Connors’ Comments for Monday, April 11, 2022

Apr 16, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – A few degrees on either side of 60 on a pleasant afternoon … CAVIART VAL went uncovered on turn two, went right past the leader ¾, stayed clear. PARKLANE TERROR was second-over, able to retuck in the pocket, out again in the stretch, fair. CENTURY ENFORCER yielded for the pocket, had to squeeze out to the ¾ as the leader tired, back in, won a three-way photo for a distant third. CAPTAIN KEEN was in the outer flow, had late pace. MEADOWBROOK FLASH had fine cover, left raw far turn, so-so. MUSCLE MACH A got in third 3/16, squeezed out behind the show horse midturn, then didn’t have much. CANT KNOCK ME was never a danger. MAKE A STATEMENT A went to the lead, had a 59.4 middle half, but still folded badly when challenged ¾.

SECOND RACE – ROUGH ODDS was just off a duel, moved out off turn two and went three-wide 5/8 to quickly get to two-wide, went past the leader on the turn, unthreatened late. ARTACHE HANOVER joined the outside cover flow, four-wide headstretch and closed nicely. SPINOUT kept the pocket closed, moved outside past midturn, not all that much. SPORTS HERO set all the pace, under pressure from the ¼ onward, didn’t fade too badly. SPORTSMANSHIP tucked third 3/16, couldn’t follow the winner’s wide move and was left out three-deep from the 11/16 on, not sharp late. SEE YOU FRIDAY and JAMAICAN COWBOY were not prominent. RUFFLE UP tucked third, then was on the move before the ¼ but was given the cold shoulder, looped before the ¾ and backed off.

THIRD RACE – WE COULD BE HEROS was three-wide between horses early, made the lead at the 1/8, put the first-over in behind her on the turn, own safely. MAISYS MUSCLE gapped early, moved out from last 5/8, wide into the stretch and finished sharply. BOINGALICIOUS gapped a bit in a couple of spots, second-over then two-wide raw on the turn, just failed to hold second. PHANNYS MATTER came out of third 5/8, tucked in the pocket on the turn, had little late. TILL IM GONE was four-wide and leaving when breaking before turn one, caught the field. BUCKET HEAD yielded for the pocket, all done ¾.

FOURTH RACE – IQ HANOVER was looped between horses early and was left two-wide raw 3/16, didn’t take a three-tuck and tried to go on under urging, hung around just outside the leader, went on with great courage and won very nicely (though the last ¼ was 30.1). ONLY TEN I SEE made a break past the half but quickly caught, out behind not-greatly-helpful cover, five-wide in the stretch and passed everybody in the main pack save the winner. FOX VALLEY CACHET got an early spot, sat in, out two-and three-wide into the stretch, then went in the path behind the winner, gained but not running over the horse in front of her. AMERICAN JAZZ came out at the half, three-wide 5/8 and had to stay in the three-path the duration, gave way some. COME ZOOM WITH ME was first to command then yielded for the pocket, a bit loose much of the last half. BETTE TINA gapped cover then got tighter, four-wide to headstretch but didn’t have enough kick. THROW THE DICE left well wide and got in front by the 3/16, harassed by the winner, tired. TRULY broke early, caught back on, then broke again in front of the stands.

FIFTH RACE – STORYBOOK ENDING sat in, was last in the main pack and not a factor until nearing headstretch, then swung wide and trotted over everybody with a big last 1/8. WORKOUT GIRL went to command towards turn one, yielded for the pocket, outside early stretch and made the lead past midstretch, caught by the closer. HEART MATTERS was forwardly-placed, gapped some in the third split then tightened in, Pocono Pike, fair. THOSE BLUES came out raw 5/8, never gained enough. SUNSEEKER HANOVER was off the gate, started outside to the ¼ and went up to the lead 3/8, not harassed on the lead, ran out of gas midstretch. DIGNITY HANOVER was on the dead run as the field approached the start.

SIXTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING was on the move before the cover, went up to 3/8 command, yielded at the half and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got the advantage. APRIL ANGEL bypassed the pocket early and went on to take over off turn one, yielded 3/8 but was soon on the retake at the half, didn’t have enough to stall the winner. DANCE TICKET got out at the half, could’ve retucked in front of a gapper but went on, weakened in the last 1/8. SU SU SUSSUDIO was shuffled to last, finished OK. SHES A BULLVILLE was not prominent. SWEET KISS went away the best, saw two fight for the lead in front of her, then started gapping at the half. YANKEE CONTRABAND took back to tuck, then gapped second-over.

SEVENTH RACE – MIMI OCEAN HANOVER ranged up, didn’t sit in the 3-tuck for long, moving at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, had things well under control in fast time. MONEY MATTERS moved uncovered 9/16 and made a solid burst to go after the winner, not quite her equal late but still a very big mile. P L PANDORA was first to show, yielded, could advance inside the second half of the far turn, clear third. DEVIOUS DUSHI took the top 3/16 and yielded a like distance later for the pocket, backed outside ¾ but then backed out of contention. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE was never prominent. BOURBON CHESTNUT broke going to the second curve.

