Jun 12, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Low 70s; stretch headwind … ROCK KING DEO was looped and tucked third to the first turn, then quarter-moved and was extended past the 3/8 in a fast half, rolled on in the third panel, then just held off the stretchlong charge of GOLDEN GESTURE. The latter was quickly on top, hit the quarter in 26.2, pushed the winner a ways before yielding, stayed tight then tipped out nearing the lane, just came up short in a good race. DOJEA SOLO left, too the early pocket at the 1/8, sat in, kept up until nearing headstretch, won third in a three-way photo. SPINOUT briefly moved out then went back in when cover was no good, a bit late. CODE MEISTER sat in, finished with some energy. NIHILATED TRUTH was outside raw off turn two, gained very little before fading. BETTOREVER was last by an increasing margin.
SECOND RACE – DAGON HANOVER came out at the ¼ and had the lead by the 3/8, left these well in the red dust with a fast 3/4s, easy winner. GOES DOWN SMOOTH fell in behind cover early then tucked fourth, moved out past the 5/8 and retucked in a yawning pocket ¾, clearly second-best. PHANTOM RUSTY left for the top, yielded at the ¼, moved out behind the cover of the place horse and was left raw ¾, beat out the rest. NIGHT FLYER K was parked to a quick quarter, yielded, unplugged from off the second turn. ANDOVERS TOUCH never got close. ROSE RUN WILDCAT left a gap for much of midrace, got closer to stragglers but couldn’t go by them; same story for BUTTER TOFFEE. GREEK LEGEND had rough steps just past the start and got away last, never improved on that position.
THIRD RACE – ABRUZZO came out uncovered 5/8, grinded a bit closer then got into a better gear far turn, by before midstretch and strode clear. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was three-wide to the 3/16 then to the pocket at the ¼ after the horse to his left broke, got to the Pocono Pike, not in a league with the winner but enough for second. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN refused to yield, rated the half, had the winner come to him on the turn, tired. ANOTHER LONG SONG moved off turn two and got cover 5/8, couldn’t stay with it ¾, evenly late. ROJO MAN gapped outside, wide stretch, a bit late. CREDARENA spotted fifth, was shuffled far turn, went out between horses headstretch, then ducked in midstretch, fair late. U BAKE THE CAKE sat in, struggled to keep close the last 3/8. SUNBERRY HANOVER left, was between horses contending for the lead when breaking 3/8.
FOURTH RACE – An intermittent light rain/mist began to fall; the track was never reclassified from “fast” … ARTACHE HANOVER wanted the early lead and got it at the 1/8, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket and was the only one who kept up with the leader the third quarter, outside midturn, stepped away through the lane. SPORTSMANSHIP went around two gappers to retuck third past the 5/8, outside on the turn, just did save second from AIN’T IT FUN. The latter was on the place horse’s back then was left raw 11/16, got cover again late turn, found his best strides a bit too late for second. ROYAL HEART pushed to the 1/8 then yielded, moved to the lead in front of the stands, couldn’t shake the winner with a big third quarter, then himself tired the last 1/8. WHAT’S GOIN ON needed until the ¼ to make the 3-hole, started to disconnect at the 3/8. SAMMY THE BULL N developed a problem before the 3/8 and was pulled up.
FIFTH RACE – LUISELLA went around a gapper midbackstretch and continued on raw, hit a better gear on the turn while still well off the leader in the fast pace, but trotted on determinedly and was along on the money. WILLTOWIN HANOVER was looped early, refused the two-hole 3/16 and went on to command past the fast ¼, rated the half then opened a clear margin down the back as the pocketsitter stopped, hit the ¾ in fast time with a big lead, but saw that lead eaten into by the winner the last 3/16, just failed to hold. NIKKI THE NUN was forwardly-placed, went around the gapper to the pocket 5/8, tightened in, Pocono Pike, step-and-a-half short. PURE WOW lost contact with the top three before the ¾. CARAMEL MACCHIATO did get the last check. HONORABLE LADY was always far back. PRAIRIE GINGER gapped early, also never a major factor. IVORY ROAD looped everybody for the early lead, yielded past the ¼, started falling back coming off the second turn.
SIXTH RACE – JITTERBUG FLIP was on a front-end mission, hitting the ¼ in 26.2, not backing off the pace, was clear into the stretch, but PROSPECTORS GOLD was coming up determinedly late, just did hold on. The latter came uncovered 5/8 and retucked third, up the Pocono Pike and gained well late in the fast mile. BOBS REDEMPTION sat in the pocket behind the wicked fractions, held pretty well though falling back in the last 3/16. QUARANTINI was third at the 1/8, gapping by the ¼, far back. GOD WILLING moved outside behind the place horse but couldn’t keep up. MR UNTITLED got away at the back and lost further ground. DARIO HANOVER was well off the gate and lost contact.
SEVENTH RACE – MATTER OF TRUST went to the lead, had a loose pocket horse behind her until the turn, then had TELENOVELA move up sharply on that turn, then drew away again. The latter moved out from third and was gaining when circling the trouble mid-far turn, got close nearing headstretch then backed off a little but still far ahead of anyone else. RAVIOLI was on the move off the top two far turn and avoided the trouble, distant third. TURN THE TAB at first got around the far turn trouble but then lost composure and went offstride. ALDEBARAN ACRUX looked to leave but broke early, then circled many troubled horses near headstretch and got a payday. DELAVIOUS never got close. MRS TAYLOR made the pocket but struggled to keep close, backing up far turn when offstride, placed. PRAIRIE TRINKET spotted fourth, was advancing right behind the fading pocket horse mid-far turn, was in close quarters and suffered an “ix.”
EIGHTH RACE – FLIP THE SWITCH headed to the top and rolled right along, had a challenger get closer ¾ but then drew clear. EASY RIDER avoided early trouble and tucked fourth, uncovered going to the half, got to just shy of the leader’s wheel ¾, gave some ground then but clearly second. STRICT was wide early waiting on a breaker to clear, outside down the back but gapped, up for a distant third. CHAPERIDGE never attained prominence. CRAFT BREW LINDY made the pocket but was already going loose at the half. FAMOUS DAN broke shortly into the race, did catch the back of the field but could get no close. MR ZUANETTI broke at the start. TAKE SHAPE broke w-a-y before the start.
