Mar 15, 2022 | General News
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Mar 11, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – About 60 degrees all day … “Fast +0” for races 1-3, then “sloppy +1” thereafter in drizzle … Not much wind at start … BAYONET left, made the pocket 3/16, edged out late on the turn and drew off. IMIDEAL HANOVER tucked early, evenly to hold second. BJ’S GUY took control from the pole, set a pretty good pace for this type, had no late response. Both PETER PUMPKINEATER and NAKED CITY went around a gapper in front of the stands; the former had pace finishing, while the latter never factored. SHARKNADO was way behind. FRANKIE ROCKS A was already leaving a big gap late on the first turn, finally broke due to an equipment failure and was pulled up.
SECOND RACE – IVY STUD left and went into the two-hole at the 1/8, was locked in by a gapper until midturn then could get two-wide, came a good piece to take the decision. CAPTAIN COOK tucked, started uncovered 9/16, brushed up into the fast 3/4s, grabbed the lead at headstretch but couldn’t make it last to the wire. HUNT FOR CASH put several foes in behind early, let one go at the 3/8 but came back out to get the lead approaching the half, had to keep up the hot pace with a backstretch challenger, didn’t fade too badly after doing quick early work. HUNTSVILLE PLACE didn’t have great cover, three-wide far turn, finished well. MELANIE’S NICK couldn’t find an early tuck so had to press on to get the lead in a fast 3/8, yielded before the half, tired late. JO PA’S TURN spotted midpack, then came again second-over but couldn’t go enough. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
THIRD RACE – As the drizzle starts … POLAK A put ‘em all in behind early, slowed the half, then strung ‘em out with a 27.3 third quarter, had built too big a lead to be caught. DARK HORSE moved raw 3/8 and advanced, retucked third to the 11/16, back out again before the stretch, kept on coming in a good race. ROGUE CHEDDAR was shuffled to last, made up a lot of ground. GOLDEN GESTURE was third-over, evenly. SANATTLE SLEW was second-over 3/8, left raw 11/16, couldn’t gain and went back inside on the turn. YS SUNSHINE left between horses for the pocket, started gapping to the 5/8. HEREHECOMESAROCKIN was three-wide to turn one, went into third 3/16, no more to give fairly early on the backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – Now “sloppy” … EPOS OSTERVANG DK was three-wide towards turn one to 3/16 command, went fast odd quarters, was under pressure 5/8 through the turn, but proved strongest. SORTIE was behind dull cover, finally saw that one tuck in, didn’t reach his new cover though gradually making up ground, then closed well belatedly. VOLARE had the lead into the first curve then yielded for the pocket, vacated same 5/8 and battled vs. the winner, not quite enough though good. CHUCKY DE VIE gapped early, got closer, saw the pocketsitter vacate 5/8, couldn’t get into major contention. KARETS went uncovered towards turn two but had little and went back to the rail. DAYTONA DREAMIN gapped after getting away slowly. PRAYERS DO MATTER was not in the hunt when breaking on the far turn.
FIFTH RACE – WHATA TWIST initially stayed in, backed out to third-over from last, three-wide with cover midturn to four-wide headstretch, worked his way by. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N moved at the ¼ and with urging cleared 3/8, got a slow second quarter, couldn’t quite make his advantage stand up. BEACHMASTER TWO was second-over, three-wide through the far turn, OK but outkicked. BADIX HANOVER left enough to take the early lead then yielded 3/8 for the pocket, gapped a little down the back then tighter on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, came up short. LIMA SPARTAN left, settled in the pocket 3/16, was shuffled inside, not clear in the lane. LAREDO TORPEDO N launched an uncovered move 3/8, never was head-to-head with the leader, faded in the last quarter.
SIXTH RACE – SHEZABARHOPPINCHIC finally yielded off turn one to sit in the two-hole, snapped out at the ¾ and trotted right by the leader, won for fun. SHALL I FEAR ALL was for all intents coverless from seventh from the 3/8, continued on gamely and did get the place honors. BLING IM A WINNER sat in, outside midturn after a slight shuffle, steadily to hold third over RAVIOLI. The latter was shuffled back, stacked widest and finished well. MYREANNA made the lead just past the ¼ (by far the fastest fraction in the race), got a slow second quarter, but still was powerless when challenged far turn. BUCKET HEAD settled in third at the 1/8, then was caught behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn. AMBERS CHAMPION had dull cover. BALLERINI, off the gate, moved second-over but then gapped most of the last half-mile.
SEVENTH RACE – QUEEN KENDALL got the three-spot, had the inside open up when the pocketsitter came out nearing headstretch, and was the easiest $135.60 winner you’ll see for a while. P L LEEROY bypassed a pocket opportunity and got the lead in a 27.2 quarter, stole clear down the back, held off all but one. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A left, tried to force a tuck but then yielded, loose in the pocket much of the way, outside stretch, wasn’t gaining. LOVE YOURSELF sat in, evenly. SPORTS HERO was behind nonadvancing cover, three-wide far turn, had some pace at the end. SPIDER MAN HANOVER never factored. MACHING TIME was uncovered into turn two but never advanced beyond midpack.
