJULIAFOOLYA was first on top but was shuffled back to midpack, outside 11/16 then getting cover far turn, just third over EXTREME Z TAM. The latter gapped much of the way until early stretch, then found a much better gear along the inside. ADULT SWIM got the early lead, yielded near the ¼, inside, couldn’t gain late. ASHEVILLE gapped inside. BLANK CHEEK was last throughout but missed only a bit more than four lengths.
SIXTH RACE – LITTLE LADY J quarter-moved, set comfortable fractions, came home in control. SUMMER FLAME worked to command 3/16, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, couldn’t gain but held her positioning. LOVE THAT JOURNEY sat third, found room between horses midstretch and finished with pace. STAY HAPPY tucked at the 1/8, came out raw just past the 5/8, gained some but then couldn’t sustain that gain. HUNGRY FOR KISSES went evenly. HOLY HILL was second-over, gapped on the turn, wide stretch, not too much. LULU ROCKS never entered the picture. KISS EM KATE was gapping before the half.
SEVENTH RACE – SLY ELEANOR N left, yielded, came out off turn one to brush to the point, withstood a righthand challenge from the first-over, then just beat out Pocono Pikeshooting NO WIN NO FEED A by a flared nostril. The latter was three-wide to the first bend, two-wide to the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike then went there, lost a heartbreaker. BEACH CRAZY left between horses, made the lead and yielded, sat third until going uncovered 5/8, was in the thick of the action throughout the last ¼. TECHYS ANGEL A came outside 11/16 and quickly tightened on cover, three-wide near headstretch, good. MILIEU HANOVER sat last and was still last midstretch, put in an amazing last 1/16 on the far outside. TEMPURA HANOVER did not get into contention here.
EIGHTH RACE – FRONDEUR yielded past the 1/8 for the pocket, stayed tight, moved outside in the lane and paced right on by. ALEJANDRA HANOVER was in front past the 1/8, rated the half and strung out the field, asked for more early stretch but did not respond well to that question, did hold together for second. ILUVLOUCY gapped slightly in third, to the Pocono Pike and was close to second. RAGS TO RICHES moved outside towards late turn, couldn’t quite summon enough speed. THE OTHER TWO never achieved prominence, with SWEET PHENOMENA dropping back sharply.
NINTH RACE – AMBUSHED was in front before the 3/16, reluctantly yielded into the second turn, stayed tight in the pocket, moved outside late turn, and went to the top easily. CONSTELLATION was looped and briefly tucked, moved towards the 5/16 into the wind and went a 28.1 second quarter to clear, couldn’t make her advantage stand to the line. SANDERS HANOVER defended the early pocket, then was a bit loose in third through the last half, gave ground but still clearly third. DUCHESS HILL was far back in last, swung widest and finished well. RAVENOUS gapped. TAHINI HANOVER couldn’t keep up at the 5/8. SUNNY PASADENA moved uncovered down the back, didn’t gain. ULTIMATE LOULOU did not have good cover, made an “ex” in the stretch.
TENTH RACE – RACIN HUNGRY went uncovered 5/8, grinded up to give the leader a hard time, worked by her late. DOLE WHIP went to command just past the ¼, set the pace, held on for most of the stretch. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE moved to second-over just past the 5/8, finished with some pace. BUTTERFINGERS was third in, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, some rally. ESPERANZA HANOVER was shuffled inside, found a stretch seam and gained willingly. MISS BRICKLEY was away last from the rail, gapped third-over on the turn, fair late. COOCOOFORCOCO yielded at the ¼, sat in the pocket, came up empty late.
ELEVENTH RACE – MY LITTLE CAPTAIN was first on top, yielded, moved out behind ABSOLUTE POWER midturn as that one was going to the lead, caught her in the latter stages. The latter left between horses, tucked third past the 1/8, came uncovered 5/8 to pressure the leader, took control headstretch, not quite enough sprint late. URSULA BLUE CHIP gapped at a couple of points, along for a distant third. TALLCHIEF HANOVER did not factor. ZANATTA was three-wide just past the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, rated the half, was challenged around the far turn and had no answer. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE had little to offer. STRONG POISON was last, made a strong move to gain two-wide later in the backstretch, then broke midturn trying to continue to advance.
