Oct 4, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Good +1” throughout the card … DOUBLE METAL pressed on early against the rail horse and cleared him 3/16, set a good pace in the off going without pressure, won nicely. ARTIST BEST as noted left hard and defended the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, neither gained nor lost late ground. BOLTMAN was three-wide early, eased into third 3/16, came out raw 11/16, couldn’t gain late. PHANTOM LIFESAVER moved with cover, gapped it then moved tighter and wide into the lane, not gaining. THE COOKIE MONSTER started to go outside then went back in but in doing so bothered SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS, gained inside on the turn, then had little late, placed. PET SUR-ROC started out from last but was losing ground coming off the second turn.
SECOND RACE – SERRANO VOLO was off the gate a little, came on uncovered at the half and went 28.2 the third split to get the pocket ¾, back out again midturn, had passed the leader by the time that one broke, good. HURRIKANE WILLIE G used the rail well and was in the pocket, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, sped up down the backstretch, looked like he was going to be second when running late, placed for LOB. KISS AN ANGEL tucked between horses, moved out early turn then soon got cover, steadily late. GROSSETO AS and CHARMING BANK both stayed inside, did OK late. PADRE looped all leavers four-wide to get the lead by the 1/8, yielded to sit the pocket, got loose down the backstretch. SJ’S LADY LOU was looped and three-wide early, made a break past the 1/8, caught stride but then dangled on the outside while not being prominent. BREEZING PRAYER was gapping last before she made a break past the ½.
THIRD RACE – CASTYOURCROWN left, rode the very loose pocket behind the runaway until later in the backstretch, then outside, went by past midturn, all alone. MR BLUMETTI followed the winner, took one bad step behind cover 11/16 then righted, uncovered late turn, clear second. JOE EXOTIC followed the first two, out with cover on the turn, couldn’t go with them late. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS gapped significantly in last, then found a high gear in the last split and finished strongly. CREATE went to the top and set a very fast pace, paid the price the last 3/16. F X HANOVER broke before the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – Light rain during this race, and there is now a stretch tailwind … AILEY HANOVER yielded, then was quarter-mover #1, yielded again, came out of the pocket midturn with cover, briefly blindswitched, then clear and had the most finishing. SOME KINDA ANGEL went up to grab the racetrack 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, back out raw past the 5/8, got a small advantage but couldn’t clear inside, grabbed second very late. HAZEL PARK was quarter-mover #2, fought to keep the first-over on the outside, held pretty well. HALLEYSBIGCOMET was inside, able to go up into the pocket and then the Pocono Pike, briefly loomed but flattened a bit. BYGONE HANOVER moved raw at the half then got cover 5/8 but gapped it, was moving pretty well at the wire while wide. THE NEXT TWO were never close. SWEET GADGETS was a bit rough at the start, was a gapping last at every call.
FIFTH RACE – THINK OF GALAXIES sat in third, trapped far turn, escaped being boxed midstretch and had a big burst in the last 1/16 to be along in time. ALLEYESONME AS was away second, on the move 3/16 to get the top, stepped it up to meet backstretch pressure, caught by the late spurt of the winner. AVAYA HANOVER was quickest early, yielded for the two-hole, a bit rough and a bit loose down the back then tighter, Pocono Pike, not enough. FREE FLYING TICKET started uncovered at the half and went up in 27 to challenge, gradually gave ground. BNB was outside early, took until past the ¼ to get him inside, then out second-over but rough and gapping. RHYME N ROLL finished mildly.
SIXTH RACE – No more rain, very little wind … THESUNRISESAGAIN was double-looped early and gradually went up, had cover to the ¼ to the lead 3/8 then rested to the half, got no pressure down the back, handled confidently late. PAINT BY NUMBERS was four-wide to the first turn, got to two-wide and then the lead near the ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and did well but couldn’t go by. KRISTIELEIGH was three-wide early, went to the lead, hung a foe to near the ¼ and yielded, popped out of third late turn, went on OK. LILYBET kept a hole shut early, sat in, angled wide headstretch, took a while to find a higher gear, OK late. MYREANNA moved outside 11/16 but made little progress; CIAO BELLA gapped her cover. CARAMELA HANOVER lost gait at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – NUMBER ONE HIT left strongly to take over right away, slowed the second quarter while having the field strung out at the half, tapped late and responded with a surge in a very impressive win. INTENTIONS defended the pocket early, stayed fairly close until before midstretch. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH went outside 5/8 to clear a gapper ¾, couldn’t gain further and reported back with “b.e.” MESSIER SEELSTER tried for early positioning but couldn’t get it and was a bit rank being taken back, not much the last half. THE OTHER THREE were having their own private race for the last check.
EIGHTH RACE – PINE BUSH WILBUR used the rail to advantage to control the pace, wide out of the first turn but got squared away, slowed the half, had no threat until late turn when VINCENTI challenged, defeated that one in a stretchlong duel. The latter was uncovered at the bottom of the second turn, moved up nicely and got the pocket as its former occupant had trouble, stayed there until late on the turn, gave the winner a good tussle. HEARTBREAK HILL stayed connected, wide in the lane and came on with good trot. LEGION OF HONOR backed out behind cover to avoid a shuffle, stayed third off the top two, then tired. COMMAND THE MARKET was in the group sweeping by the fading horse, so-so. KING KENNY broke to the first turn, made a good recovery to get back with the field by the half, although not a factor thereafter. CHECK MY SCORE raced away for the pocket, developed a problem near the half and started to gap badly, then was taken off the course.