EIGHTH RACE – HEARTBEAT HILL was parked to the ¼ for the lead, yielded and sat a tight pocket, Pocono Pike and along in a slowing last quarter. REYS N A RUCKUS wound up third-over, three-wide past the 5/8 for the duration, kept at it through the stretch. SIX DAY WARS was a gapping last except going around a recalcitrant horse, moved three-wide mid-far turn then four-wide, made up a lot of ground in a decelerating pace. BILBO HANOVER was parked with cover to the ¼, on top 5/16, had constant intense pressure in a fast pace over the off going, tired. WHAT THE LUCK yielded at the ¼, sat in, so-so late. CANT KNOCK ME stayed behind outside leavers early, was left raw 5/16 and challenged in solid numbers, held to the stretch in a pretty good race. ALL CHEDDAR was outside the duration, blindswitched towards the 11/16, wasn’t keeping up on the turn. HULOU moved out fourth-over near the half but had no forward motion and then broke.
NINTH RACE – MCLEISH got to the lead, rated the half into what was by now a strong stretch headiwnd, sped up to meet a stern challenge, held on in a blanket finish. AN THE THUNDEROLLS was uncovered to the second turn, was a grindmaster deluxe, fought very hard through the stretch. WHAT’S GOIN ON was third-over, didn’t fancy his chances going four-wide late turn so waited to find a seam between horses, closed well in very tight quarters. BRADY TO GRONK had a very good second-over trip behind a contested pace, wide, not enough. LUZIANA stayed in, not prominent. CLASS HERO sat in the two-hole, came up empty ¾. JAMES RIVERSIDE gapped at the back down the backstretch.
TENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN, unhurried early, moved out before the ¼ and was in front just before the 3/8, was under no pressure here. MASK ON MASK OFF pressed on rather than take an early pocket tuck, went to the top at the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, held that position late over CAPTAIN EMOTION. The latter improved position early, sat in then backed out to follow cover 5/8, inside again on the turn, held pace in the Pocono Pike; an inquiry into his move down the back showed no reason for placing. YER SO BAD came uncovered into the backstretch, grinded but didn’t get to the winner, tired. I DUNNO was outside, gapped, briefly three-wide towards the 11/16, had nothing to offer late. PERFECTLY SAID pushed a fast quarter and yielded, empty ¾. DOWNTHEROAD Z TAM made a nasty break 3/16, the made another due to broken equipment past the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – SKYWAY FIREBALL was urged to get in gear to the 5/8, was able to retuck in the pocket, outside headstretch and proved to have the most. OHOKA JOHNNY N backed into fourth 3/16, outside before the 5/8, had cover, retucked third, came up the Pocono Pike, just got by SPORTSMANSHIP for second. The latter dashed through the muck in a speed show, opening a big lead early in the backstretch, came back to the top two in the last 1/8 but held on pretty well given the fast fractions. OWEN didn’t come off the rail until the far turn, finished well. TOWNLINE JATED gapped throughout. PIRATES ALLEY sat in the two-hole, came up empty going to the 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – FAST MACHINE came out with cover near the half, slightly off that cover down the back, wide in the stretch, barely able to get past BYGONE HANOVER. The latter grinded up first-over, took over approaching midstretch and almost lasted to the line. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was wide early and took back, then backed out to third-over, didn’t go wide in the stretch but gained behind the top two. HELLRUNNER HANOVER gapped badly in the middle of the race, but found her pacing shoes on the far turn, stacked widest and was moving well. SOME LUCKY MAGIC was three-wide early, got on top 3/16 and yielded a like distance later for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike but did not gain. GENESIS didn’t have much when called upon. BOTTOM BLUES was looped between horses early, pressed on to take over 3/8, still in the fight to early stretch then gave way.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Precipitation stopped, wind gone down … TODDLER TANTRUM insisted on the lead on the first turn, rated the half, stepped it up when WHATA TREASURE came to challenge, held very gamely to get the decision. The latter was uncovered near the half, paced a 26.4 third quarter raw to fight hard with the leader, continued that fight right to the wire, very good. CAVIART SAGE had gapping cover, saw it tuck in on the turn and gained two-wide, then continued that gain to the finish. ROCKIN PANDA actually outleft the winner but because of track geometry took back for the pocket, didn’t quite have enough at the end. SAMMY THE BULL N was second-over, couldn’t keep up, went back in on the far bend. MR MCDREAMY gapped most of the way.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JK WILL POWER was quarter-mover #1 from the pocket and never had QM#2 reach him, probably because he paced two back quarters in 28 while easily winning. STATEMENT MADE A left sharply for the lead, yielded for the pocket, held his ground OK. INDIGO ART sat third, stayed in and maintained that position. KEYSTONE STEAM was on the move at the ¼ but never showed enough steam to go up to challenge, did grind pretty well in the fast back half. BLACKLIGHT sat in, got the last check. HE’S ELECTRIC was third-over in the nonflow, three-wide far turn, too tough a spot. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN was second-over behind dull cover, blindswitched far turn, never a factor.
FIFTEENTH RACE – Raining again … CONSUS VICTORY refused to yield early, walked to the half, then was tons the best in here. CAJOLE HANOVER left and pressed the winner but finally accepted the pocket, held second over SWEET HEART AS. The latter came out third-over at the half in a not-great flow, three- and four-wide far turn and came home in 57 with very good stretch speed. MOON BRIDGE needed until almost the ¼ to get in fifth, then started uncovered on turn two, never reached in the fast back half but still gave a respectable showing. INNISFALLEN was never prominent. DARTY backed into fourth 3/16, gapped to the ¾. CRUSHWORTHY broke at the start, recovered and was second-over, wide towards headstretch but no more left to give. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was never a factor.