TWELFTH RACE – TALL POPPY N moved out with cover midbackstretch, initially gapped a bit then got tighter, wide in the lane, up in the final step. SO IRRESISTIBLE moved out raw from third 5/8 and went right up to challenge, got a brief lead midstretch that she just failed to hold. THE STUNNING NUN N was fourth-over, widest in the lane and found very fast steps nearing the line. JODY left very well and set the pace, came under pressure, stayed right there to the line. BRILLIANT BEAUTY left well for the pocket, Pocono Pike, came up shy in the last few steps. JUXTA COWGIRL stayed in, had no clear path in the lane. PRAIRIE SWEETNESS was third-over, came between horses in the stretch, not enough. SUNRISE HANOVER sat in last, to the deep Pike but looked to lack late room.
THIRTEENTH RACE — SHES PUKKA N was between horses, worked to the lead and refused to surrender to the parked horse in a fast ¼, had that one outside her most of the rest of the way (slow Q2, faster Q3), then held off SCARLETT HANOVER to her inside. The latter left well from the rail and kept the hole closed, sat a tight pocket, Pocono Pike, couldn’t overhaul the tough winner in a 55.1 back half. GOLDEN QUEST N was outside 3/8 following a parked horse who carried her a long way, wide and closing well late. TALK SHOW CHICA was three-wide to the 1/8 and kept going frontward, found no tuck and was left out the duration, “just rode” in the second quarter then turned up the speed in quarter three, actually a bit ahead at times the first part of the far turn, held extremely well. CRAZY CUTE backed off early, kept a hole closed near the ¼, had traffic trouble in the stretch but wasn’t running over the ones in front of her. DRESDEN was third-over, didn’t reach. CASIE’S BELIEVER was always far back. A BETTER GAME was fourth-over, broke trying to go between horses before midstretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WESTBEACH quarter-moved, withstood pressure front the first-over and the others with twin 27.2s coming home. NEED UR OPINION got on top 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, unplugged mid-far turn but persevered to hold second from MAJOR BATTLE. The latter tucked early, was third-in, to the Pocono Pike, OK. THEREWASTHISGIRL gapped third-over, briefly blindswitched but cleared that, found a much better gear late. ABUELITA HANOVER moved into the second turn and got cover, but couldn’t do much off of it. LA ALWAYS A MARTINI made the top, yielded, pulled raw from third nearing the half and pressed the leader, faded in the last 1/8. BYE BYE MICHELLE gapped inside. BRONZE OVER N was fourth-over, briefly three-wide ¾ but couldn’t sweep so went back to two-wide, not much.
Jul 21, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm day; no wind to speak of at the start … BETTOR NOT TALK pushed away some then backed off, moved at the quarter, didn’t clear until nearing turn two though still slowing the pace, came under pressure from early backstretch, may have been a nose down mid-far turn, but held together gamely to win in a close finish. JIM BLUE made the lead into turn one and stretched out a foe before yielding near a 26.1 quarter, sat third-in, in tight quarters early stretch then found room between horses midstretch and gained rapidly to just miss. STONEBRIDGE DUET started uncovered on turn two and quickly went up to have a long battle with the leader, as noted may have had a brief short advantage far turn, may have lugged in a little early stretch, restraightened and fought hard to the wire. TRAY SURREAL had excellent cover second-over, just a bit shy of the top ones. OHARE HANOVER was third-over, ducked to the path behind the place horse in the stretch and gained, probably without full clearance. ARTIST BEST was out most of the quick opener, yielded for the two-hole, not too much in the lane. TERRY A HANOVER was last at every call.
