Connors’ Comments for Sunday, February 20, 2022

Feb 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Not as cold as yesterday, but still sub-40^o … Stretch headwind, not as brisk as on Saturday, and decreasing later on the card… FATHER SARDUCCI left, forced a tuck, let an opponent go by off the first turn but was quick to reclaim the lead, held together gamely. LEGAL POWER was away third, moved 3/16 to make the top off the first bend, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, out again midturn, did well but wasn’t really threatening the winner. SKYWAY FIREBALL came uncovered at the half, retucked third 3/16, saw the top two get away ¾, next. ABSOLUTE INTENT was last, passed tired stock. WHAT’S GOIN ON moved with cover, lost cover 11/16, couldn’t get close. GOLDEN GESTURE took the pocket at the 1/8, stayed in, all done 5/8.

SECOND RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM was three-wide to the 1/8 and went on to take over nearing the ¼, wasn’t pressured on the lead, all-out late to defeat TOWNLINE FLIGHT. The latter was between horses leaving, tucked third 3/16, gapped in quarter two then was uncovered past the 5/8, one-geared up and was never closer to the winner than at the finish. NIHILATED TRUTH was behind the first turn breaker but wasn’t bothered severely, stayed in, Pocono Pike, OK. NEWBIE left well, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close, but tired late. ROCK THREE TIMES was bothered early, caught up and got cover but gapped it. JACKAMINO made a break 3/16 and went to the infield, caught the pack and was three-wide on the far turn, made a decent recovery but was placed for causing interference. CHARLIES DRAGON was pushed very wide in the breaking incident, never heard from thereafter.

THIRD RACE – ENCHANTED MISSION quarter-moved, wasn’t pushed on the lead, looked good holding off SHAKE IT OFF LINDY. The latter went right out to the front, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner and stayed tight, came outside late turn, narrowed in a bit but had to settle for second. MY LINDY WINNER was outside behind nonadvancing cover, went three-wide 11/16 and was wide the duration, steadily. BANZAI AS left, took the early two-hole 3/16, not too much late. AWOL HANOVER was last, finished mildly. PILGRIM CAVIAR was outside raw at the half, didn’t advance much before fading.

FOURTH RACE – UNCLE COZ was in front early then yielded to sit a tight two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike and had the most response late in a slowing kicker. BJ’S GUY backed out to follow the favorite 5/8, three-wide midturn, steadily for the deuce. SPORTS HERO went around a gapper, then swung wide in the stretch and had some late lick. YS SUNSHINE was out past the 1/8 for the lead, would not surrender the top to intense pressure, paid a price late although not bad. SPORTSMANSHIP was on the move from fifth at the ¼, went his own middle half in 56.1 raw challenging hard for the lead, eventually gave way after showing much energy. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped out. DUCKIES DYNASTY had a problem early and was pulled up.

FIFTH RACE – ROCKIN SPEED bided his time outside early until things settled up front, went on to take over 3/8, stormed home in 55.4 – 27.3. NORTHERN CREEK A left, yielded then came out in front of the favorite, went to the lead then yielded to the winner, all-out, held his ground well. TERRY A HANOVER left swiftly, saw two go by before the 3/8, kept up OK for third. DEETZY stayed in, was last, some along the inside in the sprint home. MUSCLE MACH A was uncovered 5/8 but couldn’t make much headway in the quick numbers to the wire; nor could second-over INDIGO ART.

SIXTH RACE – PRESIDENT worked quickly to the top, turned back the first-over headstretch and drew away. ARCH CREDIT settled in the two-hole at the 1/8, not in the league of the winner but held place. POWERFUL YIELD was away well and spotted fourth at the 1/8, came raw past the 5/8 and raced the leader through the turn, backed off a bit in the stretch. PUERTO RICO was away for good forward position, couldn’t gain along the inside late. GINGER TREE KNOX left a big gap the first half, did get the last check. SHOOT THE THRILL and WHOUCALNCRAZY were always far back. ARGENTO was out on the move off turn two, broke just as he got cover just past the 5/8.