NINTH RACE – STYLE FOR A MILE was wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, on the move again 5/16 and made the lead easily in the slow second quarter, had plenty in reserve for the stretch. KILEE ROCKS refused to yield in a fast ¼, did yield 3/8 to sit the two-hole, gradually gave ground the last 3/16 but could retain second. LIZZIANA spotted third before the 1/8 off the top two, moved raw 5/8, hit a better gear at the ¾ but then couldn’t sustain the gain. JAGGED LITTLE PILL raced with cover, came on a bit late. CHANCES ARE IDEAL did not have ideal chances from last and third-over; not bad at the wire. SWEET GADGETS gapped inside, blocked past midturn as a rival faded, Pocono Pike but little to offer. SWEET KATIE BUG wanted the lead but submitted to track geometry and took the pocket 3/16 in the quick opener, little left in the last stanza.
TENTH RACE – KASEVILLE tucked third, moved off the first bend to get the lead, sped things up significantly to deal with the incessant challenge from CASH MACHINE GIRL from just past the 5/8, headbobbing with that one from there to the wire, where she got the decision. The latter gapped off the top three first turn then got closer, moved raw at the half and reached the leader to the 5/8 (own third split 27.2), was head-to-head with that one to the line, just missed. SEVENSHOTSOBOURBON went straight to the top, yielded to the winner and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, just a bit behind the top pair. CHARMING BANK left and took the pocket past the 1/8, next in line. FLANAGAN DESTINY circled gappers and got the last check. GIVEM THE GOO moved second-over but couldn’t stay with the fast cover. SLEW FOOT and SUPER MAGIC POTION gapped at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – Wind is diminished … GRAPPLE HANOVER was between horses to the pocket at the 1/8, up on the bit and moved off the first turn, took over and put up quick numbers, had many challenges in the last ¼ but withstood them all. PAPI HANOVER was three-wide to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, tight, Pocono Pike, bad luck in losing by a headbob. LEVITATION stayed connected, backed out second-over, three-wide late turn, came on steadily but was just shy. BLUFFINNER spotted fourth going to turn one, came out raw 9/16 and grinded up in a big challenge, tired some late but clear of the rest. CAN’T SAY NO moved outside at the ½ but couldn’t go with the top four. VOLARE could offer little. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT never factored. SORTIE was behind dull cover, went three-wide ¾ but broke late turn.
TWELFTH RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC was on top 3/16 and just kept rolling at a fast clip, too much for one horse and much too much for the others. SILVERSTONE was quickly in front, yielded and stayed connected to the heavily-favored winner throughout, with the others far off the top two from before the ¼. STEWARDOFTHELAND and IVY STUD were fourth and fifth most of the way, got by RACING LIBERTY, who was gapping from the 3/16, and who reported back with “b.e.” THE OTHERS could make no impression here.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Wind picked up again for the last race … NO DRAMA PLEASE went to the front at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼ but was immediately on the move again beating a rival to that punch, got the top and rated the half, saw an advancing rival break 9/16, in control the last 3/8. KNIGHT ANGEL had cover early, then went on to go to the front just past the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose the last 3/8 but clearly second. MATT’S MUSCLES was third-over then second-over after a breaker, three-wide headstretch and gained in the lane while very wide. LIVING PROOF I AM couldn’t offer too much. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was inside, struggled to stay close through the last half. CAMPBELLINI had cover then lost it to a break past the 9/16, went 27.3 down the back with the wind to make a good raw challenge, but couldn’t sustain the move. SUM FOR ALL was never close. WHATS THE WORD was way off the gate but came charging through, yielded, wanted to move at the ¼ but was beaten outside by the winner, moved with a rush off turn two but quickly lost gait.
Jun 11, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Near 80 degrees all day … Stretch headwind … JAMAICAN COWBOY was fourth-over, three-wide from the 11/16 and kept gaining, went on by everybody late. DARK HORSE was four-deep to turn one, three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the top off the first turn, set the pace without pressure, no match for the winner but held off the rest. DJ’S BIG ELVIS sat in and was far back, moved out into the path behind the long-gone winner and passed quite a few horses late. CHANCELLORCULLEN N went first-up before the 5/8, one-geared, and not a fast enough one. MR MCDREAMY spotted then was second-over, gapped and was blindswitched past the ¾. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN backed out, wide, didn’t gain. SHARK FANTASY tucked, then lost all chance when stuck behind a tiring pocketsitter from the 5/8 to the Pocono Pike. SPIDER MAN HANOVER was three-wide most of the 1/8, got the lead then yielded for the pocket, started unplugging 5/8.
SECOND RACE – SWEET HEART AS worked her way into command, pushed back on the first-over challenger, then went clear in the stretch. KEYSTONE THUNDER worked to the front, yielded to the winner and stayed connected in the pocket, Pocono Pike, second-best. FOXY TROTTIN STICK got in gear and moved outside 5/8, challenged but couldn’t sustain the move. O JONNIE sat in, gapped from past the 5/8. CRAZYCAT tried to get into contention three-wide ¾, did get the last check. SUNDANCEDIAMOND never sparkled. BLENHEIM yielded for the early pocket, broke at the ¼ and ran most of the next quarter mile, got back on gait and caught the field, three-wide with cover far turn and wider headstretch, broke again, placed. TEDDY BROSEVELT was underway into turn two but never got close.
THIRD RACE – SPEAK YOUR MIND was slightly off the gate, wound up second-over from seventh, three-wide 11/16 and swept around the field far turn, drew away. BETTE TINA went right to the top, yielded, stayed in, shuffled some late turn, gained with a good burst when shown the Pocono Pike, then flattened slightly very late but still got second over COVENANT WOMAN. The latter moved uncovered 3/8, hot a higher gear when the winner came sweeping, was looped but fought on, almost got second. SHES A BULLVILLE was looped and between horses, made the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out far turn and went wide in the stretch but didn’t gain much. ONE EYED WANDA quickly pulled out from sixth at the ¼ and rushed up to clear to the lead 3/8, couldn’t fight off the sweeper far turn, but was holding her own with the others until midstretch. BETTOR STRAIT N UP was out for early position, stayed in, backed out down the backstretch but didn’t gain. RAINBOW RISING, off the gate, never got close. MADELYNN SOPHIA was three-wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, was under a hold in tight quarters at the ¼, fell back.