NINTH RACE – LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN was five-wide nearing the first curve, three-wide 3/16 to a tuck at the ¼, moved with cover before the 5/8 and was able to retuck in the pocket, came out again for the stretch and worked by very nicely late in a fast mile for this kind under these conditions. OHARE HANOVER settled into the 3-hole, moved before the 5/8 and took command before the ¾, not enough for the winner but far better than the rest in a good try of his own. TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK defended the pocket against many outside leavers, shuffled late backstretch then outside and retucked a distant third, well ahead of the rest. ROSE’S REBEL was far off the front action, circled the others. OCTAVE was gapping by the half. BALI BEACH tried to advance uncovered towards turn two but couldn’t reach the backstretch cover. PHILOSOPHIZER had little. MOHAWK SEELSTER came through to take control, put up a fast half, but was done when challenged late backstretch.
TENTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY was parked past the quarter, yielded to the chalk for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midpond and then held off MIKIBYTHESEASIDE to his left. The latter stayed close early, sat in, went to the deep Pike and was making up ground quickly late. RED POWER was three-wide to the 1/8 then went behind cover, lost the cover past the ¼ and proceeded on to the lead 3/8, dealt with the first-over and turned for home with the lead, may have drifted out a little, held well, but not enough. TELL THEM LOU pushed away well from the pole and yielded past the ¼, uncovered 9/16 and went in 27 down the back to put extended pressure on the leader, seemed rebuffed mid-far turn but kept on going late. DIAMOND HEAD was second-over but couldn’t quite go with his cover. ACTOR HANOVER was in a bad spot third-over behind a horse not tight on cover, wide stretch, OK.
ELEVENTH RACE – NUTTINBUTHEBEST pushed away well from the rail and set the pace, rated the half, got no pressure, was measuring off the win late in the 27.4 kicker. BEACH BALLSY was away well to retain the pocket, got going midstretch and narrowed in but couldn’t reach the winner. DARK MIRAGE tucked third before the first turn, stayed connected until the far turn. KEYSTONE DELIGHT went evenly. ROCKIN GOOD TIME sat in and got the last check. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT gapped most of the way to the half, moved uncovered but didn’t make much of a dent; IMONABEACH HANOVER followed that cover, swung wide, couldn’t reach.
TWELFTH RACE – GHOSTINTHESHELL S was on top at the 1/8, parked a foe well past a 26.3 opener before yielding, immediately retook, rebuffed a good first-over challenge, drew clear very impressively. PERTH ANGEL DE VIE left well, yielded, stayed connected, came up to the pocket as the two-holer broke on the turn, edged BIG NUDGE for second. The latter gapped second-over during a backstretch duel, swung wide and had some late trot. DAGO HANOVER followed lively cover, outtrotted. FOCUS POCUS tucked early, was shuffled to last, didn’t work back into it. KAZANS POWER started an uncovered bid at the half and went in 28 down the back to go head-and-head with the leader until headstretch, then suddenly fell back, went offstride midstretch. MISS VET HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then limbed out long past the 26.3 first stanza, yielded, gapped during the backstretch duel but then got tighter, but then broke midturn and was taken to the centerfield.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WATERBOARD used the rail well to get the pocket, came up the inside and caught EASYRUNNER HANOVER. The latter took over 3/16, set the pace, stayed clear of the outside challengers in the stretch but couldn’t handle the one to her left. SILVER TAIL tucked fourth past the 1/8, then went second-over, three-wide past midturn, won a photo over BEAUTY IS BLIND for the distant third. The latter looked at leaving but was taken back while not liking the idea, uncovered into turn two and attacked, faded in the stretch. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON had little to offer after an inside trip. GETTING GONE, a little off the gate, was fourth-over behind a gapper, very wide turning for home and even wider late with pace, returned with “b.e.” BEAM M W never got a call. MORROCKIN K dangled outside in the second half of the field throughout, gapping cover when she got it.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PRACTICAL CAT was outside with cover early, went on to lead off the first turn, just too good for these. WHAT A DANCE was far behind entering the backstretch, advanced with cover, had very good late trot. FINLANDIA came out of fifth raw 5/8, gained but not as much as the place horse. SNOWFALLA made the lead to the 3/16, yielded off turn one for the pocket, got loose in the last ¼. BLUE DEVIL took back at the start, never again in the main picture. PRAIRIE VIRTUE offered very little. STORM BRINGER was among a bunch leaving but soon broke. TUFF TO BE LINDY yielded and was forwardly-placed, edged out of third midturn but broke.