SEVENTH RACE – MAJOR SHOW gapped a gapping pocket horse early, tighter down the back and outside to the 3/4, wide stretch and went to the lead to midstretch, enough. MASK ON MASK OFF moved outside late backstretch then moved to the pocket on the turn, back out behind the two-wide horse headstretch as fearful of losing momentum waiting for the Pocono Pike, may not have found full clearance until too late. IVY STUD was far back, but moved outside midturn and had crisp pace through the lane. YER SO BAD left, took the pocket then gapped until the 5/8, pulled to challenge the leader, held his ground pretty well. TREVOR’S HUNT looked to go between horses in the lane, may have been in tight quarters with some pace. MESSIER SEELSTER blasted away and was on a clear lead until just past the 5/8, battled the outside challenger, tired, reported back with “b.e.” MELANIE’S NICK never was a factor.

EIGHTH RACE – WINGS UP was innermost of a gaggle of leavers, wound up third, gapped a little as the pace picked up down the back, outside turn and wide stretch, kicked in nicely and was along to post the upset. MOON BRIDGE was between horses leaving, on top to the 3/16, yielded, retook 5/16, slowed quarter two then sprinted quarter three, opened a clear lead headstretch but couldn’t hold the advantage to the wire. NOTMEITSYOU was able to come all the way up the inside in the last quarter and had some trot on the end. CHUCKY DE VIE was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide nearing the 3/16 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, came out near headstretch but couldn’t gain. O JONNIE avoided trouble. VOSS VOLO had the dull cover of CONSUS VICTORY, who was wide early then tucked, and neither of these two got close the last half. KEYSTONE SERGEANT looked to leave but took back, broke nearing the first turn.

NINTH RACE – Wind calmer … EASYRUNNER HANOVER left, settled in third briefly then quarter-moved, rated the half, pressured only in the stretch, but there they came from every direction, and she had to be good to hold on. WANNASHAKEYOURTREE was out quickly and grabbed the racetrack, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in well. CATIE FAYE HANOVER left enough to protect the early pocket, moved outside ¾, paced stoutly late. LOVELY LADY MAY stayed connected, outside mid-far turn and wide early stretch, gained steadily. CHEEKIE BABE was uncovered into turn two, was done past the 5/8; THE OTHER TWO were out behind her, also never entered the main picture.

TENTH RACE – GETYOURLICENSELIAM took the pocket at the 1/8, then was quarter-mover #1, made the top then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and responded sharply when shown open ground. MUDVILLE raced uncovered from early on in the backstretch, came home in 55.2 and was still pacing strongly at the end. LINCOLN BOULEVARD was quarter-mover #2, made the top before the second turn, came home well but was outpaced. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN was second-over, gapped much of the last ¼. PARKLANE TERROR had a touch of pace finishing. ESAI HANOVER burst out to the front, saw two go by in quarter two, wasn’t keeping up going to the ¾. BETTORS AUTHORITY trailed throughout.

ELEVENTH RACE – WINDSUN GOTHAM made the top fairly easily, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, gapped some in the fast third quarter and through the turn, eased outside early stretch, up in the last step in a bang-bang-bang finish. FULL MOON BEACH pressed on to the lead at the ¼, slowed the half, then had to speed up dramatically to fend off the tough first-over, held until the final step while going his last half in 55.4. RIFLEMAN (who went his own last half in 54.4) was third-over, ducked inside on the turn and kept coming up the Pocono Pike, missed by a tiny margin. BETTOR BE OSCAR A was on the move at the 3/8, went his own third split in 26.4 pressing the stubborn leader, backed off in the last 1/8, but only a little. MIKIMOTO had fine cover second-over, couldn’t quite go enough in the stretch. WILSONS VINNER left well, stayed in, gapped. GONNAHAVEONEMORE was never close. BLACKLIGHT was going fourth-over from last when making a break entering the backstretch.

