Connors’ Comments for Sunday, August 15, 2021

Aug 21, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – FAR BETTER took the early pocket, pulled raw from third at the half and went up to challenge, had a short lead ¾ and at points through the turn, but couldn’t draw clear until late. ARCHETTO HANOVER kept a hole closed 3/16 then quarter-moved, was pushed until past the 3/8 for the lead, came under pressure midbackstretch while setting a fast pace, tired a little late. TITUS SEELSTER grabbed early control from the pole, pushed until just past the 3/8 then sat the two-hole, swung out late turn and wide headstretch, evenly. JEREMES GENERAL took a tuck fourth 3/16, couldn’t keep up the last ¼. SPORTSMANSHIP was second-over, with NOBLES FINESSE and LIMA RAIDER two-wide behind him; all three gapped the horse in front of them, as did AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A along the inside.

SECOND RACE – NEWS WATCH left three-wide to the front, yielded to the brusher and sat the two-hole, urged on the turn, outside stretch and just went by nearing the wire, continuing the saga of DARTH FADER. The latter used the rail to maintain the early pocket, then came before the quarter to control the pace, went 27.4 down the back to lose everybody except the winner, held until the last couple steps. GRANTOR HANOVER left between horses and took the pocket at the 1/8, started to gap 5/8 but still held third. SHARKNADO was uncovered at the half, never reached the top two, evenly late. BOOK BINGE rode inside, not too much to offer late. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was second-over, tried to circle into contention 11/16 but couldn’t. THE OTHER DUO were far back throughout.

THIRD RACE – TWO AM tucked third towards turn one, moved raw to the 11/16 and systematically grinded down the leader. GREAT MAGIC was the first to show, pushed some then yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got past POND JUMPER for second. The latter was out to near the 3/16 to get the lead, rolled along at a good clip, tired late. MANHATTANUP NO ICE gapped from the first turn to the ¾, evenly late. CELEBRITY SERENA was inside, showed some speed nearing the wire. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC was never in the hunt. O JONNIE was outside but nowhere near the top trio.

FOURTH RACE – PANSY’S IMAGE left well, moved off the first turn to take the lead, never appeared in trouble with a 28 kicker. BRING ME DIAMONDS was second-over behind not-so-helpful cover, three-wide late turn, closed OK+. AMERICAN DELIGHT N followed the place horse, found her best gear a little too late. FRANSCHOEK sat in, blocked far turn, but didn’t have that much when shown the Pocono Pike. ALLI NUI left for control past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, left behind midturn. SWEET ROCKIN GIA did not factor. MY CAM GIRL left, followed cover then went on to the pocket near the ¼, moved out raw 5/8 but didn’t gain, then fell back.

FIFTH RACE – SILVERMASS VOLO moved out second-over, gapped a bit as the pace quickened in quarter three, then tighter and three-wide late turn, finished with enough trot for the victory. SOUTHWIND FROST was four-wide leaving, circled to the top at the ¼, slowed the second panel then sped up to meet the challenge of the first-over, just caught late. MUAY HANOVER got early command, yielded at the ¼, gapped a little down the backstretch, got closer approaching headstretch and the Pocono Pike, a step shy. CIMERONKEN was looped and wide early, two-wide the mile, third-over, finished well. SLATED TO WIN was first-up towards turn two and pushed the leader down the back, stayed in the fight a long way. URSIS DES CAILLONS never entered the picture. SWEET HEART AS stayed in, trying to clear to the far inside when making a break before midstretch.

SIXTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE was last, moved out on the turn, four-wide in the stretch and out-eighthed the field. BYE BYE FELICIA moved first-over 5/8 after the smoking half, got the lead in the lane, just caught on the money. STONEBRIDGE SOUL gapped a little second-over in the hot tempo, three-wide turn, good but outpaced from behind. JUXTA COWGIRL was not letting anyone pass and set fractions of 26, 53.1, and 1:21.3, held well but the bill came due late. ABIGAIL DAWN left, took the pocket 3/16, gave the pocket before the half then was stuck in when that new pocketsitter tired, shuffled to last, recovered OK. CAVIART CHERIE was three-wide in the early dustup, tucked third, moved off the first turn, couldn’t clear in the wicked numbers but did get the pocket nearing the half, finished at the ¾.

SEVENTH RACE – JACK RULES charged through and got the lead at the 1/8, got a breather to the half, didn’t have anybody coming at him until DYNAMIC EDGE moved up late, prevailed. The latter went right to the lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, outside to headstretch, narrowed in but couldn’t quite make it, clear second. TW LAUXMONT got a forward position early, left a small gap most of the way from nearing the ¼, held third. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over but not well-served by cover, wide in the lane, OK. ZOOMING went first-up 5/8 but never could threaten. THE OTHERS gapped at one (or more) points.