Mar 10, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – The twilight card opens in 70-degree temperatures, which go down only a bit through the racing … Strong stretch headwind … OFF THE PRESS was last and didn’t come off the rail until past the ¾, tipped wider off wide cover headstretch and was along in the last step. SHECOULDBEGOOD N moved outside ¾ and three-wide late on the turn, closed to get the lead three steps out but just missed. SHECANDANCE N left and defended the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, took command midstretch but couldn’t quite hold up. NEW NUMBER WHO DIS made a strong move with the wind down the backstretch, battled all the way to the line. BYE BYE MICHELLE looped a foe early, set the pace while slowing the half, tired a bit late though only a length behind. BRING ME DIAMONDS left between horses and was looped, got in third at the ¼, stayed in, wasn’t fully clear in the lane but not tight on the horse in front of her.
SECOND RACE – MOSCONI HANOVER secured the early pocket and kept the hole shut behind a duel, edged out ¾ and found himself with a huge lead as the leader broke, won in hand. PRESCOTT was far back nearing the far turn but unleashed a huge move that had him picking horses off one by one until reaching second, solid move. MAYDAY VOLO gapped at a couple of points but stayed flat and was a clear third. PUERTO RICO didn’t have enough in the last 3/16. SIR CROMWELL forced a tuck and then kept another rival hung out, was getting ready for a challenge from the winner when making a miscue due to broken equipment past the ¾, was taken to the infield, came back to pass far-back horses but was placed. FLY FLY EAGLE never moved. VANISHING ACT left, was left out to dry after challenging for the lead, tired before the 5/8. JOE JOE JOE gapped early, then broke entering turn two.
THIRD RACE – COLONEL BAYAMA started uncovered 5/8 then soon got cover, wide in the stretch and along in the latter stages. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN got a forward spot early, then moved out raw 11/16, never ahead but finished steadily. WESTERN WALTZ bolted away to an immediate lead, went 26.4 to the quarter, maintained the lead until midstretch but couldn’t quite sustain the advantage. SEAL O’NEILL was looped early, made the pocket 3/16, went to the Pocono Pike, looked a little rough and didn’t gain. BETTORS AUTHORITY may have been in tight quarters coming up the deep Pike. THE OTHERS did not achieve prominence.
FOURTH RACE – SUNDANCEDIAMOND got to the front at the 1/8, slowed at the half, accelerated to meet the first-over, pulled away. RENTIER came out raw 5/8 and made a challenge, flattened early stretch but took second over NOTMEITSYOU. The latter sat the two-hole, struggled to keep up the last 5/16, tried to come back for second but couldn’t. MASTER CLASS couldn’t keep pace most of the last 3/8. PRIME POWER N, way off the gate, tired to move up outside entering the backstretch but had no power. BANZAI AS broke at the start. KATKIN AND COKE could offer little.
FIFTH RACE – DEL DIGGITY got two “breaks” – she tucked third then advanced to the pocket as another leaver broke, then got to move out from behind the pacesetter when the first-over ran – and finally drew clear very late. JACANA looked ready to give up the lead 3/16 when a foe erred, so she set the pace, fought pretty well but had to settle for second. MAKE A SCENE was second, briefly checked and was wide after the first-over broke, evenly late. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI had a little on the end. BET LIGHT appeared all-out to keep up midrace, got closer, then faded in the lane. CATHY HANOVER appeared to be ready to cross over to the lead when breaking 3/16, was taken wide and to the back, never resurfaced. SHADY MEMORIES spotted, then came first-over before the 5/8 and was putting in a strong challenge when going offstride past the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – MUSHANA wouldn’t get in behind the pole horse, was parked 5/16 for the top, rolled along as several opponents had misfortune, won easily. One who was unfortunate was ALEXANDER HANOVER, who was actually the first to show off the gate but then was three-wide to the 3/16, took back to two-wide with cover to the 5/16, where he was left raw and finding no seat, trotted steadily in the two-path and had great endurance to stay second. ALL RISE kept a hole closed in the early fighting, to the Pocono Pike, third. LIBERO HANOVER used the rail to get forward position, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, but faded in the stretch. VOSS VOLO looked at leaving and soon took back, moved second-over, thee-wide 1/16 but quickly back to two-wide covered, three-wide again late turn, couldn’t gain. PHANTOM RUSTY did not factor. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was looped early, briefly four-wide to the 1/8 then three-wide without cover to the 3/8, where he made a break while looking to try to take back and follow the parked horse, ran home and was placed. ARGENTO ran at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – THE CHARGING MOA N was looped and three-wide to the first turn, made the top 3/16, slowed the half, sped up when a challenger came, then held off SPEAKING OF COFFEE to her left with active encouragement. The latter blasted right to the point, relinquished for the two-hole, steady in the Pocono Pike but had to settle for the deuce. JERICHO DIVA was uncovered at the half and went 27.2 down the back to get closer to the lead, held well. KCK GIRLIES was second-over, three-wide headstretch, couldn’t reach. THE OTHER THREE gapped out at various points of the last half.
EIGHTH RACE – HIP HOP GRACIE was in good position second-over, gapped a bit past the 5/8 was but better on the turn, kept coming to catch LOVE THIS BAR. The latter, not tight up in the fast opener, started raw into the backstretch, went up to the leader to challenge near the ¾, had a small advantage from late on the far bend, just missed in a good race. HALL IT OFF was looped, moved up to take over off the first turn, got a stiff challenge on the far turn and wasn’t equal to it, lasted for third. CHING CHING LUCKY was last, finished well. FINAL CLASS was forwardly-placed, not too much at crunch time. DUKE OF LINDY circled other leavers for the early lead, yielded for the pocket, struggled in the last ¼. THE OTHER DUO were never in the hunt.