TWELFTH RACE – HURRIKANE WILLIE G kept going early and made the top just past the 1/8, had the field strung out despite a slow second quarter, then sprinted home nicely. HIP HOP GRACIE got an easy tuck third, moved outside just before the ¾, just along for second over BY A HOFF HANOVER. The latter seemed reluctant to yield early but then did so and sat in the two-hole, almost lasted for place. IDENTITY POLICE never moved. GROSETTO AS came out on the far turn but was outtrotted. DRY CREEK STALKER had the best view the whole way.

THIRTEENTH RACE – JACANA left sharply then yielded to the ¼ to sit the golden trip, to the Pocono Pike and had a good response when asked. GEORGIE was out most of the ¼ to gain command, backed off the half, not enough sprint late while maybe bearing out a little. PARTY LINE settled fourth at the 1/8, moved raw 11/16, couldn’t reach the top ones but beat out JAGGED LITTLE PILL for third. The latter got a forward position, not too much late. TREACHEROUS GIRL was directly behind the breaker at the half and never got back into contention. TWIN B BEACHDREAMS broke at the 3/16. TSM PRINCESS LEXI made a break at the ½ and was pulled up.

FOURTEENTH RACE – NEW NUMBER WHO DIS took control early, like most pacesetters this day got an easy second quarter, stayed strong for Matt Kakaley’s sixth. TSM ARTEMIS T raced up to the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close, second-best here. BET LIGHT scooted up the inside, gained between horses late. KIANNA got an early spot, came out raw early backstretch and went up to take on the winner, didn’t give ground until the stretch. NARINA HANOVER stayed in then angled wide and finished well. SWEET ROCKIN GIA was hampered by dull cover, went three-wide ¾ but didn’t reach. SHADOWNTHETWILIGHT looked to leave but took back, not heard from again. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT gapped second-over.

FIFTEENTH RACE – RANSOM DEMAND went enough to keep the early pocket closed then had a foe fill the 2-spot 5/16, attacked full-bore down the backstretch, got the lead but couldn’t go by on the turn, continued to slug it out until getting the nod at the wire. SADIQ HANOVER left with high speed and crossed right over, wouldn’t yield in 27.2 and got an outside foe in behind, rated Q2 while clear to the 5/8 then was really pressured by the winner, fought that one tooth-and-nail the rest of the way, very big outing. JK MUSICMAN left but was looped, did get into the pocket 5/16 but gapped the leader most of the way, third-best. SPIDER MAN HANOVER sat in, was blocked on the turn, came clear early stretch and gained a bit late. EXTRADITE N came up the inside for the distant last check. DO YA THINK was behind the gapping second-over cover of WAIMAC ATTACK N, wide on the turn, little. SIR GENE G HANOVER gapped.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, February 19, 2022

Feb 24, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Never above freezing all day, with a cold stretch headwind often reflected in the fractions (the second half of the card saw the second quarters rated to a greater degree) … CAVIART MAX hustled up between horses going to turn one to get the early pocket, flushed out from third to the 5/8 and grinded well, gradually got by on the turn, the best in the opener. SUPER PAC HANOVER was third-over behind a late backstretch gapper, wide in the lane and closed very nicely. MARCO BEACH got the winner out to the 5/8, gapped a bit behind that one the last ¼, just caught for second. DREAM OF LUCK was three-wide to the 1/8, worked on to get the lead at the 3/8, challenged later in the backstretch, held on pretty well. WINNING IS SWEET left well from the rail, forced a tuck then finally yielded at the 3/8, no power left in the stretch. THE OTHER TWO were at the back throughout.

