Aug 29, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – The track was rated “good +1” for the first three races, then dried out and was rated “fast +0” … Stretch tailwind … PICKLED PREACHER cane uncovered at the half and with a rush cleared to the lead past the 5/8, drew clear and kept on going well to the wire. BARON MICHAEL followed the winner’s cover, left raw before the 11/16 and into the pocket before the ¾, fought hard to the wire to edge GOLDEN GESTURE for second. The latter was first in motion from last and enjoyed excellent cover, uncovered on the turn, just photoed from second. RUN ONEOVER N pushed the quarter and yielded, was shuffled badly late on the backstretch, finally got outside mid-far turn, retucked, couldn’t gain back any more ground. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN couldn’t get into the main picture. SUNBURST CRUZE also was shuffled badly late backstretch, outside midturn, couldn’t recover much. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was parked to a 26.2 quarter for the top, was challenged past the 5/8 and called it a day.
SECOND RACE – PAPI HANOVER left, yielded, underway 3/16 to the lead at the ¼, slowed the half with the wind, then picked it up vs. the wind as the first-over came on, put to a drive late to hold off NICE STUFF. The latter went to 1/8 command, yielded to sit the two-hole, struggled to keep close down the backstretch behind the duel, then had a surge late and didn’t miss by much. EVA DAIRPET FR moved uncovered into turn two and went raw in 27.2 down the backstretch to challenge hard, bore out in the stretch but still kept scrapping. ZOOMING stayed in, next in line. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC stayed in until moving two-wide mid-far turn, didn’t enter the main picture. ARCHIBALD moved second-over but almost immediately was gapping.
THIRD RACE – EL TORO LOCO was the only hard leaver, set the pace as he pleased and won as he pleased. CALIFORNIA GOLD moved out from behind a loose pocket horse 11/16, tucked in headstretch, couldn’t make up ground in the latter stages. GONNA B HANOVER had the pocket, went loose in the third quarter, the last one to stay flat. ZETTE FLAME was out with cover late backstretch but broke ¾. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was off the gate and rank at times, miscued before the second turn.
FOURTH RACE – MEADOWBROOK FLASH moved uncovered into turn two, went up quickly then saw the pocket horse pop out and get the lead, left raw, grinded to the wire and held on in a close finish in a 30.1 last quarter. MAJOR SUGAR RUSH gapped most of the way, angled wide early stretch and roared home in the last 1/16 to just miss. LIMA RAIDER backed out to follow the winner, three-wide past midturn, not far off. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was third-in, shuffled far turn, to the deep Pocono Pike and had a good gain in the slowing tempo. JEREMES GENERAL went to the lead, saw the pocket horse go by him 11/16 and gapped, kept going and actually beat that one out in the Pocono Pike. ALL IT TAKES left, went into the pocket 3/16, moved early backstretch to get the lead late backstretch and open up a clear margin, but had little left late. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was not prominent.
FIFTH RACE – GRACELYN HANOVER sat two-wide early as double-looped, went up towards the lead, bore wide off the first turn but onward to the lead, clear the last half. EL KISMET was right on top, got a foe to tuck, yielded to the winner, gapped from the half, but still held second. BUCKET HEAD left, settled in the early pocket at the 1/8, maintained third late. HL REVINA moved out from behind a gapper backstretch, kept advancing gradually raw, not bad. TRINITY HANOVER swung wide headstretch, was offstride through the stretch and was placed eighth for violation of the breaking rules. TICKET TAB struggled to stay connected but could not. THE OTHER TWO never reached contention.
SIXTH RACE – CATHY HANOVER left from the rail and had the pocket, then moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, set the pace, had CAVIART CARMEL inching closer the entire last quarter and had to be good to defeat that one. The latter protected the 3-hole early, moved out 11/16 and worked her way up, kept on coming in a fine showing, only to just miss. AILEY HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8 to get around a gapper, picked up cover 11/16, couldn’t go with the top two late but far the best of the rest. SANTA FE’S MJ had more than the remainder. HAD ME A COOKIE was never prominent. AMERICA WINS was three-wide leaving to command at the 1/8, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, faded in the last ¼. SWEET KATIE BUG left between horses, took a couple of awkward steps and took back to tuck, never got back into the race.
SEVENTH RACE – CHUCKY DE VIE left well and yielded at the 1/8 for the two-hole, outside past midturn, took the lead past upper stretch and held off SANCHEZ ROCKS. The latter moved uncovered and got ever-closer, kept coming in the lane and just missed. LIBERO HANOVER crossed over from PP9 by the 1/8, didn’t have any pressure, held fairly well. CHOCOTURE sat in, gapped down the back, outside in the lane and next in line. UNABATING was away third, got to the pocket late on the turn, but couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. THE NEXT THREE were always far back. NOBLE ANTHONY backed out to follow cover past the 5/8, didn’t have too much, then broke headstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – MISTER DAVID C was three-wide to the 1/8 and on the lead 3/16, rolled right along without pressure, kept to mild urging and held off CAPTAINRYANMICHAEL. The latter was second-over behind not-especially-beneficial cover, three-wide midturn, found his best steps just a little too late. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE left between horses to 1/8 command, sat the two-hole, could not gain in the stretch. BET ON ZETTE started raw off turn two, gained some down the back but couldn’t sustain the gain. DS HEARTLAND was third-over, three-wide with cover far turn, didn’t enter the picture. SUCCESSION struggled inside. THE OTHER PAIR were well in arrears.