SECOND RACE – Bombers (we’d see a couple more of those in the upcoming few days) … COXCOMB was fourth-over, accelerated quickly four-wide turn (really an optical illusion as the pace slowed down), finished most strongly. SEAL O’NEILL was third-over, three-wide midturn as cover started to falter, outkicked by the winner but steady as the pace slowed for second. BUTTER UP was caught in and badly blocked, probed the inside for a hole early stretch but found none, so had to angle wide midstretch and gained quickly once free. BARRYWHITE HANOVER was third-in, advanced to the pocket 5/8 as the two-holer pulled, Pocono Pike, outpaced. JET ACE was last, wide and got the last check and completing the five longest shots beating the top three choices. SEXY BLUE CHIP was between horses early then looped, found himself raw in wild fractions, got cover at the 5/8, tried hard but couldn’t sustain forward movement. WESTERN WALTZ was three-wide to the first turn and took over 3/16, set the fast pace with pressure the whole way, gave way. MAJOR BEAN came through to defend the pocket, pulled out 5/8 but didn’t have enough after being involved with the hot pace.
THIRD RACE – ROUGH ODDS tucked third, came out at the ¼, urged 3/8 but was left outside until the 5/8 before getting the lead, had horses coming from everywhere but managed to get his nose on the line first. KILLER MARTINI came out in a backstretch blindswitch and advanced two-wide, backed out three- and four-wide on the turn, moving well late to just miss. KINGSTONS BAD BOY had cover but went three-wide early in the backstretch when it appeared his cover was sluggish, finally cleared that foe to get to two-wide uncovered ¾, battled, held well after a tough last half. THE MOONSHADOW N went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, had to move out into a bad blindswitch when the leader tired, ducked to the deep Pocono Pike for the drive and gained. MAJOR DESIRE came out towards the half, hit a better gear and raced up to the pocket late backstretch, inside the winner in the Pike, outpaced. STATEMENT MADE A was in the three-wide flow, left three-wide uncovered on the turn, couldn’t sustain. PUZZLING chose to stay in, not that much. STELLAR BB was three-wide to bend one and on top 3/16, resisted the winner until being passed for good to the 5/8 and folded.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … ONE AFTER NINE was second early then moved to be on top off the first turn, had PRACTICAL CAT as his only threat and held off that one. The latter came from third 11/16, battled and acquitted himself well. THE IRISHMAN gapped down the back, came closer on the turn and along late for third. DAGON HANOVER went to the lead then relinquished for the two-hole, not much in the lane. BEYOND THE LENS moved uncovered to the half, was beyond the lens of the main picture but got the final check. MOON BRIDGE never advanced much. KASEVILLE was having difficulty staying close by the half. WORTHY OF HONOR first broke approaching the start.
FIFTH RACE – WHAT’S GOIN ON was looped three-wide early, to two-wide to the front off turn one, drew away in a fast third quarter and just kept going to win by a country mile. HEREITIZ had nonadvancing cover second-over, three-wide midturn, got second ahead of NOAHS MILL; the latter followed the place horse’s three-wide cover, went even wider and was gaining late. ALWAYS THE SUN was looped, tucked, sat in, gapped a gapper down the back, Pocono Pike, not a sharp response. WINNING IS SWEET was fast early four-wide to clear the field, yielded, started unplugging in the pocket from the 5/8. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO sat in, was shuffled and lost all chance at a major minor award. SPORTSMANSHIP was meekly uncovered down the back, ineffective. PREMIER ROCKSTAR trailed.
SIXTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was quickly in front, kept a foe parked, then left that one and the rest of the field behind from the 5/8. SWEET HEART AS was behind the unplugging pocket horse, outside midturn and along for the distant second; NIGHT FLYER K followed the place horse and got third. BEYOND ORDINARY maintained the pocket early, couldn’t keep up 5/8, very tired late. SILVERMASS VOLO stayed in and got the last check. COCKTAILS N DREAMS was four-wide early, to two-wide but did not have the needed speed to reach the front and remained two-wide, gave way. SMART AS HILL moved behind the parked horse to the half, tried three-wide 11/16 but came up empty. EXPLOSIVE DRAMA provided neither.