SECOND RACE – FRISKIE ALL NITE gapped in third early backstretch, moved uncovered 11/16 and gained nicely, had a tough foe to pass in ZANETTI but worked by while appearing a bit hard to steer. The latter defended the pocket then quarter-moved, went clear early in the backstretch and reached the ¾ in fast time, was challenged by the winner then suffered “b.e.,” did not give up the fight. REDBANK BLAZE A gapped in the third quarter, outside on the turn then inside in the stretch and finished very well to just miss second. BRAVO TEX N was far back on the far turn, went three-wide and was the best of the rest. CAPTAIN CASH stayed in, could offer little. CLOSING STATEMENT was outside with little. WAR-N-MUNN left between horses, looked to be taking back to third past the 1/8 when making a break. PARMESAN N was three-wide to the 3/16, made the front then yielded, gapped out from the ½.

THIRD RACE – HEARTLANDBANYSBRO cleared at the 1/8, then got to sit in the pocket behind all-out battlers for the lead, to the Pocono Pike, gradually along. BUSH MAN N yielded, was out before the ¼ to go to the lead, appeared to want to yield but then went on when the rival didn’t go by in a 27.4 second quarter into the wind, took the pressure from the favorite, finally did yield reluctantly to the winner. DREAMS ARE TRUE was third early, came on a quarter-move and was urged to clear but did not in that big second panel, kept up the battle to the wire. FERNADO gapped behind the top three, stayed in, was fair late. CARRACCI HANOVER moved out second-over but couldn’t reach his cover, was blindswitched, evenly late. JANAID was out behind gapping cover, went three-wide before the ¾ but couldn’t go enough.

FOURTH RACE – BEACH FIRE K was the only outside leaver, took the pocket at the 1/8, gapped in the second quarter then attacked raw not long into the backstretch, went on grinding and proved the best in here. PARKLANE JET quarter-moved, set the pace, looked a little tired midstretch and was caught. SPORTY DRAGON moved outside midturn and made up ground in a decelerating tempo. AIN’T IT FUN forced the winner to tuck then yielded for the pocket, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make it. SPANISH ART gapped ¾. POINTSMAN moved out but had little to offer. VAGANOVA trailed.

FIFTH RACE – GO WEST GO FAST, looking hard to steer, left some, quarter-moved and strung out the field in quarter two, aided when the pocket horse broke on the turn, just had enough to hold together with 1:00.1 – 30.4 back fractions. LORD OF MISRULE was three-wide past the 1/8, took the early pocket 3/16, stayed in, benefitted greatly when the pocket horse broke, came out early stretch, battled on to the finish. CAROLINA MAGIC was last, benefitted from the outside confusion, to the Pocono Pike, outpaced. THE BUS A moved out 5/8, was shoved three-wide by the breaker on the far turn then had to go inside that one in the stretch, did well considering the bad racing luck he had. JUMPIN JACK FLASH followed cover, also was pushed three-deep far turn, couldn’t rally enough. CLASSIC PRO was between horses to the lead 3/16, yielded and was up tight in the pocket, got rammy in the hole ¾ and made a break midturn while bulling out, ran home.

SIXTH RACE – EUROBOND was content to trot three-wide past the 1/8, moved up after a foe tucked and made the lead off the first turn, stretched his lead through the last quarter in a big race. SOUTHWIND FROST retucked around a gapper down the back, moved out on the far turn, closed well. SWEET HEART AS defended early position, moved outside far turn, made second midstretch but couldn’t hold that position. TIMEFORM left well, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, started to unplug past the 5/8. SEVEN IRON left and was between horses, took a 4-tuck past the 1/8, never a factor thereafter. ZSA ZSA DABOR (off the gate) and KEYSTONE THUNDER were never close. MOSCONI HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start.

SEVENTH RACE – SPORTSKEEPER got the early pocket then was on the move before the ¼ to claim the top, had a clear lead from nearing the half all the way to early stretch, then had to be roused to withstand IC A FREE SPIRIT. The latter came off the rail 11/16, rallied steadily (although not into a quick tempo), came up a little shy. MCNULTY Z TAM was three-wide to the first turn to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, gapped in same the last half, distant third. DARK HORSE had some speed, stayed in and was blocked on the far turn, but didn’t have much late. LOVE YOURSELF came out with cover but didn’t gain.