NINTH RACE – BRONSKIMACKENZIE A reached the lead 3/16 and had absolutely no problem, finishing in 27.2 under a hold. LIME TWIST was first to show, yielded for the pocket, began to unplug to the ¾ but retained second. RHYME N ROLL followed along and held third. FEAR MY SHADOW avoided the outer tier, couldn’t gain inside late. TRAFFIC JAM was second-over in a dull flow, left two-wide midturn as the first-over bore out, very little. TRUSSED UP TRUDY was uncovered off turn two but never headed the third-in horse, bore out far turn and faded.
TENTH RACE – WINNERUP was three-wide to nearing the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, a runaway winner the last half. MUSHANA moved outside 11/16 and gradually gained to be a clear second. GREAT MAGIC left, yielded at the 1/8, stayed in 11/16, went to the Pocono Pike and had decent late trot to beat the others for show. TSM PHOTO BUGGER advanced behind cover, not bad. HL REVADON moved wide from last and was in the fight for third. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY never contended here. JACK RULES was between horses to the front at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, saw the distance between himself and the winner grow steadily from the 5/8. TOUGH MAC never featured.
ELEVENTH RACE – FAR BETTER was three-wide early then rode two-wide the rest of the way, gapped two different cover providers, moved up to third early far turn and ducked in, then came up the Pocono Pike and showing great perseverance got the job done. RUNHAPPY TEN backed out behind the sweeper 5/8 and retucked in the pocket, came out in the stretch, caught up the inside. SULLIVAN tucked in fourth 3/16, uncovered near the half and quickly went right by 5/8, turned for home with a clear lead but couldn’t make it stand up. DARK HORSE got in the two-wide path before the ¾, three-wide midturn, closed well. LITTLE ADMIRAL sat in and was shuffled badly, backed outside, came back on well. BLOW A CLOUD N started quickly, yielded for the pocket, then was hopelessly shuffled out of it when the pacesetter tired. DA MAGICIAN gapped early and was far back. VALRHONA was wide early in pursuit of the lead, which she got at the 1/8, surrendered when challenged, faded quite badly.
TWELFTH RACE – SANTAFE’S COACH was the only horse tight on the horse in front of him when he went raw 5/8, got into the pocket on the turn, out again for the stretch and stayed strong to the wire. AMERICAN CHROME boiled down the road with a clear lead from before the 3/8 to the ¾, held pretty well against the winner. JK MUSICMAN came through at the start and got the pocket, then was loose past the ¾, gained back a minimal amount of ground. DIVISION BELL was outside far turn but couldn’t get closer. THE OTHER DUO did not get a fast start and gapped at the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BANK BOX TREASURE showed some speed, then quarter-moved, bore out a bit in the lane but had full control of this. KEYSTONE SERGEANT began first-over at the half, grinded along with steady speed and decisioned a pair for second. O JONNIE was second-over, three-wide far turn, late speed. BILLIE BLUE made the top at the 1/8, got a foe to tuck, yielded for the pocket, tired through the stretch. FRAC moved third-over down the back, but gapped. TW LAUXMONT was three-wide to the 1/8 and went to the pocket 3/16, gapped out on the turn. CRITICAL MASS never reached critical trotting mass. PITTSTOP KIP was not keeping up at the 5/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BLACKLIGHT dueled most of the ¼ with MELANIE’S TEDY before making the lead, went on in quick numbers for bottom-level horses and had an open lead most of the way, saw the lead shrink but did not seem in danger. The latter forced the early action, was loose in the pocket, got closer the last 3/16 but didn’t seem a win threat. ROCK THREE TIMES sat in, closed up the Pocono Pike. WAY TO CLOSE tucked third then left a big gap almost the entire rest of the way. ABSOLUTE INTENT was inside, got the last check. WILD WEST moved outside to try to get around the gapper ¾ but himself went backwards. TAKEITTOTHEFACE was outside midpack or worse throughout. SI SEMALU trailed at every call.
Aug 26, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
Aug 26, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – PATERNITY SUIT A got shut out of a hole first turn and took back, came raw 5/8 after a fast half and grinded, took the lead for good entering the stretch and held off the field. OLLIES ZTAM was away quickly for the top, yielded to the brusher for the pocket, backed out of the pocket midturn then swung three-wide, came up just shy. QUALITY BUD gapped cover until the far turn then got closer, finished solidly. CAPTAIN MCKEE shut a hole on turn one, sat in, could advance to the pocket far turn, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. GRATIAN HANOVER was last, finished steadily between horses. TULHURSTSANTANNA A yielded early but then retook and had the lead well before the fast half, encountered pressure near the ¾, did not have enough in the stretch. MR PROFETA didn’t get into the mix; nor did YAYAS HOT SPOT N.