EIGHTH RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES was the innermost of four leavers, got two foes to tuck then yielded to the other 5/16 to sit the trip, Pocono Pike and along in a 30 kicker. BLOOD BROTHER was second-over, gapped late backstretch but better in the last quarter, almost made it. BILBO HANOVER tucked in the pocket, stayed in, had to spend the first half of the stretch swinging wide for clearance and then finished well. JANAID came uncovered, challenged hard, gave way a bit. BLACKLIGHT was at the back, came between horses and was gaining well. LUZIANA gapped inside, Pocono Pike, not that much. ROCK ON LOU was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, pressed forward and took over 5/16, faced a hard challenge the last half, tired. GUYS IN THE BAND was three-wide early, tucked, gapped out.

NINTH RACE – Stretch headwind … GETTINMYSTEPSIN took the pocket early then moved to take over 3/8, had a potential danger inside of her early stretch but won safely when that one went offstride. RAVIOLI came out ¾ and went three-wide before headstretch, finished steadily. GIZA DREAMS stayed flat, raced inside, finished with some trot. SOUTHERN AUTUMN took over early, yielded to the winner and stayed tight in the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike and looked like she might be a major danger but went offstride, was taken to the infield, ran home, placed. WILD KAT G didn’t keep up. LOVELY ECHO moved out from third 11/16, tired badly in the last 1/8. EXPLOSIVE SESSION had broken equipment and was pulled up.

TENTH RACE – JILLIAN B MIKI was underway from third before the ¼, quickly got the lead, lost everybody but JACANA with a 27.3 third quarter, seemed to be handled confidently late. The latter went right to the top, yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose when the pace picked up midbackstretch but then tighter, Pocono Pike, gave a very good accounting of herself. MIKI ROSE took the pocket leaving, stayed pretty well connected in third until late backstretch. SHADOWY gapped some almost the entire way. MAINLINE CHARMER and YOUNONOTHINJON fell further and further behind. SEAHUNTSIDEALBEACH was up on the gate when stumbling 50 yards before the start, suffered “b.e.” and did not finish.

ELEVENTH RACE – LAZER JET disdained an early tuck, left uncovered past the ¼ to the lead 3/8, an easy winner. PHANTOM RUSTY was second-over 5/8, wide in the lane and just along for second over ANDOVERS TOUCH was third early, inherited second when the chalk broke then quarter-moved, yielded to the winner for the pocket, a bit loose on the far turn, couldn’t hang on for second, well ahead of the rest. CRUSHWORTHY moved uncovered 5/8, gained a bit then fell back a little more than a bit. FRAC gapped inside. CHUCKY DE VIE outleft everybody despite PP8, yielded, fanned wide in the lane but lost ground. CAN’T SAY NO was in the pocket when misbehaving 3/16, recovered to catch the back of the field. WILLIAM STAR was gapping before the half.

TWELFTH RACE – COVENANT WOMAN was a gapping rough-gaited last nearing the ¾, then hit high gear, still last just before midstretch, but deftly found a path between horses to put her nose on the wire after an individual 28.1 last split.  SOME KINDA ANGEL had some speed, vacated third off turn two and went up in 26.4 with the wind to challenge the leader, got to the front early stretch, held to the last steps in a heartbreaker. MUST BE NICE protected the pocket then gapped in it well past the half, closer to the ¾, Pocono Pike, almost. SAN ANTONIO STROLL fanned wide and gained as the tempo slowed. SUNSHINE SALLY was three-wide early, backed off and tucked fourth, gapped then closer far turn, wide, so-so. CAVEN POINT headed down the road at a hot clip, encountered pressure late backstretch, tired. BETTOR STRAIT N UP gapped out.

THIRTEENTH RACE – ALTUS HANOVER raced up to go into the pocket 3/16, popped out 11/16 and worked past the leader on the turn, held off ZIG ZAG. The latter came out 5/8 uncovered, went three-wide 11/16 when the winner pulled rather than sacrifice momentum, back to two-wide turn, had a right-side strap dangling near headstretch, stayed game in the battle to the line in a good last quarter into the wind. ALL RISE set the pace, relaxed in quarter two after a fast quarter one, came under pressure towards the ¾, yielded, but was still a clear third. NIGHT FLYER K had early position, fell back late. MEADOWBROOK GLIDER gapped early, moved out down the back but couldn’t go with cover. KEYSTONE THUNDER and LIONBACKER KIDD were also near the rear. JOE JOE JOE broke before the start.

FOURTEENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA left well to get the early lead, yielded past the ¼ to sit the pocket, vacated same nearing the far turn, cleared the pacesetter midturn, held off the horse on her back. SWEET OMEN got a good start, raced well-placed, lost the winner’s cover midturn, good race. HORIZON was uncovered off the second turn, didn’t advance to quickly then found herself third-over late backstretch, held on for a photo for third. HEARTBREAK HOTEL was a gapping last on the far turn, angled wide into the stretch and finished in overdrive, though much too late. PANTY LINE went evenly. SOUTHWIND MOLLY was looped early, pressed on to command not far past the first turn, rated the half then really had to pick it up, couldn’t handle the closers in the last 3/16. THE OTHER TWO had no say in the outcome of this.

FIFTEENTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY moved out towards turn two and followed advancing cover, three-wide when the cover stopped advancing midturn, wide into the stretch and wider through the stretch, but along. SHARE THE WEALTH was underway from fourth just before the ¼, got cover then was moving up to get control into turn two, almost lasted to the line. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR was three-wide into the first turn and crossed over to the lead coming out of that bend, inside, gapped on the turn but found a bit more life in the Pocono Pike. GLACIER HANOVER left between horses to the lead past the 1/8, yielded, moved in front of the quarter-mover to get the top back then yielded before turn two, pocket, not enough late. NEWSBOY couldn’t stay with cover, then had a bit more trot late. SLEW FOOT did not feature. FINAL CLASS spotted, backed out behind cover at the half but soon was left raw, advanced in the third quarter but stopped advancing past midturn. TORN TO PIECES AS broke off the first turn, recovered and went up uncovered, but broke again off the second turn.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, April 10, 2022

Apr 14, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Around 40 degrees throughout the twilight card … JAHAN HANOVER was out with cover then continued on when cover tucked in the pocket, attacked the leader, went by early stretch, held off the closers. NOWHERE CREEK A was in the outer flow behind the winner but gapped, inside early final turn then back out, wide, steadily (in a 30.3 kicker) to come close. WAR-N-MUNN left some, moved 3/8 but was left outside, got into the pocket 5/8, to the Pocono Pike, had his chance, didn’t have enough after the middle half hard usage. DO WORK SON was wide taking back early, was in the gaining flow, OK. DOUBLEORNOTHING N had excess cover, went up the inside, then had no clear path late. MOHAWK SEELSTER pulled on the lead with the driver laying back parallel to the ground in the middle half, didn’t have enough in reserve. OCEAN BLUE gapped before the half. BAY MEADOWS went to the top and yielded, was all done at the 5/8.

SECOND RACE – Stretch tailwind … TRAFFIC JAM went to the lead, yielded for the pocket and was the only one to stay close to the leader, outside headstretch and just up on the money. MORROCKIN K pulled the pocket at the 1/8 to gain control before the ¼, couldn’t hold off the pocket rocket. LOVIN MISS DAISY N gapped most of the last half in third but was still far ahead of the rest. ELLEOFADELI had bad cover, three-wide far turn, mild late response. TINKER TAXI moved early, retucked down the backstretch then gapped, not too much. RHYME N ROLL was uncovered into turn two but never gained. RELLA TIVITY was never in it. KCK GIRLIES broke 3/8 and was taken to the infield.

THIRD RACE – TUF COOPER waited outside early then took command at the ¼, rated the half, didn’t have an anxious moment. ROAD MAP showed good speed to quickly grab the top, yielded for the pocket, not much late and just held second over DARIO HANOVER. The latter was forwardly-placed, couldn’t gain enough late along the inside to get second. HURRIKANE JUNIOR was wide early, tucked 3/16, then second-over, three-wide far turn, had pace in spots while not looking sure-gaited. BACK IN MY DAY got around the others. SEASIDE MEDITATION was uncovered 9/16, gained a bit down the back but faded past the ¾. BLAZING BLACK broke 5/16, raced two-wide or wider the rest of the way. MR UNTITLED was never a consideration.

FOURTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE left then yielded for the pocket behind the favorite, stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike, and left him well behind late. BUZZ went up to take command before a quick ¼, not pressured, but had no response to the winner’s powerful charge. POSSESS THE STONE stayed in close attendance of the pace, good. SUNDANCEDIAMOND got in fourth at the 1/8, moved raw at the 1/2, couldn’t get close to the lead but held well. TEDDY BROSVELT took the last payday. GROSETTO AS moved out 5/8, wasn’t helped much by cover, four-wide late turn, fair. WILLIE B WORTHY spotted sixth, then was second-over, moved wide far turn but had little. MOSCONI HANOVER never featured.

FIFTH RACE – Blanket finish … BYGONE HANOVER went from fifth-inside to the pocket on the far turn, just along in a contested finish. BROOKDALE JESSIE wound up third-over from fourth at the ¾, four-wide headstretch, ran out of racetrack. IRISH DAYDREAM set the pace, first asked for more 5/8, lasted very well. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI got a forward spot, moved with cover ¾, three-wide late turn, not really a good excuse relative to the others’ positioning. DRAGONS LAST defended the pocket, pulled out to the ¾, battled to the line. GEORGIE stayed connected, to the deep Pike, not quite enough. LADY AKILA did not keep up.

SIXTH RACE – HOPETOBEFIRST tucked past the 1/8, moved uncovered at the half then got cover 5/8, three-wide late on the turn, powered away after the disputed pace. BAMSKI was last most of the way, angled widest early stretch and gained in the slowing last fraction. WINNING IS SWEET was looped leaving, needed almost to the 3/8 to make the top, yielded, pulled the pocket 5/8 and challenged, held OK after hard usage. BLOW A CLOUD N outgunned everybody leaving, yielded, stayed in, struggled a bit in the third split, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a great deal left. MY FRISKIE BOY went three-wide far turn, followed the winner into the stretch but couldn’t pace that much. BASS PLAYER was third-over, blindswitched, in tight quarters through the stretch. SOCIAL THEORIES was not prominent. RYCROFT N came out at the ¼, had cover almost to the 3/8 then went on to get the lead, used in fast fractions, tired.

SEVENTH RACE – D P ROCKET worked to the lead 3/16, rated the pace evenly and had no problem. DARTY was on the lead early, yielded for the two-hole, got a bit loose midturn, OK. SORTIE needed until the ¼ to get inside, then was second-over, three-wide midturn, finished pretty well. BLENHEIM went uncovered into turn two, gained in the third quarter then stopped progressing. CONSUS VICTORY had a forward spot but couldn’t do much from it. WINGS UP moved third-over early backstretch, a bit at the end. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY never factored. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke going to turn two.