EIGHTH RACE –BOUNTIFUL BRITNEY was looped, tucked at the 1/8, moved second-over into the second turn, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide raw ¾, proved to have the most. DAGON HANOVER sat in then came outside towards midturn, got in gear a bit too late, along for second over RED REDEMPTION. The latter put in a big first quarter, rated the half, had pressure throughout, held respectably. WORTHY OF HONOR was away enough to defend the pocket, tired in the last quarter. REAL MCCOY moved three-wide from fourth-over 5/8, couldn’t reach the winner’s cover. TRICKY DICK was rough behind the gate, never a factor. NIGHT FLYER K was underway 3/8 and wound up third-over, was blindswitched towards the ¾, didn’t have much. ADELANTE S took bad steps well before the start, recovered and rushed up towards the start, was stuck on the outside challenging, held fairly well until the ¾.

NINTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS was out 3/16 to make the top, didn’t have much pressure on the lead despite the parked favorite, won handily. THISJETSABOOKIN was first to command, yielded for the two-hole, moved out midturn and looked to threaten but didn’t have enough. CINNABAR DRAGON improved position at the start, gapped down the back while staying in, evenly. TREASURE MACH stayed inside, never factored. KILLER MARTINI came out at the half, was able to advance a little two-wide, got cover on the far turn but couldn’t sustain any gain. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS was three-wide early then tried to get the lead but was on a line badly (mostly on turns), never did make the top, bore out early backstretch and faded. ARTISTS RUFFLES was away last and fell far back.

TENTH RACE – WESTERN JOE gradually went up early, briefly went into the 3-hole before the 3/16 then quarter-moved, rated the half, then sprinted home in 55.2 – 27.3 (the last number into the wind) as tons the best. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO grabbed the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, unplugged ¾ but held well for a clear second. DANCIN DRAGON left and got a good forward spot, started gapping midturn, settled for third. IDEAL ARTILLERY stayed along the inside. SOUTHWIND OZZI spotted 3/16, then backed out second-over at the half, didn’t have lively cover, three-wide late turn and up for the final check. DO WORK SON never featured. CIGAR SMOKING TONY swung wide in the lane after trailing, not that much. AFLAME HANOVER was uncovered 3/8 from seventh but never headed the third-in horse before fading.

ELEVENTH RACE – DERECHO cleared easily to the lead, forced ALL CHEDDAR back in, got a very slow half, then had enough to roll on to the wire. PREMIER ROCKSTAR gapped in third to the 3/8, uncovered just past the 5/8, appeared to be tiring on the far turn but found much better steps in the stretch. ALL CHEDDAR took the early pocket, tried to move frontward 3/16 but rethought that strategy at the ¼, stayed in the two-hole, evenly. HAPPY CAMPER went second-over, three-wide to mid-far turn when it looked like the first-over was done, couldn’t gain late. SKYWAY BILLY never featured.

TWELFTH RACE – KENOGAMI COCO got to the top past the 3/16, got a breather in quarter two, fought off the first-over, then held gamely to edge out pocketsitter TWO AM. The latter was on the lead going to the first turn, yielded to sit second, gapped nearing the ¾ and through the turn, but did better late and just missed. MARION GONDOLIER came uncovered at the half and made a big challenge, lost a little ground gradually the last quarter. SPIRIT OF DEO was outside behind nonadvancing cover to the 3/4, went back inside midturn, evenly. ALTUS HANOVER gapped early, moved outside 11/16 but never got close. FOCUS POCUS trailed. SKY CASTLES had shown little before making a break in the lane.

THIRTEENTH RACE – MY FRISKIE BOY was outleft and tucked fourth, then came out before the 5/16 to take the lead under the wire the first time, not challenged until SEAL O’NEILL came on midstretch, had enough to down that foe. The latter was three-wide to the first bend, made the lead before the 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, came out in the lane, couldn’t quite reach but still a big mile at 35-1. LITTLEBITASWAGGER yielded, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, third-best. RYCROFT N was uncovered before the 5/8, gained cover past that station but lagged it, three-wide headstretch, a bit late. BASS PLAYER moved out raw just past the 5/8, but his bid was short-lived. MONEYORROSES gapped early, did not enter the picture. PICKLED PREACHER moved out from last but couldn’t get involved.