NINTH RACE – NARINA HANOVER pulled from third 5/8, grinded, went on nicely and got the decision. SWEET ROCKIN GIA took the pocket early and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and got to even terms with the winner midstretch, second-best here. TSM WESTERN SOUL set the pace, lost her head number at the ¼, rated the half then sped up, started tiring into the lane. SILVERHILL MISSY gapped much of the last half, then did a little better late. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT came uncovered before the half, got cover 5/8, couldn’t go with it in the last quarter. RELLA TIVITY was off the gate and already gapping before the ¼.
TENTH RACE – BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY was looped, three-wide early to go into the pocket 3/16, then quarter-moved, slowed the half then really sped up to keep out a brushing challenger, went clear again early stretch then had enough to resist SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN. The latter was third-over, wide far turn, finished with a big rush (the pace was declining a bit). CUPID HANOVER, from the far outside, outrushed everybody to the top, yielded to the winner for the pocket, gapped much of the last half, was still trotting OK at the end. FOCUS POCUS sat in and was shuffled, outside headstretch and angled out to the path behind the place well, late speed. CAVIART EMMA was second-over, gapped off the backstretch duel, blindswitched, evenly. DAGON HANOVER raced inside, not that much late. DIVINE SPIRIT was fourth-over, four-wide past midturn, tough spot. PIVOTAL settled in midpack to the ¼, came with a rush 3/8 and got a short lead to the 5/8, but then tired significantly nearing the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – DIRT ON MY BOOTS got a great second-over trip behind a contested pace, tipped three-wide and paced away from these. MONTANA CHIEF N went right to the front then strung out parked foes to the 3/8, yielded, out in a blindswitch, to the path behind the winner and closed well in a top race. BRAVO TEX N was outleft, went on between horses, grabbed command 3/8 then yielded in a fast half, to the Pocono Pike, OK. NUTCRACKER SWEET was very wide leaving then was hung three-wide to the 3/8, cleared shortly thereafter, couldn’t get a breather against the first-over, paid the price for the big energy usage late. YUPPER gapped near the back, was in tight quarters late while gaining. DEETZY was first-over on the second turn, made a bid but couldn’t sustain it. FULL MOON BEACH didn’t have much from third-over. MUSCLE MACH A was never in the hunt.
TWELFTH RACE – RED REDEMPTION left strongly to swoop everybody, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, outside midturn, went by midstretch, enough to defeat BOASTER COASTER. The latter sat in then angled wide headstretch, was eating up the ground only to come up just shy. NIGHT FLYER K started uncovered past the 5/8, made steady progress. TRICKY DICK gapped in the back midrace, stayed in, had willing trot late. WORTHY OF HONOR went out for early position, stayed in, not much punch in the latter stages. REAL MCCOY was looped, parked past a fast quarter for the lead, gave way through the stretch. AP HALL OF TRIX couldn’t go with cover. ADELANTE S lost manners at the ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MUDVILLE remained outside early, gunned up from sixth 3/16 (perhaps noting a 50-1 shot was on top) and brushed right to the lead 3/8, put the pedal to the metal down the back to keep out a determined challenge in a 27 third quarter, then drew away impressively. MICKEYS SPIRIT kept the pocket early, moved uncovered at the half and went his own third quarter in 26.3 to challenge well ahead of the rest, couldn’t clear and took the pocket midturn, very good. LINCOLN BOULEVARD did not have good cover, picked up the rest late. THIRD POWER started raw into the bottom turn but soon had cover, but then couldn’t go with it and never was a factor thereafter. ARTS ATTITUDE settled in fourth at the ¼, shuffled along the inside, had pace finishing in tight quarters. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was never in the picture. SHORE OF HIMSELF took the lead early, yielded to the winner 3/8, then couldn’t keep up when the pace increased down the back, was tired late.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER briefly tucked third behind the two outside speedsters, then moved to take over 5/16, rated the half then left the field gapped out with a 57 back half. CAMPBELLINI had good speed to reach the top quickly, yielded to the winner, didn’t have the sprint of that one but had staying power to be a clear second. WINGS UP left and tucked behind the place horse, couldn’t keep up in the last half. CHOCO CHARLIE grabbed an early forward spot, inside, then outside stretch and made some headway. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN avoided the outer tiers and got the last check. ZSA ZSA DABOR backed out to second-over in front of the stands, three-wide when his cover tired on the turn but didn’t make progress. KEYSTONE THUNDER never factored. ANDOVERS TOUCH got away last from the rail, then started up raw from the ¼, got fairly close before giving way.
FIFTEENTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN was looped leaving and had early cover, then was raw 3/16 and went on to 5/16 command, slowed the half then came home in 55.4 – 27.3 and needed every bit of it to withstand RIFLEMAN. The latter vacated third towards the 11/16 and had a big battle with the winner from the ¾, coming his own last half in 55.2 to just miss. BAY MEADOWS left well for command, yielded for the two-hole and stayed connected, to the Pocono Pike, just not quite enough sprint. MR CENSI couldn’t go enough in the last quarter. ONE OFF DELIGHT A backed into a tuck 3/16, moved again second-over but couldn’t do much damage. SOCIAL THEORIES was last throughout.