EIGHTH RACE – WESTERN TYRANT was three-wide early, settled in the pocket before the ¾, worked to stay tight in the fast third quarter, to the Pocono Pike and a sharp winner. MAJOR DESIRE didn’t want anybody to go by early, got a relatively soft half for these, then had to step it up to meet the hard challenge of the first-over, shook that one off but then was caught to his left. TULLOW N raced in prime position second-over, lost some ground going wide early stretch but then came back on. CAVIART MAX was looped between horses early, took back to fourth, then led the outer tier and went 26.3 vs. the wind down the back to get a small advantage but not clear, couldn’t sustain late. LORD OF MISRULE was third-over, gapped, ducked between horses in the stretch and had some pace. THE BUS A had early speed, stayed in, gapped down the back. CINNABAR DRAGON and LEAR SEELSTER were at the back throughout.

NINTH RACE – Wind change, with a stretch headwind … SURREAL FEELING got in front going to the first turn, yielded, was third-in, came clear only in midstretch, angled wide and finished with a furious burst to be just along. THINK OF GALAXIES gradually advanced to get the lead off the first turn, pushed a challenger before yielding for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, edged by the leader but was nipped on the money. CRAZY CUTE yielded early, moved at the ¼ but needed the frontstretch to clear (now going vs. the wind) despite Q2 being only 29.3, set the pace with little pressure, couldn’t quite make the advantage stand up. FILLY SPEAKS was second-over from next-to-last, best of the rest. ANOTHER BEACH DAY stayed in and got the last check. BRONZE OVER N backed out to third-over but gapped. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER, looking to be on a line on the turns, could offer little. NO WHERE TO HIDE started out from sixth, got no cover, advanced until tiring headstretch.

TENTH RACE – And the wind goes back to swirling … TEMPURA HANOVER was chased after early and got in front at the 1/8, got a slow Q2 after the fast Q1, didn’t have much pressure, withstood ALTA MADEIRA N to her left. The latter went to command then yielded to sit a good two-hole, held her chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach. SHADOW ONE came out from fourth 11/16, moved up some, held on OK. MOSSDALE LOTTEE N sat in, shifted out in the lane and caught PLEASURE SEEKER for fourth. The latter left a very big gap the first half, not too much late. PREMIER DELANEY left a big gap to the half, then moved outside, got cover late on the backstretch but couldn’t go with it. THE FINAL TWO were always the final two, well off the action.

ELEVENTH RACE – HOT DEUCE was behind a gapper, finally came out 5/8, bore out in the stretch but had a big last 1/8 and was along in time. CAVIART ROCKLAND steamed to the quarter, then had little pressure on the lead, almost held at 20-1. MACHEASY A didn’t want to take the pocket early but did so 3/16, edged out on the far turn but went back inside in the stretch, a step shy. CLAYTONS BETTOR N tucked third then gapped much of the rest of the way, a little better late. DREAM OF LUCK stayed in, gapped. INDIGO ART came out before turn two, finally got cover 5/8 but then didn’t have enough. THE OTHER DUO got slow starts and never surfaced.

TWELFTH RACE—ROLLIN IN NEW YORK made the lead at the 1/8, yielded to a challenger to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, got a small advantage midstretch, finished in a tie with AMERICA’S GUEST for the first win dead-heat of the season here. The latter moved uncovered off the second turn and came at the leader with heat, looked like he might be “outtripped” to the inside but continued on resolutely for the DH. CLASSIFIED MATERIAL quarter-moved but went 27.3 in the second split in clearing, got very little of a breather from the first-over, lasted until midstretch and then not beaten by much. BRANDON HANOVER left hard, yielded, backed out 11/16, step-and-a-half shy of the top ones. THE FINAL THREE all gapped at some points and were never in the main battle.

THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN pushed his right-hand foe past the ¼ before surrendering, out to regain the lead near the fast half, got a breather down the back, then drew clear midstretch. BEACH TOWN BOY was carried up second-over, three-wide into the lane, not bad for second. BETTORS AUTHORITY backed off early and filled the pocket, was shuffled badly as the pocketsitter tired, moved out into a blindswitch near headstretch then once clearing the laggard went right back inside, finished well in a hard-luck mile. MOVE THE LINE was third-over, four-wide headstretch, not bad at all. SOLARCTIC was uncovered at the half and advanced in the slow third quarter, fell back as the speed increased in the last split. SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS battled for the lead between horses and finally got it 5/16, yielded before the half, couldn’t keep up ¾. SEAL O’NEILL was very wide early, backed off to follow cover, got to the inside 3/8, faltered. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was well off the gate and kept falling further back.