EIGHTH RACE – DELISHKA N sped away, forced a tuck, then yielded to the heavy favorite and sat behind her, to the Pocono Pike, and it was quickly apparent that the 32-1 shot was going to outsprint the 1-20 shot. WARRAWEE UBEAUT let the outside dust settle then quarter-moved, got a slow second quarter then went a fast third quarter, just didn’t have the steps to ward off the winner, did hold second in a photo with SURREAL FEELING. The latter was ahead of the winner at the 1/8 but bowed to track geometry and took the early pocket 3/16, outside in the lane, and closed well. BETTORS HEART N decisioned ALICORN for fourth; the latter gapped cover and never really entered the picture. STOWAWAY HANOVER was wide leaving, tucked fourth, came again off turn two and did pace in 26.2 down the back, then tired significantly.

NINTH RACE – MY MIKI BEACH was quick-starting, yielded, regained the lead in front of the stands, handled whatever was thrown at her late. PJ LOU was in front past the 1/8, yielded near the 3/8 for the pocket, outside for the stretch, OK. GOOD DEAL gapped in third during the third quarter, then did better late and just missed second in the Pocono Pike. ALADDIN HANOVER spotted early, uncovered to the 11/16 and made second just past the ¾, but couldn’t sustain any gain. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE was second-over but gapped. THE OTHER PAIR were at the rear throughout.

TENTH RACE – I DID IT MYWAY was three-wide to turn one and kept out just past the ¼, set the pace, had a tough foe on both sides to the wire but showed gameness. WEARINMYSIXSHOOTER had the lead to the 1/8, pushed the winner just past the ¼ and yielded for the two-hole, outside headstretch, relentless in pursuit and just missed. TREACHEROUS TOM moved out second-over ¾ but went in on the turn as his cover was not going forward, Pocono Pike, appeared to get to second at one point, did very well. BIRTHDAY left and yielded, uncovered past the 11/16, looked to be stalling on the turn, but was coming back gamely late. LOU’S BEACH took back after looking at leaving, not a late factor.

ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN COWBOY got forward position, uncovered at the half and gained, fell back a bit headstretch but was resurgent and sturdily paced on to victory. TWIST KNOT cleared easily early, pushed a looped foe to the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, never got the lead but raced well at 76-1. MIND HUNTER was looped early, went up to take over at the quarter, got a slow half, couldn’t keep the lead to the wire. HECANDANCENCRUISE moved second-over, gapped a bit, three-wide headstretch, OK in the sprint home. CAPTAIN T HANOVER had room to advance inside but didn’t. LOUS SASSIN had excess cover and never got into the main action. ONE OF THE GUYS was near the rear throughout. DREAMING OF LOU never got in the picture from third-over.

TWELFTH RACE – MARKET BASED sat outside early, in gear at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, had no challengers with back fractions of 55 – 27. JM’S FINALTREASURE wanted any early foes in behind him early and accomplished that, let the favorite go 3/8, went to the inside in the lane but didn’t have enough sprint. FOREVER BOY stayed connected and moved out nearing headstretch, along for third. BAY CITY left hard but couldn’t clear the pole horse so took back 3/16, inside, started to gap midturn. THEBIZNES BLUECHIP lost contact at the half.

THIRTEENTH RACE – HAMMERING HANK tucked early, gapped early backstretch but hit a better gear 5/8 and got closer, outside to the ¾ and accelerated powerfully to move to the leaders, a bit wide headstretch, won measuring off. LAYTON HANOVER took the early pocket, moved 5/16 and got the top before the second turn, held well but outpaced by the winner. JO PA’S WARRIOR was fifth at the 1/8 and decided to brush up, on top 5/16, yielded to a rival towards turn two for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, did well but never got by the pacesetter. BOARDWALK BET was on top at the 1/8, aw two go by in quarter two, moved out headstretch, fair. CODE CRACKER stayed out of trouble and got the last check. LAST BEACH lost contact before the half. REGENTS HANOVER was near the back when making a break early on the far turn.

FOURTEENTH RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the lead 5/16, fought off the first-over, drew clear. RUNHAPPY TEN tucked fourth 3/16, had to wait for room on the turn as the pocketsitter got loose, outside stretch and came on for second. BLOW A CLOUD N left well from the inside, forced tucks, then yielded for the pocket, got a bit loose ¾, did hold for third over BLUEBERRY HEAVEN. The latter stayed in and also was blocked, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make it for third. WILD WEST went fourth-over but ducked in, got the last check. VALIDUS DEO was third-over, wide, too far back. MR D’S DRAGON gapped second-over, three-wide when the first-over faltered but didn’t offer much. CAPTAIN HILL held early position from the rail, uncovered before the half, gained a little in the third split but then tired. WINNING LINC was last at every call.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, August 14, 2021

Aug 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Strong stretch tailwind (see the fractions for race one) … ROCK THE DEVIL got a good early spot fourth, uncovered into the wind 9/16 and reached the leader by the 11/16, had a long fight with that one, up right on the money coming home in 26.3 (with the wind) despite the hard trip. WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH was quarter-mover #2, left uncovered 3/8 and soon made the top, hooked up with the winner from the 11/16, unlucky to get outnodded. SOMBODYITREASURE made two speed moves to the 3/8, yielded, couldn’t stay with the top two in the last quarter. TULHURSTSANTANNA A made the front 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, couldn’t stay tight. SCOOTNROLL never got a call. CAPTAIN MCKEE was uncovered at the half, soon got cover but soon after that gapped it. BABES DIG ME wound up third-over, went three-wide but couldn’t gain contention.

