Aug 12, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – JK MUSICMAN was out most of the ¼ to get the lead, strung the field out and was unthreatened in a 27.3 last quarter. TAKEITTOTHEFACE was asked leaving, made the lead, pushed the winner to the ¼ then yielded, stayed close, couldn’t gain late. PC’S EXPRESSO rallied wide in the stretch to win a three-way photo for third. AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A came out midturn as a rival faded, evenly. PARTY BOY was last, in the photo for third up the Pocono Pike. CAPTAIN KEEN was having trouble keeping up at the half.
SECOND RACE – CON AIR HALL looked to leave but was surrounded and took a tuck, moved out 5/8 behind duelers, swung three-wide at the ¾, circled to the lead headstretch and drew away. JACK RULES made the lead going to turn one, set the pace under constant heavy pressure, couldn’t hold back the winner but maintained second nicely. ARCH CREDIT swung four-wide from last (save the breaker) early stretch and picked up the others. FRAC moved outside late backstretch but couldn’t get in the main battles. SEVEN IRON had forward position, moved out and up 5/16 but was left out to dry, hotly battled the leader in fast numbers, tired far turn. CELEBRITY SERENA was four-wide early, raced up into the pocket past the 1/8, struggling to keep up after the fast half. FASHION POSSESSED made a break before the start.
THIRD RACE – HIGHVIEW CONALL N was three-wide early right to the lead, proceeded at a steady rate and mastered these. ARCHETTO HANOVER used the rail to defend the pocket, stayed connected, outside headstretch, neither gained nor lost stretch ground. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN was three-wide past the 1/8, took all the way back to last, advanced inside, finished well, better mile than it may look. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was looped leaving, reluctantly took back to tuck 3/16, outside midturn, evenly. LITTLE ADMIRAL was behind nonadvancing cover, three-wide ¾, couldn’t get into it. LANAS DESIRE came uncovered into turn two but never got closer than the pocket horse’s wheel before fading.
FOURTH RACE – SILVERMASS VOLO moved out before the 5/8 after the parked horse faded, grinded up, went right by early stretch and drew away for amateur Maria De Bruijn’s first North American driving victory. URSIS DES CAILLONS took no prisoners, battled with the winner but had to submit, held second. CIMERONKEN was third-over, behind a gapper, stayed steady and passed horses. MUSKINGUM avoided a breaker and stayed inside, looked to be in tight quarters nearing the line. HITITOUTOFTHEPARK kept the pocket closed, faded 11/16. P C FOREIGN AFFAIR moved behind the parked horse to the second turn three-wide to the 5/8, got new cover but couldn’t go with it. FRENCH MONI was left out two-wide, faded before the 5/8. SWEET HEART AS got in fifth at the ¼, then made a break early on the backstretch.
FIFTH RACE – VALRHONA went right to the lead, strung the field out with a 27.1 third quarter, had no problem. BARON MICHAEL took back early, moved out ¾, did well to get second. AN THE THUNDEROLLS hustled away for the pocket, didn’t have much in the stretch. MYIDEALSON N had a bit of gain in the Pocono Pike. PICKLED PREACHER went wide and had a touch of pace on the end. GOLDEN GESTURE was looking to leave but took back when he saw the three inside him had the same idea, later gapped. DARK HORSE was last throughout.
SIXTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE kept up fairly well behind the 26 opener, then was on the move 5/16 to get the top 3/8, maintained a torrid pace, very game to hold off JUXTA COWGIRL to her left. The latter left like a freight train to the torrid opening number, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, lost by a whisker while well ahead of the others. ROCK IS SWEET was second-over, gapped some down the back, three-wide late turn and along for third. CANDY ON THE BEACH tucked third at the 1/8, moved uncovered 5/8, never closer than the leader’s wheel, held OK. RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP gapped early, then outside late backstretch, four-wide headstretch, gained some late. PRECIOUS ALEXIS gapped in last down the back, came up the Pike and had a little bit on the end.
SEVENTH RACE – IMAGINEUWITHOUTME went right to the top, parked the early mover, ran away and hid in the last quarter in a quick mile for this type. SHARKNADO gapped at a couple of points inside, outside stretch and just got the distant second over SPORTSMANSHIP. The latter made the pocket, stayed tight in the early duel, then unplugged before the ¾, couldn’t quite save second. DARTH FADER, slow to the gate, moved 3/16 but didn’t have the speed to clear, tired past the 5/8. BETTER B ROLLING got rolling to the half, followed the parked horse then tried to go around him three-wide but never gained. SOMETHINGINTHEWIND trailed, fell far back.
EIGHTH RACE – BETTORS HEART N was on top just before the 3/16, got a slow second quarter, then put down successive 27.3s coming home, showed a lot of heart in holding off ABIGAIL DAWN. The latter took command then yielded for the two-hole, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, inched up much of the stretch but couldn’t gain any more at crunch time. GALLERIA GAL backed out to third-over, four-wide in the lane and finished well. TALL POPPY N got an early forward spot, came uncovered 11/16, evenly. ROLL WITH ANGEL didn’t have clearance the last 3/8. CAVIART CHERIE was uncovered from last at the half, advanced some, finally got cover, three-wide headstretch, couldn’t get there but deserved better than to pace a last half in 54.2 and get no check.