SEVENTH RACE – REGAL SON was very fast early, three-wide to the first turn to the lead just past the 1/8, had no anxious moments. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING made the top towards turn one then yielded for the pocket, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, second-best. CONCUR came uncovered at the half, never really menaced but held on pretty well. OWEN sat third, not too much late. DARTH FADER gapped inside. RAPTORS FLIGHT N was first outside then got cover, but could do nothing off it. UNDERTAKER was in an impossible spot. IC A FREE SPIRIT gapped third-over.
EIGHTH RACE – BEE FOREVER was handled cautiously early while three-wide, made a small bobble while out wide but quickly righted, motored on up to the lead just past the ¾, used his superior capacity to take a new lifetime mark. CHAPOLIER went to the lead, then yielded to sit the pocket behind the heavy chalk, stayed with him very nicely. NYLANDER stayed in good contact for 7/8, then backed off some but was still clearly third. ALTUS HANOVER followed nonadvancing cover, three-wide through the far turn, good from where he was. LEVITATION gapped inside. BULLY BOY started uncovered into turn two but never got closet o the front. FOUR UNDER PAR backed out to get into a moribund cover flow, far back. TEQUILA N ROSES broke as the gate sprang while looking to want to leave, caught the field but broke in the stretch.
NINTH RACE – PLAY THE FIELD burst out to instant command, rolled on the front end, was challenged by CURIOUS CORTEZ down the back and surrendered the lead on the far turn, but stayed up on the bit and came back on in the Pocono Pike to win easily. The latter worked up into the pocket, came out 5/8 and powered by past the ¾, but couldn’t sustain the lead to the end. ROLLINWITHAMBITION moved uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, lost it when it cleared to the lead past the ¾, battled and just missed place. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP spotted past the 1/8, then was third-over, blindswitched, ducked inside in early stretch, OK to the line. INDIGO ART tried to sweep up from last, flattened a bit but not a bad mile overall. COOL BLUES MAN advanced up the inside down the backside, blocked through the stretch. MY WISH CAME TRUE was shuffled to last, ended pacing OK on the extreme outside. PARK OFFICIAL was forwardly-placed, advanced to the pocket late backstretch, but didn’t have too much late.
TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL was four-wide early determined to get the top, made the front before the 3/16, sailed right along and made casual work of a tough field in a fast time. BETTORROCK was innermost of the leavers and defended the pocket, raced very hard but could make no gain on the winner late. WESTERN JOE, three-wide early then taking back to tuck, was uncovered at the half but soon afterwards got cover, gapped on the turn then found better strides late and was moving very well at the finish. MR DS ROCK was two-wide early and tucked, came uncovered into the backstretch, almost got to the winner’s wheel but no closer, held OK. CHATELROLL was outside at the half, ducked in in front of a gapper, then gapped himself in the last panel. KING JAMES EXPRESS didn’t keep up the last 3/8. THE LAST TWO were not contenders here.
ELEVENTH RACE – PRIMARY COLORS quarter-moved and was pushed well past the 3/8 before clearing, opened a big lead late turn into the stretch, much the best. HIGH BALLER came through for good early position, sat in, got out headstretch and gained pretty well in the stretch but not catching the winner. RIFLEMAN moved second-over, three-wide mid-far turn, next to the wire. GOOD DEAL sat in, was no factor. CERTIFIABLE made the top at the 1/8, pushed the winner in the frontstretch then yielded, went loose 11/16 and to unplug mode in the stretch. LONG WEEKEND A tucked fourth, came out 9/16 but was not much of a threat before fading badly. DONTPASSME HANOVER was a little off the gate, made a nasty break before the first turn.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN FANCY made sure of the pocket trip, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually worked by GRAND CAYMAN. The latter took control from the pole, slowed the half then sped up to keep the first-over outside, had shaken that one off, outpaced to the inside, failing as the heavy favorite. THE WILD CARD stayed in, then angled sharply to widest late turn into the stretch, finished with solid pace. AFLAME HANOVER shut a hole 3/16, uncovered at the half and paced his third quarter in 26.3 to challenge the leader, held pretty well. GET LIT was wide early, found no tuck so took back to fourth, inside, didn’t have the needed steps late. GUINNESS PANIC gapped early, started uncovered into turn two then got cover, evenly. CAPTAIN ROMANCE never was a major player. JK MUSICMAN started the outer flow 3/8, was third-over but gapped.