FOURTEENTH RACE – BOBBY K HILL was the only fast leaver, had his own way to the half, turned back a challenger and drew off much the best. MAJOR DESIRE started raw near the half and went up in 27 to contest the lead, dropped into the pocket ¾, left behind in the lane. BLOW A CLOUD N was away in the two-hole, couldn’t keep up in the fast third split, evenly. HOPETOBEFIRST couldn’t quite go enough. THE NEXT TWO were always far behind. YANKEE KEELER moved out just past the half but gapped out.

FIFTEENTH RACE – WON LAST FEELING tucked behind early dueling rivals, then quarter-moved, came home in 28 to ward off the railshooting GUINNESS PANIC. The latter refused to yield the front early, then did let the winner go by under a hold, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and finished well. BENSON BOYS N had to take back for the pocket to the 3/16, came out on the turn but couldn’t go with the top two while far ahead of the rest, who were all in a photo for minor honors. SHAMMA LAMMA left a big gap in the second quarter, moved outside down the backstretch but couldn’t offer much; LEAR SEELSTER had that one’s dull cover, never got close. SO SO DE VIE was well-placed but came up empty. WESTERN TYRANT was near the back throughout.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, February 12

Feb 15, 2022 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Welcome back for the 2022 racing season here at The Downs! … A mild day for mid-February – 45^o, no moisture, stretch headwind … WON LAST FEELING was outside behind cover leaving and tucked at the 1/8, pulled raw into turn two and grinded, kept going strongly and was a going-away winner. LYONS AMUSEMENTS pushed to the 1/8, yielded, quarter-moved, needed some encouragement to get by just past the 3/8, held the winner out with a quick third quarter, but couldn’t hold on to the lead. BLOW A CLOUD N was three-high to the 1/8, made the lead off the first turn, pushed the chalk a ways before yielding for the pocket, gapped a little in the fast third split, did better late. GUINNESS PANIC made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, stayed third-in, went to the Pocono Pike but bore in and was placed last for going inside pylons. WESTERN TYRANT was second-over, gapped behind the winner on the top but did better late. CLASSIFIED MATERIAL worked from third-over, not bad. DISMISSAL SLIP offered little. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN broke while last going into the second turn.

SECOND RACE – SHAMMA LAMMA got a good second-over trip, gapped cover slightly in the quick third panel but went on strongly when tipped three-deep midturn, gradually to the fore. RIFLEMAN came out at the 1/8, made the top going to the 3/8, had hard pressure down the back, held gamely for second over SADIQ HANOVER. The latter looped everybody leaving, yielded to sit the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, edged for second. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was looped early, got in fourth 3/16, started uncovered early on turn two, paced his third quarter in 27.1 raw challenging the lead, gradually backed off a little. EXTRADITE N left well, sat close-up, deep in the Pike but couldn’t gain. HULOU and TJ BLAST couldn’t do much off of cover. ROCK THREE TIMES was never prominent.

THIRD RACE – KENOGAMI COCO left well, made the lead at the ¼, yielded and sat the two-hole under a good hold, to the Pocono Pike and beat out MARION GONDOLIER. The latter let the outside ones go, was out before the ¼ but needed most of the frontstretch to clear, set the pace without a challenge until the stretch, overpowered by the pocket horse but still held well. MY LINDY WINNER moved off the rail 11/16 and finished steadily. ROSE RUN VINCENT made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, stayed in until the far turn then moved behind cover, ducked back in early stretch and finished evenly. TRICKY DICK gapped at a couple of points. ZOOMING trailed throughout.