SECOND RACE – Hempt Consolation II … LOU’S PEARLMAN got the early pocket then was on the move again just before the ¼, went 27.2 – 27.2 – 26.4 – 27.1 stringing out the field and left these at a great distance in the last ¼. ALWAYS A MIKI tucked at the 1/8, came uncovered 5/8, did well on the grind to get the distant second. EXPLOIT sat in, caught behind a tired one on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and earned third over STRAIGHT TALK. The latter stayed in as well, had to wait a long time to find a seam between horses with pace. FOREFATHER went wide and got the last check. DEAN B HANOVER started uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, three-wide late turn but didn’t have enough even for the battle for major minor awards. SUMMA CUM LAUDE offered little. HIGHLANDBEACHBEST was three-wide to the 1/8 for command, yielded to the winner, came out totally dry in the last quarter blocking the inner tier far turn.
THIRD RACE – COVERED BRIDGE left well between horses to get the pocket, looked to want to quarter-move but rethought, sat the two-hole, Pocono Pike, lead midstretch, had the most. A length separated the Final Five: WES DELIGHT yielded at the 1/8, started raw off turn two and grinded, stayed in the fight all the way. SERIOUSLY HANOVER was second-over, didn’t tip wide until early stretch, just edged for place. VETTEL N was three-wide to the first bend and on top at the 1/8 in a fast quarter, went on enough to get the winner to retuck, had hounding pressure, not quite enough but not bad at all. BILL HALEY N sat in, was in the Pike behind the winner and gained without full clearance. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was last, behind a wall of horses through the stretch.
FOURTH RACE – Delmonica Hanover Consolation I … DAZZLING REIGN yielded the lead near the ¼, sat in and was shuffled back, out in a blindswitch midturn then angled three-wide behind cover, four-wide into the stretch, took advantage of the 30.1 last quarter and got past everybody. AUNT IRENE never saw the pegs, advanced, three-wide 11/16 the duration, very tough but caught by fresher legs late. ABOVE THE CLOUDS sat in, got room in the deep Pocono Pike and came on some. EVENING STROLL sat outside with cover early, followed that tier up and went to the lead when left raw 3/8, set the pace, couldn’t sustain. CHABLIS moved out with cover 5/16, lost cover into the second turn, fell back in the backstretch and looked done, but was coming back some as the tempo slackened. GOO DOO DOLL was on top at the ¼, yielded, back out raw for more 5/8, challenged, evenly. THESUNRISESAGAIN sat in, no room in the lane. QUICKEST HANOVER was never a factor. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was three-wide to the 3/16, went behind cover, left coverless and pressed on to the lead 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, nothing left for late.
FIFTH RACE – Lynch Consolation I … NASHVILLE ELGENNA went to the lead early, yielded to the looped horse, shuffled a bit as the lead changed hands to the ¾, got room for the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter moved outside, came with a big burst and went by easily. ODDS ON WHITNEY started uncovered on the second turn, went 25.3 (!!) down the back and cleared to the ¾, but paid the price late. MACKIE HANOVER was looped early, worked to the lead at the ¼, couldn’t hold the brusher out in the giant third quarter, but kept on going, outside in the lane and didn’t miss second by much. PODIUM GIRL went wide around stalling cover midturn, OK. STAYCATION HANOVER was forwardly-placed, in and shuffled, outside on the turn and four-wide early stretch, OK after an unlucky trip. PAULAS BEST HANOVER kept up with the megabrusher down the back but then stalled in the last 1/8. JK ALWAYSBALADY had no impact on the outcome of this one.
SIXTH RACE – Beal Consolation I … FLY LIGHT was uncovered into turn two, got cover from his stablemate 5/8 and followed that along, left uncovered ¾, worked by CAPSTONE late. The latter kept a hole closed at the ¼, then moved raw 5/8 and went by ¾, did well but couldn’t resist his barnmate. MAGICAL MUSCLE MAN was three-wide at the 1/8, had holes kept closed on him so had to take back to fourth, backed out 11/16 to follow the entry, no-factor third but far ahead of the rest. COLONIAL AS IT was at the back, passed tired horses. ZENITH STRIDE used the rail and set a quick pace, tired when challenged ¾. TYPE A gapped early, moved out with cover 3/4 but gapped that cover down the back. TRICKY DICK couldn’t get into the race. MON AMOUR left, went into the pocket, made a break ¾. CARUSO was offstride well before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – Hempt Consolation I … WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH left and yielded, moved out 3/16 in front of the parked horse, was kept out to the 3/8 and then in turn had to keep the parked horse out, ensuring a lively pace, saw the two, three- and four-wide tiers stall late turn and found his biggest threats right behind him, but drew clear of them. MYSWEETBOYMAX quickly made the front, pushed the winner to the 3/8 then relinquished and sat in the pocket, moved outside, drifted out a little further, enough for second. GAMBLIN MO defended the early pocket, caught in, up the Pocono Pike, just missed second. EMBLAZE HANOVER stayed in and was shuffled to last, but avoided all the clogged tiers far turn and was fourth in a four-way photo. SIMON SAYS HANOVER had an excess of cover, wound up five-wide near headstretch, came on late for the last check after an impossible trip. CRUNCH HANOVER followed a three-wide mover 5/8 but wasn’t helped by that cover, swung four-wide, OK. SOUTH BEACH STAR had an excess of cover as last-over, advanced in a blindswitch far turn but then had trouble finding a path and sacrificed crucial momentum to others before clearing. BILLY CLYDE moved up, got cover from the 3/16 to the 3/8 then was left raw, had sweepers galore try to circle him but kept them all in their wide paths before the stretch, then tired. BROOKLYN BULLET was second-over, moved three-wide 5/8 but clear the two-wide parked horse.