NINTH RACE – TRICK CARD was second-over at the half and was carried up perfectly, but still paced his own back half in 55.3 as he swung wide and was going away at the end. JEREMES GENERAL set the pace with a second quarter breather, then got pressure from the first-over, stuck around with his usual tenacity. HES GONE BADDER got in front then yielded for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. LIMA RAIDER sat in then backed out third-over 11/16, came up empty in the stretch. NEWS WATCH went up uncovered at the half, battled the leader late backstretch through the turn, then gave way. THE OTHER TWO were at the back and did not affect the outcome of this one.
TENTH RACE – APRIL AVA was in front before the 1/8 then yielded for the perfect pocket trip, took advantage of it in the Pocono Pike and got the decision. SURREAL FEELING was uncovered at the half and was head-to-head with the pacesetter from the 5/8 to the line though both were passed to their left, held well. STONEBRIDGE SOUL was out past a fast opener for command, slowed the half, then as noted was head-and-head with the place horse the last 3/8, held well. SUNNY DEE got a second-over journey, not quite enough. STOWAWAY HANOVER didn’t have enough in the last 3/16. YS TALLIA was away last from the rail, moved third-over but fell back in the lane.
ELEVENTH RACE – BRONSKIMACKENZIE A was parked until the ¼ to make the front, yielded 3/8 but made a quick regaining move to a quick half, unusually had the third quarter the slowest quarter, then had more than enough to win in hand. ALLEYESONME AS was three-deep 3/16, then two-wide to the lead nearing the 3/8, yielded for the two-hole, good but second-best. ATORITOTELL pushed away hard from the pole, then yielded off the first turn, sat third, couldn’t go with the top two late. BRING ME DIAMONDS stayed in, gapped far turn. DEJA VROOM was second-over behind dull cover, moved three-wide past midturn, so-so late. PERSISTENT BETTOR was four-wide leaving then dropped behind cover, to the pylons before the ¼, then first-over 5/8 but didn’t gain. THE OTHERS were at the rear of the field throughout.
Aug 11, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … LORD OF MISRULE was hustled to keep the pocket closed behind the dueling frontenders, came out headstretch and worked his way past DREAM OF LUCK. The latter went to the lead, under pressure from a parked rival from the 5/16 to the ¾, held well but had to settle for the deuce. DRINKA BEER advanced along the inside and finished steadily for third. AMERICAN CHROME stayed in, not that much late. CLASS SIX was third-over behind no-good cover, three-wide 11/16 back to two-wide ¾ to three-wide again midturn, couldn’t go forward. BAMSKI got stuck outside, had a brief advantage at a couple of points but never cleared to the inside, faded ¾. VALIDUS DEO moved out at the half but just clogged that path.
SECOND RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE needed until just past the ¼ to get in front, rated the half then stayed in control. MACMORRIS HANOVER came out of third ¾, good to edge out THE LIONKING AS for second. The latter was first on top, let the winner go off the first turn for a two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, steadily but couldn’t hold on to second. BURN NOTICE moved out 5/8, didn’t advance much, got cover ¾ but still didn’t advance much. ER SOPHIA was last, swung wide and had some trot on the end. WINNERUP started gapping 11/16.
THIRD RACE – LOUD SPLASH tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over but gapped off the backstretch duel, narrowed in and went three-wide late turn, paced right on by as the tempo slowed. SPORTY DRAGON was last, angled widest and was along for second over WHATA TREASURE. The latter stayed in and was shuffled, spent the first half of the stretch angling for clearance, found it inside the place horse midstretch and matched strides with that one to the wire. STEP ON THE GAS was urged leaving and tried hard for the early lead but ultimately took back to tuck, came with a rush 9/16 and got ahead of the pacesetter but couldn’t clear, tired. RUNHAPPY TEN quarter-moved, hustled to keep the first-over challenger parked, gave way. CAPTAIN HILL left very well, forced a tuck, then was urged down the back to keep the first-over from clearing, paid the price for his use of energy in the lane.
FOURTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER was parked 5/16 before getting the lead, yielded to the retaker, got a little loose past mid-far turn, then eased out early stretch and was along for the decision. TWO AM came all the way up the inside in a good showing. GEMOLOGIST used the rail to advantage, yielded 5/16 but retook in front of an advancing foe, kept that one out in a fast third quarter, got a bit tired and bore out, came back with “b.e.” JOEY PRO left, went behind the pacesetter at the 1/8, stayed in, not a major factor. MANHATTANUP NO ICE circled four-wide from last and came on. ARCHIBALD looked to get a little rammy when a horse tucked in front of him early, was moved out raw 5/16 and put hard heat on the leader but never cleared, gave way far turn. OOH RAH was third-over, three-wide before midturn, didn’t gain. STOP RESISTIN was second-over, not much to offer in the last ¼.