THIRTEENTH RACE – OLLIE’S ZTAM headed right down the road, got a big breather in the second quarter then sped up, won easily. DO WORK SON stayed in, gapped midbackstretch, then closer and angled to a wide position stretch, finished well to win a photo for second over MONTEFALCO N. The latter was away in good order and retained the pocket, gapped a little most of the last half, just failed to hold place. MACH WEST had to take back early, came uncovered at the half, went a good third quarter but couldn’t pressure the leader, held OK. ROCK THREE TIMES kept a hole closed on the first turn, not a late threat. CAVIART SAGE was three-wide around dull cover ¾, got wide cover past midturn but couldn’t go with it. NUI BA DEN N (Vietnamese for “Black Virgin Mountain,” an actual place) had too big a mountain to overcome from post eight. BETTER THAN SOME gapped cover and didn’t live up to his name at all here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – VANILLA MALTED forced all challengers to retreat under his determination to maintain the lead with fast odd-numbered quarters, and the plan worked. IMAGINARY LINE came uncovered 3/8, wanted to clear at the half but was left outside, eventually got into the pocket late in the backstretch, Pocono Pike, stayed close. THE WALL was out with cover, feathered three-wide at the half to keep up momentum “as the lead changed hands,” but it didn’t and he dropped back to second-over 5/8, left uncovered when his cover tucked in the pocket, stayed on well. SEVENTH SECRET had good cover but couldn’t quite go with it. PARMESAN N ducked in early stretch after excess cover, evenly. STRAIGHT UP COOL went wide but was too far back. IDEAL FEELING was three-wide early, then with cover until taking a three-spot at the ¼, not heard from thereafter. GO WEST GO FAST had to accept the pocket at the ¼, unplugged down the back.
Jul 18, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A warm day with a stretch headwind … Track “fast +0” for the first ten races; rain then came through, and the surface was rerated to “sloppy +1” for the rest of the card … REYS N A RUCKUS left between horses to the lead at the 1/8, seated a rival, then drew away in the last 5/16. NEWBIE spotted, then was second-over 5/8, uncovered late far turn, continued on to be the distant second. NATHAN FEELSGOOD came uncovered 9/16 but could make little impact, ducked in late turn and to the Pocono Pike, the distant third. MICHAEL’S MONSTER gapped at a couple of points then did better in the stretch. CALL HIM ROCKY was three-wide to the 1/8, took the pocket towards the ¼, unplugged ¾. VAN DIESEL gapped, never entered the picture. LYONS JOHNNY sat third, empty not long past the 5/8. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A was far back throughout.
SECOND RACE – CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was out until just before the fast ¼ then made the lead, had things her own way from there. PHANTOM RUSTY went to the top then yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, lost ground the last quarter but still far ahead of the rest. ROUNDTOWN ROCKER backed out to follow cover from before the 5/8, gapped on the turn but was better while wide in the stretch to take third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE started uncovered not long into the backstraight, never reached the leaders. FRAC was well-placed in third, but gapped in the last quarter. ALEXANDER HANOVER spotted fourth, had trouble keeping up most of the last half. CRAZY FOR CJ broke at the start. GOLDEN GLIDER sat inside, had very little to offer.
THIRD RACE – SIR FRANK went right to the lead, got an easy half, and was the easiest of winners. ONION GUM moved out from third 5/8, gained a little but then had to steady early on the turn, was doing better in the latter stages to pass CHEVAL NOIR for second. The latter rode a loose pocket throughout, not enough late. PRAIRIE NUGGET gapped the other three flat horses from the 9/16. BUDDY EARL looked to be trying to gain forward position when breaking before the first turn. ROWDER miscued an 1/8 before the start.