EIGHTH RACE – Sebastian K S Invitational Trot … ATLANTA was between horses to the 1/8, yielded for the pocket 3/16, came out late turn and roared right by full of trot. WHEN DOVESCRY kept tight for early position, went to the Pocono Pike and was along for second late. LINDY THE GREAT was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the front 3/16, put up quick numbers, couldn’t maintain the lead. READY FOR MONI was uncovered before the half, slowly advanced (but not enough to keep the pocket horse in), steadily late. HYPNOTIC AM and MAJESTIC PLAYER A raced with cover but couldn’t get into the race (a theme that will occur often in the second half of the card). PLAY TRIX ON ME didn’t keep up. MISSISSIPPI STORM was outside midpack until getting a tuck near the 3/8, not heard from again. EUROBOND was at the back throughout, broke on the far turn.
NINTH RACE – Lynch Championship … GRACE HILL left three-wide to the lead before the 1/8, saw her stablemate brush around her in the frontstretch and sat the pocket, used the Pocono Pike and overhauled her game rival. FIRE START HANOVER was looped by her barnmate, took the early two-hole, moved past the ¼ after the other outside leaders had taken seats, set the pace, pushed back against the first-over, only to be caught up the inside. THEBEACHISCALLING improved position early then improved it again to third-in as the two in front of her pulled out, outside stretch and narrowed in very nicely. BLUE DIAMOND EYES took a tuck third 3/16, moved raw at the half and made a serious third quarter challenge, lost ground in the final split but only inch-by-inch. CHASE LOUNGE was last, used the Pike well behind the top ones to get the final check. HOT MESS EXPRESS left and tucked fourth, had good cover second-over, gapped it slightly then closer, swung wide but couldn’t gain significantly. CONTINUALOU was third-over and didn’t reach contention. ITZPAPALOTL and EASY TO PLEASE never entered the main picture.
TENTH RACE – Delmonica Hanover Championship … DARLENE HANOVER sat midpack off a fast half, moved in the slowest quarter of the race and went up to challenge, was able to draw clear late. FLAWLESS COUNTRY took the early pocket, stayed in, was shuffled back, moved outside past midturn and wide in the stretch, eating up the ground late. YOU ATO DREAM was on the move from fourth before the ¼, strung out to nearing the second turn and continued to a quick half, got a little relief down the back but did not have enough late. MAY KARP was third-over behind dull cover, went three-wide 5/8 and dropped back down to second-over, but couldn’t stay with the winner the last 3/16. PUB CRAWL also suffered a shuffle, wide and decent late. MAZZARATI went to the top in a fast opener, pushed the brusher past the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, little left in the late stages. WET MY WHISTLE was never in the picture. FRANKLY MY DEAR pulled behind the winner but couldn’t keep up. SWEEPING RAINBOW was offstride well before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – Hempt Championship … LAWLESS SHADOW won the race past the start when MacDonald took advantage of the rail to hustle him through and force other hard leavers to back off, rated the half, and in fact did not get much pressure until PERFECT STING began to narrow in, had enough to ward off that one. The latter was two-wide to the 3/16 before taking the pocket, sat loose in the two-hole until the stretch, then pulled out and kept gaining and gaining, just coming up short. HELLABALOU was three-wide to towards the 3/16 then backed off to tuck third, in, couldn’t go with the top two late. CHASE H HANOVER backed off early, stayed in, which was a good strategy on this day, and got a good piece. SOUTHWIND GENDRY gapped off the front three in the torrid quarter, started uncovered at the half but never reached the leader. ROCKYROAD HANOVER was second-over, tried three-wide at the ¾ but didn’t gain. I’LL DRINK TO THAT was too far back. ABUCKABETT HANOVER broke early.
TWELFTH RACE – Beal Championship … CAPTAIN COREY was away third and quarter-moved, and stayed in control, trotting home in 27.1. JOHAN PALEMA was three-wide to the first turn, got on top 1/4 in a 26.4 opener then yielded to his barnmate, did well to stay as close to the powerful winner as he did. TAKE ALL COMERS left well, hung a foe to the ¼ and yielded for the pocket, no match for the top pair but held third. IN RANGE didn’t hit the pegs until the quarter, stayed in, gained some inside. SONOFAMISTERY was second-over (which wasn’t a great position on this day), gapped slightly, evenly late. DELAYED HANOVER moved uncovered at the half and pressured the leader, was the middle horse in 1-2-3 Svanstedt positioning headstretch but made a break. SPY BOOTH was out a long way at the back, no factor. LOCATELLI was third-over, not close when altering course to go inside the breaker, then made a break himself. ETHAN T HANOVER offered little.
THIRTEENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN went to the front 3/16, rated the half, then sprinted home in 54.1 – 27 and could not be caught. NO LOU ZING started uncovered at the half, gained by pacing a third quarter in 26.3, then came home in 27 to be close and win second over ROCKIE GOT FRAMED. The latter hustled to push the pace early then keep the pocket, stayed tight, inside stretch and just missed second. ENVIRONS HANOVER proved best of the rest. FATHER NUNO moved with cover at the half but was soon gapping. IM A GIGOLO N gapped ¾. REBELLIOUS was at the back, outside on the turn but broke.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Always B Miki Invitational Pace … 25.3 + 29 + 26 + 26.4 = 1:47.2, or 29 + 1:18.2 = 1:47.2 … ALLYWAG HANOVER streaked away to the lead at the 1/8, got a 29 second second quarter, and still came within 2/5 of the all-time world record for a five-eighth mile track in the mile of the year – anywhere — in harness racing 2021 so far, finishing powerfully. NICHOLAS BEACH had to settle for second all the way around (while pacing 1:47.3). RUTHLESS HANOVER was fourth-in, came up the Pocono Pike for the distant third. NANDOLO N took back early, went uncovered, did pace a 25.3 third quarter while getting to the leader’s rump, held pretty well considering. AFLAME HANOVER stayed plugged-in third a long way before giving some ground. SOUTHWIND OZZI couldn’t get in it from last. LEONIDAS A was second-over, couldn’t keep up ¾. WESTERN JOE tried to go up third-over but didn’t have the steps.
Aug 24, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … HIS BEATS HANOVER was wide to the first turn, had cover to the 3/16 then went on to get the top 5/16, responded to CAPTAIN ROMANCE’s challenge, was even with that one on the turn, regained a bit of an advantage early stretch and was relaxed a neck winner as you’ll see with a 26.4 last quarter. The latter gapped much of the first half, then in gear and paced his back half in 54.3 raw, as noted even with the pacesetter on the turn, held stoutly. BEACH TOWN BOY was looped leaving and went on to 3/16 command, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed connection, to the Pocono Pike but outpaced. STELLAR YANKEE went up strongly behind excellent cover, good but didn’t gain in the fast kicker. HIGH BALLER gapped slightly third-over, OK late. WHITE BELLY was the first on top, yielded to two foes, struggled on the far turn. BOLTMAN gapped and was no factor.
SECOND RACE – HALL IT IN was parked 3/16 for command from the outer post, yielded to the frontstretch brusher for the pocket, outside in the lane and right on by. RAMSES got forward position, moved 5/16 and got the lead in a soft second quarter, couldn’t maintain the advantage to the wire. TEST YOUR MAGIC gapped a little inside down the back stayed inside, gained some late. ORIGINAL SMOKEY was the first leader, yielded, sat third-in until coming out late far turn, but had no late lick. TARGET PRACTICE got the last check. THE GOGESTER was not prominent. GAVINATOR moved two-wide but didn’t gain, broke late far turn. DR TRUFFER came uncovered from midpack at the half, gained in the third quarter but then tired significantly.
THIRD RACE – CHARMING BANK got to the lead, yielded for the two-hole and stayed close, outside headstretch and looked ready to take a shot at FRANKASAURUS on the lead when that one broke towards midstretch. The latter was out to the 3/16 for the top in a good opener, rated the half then left most of the field behind to a fast ¾, still on the lead when breaking before midstretch, was gotten back on gait; an inquiry revealed no reason for placing him. ARMANI HANOVER was a little off the gate, still pushed forward a trifle belatedly and found the three-hole, started gapping before the 5/8, got a little closer approaching the far bend, came up empty late. LAVANTE gapped midrace, evenly late. COMMAND THE MARKET was never close. LEGION OF HONOR also was not capable of going at this speed. CREATE was moving off the rail into the backstretch when breaking.
FOURTH RACE – DEL DIGGITY made the top before the 1/8, slowed the half, then powered home in 56.1 – 28, all alone in the last quarter. INDUSTRIAL HEMP left outside the winner and tried to make the two-hole but was shut out of it and took a 3-tuck past the ¼, moved outside late turn and finished well. IMONABEACH HANOVER had nonadvancing cover, three-wide ¾ through the turn, caught AMERICA WINS for third. The latter shut a horse out of the pocket before the ¼ and sat in the two-hole, gradually unplugged the last 3/8. ODDS ON CARLY and SNUF ENUF HANOVER were both stuck inside behind a fading one far turn; the former went outside and got the last check, while the other went wide and showed a bit of pace. JK’S JENNA struggled in the last ¼. CAVIART LUCIA tucked fifth at the 1/8, came uncovered 9/16 but didn’t advance. ROARING SENTINEL made a break early, caught the field, but then faded the last ½.
FIFTH RACE – RED REDEMPTION went to the top, rated the half, then left the rest gasping after a big third quarter, won in fast time. CARTIER BI moved out behind cover 11/16, soon was left uncovered and tucked in the pocket, clearly second. FATHER PATS SECRET sat the two-hole, loose most of the third quarter then faded even more. ONE AFTER NINE tucked third past the 1/8, moved out 11/16 and gained, made a two-hole but broke mid-far turn, regained stride and rallied for fourth; an inquiry into the break saw no reason for placing. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN broke between horses trying to gain early position, couldn’t catch up. FASHION ON A STAR was not heard from. JOE EXOTIC broke at the start. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS was gapping by midrace.
SIXTH RACE – CUSTOMARILY got a dream second-over trip until midturn where he was left raw, trotted on well (in a not-fast last quarter) to be clear. LAA DEE GAA gapped in the outer tier, wound up fourth-over, four-wide headstretch and came from seventh to second with good late foot. KOKOMO came out third-over before the 5/8, three-wide turn, outkicked for second. ARBITOR HANOVER went uncovered into turn two, grinded and crossed over on the lead midturn, could not sustain late. A MILLION CHUCKLES was last, went between horses in the stretch and finished steadily. MYREANNA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ in by far the fastest quarter of the race, rated the half then picked it up as the two-wide wave came on, yielded midturn. BARNUM, who was third-in, and GHIBLI who made the lead between horses then yielded for the two-hole, were both caught in as the pacesetter tired, didn’t show much once clear.