FOURTH RACE — I HAVE A DREAM yielded near the 3/16, pocket, remained in the pocket after the leader broke and the first-over went by 11/16, outside late turn then wide in the lane, had the most to the wire. JUSTIFY was outside early backstretch, narrowed in, left raw 11/16 and went up to contest the lead, got in front early stretch but was caught. SPIT AND VINEGAR tucked, moved quickly off turn two and was coming up to fight the leader when that one broke 11/16, took over while going the third split in 27.3, paying the price late. GREAT GAZOO was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed off into third, kept connected but didn’t threaten. SCIROCCO PATRICK got past stragglers down the back, not bad from where he was. NO NAME YANKEE gapped early, never was close. ALL RISE was between horses early, on top 3/16, rated the half then took off as the challenger came, lost gait 11/16 and went to the infield. LAKEVIEW TAMMY, rough-gaited at times, never entered the picture.
FIFTH RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES was fastest away, kept a midrace challenger outside while going a 27.2 third quarter, drew away in the last quarter. MCNEIL Z TAM stayed connected, outside late turn, up for second over NIKI MINAJ. The latter was tight in the pocket until the ¾, couldn’t save second late. GETYOURLICENSELIAM gapped, next in line. ARTISTS RUFFLES tried to rush to the lead starting at the 3/8 but was turned away in the fast third split, tired. LUZIANA gapped in last of the main pack. BEACHESBECKONME broke off the turn before the start.
SIXTH RACE – EXTRORDINARYLADY S was content to ride in the pocket until headstretch, moved out and asserted her dominance. HEART MATTERS went to the top, rated quarter two then went faster with the wind to lose the field except one during the third panel, no match for that foe but miles ahead of the rest. ROMANTIC TILE S passed tired foes for third. WILD KAT G took back to drop in third, relatively close until the 5/8, then began fading. RELENTLESS JACKIE offered little. AULTER EGO came outside 9/16 but failed to menace. PLUM WINE was leaving between horses when breaking.
SEVENTH RACE – KINGSTONS BAD BOY, liking his new surroundings, was uncovered at the 3/8, reached the leader early backstretch and dueled with him, went 26.4 to clear at the ¾, was kept to active encouragement to maintain a healthy lead. DARTH FADER was looped early, needed until almost the ¼ to get in the early pocket, came out 11/16 off the duelers and was left raw ¾, steadily for second. WHATA TREASURE moved out in the late backstretch flow, closed well. GO SUE ME quarter-moved, had a very severe challenge from the winner and yielded ¾, held decently. MY FRISKIE BOY retucked around an early gapper, outside far turn then between horses in the lane, fair. RACINWITHEWIND lived up to his name early, yielded for the pocket, unplugged the last 5/16. LEGAL POWER went uncovered 5/16, got cover 3/8, couldn’t go with it. BETTOR’S WESTERN was last at every call.
EIGHTH RACE – VILLAIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼, rated the half, had severe pressure from the 5/8 until midturn when his opponent broke, drew clear in the stretch. BY THE BOOK was four-wide to turn one, took back to tuck fourth, right behind good cover late backstretch, gapped a bit upper turn then left raw after a breaker, still went on for the distant second. BACKSTREET PLAYER went in front at the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, gradually gave ground in the last quarter. THE BOSS MAN got a good early spot, stayed in, not enough late. MUSCLE HALL passed gappers and a breaker. CHELIOS got a slow start and didn’t keep up. CHROME PACKAGE struggled from the 5/8. MALONE was underway raw into turn two, fought hard with the leader from midbackstretch and was still head-to-head with him when breaking midturn.
NINTH RACE – ZEUS HANOVER was second-over, three-wide late turn, came on steadily and got the nod over DROPTHERAKEFREDDY. The latter was quarter-mover #2 to the top before the 3/8 in a fast second split, went clear far turn and had a good advantage until late, but could not finish the assignment. WARRAWEE XTREME tailed the winner, kicked in with good strides a little too late. LENDA HAND MAN briefly took a pocket tuck 3/16 then was quarter-mover #1, yielded 3/8, fought on to the wire inside. FRAZZLEBERRY took over to the first turn, saw two go by in quarter two, inside, not too much late. TSM BATMAN was uncovered off turn two, couldn’t reach despite urging. THE OTHER PAIR were gapped off the field before the half.
TENTH RACE – BEYOND THE LENS set sail, rated the half then went quicker with the wind the third quarter, clear early stretch but had to have his mind kept to his task as he tired late, had enough to hold. MUSCLE DYNASTY was second-over, narrowed in as the late paced decelerated. BY A HOFF HANOVER spotted third, moved uncovered 5/8, one-geared. AMBERS CHAMPION gapped down the back but was better in the last ¼. FASHION ON A STAR went into the early pocket, loose much of the way, faded. BILLY RAY HANOVER was gapping by the ¼, never entered the picture.
ELEVENTH RACE – UCANTTOUCHTHIS was parked past the 1/4 in pursuit of the lead, went 27 down the back to open a big margin and won handily. KAUAI KING tucked early, blocked late turn as the winner got away, to the Pocono Pike, fair but several on the outside flattened some so he was along for second. AMAZON had cover which got better on the far turn, wide and just missed for second. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH didn’t make much progress uncovered in the fast third quarter, did better far turn, held OK. ARCHANGEL THREE hung the winner past the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t keep tight most of the last half. TOLLY-HO never got into the picture; nor did ARTIST BEST. FROMASHESTOASHES N was inside, started gapping past the half.
TWELFTH RACE – POSSESS THE STONE yielded early then moved 3/16 to the front after the ¼, had an outside foe come after him from the 9/16 and another in the Pocono Pike in the lane, but kept at it gamely to get the nod. BANZAI AS went in third past the 1/8, came out on turn two and was fighting with the leader most of the last half, held his ground staunchly. CHUCKY DE VIE made the top early, yielded for the pocket, outside behind cover late turn then back to the Pocono Pike, may’ve had a head up past midstretch, close but not enough. ZSA ZSA DABOR was in the outer flow, blindswitched, shifted down to the deep Pike and gained. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY went out 5/8, gapped then closer, three-wide midturn, not enough. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was three-wide at the ¾ but couldn’t gain the needed ground. CHOCO CHARLIE gapped at the back. CHOCOLATE MATTERS stayed in, gapped, broke and went inside the pylons.