Oct 2, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strong stretch headiwnd – only three last quarters beat 30 today … ARCHIBALD was uncovered 3/8 and gained from there until the ¾ while going his third split in 28.1, couldn’t cross over on the turn but still proved a safe winner. KEYSTONE THUNDER backed out third-over, three-wide around a gapper midturn, finished well. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was out to the 3/16 for the lead, had the winner come at him nearing the 5/8, worked hard to keep that one from crossing over to the pegs, held pretty well. PUERTO RICO was on top early, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not all that much. FRAC stayed in, deep Pike, not all that much. KARETS backed out to second-over but gapped the winners’ cover.
SECOND RACE – COOL MISS WENDY got a tuck 3/16, moved out into turn two and soon picked up good cover, followed it until late on the far turn, had the most trot in the stretch. OK SUNNY was third-over, gapped cover a little down the back then got tighter, swung wide, not as much kick as the winner but enough to get second. AMBERS CHAMPION sat in, came clear in the Pocono Pike and didn’t miss second by much. FREE DRINKS was kept out three-wide 3/16 as the horse inside her made a break, got in third at the ¼, came back for more raw at the half and was in a tough battle with the leader, couldn’t sustain. TRINITY HANOVER was away quickly to get the lead, came under pressure from the first-over a long way, couldn’t sustain. FASHION PRINCESS made a break at the back of the pack just past the ¾. RELENTLESS JACKIE wound up in the pocket, still in contention but miscued midturn and went inside the pegs. PRAIRIE TRINKET was looped leaving, went offstride 3/16.
THIRD RACE – DREAM OF LUCK made the lead just past the 1/8 in a fast opener, rated the half then went on as he pleased and won handily. CLASSY HILL left and yielded to sit in the pocket, stayed tight for ¾, held the deuce. THE BUS A fell in third, retightened down the back and moved out midturn, but didn’t have much forward gear late. HURRIKANE GEORGIE gapped from the ¼ until the far turn, swung wide but didn’t gain. MR MCDREAMY stayed inside in last and also couldn’t make much impression late.
FOURTH RACE – MATS PALEMA left between horses and settled in third, gapped through and past the second quarter, in gear 5/8 and grinded up, ducked in the pocket past midturn, up the Pocono Pike to the lead midstretch, withstood the late charge of BLACK HOPE. The latter was last of the main pack, moved out with cover 11/16, wide in the lane and moving well late. ZETTE FLAME was outleft but used track geometry to put foes in behind, didn’t have pressure on the lead but still was overhauled. A ONE A gapped a gapper midrace and never was in the main contest. BEETLEJUICE was the first to show, three-wide to turn one and then into the pocket 3/16, started to go loose 11/16. DON’T I WISH broke 50 yards before the start.
FIFTH RACE – DIXIECHICK HANOVER went out between horses to secure the pocket journey, stayed tight, outside late turn and right by, easy winner. INFANTE DEO moved uncovered past the 5/8 and gained, tucked in third on the turn and used the Pocono Pike to take second. EL KISMET was three-wide to turn one and on top past the 1/8 in by far the fastest quarter of the race, didn’t have any punch left late. BUCKET HEAD stayed flat but offered little. DIVINE MOONSHINE broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field nearing the first turn, but then broke again 3/16. MONEY MATTERS had some early speed, jumped while inside 11/16.
SIXTH RACE – CHARLIE BAR stayed in third, pinned in on the far turn, went to the deep Pocono Pike and easily proved the best of these. RAMSES pushed a foe past the 1/8 then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, never got to second until the final couple of steps. KAACHING KAACHING left well, took over control past the 1/8, slowed the second quarter, didn’t have pressure, but also didn’t have enough to last to the line. MANUKA came uncovered 11/16, gained some ground while trotting steadily to the finish. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE and DR TRUFFER raced near the back of the field. SURE BIRD was already disconnected by the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK went into the early pocket past the 1/8, vacated third nearing the ¾, trotted a good last quarter and drew away. CLASSIC VENTURE took the early lead, pushed a foe a bit then yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and clearly second. EV’S GIRL was three-wide early, bypassed a 3/16 three-tuck to press on to the lead, had to go 28.1 into the wind to gain command, paid the price in the stretch. BANZAI AS was no factor most of the way, outside far turn, almost made the distant third. SILVER JAGUAR did not keep up in the last quarter. DAYTONA DREAMIN was already gapping at the back not much past the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – KAUAI KING left, was two-wide then went a bit wider to be sure to clear a breaker, pressed on to gain command 3/8 with taps, won the race with a 27.3 third quarter during which nobody could make a dent in his lead, comfortably. SEND IT IN JEROME left, looked like he might make the pocket even before a rival broke, stayed in, outside late turn, found a good fast last gear but belatedly. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE had the pole and used it well, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up past the ¾. HONALI sat midpack, gapped 11/16. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO never was on the radar. AMERICAN ZESTAR was trying to keep the pocket closed when breaking before the 3/16 and going to the infield, regained the course and sat at the back of the field, couldn’t do much, placed for causing interference to AMERICAN ARTIST K. The latter was wide around the breaker then made an “ix” to the 3/16.