SEVENTH RACE – ALWAYS B LAUGHIN made the rail between horses at the 1/8 and yielded 3/16 for the pocket, waited until late on the far turn, came a little wide off that bend, found overdrive just past midstretch and gained on a sharp AVAYA HANOVER and just was along. The latter was three-wide past the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, rated quarter two, then stepped home in 54.3 – 27.1, did everything but win in a nice showing. EXTRILLA HANOVER swung wide off cover headstretch and was a very distant third. SWEETONTHEBEACH pushed the early proceedings and yielded, then started to struggle 5/8. DRAGON SPARKS started up uncovered into the second curve but never got close. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was never in it. MORE THAN KUTE fell far back.
EIGHTH RACE – GRACE AND FAVOR was parked 3/16 for the lead, rolled along at her own pace and drew clear. NONNA BELLA was in front then yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up late backstretch but still managed second. BUTTERFLY FACE S retucked around a gapper, then continued on uncovered 5/8, gained but couldn’t quite make second. AULTER EGO went evenly. MOODY BLUE left, tucked third 3/16, didn’t have too much left late. CHARLIZE HANOVER was always far back; same with OK SUNNY, who was also a little off the gate. GOO GOO LU LU was wide early, then dangled outside, got a midpack tuck 3/8 then immediately started to gap, broke past the half.
NINTH RACE – FOREVERHILLREIGN came third-over, started a big three-wide move past the ¾ and kept on gaining to take the victory at $51.20. SO LONG HANOVER was quarter-mover #2, had cover then went on to the front towards turn two, set the pace, held off all but one. WORTHY OF HONOR was forwardly-placed early, then shuffled all the way to last, swung out wide and gained in a hard-luck mile. FOCUS POCUS tucked third, then was quarter-mover #1, yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not enough. BANG BANG BOINGA was uncovered into turn two, challenged, tired gradually. GERARD was first on top, also suffered a shuffle, was in tight quarters through the stretch. TRICKY DICK was second-over, blindswitched on the turn, couldn’t get into the main action.
TENTH RACE — BELMONT MAJOR N was unhurried early, but was hurried to pace a 26.3 backstretch raw to get the lead ¾, didn’t clear until midturn, extended to withstand TELL THEM LOU. The latter was second-over but couldn’t stay with is big brush, narrowed in through the lane. CIGAR SMOKING TONY circled wide and also gained late. ACTOR HANOVER went to the lead past the 1/8 and had an open lead at a couple of points, kept the winner outside part of the turn before he passed. HORSE left, yielded, loose at points in the pocket, Pocono Pike, couldn’t regain meaningful ground.
ELEVENTH RACE – QUICKEST HANOVER tucked third, came uncovered at the half just before the first inside breaker, challenged and went by the second inside breaker, then held off WHAT A DAME. The latter picked her way through the various challenges of the backstretch, tucked then came out in the lane, closed well. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR retucked in the holes of two different breakers, went on OK late. J-S MISS EMMA was not prominent. LILYBET set the pace with a fast opening quarter and a slow second quarter, had a challenger down the back and broke fighting that one far turn, went inside the pylons, placed. FINLANDIA took the pocket, was in tight quarters at the half behind the pacesetter, then made a break into the backstretch. MOVE OVER SOME was outside leaving, jumped it off before turn one.
TWELFTH RACE – GANGSTER HANOVER made the lead, yielded, moved early to take the lead, and what was a 1¼ length lead at the half became 3 lengths at the ¾, 10 lengths at the stretch call, and 14¼ lengths at the wire as he blasted home in 54.4. DON’T SASS ME came outside ¾ and made it to the distant second over CAVIART EMMA, who followed her move. MISTER BOINGA stayed and was shuffled on the far turn but didn’t have much late response. CAN’T SAY NO made the lead 3/16, yielded, then saw the distance between himself and the winner grow greater and greater and greater … SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was last at every call.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SHORE OF HIMSELF tucked third then made a quarter-move, set the pace, held to the wire while coming home in 56.1 – 28. CAPTAIN GOOGLE was first to the lead, yielded to the winner and sat in the pocket, held second over OHARA HANOVER. The latter was out on Route 315 coming off the second turn, moved out and paced in 27.1 to come close to catching cover, then swung wide headstretch and continued to close, total last half 54.4 – one to keep an eye on. MAKE MY DEO was last, followed the show horse, also did a good job gaining a lot of ground. MAJOR SHOW never reached contention. THE BIG PICTURE tucked fourth, came out 11/16 but couldn’t stay in the main action. CHAMP CHARBEL offered little. HERE COMES RED was away for the early pocket, came up empty in the stretch. ROSA’S REBEL was leaving a hole by the 3/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ISLAND LILY went uncovered to the 11/16, battled the leading DAGON HANOVER the rest of the way home, proved the stronger late for Matt Kakaley’s sixth win of the day. The latter headed right down the road in quick numbers, held very well. CHING CHING LUCKY moved outside down the back but gapped, did better late. BALLET BARRE went with the pacesetter early then backed off to the pocket, loose down the back, not too much late. I AM THE STORM gapped 5/8. CAPITAL T STORM could offer little. MELANIA was wide early, broke 3/16. BILLIE CLAIRE was quarter-moving from third but soon rolled offstride.