Jun 11, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s … PURE COTTON left well to defend the two-hole, came out headstretch and sailed right on by WHO’S SMOKIN N. The latter was out most of the fast quarter to get the lead, slowed the half then took off again, powerless to stall the winner but did hold second. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was three-wide to turn one then backed off to tuck third near the 1/8, outside behind the winner, couldn’t quite reach place. SHADOW ONE stayed in, Pocono Pike, evenly. CRUISIN THRU TIME did not have lively cover, three-wide far turn, did get the last check. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI gapped much of the way. VEL DONNA spotted midpack, uncovered early on turn two but never got close before fading.
SECOND RACE – WINNING IS SWEET used the rail to perfection, forcing tucks then hanging a foe who never got close, drew clear to the ¾, had only one foe get near, and he was handled easily. OWEN moved out from last, had stalled tiers two- and three-wide in front of him so four-wide 11/16 to two-wide ¾ to the pocket on the turn, tried hard, far ahead of the others. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was three- then two-wide with cover to the ¼, then left out in the air, didn’t get close, but one-geared it steadily to take the distant third in a photo. ROLLINWITHAMBITION took back early, shuffled in the second quarter, outside, blindswitched by the sweeper but couldn’t follow him upon backing out, three-wide late turn, fair. DREAM OF LUCK was last and behind a wall until the top two were long gone, finished with pace. AMERICA’S GUEST moved out at the ¼, followed the parked horse, tried going three-wide 5/8 but just stalled movement in that lane, dropped back. WELL DONE SUN went away to defend the two-hole, unplugged before the ¾. HOPETOBEFIRST left but then decided to go in third at the ¼, gapped midbackstretch then was stuck behind the tired pocketsitter, broke in the lane.
THIRD RACE – MON CHEVAL yielded for the pocket, came out 11/16 and battled the pacesetter from that point, took the lead for good early stretch. EBBIES LADY was on top before the 1/8, cut her own pace until challenged by the winner, clearly second-best. HODA HANOVER started gapping in third off the second turn but still hung on for show. SILENT NIGHT went evenly. WOMAN OF POWER was away last and never entered the big picture.
FOURTH RACE – SUNRISE HANOVER left well and settled in the pocket, enjoyed a good trip until going to the Pocono Pike, collared LA ALWAYS AMARTINI midstretch. The latter was quickest away and had command into turn one, rated the second split then soon got hard pressure, shook that one off, fought hard with the winner. UPTOWN LADY N got in fifth 3/16, then moved second-over, went three-wide midturn when cover faltered, finished well. RIGGINSWIND was uncovered into turn two and was hounding the leader soon into the backstretch, fell back some on the turn but continued on nicely. SWEET ROCKIN GIA moved wide from last and gained in the lane. SHELLIE DE VIE was initially fourth-over but ducked back in, not a late presence. ELLEOFADELI gapped third-over down the back. SPEAKING OF COFFEE was three-wide to turn one, settled third at the 1/8, went to the deep Pocono Pike but had little to give.
FIFTH RACE – TSM WESTERN SOUL was second-over, three-wide late turn to two-wide headstretch, broke early stretch, regained stride and got the advantage late, but was placed for two violations: of the breaking rule, and of causing interference. LIGHTNING LEIA was outside early, went in third 3/16, first-over at the half, challenged hard but couldn’t clear until late on the turn, paced on pretty well, placed first. CAVIART CARMEL left and took until near the 3/16 to clear, yielded to a brusher just past the 3/8 and went to the pocket, shuffled a little midturn then outside in a blindswitch late turn, had to hesitate when a foe broke, then regathered midstretch and did well. BROOKDALE JESSIE gapped third-over on the turn. GRAY SKIES was far back, gained some as the late pace slowed. BYGONE HANOVER sat in, had traffic issues in the stretch. LOVELY LADY MAY pushed to the 3/16 and yielded, came back out 5/16 and went on to the lead just past the 3/8, under heavy pressure, tired in the last 1/8.
SIXTH RACE – PLAY THE ACE was between horses to the lead 3/16, relinquished, sat third-in until the 11/16 then went up to challenge, had solid late pace for the victory. ARMED BANDIT was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide until taking over at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but second-best. BEST BETTOR went in front early, pushed the early action, yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, didn’t get pressure until nearing the ¾, faded a little late. BUCHANNON HANOVER moved uncovered early backstretch, slowly made progress then got cover late backstretch, not as much as the top three but next in line. BACK IN MY DAY had early speed, sat in, evenly. BRYCE gapped cover. THE OTHER TWO didn’t have a major say in this one.
SEVENTH RACE – BAPTISM was fastest away, yielded just past the ¼, pulled from third 5/8 and went right up to challenge, went by midturn, much the best of these in 1:52.2, only a fifth off the 2022 Pocono record (with Svanstedt in Diamond Creek’s colors). SAMOSA made a briefly-delayed rush up to the 1/8, followed cover until off the first turn, went on to lead 3/8, pressured by the winner and couldn’t answer that one, held OK. ADORE ME was third-over, shoved wide around the midturn breaker, had a good recovery. VOGUE sat in, was not prominent. MONEY MATTERS was far back, also pushed wide by the midturn breaker. DREAMONHIGH was looped, used in a 26.3 quarter to make the lead, yielded, had no more left midturn. DANZNQUEEN HANOVER was second-over, trying to keep up when making a break mid-far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – JOSSIE JAMES showed good speed in the odd-numbered quarters to control the throttle, tiring late but had enough to last to the line. DC BATGIRL left between horses and got to the pocket 3/16, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, almost. DONEGALARTCHOKIN N was second-over, gapped in the fast third split then got closer, three-wide midturn, made up late ground as the pace slowed. BRONZE OVER N was last, five-wide in the stretch and went a huge last 1/16 to be right there. CASIE’S BELIEVER stayed in, weaved between horses upper stretch and was gaining at the end. CHIPPER DAISY was third-over, four-wide late turn but couldn’t reach. JERICHO DIVA gapped the early three-way fight, then was first-up towards turn two, never threatened but didn’t fade too badly. BEACH BOUTIQUE showed early speed, sat third, came up empty past the ¾.