NINTH RACE – POWERFUL YIELD held onto the pocket, lengths ahead of the third horse through the third quarter, outside headstretch, wore down KING CAST. The latter went to the lead in a good quarter, was the lead horse in a two-horse breakaway down the back, fought against the winner but finally succumbed. MOSCONI HANOVER followed a backstretch mover around a gapper while well off the pace, two-wide most of the turn and then three-wide late turn, nicely. ANDOVERS TOUCH was the first to move to the 5/8 to clear the gapper, tucked third 11/16, Pocono Pike, OK. LAKEVIEW TAMMY never entered the picture. LATOKA was four-wide leaving, still three-wide 3/16 when making a break. PERFECT LOVER was three-wide leaving, took back to tuck third at the ¼, started gapping 3/8, fell way back.
Sep 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind early … GOLDEN GESTURE dashed right to the lead, was in total control of this group with his two 27.3 back quarters. BRINGITONHOME N moved up steadily after coming uncovered from sixth at the half, retucked in the pocket, no threat but clear for second. SPORTSMANSHIP squeezed out down the back to avoid a shuffle as the pocketsitter gave way, got inside late on the turn, far ahead of the rest for third. DARK HORSE tried to go with the winner but couldn’t quite go that fast, three-wide midturn, won a photo for fourth over MISTER TRUTH. The latter was shuffled some behind the fader then squeezed out just past midturn, not that much. LITTLE ADMIRAL was wide early then taken all the way back to last, had a touch of belated pace. SAULSBROOK LANNY never featured. HIGHVIEW CONALL N went to the early pocket, all done before the ¾.
SECOND RACE – CLASSICALITY was three-wide to the first turn and on top 3/16, set wind-appropriate fractions, responded to the challenge of the first-over then was left with a huge lead when that one broke. CAPTAIN KRUPNIK was trapped in as two horses broke away late backstretch, finally got to the Pocono Pike and was up for second. O JONNIE came out on the second turn but couldn’t go with cover at all. TEDDY BROSEVELT was stuck in a two-wide non-flow, wide, a bit at the end, came back with “b.e.” ARCH CREDIT was away alertly, yielded, couldn’t keep pace with the duel from nearing the far turn. NAMJE went raw at the half and went 27.3 down the back to fight with the winner, but broke midturn. GREEK LEGEND had little to offer.
THIRD RACE – CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was in front at the 1/8, never really challenged and preserved the lead to the wire. RACING LIFE yielded for the pocket, stayed close throughout while second-best. INHERENT RESOLVE stayed in and was shuffled to last, went to the Pocono Pike and outclosed a pair for third. SOUTHWIND MOLLY gapped in front of the stands then narrowed in, had little left late. CHEEKIE BABE also left an early gap, then backed out second-over, three-wide late turn, evenly. NOTHING TOSEE HERE moved uncovered from last and worked up to the saddlepad of the pocket horse by midturn, but soon thereafter started to fade.
FOURTH RACE – WILBERFORCE dashed out to the lead, parked his main foe to the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole, loose most of the third quarter but tightened in, up the inside and caught SOUTHWIND FROST late. The latter was out to a very fast quarter to seize control, slowed the half then took off again and had a clear lead until the stretch, tired just a little late. ZOOMING stayed in, best of the others. CIMERONKEN was second-over at the half, three-wide midturn, never made up enough ground. LIBERO HANOVER had little to offer here. SLATED TO WIN was in very tight quarters to the 1/8 and had a wheel come to him, made an “ix,” recovered and remounted an uncovered offensive that he could sustain to the far turn, then tired. MUAY HANOVER was in tight quarters on the first turn when his left wheel was struck and had the tire knocked off, pulled up.
FIFTH RACE – JEREMES GENERAL sped away to command, yielded well past the fast 1/4 to sit the two-hole, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midpond then had enough to defeat HALF A BILLION. The latter was shuffled to last as the outer tier formed early, joined it fourth-over, advanced in a blindswitch then was three-wide with cover far turn, wider midstretch and finished very strongly. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was looped early and was hard-used to get the front 5/16, had hounding pressure much of the rest of the way, held OK. I AM GOLDEN was out with cover early then spotted fourth at the 1/8, sat in and was shuffled badly, spent the first half of the stretch gradually angling wide, then was flying once straightened away. PAY LATER was third-over, advanced inside a drifting horse late backstretch, three-wide late on the turn, not quite enough. CHANCELLORCULLEN N stayed in, had inside room in the lane but didn’t show much of a response. SUNBURST CRUZE was outside near the back when getting in gear 3/16, went up to the leader in the slow second quarter and got to his wheel nearing the 5/8, stayed there until getting tired in the stretch. CODE MEISTER moved from last to be second-over, drifted three-wide past the 5/8 and fell back.