FOURTH RACE – FULL MOON BEACH was four-wide heading to the first turn, then went behind cover 3/16, moved three-wide at the half to get to two-wide raw 5/8, grinded, drew away late in a very big mile. WAIMAC ATTACK N went to the lead and kept foes outside, challenged by the winner, not his equal late but well ahead of the rest. TOLLY-HO kept the pocket closed, moved out behind the winner midturn while looking to have pace, but broke approaching headstretch, regained stride and closed well to beat out the others; no reason for placing was found. KYUQUOT moved outside down the back, three-wide around the parked horse ¾ but never reached. MONEYORROSES left, was left out in the air, looped to the 5/8, didn’t fade badly. LUZIANA was behind a wall far turn, evenly. THE OTHER DUO were not prominent.

FIFTH RACE—SEVEN IRON made the lead at the 1/8, had the pace his own way, just enough to turn back WORTHY OF HONOR. The latter yielded at the 1/8 for the two-hole, stayed tight until going to the Pocono Pike, had his chance, came up just short. VOSS VOLO was uncovered early on the clubhouse turn, never reached the leader but continued on gamely. TEDDY BROSEVELT grabbed an early tuck fourth, backed out to second-over just past the 5/8, briefly blindswitched far turn, cleared and finished steadily. WINGS UP was last, widest in the lane and not bad. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved with cover early backstretch, gapped letting a foe out, three-wide far turn, flattened. O JONNIE could offer little. CHECKMATE HILL gapped a little in the 3-hole most of the way, broke going to the deep Pike.

SIXTH RACE – BLACK CHEVRON N was between horses early and was looped, went on to take over just past the ¼, repulsed the first-over then stayed clear of BULLVILLE TERROR inside of him. The latter moved off the second turn and wound up second-over, slid into the pocket midturn as that spot’s former occupant faded, raced well. MUDVILLE was caught behind a tired horse on the far turn, got in gear midstretch to the inside and finished well. CAPTAIN DISOMMA was third-over, evenly. MAJOR OFFENSE was the innermost of three leavers, yielded, moved uncovered 5/8 and challenged, got a bit tired late. WILSONS VINNER was three-wide most of the 1/8 to loop to the lead, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, all done on the far turn. MIKIMOTO had some foot at the end after being last throughout.

SEVENTH RACE – MOON BRIDGE was three-wide early, made the front 3/16, got a breather to the half, was in control to the wire. CREWS HILLTOPPER moved raw 5/8, ducked in late far turn after the pocket horse broke, held for second over POWERFUL YIELD. The latter moved outside late in the backstretch, finished well. PRESIDENT was out between horses to the top before the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, broke in same just past midturn and was taken to the infield, ran home, placed last. ALEXANDER HANOVER got good early position, then struggled to keep close much of the rest of the way. ARCH CREDIT never surfaced. GINGER TREE KNOX moved outside but went backwards. STARDUST MEMORIES was last most of the way.

EIGHTH RACE – MY FRISKIE BOY would not surrender the early lead, rated to the half, then had a very long and tough challenge from DREAMS ARE TRUE, but kept him at bay. The latter was three-high almost to the 3/16 before taking back to fourth, went uncovered 5/8 and paced in 27.4 down the back to reach the leader, fought hard with him to the wire. SKYWAY BILLY stayed close early, was behind a tiring horse on the far turn, came clear early stretch and finished alertly. AIN’T IT FUN tried to get the early lead but went into the pocket at the 3/16, started to gap out ¾. ARTACHE HANOVER couldn’t stay with cover. YS SUNSHINE couldn’t reach his fast-moving cover. THE OTHER PAIR were never major dangers.

NINTH RACE – CASTYOURCROWN was outside early then tucked at the 1/8, moved out nearing the half but significantly gapped cover in the fast third quarter, better in the last ¼ (31) and three-wide headstretch, along. MOSCONI HANOVER worked up into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed connected throughout, to the Pocono Pike and got a brief short lead midstretch, outkicked. BANZAI AS kept position leaving, uncovered early on turn two and went 28 down the back to engage the lead in a fierce duel, held on pretty well. SEVEN KNIGHTS was behind bad cover, three-wide before the ¾, ducked in for the stretch and was OK. CHUCKY DE VIE left with high speed to the early lead, rated the half but then had to go another big quarter against the first-over, tired from early stretch. NOTMEITSYOU never factored; nor did FLY EAGLE FLY. NEWYORKBLUEBLOOD moved outside but gapped badly.