SECOND RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was on top just past the 1/8, pushed a foe to the 3/8 then yielded, popped out of the pocket 11/16 and went right on by, opened an insurmountable lead. VALIANT IVY wound up behind dull cover on the turn, wide and finished nicely. LORD OF MISRULE yielded, stayed in, trapped when the pacesetter tired as the winner got away, waited for the Pocono Pike then had some response. THE CANDYMAN CAN didn’t care for being taken back early, was far back, angled widest midstretch and finished with a good rush. INDIGO ART started uncovered before the 5/8, briefly got cover then was left behind by it, clogged the two-wide tier. SPORTS TEEN refused a big 3-hole and worked to the lead 3/8, couldn’t hold out the winner and clogged the one-wide tier. AMERICAN CHROME didn’t show much. KINGOFTHEJUNGLE was last at every call.

THIRD RACE – MACKIE HANOVER was three-wide just past the 1/8 and in front past the 3/16, rolled on at a good tempo, resisted bids from both sides in a very close finish. SO MIKI HANOVER came uncovered 9/16 and gradually worked up to challenge, lost a little ground swinging into the stretch then was resurgent midstretch and just failed. STAYCATION HANOVER left between horses, took over just past the 1/8, and yielded just past the 3/16, pocket, Pocono Pike, may have had a nose up past midstretch, right in the fight to the line. CAPTAINANDTELLY was the innermost of the leavers, yielded and stayed in, not quite enough along the inside late. STAR CAPTAIN moved out third-over, ducked between horses headstretch, finished OK. ODDS ON WHITNEY was second-over from last, three-wide midturn, couldn’t reach.

FOURTH RACE – REGAL SUN was first-up to the half, went at the leader from the 5/8 while going 27 vs. the wind down the back, fought hard then pulled away late. ALBERGO HANOVER had cover early, lost it 3/16 and went to the lead 3/8, under pressure from the winner, held second over an inside-charging RHP. The latter made the front 3/16, yielded after a like distance for the pocket, Pocono Pike, step-and-a-half shy. CURIOUS CORTEZ was second-over and advanced behind live cover, three-wide late turn, finished well to be in the picture for second. ALEX TYE sat in and was shuffled back, out in a blindswitch towards headstretch, so-so late. SCOTT ROCKS yielded 3/16, looked all-out to keep up from the 5/8. WAR-N-MUNN was third-over, slightly gapped cover down the back, wide with cover on the turn, fair. BENJI’S BEST was last, had some late pace on the far outside.

FIFTH RACE – GUARDIAN ANGEL AS had the lead immediately and dictated his own terms en route to an unchallenged victory. P L NOTSONICE vacated third 11/16, outtrotted the pocket horse for second in another good mile for this overachiever. ANGEL NATION was loose in the pocket at a couple of points, faded in the lane. WARRIOR ONE gapped but stayed flat. CHIN CHIN HALL broke right at the start. RICH AND MISERABLE broke easing back early.

SIXTH RACE – DARBY HANOVER was in front past the 1/8 and was in charge from that point, kicking home in 27.1. FIGHTING EVIL grabbed command before turn one, yielded to the winner, commendable that she could stay that close to the strong winner in a 27.1 last quarter. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME was out behind fading cover and ducked in on the turn, swung wide headstretch and passed the others for the distant third. BEACHBLANKETLINDY didn’t have much to offer. CAPSAICINN spotted fourth, not heard from again. FILLY SPEAKS came uncovered at the half but never headed the third-in horse, then slowed to a jog late.

SEVENTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved out raw 5/8, charged up to the leader on the far turn, then wore that one down in a long duel. FEELING CAM LUCKY was headed down the road, stringing out the field until late backstretch in fast fractions, held off all but one. SWEET N FAST N couldn’t go with the winner’s cover but chugged along to be third. SOMEBEACH BARON was last-over behind all kinds of traffic, ducked in headstretch and followed the show horse’s path to gain stretch ground. WALTER MITTY was caught behind a tired pocketsitter, to the Pocono Pike and fair. DO YA THINK did not feature. LINCOLN JAMES was urged leaving and got the pocket, may’ve been bottomed behind the fast pace, empty the last ¼. ARTISTS RUFFLES was first to move out but didn’t gain much on that first move, went three-wide to try to circle into contention but offered little. BENSON BOYS N developed a problem in the last half.