FOURTEENTH RACE – NUTTINBUTTHEBEST was driven as if she were nuttinbutthebest, and proved to be so, holding off CHIPPER DAISY. The latter maintained the pocket in a lineup-minus-one, moved out early stretch, a bit slow to find best strides but narrowed the margin late. NARINA HANOVER gapped early but was closer by the 3/8, stayed in, gapped far turn, but still was far clear in third. SHECOULDBEGOOD N moved out 5/8, gained some, but tired in the last 1/8. YES DOUBLE DOWN had dull cover, three-wide ¾, up for the last check. BRING ME DIAMONDS never entered the main radar. SWEET ROCKIN GIA gapped from midrace both inside and outside. GRANT ME THIS never got close.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, April 9, 2022

Apr 12, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Rain before the card and intermittently during it, making for a “sloppy +1” track that seemed a little more tiring towards the end … Temperatures in the high 40s …Swirling, changeable wind … TITO ROCKS got in front at the 1/8, buried the field with a 26.4 third quarter, won handily. FRISKIE ALL NITE was away nicely and sat in the pocket, stayed fairly close to the winner. FOREVER FAV took a 3-tuck to the first curve, gapped ¾, held third over GRAY DRAGON. The latter left but was taken back, four-wide to the first turn then gradually retreating, stayed in, finished with pace in the Pocono Pike. MAJOR BETTS moved uncovered into turn two, gained some while pacing his own third split in 26.3, but was done soon afterward. BENSON BOYS N was never a factor. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A gapped cover second-over. EXPLOIT was third-over behind a gapper, moved wide ¾ but made no inroads.

SECOND RACE – SWEET HEART AS originally sat in towards the half, then got a literal and figurative break as the second-over miscued, backed out to second-over 5/8, three-wide past midturn, enough late to just get by WARRIOR WAY. The latter was forwardly-placed, dove deep in the Pocono Pike, got the briefest of leads deep stretch, just missed. MACMORRIS HANOVER tucked third just past the 1/8, quarter-moved and rated the half, sped up to meet a challenger, not enough in the lane. PAPI HANOVER came through from the rail to force tucks, yielded for the pocket, inside the pacesetter but not enough. MUSHANA was uncovered on turn two and speed-grinded up, held on pretty well. BANZAI AS never entered the main proceedings. MATT’S MUSCLES, off the gate, gapped at the back. MOVEOUTOFMYWAY K had just moved to second-over when breaking going into the backstretch.

THIRD RACE —  ALL OR NOTHING defended the pocket and stayed close, a little loose on the turn but closer headstretch, then gained into the 27 kicker to win confidently. SHAKE IT went right to the top and set the pace as he pleased, came home in 27 but was still outeighthed. ALL THE CHIPS saw the inside two going strongly and tucked third, outside midturn, did well. DOCTOR BB didn’t have enough kick. BUCHANNON HANOVER wasn’t keeping up on the far turn. WAR OF WILL didn’t keep up at any point, including going to the start.

FOURTH RACE – BACKSTREET PLAYER avoided trouble with the horse breaking inside him before the start, was uncovered 9/16 and dueled with BJORNSSON the rest of the way, wore that one down by a nostril. The latter was in front 3/16, really slowed the half then picked it up when the winner came calling, gave his all to the line. BIG BEN HANOVER yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was not very far off. TNT BLUE CHIP sat in, went evenly. DUSTIN HANOVER was second-over, slightly gapped cover, evenly. BRIGHT SIDE UP broke before the start, recovered and caught the field by the half, but faded. PAYMAQ broke just past the start.

FIFTH RACE – LANJO LEE yielded for the pocket, backed out late backstretch as the first-over took over 11/16 and was raw, drew clear easily with his own back half in 55.1. HUNTSVILLE PLACE moved out late backstretch, gradually got close to the top two on the turn, continued on and was up for second. LETMECALLYOUBACK moved from third 5/8 and went right by, tired and couldn’t hold second. ALWAYS BETTER was not prominent. THIRD POWER was on top at the 1/8, set the pace, was challenged 11/16 and had no response. THE OTHER PAIR were well back.

SIXTH RACE – MISTER BOINGA was four-wide towards turn one, dropped down and took a 4-tuck 3/16, uncovered into turn two and went right on to challenge the favorite and clear ¾, all alone. TUIS SHADOW made the lead before the 1/8, pushed to the fast quarter and yielded, came on late in the Pocono Pike to edge MON AMOUR for second. The latter was out past the quick quarter to get command, had no answer for the winner, couldn’t preserve second late. TRICKY DICK and REAL MCCOY passed tired horses in the stretch. WORTHY OF HONOR had forward position, faded. LEPANTO was second-over but gapped. SWIZZLE HANOVER gapped throughout.

SEVENTH RACE – DERECHO left behind cover then tucked third at the 1/8, moved before the 3/8 to get the lead into the second turn, fought off the first-over, then held gamely against the move of JUST A WRANGLER. The latter got a second-over trip, three-wide midturn, came up a little shy. HASH-TAG SWAG changed his mind at the half and stayed in, edged outside early stretch and was along for third. LEGAL POWER made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, tired in the stretch. SALVADORS SUN never featured. THISJETSABOOKIN was out most of the ¼ to get the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, moved again first-over at the half and challenged, tired badly, BEACH FIRE K was third-over when going offstride ¾.

EIGHTH RACE – DANDY protected early position, stayed in, inherited the pocket 5/8, was loose in it until headstretch, then moved out and had a terrific last 1/16 to thunder by BEER CHEESE in a 28 last quarter,. The latter was quickly on top, yielded to the chalk, inherited the lead 5/8, shook off the first-over and had a clear lead early stretch, but got outtrotted late – still a very good mile. BAR COINS got in motion after the breaker 5/8 and rushed up to challenge, then fell back. DONATELLO HANOVER stayed flat. TARGET PRACTICE backed out to second-over but broke far turn. MALONE was looped early, worked to the lead near the ¼, rated the half, broke on his own 5/8, placed. UNLEASH THE TITAN broke 3/8.