Aug 22, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … MYIDEALSON N shut a hole 3/16 and stayed third-in, swung wide headstretch and just caught PICKLED PREACHER at the very end. The latter maintained the pocket behind the front-end fights, swung out headstretch and had the lead midstretch, just caught. BARON MICHAEL headed right down the road keeping out all challengers until midstretch, then gave way, still well clear of the rest. LITTLE ADMIRAL moved two-and three-wide with cover late backstretch then ducked in and had plenty of room inside, but not too much pace. VALRHONA was four-wide to the 1/8, then took back, found no hole so was outside with cover, moved out three-wide 5/8 and was circled by a sweeper late backstretch, had to go three-wide late turn, tired after covering all that ground. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was last, brushed three-wide off the second turn and was briefly four-wide 5/8, circled to first-over late backstretch, got to the leader’s wheel but no closer. LANAS DESIRE was three-wide to the 1/8, tried to get the lead but was left outside, fading by the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – BANK BOX TREASURE was three-wide to the first turn, had to work in 27 to get the lead nearing the ¼, had a slow second split, opened a big lead late backstretch that kept getting bigger. BILLIE BLUE tucked third to the 1/8, stayed inside as he couldn’t get out from late backstretch, to the Pocono Pike and the distant deuce. FINAL DREAM moved uncovered 9/16 but didn’t make much headway, held decently. LIBERO HANOVER left strongly and forced the 27 quarter out of the winner, got loose in the pocket 11/16. PUERTO RICO stayed in, to the deep Pike and got the last payday. SCIROCCO JAKOB struggled to keep close. NOBLE ANTHONY gapped early, not much. ANDOVERS TOUCH moved outside but couldn’t come close to the main action. LAKEVIEW TAMMY broke 3/8.
THIRD RACE – TACHYON sat third, moved out 5/8 as the pocketsitter did, briefly three-wide back to two-wide 11/16, found a higher gear midstretch and got by a stubborn DISTANCE LEARNING. The latter pushed a foe early than sat in the pocket behind the hot early pace, came out 5/8 and went right by the leader, fought the winner very hard to the finish. MAGNIFICENT CHAPTER came on to beat out STRONGERWITHLINDY for the very distant third; the latter was way back, finished OK. BANTAM was gapping by the 3/8. ZETTE FLAME made the lead 3/16, rattled off a fast ½, but was tired when challenged past the 5/8. CHELIOS got a slow start and fell further back. REECE N TEDDY had just settled into a spot at the ¼ when making a break.
FOURTH RACE – SHESTHELUCKYONE got the top, pushed an adversary to the ¼ and yielded, came first-over 5/8 and sailed right by ¾, won all by herself. BUCKET HEAD tucked, shuffled upper far turn then outside, closed for second. CHOLULA came three-wide far turn from way back and finished well. TSM EMILIA T had bad traffic trouble most of the last 1/8, some at the wire. CURRY HANOVER was uncovered at the half, couldn’t reach cover. HEART MATTERS was three-wide to the first turn, was in front at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, shuffled badly as the pacesetter was passed, but had little response once taken to the Pocono Pike. YOUNG MICHELLE was wide with cover early then with two-wide cover to the ¼, then up to the lead 5/16, had no answer when challenged late backstretch and clogged the inner tier. WILD KAT G was outside but never entered the main battle. PATRICKS CHOICE was away slowly, not heard from.
FIFTH RACE – THERESNOLIMIT S left well, yielded for the pocket, struggled to stay connected during the late backstretch duel, could get through on the inside as the leader broke past the ¾, alone at the wire. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS tucked third past the 1/8, also had good fortune inside far turn, held off the resurgent FAMOUS FATHER. The latter dove in behind the early battlers to tuck, came first-over to the half, was in a big war with the pacesetter when that one broke just past the ¾, had to briefly check as the breaker went outside to stay out of the way, lost momentum, regathered well and almost claimed the deuce. BEER CHEESE was outside at the half but soon gapped. JAQEN H’GHAR (named after a Game Of Thrones character) broke looking to gain early position, made a decent recovery until breaking again in the stretch. HL BALOU left well three-wide then two-wide to the lead 3/16, set the pace, was involved in a fight with the chalk when breaking just past the ¾, was taken to the far outside. T REX BLUE CHIP and THE AMERICAN EAGLE made late breaks while not in contention.
SIXTH RACE – DESIGN FASHION had the top at the 1/8 and was well clear of the field throughout. PURE WOW maintained the pocket as after a breaker the field was a lineup save the winner, funky-going on the turns but enough to maintain the distant second. CHAMBERS COVE went evenly to be third. FREE DRINKS came outside 5/8 to try to gain but did not. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. LED BY THE LIGHT was leaving but soon broke. CANT STOP MARIE was last in the main bunch when going offstride before the half.