EIGHTH RACE – LOUD SPLASH got the lead easily and didn’t have much pressure, was tested by WILSONS VINNER late but had a 27.3 last quarter in him and held on. The latter was speedy early and took the pocket, tightened back in late backstretch, outside in the lane, closed well but looked second-best. SPORTY DRAGON sat third the entire way, not in the league of the top two late. STEP ON THE GAS moved outside 11/16, gained a little on the turn then flattened. THE OTHER PAIR could not get into the main action of the race.

NINTH RACE – BILLY BADGER N, on the right line most of the way, was looped, worked his way to the lead 3/8, went steadily with individual splits of 27.3 – 27.4 – 27.4 – 27.1, the last needed to ward off the potential pocket rocket J B MAUNEY N. The latter looped the winner and got the top 3/16, pushed a like distance before yielding, outside headstretch, very good race. HE’S ELECTRIC was first on top, yielded, sat third from the 3/8, not in the league of the top two but better than the rest. LESPNDNITETOGETA N stayed inside, beat out the others. JK MUSICMAN was uncovered into the backstretch, grinded but never headed the pocket horse before tiring. JAGGER ROCKS was third-over, a touch of pace on the far outside. BULLVILLE TERROR could do little from second-over. THE LAST TWO were the last two throughout.

TENTH RACE – GRACE HILL needed until the past the 1/8 to take the top in a 26.1 opener, set the pace, gave the crowd a brief thrill when CHASE LOUNGE dropped to the Pocono Pike and had a momentary surge, but responded like a top filly should and withstood her. The latter was the innermost of three leavers and got herself a pocket trip, as mentioned briefly loomed going inside in the stretch, tried hard but second best. THEBEACHISCALLING was three-wide to the 1/8 then dropped back to tuck third, did well along the inside late. MILIEU HANOVER went up belatedly to tuck fourth, was first-over off the second turn, held on pretty well. THE OTHER TWO moved outside with cover down the back but couldn’t go enough to be factors here.

ELEVENTH RACE – NASHVILLE ELGENNA left quickly right to the lead, yielded for the pocket, outside headstretch, snapped by midstretch as the leader tired. PODIUM GIRL was looped early and worked up to command off the first turn, rolled at an even clip, defenseless midstretch. CAPTAINS MAID was uncovered past the 9/16, didn’t get near the front but had enough to decision TONIANNE for third. The latter showed some early foot, then was loose in the 3-hole the last half. UPTOWN HANOVER gapped second-over. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL never contended. NATCHEZ BELLE was last at every call.

TWELFTH RACE – MIKALA jumped right out to the lead, got a breather to the half, then came home in 54.3 – 27 with nobody able to make much inroad. FIRE START HANOVER took back early and was last, then third-over in a dull cover flow, three-wide before the ¾, actually paced her last half (54.2) than the winner (54.3) but was far back, passed a couple of horses late to save second. SO IRRESISTIBLE went to the pocket 3/16, not enough late and couldn’t hold second. PAULAS BET HANOVER sat third, outside late turn, fair. INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW was second-over, gapped, blindswitched before the ¾, ducked in, not enough. BEACH CRAZY came raw at the half but didn’t get too close before falling back.

THIRTEENTH RACE – BILL HALEY N left outside the quick pole horse and protected the pocket, came out before midstretch and said, “See ya later, Alligator!” to J M MANDAMIN. The latter took control from the pole and set a fast pace, came home well but got caught by the pocket rocket. ROCKIE GOT FRAMED stayed in and was clear if distant third. SOUTH BEACH STAR was second-over, three-wide far turn as cover faltered, fair. PATERNITY SUIT A gapped down the back, fair late. HIGHALATOR was very wide towards turn one, dropped into the 3-hole near the ¼, uncovered off turn two, but was subpar today as his bid sputtered towards the ¾.

FOURTEENTH RACE – KILOWATT KID N showed some early foot, moved raw into turn two and brushed to command before the 5/8, was in control the rest of the way. HEREITIZ followed the cover of the winner then was left raw 5/8, fought on gamely for a good second. MAJOR OFFENSE cleared quickly to the front, yielded to the winner 5/8, stayed close until late on the turn, won third in a photo over DIVISION BELL. The latter was in the two-wide flow, gapped far turn, some late. FERDINAND A gapped early, went wide in the stretch and passed horses. BLACKLIGHT never was in the main action. WAY TO CLOSE got in fifth at the 3/16, then lost all chance being shuffled behind a tired one from late backstretch. TAKEITTOTHEFACE had the early pocket, wanted to quarter-move but had to reconsider that decision, then was empty from the 5/8.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Aug 16, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Due to early moisture, the track was rated “sloppy +1” for the first five races, “good +1” for races six through eight, and “fast +0” for the remainder of the card … Stretch headwind at the start, slightly diminishing late … HORSE went to the top, yielded to the early brusher to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and along safely. JACKAMINO briefly went into the early pocket then quarter-moved, got pressure from the 11/16, no match for the winner but withstood MUSCLE MACH A for second. The latter was uncovered off the second turn and made a nice brush to contention through the backstretch, held his ground well to the wire. CENTURY ENFORCER sat in and was shuffled some, split horses headstretch with some pace. MOVE THE LINE had no more to give 11/16. PRAIRIE MIDNIGHT gapped second-over. THE OTHER PAIR were always at the rear.