Mar 9, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature up to 44 degrees, but still a stretch headwind-windy, brutish day (though the times were on average a bit faster) … LINCOLNJAMES raced away to get the pocket, gapped a bit at a couple of points, surged midstretch and was just along over a game CLASSIC PRO. The latter left sharply to the lead before the 1/8, rolled on the lead, faltered only slightly in the last 50 yards. BRANDON HANOVER left and tucked third, inside until out late turn and wide headstretch, steadily. AMERICA’S GUEST started uncovered at the 3/8, gradually advanced, held very well. ST LADS NEPTUNE backed out behind the dull cover of the gapping ARTISTS RUFFLES, best of the rest. DREAM OF LUCK tucked fourth, couldn’t keep up the last 5/16.
SECOND RACE – AFLAME HANOVER gapped early, then went first-over 5/8, couldn’t reach the leader in the fast third panel but kept on grinding and got the nod after a tough effort. CURIOUS CORTEZ was quarter-mover #2 after a fast opener, set the pace, did OK but worn down late. DOUBLEORNOTHING N was second-over, finished steadily. HOT DEUCE made two early moves and yielded to sit the pocket, gapped down the backstretch, evenly late. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO left for the lead into turn one, saw two go by, had clearance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make any gain. FRISKIE ALL NITE went evenly late from third-over. CIGAR SMOKING TONY had little to offer. SHEIKH YABOOTY A was off the gate and never in the hunt.
THIRD RACE – CYRUS PEAK went right to the lead, yielded to the chalk to sit in the two-hole, snapped out of the pocket headstretch and quickly drew clear. FATHER SARDUCCI was away second, quarter-moved, controlled the tempo, no match for the winner did hold place over SPORTY DRAGON. The latter went around a gapper then retucked, outside stretch and finished alertly. YANKEE KEELER didn’t get into the 3-hole until the ¼, not much late. MR RIGHT HANOVER went uncovered but never got close. AMERICAN COLT N backed out to get around a gapper, had cover, offered little. BUFFALO HEART couldn’t keep up the last half. CAVIART STETSON started losing contact 3/8 and was pulled up.
FOURTH RACE – BOBBY K HILL used track geometry to force tucks early, rated quarter two, sped up in the third panel and opened a clear lead on the turn, tired and was passed by BLOW A CLOUD N midstretch but showed grit to fight back for the decision. The latter rode a golden trip, didn’t keep up on the turn but closed in headstretch, to the Pocono Pike and got a small lead midstretch, but couldn’t hold on to it. BAMSKI went in fourth at the 1/8, came raw at the ½ and went his third quarter in 27 to challenge, looked shaken off midturn but battled on with great gameness. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS tucked third, stayed in, had no clearance in the stretch with horse. THISJETSABOOKIN was rank the first half, went second-over, three-wide headstretch, OK. DENALI SEELSTER sat in, not too much late. A BETTOR BEACH was third-over past the 5/8 when making a break.
FIFTH RACE – BASS PLAYER was in front before the 1/8, yielded to the favorite, briefly in close quarters in the headstretch incident, then clear and drew away. CASINO BAGS ANSO started uncovered early on turn two, never got close to the lead but finished steadily. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was hard to steer coming off the first turn, then was second-over, fair. LITTLEBITASWAGGER defended the pocket early, then quarter-moved, was still going well when he tried to jump a pylon that had been knocked out right in his path headstretch, lost all momentum. SKYWAY BILLY raced inside, had to check slightly headstretch but had little to offer late. CARRACCI HANOVER was not heard from. IC A FREE SPIRIT was wide taking back early, then trailed.
SIXTH RACE – WESTERN TYRANT sat in, moved out late turn and wide in the stretch, just up in the last step over BROTHER JAMES. The latter gapped cover down the back but got closer on the turn, made the lead four steps from the wire and just missed. MARCO BEACH got the early pocket, pulled raw just past the 5/8, was better ¾, grinded to the front midstretch, just missed holding on. LORD OF MISRULE took over early, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not all that much. CAVIART MAX left and tucked third, brushed at the quarter and went his own middle half in 55.3 on the engine, gave way. IDEAL STAR N was away last from the rail and fell further and further back.
SEVENTH RACE – LEGAL POWER was three-wide early to two-wide to the front just past the 1/8, went fast odd-numbered quarters and was in control against the late challenge of DREAMS ARE TRUE. The latter yielded for the pocket, pulled out and took his shot but had to settle for second. AIN’T IT FUN stayed connected until nearing headstretch, third-best. URBAN RENEWAL considered leaving but took back, couldn’t keep up around the far turn. SPANISH ART was third-over in a nonflow, three-wide 11/16, a bit rough on the turn, made up some ground. RYCROFT N moved uncovered on turn two but never got close. ROCK KING DEO gapped second-over.
EIGHTH RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK rolled to the ¼ in 26.4, got a breather, sped up to meet a backstretch challenge, then was in hand through the lane. CAPTAIN MULZAC was briefly three-wide leaving, got the two-hole, not getting to the winner late. CAPTAIN DISOMMA was second-over, three-wide late turn, fair late kick. SUPER PAC HANOVER improved position early, went raw 9/16 and challenged, couldn’t sustain the bid. THE NEXT PAIR were near the back throughout. GILLYS BOY came up empty at the ¾.