TENTH RACE – FRONTIER ROLLO pushed hard early, finally yielded but was quick on the retake, was in full control of this crew. BRAVO TEX N picked an early tuck fourth, came up the inside late and won a five-horse photo for the distant second. LORD OF MISRULE left between horses, took back to tuck third 3/16, angled out late turn and wide for the stretch, nipped for place. KEYSTONE STEAM was second-over but gapped cover, widest in the stretch and moving very well. LEAR SEELSTER lagged the early action, started uncovered on turn two and went up in 27.3 raw, got left behind by the winner but stayed in the scrap for minor honors. MAJOR DESIRE was three-wide for much of the 3/16 before taking the lead, yielded, pocket, left behind the last 3/16. ZIGGY SKY never got into it. SOCIAL THEORIES fell far back.

ELEVENTH RACE – ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL left strongly and soon had an open lead, drew off again on the far turn, then was under mild coaxing to withstand TWO AM. The latter maintained the pocket while occasionally gapping as noted, raced well in the stretch. ALTUS HANOVER was uncovered off the second turn, went a very big mile. SWEET HEART AS spotted, went evenly late. ONEMORESWAN backed out on the far turn but couldn’t enter contention. COMMON PARLANCE made a couple of small breaks. NIGHT FLYER K was not a factor.

TWELFTH RACE – WESTERN JOE left between horses, didn’t take the pocket 3/16 and went on to the lead, strung out the field in a 29.3 second quarter, then left them gasping with a 54.2 last half, very impressive. WAR-N-MUNN was three-wide 3/16 to circle the winner, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close to the ¾, then  finished well ahead of the rest. THE CANDYMAN CAN left and pushed, yielded, sat third, just edged the rest. GENTLEMANJIM II IE swung widest in the stretch and closed well. BEACH BLANKET BOOK gapped second-over, then three-wide midturn, so-so. CAPTAIN CASH actually paced his own third quarter in 26.3 while going uncovered but couldn’t make much of an inroad. REDBANK BLAZE A sat last most of the way. PATERNITY SUIT A raced inside, didn’t have much.

THIRTEENTH RACE – REAL MCCOY got around early trouble and settled third, gapped most of the middle half then gained on the turn outside and moved to contention, went right on by. KEEPER OF SECRETS was three-wide to the 3/16 to clear the inside breakers, got in gear 5/8 and followed the winner on the turn, had solid trot finishing. LADY RESORT AS quarter-moved from the pocket, set the pace, tired. BY A HOFF HANOVER worked to the early lead, relinquished and sat second, little in the last 1/8. SEARCHING FOR YOU was a bit off the gate then behind the first turn breakers, never entered into it. BRIGITTE BI was bothered towards the first turn when GROSETTO AS ran broke; both were far back.

FOURTEENTH RACE – WHITECOOKIE, not the best-gaited of horses, grinded up to take over 3/8, sped up enough to keep a challenger outside in a 27.1 third quarter, then drew away from these easily. BETTOR BE OSCAR A gapped to the far turn while inside, then was in gear, went four-wide in the stretch and finished nicely. TERRY A HANOVER took the innermost path and was along for a no-factor third. NOWHERE CREEK A tucked at the 1/8, came back out at the half then paced his backstretch in 26.4 raw to challenge, tired from those exertions. HEAVEN’S GAIT put a couple of leavers in behind him, let the winner go 3/8, gave way at the ¾. KEYSTONE PHOENIX took an early tuck, then was just a little off his cover second-over, three-wide headstretch but empty in the latter stages. MAURICE gapped third-over.