SECOND RACE – GINGER TREE LIZ left and made the pocket at the 1/8, sat tight until headstretch, worked her way to victory. JK ALWAYSBALADY was double-looped and three-wide early, took third nearing the quarter, was going to back out to follow cover 5/8 but went back in, decided to go out behind the winner and the wide midstretch, finished strongly. AVAYA HANOVER left sharply for command, got a breather in quarter two then sprinted down the back, not quite enough to last to the wire. WIGGLE DELIGHT gapped second-over, best of the rest. BLONDE ON THE BEACH started uncovered on turn two, made some progress but then couldn’t sustain it. THE REST were in the back half of the field throughout and did not make their presence felt.

THIRD RACE – HURRIKANE WILLIE G moved outside 5/16, uncovered to the 3/8 to the lead past that point, went 28.2 to leave the opposition far back. MANUKA drifted out, gradually worked to command in front of the stands, yielded for the pocket, gapped down the back, got tighter on the turn, then couldn’t gain back any more ground while far clear of the rest. LAVANTE was the early leader, saw two go past in quarter two, struggling before the ¾ but still far ahead of the rest of the field. COMMAND THE MARKET and TEST YOUR MAGIC, both gapping at the back, got up for the last checks. GAVINATOR took the early two-hole 3/16, gapped a gapper the last 7/16. LEGION OF HONOR went outside 5/8 but never went forward.

FOURTH RACE – MIKI THE CLOWN was three-wide early, looped a foe to 1/8 command, slowed the half, then remained in control of these to the wire. DEL DIGGITY left enough to protect the pocket, outside in the lane but didn’t have quite enough. NEVER NOT DANCING kept a hole closed past the 1/8, stayed inside and third. ODDS ON CARLY was between horses leaving, couldn’t get a forward spot and retreated, fell back. IMONABEACH HANOVER was uncovered at the 3/8 and made a nice gain raw going in 27.2 down the back, but then flattened. THE OTHERS IN THE FIELD were never a threat, with ROARING SURREAL, an early gapper, breaking at the ¾.

FIFTH RACE – WHAT A DAME left between horses, tucked, then quarter-moved and rated the half, left the opposition behind in the stretch. CIAO BELLA had cover then lost it late backstretch, gained some on the turn, gave ground to the winner in the stretch but held second over CUSTOMARILY. The latter found room when a foe broke late turn and ate up a lot of territory through the stretch. KRISTIE LEIGH had early speed, moved to the 5/8 and retucked in the pocket 11/16, not much more to give late. BARNUM was in front 3/16, yielded to the brusher, unplugged 5/8. A MILLION CHUCKLES was never close. MISSBULLVILLYANKEE broke while not close on the far turn. MISS MAYTRIX misbehaved early.

SIXTH RACE – Track rerated “good +1” as sun began to break through … ONE AFTER NINE moved uncovered off the second turn, speed-grinded up to the leader nearing the ¾, trotted his last half in 57 as he kept on going en route to victory. CAMDEN HILLS defended the early pocket, quarter-moved, really backed the half down, trotted home very well but just couldn’t handle the winner. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN took a midpack tuck, then moved second-over, gapped down the back but got closer on the turn, outfooted the others. CARTIER BI got in front then yielded for a two-hole journey, tired. F X HANOVER and ARGENTO never got close. HEARTBEAT HILL tucked in third 3/16, stayed connected, but broke headstretch.

SEVENTH RACE – HIGH BALLER really pushed a foe before yielding at the ¼, slightly loose in the pocket, but had enough to catch the leader up the Pocono Pike, coming his own last half in 55.3. MICKEYS SPIRIT wouldn’t take a big two-hole, was hard-used to get the front at the ¼, rated the half, held well through the stretch. LIFEMAKER gapped most of the way but still had enough for third. SPINNAKER HANOVER went raw at the half and paced up in 27 to challenge, fell back some late. MAJOR SHOW was stuck inside, angled out towards midstretch and finished rapidly. BEACH FORECAST tried second-over but gapped. THE OTHERS never got into the main action.