FIFTH RACE – DYNAMIC EDGE led from the first step to the last. PUERTO RICO moved uncovered before the 5/8 and got cover before the ¾, one-geared home to edge the next two. LIBERO HANOVER moved out from third ¾, OK. FINAL DREAM left, took the two-hole 3/16, weakened a bit late. KANDY KORN sat in with little response. WHOUCALNCRAZY moved outside but gapped ¾.
SIXTH RACE – ALBERGO HANOVER streaked right to the top in a 26.2 opener, backed off the half, then came home in 55 as a sharp winner. DO YA THINK gained along the inside down the backstretch, gradually just wore down ALEX TYE for second. The latter went away quickly enough to retain the pocket, couldn’t stay with the winner around the turn and lost second late. BENJI’S BEST was third-over behind the last two finishers, swung four-wide into the stretch and closed well. BABES DIG ME was three-wide before the first turn, went in third 3/16, out again raw before the 5/8 but couldn’t make much of an impact. BUSBOY HANOVER flushed cover out for himself, three-wide far turn but little.
SEVENTH RACE – WINNING LINC didn’t move out until the far turn, went up then tipped wide, had a strong finish and just caught BAY MEADOWS on the line. The latter was out a good part of the quarter for the top, had things his own way on the lead, just failed to hold on. MAJOR OFFENSE came raw out of fourth ¾ and finished steadily. AMAZON sat in, spent half the stretch angling to widest and then narrowed in nicely. SI SEMALU pushed early then yielded for the two-hole, empty in the lane. BLACKLIGHT was never a factor.
EIGHTH RACE – REGAL SON roared out uncovered at the half and went 26.4 down the back to blow right by the leader 11/16, won by himself. WAR-N-MUNN had the early lead, yielded to an early mover, then was stuck behind that one when he quit to the ¾, had to wait for the Pocono Pike then recovered to be clearly second. PREMIER ROCKSTAR sat in and was shuffled to last, angled four-wide past mid-far turn and made up a lot of ground. WALTER MITTY was third-over, three-wide later on the turn, not too much. CLASSY HILL moved behind the winner but gapped, was no factor after being left uncovered. BENSON BOYS N made two speed moves, was passed late backstretch and faded.
NINTH RACE – BIZET made the top past the 1/8, yielded, backed out 5/8 and retucked in the pocket, outside again on the turn, had enough to take the decision. FOREVERHILLREIGN moved out with cover, briefly uncovered then got cover again from the winner, drifted out in the stretch, gained but not enough. BANK BOX TREASURE moved with cover 5/16, left uncovered 3/8 and quickly went on to the lead, opened a big lead after the half but the contenders caught up with him by backstretch’s end, tired late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT went outside to circle the fader, then ducked in, evenly. ZLATAN had cover early then was left two-wide raw, needed until almost the 3/8 to clear, was soon passed and then soon gapping badly. LANDONFITZ was always far back, as was SPLITSVILLE, who broke headstretch.
TENTH RACE – PATERNITY SUIT A got the early pocket, sat in third when the outer tier formed, gapped a little far turn, then chose the deep Pocono Pike and came on steadily enough to get the decision. ROCKIE GOT FRAMED backed out to second-over, three-wide late turn, but saw his late rush come up just shy. OLLIE’S ZTAM went out to a quick big lead, let a brusher go just past the 3/8, suffered “b.e.” down the backstretch, went from the Pocono Pike to the lead midstretch, just failed to sustain. SCOOTNROLL sat in then backed out to third-over, inside on the turn, then angled out for clearance and had pace on the end. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO stormed from last in 26.3 down the back to get into contention, but then melted a bit late. REBELLIOUS moved 5/16 to the top just past the 3/8, nothing left late.
ELEVENTH RACE – DIVISION BELL made the lead to turn one, set the pace, just had enough to withstand the late rush of WAY TO CLOSE. The latter maintained the pocket and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, came on strongly late and just missed. DARK ENERGY N tucked third to the 1/8, came raw 5/8, held his ground well. DATELINE HANOVER was underway raw to turn two, got cover but gapped it, evenly late. ABSOLUTE INTENT was not prominent. CODE MEISTER gapped 5/8. P L MUNSON was away slowly and never got any better.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN MULZAC was looped but never went inside and continued in the two-path until making the lead past the ¼, yielded 3/8 and sat the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and just worked past MCMIKE very late. The latter was looped and left out three-wide to the fast ¼, then to two-wide to the lead 3/8, sped up again when a challenger came on, held courageously. IMAROCNROLLEGEND N flew away to the top to the first turn from the outside post, saw two go by in quarter two, sat in, to the deep Pike, a step shy. PRAIRIE PANTHER moved up raw at the half and pushed the leader, couldn’t sustain the move. BULLVILLE TERROR was behind gapping cover, three-wide ¾ through the turn, fair late. MONTEFALCO N swung wide from last and had a bit of pace finishing. Y S MATHIS was second-over but was gapping past the 5/8 despite left-handed tapping.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DIRT ON MY BOOTS was innermost of a whole host of leavers, maintained the pocket, battled pacesetter RHP just about the entire length of the stretch to his inside and just got his nose to the wire first. The latter was outside most of the fast quarter, never took his foot off the gas, almost held in a big race. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N was three-wide leaving, almost got aced out of the three-hole but did get in 3/16, outside ¾, not far off the top pair and far ahead of the rest. JASPER ROCKS slid a tuck behind the four-across early fighters, sat fourth, gapped most of the last ¼. REDBANK BLAZE A was far off the pace, alone for the last check. SHANE ADAM retucked around a gapper but had little otherwise. NOBLES FINESSE started to gap out before the 5/8. IN ROCK WE TRUST had lost contact by the half.