NINTH RACE – CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was three-wide to the 1/8, went on to get the front off turn one, set the pace without too much pressure, sustained the lead in a 30.1 kicker. NEEDLESS TO SAY made the top fairly easily, pushed then yielded for the pocket, had his chance in the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite get there. KILLER MARTINI was third-over in a mediocre flow, four-wide late turn and finished with a rush. DO YA THINK stayed in, not all that much. BUSH MAN N got a forward spot early, then was raw past the 3/8, never was at the leader’s throat, backed off. WELL DONE SON was second-over, three-wide midturn, not enough. HAPPY CAMPER gapped at the back.
TENTH RACE – SULLIVAN took back early, was on the move quickly after the hard-fought action to the half, challenged, went by the leader to midstretch then withstood LYONS AMUSEMENTS. The latter was three-deep to the 1/8, then two-wide and looped before the ¼, went on to the lead, yielded again past the half, moved outside with cover far turn, kept on going in a gritty display. THE BUS A retucked around a gapper early backstretch, moved back outside and was four-wide headstretch, good race. GUINNESS PANIC was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide to command past the ¼, yielded but retook past the half, met with stern pressure, got a bit weary midstretch after using much energy. TULLOW N got around laggards, inside, evenly. LITTLE TORO never entered the picture. BOUNDING DRAGON was very far back. WINDSUN GOTHAM left hard from the rail, yielded, slowed to a walk the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – DERECHO was uncovered down the back and went up in 27.3 to challenge, went to the front early stretch and drew clear. HOPETOBEFIRST was out behind the winner but gapped early backstretch letting one out, three-wide early far turn, good second. POINTSMAN backed out of third 5/8 to follow the winner, couldn’t quite go that much. BEACH FIRE K was midpack outside early then pressed on, finally made the lead 3/8, continued on at a hot clip, was tiring in the lane. MONEYORROSES had little to offer. HASH-TAG SWAG was in front 3/16 and pushed a foe a like distance before yielding the lead, couldn’t keep the pocket filled 5/8. EGOMANIA was already gapping badly by the 3/8.
TWELFTH RACE – CINNABAR DRAGON was looped, pressed on to take the point before the ¼, then hung out the quarter-mover, much the best. MAJOR DESIRE got an early spot, then started a quarter-move but the leader was having none of that, remained in first-over position, was passed for second towards midstretch but fought gamely to regain the deuce. SHAMMA LAMMA lagged until the ¾, three-wide with cover on the turn then four-wide in the lane, still last midstretch but kept gaining. LEAR SEELSTER was second-over, three-wide midturn, not enough. GO WEST GO FAST went to the lead nicely, yielded for the pocket, loose off the leader 5/8, came back to second past early stretch but then had no more to give. CAROLINA MAGIC stayed in, didn’t have a clear stretch path. SO SO DE VIE never entered the picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PARKLANE JET was out a good bit of a fast quarter before making the lead, then pushed his main foe before surrendering for the pocket, bided his time then had a good response when shown the Pocono Pike and drew off. MY FRISKIE BOY was three-wide to the 1/8 and parked well past a fast opener before making the lead, slowed the half but then had to rev up again down the back, no match for the winner but gamely held second. WINNING IS SWEET stayed in, some pace late deep in the Pike. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO started uncovered approaching turn two and quickly went up to the winner, fought that one, gave a little ground late. JUMPIN JAKE FLASH stayed in, got to second-over midturn, wide to headstretch but didn’t gain. NIALL HANOVER and VAGANOVA were never in it. JANAID moved out 3/8 and soon got cover, gapped that cover 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – COALITION HANOVER moved uncovered from before the half and grinded in a personal 56 back half to wear down the favorite and then stay clear of EXPLOIT. The last came from last to get into a wonderful flow third-over, wide in the stretch and thundering home late. LINE EM UP was on top at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, was locked in, out in a blindswitch headstretch and in traffic to the line, gaining in the winner’s path late. CAPTIVATE HANOVER had a great second-over journey, only evenly in the last quarter. ROGERS IMAGE left, tucked fifth, then was quarter-mover #2, left raw before the 3/8 and made the lead before the second turn, under intense pressure from the winner, was still second past midstretch but then tired from his efforts. MAJOR BEAN quarter-moved from fourth, then let the favorite go, Pocono Pike but not that much. CHAMP CHARBEL pushed early then yielded, stayed in, not that much late. TERRY A HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, shuffled, outside on the turn but couldn’t make up ground.
FIFTEENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND OZZI went in front 3/16, had only PARMESAN N stay close, then had more than enough to stave off that one’s Pocono Pike challenge. The latter protected the pocket and as noted was right on the leader, good but second-best. ORILLIA JOE was three-wide going to turn one, soon tucked third, gapped to the 3/8, closer, then gapped from the 5/8 on. REIGNING DEO left a big gap midrace, moved outside, evenly at best. BULLVILLE TERROR was stymied by traffic, found room between horses midstretch and finished well. WAR-N-MUNN had bad cover. SEE YA WRITE N was never close. MR PROFETA trailed.