NINTH RACE—NARINA HANOVER got an early spot, moved out and soon thereafter three-wide 5/8 to loop the parked horse, got to two-wide 11/16 and challenged, took the lead late on the turn and drew away. LADY WARRIOR kept the pocket shut late on the first turn, was stuck behind the tired pacesetter as the winner circled by, came clear in the Pocono Pike and recovered for second. GODIVA MACKIAVELYC stayed in, OK inside late. TSM ARTEMIS T wanted control from the pole, didn’t get a breather, left behind in the last 1/8. DW’SBLISSFULTHINKN tried to follow the path of the winner but could not keep up. RELLA TIVITY left, had to spend life on the rim, looped late backstretch. WHERE ANGELS FLY lost contact past the half.
TENTH RACE – MANON was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide just past a fast ¼, slowed the half, had the first-over get only to her rump ¾ then took into the pocket, drew clear easily. ETERNAL LEE got a good trip second-over, left uncovered mid-far turn, finished steadily to catch DESIGN FASHION for second. The latter was first-over nearing the half, aflank of the leader down the back, went into the pocket midturn, just got caught for the deuce late. VIRGIN MARY S left to command past the 1/8, pushed the leader past the ¼ and yielded, couldn’t keep the two-hole closed ¾. PALERMO HANOVER was third-over, did not show much spark. GUMDROP HANOVER gapped early, fell way back late.TIE ONE ON pushed the early pace and yielded, gapped from third from the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAJOR SHOW sat fourth-in, had room to move out late turn, wide and exploded in the stretch to be along at a $93 mutuel. GONE BEFORE DAWN sat in until moving raw just past midturn, took a slight lead before midstretch, outblasted late but good for the deuce. EMBLAZE HANOVER sat in like most of the field, out in a blindswitch late turn, ducked between horses and closed well. GROOVY MAN kept a hole closed early and sat in the pocket, empty in the Pocono Pike. LETMECALLYOUBACK never factored. LOUIE THE LOOPER set a fairly quick pace, had little left for the stretch. DIVINE RIGHT was last, tried to gain three-wide around the parked horse but flattened. CAPTAIN KEEN was three-wide to the 1/8, then was left out two-wide the rest of the way, backed off.
TWELFTH RACE – STELLENBOSCH got a dream trip second-over, left uncovered midturn, methodically wore down TALL POPPY N. The latter tucked third, narrowed the gap to the two early battlers then was raw on turn two, applied pressure, went by and to the rail midturn, just missed in a good outing. SHECANDANCE N was third-over, not quite in the league of the top two but a clear third. TRAFFIC JAM gapped cover, finished strongly from way back. GEORGIE MARTIN N sat in and was shuffled, up for the last payday. WESTBEACH gapped down the back. PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL pushed a foe, yielded, thought about retaking but changed her mind, sat in the pocket, shuffled badly on the far turn, but no recovery once in the Pocono Pike. ANNE BONNEY N fought to get the lead in a 26.3 opener, made a rival rethink an early move, rated the half, came under pressure, tired.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TRAY SURREAL led from the first step to the last, rated quarter two then met the serious challenge over FLIP MY CHIP and held him at bay. The latter accelerated quickly when moved outside into the backstretch and went up in 27.1 to contest the leader, dropped back into the pocket on the far turn then took another shot late, good but second-best. THANOS struggled to stay close most of the last half, just up for third in the shadow of the wire. AQUAMAN HANOVER left and went into the pocket past the 1/8, had trouble keeping up starting near the ¾. MOVE THE LINE had poor cover, ducked in, got the last check. PHILOSOPHIZER was the first to move outside, but never could come closer to being tight on cover. GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE was outside with little to offer. FESTIVE JOE was already starting to gap out by the ¼.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DOUBLE METAL was looped early, finally cleared 3/16, let a foe go 3/8 but came right back to reclaim the top, won easily. RISKY MILLION was uncovered nearing the half, advanced, dropped in the pocket far turn, out again in the stretch but couldn’t make any progress. BAY MEADOWS raced with cover, lost cover far turn, steadily for third. REDBANK BLAZE A was underway from fourth before the ¼, went to the lead 3/8 then yielded near the half, was loose in the pocket from before the 5/8. STARVIN MARVIN was quickest of all away, shuffled a bit with lead changes then behind the fading pocketsitter, didn’t recover any ground. SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS backed out to third-over 11/16 but couldn’t offer much. LOVE THE ACTION was always far off the action. KEYSTONE STEAM ran out of steam off the second turn.
Jun 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s; stretch tailwind … INDIGO ART trailed three-wide cover before the ¾, swung four-wide late on the turn and just paced over the field. PUZZLING sat in, blocked the first half of the turn then could advance, to the Pocono Pike and finished well but didn’t have the momentum of the winner. MAJOR DESIRE kept the pocket closed during the wild front-end battle, came out into a blindswitch far turn, angled wide for clearance midstretch and finished nicely. PLAY THE FIELD went right to the top and wouldn’t surrender the lead in hot fractions, didn’t fade too badly the last 1/8. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS followed three-wide cover, lost it midturn, didn’t gain from there. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was the first to come out behind the parked horse and the first one to go three-wide 5/8, was able to swing to two-wide midturn but was tired at that juncture. SADIQ HANOVER was looped leaving, had to race on the rim raw in supercharged fractions, backed off in the last split.
SECOND RACE – SEXY BLUE CHIP would not yield during a 26 opener, got a 58.3 middle half, then could sprint home in 27.2 to ward off MY WISH CAME TRUE. The latter was urged leaving and was ahead of the winner much of Q1 but couldn’t clear, finally accepted the pocket at the 1/4, came out headstretch, may have wanted to run in a little, gained but just missed. MUDVILLE gapped off the 26 fight early, got closer, then fell back at crunch time but preserved third over OCTAVE. The latter was wide early, in fourth to the 3/16 and stayed in, evenly. SEAL O’NEILL was uncovered into turn two, gained some during a pedestrian third quarter, not enough sprint late. HOOSIER SHARK, away slowly, went three-wide midturn to try to circle cover but couldn’t. THE OTHER TWO were never in the main picture.