Aug 9, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – MICHAEL’S MONSTER left like a monster, forced his two closest rivals to reconsider attempts to brush to the lead, went right on and was a safe winner, not looking like a $60.40 horse with four quarters at 28 or a bit more. SHORE OF HIMSELF quarter-moved, saw he wasn’t going to be released and did make it into the two-hole nearing turn two, tried again in the stretch but was held at bay. LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN was looped, went on at the 1/8 but got the message 3/16 and tucked in the two-hole, gave same past the 3/8, held for third. THE BIG PICTURE wasn’t really in the main picture. HERE COMES RED moved out raw 9/16 but didn’t gain much, then fell back. OCTAVE never featured. CHAMP CHARBEL couldn’t keep up from before the half.
SECOND RACE – SOUTHWIND XENA was looped early, got in a higher gear at the 1/8 and took over 5/16, went on at a decent clip keeping much of the field strung out, a safe winner. MIKI THE CLOWN got the early pocket, gapped a little third-in ¾, but then had better pace along the inside late. FASTERTHANARUMOR made the front quickly, yielded for the two-hole and stayed fairly plugged-in, but didn’t have much left late. SNUF ENUF HANOVER went around a couple of tiring horses. LOUD BRAZILIAN was uncovered 9/16, gained a little and retucked fourth, not making up ground late. CANDY PAINT had little to offer here. DONOTWRITEMEOFF was the trailer at every call.
THIRD RACE – SERRANO VOLO was three-wide leaving and on to the front 3/16, rated quarter two, had too much for this crew. CHING CHING LUCKY went three-wide late on the far turn as cover got stale, finished very well for second. BALLET BARRE was the first on top, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. DA BOOGIE MAN never menaced. BREEZING PRAYER tucked third at the 1/8, went first-over 11/16 and gained a little, but couldn’t sustain the gain. CHOCOLATE MATTERS gapped at the back.
FOURTH RACE – MIKIBYTHESEASIDE defended the two-hole early, moved uncovered into turn two and just kept on grinding, finally got by HIGH BALLER but still got resistance from that one to the line. The latter left hard, pushed a foe until nearing the 3/8, yielded but quickly retook, had the winner come grinding at him by the 5/8, did well to resist that one as well as he did in a fast mile. MAJOR SHOW was well-placed second-over but couldn’t keep tight late backstretch, best of the rest. LINEMAKER was three-wide to the 1/8, found no hole so pressed on before the ¼ to the lead before the 3/8, yielded to the retaker before the half, struggled in the pocket from the 5/8. BOLTMAN was behind gapping cover, swung three-wide far turn, got the last check. CAPTAIN GOOGLE was never close; nor was ADDISON HANOVER, and the latter broke headstretch.
FIFTH RACE – DEL DIGGITY left between horses to 3/16 command, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, gapped from early backstretch to midturn, then came on as the pace slowed and was successful. JM BETONSIX tucked midpack, came uncovered towards turn two, slowly advanced, ducked in on the far turn, gained in the Pocono Pike as the tempo slackened. BRUSH N CRUSH was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the 1/8 for the lead, rated quarter two then got away a bit in a fast third panel, tired. BET ON CHRISSY stayed connected, outside far turn, next-best. IMONABEACH HANOVER got a slow start, took the last check. ALESSANDRA HANOVER never factored. TOUGH LITTLE BEACH pushed the early proceedings and yielded, gapped from past the 5/8. HILDA BE MINE moved outside but couldn’t keep up. ROARING SURREAL broke 5/16.
SIXTH RACE –TRUFFLES TOO was underway before the ¼ and took over the racetrack just past the 3/8, went a fast ¾, in no danger late. DAGON HANOVER made the lead 3/16, hung the winner a like distance before yielding for the pocket, clearly second. PROTOSTAR was underway raw on the second turn, wasn’t a major danger and faded but still held third. THE NEXT PAIR never factored after inside trips. PILOT HANOVER moved out before the 5/8 but never got tight on cover. ISLAND LILY was last, had just begun a three-wide move before midturn when breaking.
SEVENTH RACE – FIRE UP looked a bit fired up behind the gate, let the outside leavers go then moved 3/16 to the lead before the 5/16, clear almost all of the second half. GHIBLI left for the lead, induced a tuck, then yielded to the winner for the pocket, loose in the pocket the last half, a clear second. KRISTIELEIGH sat in, blocked on the far turn, came clear to midstretch and finished with solid trot. BARNUM raced into the early pocket, all done ¾. CUSTOMARILY was outside in a dull flow, ducked in, got a check. A MILLION CHUCKLES was second-over, three-wide far turn as cover fell back, didn’t gain, finished with “b.e.” KOKOMO got in fourth to the 3/16, moved uncovered down the back but had little to offer.