Mar 2, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – After Saturday’s cancellation, the track was “fast” for the Sunday program … Temperatures in the low 40s at the start of the card dropped to freezing by program’s end … Wind was not very strong and variable throughout the card … ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped the top two in the fast initial panel, was uncovered 9/16, grinded by on the turn, drew clear. SPORTSMANSHIP left, yielded 3/16 for the pocket in a brisk opener, had to wait for the Pocono Pike far turn as the winner started to edge clear, decent but not sharp response in a 30.2 kicker. SPORTS HERO got a spot fourth, stayed in, edged out in a blindswitch late turn then swung wide, finished with speed. TODDLER TANTRUM was third-over behind not-good cover, three-wide late turn, outkicked for show. OHOKA JOHNNY N was wide much of the quarter taking back, stayed in, gained some late. WHAT’S GOIN ON was last, gained a bit on the extreme outside. YS SUNSHINE was uncovered at the half and soon got cover, but gapped it most of the last 3/8. POLAK A left hard to get the lead 3/16 in a 27 opener, under attack down the back and had little resistance in the last 3/16.
SECOND RACE – BAY MEADOWS moved from third just past the half and went 27.1 down the back to clear 11/16, stayed strong to the wire. NIHILATED TRUTH was three-wide between horses to the pocket at the 1/8, then quarter-moved, couldn’t hold the winner out in the big third split but pursued him home doggedly in a fine effort. TJ BLAST stayed in, shuffled some as the pocketsitter lost touch, outside midturn and wide stretch, clear if far-back third. NEWBIE was underway raw 3/8 and got cover into the backstretch but couldn’t go with it. ROCK THREE TIMES gapped a gapper third-over. MORE DRAGON and SUNSETBOOZECRUISE were never heard from. SPIDER MAN HANOVER left nicely four-wide right to the lead, yielded, started gapping out not that long into the backstretch.
THIRD RACE – FAST MACHINE came uncovered into turn two and blasted a 27.3 third panel to easily grab the lead and quickly draw clear. PARTY LINE was three-wide to the 1/8 and went on to take over 5/16, no match when the winner came calling but held off HUNTING FOR ANSWRS for second. The latter worked to the fore just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, gapped midbackstretch then was blocked on the far turn, had the Pocono Pike, didn’t appear to have an excuse for not being second. JAGGED LITTLE PILL stayed in, then backed out down the back, three-wide late turn, closed in some. BOTTOM BLUES was forwardly–placed early, was stuck inside, evenly late. GENESIS was behind cover which stopped flowing. TREACHEROUS GIRL was raw at the 5/16, got the winner out at the other end of the frontstretch, then couldn’t keep up with her. DON’T GO THERE was not heard from.
FOURTH RACE – SKYWAY FIREBALL was away fourth, had the two- and three-holers come out down the back and raced up the pylons into the pocket, slipped out headstretch and won for fun. JAMAICAN COWBOY gapped in the third quarter, took the inside route on the turn, moved outside midstretch and was a clear second. ROCKIN PANDA left between horses and went on to grab command, under pressure from before the 5/8, tired. MCLEISH left, yielded for the two-hole, vacated same 9/16 but never could get by the leader. BJ’S GUY was three-wide to turn one before sliding into the 3-spot, moved to second-over down the back and then three-wide before the ¾, came up empty. SHARKNADO lagged badly.
FIFTH RACE – GROSETTO AS moved at the ¼ and was left raw 5/16 to the front just past the 3/8, set the pace without threat, had enough to keep off KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter was raw early on turn two, got to tuck in the pocket before the 11/16, looked to edge out late turn but then went back in to the Pocono Pike, steadily but couldn’t get there. PUERTO RICO was behind dull cover, shifted inside late turn and won a photo for the distant third. CRITICAL MASS was first to the front, saw two go by in quarter two, backed out down the back and retucked third before the ¾, just caught for show. CARAMEL MACCHIATO was not prominent. WHOUCALNCRAZY followed cover, lost it, and couldn’t gain. ALL RISE tried to circle dull cover but never reached. GINGER TREE KNOX was outleft, pressed on to the lead 5/16, yielded just past the 3/8, couldn’t keep up midbackstretch.
SIXTH RACE – CHEEKIE BABE originally moved out to follow cover on turn two but couldn’t keep up and ducked back in, rode the pylons, found clearance inside and had a good last 1/8 as the pace slowed to be along. PLEASURE SEEKER was in front before the 1/8, yielded, was shuffled when the pacesetter gave way past the 5/8, slipped out past midturn and tipped wide headstretch, steadily. BYTHEWAY HANOVER went in fourth at the 3/16, came raw entering turn two, cleared late 5/8 and opened up what looked like it might be a winning lead, but hit the wall midstretch. GEORGIE backed out in front of gapping cover at the half and was left raw 5/8, tired a little. GETTING GONE was forced widest in the lane and had good pace. DEL DIGGITY hugged the inside, evenly. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI gapped cover. CATIE FAYE HANOVER refused a pocket tuck and made the lead at the ¼, rested to the half, then had no answer for the brusher and faded.
SEVENTH RACE – A bit of a stretch tailwind … HURRIKANE WILLIE G let the outside ones decide early positions then quarter-moved, had no trouble with these. FINAL CLASS left between horses to 3/16 command, forced a tuck, then let the winner go, not in that one’s league but held well for second at 60-1. HIP HOP GRACIE came uncovered past the 3/8 and made a big rush down the backstretch to challenge, held well. HALL IT OFF was caught behind a tired one on the far turn, swung wide and finished nicely. BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide well past the 1/8, then two-wide and accepted the pocket at the ¼, tired the last 5/16. CHROME PACKAGE never got close. CHING CHING LUCKY was away slowly, couldn’t keep up behind the uncovered horse. BRIGITTE BI broke an 1/8 before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – CONSUS VICTORY took command early, slowed the half, and was well in control of this one. EPOS OSTERVANG DK went out to secure the pocket, had a perfect trip, not enough sprint late. ALEXANDER HANOVER took back early and was far back, trotted a very big last quarter to miss second by not much. CREWS HILLTOPPER went raw at the 5/8 and made a mild bid but couldn’t sustain it. SHOOT THE THRILL was gapping towards the ¾. NOTMEITSYOU didn’t have enough. ARCH CREDIT also took back early, trailed thereafter.