THIRD RACE – CHAPOLIER was between horses to the lead before the 1/8, yielded before the ¼ but was on the move right after that spot and took over, much the best today. WHAT A DAME was uncovered on the second turn and went 27.2 down the back to briefly challenge, took the pocket on the turn, held second as the 41-1 second choice. CAPITAL T STORM gapped cover down the back, left raw on the turn, had some finishing kick. TRICKY DICK gapped the gapping pocket horse down the back, not close. TRAIN was three-wide to the first turn and to the lead 3/16, but wasn’t on the engine long as the winner came calling, couldn’t keep up the last 3/8. NEWSBOY was stuck behind a bad gapper, came back on a little in the Pocono Pike. CHING CHING LUCKY never got close; nor did LAZER JET.
FOURTH RACE – RYCROFT N went three-wide to the top on the first bend, was fired up and rolled in fast fractions, in control of this to the wire. DAAMERICANSKY sat in the pocket, had his head cocked left at several points, tried to the wire but was second-best. AWESOMENESS gapped cover down the back, went in on the turn, gained along the inside through the stretch. LITTLEBITASWAGGER moved out 5/8 and went right up after the leader, tired and bore out in the last 1/8. DERECHO couldn’t stay connected.
FIFTH RACE – ALTUS HANOVER gapped inside from the ¼ to the ¾, found room early stretch and found a better gear midstretch, just up in time for The Trot Man. CUPID HANOVER set all the pace, withstood a very hard challenge from the first-over, just succumbed late. INNISFALLEN tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved out to the 11/16 but couldn’t keep with cover, did better late. DYLAN THE GREAT raced in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, came up a bit shy. SHADRACK HANOVER moved uncovered early on the second turn, made a big challenge down the back, then bore extremely wide while tiring through the stretch. MISS MUSCLE and VIC’S WINNER gapped at the back.
SIXTH RACE – PAT MCGARRY A was on top at the 1/8, got a soft half for this type, then sprinted home in 54.3 – 27 as an easy winner in the last 3/16. IMOUTTHEDOOR kept the pocket tight until the far turn, was in a fight for second with BULLVILLE JONATHAN until that rival broke late. The latter moved second-over and was tight on good cover, three-wide midturn, was in the fight for place when breaking very late; an inquiry gave no reason for a placing. SOUTHWIND PETYR was stuck outside midpack until getting in past the ¼, soon again outside third-over, followed cover wide on the turn, finished well. TERRY A HANOVER raced inside, couldn’t gain late. TUGGIN ON MY HEART also sat along the pegs, not prominent. BEACH FORECAST was last most of the way. COXCOMB moved uncovered 3/8, went up in 27.1 to challenge the third panel, but backed off in the last ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – TRENTE DEO quarter-moved from third, didn’t get much pressure, stayed in control by coming home in 27.2. PIRATES ALLEY left for the front and put others in behind, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close and far ahead of the rest. BLOW A CLOUD N took the early pocket at the 1/8, then third-in, gapped at the ¾, still held off the rest. BOBBY K HILL tucked fourth at the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, so-so. KILLER MARTINI moved second-over, three-wide 11/16 when the first-over didn’t reach the leader, but was left out deep the rest of the way and did not factor. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO weaved between horses in the stretch, shut off nearing the wire. A STUD NAMED SAM was third-over, very wide into the stretch, didn’t reach. MANHATTAN BEACH was first-up before turn two, never did reach the leader and gummed up the two-wide tier.
EIGHTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING slotted third early, underway 5/8 and quickly in high gear to go right by to the ¾, drew off in 1:52.1, the fastest trotting mile of the year at Pocono. THIRD SHIFT spotted fourth, seemed to have his head a bit cocked at times, was out behind the winner but couldn’t keep up, went on to get second but not in the league of the winner today. TOP ME OFF joined the outer flow and trotted a nice mile. QUEEN OF ALL went out for the pocket, got badly shuffled around the far turn when the leader faded. THE IRISHMAN never factored. MISTER BOINGA went out to the lead and set quick fractions, no answer when the winner moved up and faded the last fraction.
NINTH RACE – UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N went in front towards turn one, yielded 3/16 to sit the pocket behind the favorite, to the Pocono Pike, had a real donnybrook with that one through the lane, shaded 27 coming home to get the nod. PRIMARY COLORS pressed out to command 3/16, went along crisply, fought heatedly against the inside challenger and came up just shy. SOME DEAL HANOVER came out to the 11/16, didn’t start gaining until the far turn, went a big mile behind the top pair. GUINNESS PANIC pushed early then yielded and stayed tight third-in, outside in the stretch, kept up well. CERTIFIABLE stayed in and gained some late. HIGH BALLER gapped second-over. RIFLEMAN was not heard from.
TENTH RACE – ULTIMAROCA was extremely quick off the switch to command, hung out a foe out 3/8 before yielding then reclaimed the lead at the half after scorching fractions (26.3, 53.4), didn’t have too much pressure in an impressive victory. STRAIGHT UP COOL was uncovered at the half, never reached the leader, but one-geared home determinedly to keep the place. LETS ROLL was looped, as noted out 3/8 in very fast fractions for the lead then yielded at the half, couldn’t quite retain the deuce after possibly being bottomed as involved in those numbers. AFLAME HANOVER was second-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t rally significantly. ROCKAPELO was outside, not prominent. IDEAL FEELING was buried inside, between horses late, hard to tell if he had clearance. CAVIART ROCKLAND kept up in the wicked first half, backed off in the last quarter.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAVIART MAX was parked with cover early, left raw before the 1/8 and went up to get to the point 3/8, kept a parked-the-mile foe outside then rebuffed a sweeping challenger on the turn, rocked out to a clear victory. DRAGON STRIKES was first to clear, yielded at the ¼, came off the rail midturn, had late pace for the no-factor second. STELLAR BB was out most of the ¼, yielded 3/8 and sat in the two-hole, couldn’t quite keep pace the last 3/16. IDEAL WHEEL moved behind the hung horse, three-wide past the 5/8 to uncovered ¾ and challenged but couldn’t sustain the move. ROUGH ODDS was inside, had pace with stretch clearance. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was inside, empty the final ¼. SULLIVAN never factored. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was three-wide to the 3/16 then fell in behind cover, left two-wide raw 3/8 and was doomed to that trip, fell back before the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – DRAGON SAID had the lead before anyone could focus their binoculars and was well ahead much of the way, rating quarter two then coming home in twin 27s (the first against the wind). CAPTAIN ROMANCE did the best he could in the pocket against the monster, did hold second over MACH WEST. The latter stayed close to the pocket horse but couldn’t catch him late. BAMSKI stayed in, gapped the last ¼. THE WALL ducked in from third-over on the far turn and got the last check. FULL SEND first sat in then backed off to follow cover early backstretch, but the cover, FRISKIE ALL NITE, didn’t gain, and neither did the one behind him.