EIGHTH RACE – MILIEU HANOVER was looped, patiently kept jetting to the front past the 26.4 quarter, slowed the half, then stepped home in 55.3 – 27.2 to hold these off. SO NICE HANOVER left and got a good forward spot, moved outside 3/4 and was game late to defeat WICKED WAYS for second. The latter was three-wide to the first turn and crossed over soon after, yielded to the winner, to the Pocono Pike, could not quite save the deuce. ROLL ON MAMA moved with cover to the ¾, had pace finishing. MY CAM GIRL gapped early, tightened in, again looked to be struggling 11/16 but got better, then was boxed in the latter stages. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL gapped early, narrowed in, but couldn’t get into the main action.
NINTH RACE – Some stretch headwind … HIP HOP GRACIE made the front to the 1/8, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went by as coolly as you’ll ever see a $74.60 horse go by. SWEET BOUQUETS left, had the pocket, quarter-moved, went on at a decent clip, couldn’t quite hold the advantage, did photo SPIT AND VINEGAR for second. The latter went up third-over, four-wide headstretch and gained into the wind and the slowing last quarter. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR started uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, three-wide late turn, finished steadily. WHAT A DAME came out of third 5/8, gained slowly, kept digging to the wire. BLING IM A WINNER stayed in, gapped. FINLANDIA was last at all stations.
TENTH RACE – BELMONT MAJOR N left and tucked fourth at the 1/8, came uncovered 9/16 and streaked up in 26.2 to challenge, continued to pressure the pacesetting CIGAR SMOKING TONY and was up on the line, big mile. The latter was parked 3/16 for the lead, had the winner come at him late backstretch, threw twin 27.1s coming home and still was caught in an unlucky loss. TELL THEM LOU gradually tightened in on cover second-over, went inside late on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, not very far off. IM A GIGOLO N sat in, angled out late turn and wide in the stretch, finished better than anybody. ACTOR HANOVER gapped third-over; had “b.e.” MANKAT left and yielded for the pocket, tired at the ¾. THE OTHER PAIR were always far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – IDENTITY POLICE came out 5/8 while still far back, rapidly gained and went by towards headstretch, enough to resist the late kick of ONE AFTER NINE. The latter moved out second-over but couldn’t go up with the winner, stacked wide and was eating up the late ground. CAMDEN HILLS tucked then had the pocket as an outside foe broke, moved 5/16 to the lead just past the half, yielded to an early backstretch brusher, then backed out behind the winner nearing headstretch, OK. CARTIER BI moved before the half, was left raw and went on to take the top into the backstretch, felt the pressure of the winner, held decently. LAVANTE couldn’t keep up 5/8. F X HANOVER broke at the start. FRANKASAURUS was going up to tuck in the pocket to the 3/16 but miscued. VINCENTI broke before the start.
TWELFTH RACE – RHETT HANOVER moved uncovered 9/16 and stormed a 26.4 third split to challenge the leader by the 11/16, went head-to-head with that one to the line and got the advantage late. HIS BEATS HANOVER was looped and tucked, was early mover #2 and took over, came home in 55.3, just caught at the end. DOUBLE METAL pulled the early pocket to get the lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, in the Pocono Pike, a step shy of the top two. STELLAR YANKEE gapped early backstretch then backed out to second-over just past the 5/8, did well. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN was three-wide to the first turn and got the top at the 1/8, saw two go by, inside, evenly late. IMAGINARY LINE gapped third-over. AMAZING BET never featured. WHITE BELLY also did not enter the main picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE was parked with cover early, got in gear past the 1/8 and went on to take over control 3/8, put up a good half and then went 27.1 down the back to throw a KO punch at the opposition. MISTER BOINGA was out past the 1/8, pushed until the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, loose from the leader from the 5/8 but persevered on for place. WORTHY OF HONOR was on top towards the first curve, yielded, couldn’t make any late inroad. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE sat in, waited for the Pocono Pike and had a bit of trot on the end. ALTUS HANOVER was second-over behind nonflowing cover, three-wide late turn, evenly. DON’T SASS ME went first-up just before the half, made little headway n a 27.1 backstretch split, so-so. THE OTHER THREE couldn’t keep up.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAINS MAID was unhurried early while outside, challenged past the ¼ and got the lead just past the 3/8 during a 27.4 quarter against the wind, had the pocket horse move and step by ¾, but went to the Pocono Pike and overhauled that foe late in a very good showing. CAPSAICINN took the early pocket, moved at the ¼ in front of the favorite, got command then pushed that one, vacated the pocket to get the lead ¾, couldn’t make the lead stand up after hard usage. UPTOWN HANOVER came out 5/8, got cover then lost it ¾, not quite enough. WIGGLE DELIGHT raced with cover, finished well. RUTHMAE HANOVER quickly cleared, saw two go by in quarter two, faded in the lane. THE OTHER PAIR never made their presence felt.