NINTH RACE – CHICKEN NUGGET was third-over, three-wide 11/16 and gained, to two-wide late turn, outfooted CAPTAIN MULZAC but not by that much. The latter pushed and yielded, uncovered on turn two, grinded away and was able to cross over to the inside lead late turn, tried very hard to the line. WON LAST FEELING wanted the early lead but was put into the pocket 3/16, inside, slid out headstretch and finished well. LINCOLNJAMES was second-over, blindswitched by the winner 11/16, able to swing wide nearing headstretch, OK. CLASSIC PRO worked hard to seat a rival early, had a big challenge from the first-over and finally gave way late on the turn. MUDVILLE gapped inside. SULLIVAN moved from last at the ¼ and wound up fifth-over, not much chance from there; same story for fourth-over CAL.

TENTH RACE – KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT left between horses to command at the 1/8, yielded to the 5/16 but cane back out 3/8 and retook control, was in a long battle with the first-over chalk when that one broke headstretch, safe from there. DEFENSIVE PLAYER was second-over but gapped, then found better strides in the last ¼. INSTANTANEOUS CASH was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 5/16 for the lead, yielded for the pocket, gapped the duelers on the far turn, fair late. CAPTAIN COOK was far back, wide, moving well late. DIVINE RIGHT gapped at several points, then had no stretch clearance. BAREFOOT BLAZER did not make an impact. KINGSVILLE left, yielded, moved out 5/8 and pressed the winner from the 11/16, head-to-head with that one through the turn, then bore a bit wide headstretch before galloping.

ELEVENTH RACE – EL TORO LOCO made the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half, was not challenged until late, holding off the big closing kick of THAT OLE BAR STOOL. The latter moved out behind cover past the 5/8, three-wide midturn, made up a lot of ground with an own last quarter of 28. HIGHGATE vacated fourth 5/8, steadily. CANTSTOP YANKEE went right to the top, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have much left in the last ¼. JOYGO looked to be going all she could just to stay close. PINEWOOD HANOVER broke before the start. EMMA TALKING was sitting third when losing gait 3/16.

TWELFTH RACE – CRACK A SMILE made the lead, got a slow second ¼, couldn’t speed up enough to keep the chalk from brushing by ¾, but kept on digging and easily picked up that one in the lane. SILVERSTONE started uncovered into turn two, paced in 27 raw down the back to clear the lead, could not sustain the advantage but did hold second over MASK ON MASK OFF. The latter gapped early backstretch, then appeared to go inside the pylons to avoid trouble later down the back, advanced inside, Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite reach for second. BULLVILLE FRANK was second-over but gapped, then lost momentum when the backing-out horse made a break past the 5/8. I PAY YOUR SALARY and TREVOR’S HUNT were also bothered by the late backstretch incident. FORKNER HANOVER raced in the pocket, backed out behind the brusher 5/8 but soon broke stride, bothering those in back of him.

THIRTEENTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV tucked in fourth then was third as a rival broke, underway raw off turn two and trotted up smartly to clear ¾, drew away. FOCUS POCUS was three-wide early, went on to command just past the 3/16, fought with the winner the third quarter, surrendered the lead, did hold for second although tiring late. DIVINE SPIRIT pulled and soon got the winner out but could not keep up with him, did better in the stretch. ONE AFTER NINE followed cover, no factor. BANG BANG BOINGA was stuck inside and shuffled, but didn’t gain once free. MOON BRIDGE was never prominent. HURRIKANE WILLIE G went to the lead, yielded for the pocket, devoid of further trot before the 5/8. HOPE SO broke sitting third late on the first bend.

FOURTEENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES was on the move from fourth before the ¼ and got the top, took a breather in quarter two, then continued in invincible form against his opposition. CAPTAIN ROMANCE made the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner, gave determined chase but was not threatening although pacing a big mile on his own. VIRGIN STORM sat inside, caught SHAKE THAT HOUSE for third. The latter left well to defend the early pocket, tired in the stretch. STATEMENT MADE A sat in and got the last check. AFLAME HANOVER gapped early, moved second-over but couldn’t reach cover, three-wide far turn when cover faltered, not in the hunt. AMERICAN INFLUENCE moved raw 3/8 and spent a long time on the rim before backing off 11/16. HORSE didn’t have great cover and was not heard from.