SIXTH RACE – JUMPINTHEJAILHOUSE roared away to the lead, yielded for the pocket 3/8, to the Pocono Pike and roared away from his opposition again. VITANI AS was far off the top two until past the 3/8, went outside 11/16 and challenged the leader, edged that one for a distant second. TW LAUXMONT worked to the early pocket far off the leader, gradually got close and moved 5/16 to the front 3/8, rated the half, had pressure on the far turn, lost the photo for second. EVANNA stayed in, blocked on the turn, finally could split horses and had mild trot. UNABATING could not keep with cover on the far turn. KANDY KORN could not keep with cover down the backstretch and ducked in. MONEY MAVEN broke approaching the start.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind has diminished … LINCOLN JAMES was three-wide leaving and went on to take over 3/16, dealt with the first-over, urged early stretch to draw clear, then withstood CAPTAIN MALICIOUS. The latter hit the front at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t catch the leader, clear of the rest. SOUTHWIND DREDGE moved with cover past the 5/8, wide headstretch, OK at the end. HYPNOTIC DREAM was last most of the way, unwound with some kick at the end. SI SEMALU went around a gapper and retucked, didn’t factor late. HOW ARE YEE JOHN got early position, moved uncovered 5/8, couldn’t sustain the bid. GRANTOR HANOVER gapped down the backstretch, then had no clear path despite searching for one in the lane.
EIGHTH RACE – BAY MEADOWS made the lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, came out in the stretch, was passed by the Pikeshooting CAPTAIN TERROR but stayed game in a 27.2 kicker and put a nose over the line first. The latter sat third-in and had all manner of horses outside him on the turn, bolted through when the inside opened and got a short lead late, just outnodded on the money. JAGGER ROCKS was parked 3/16, rolled along, had a clear lead early stretch and came home well but was outsprinted. DIVISION BELL moved out into a blindswitch past the 5/8, didn’t clear until the top three were gone in the fast last quarter, had some horse. LEAR SEELSTER was uncovered to the 3/8, moved up but never quite reached the leader, fell back. ABSOLUTE INTENT never made his presence felt. P L MUNSON backed out to second-over then went three-wide coming off turn two, remained in the three-path unable to gain enough, tired.
NINTH RACE – TALL POPPY N tucked third at the 1/8, one of several leaving a gap in quarter two, uncovered 5/8, put in a big challenge and took the lead past the ¾, stayed clear. ABIGAIL DAWN showed first but was denied the top, took back and sat the pocket, wedged out midturn to avoid losing more ground to a shuffle, did well. BRING ME DIAMONDS was behind gapping cover, three-wide far turn and next in line. THE NEXT THREE were near the back and never a factor. STOWAWAY HANOVER wouldn’t yield in a 26.1 opener, set the pace, gave way early far turn. CANDY ON THE BEACH made the 4-hole past the 1/8, moved out again just past the 5/8 but gapped and clogged several looking to advance in that path.
TENTH RACE – DAAMERICANSKY made the front 3/16 and had no problem fronting this field. ROCKNROLL CAPTAIN came out off the second turn, moved three-wide before the 5/8 and was left out three-deep a ways as a horse came off the rail, got that one’s cover before the ¾ but then went three-way again midturn, just second late over MUSCLE MACH A. The latter kept a hole shut into turn two, then popped out past the 5/8, was left behind by the winner and couldn’t go enough to get the inside pocket, caught for second. MORE THAN KUTE was not prominent, edged another groundsaver, VAGANOVA, for fourth. CAPTAIN KEEN went out to the lead then yielded to the winner, stayed tight in the pocket until nearing the ¾, then tired. STOP ACTION and DASH POINT HANOVER both started slowly and were not in contact. CENTURY ENFORCER was looped and left outside, found no hole, faded down the backstretch.
Sep 30, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK left and yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, drew clear past the 5/8 and finished under a hold while pacing twin 27.1s home in an outstanding performance. ARTISTS RUFFLES moved with cover that never got near the leader, three-wide past midturn, along for second. KILLER MARTINI advanced up the inside and was clear in third. PICKLED PREACHER was three-wide leaving, made the top 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, lost contact late on the backstretch. ROCK KING DEO moved third-over but was never in the hunt. PEMBROKE JOEY left between horses and yielded, came back out 5/8 but lost ground. URBAN RENEWAL had no say in this one.
SECOND RACE – SORTIE started grinding at the half and went the third quarter in 27.3 to reach contention, stayed game to the wire and earned the decision. MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ for the lead, set a quick pace, couldn’t resist the winner but held second in a three-way photo. THE LIONKING AS left between horses, took a tuck third, moved outside towards headstretch, had good late trot but kicked in just a little too late. GEMOLOGIST was innermost of the leavers, maintained the pocket, couldn’t gain that much. KING ALPHONSO never achieved prominence; nor did JUST MAYBE THE ONE. BANK BOX TREASURE moved second-over but soon was gapping. CHIEF JUSTICE trailed.
THIRD RACE – Wind fluctuating, race to race, between being a stretch headwind and being calm … STELLAR BB ducked quickly into third, moved outside ¾ and quickly went up to take over and draw away. INDIGO ART was in the far-back second half of the field, underway to the ¾ and gained on the turn, then ducked inside for the stretch and made up a lot of territory. SOMEBEACH BARON made two speed moves and rolled on at a quick clip, could do nothing with the winner and then lost place late. TJ BLAST blasted away from the rail and forced a tuck, yielded to the favorite, not much left in the last 1/8. ALEX TYE backed outside on the far turn but couldn’t gain. RHP gapped early and then from the 5/8 onward.