THIRTEENTH RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE had a good trip second-over, left uncovered two-wide on the turn, trotted to the top late. MARION GONDOLIER kept going until reaching the top before the 3/8, went on at a good clip, had very gamely to the line in an impressive showing. MACMORRIS HANOVER spotted third 1/8, came uncovered 5/8, could tuck in the pocket early far turn, Pocono Pike, good. KENOGAMI COCO took back early, gapped in the outside flow, one-geared much of the last half. LADY’S IMAGE had steady finishing trot from last. BUZZ went out to the lead, yielded to a challenger 3/8, didn’t have much sting in the latter stages. MASSIVE OPULENCE was never in the picture. LUCKY WEEKEND sat in, wasn’t keeping up 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SOMEBADDUDE waited off the fractions until the 11/16, advanced on the turn, drew away in the lane. GET LIT took back to tuck third, backed out behind the winner far turn, just second over BULLVILLE TERROR. The latter was locked in down the backstretch and early turn, then shook loose and finished rapidly to just miss second. HURRIKANE EMPEROR, in a style he’s used before, set science-fiction fractions, tired the last 1/8. WESTERN TYRANT gapped most of the way around, then had some pace between horses late. KILOWATT KID N defended the pocket then got bottomed out chasing the lightning pace. PATERNITY SUIT A rode outside near the back. PARMESAN N had nothing to offer.
Jun 5, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 90 degrees, with a stretch tailwind … SAMMY THE BULL N left between horses and tucked in the pocket 3/16, a bit loose down the back, but got into a better gear when coming out early stretch and just up late. ROYAL HEART was the innermost of the leavers and got everybody in behind, went on at his own pace, began to get tired nearing midstretch and just failed to last. ROCK KING DEO was the first to move, soon got cover, went three-wide late on the far turn, a clear third. ARI ALLSTAR was inside, caught behind a tired one around the turn, moved out a path early stretch, so-so. BAKLOUVA got a spot third early, started to gap out 11/16. DARK HORSE couldn’t keep with the three-wide flow far turn. CAFFEINE BUZZ gapped near the rear. GOLDEN GESTURE was three-wide past the 1/8, too back behind cover briefly then tucked fourth before the ¼, came out raw into the backstretch but had little more to offer.
SECOND RACE – CRAFT BREW LINDY took the early pocket, sat in and wound up third-in, backed out into the flow late backstretch, was able to duck all the way inside and to the Pocono Pike with the gap left by the breaker, rallied for the tally. MR ZUANETTI was out behind cover to the second turn, left uncovered early backstretch and moved up, took over command after the leader broke past mid-far turn, not quite enough late. MUSCLE HALL was wide early then spotted fifth, moved out into the two-wide flow, left uncovered late turn, couldn’t go with the top two late. FAMOUS DAN joined the outer flow from far back, wide stretch and closed well. CHROME PACKAGE sat in, gapped, avoided any trouble late far turn, got the last payday. TAKE SHAPE went out to a big lead in a fast opener, was challenged at the half and yielded, was gapping out far turn when having to take up to avoid the breaker. MALONE broke past the start. EDEN ONTHEHILL tucked third before the ¼, then was out again 3/8 and moved to command entering the backstretch, got to the ¾ in quick time for these, appeared to still be moving well when breaking just past midturn.
THIRD RACE – SOLARCTIC spotted third, followed KINGSTONS BAD BOY out of the second turn, was left raw then retucked in the pocket nearing the ¾, outside for the drive, got there in the last steps. The latter left, wanted the lead but settled for the pocket 3/16, moved to clear the 75-1 leader early in the backstretch, still had a length advantage past midstretch but couldn’t sustain to the wire. JAMAICAN COWBOY moved on the second turn, got cover that wasn’t so hot, three-wide far turn, next in line. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N got forward positioning early, moved out but couldn’t go with the top two and was left raw and gapping, not that much. DJ’S BIG ELVIS gapped inside. PETER PUMPKINEATER sat in and was shuffled to last, had a touch of belated pace. CODE MEISTER roared away, forced a tuck, yielded not too long into the backstretch and fell back. SPORTS TEEN broke before the start, caught the back of the field but never was in contention.
FOURTH RACE – HEART MATTERS made the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, pulled out from same early backstretch and with a quick move went by the leading MATTER OF TRUST, then was all-out to defeat that resurgent one. The latter was four-wide towards the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to ¼ command, yielded to the winner’s brush early backstretch but stayed close, came out early stretch and finished steadily to just miss. HONORABLE LADY was left a gapping third at the half when a foe broke, gradually narrowed the gap from there to the far turn, couldn’t go with the top two late but got the show dough. PRAIRIE TRINKET was in a thicket of leavers and took back, evenly. RAVIOLI took the inner path to the final check. GIRL FROM QUEENS moved out down the back from far back, never got close. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL settled third, broke at the half. OK SUNNY was badly gapping when breaking ¾.
FIFTH RACE – THE BOSS MAN went in third at the 1/8, moved out late turn, ran down ROJO MAN approaching the wire. The latter moved out from fifth early in the backstretch and steadily gained on the leader, challenged him on the turn and made the lead into the stretch, almost lasted. SUNBERRY HANOVER set a fairly moderate pace, but couldn’t fight back when challenged. U BAKE THE CAKE was out second-over, gapped and ducked in on the turn, Pocono Pike, evenly. COMELETUSADOREHIM started to gap late on the backstretch. FEAST DAY left and went up, looking to clear when putting in some bad steps and going about five-wide nearing the quarter, recovered and rushed up in quarter two, only to have the same thing happen, fell back. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP misstepped off the turn before the start.
SIXTH RACE – FAST MACHINE was behind cover early, found a 4-tuck 3/16, uncovered off the second turn and went head-to-head with the leader from the 5/8, finally put that one away before midstretch, then held off IRISH SONG. The latter spotted fifth, then got a dream second-over trip, found her best steps a mite too late. SHES A BULLVILLE was looped, went up and dropped in the pocket nearing the ¼, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t go with the top two but photoed ONE EYED WANDA for third. The latter had good energy to quickly get the lead and put others in behind her, had severe pressure outside her from the 5/8, started to give in early stretch. ASHLEE’S SUPREME was caught inside well off the top four, along for the last check. SWEET KATIE BUG was away third, backed off later in the backstretch. RAINBOW RISING never got into it; nor did HELLRUNNER HANOVER, although she had the excuse of “b.e.”