FOURTH RACE – GINA’S ON FIRE went to early command, yielded to EMIRA MIL IT and was content sitting the pocket behind her, outside in the stretch and just got there for the DH1. The latter took over the racetrack past the 1/8 and set the pace, tiring a little late but lasted for the tie. AVE MARIE came out far turn then went back inside when the horses she was circling made breaks, up the Pocono Pike, with sharp late trot to just miss. RHIANNON HANOVER avoided trouble. ULURU broke coming off the turn before the start but quickly caught the field, outside down the back but never got close. KT DOUBLE DEUCE jumped it off past the start. RISK ON was gapping inside when breaking past midturn and going to the infield. SEVEN LICK WAVE stayed with the top two, moved outside ¾ to challenge, made a break nearing headstretch.
FIFTH RACE – A STUD NAMED SAM tucked third, moved out 5/8 and got to the pocket around the gapper ¾, steadily made up a lot of ground and overhauled the tiring leader. FRISKIE ALL NITE took over the pacesetting duties early, rated the half then tried to steal away with a giant third quarter, but got tired in the last 3/16, battled on but could not hold on. THE ROOF RAIDER A gapped cover then got closer as the pace slowed down. JUST A WRANGLER gapped inside, then got briefly stuck behind the fading pocketsitter mid-far turn, followed gaining cover and did OK himself late. DOCTOR BUTCH took the pocket, saw the leader go off to a big lead in the fast third quarter, never a late factor. LOVE THE ACTION was never close. AINTNOSUNSHINE lost contact the last half. FOUR-STAR FLASH broke w-a-y before the start, was pulled up.
SIXTH RACE – JAKARTA PARTYGIRL, the pinto filly, was moving to follow cover at the half when that one broke, went back in then came out 11/16 to challenge, didn’t show high speed but plugged along to hold on for the decision over CHASE MY LINDY. The latter came out ¾, gapped some, then narrowed in with every stride late. SOUTHERN AUTUMN set all the pace, lasted a long way in the stretch. MYREANNA sat in the pocket, fell back on the far turn but then came on again late. PURE WOW broke just before the start, recovered enough to get a payday. LUCKY LIMERICK started outside at the half but soon was on the run. FASHION PRINCESS broke at the ¼. ROMANTIC TILE S followed cover early, then broke trying to go up to challenge after her cover went to the lead.
SEVENTH RACE – CHALLENGER (with Svanstedt in Diamond Creek colors) sat patiently in the two-hole, came out in the lane and went by easily. PARTNER DOLAN tucked third towards the first curve, angled wide in the stretch and finished steadily. NO MORE SWEETS was away alertly, got a breather in quarter two, still gave way some through the lane. BATTLESHIP LANDING gapped but stayed flat. DANCEHALL KING spotted fourth 3/16, came up uncovered, was looking for more when breaking past the ¾. OPTRIX gapped 5/8, bore out and eventually broke.
EIGHTH RACE – FLYINGDRUMSTICKS S went in third at the eighth and sat there, came out headstretch, didn’t find a higher gear until a 1/16 out but when she did she trotted right over these. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA set all the pace at 43-1, just outkicked at the end. TIPSY MONI sat in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, a step shy. LADY LIRA stayed flat but was far back. LOHAN’S LINDY disconnected from the top three to the 5/8. ISLAND DIVA broke off the turn before the start. PEMBROKE MONI jumped at the ¼. SAINT TRIXIE got a slow start and broke while far back past the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – Start of the drizzle … WIN PLACE’N SHOW moved uncovered to the 5/8, had to go three-wide around the late backstretch problem and emerged with the lead, maintained the advantage to the wire. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH was uncovered at the half and worked up to follow cover, also went wide around the incident and then challenged the winner on the turn, couldn’t sustain but a clear second. RENO DINERO was able to swing out wide around the trouble, just third at the wire. AQUAMAN HANOVER quarter-moved to the lead, despite elaborate headrigging saw debris on the track 11/16 and jumped over it, causing massive confusion, recovered and was just passed for third at the wire, but was placed eighth for causing the problem. FULSOME left and was forwardly-placed, checked severely going inside the trouble to the ¾, couldn’t recover. LATEST ATTRACTION sat in, had to go into the infield to avoid the trouble. AMAZON left, yielded, sat in the pocket, tried to get around the breaker 11/16 but himself made an “ix.” ALL CHEDDAR was gapping at the half, made an “ix” with the trouble ahead of him.