FIFTEENTH RACE – CAPTAINGIDDYUPNGO came out just before the ¼ and was pushed just past the 3/8 to get the top, had things his own way, had to stay sharp to defeat GREG THE LEG. The latter got an excellent start, pushed the winner some before yielding, went to the Pocono Pike and tried hard to the line. C-BET HANOVER went up raw down the back, never reached the leader but paced well for third. ONE OF THE GUYS got the early pocket, stayed in, couldn’t hold third. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD was no factor. IVY STUD moved outside, made a break midturn. PRAISE ME HANOVER kept falling further behind the second half.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, April 4, 2022

Apr 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the mid-40s all day … SPORTSMANSHIP had the three horses immediately in front of him pull out into the second turn and was last, fourth-over, three-wide through the far turn, made the lead late (30.1 last quarter). TODDLER TANTRUM was third-over, blindswitched late turn and had to wait to back out behind the winner, gained late (again into a slowing pace). DARK HORSE tucked fourth past the 1/8, then was second-over, ducked to a vacant pocket past midturn, Pocono Pike, brief lead midstretch, outkicked late. ARTACHE HANOVER led the outer parade into turn two, challenged, held well. REYS N A RUCKUS bypassed a pocket tuck and went on to command past the ¼, continued at a good clip, tired. BEST SHOT N stayed in, gapping down the back, then blocked when a horse fell back late turn, nothing once clear. JUMPIN JAKE FLASH left, pushed a rival then yielded for the two-hole, started to gap out 11/16.

SECOND RACE – R HERBIE BLUE CHIP took over at the 1/8, rated the half, then put in twin 28.3s in drawing away from these. MASTER CLASS got a forward spot, uncovered 5/8, never threatened but up late for second over PIERCEWAVE HANOVER. The latter got away well and sat the pocket trip, not too much in the latter stages. POSSESS THE STONE steadily improved on the inside from last. SCIROCCO PATRICK moved at the half, got cover at the 5/8, gapped it at the ¾. GROSETTO AS was no factor after racing inside. NICE STUFF was third-over but did not enter contention. PRESCOTT was not prominent.

THIRD RACE – DONZEL HANOVER used the rail to good advantage, pushed the favorite through quarter two then was the only one to stay with him past the half, moved to the lead ¾ and drew away. CREATARMA was behind nonflowing cover, three-wide late turn and trotted steadily late to take second ahead of FRANKIE HILL. The latter had cover then lost it ¾, not quite enough to preserve place. RAISIN DOUGH had some late kick on the far outside. COMELETUSADOREHIM tucked early, moved uncovered 5/8, got to the rail as the winner went by, Pocono Pike, not too much. MISSILE made an elongated quarter-move to a fast half, done when challenged ¾. SHOCK PROOF left, tucked second 3/16, started to gap at the half. K J PHILLIP broke w-a-y before the start, recovered, then made another break due to “b.e.” down the backstretch.

FOURTH RACE – Small stretch tailwind starting … SWEET KISS left, yielded to the chalk, loose in the pocket from the 3/16 to midturn, then closer, to the Pocono Pike and went right on by. MIKI ROSE took over at the 1/8, had the first-over only get to her wheel, but then couldn’t handle the burst to her left. SWEET OMEN moved raw off turn two, went in 28 down the back against the wind, held pretty well. SAN ANTONIO STROLL was well back, came out headstretch, first looked like she wanted to split horses, then in midstretch angled to the far outside, steadily. SEAHUNTSIDEAL BEACH was behind dull cover, ducked in, put in a good last 1/8 between horses. BETTOR STRAIT N UP got into the 3-hole 3/16, gapping late on the backstretch. SHE LOVES THE HUNT was second-over but fell far back.

FIFTH RACE – Wind picked up some for a spell … THOSE BLUES got improved early position, then moved with cover, left raw just past the ¾, was handled confidently in the win. PHANNYS MATTER left between horses, took third just past the 1/8, was uncovered before the half and got in tight quarters in that spot, kept grinding against the wind, made the lead early into the turn, fought hard but had to settle for second. STORYBOOK ENDING retucked around a backstretch gapper, stayed along the inside and finished well. BUCKET HEAD was innermost of three leavers, yielded for the pocket, came out midturn as the pacesetter tired, not all that much late. BOINGALICIOUS was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, didn’t have a fast pace to contend with but didn’t have much the last ¼. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE broke at the half. SISTERALICE gapped down the backstretch then broke.

SIXTH RACE – JACANA left well, pushed the ¼ then yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and a good winner. SOME KINDA ANGEL started a long uncovered move towards turn two, went 27.2 to battle with the leader down the back, may never have gotten the lead but raced giant nonetheless. APRIL ANGEL stayed connected third-in, spent much of the stretch gradually angling wider, finished well once in high gear. HORIZON was parked almost to the ¼, set the pace, sharpened the speed in the third quarter, had little left from early stretch. YOUNONOTHINJON got the last check. MYMONSTERSAREREAL backed out to follow cover 9/16 but couldn’t stay with it. GOTTALUVIT HANOVER gapped the last half.

SEVENTH RACE – WE COULD BE HEROS was leaving, wound up in the pocket, used the Pocono Pike to get home first. LOVELY ECHO sat until almost to the ¾ then went out raw, steady coming home but outkicked. WORKOUT GIRL left for command, got a 1:00.1 middle half, and still gave way. RAVIOLI moved with cover ¾, wide, evenly. DIGNITY HANOVER was leaving between horses but broke, righted at the 1/8 and trailed the main pack. MAISYS MUSCLES broke an 1/8 before the start.

EIGHTH RACE – JILLIAN B MIKI left between horses and wanted to cut the pace, had an open lead from the ¼ and won handily. MUST BE NICE was three-wide to the first turn, tucked second 3/16, a bit off the leader throughout, but clearly second. COVENANT WOMAN made a 28 uncovered burst from last in the third quarter and got to second on the far turn, but flattened the last 3/16. MAINLINE CHARMER passed the rest in the stretch. CHERISH and YES OUI SI had little to offer in the second half.