SEVENTH RACE – AMBERS CHAMPION moved out second-over, three-wide midturn, kept at it determinedly and was just up as the pace slowed. LADY MONTAGUE circled foes four-wide early to two-wide, made the lead at the 27.4 ¼ (fast for these) and cut the pace, got away from the first-over late turn and was still a length ahead approaching deep stretch, but the hard early work caught up to her in the shadow of the wire. CHASE MY LINDY advanced well third-over, three-wide with cover far turn then four-wide headstretch, also benefited from the slowing last ¼ as narrowing in. PLUM WINE spotted third, came uncovered 9/16, moved up down the backstretch, flattened a bit the last 1/8 but did OK. AULTER EGO took back to tuck early, inside, so-so. WILD KAT G and GOO GOO LU LU gapped down the back. IVORY ROAD left and pushed the quick quarter, sat in the pocket, well-laced headstretch but had nothing left.
EIGHTH RACE – HUNTANOVER quarter-moved after an early challenger broke, went a quick second split with the wind, in control to the line with a good sprint home. BOBS REDEMPTION was quickly on top, had a rival break trying to get the lead from him near the ¼, then yielded to the winner 3/8, stayed close to the stretch, clearly second. STUN GUN stayed in, gapped far turn, still third. LENDA HAND MAN got going in the outer flow down the back, three-wide late on the turn, passed horses to be fourth in a photo. PROSPECTORS GOLD was looped, went up and was challenging for command just past the 3/16 when breaking, recovered but was left on the rim uncovered, one-paced, didn’t do badly in recovery. STEWARDOFTHELAND wasn’t prominent. HUNTSVILLE PLACE was buried last-in, couldn’t find room between horses late.
NINTH RACE – BY A HOFF HANOVER left and yielded, moved uncovered before the 5/8 and cleared to the lead 11/16, drew away. KASEVILLE was four-wide to the first turn going around a breaker, to two-wide and to the lead, pushed an early brusher before letting him go nearing turn two, then had to wait to back out from behind “the old leader” as “the new leader” rushed by, steadily but never came close to making up enough ground. GIVEM THE GOO gapped a bit in quarter two then was tighter, moved outside on the turn, found a little bit more speed late to get third. PADRE was on the move before the ¼, needed the length of the frontstretch to clear, passed easily 11/16 and fell back. SLEW FOOT never factored. BEYOND THE LENS had a head in front three-wide when breaking going to the first bend, recovered and got back to second-over, but couldn’t gain more from midbackstretch.
TENTH RACE – HE’S A SNOB was three-high to curve one, out most of the :26.4 opener, rated quarter two, then came home in 56.1 – 28 and held off challengers. HURRIKANE MON AMI was uncovered at the half, challenged from the 5/8, lost a little ground coming off the far turn but continued on doggedly to reclaim second. MELANIE’S NICK cleared into turn one and pushed the ¼ before yielding for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, gave way a little. FRAZZLEBERRY sat in, had late pace deep in the Pike. MATTERS MOST was third-over, took a blindswitch late turn, came between horses midtrack late and was OK. BLUESVILLE got a great trip second-over, three-wide midturn but came up empty. CAPTAIN BUTLER gapped a bit early, moved closer and got into the flow, three-wide at a distance far turn, wasn’t in the man picture. REGENTS HANOVER was a gapping last when breaking late backstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAGICAL JOURNEY was three-wide early to the lead past the 1/8 in a 26.4 first stanza, got a breather in quarter two then picked it up to meet a challenger, shook that one off, was threatened by PAPI HANOVER up the inside late but showed courage to hang in a quick clocking. The latter left between horses and raced up tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, did well but just missed. GRAPPLE HANOVER got early forward position, moved 5/8 to go after the leader, couldn’t sustain late but kept going for third. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT stayed connected along the inside but couldn’t gain late. PRAIRIE VIRTUE gapped at several points, got the last check. CRAZYCAT followed cover, tried to rush up three-wide 11/16 but could not. RIVER OTTER was outside before turn two but never entered the main picture. WILLIE B WORTHY broke 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – GO SUE ME strung a foe out well past the ¼, yielded then went for the retake, on top again at the ½, had no rest fighting the first-over, with these two joined by a wide horse on the turn, but the winner showed gameness (even if the last quarter was 30). SPORTSMANSHIP moved with cover towards turn two and was soon left uncovered, went up to battle and had a small advantage late backstretch, but couldn’t clear, held stubbornly to the line. The unlucky ARTACHE HANOVER left here (maybe remembering last week) but was a grinding horse up to get the lead 3/8, yielded past the half, backed out behind the first-over, then was three-wide from mid-far turn, fought on but came up shy. AIN’T IT FUN was inside, spent half the stretch angling wide and then narrowed in as the pace softened. HOT ROD DYLAN was three-high to the 1/8, then with cover, got in third, wound up in the pocket down the back, Pocono Pike, not far away. DRY RIDGE ACE tried to follow three-wide cover far turn but didn’t have enough. BEACHESBECKONME gapped inside before breaking off turn two.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ZOOMING was third-in when the two-wide tier stayed intact, snuck out on the far turn as the “second-over” backed off, moved three-wide just past midturn, the best in the stretch. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was three-wide to turn one then left outside to battle the leader throughout, didn’t have the winner’s kick but showed enormous courage to go on for second. CRITICAL MASS sat in and was last, gained some on the turn then could angle behind the top two midstretch and was along for third. ALL RISE made the lead at the 1/8, parked rivals, couldn’t hold up in the lane. SUM FOR ALL moved out behind the parked horses, three-wide before the ¾, couldn’t keep the winner pinned in in a blindswitch at that crucial juncture and again gapped slightly to let a foe get clearance early stretch, fair late. MOSCONI HANOVER yielded and sat in the pocket, Pocono Pike, no gain. SCIROCCO PATRICK was never prominent. TUIS SHADOW was first to show at the start but was left with a horror trip via track geometry, three-wide 5/16 before taking back to follow two-wide, fell back.