EIGHTH RACE – BALDAQUIN was last in the main bunch, started to roll wide past midbackstretch and soon had cover, stayed three-wide until late turn then two-wide, closed steadily after the fast early pace and was along. WORTHY OF HONOR pushed most of the quarter then yielded for the pocket, kept the 2-hole tight, trapped in far turn then got out when the parked horse backed off, closed strongly midtrack. CAVIART EMMA moved outside 5/8 and three-wide 11/16, swept to the lead past midturn, couldn’t quite sustain. GERARD was outside most of a 26.3 quarter and then parked a foe to the very fast half, passed towards late turn and faded. CAN’T SAY NO was third-over, blindswitched by the winner then followed him wide midturn but couldn’t match that one’s late speed. TRICKY DICK tucked, then was not heard from. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was behind cover most of the ¼ then went up raw, couldn’t clear in demanding fractions, faded in the last quarter. BANZAI AS broke at the start.

NINTH RACE – Track now rerated to “fast +0” … BILLIE CLAIRE and FINLANDIA were 1-2 from the 1/8 pole, opened a huge gap between them and the rest of the field, and held their respective positions to the wire. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved three-wide past the 5/8 to circle foes and get to a distant third, where is where she wound up. QUICKEST HANOVER followed the show horse, was wide on the far turn, couldn’t gain. BLESS YOUR HEART went in third at the 1/8, started gapping before the half and faded badly. HEARTOFGOLD DEVIE was disconnected by the 3/8. SPIT AND VINEGAR moved out to try to go around the bad gapper but herself had even less.

TENTH RACE – IM A GIGOLO N was between horses early, tucked third at the 1/8, out with a roar towards the half and went right by the leader, soon had pressure from BELMONT MAJOR N despite going a 25.4 third quarter, opened up a little daylight headstretch but kept to active handling to repel his pesky foe. The latter moved with the cover of the winner then kept going raw and paced his third split in 25.3, lost a little ground straightening away but hung in there relentlessly while clear of the rest. TELL THEM LOU was third-over but couldn’t keep up in the streaking two-wide flow, ducked inside for the stretch and paced well. ACTOR HANOVER went OK in the blistering back half, returned with “b.e.” DOUBLE METAL stayed in and didn’t factor. STELLAR BB pushed the pace early, then came back for the retake, rated quarter two but then had no response to the winner’s challenge and gradually fell back. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-deep to 3/16 command, yielded, struggled to keep close the last 3/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – CALLE PALEMA left in 26.4 while clearing before the first turn, drastically slowed quarter two then went faster, mildly-urged to stay clear of the oncharging CHING CHING LUCKY. The latter came off the rail at the ¾ and went three-wide headstretch, had a huge last 1/8 to just miss. DAGON HANOVER sat in the two-hole, took some rough steps in close quarters nearing the wire; there was an inquiry to see if DAGON HANOVER’s rough gait caused BALLET BARRE any interference, but the order of finish stood. The latter ducked inside in the stretch, did go wide of the third-place horse very late but was judged not to have been interfered with. HIP HOP GRACIE gapped from when a breaker left a hole at the quarter almost until moving raw 5/8, gained some, held OK late. OLYMPIC GLORY had some trot on the far outside. DUKE OF LINDY appeared to have room inside in the lane but couldn’t get close enough. CHOCOLATE MATTERS never was a factor. TRUFFLES TOO had just settled into a 4-tuck when breaking near the ¼.

TWELFTH RACE – GAMBLIN MO decided to go up for the lead nearing the fast ¼, made the front just past the 3/8 and put up very fast numbers, held off the gallant MIKIBYTHESEASIDE. The latter was outside midpack early and looked to have a notion to try for the lead but tucked when the winner moved, came out second-over, soon three-wide as the cover was stale, two-wide ¾ while well off the leader, kept chopping into that margin in an impressive (and unlucky) race. RHETT SEELSTER followed the cover of the place horse, couldn’t quite go with it but was along for third. BEACH TIME BOY stayed in, found room to angle wide coming into the stretch and finished with pace. SIX DEGREES crossed right over to the lead, yielded, was stuck behind a gapper the third quarter and around the turn, couldn’t build enough momentum after the Pocono Pike came. STELLAR YANKEE never factored; nor did BRAZEN BRAZILIAN. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was first to show, was looped and took the pocket, then moved to take over the stick, yielded to the winner, gapped that one in fast fractions from the half. CANDYS IMAGE ROCKS moved uncovered before turn two but went backwards.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, August 9, 2021

Aug 15, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – MARKET BASED settled in fourth at the ¼, pulled uncovered 5/8 and gained with every step, drew away when asked for more late. QUICK SNAP headed down the road and set the pace of his choosing, outfooted late, held second over REGENTS HANOVER. The latter worked up to the early pocket, stayed tightly connected, Pocono Pike, just missed second. THEBIZNES BLUECHIP was three-wide to the first turn, settled in third 3/16, couldn’t keep up past the ¾. ZEUS HANOVER struggled from the 5/8. BULLVILLE FRANK never featured. ROCKET MAC moved outside but had no gain. PRAIRIE HANDSOME broke past the start, appeared to suffer “b.e.” during or after a second break past the half.