Aug 7, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Swirling wind to start … BAY MEADOWS went to the point entering turn one then yielded to the 3/16 for the pocket, stalked the pacesetting JK MUSICMAN then wore him down nicely late. The latter was three-wide leaving, needed until nearing the 3/16 to clear, rambled on the lead, not quite enough. WAY TO CLOSE came uncovered from far back 5/8, made steady progress although not in the league of the first two. MOVE THE LINE stayed pretty well connected until the stretch, then fell back. ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped the main pack 11/16. MAJOR HUMOR was last all the way.
SECOND RACE – IVANNA got an early forward spot, moved uncovered early in the backstretch and went right past to the lead 5/8, was well clear before midstretch but then made a break and galloped home as could not go anyplace safe to restore gait, was placed last for violation(s) of the breaking rule. TOUGH MAC got underway at the half and soon had cover, lost it 5/8 and went to the pocket ¾, going to be a clear second when the leader broke. FRAC took the pocket 3/16, was shuffled when the pacesetter gave way then backed out, recovered some ground. THE NEXT THREE could not gain contention. PITTSTOP KIP got the lead, rated the half, still was passed easily 5/8 and fell back.
THIRD RACE – Wind shift to stretch tailwind … CALIFORNIA GOLD was well-placed throughout, moved out past the ¾ and had the most trot in the sprint home. HIGH TOPS made a move 5/16 after the creaking quarter, went a little faster in the middle, OK but second-best here. MUSCLES GLOWING was the only leaver and got away with a 31.3 opener, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have enough quickstep. GONNA B HANOVER went evenly. THE GOGESTER couldn’t go with these.
FOURTH RACE – LUISELLA moved from third at the ¼ and had the lead past the 3/8, continued at a good clip for these, drew off in 28.2 in hand, another win for the hot freshman trotting team of Williams – Grant – Jackson. RHEIA ROSE went on to the lead 3/16, stretched the winner a little then yielded, kept up close to early stretch, did well but didn’t have as much sprint as the impressive winner. WILD KAT G moved out far turn and got around a gapper, distant third. MIGHTY ANGEL had the early lead, yielded 3/16, appeared all-out the last 5/16. GOO GOO LU LU gapped gapped at the ¾. RAVIOLI broke near the start. JANINE’S ACTION was between horses early when making a mistake. SUNDAE FUNDAY gapped early and kept falling further back.
FIFTH RACE – BAY CITY left for the pocket, quarter-moved with the breeze, got pushed but made the lead, yielded as the horse behind him retook but stayed close, out in the stretch and wore down the leader late. SUCCESSION was clear into turn one, made the winner work in quarter two to get the lead, came back out to the 5/8 and reclaimed the front 11/16 into a slight breeze, just gave way late. MISTER DAVID C had to come three-wide around tiring cover late turn, finished strongly. HUMBOLDT HANOVER sat in and saved all the ground inside and in the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite keep his momentum going very late. ARSONIST gapped a lot to the half, came out behind the place horse midbackstretch and soon was left raw, not too much late.
SIXTH RACE – GRACE AND FAVOR, a 2TF making her debut against older foes (male and female) for Team WGJ, moved before the ¼ right to the lead and stayed in complete control of this. HURRIKANE WILLIE G left well to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, the only one staying remotely close to the winner. GAVINATOR stayed inside and was along for the distant third. MANUKA got into the early pocket before the first turn, started to back up 11/16. AMBERS CHAMPION moved outside uncovered but could make no headway; DREAM ZETTE moved outside with cover but could make no headway. GOTCHA HANOVER was disconnecting by the half.
SEVENTH RACE – MIND HUNTER was away second then moved off the first turn to the lead before the 3/8, got a slow middle half, disposed of the first-over, looked in charge even before REGENTS HANOVER broke. The latter took a tuck, looked rarin’ to go in the hole but stayed in, then backed out second-over 11/16, three-wide midturn as cover tired, was closing powerfully before breaking nearing deep stretch while perhaps lugging in; no placing needed. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT burst away from the rail, yielded for the pocket, not enough to go with the top two late, held third over PRAIRIE HANDSOME, who made up some ground wide. DONTLIKEITLEAVE fell back nearing the ¾. BRIDGESTONE gained rapidly during a slow third quarter to draw abreast of the leader, but suddenly backed off midturn.
EIGHTH RACE – SWEET HEART AS quarter-moved, needed until past the 3/8 to clear, had enough to hold off the inside bid of UVA HANOVER. The latter went away well from the rail and forced a tuck, pushed the winner a ways then released him, sat until the stretch, came up the inside and gained some, but not quite enough, though well ahead of the rest. MARVELOUSTRIX followed cover, went evenly to be third. BARLEY moved outside 11/16, advanced until midturn then flattened. NOBLE ANTHONY was never a major danger. TROTTING Z TAM left, took the pocket past the 1/8, unplugged from the 11/16. ONE FANCY KID was never in the picture.