FOURTH RACE – ARTIE’S IDEAL was looped leaving and worked up into the pocket at the 1/8, saw in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and just did get past a fighting SNOWBALL’S EXPRESS. The latter circled inside leavers for command, sped up at the half to keep the quick backstretch challenger to the outside, regained control, was very reluctant to give it up late in a good showing. SOMBODYITREASURE stayed in then backed out 5/8 when it appeared the brusher might go to the lead, back inside on the turn, then angled out and wide headstretch, kicked in a bit belatedly (the last quarter was 29). IMAROCNROLLEGEND N tucked fourth past the 1/8, gunned up on the second turn and paced his third quarter in 26.1 trying to clear to the lead but was kept outside, held on pretty well. PRAIRIE PANTHER stayed in, had stretch room but not too much response. PATERNITY SUIT A moved out but couldn’t go with the streaking challenger. MAJOR OFFENSE offered little offense.
FIFTH RACE – THE CANDYMAN CAN was outside and challenged very hard with much exertion to get the lead, finally did so not much before the half in fast fractions, was challenged on both sides in the stretch but held well, claimed for a Pocono record $50,000. REGAL SON was off the gate until just before the start, rushed through to defend positioning, moved raw 9/16 and challenged, fell back a bit into the stretch but came back on with admirable vigor. CURIOUS CORTEZ made the lead at the 1/8 and kept going fast to stretch out the winner, finally relinquished the lead on the second turn, stayed tight, Pocono Pike, half-step shy. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N stayed in, to the far inside in the lane, OK. BELLOWS BINGE looked to improve position past the start but took back when the pole horse came through, third-in, angled wide headstretch but couldn’t gain. BLOW A CLOUD N wasn’t able to stay with this opposition.
SIXTH RACE – KEYSTONE SERGEANT was behind early gappers and started raw on the second turn, went right up to challenge the pacesetter late backstretch and got by early on the turn, stayed in control. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was on top nearing the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, got out behind the winner as he cleared and could retuck in the pocket, Pocono Pike, steadily but second, well ahead of the rest. POND JUMPER was three-wide to the 1/8, continuing on to 3/16 command, put up a fast quarter and half, had no defense against the attacking winner ¾. CHOCO CHARLIE left some, then gapped, tightened, back out to second-over 11/16 but immediately gapped cover. BUTTER TOFFEE struggled to stay close. CHUCKY DE VIE was wide past the start and went offstride.
SEVENTH RACE – FEHERTY moved second-over and followed cover well, wide in the stretch, just nosed SPORTS TEEN in the last step. The latter was between horses early and tucked third at the 1/8, moved raw early on the backstretch and grinded up, reached the leader to the ¾ and had an advantage but not the pegs on the turn, drifted out slightly in the lane and was just nipped. FAR BETTER sat in, moved outside late turn then angled back in for the drive and was gaining. BEACH FIRE K left enough to defend the pocket, evenly late. MAJOR DESIRE was wide early, circled the field to the lead by the 1/8 in a 26 quarter, didn’t get pressure until the ¾, but the rapid opener may have taken its toll. A STUD NAMED SAM was tucking fourth when breaking just before the 3/16.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind evident in this race … BENJI’S BEST rode up second-over, wide headstretch, drew away from these. BLACKLIGHT followed the cover of the winner, couldn’t stay with it but got past the others. BULLVILLE TERROR was uncovered into turn two, went in 26.4 down the back to challenge hard for the lead, tired in the lane. BABES DIG ME went to the lead 3/16, yielded to the brusher and sat the pocket, was in tight quarters with CAPTAIN CASH headstretch, got clear in the Pocono Pike but had little response. The latter left well and pushed early then yielded, sitting third-in looking over his options headstretch when in tight quarters and made a nasty break, recovered with good speed late. PARMESAN N quarter-moved, got a fairly soft half, then had high heat on him the second half, nothing left in the stretch.
NINTH RACE – DING DING DINGER was third-over, four-wide headstretch and finished nicely (in a 29.1 last quarter; notice today that despite whatever wind, the trend has been anti-speed and slowish last quarters vs. the third splits). LORD OF MISRULE was uncovered at the half but soon got cover and followed it, three-wide late turn, never ahead as outkicked but did well. AMERICAN CHROME was three-wide to turn one to the front 3/16, rolled on the lead, bore out in the stretch and couldn’t make the lead hold up. CLASS SIX advanced inside down the backstretch, mild pace in the lane. LOUD SPLASH stayed in and never was a big factor. DIALAMARA left, yielded, moved raw off turn two, hounded the leader but didn’t threaten him. SULLIVAN pushed out well, yielded, came up empty the last 3/16.