SECOND RACE – GREEK LEGEND made a big uncovered move 9/16 and streaked right by before midturn, was getting very tired late and just held on over BILLIE BLUE. The latter left between horses to get the pocket in a fast opener, shuffled when the winner went by the pacesetter far turn then backed out, ducked to the Pocono Pike and was gaining slowly but surely late. CHUCKY DE VIE left and yielded, sat third-in then followed the winner before the ¾, raw on the turn, not far off at the finish. LIONHEAD backed off past the start, moved outside but couldn’t reach the front ones. ANDOVERS TOUCH was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 3/16 to get the lead in a quarter more than two seconds fastest than any other one in the race, set the pace, folded when challenged far turn. GOLDEN ZETTE never menaced. SCIROCCO JAKOB was at the back throughout.

THIRD RACE — NIKI HILL moved boldly 5/16 and went by the heavy favorite, kept up a quick pace and then came home in 27.1 to win in 1:50.3, just 2/5 of a second off the world record. CAPTAIN COWGIRL was three-wide going to the first turn to the lead 3/16, yielded to the rush of the winner, stayed tight and gained fractionally late in an excellent mile. JAZZED left to defend the pocket, kept close until the stretch, next-best. HOOD PARTY was uncovered 5/8, made a good gain nearing the ¾ but soon flattened out. MADEIRA HANOVER never was a major player. TREACHEROUS KISS came outside 11/16 but gapped.

FOURTH RACE – LILYBET went right to the top, opened up a good lead down the backstretch, then was struggling late but reached the line ahead of MOODY BLUE. The latter didn’t get going until the far turn, then came flying to miss by very little. AMBERS CHAMPION vacated third to the 11/16 and advanced to challenge, held well. KEYSTONE VIENNA got the pocket, struggled to keep up from the 5/8. DREAM ZETTE was wide early and hard to put in against the pylons, not much. CHARLIZE HANOVER was away last from the rail and was never close. PRAIRIE BEAUTIFUL was leaving a gap before the ¾ and ran soon afterward.

FIFTH RACE – Stretch headwind … HECANDANCENCRUISE left well, quarter-moved, was strung out a bit vs. the wind but cleared towards turn two, drew clear in the last 1/8. OCTAVE outleft everybody, saw two go by in quarter two, came out past early stretch and closed well for second. SUCCESSION bypassed the two-hole 3/16 and went up to take over, pushed the winner then yielded, started getting loose midturn. PERFECTLY SAID never factored. MISTER DAVID C came raw 11/16 and gained, but then broke midturn. ALWAYS B NIFTY trailed throughout.

SIXTH RACE – HIGH TOPS accelerated early and took the lead, never relinquished it. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS gapped a gapper third-over, widest early in the stretch and had a very fast last 1/16 showing fine speed. CALIFORNIA GOLD took a 3-tuck, uncovered past the 5/8, got to the wheel of the winner, held well. ZETTE FLAME, a bit wide at points, took the pocket 3/16, started getting loose past the 5/8, evenly late. CHELIOS never made his presence felt. GONNA B HANOVER moved outside but couldn’t get into the main action. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was at the rear throughout.

SEVENTH RACE – PURE WOW went right out to command, didn’t get much pressure until the far turn, drew clear when a rival broke and looked more like a chalk than a $69.60 horse with twin 28.4s coming home. ROMANTIC TILE S gapped early, narrowed in, then couldn’t keep up in the last quarter, but stayed flat and was a clear third. WILD KAT G was far behind, trotted well in the last quarter. LUISELLA advanced to third after a foe broke and narrowed in, outside ¾ and was gaining towards second but broke headstretch. BUCKET HEAD gapped out before the 5/8. BUTTERFLY FACE S tucked third, broke 5/16, quickly recovered, then broke again 3/8. ENVISION HANOVER was far back when breaking after the ¾. GOO GOO LU LU didn’t respond well to being taken back early and ran near the ¼.

EIGHTH RACE – TREACHEROUS DRAGON was outside past the 1/8 for the top, yielded 3/8 to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and along in time over HIT ME UP. The latter had cover early, got in gear before the ¼ but needed until just past the 3/8 to get the lead, had a moderate middle half, just failed to last. SWEET OMEN backed out second-over, three-wide late on the turn, closed well to photo BERMUDA for the lead. The latter was first to show, then got shuffled back to last, clear along the inside but didn’t have enough response. COLLUSION ILLUSION started raw off turn two and got up to challenge the leader before the ¾, but her gain stopped midturn.