SEVENTH RACE – NEWELL PLACE moved second-over, circled three-wide past the 5/8 to get to two-wide raw ¾, battled the leader through the turn, with those two joined to the inside in the stretch, proved to have the most. MONEY MATTERS had early position, brushed 5/16 to the lead 3/8 and got a slow second quarter despite a challenge by the favorite, saw that one fall back but then had to deal with the winner ¾ and a Pocono Pike horse later, held very well. GUMDROP HANOVER was three-wide early, to the top just after the 1/8, put a foe in behind her, yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, may have had a head up midstretch, couldn’t quite muster enough. AVACAKES was four-wide early, worked up to the pocket 3/16, inside, clearly next-best. HODA HANOVER stayed out of trouble to get the last check. DALLAS BI was on the move with cover 5/16 and was left raw 3/8, couldn’t clear on her brush despite it being in a 30.4 quarter as looking hard to steer, continued to press unsuccessfully then faded ¾. TICKET TAB, off the gate, fell far back. TURN THE TAB broke w-a-y before the start. BETTER SINCE, also off the gate, jumped on the first turn.
EIGHTH RACE – DARK ENERGY N was wide leaving, momentarily content with the three-hole then went on to the lead at the ¼, well in control the last ¼. MELANIE’S TEDDY tucked behind an insistent inside leaver, backed out to follow cover on the turn, wide stretch and had some late kick. FATHER FRED used the inner draw to advantage, forced a tuck then yielded for the pocket, loose from the 5/8. THE NEXT FOUR got “i”s having to go around a breaker 3/16: ABSOLUTE INTENT moved out on turn two but quickly ducked back in, gapped, not much; SI SEMALU initially had cover then raw and paced a 27 third quarter to get close to the leader, then tired; ROCK THREE TIMES and CAPTAIN KEEN were not forward factors. POP’S ROMEO made a break 3/16.
NINTH RACE – AMERICAN ARTIST K got forward position, uncovered past the 5/8 and to the lead just past the ¾, saw foes narrowing in on both sides late but held together. VARNEY yielded for the pocket, squeezed out just past midturn as the winner opened a big lead, narrowed in steadily. BET ON ZETTE had shown little before the stretch, then went out then in to get clearance and finished furiously. ZEUS HANOVER cleared before the first turn, rated the half, still could not respond when challenged ¾. R CAPTAIN HANOVER gapped the winner’s cover, was three-wide midturn, no factor. BRYCE was gapping out by the 3/8. CURRENT YANKEE was not close when breaking near the 5/8.
TENTH RACE – EBBIES LADY left quickly and made the front in short order, rated the half, then trotted away from her more-fancied stablemate late. BAPTISM had a good two-hole journey, good but second-best. TIE ONE ON and VOGUE stayed inside and gained a spot as DANZNQUEEN HANOVER tired. The latter tucked third, moved out late turn and was asked for more but had no response. MIMI OCEAN HANOVER broke midturn while far back. DREAMONHIGH jumped past the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – BORN ON THIRD BASE went to the top and got a moderate half, then lost all but one of her foes with a 28.3 third quarter, was handled fairly confidently despite the fact that I’LL HAVE A LINDY was narrowing in. The latter defended pocket position from the rail, stayed attached, went to the Pocono Pike and inched up, good mile but had to settle for second, f-a-r ahead of the others. FORTUNAPEDIA moved outside on the turn to be along for the very distant third. DIVINE KRONOS S defended the 3-hole early, tired ¾. GINGERZZZ was behind cover on the turn, got the last check. WHISKEY GIRL never featured. V FOUR VICTORIOUS settled in fourth at the 1/8 and was not heard from again. HL REVINA was wide early before finding a spot, far back when breaking. BLUE TESLA tried to come first-up but misbehaved 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – MON CHEVAL was four-wide towards turn one then three-wide then two-wide with cover, tucked near the ¼, then brushed 3/8 to the lead at the half, much the best. A PERFECT HELEN stayed in the two-path as outleft, worked up to the lead at the ¼, yielded at the half, stayed close until headstretch, far ahead of the others. PALERMO HANOVER moved outside ¾ and picked up the rest. BEHINDBLUEEYES was three-wide early to command, yielded, stayed close to the ¾ then unplugged. PHANNYS MATTER could not rally. TILTHELOVERUNSOUR fell back from past the half. LUISELLA broke nearing the half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Wind decreased for the last two races … GEMOLOGIST went right to the lead, yielded after a fast quarter to sit the pocket, outside in the lane and went by smartly. WINNERUN was looped early, pressed on at the 1/8 to command off the first turn after a good quarter, rated the half, not enough late. MUSHANA moved outside raw from fifth before the 11/16 and steadily narrowed in in a good effort. THE LIONKING AS left alongside the winner, took back to follow him, inside, Pocono Pike, not a sharp response. TRUEMASS VOLO moved out on the turn and wasn’t bad late. PAPI HANOVER sat in, hard to tell how much he had left as he was behind a wall through the lane.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HL REVADON got position leaving then quarter-moved, looked in control the rest of the way. SPRUCE CREEK moved uncovered 5/8 and gained steadily, with a last half of 56.2 raw. SEVEN IRON was four- then three- then two-wide to get the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. BANZAI AS couldn’t quite go with cover. NICE STUFF was three-wide early then two-high to the top at the 1/8, yielded, stayed in, gapped on the turn. BIG MONEY HONEY was shuffled much of the far turn behind a tired horse, went outside but did not gain. THE OTHER PAIR did not make their presence felt.