TENTH RACE – CRAZYCAT was innermost of four-across leavers behind the pole horse to the first turn, maintained the pocket, then gave same up 3/8, pulled out behind the parked horse 5/8 and was quickly three-wide to two-wide to challenge, made the lead coming off the turn while looking on a line, but had enough to hold on as the pace slowed after the fast fractions. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY backed off from two-wide, stayed in until following LADY’S IMAGE outside midturn, went wider and closed well to be second. The latter was four-wide early, took back to follow cover then was able to get into the pocket 3/8 and stayed tight, outside behind the winner midturn, not quite enough late after a hard route. CUPID HANOVER parked everybody as long as he could in the quick numbers, fell back the last 1/8. ARCHIBALD was three-wide early, went to two-wide and pressed on but was left hung out to dry, looped before the ¾. BANZAI AS was away last then broke 3/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – Track now “sloppy +1” … PEPPERMINT MAN was away second then moved in front of the stands to the lead, saw his two closest pursuers get closer to him on the turn, then drew away late. BOSTON BOUND was away well from the rail, then yielded for the pocket, gapped midrace, got closer to the ¾, then couldn’t match the winner. BULLVILLE STEPHANO came up uncovered 5/8, challenged, went wide coming out of the turn and flattened. JERSEY JUSTICE moved outside far turn and had belated pace. SEASIDE MEDITATION got in third at the 3/16, gapped much of the last half. ABEL DE VIE was never close. QUARANTINI was outside near the back to the ¼, moved again to go around a gapper, then was out with cover but made a break ¾. BET THE BULL gapped before breaking down the back.
TWELFTH RACE – CREDIT CON moved from the pocket at the ¼ and took over, got pressure from the first-over late backstretch, but his bitterest fight was with CELEBRITY ROLEX inside, whom he photoed out. The latter made the early lead, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, may’ve gotten a nose up midstretch, just missed. ANDOVER CONTESSA came uncovered down the back and challenged hard, held right there well ahead of the rest. MUSCLES JARED stayed in and was next in line. SPIT AND VINEGAR was inside, gapped off the top three much of the last half. DICENTRA was off the gate, never in the picture. WHAT A DAME was uncovered at the half, couldn’t reach eventual cover. SUNDANCE DIAMOND broke past the start, caught the field and was third-over but gapped.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTIVATE HANOVER was three-high to the 1/8 and onward to command 3/16, went on at a good clip, held off REDBANK BLAZE A to his left. The latter defended the pocket, waited, came up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite reach. HORSE sat in, only came clear just before midstretch, quickly angled wide and quickly made up ground. SEE YA WRITE N tucked, came out down the backstretch but couldn’t sustain his bid. BARNABAS was fifth when taking a bad knucklestep 3/8 and wiping out THE REST OF THE FIELD; he was kept wide the remainder of the way and fell back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – UPFRONT STONE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, set the pace as he pleased, held everybody safe to the finish even if the last quarter was only 30. WILLIE B WORTHY spotted, went uncovered before the 5/8 and gradually ranged up, fought on hard to be second. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT made the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, didn’t gain. TEDDY BROSEVELT sat third-in, appeared to be handled cautiously late while between horses and maybe in tight quarters. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved off turn two to circle a gapper, again outside far turn, couldn’t quite reach. CELEBRITY SERENA stayed in then eventually backed out to circle a gapper, not a contender. LAZER JET got a slow start and was never close. CHOCOTURE gapped out.