NINTH RACE – MEXICAN HANOVER progressed in the lively outer tier, four-wide in the lane and kicked in well to pace past everybody. MISS HELEN HANOVER was the first to pull out, had lots of cover, three-wide to headstretch, never had the lead but went off steadily for the deuce. SMUGGLE TINA was last-over, tailed the winner, didn’t quite have her acceleration early stretch but finished with pace. MIKI ROSE looped a foe and went to the front 3/16, yielded to that looped for to the 3/8, regained the lead to the 5/8 then had to deal with the first-over, had the lead until the lake. HOFFMAN HANOVER stayed in, shuffled on the turn then out into a blindswitch, angled to the path behind the winner midstretch and was gaining. SOUTHWIND MOLLY pushed until the 3/16, yielded, moved with cover then was left coverless to the 5/8 and argued with the leader, tired. EMPOWERMENT was looped early and had cover to the 3/16, then out raw about that long to make the top, yielded to the 5/8, backed up in the last ¼. ALWAYS B ROYALTY was not heard from.

TENTH RACE – ONECROOKEDLEG was outside with cover leaving, tucked third before that cover broke, moved 3/8 and went right on by, in control to the wire while finishing in hand with a 27.1 last quarter. JK I FEEL FINE was on top early, saw a challenger break 3/16, yielded to the winner, tried hard to the wire but had to settle for second. NO FOOLIN raced inside, gapped 11/16, came back a little late for third. SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE wound up in the early pocket, moved outside 11/16, advanced for a little while then fell back. IM NO APRIL FOOL and MUST BE NICE were near the rear throughout. ST NEVIS left and had a ¾-length advantage over her inside rival when breaking 3/16, recovered and got back to midpack, but couldn’t sustain.

ELEVENTH RACE – SHADOWS DANCERS led the outer charge and sailed right past 5/8, opened up a gigantic lead to be all alone late. BETTING HANNAH got forward position early, was behind a troubled horse off the second turn and sacrificed a position, got rolling in the stretch and finished with steady pace. TITHING BLUE CHIP was out behind the winner, got a tuck third 9/16 as a foe went to the infield, was lucky to avoid a shuffle past the 5/8 and could move out again to retuck in a distant pocket, not that much left late. CHILLIN BYTHE POOL was advancing behind cover down the back when the cover broke forcing her into an “ix,” made a good recovery. SWEET KATIE BUG avoided trouble inside then had little forward gear. OUT OUT was off off the gate and no factor. LIGHTNING LEIA was gaining uncovered past the 5/8 when jumping it off. TRAVELING LADY was on top before the 3/16 in a 26.3 opener, radically slowed quarter two, still could not resist the winner’s brush, then backed through the field the last ¼. IDEAL DESTINY made the lead, yielded, in the two-hole during the very slow second ¼, started gapping before the half and was taken out of the rail to the infield with some kind of problem.

TWELFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA was the innermost of three leavers and yielded, came with one quick burst 5/8 and took the lead late backstretch, not threatened thereafter. FIND HAPPINESS was three-deep almost to the 1/8, in front 3/16, yielded 5/16, sat in, to the Pocono Pike and a clear second. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was buried far back on the far turn, but could gain along the inside and came on well for third. SHOWMEURSWEETSIDE was looped, had cover then left raw 3/16, up to command 5/16, yielded late backstretch, faded. GALLERIA HANOVER tucked fifth 3/16, moved behind the winner’s cover but couldn’t advance with that one and was left raw, so-so. IDEALINFUN and A LIST GIRL weren’t on the “A” list this afternoon. MYMONSTERSAREREAL had cover but couldn’t go with it.

THIRTEENTH RACE – LYONS SERENITY was three-high to turn one, tucked fourth past the 1/8, moved 5/16 and brushed to the top early on turn two, tacked on a pair of 28.1 last quarters and won safely. BET ON THE BAY was forwardly-placed early, moved outside ¾ and closed steadily to be second. CATHY HANOVER left, yielded, stayed in, outside midstretch and gained to be third. COUNTERPARTY RISK was out to the 3/16 pursuing the lead, pushed the winner to early in the second turn and then yielded in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike but had no response. TALL GLASS HANOVER moved outside with little. SINNER HANOVER never factored. LIFELUVN YANKEE fell way back.

FOURTEENTH RACE – Wind had calmed by the end … DON’T SASS ME came uncovered off the second turn and grinded up nicely, made the lead on the far turn but couldn’t clear, extended his advantage slightly to the wire. MUSHANA was three-wide most of a good quarter, to the top 3/8 and kept up a good pace, had the leader come to him before the ¾, held well in the face of that one’s good mile. TSM PHOTO BUGGER pushed the early action and yielded, shuffled behind a tired foe on the turn, angled out and was moving very quickly late in unlucky outing. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was second-over but couldn’t quite stay with his cover. POND JUMPER was between horses most of the ¼ for command, yielded 3/8, struggled in the last ¼. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC gapped third-over. SIMPLY VOLO sat last, not in contention when breaking early stretch.