TENTH RACE – MORAIRTIME moved out at the half and trotted up in 27.1 to put pressure on the leader by the 5/8, had a slight advantage on the turn but couldn’t cross over, but finally took control. KENOGAMI COCO was third-over from last, came on strongly in the stretch. FASHION CREDITOR was out past the 1/8 to take over, rated the second quarter then sped up as the winner came on, held on decently. TWO AM made the lead then yielded for the pocket, seemed to struggle the last 3/16. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT was never in it. SAY YOU DO was second-over, looked to be digging down for more when going offstride soon into the stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN rushed away to take over at the 1/8, set the pace without much pressure, clear far turn to midstretch, then had enough to hold off WALTER MITTY. The latter left some, stayed in, got right to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in. MARCO BEACH raced up to the pocket at the 1/8, gained a little in the stretch, well-clear of the rest. FEELING CAM LUCKY was wide early then took back to follow cover, lost that at the 1/8, made the 3-hole at the ¼, raw again at the ½, didn’t get to the winner, evenly. LAREDO TORPEDO N went evenly late after a rail journey. AMAZON started uncovered 3/8, got cover at the half, but even gapped that mediocre cover at the ¾. ROCK THREE TIMES was not heard from. REYS N A RUCKUS and BARNABAS were both part of a two-wide tier that went nowhere.
Sep 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – BLONDE ONTHE BEACH took back early, rushed up uncovered 3/8 and was head-to-head with the leader from the half until headstretch, where she could finally got a clear advantage, impressive. UPTOWN LADY N was third-over behind gapping cover, wide late turn and did very well late. MORROCKIN K moved second-over but soon was gapping, picked it up some in the last 3/16 but still outkicked for second. NATCHEZ BELLE left and pushed a foe past a fast ¼, sat the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, could not rebuild any momentum. THREE WAY SPLIT was left out to the 5/16 in fast time before getting the lead, didn’t get too much of a breather before the winner was right in her face, gave way late turn. REMY AURORA was parked with cover early, slid in third past the 5/16, gapped ¾. THE OTHER PAIR were never prominent.
SECOND RACE — Wind was blowing against horses in the stretch … PERTH ANGEL DE VIE was innermost of three main leavers, saw one break then let the other one go 3/16 to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and took over past midstretch. KAZANS POWER started uncovered into turn two and speed-grinded a 27.1 third split, kept on digging in to the line in a gritty try. SWEET HEART AS was between horses early, made the front 3/16, really slowed Q2 then sped up Q3, held on to the lead well into the lane. MISS VET HANOVER went evenly the last 3/16 inside. SO LONG HANOVER checked to avoid the early breaker, second-over, couldn’t quite stay with cover in the fast third panel, OK. ISLAND LILY moved out on the far turn, had finishing speed. CAN’T SAY NO was bothered early, never got into the main action. WORTHY OF HONOR was leaving three-wide when taking a nasty step into turn one, bothered others, regained stride but was taken back to last, reported back with “b.e.”
THIRD RACE – BALI BEACH went to the front at the 1/8 and was in control of the throttle, stayed game to hold off a whole host of late challengers. OHARE HANOVER used the rail well in defending the pocket, a bit loose in the two-hole at a couple of points, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite go by. ROSA’S REBEL stayed in and advanced, solid late in the deep Pike. MOHAWK SEELSTER backed out on the far turn, finished very nicely if a hair late getting in high gear. SPINNAKER HANOVER went uncovered 5/8 and kept digging to the wire. BUDDHA BEACH couldn’t keep up at several points.
FOURTH RACE – LADY RESORT AS was out with cover early, picked the 4-hole 3/16, was uncovered off turn two and grinded up to challenge, got a clear lead early stretch and was not threatened late. PAINT BY NUMBERS sat in, then moved out behind the winner when the second-over broke past midturn, between horses late and finished well. MYREANNA left and got into the pocket 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, OK. LILYBET stayed on the rail until almost mid-far turn, finished solidly. KRISTIELEIGH was soon in front, forced tucks then slowed the half, still couldn’t hold on in the last 1/8. GINGER TREE DAR did not factor. CIAO BELLA was always far back. CARAMELA HANOVER was in good second-over position midturn when miscuing. MISS MAYTRIX was well off the main action when breaking early on the far turn.
FIFTH RACE – MAKE A SCENE was unhurried while looped and outside early, in gear 3/16, made the top 3/8 with taps, opened a good lead at the ¾ and could not be caught. AILEY HANOVER was originally sitting in but when the outside foe faded she came raw 5/8, to the pocket late turn and tried the winner up the inside in the stretch, good but settled for the deuce. CAVIART LUCIA sat in then backed out behind the place horse midturn as the pocketsitter backed up, couldn’t go with the top two but was far ahead of the rest. TSM PRINCESS LEXI came from last to be next. BLOOD IN BLOOD OUT was never on the radar. JENN’S GIRL left well to 1/8 command, strung the winner out the next ¼ mile before yielding, and perhaps that early usage caused her to back up ¾. AMERICA WINS came out at the half but was soon back inside as having no gain.