NINTH RACE – COUNTERPARTY RISK worked to the pocket just past the 1/8, quarter-moved, got a 31 breather with the wind in quarter two, charged home in 27.3 on her own. MISS HELEN HANOVER left sharply to soon take over the racetrack, yielded to sit in the pocket, also finished very nicely inside the winner. CATHY HANOVER had some speed, fell back in the latter stages. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER sat inside, couldn’t keep up in the late sprint. SWEET KATIE BUG was away slowly, uncovered on the second turn, never got close, fell way back. TRAVELLING LADY had dull cover but still didn’t show much. MARVELOUSMISSMABEL was trailing when she made a break headstretch.
TENTH RACE – MAGIC VACATION left very well to take over early, set a swift pace and was in total control here. OOH RAH defended the pocket, came out headstretch but didn’t have too much. SIMPLY VOLO was second-over behind sluggish cover, coming on well at the wire. GOLD MEDAL SWAN vacated fourth towards the 5/8 but never made much of a gain despite encouragement. POND JUMPER had traffic trouble late turn and upper stretch that kept him out of contention for the major minor awards. SVF CASH DEPOSIT was outleft, tucked third just past the 1/8, not much in the last 3/16. TAKE A WISH gapped at the back. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC broke early.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MCKEE was three-wide leaving, then had cover until the 3/16, then went up to challenge for the lead and got there 5/16, continued to set a very fast pace, courageous to the line. ELWELL was between horses to near the 3/16 to gain control, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, pulled out ¾ but went back inside, came out again stretch but didn’t have quite enough. QUATRAIN BLUE CHIP retucked around a gapper late backstretch, paced well along the inside. TUXEDO BAY pushed the early pace and yielded, came out nearing the ¾, briefly three-wide then back to two-wide as the pocketsitter retucked, tired. MAC ANOVER couldn’t go enough. THE LAST FOUR never got into the main action of the race.
Aug 5, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Wind shifted to a stretch tailwind for the fourth race, after which a storm blew through, turning the track to “sloppy +1” for the rest of the day although little wind effect after the storm … MYIDEALSON N was outleft, took the pocket under a hard hold at the ¼, kept up pretty well behind the fast pace, outside past midturn, to the lead early stretch, held off the closing RAKSMACH N. The latter came out 3/8 and got cover at the half, well off the pace when moving three-wide ¾, made up ground well. WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY went raw at the half, didn’t get close, ducked in late on the far turn and took third along the inside. MEADOWBRANCH FLASH gapped cover, then had to angle very wide midstretch to avoid a drifting horse. ROCK IDOL began gapping off turn two. MOONWARDS HANOVER gapped from the 3/8 onwards. BETTOR B ROLLING was rolling right down the road with hot fractions, tired on the far turn and bore out in the stretch.
SECOND RACE – WINNING WORDS dropped into a yawning three-hole 1/8, uncovered at the half and snapped right by just past the 5/8 while pacing her third quarter in 27, came home strongly looking more like a 4-5 shot than a 42-1 bomber. ATORITOTELL was far back behind dull cover, was uncovered on the far turn, narrowed n nicely but couldn’t get to the winner. BULLVILLEKARLA followed the winner out, left raw just past the 5/8 and tucked in the pocket ¾, held OK, far ahead of the others. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was in the outer flow but gapped, finally tucked in midturn. AVERYS HAILSTORM defended the pocket early, got shuffled out of it after the pacesetter was passed 5/8. TRUSSED UP TRUDY fell way behind. AP EMILY’S DANCE went out from the rail to set the pace, got a slow second quarter, still defenseless 5/8 and stopped badly.
THIRD RACE – MUAY HANOVER went right to the lead, rated the half, was the dominant force for three-time Amateur Driver of the Year Bob Krivelin. LIFE WELL LIVED left, was kept out of the pocket until the 3/8 then dropped in, kept up reasonably well in the last quarter. FASHION POSSESSED tried to keep the pocket closed and did so until the 3/8, started gapping at the 5/8. FRENCH MONI offered little. MARION GONDOLIER considered quarter-moving but rethought that plan, uncovered towards the 3/8, gained to the 5/8 then started melting back little by little. STONEBRIDGE GAMBLE miscued early.
FOURTH RACE – HE’S ELECTRIC was parked just past the 1/8 for the lead, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, up the inside sharply into a good last quarter for the 4000th training win for Mark Ford, putting him the top seven of all-time. DIRT ON MY BOOTS came uncovered 5/8 and moved up well from the latter part of the backstretch, kept going and was along for second. LETS ROLL tucked third at the 1/8, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, came under pressure later on the backstretch, outfooted home. BARRAGE HANOVER was the first to the top, yielded, moved outside late on the turn, evenly late. DARK ENERGY N showed little spark; nor did ROCK THREE TIMES. MUSCLE MACH A was uncovered off turn two and got cover 5/8, but could not go with it.