NINTH RACE – ITSONLYMONEYHONEY sat in fourth to the ¾ then moved outside, gained quickly once in gear and took over command midstretch. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY yielded and sat the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike and was along for second. RED REDEMPTION got the lead 3/16, kept the field strung out with a big third quarter, little left late. THE IRISHMAN was three-wide to the first bend, tucked third before the 3/16, distant best of the others. PHANTOM RUSTY sat in and got the last check. THE OTHER THREE couldn’t get near to the front action.
TENTH RACE – For this race there was a minor stretch headwind … CHAMP CHARBEL was away strongly four-wide to the early lead, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, gapped from off turn two until near headstretch, then came inside the leader as he tired and outclosed a pair. LINCOLN BOULEVARD took back amidst many leavers, went first-up past the 3/8, never reached the leader until the stretch, just got second over BETTORS AUTHORITY. The latter followed cover, went three-wide nearing the stretch, didn’t miss by much. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then forward to 5/16 command, opened up a big lead which he held into the stretch, but couldn’t sustain in a 29.4 last quarter. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN got the last check. HEAVEN’S SUPERSTAR left well, stayed in, faded late backstretch. ZOES LUCKY GUY and JUNIOR MAN were far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – Wind back to calm … THIRD POWER made the top easily, rated the half, never had a problem while buzzing home in 28. YER SO BAD sat the two-hole, not able to go with the winner but kept SPORTS SECTION safe to retain second. The latter stayed connected, finished with some pace. CAPTAIN COOK was behind poor cover, very wide headstretch, gained. MESSIAH never featured. MIKALOB ULTRA was wide leaving, took back, next to the breaker near the ¼, moved outside, couldn’t enter the picture. TREVORS HUNT made a miscue near the ¼, followed early cover, was able to come through two-wide 11/16 as that one bore out, couldn’t sustain in the last 3/16. MESSIER SEELSTER made a break past the start, recovered, forced wide around trouble near the ¼, uncovered before the 3/8 and was head-to-head with the second horse by the 5/8, but then ran out of gas and bore out.
TWELFTH RACE – BETTER BE OSCAR A had a great second-over trip, three-wide past midturn, probably made harder work of it than he should have off that journey but did get the “W.” BULLVILLE TERROR left, refused a look at a 3-hole and was out in fast fractions to 3/8 command, under hard pressure, just failed in a giant mile. BRAVO TEX N was fourth-over, three-wide around dull cover 11/16, covered three-wide past midturn, wider and strong. CAPTAIN CASH left nicely, was reluctant to yield but did so 3/8, pocket to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. NOWHERE CREEK A had nowhere to go behind a wall much of the stretch, then gained behind the winner. DEETZY did not factor. STATEMENT MADE A kept the hole plugged early, went uncovered to the half and made a good third quarter challenge, but could not sustain it. DREAM OF LUCK gapped third-over.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LEVITATION took the early lead, made the chalk work to get the lead past the 3/8, gapped down the backstretch then tightened, moved out of the pocket on the turn and went easily by, had enough to keep DIVINE SPIRIT at bay. The latter vacated fifth at the ¾ and had a lot of trot in the stretch. BOASTER COASTER was forwardly-placed, to the Pocono Pike, OK. TRUMAN JR HANOVER was well off the gate, moved at the ¼, was urged 3/8 to get by before the second turn and soon opened a big lead, had the field come to him to the ¾ and gave way. KEYSTONE THUNDER was wide leaving then took a hole, not a factor thereafter. CRUSHWORTHY was three-wide into turn one and took all the way back to last, then didn’t move from that positioning.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TOWNLINE FLIGHT left very well to maintain the pocket, left a gap in the quick backstretch and a bigger one on the turn, but then found a better gear as the leader tired and sailed right by. KEYSTONE PHOENIX made the lead in a quick quarter, got a breather, then strung out the field in a 27.3 third panel, was well clear almost to midstretch, but could not finish the mission. MAJOR OFFENSE was third-over behind dull cover, came a long way nicely to be a distant third. BET YOU gapped behind the gapping winner, then didn’t have his late acceleration. STENDAHL HANOVER went a big third quarter uncovered to challenge, then tired. CANT KNOCK ME moved out into turn two and soon got cover, but couldn’t stay with it. ALL CHEDDAR trailed.
FIFTEENTH RACE – Stretch headwind in the finale. … VIRGIN STORM forced a fellow leaver to tuck, was in charge of the pace, held off some good opposition. KEYSTONE STEAM was around an early gapper, then was uncovered into turn two, was a very good grinder and kept on digging right to the wire. RIFLEMAN was underway before the 3/8 and had cover by the second turn, three-wide midturn, another good come-from-behind effort. TERRY A HANOVER took the early pocket against the winner, was still second in midstretch but faded a bit late. INDIGO ART was third-over, wide with cover midturn, did well. MIKIMOTO was never prominent. BLACKLIGHT sat third, couldn’t keep up the last quarter. SADIQ HANOVER showed little at any point.