SIXTH RACE – ME TOO BABY was on top at the 1/8, yielded to the early mover and sat the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and trotted away. SPIT AND VINEGAR stayed in, behind the winner in the Pike, couldn’t trot with that one but went on steadily to get second. WHAT A DAME came with a big rush approaching the 5/8 and got cover after that point, wide headstretch, good outing. SNOWFALLA was forwardly-placed, uncovered 11/16, got to the wheel of the leader far turn but no closer, held evenly. ALWAYSBMYGG controlled the pace with two moves, not enough in the latter stages. FINLANDIA broke just after the gate sprang, couldn’t get back into the main action. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was not prominent. ETRA DE VIE was very wide leaving, took back to a midpack tuck but then jumped before the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – SILVER TAIL sat in, moved out far turn, went way wide headstretch and overpowered these easily to give the noted trainer Andrew Harris his first sulky win in twelve years. ODDS ON CARLY gapped second-over, but went along steadily to take second. KEYSTONE DELIGHT moved uncovered into turn two, went 27.1 uncovered down the back to challenge the leader and kept applying pressure, took a brief lead in the stretch but then tired some. ROCKIN GOOD TIME left, yielded, couldn’t keep up far turn. MIKI ROSE left between horses and got the pocket, stayed right with the leader, went to the Pocono Pike but had no more left to give. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was three-wide just past the 1/8 to two-wide to the top 3/16, set the pace, got pressure just before the ¾, faded. TSM WESTERN SOUL gapped at the back.
EIGHTH RACE – DAGON HANOVER made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was along for the triumph. PRACTICAL CAT sat in, went to the deep Pike, gained, might have been in tight quarters. TUFF TO BE LINDY made two moves to control the pace, not quite enough at crunch time. CHARMING BANK swung wide off the final turn, gained rapidly past midstretch, then seemed to flatten slightly. STORM BRINGER brought a 27.1 third quarter with the wind to challenge the leader, fell back in the stretch. CHING CHING LUCKY made a break early, caught the field and almost got a check. LAA DEE GAA gapped at many points, then fell way back.
NINTH RACE – PINEBUSH HANOVER, who suffered a broken front hopplehanger somewhere along the way, set the pace, urged strongly late to hold off the inside charge of TUFFENUFTOWEARPINK. The latter sat the pocket, charged up the inside and was gaining late. COUNTER OFFER stayed in, was hemmed in by the first-over until midstretch, then showed a bit more speed. BENEVOLENCE pulled uncovered 11/16, got to the winner’s wheel but no closer, tired a little midstretch. INTENTIONS wasn’t part of the picture here. BRAVE ELEMENT broke an 1/8 before the start. GRATEFUL KISS had a problem and was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – RHETT SEELSTER had to check at the 1/8 as TELL THEM LOU yielded the lead abruptly, moved uncovered at the half, went up in 27.1 to challenge, got the pocket early turn, back out for more early stretch and strongly to just nip RED POWER. The latter was looped early, strung out to the 3/8 in a fast half to gain control, had a clear lead much of the backstretch and through the turn, just caught right at the tail end of it. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE got the top at the 1/8, made the favorite work then yielded 3/8, started gapping off the second turn and gave the pocket past the ¾, showed some renewed vigor late. TELL THEM LOU made the lead, slowed abruptly for a couple of steps yielding, sat in, couldn’t get back into the main action. ACTOR HANOVER passed the rest and almost got fourth. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was behind the gapping cover of TREVOR’S ACE and ahead of FULL MOON BEACH; none of the three reached contention.
ELEVENTH RACE – RED REDEMPTION left swiftly to take command looked ready to yield to ONE AFTER NINE when that one made a break at the ¼, did yield to his recovery move near the half, inherited the lead to the 5/8 when the leader broke again, under constant pressure, held on gamely in a blanket finish. QUICKEST HANOVER rushed through for early forward positioning, was in the pocket at two different points, Pocono Pike, not far off. GROSSETO AS was underway at the half to battle one horse, instead fought with his successor, held very gamely to the line. CAVIART EMMA, rough at several points, was second-over, gained late but never really seemed to find top gear. SERRANO VOLO was looped and wide early, drifted even wider then took back to last, stayed inside, deep Pike, pretty good race considering the early misadventure. I LOVE MY COUNTRY backed out to third-over, wide headstretch, only two lengths off but not getting a check. ONE AFTER NINE was looped, making a play for the lead at the ¼ when breaking, got back on gait and rushed up to take over the top at the half, but ran before the 5/8 and was taken to the infield.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was in front past the 1/8, rated the half, then had nobody come after him until the far turn – and none of those made up any ground in a 26.3 last quarter. DA GHETTO WIZARD was innermost of three leavers, maintained the pocket, edged out past midturn, did well to hold his ground. BEACH TIME BOY left between horses, tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, couldn’t gain in the smoking kicker. BOLTMAN came out from midpack far turn, couldn’t reach. THE COOKIE MONSTER started to gap 5/8. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MISTER WALKER avoided early trouble, then was second-over, wide in the stretch and trotted away from these easily. THINK I CAN was in the early pocket, tightened in whenever the pacesetter opened a few lengths, to the Pocono Pike, second-best. MR BLUMETTI stayed connected inside, to the deep Pike, gained some but was rough late. COMMAND THE MARKET set sail on the early lead, then rated, couldn’t sustain in the lane. JOE EXOTIC was uncovered at the half, gained some, then fell back some. LEGION OF HONOR was way off the gate and never caught the main group. CHECK MY SCORE broke early in the race. CREATE broke an 1/8 before, had just caught the back of the field when having to go inside a breaker and jumped again