FIFTH RACE – TSM PHOTO BUGGER showed speed, yielded, uncovered at the ½ and went right by 5/8, drew far clear. O JONNIE was buried inside, found room deep in the Pocono Pike and was along for the very distant deuce. STARSABOVEALLERAGE tucked fourth, moved behind the winner’s cover but couldn’t stay with it, evenly for third. SEVEN IRON was out 5/16 for the front, yielded for the pocket, shuffled badly before the ¾ and through the turn, clear in the stretch but didn’t gain. DYNAMIC EDGE set the pace with two moves, yielded 5/8 and unplugged. HOLIDAY HANGOVER was outside but never entered the picture. MUSKINGUM tried swinging three-wide from last ¾ but broke.
SIXTH RACE – CHANCELLORCULLEN N left and got command, yielded 5/16 and sat the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and had the most of these. (The last two winners were 14YO and 13YO – do they benefit from the softer track after a rain?) LIMA RAIDER wheeled out raw before the half and quickly took it to the leader, stayed gamely in the fight right to the line. DARTH FADER went to the lead 5/16, set the pace, really hounded by the first-over, held OK. BRINGITONHOME N had some speed, sat in, blocked on the far turn and through the stretch. GRANTOR HANOVER backed out to third-over, swung wide and was gaining late. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME tucked midpack 3/16, then moved second-over but gapped. THE LAST THREE were the last three throughout.
SEVENTH RACE – MOTIVE HANOVER decided to put two early rivals in behind him, kept up a good pace, rebuffed the far turn challenger and won safely. AMAZON was three-wide early then took back to tuck third, moved uncovered 11/16 and made inroads on the leader far turn, good as second-best. TAKEITOTHEFACE gapped until the stretch, then did a little better. DIVISION BELL did not get into contention. STEUBEN GLADIATOR never factored. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU was already losing contact not much off the first turn.
EIGHTH RACE – CANDYONTHEBEACH left between horses, tucked third 3/16, went uncovered 9/16 and pressured the leader hard, got a small advantage on the turn but could not clear, got the better of the duel only very late. ROCK IS SWEET left well, yielded, quarter-moved, went at a good clip under pressure from the winner, very resilient late. LUCKY ARTIST A was out to the 3/16 to get command in a 26.4 opener, yielded, pocket, but struggled in the latter stages. TRAFFIC JAM gapped down the back, couldn’t rally enough in the Pocono Pike. PERSISTENT BETTOR gapped inside; LITTLE SANDY TOES and DEJA VROOM gapped outside.
NINTH RACE – A great Nap-Nap stretch battle … RUNHAPPY TEN wanted the lead but had to accept the pocket at the ¼ after a brisk duel, outside 11/16, just did get by VALRHONA in the last step. The latter went to the lead in 26.2 forcing tucks, got somewhat of a breather in the middle then stepped it up when the winner came, held tenaciously. GOLDEN GESTURE was three-wide to the 1/8, backed off to third 3/16, couldn’t keep pace late but completed the Trifecta. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN moved out 5/8 and got cover a 1/16 later but couldn’t go with it. PICKLED PREACHER did not feature. DARK HORSE had an excess of cover, three-wide ¾, couldn’t reach. THE OTHER DUO did not factor in this mile.
TENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE led a lineup with a sharp early burst, sprinted home but bore out and caused LATE NIGHT DATE A to be grabbed into, hit the wire first but was placed for interference. ROLL WITH ANGEL was uncovered before the 11/16 but never made much of an advance, picked up her speed in the latter stages, placed first. LATE NIGHT DATE A maintained the pocket, outside to headstretch, seemed to have a chance but lost momentum when the leader bore out, stayed on well. GALLERIA GAL swung widest from last and was flying the last 1/16. JUXTA COWGIRL stayed in, evenly. SWEET ROCKIN GIA moved outside, gapped, not bad late.
ELEVENTH RACE – HES GONE BADDER left well to maintain the pocket and stayed tight in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and passed JEREMES GENERAL midstretch, but that rival held stubbornly. The latter was quickly on top, got pressure from the first-up 11/16 into the stretch, passed midstretch but never gave up the fight. SUNBURST CRUZE was second-over, picked it up a little when tipped three-wide, good outing. SPORTSMANSHIP made a long raw grind from the half, reached the leader late backstretch, gave ground grudgingly. NEWS WATCH sat in, was not a late factor. HERE COMES SWIFTY also sat in, out in a blindswitch towards headstretch, never could find a clear path. PREPPY ART was too far back, OK late. PAR INTENDED dropped further and further back.
TWELFTH RACE – ARTACHE HANOVER dashed out to a big first turn lead in 26.1, yielded for the pocket, taken to the Pocono Pike and had good pace to claim the victory. LITTLE ADMIRAL was away second, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, proved second-best. BARON MICHAEL went first-up at the half, put pressure on the leader, fell back in the last 1/8 but in all a good showing. DOC SEMALU was able to gain significantly up the rail down the back after a lot of right-line pulling, so-so late. FOX VALLEY NEMITZ gapped most of the first half, then came out to be third-over, three-wide around dull cover midturn, fair. DATELINE HANOVER and ALLGONOWHOA never were in the main picture. CAPTAIN HILL was well-placed second-over but struggled from the 11/16. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was very wide leaving towards the first turn, made a break.