NINTH RACE – DEVIOUS DUSHI was in a lively cover flow, left uncovered before the 5/8 and battled with SUNSEEKER HANOVER the rest of the way, proved the stronger late in a nice career debut. The latter had cover which broke two seconds later, continued up to get the top as the pacesetter lost gait early backstretch, battled with the winner, second-best well ahead of the rest. P L PANDERA avoided trouble, came off the rail nearing the ¾ and was next in line. SOUTHERN AUTUMN got to the top, yielded for the pocket before turn two and still had the two-hole off that bend as the leader broke and the first-over went by for the top, weakened in the last ¼. MIMI OCEAN HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, third two-wide at the 1/8 when first breaking, recovered, third-over, broke again 9/16, showed good speed when remaining flat. STUNNING LOOK had the early pocket, stayed in, weakened. TIL IM GONE was starting uncovered into turn two but ran. BOURBON CHESTNUT got away third, needed the entire frontstretch in a 30.2 quarter to clear to the lead, then broke going off turn two and went to the infield.

TENTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING left well putting opponents in holes, yielded on the second turn and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and shaded 28 home to catch DANCE TICKET. The latter was three-wide early and settled in third past the 1/8, moved just before the 3/8 and took over on the second turn, came home in 56.3 and still was caught. FOX VALLEY CACHET was last, came up the inside and finished very strongly. AMERICAN JAZZ took the early pocket, moved out of third midturn but was empty. SOUTHWIND MOLLY was behind the dull cover of SHADOWY, who gapped the first half, and this last pair never factored.

ELEVENTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH got early forward position, came out raw 5/8, gradually narrowed in, got by early stretch, held off the closing CHING CHING LUCKY. The latter gapped in the second quarter, got second-over cover but gapped that, hit his best gear midstretch but couldn’t quite make it. SLEW FOOT was last in the main pack, stacked widest and passed tired horses. TORN TO PIECES AS was so-so after an inside journey. FINAL CLASS sat in the pocket, made little headway in the Pocono Pike. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR left very strongly and quickly had a big lead, sailed along, gave way before headstretch. CAPITAL T STORM broke off the first turn. KAACHING KAACHING lost stride at the half.

TWELFTH RACE – SUNSHINE SALLY was wide early, worked her way into a 4-tuck 3/16, stayed in, angled out behind the pocketpuller into the stretch and outfooted that one late. THROW THE DICE wanted the lead but settled for the pocket 3/16, outside past the ¾, got a small advantage early stretch, couldn’t make the lead stand. CAVEN POINT wouldn’t yield in the 27 opener, set the pace, couldn’t close the deal out. IQ HANOVER drifted out, settled inside at the ¼, outside again past the 9/16, three-wide when cover faltered ¾, didn’t show any great pop. COME ZOOM WITH ME sat inside, not too much. TRULY came out just before the 3/8 looking to want to brush to the lead but didn’t have the needed speed, backed off to the ¾, looked a bit hard to steer past midstretch. THE OTHER DUO weren’t in the main picture.

THIRTEENTH RACE – CHOCOTURE was looped early, went on to quarter command then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and wore down NIGHT FLYER K. The latter left, was outside before the winner cleared and went on to 3/8 command, held well but couldn’t last to the line. POWERFUL YIELD sat in, to the deep Pike and closed well while possibly in tight quarters. LIONBACKER KIDD left well to grab the racetrack by the 1/8, saw two go by, inside the pacesetter in the stretch but not too much. CRUSHWORTHY grabbed a midpack tuck, then was first-over, got to the flank of the pocket horse but never really closer. LAZER JET didn’t have great cover, three-wide on the turn, moving well late (in a slowing last quarter). WILLIAM STAR was second-over, blindswitched, eased wide headstretch, evenly. PHANTOM RUSTY was last-inside, behind a wall in the stretch.

FOURTEENTH RACE – RYCROFT N just refused to let anybody get the better of him in a fast race, won for fun. WINNING IS SWEET came uncovered 3/8, was forced to take the pocket at the half, held on for the distant second. AIN’T IT FUN was away quickly, took the pocket 3/16, gapped and couldn’t hold the two-hole at the half, sat in, Pocono Pike, did OK late. LOVE YOURSELF backed out to second-over, got going too late. IC A FREE SPIRIT went uncovered 9/16, got to even with the pocket horse to the ¾ but gained no further. THE OTHER THREE were the last threesome all the way around.

FIFTEENTH RACE – SPORTS HERO went up in a lively flow (during a slow third quarter), left uncovered midturn, drew away in the stretch. SPINOUT was second-out, left raw ¾ and went right by, well clear of the others. BJ’S GUY was three-wide early and on top past the 1/8, yielded before a fast 3/8, stuck behind a tired pacesetter and shuffled to the ¾, out in a blindswitch early turn, next in line. BEACHMASTER TWO and GRAND PRIORITY were in the outer flow, both three-wide far turn, couldn’t reach. AN THE THUNDEROLLS took a tuck at the 1/8, came out off the second turn, urged to clear in a 29.4 third quarter, did so but was all done heading into the turn. SANATTLE SLEW never kept up. SPIDER MAN HANOVER was four-wide early, three-wide to the 1/8, then out past a 26.3 opener and almost to the 3/8 before making the lead, passed ¾ and tired.