Jul 9, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 80s through the day; no wind to start, but that will change … STEALING was three-wide leaving, in front at the 1/8, had a challenger from just past the half, behind that one much of the backstretch but maintained the inner advantage, stayed game and got the decision late. CHOCO CHARLIE came with a rush just entering the backstretch, looked like he was going to clear to the lead but was just shy of being able to cross over, raced well but had to settle for place. STAR TRACK HANOVER sat the early pocket, backed out down the back when it looked like the first-over was going by, back to the pocket on the turn, next-best. MISS PRINCIPLE had an excess of cover, was finishing well. SO LONG HANOVER gapped second-over. NANCY BAR briefly left then settled back, could have gotten the pocket late backstretch but didn’t reach, Pocono Pike, not much. TUIS SHADOW was never close. TRICKY DICK was gapping by the 3/8 and lost contact the last half.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind started … RIOT went to the lead, backed off the half, then greatly benefited with confusion behind him off the second turn and opened a huge lead, gave back most of the advantage in the last quarter but had enough to hold on. PERKINS was bothered, out with cover, uncovered late turn, kept eating into the margin. PANTHEON HANOVER was wide around the trouble, left uncovered way back, got to the pocket on the turn, outpaced for second. REAGAN BLUE CHIP was right behind the breaker and made an “ix,” recovered and had the distant “pocket”, couldn’t hold that position, not a late factor. BLACKLIGHT was also affected by the trouble. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was three-high early, took the pocket 3/16, looked hard to hold sitting in in the slow second quarter, unruly and made a break before the half scattering all but the winner.
THIRD RACE – MR GRANT led from the first step to the last, slowed the half then sprinted in 28 to be in full charge, big 56.3 back half by a 2YO maiden trotter. LITTLE MARK was soon second and stayed relatively close nicely in the fast last half. ALL TOO WELL settled third at the 1/8, outtrotted a bit by the top two but still far clear of the rest. THE NEXT TWO did not have the speed to be competitive here. TWILIGHT MOTION started to gap in the backstretch and broke 5/8. I’M OUT was in(side the pylons) after a 3/16 break.
FOURTH RACE – DOUBLE DIPPIN was three-wide leaving to the top before the 1/8, set wild fractions for this class while on a huge lead, tired in the lane (31 last quarter) and kept to task to hold on to an unassailable advantage. PRAIRIE NUGGET yielded to the 1/8 and gapped from the 3/16, but narrowed in some in the last quarter. TEST MY WILL came on to catch ACTION SHOT for third; the latter left between horses and went in third at the 1/8, gapped the pocket horse from the 5/8. THE NEXT PAIR had little to offer here. PAUC HANOVER broke soon before the start; SOUTHWIND FIREBALL broke w-a-y before the start.
FIFTH RACE – GOING GREEN quarter-moved, unchallenged until going to the ¾, held off the favored closer. SECURITY PROTECTED was strung out like many of the others much of the way, outside 11/16, three-wide late turn, found good strides in the last 1/16 but was too late. MEMORYNIMAGINATION entered the picture behind the place horse far turn, initially wanted to try to split horses in the stretch then ducked further inside and did well late. FIVE SECOND RULE was immediately on top, yielded, briefly backed out to second-over but then to the pocket ¾, tired some. CAN HAVE IT ALL struggled to keep up from the 3/8 to late backstretch, little late. STICKY FINGERS was looped leaving, worked up to the top at the ¼, yielded to the winner, moved out 1/16 but didn’t have too much on the second move. MBF CONQUEST fell further and further back the last half.
SIXTH RACE – SANTA MONICA AS took the pocket early, outside ¾, proved to have the most in the late stages though going wide some. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER took control from the pole, rated the half, got pressure ¾, stayed in the middle of a three-way battle through the stretch. BARCELONA PRINCESS was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked third 3/16, up to the pocket on the turn, looked like she might have had a brief short lead inside midstretch, flattened some. TSM EMILIA T was bothered by a breaker but got back into the race well; GADOT HANOVER was bothered by the same breaker but never recovered. SELENA DEO moved from fourth 11/16 and got cover ¾, was following that cover far turn when she ran. SOUTHWIND DESI was looking to leave when going offstride. AVA MARIE broke going into turn two and went to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – SIR FRED JONES was uncovered from way back before the 5/8, one-geared it up steadily to challenge, lead midstretch, very impressive. BIRD AND GRENADE kept the pocket tight early, to the Pocono Pike, good for second although not quite enough to withstand the winner. MODELO backed out 11/16 for cover, raced well but not as well as the winner. THIS ONEISONME wouldn’t surrender early, then backed off the half, not enough in the lane. ATLAS ROCK was three-high before turn one, challenged but was parked, took back to the three-hole after a breaker, fell back. HEYTHERBARTENDER was off the gate and never in it. GREENSPAN first broke nearing the ¼. CYCLONE BEN was wide early, spotted, looked a bit unruly in the hole before breaking to the 3/8.
EIGHTH RACE – Stretch headwind has become strong … CROWN MONARCH launched a long uncovered move 5/8 that carried him right to contention and then the lead late on the turn, maintained a safe margin. VAQUERO BLUE CHIP was quarter-mover #1 from the pocket, yielded, outside behind the winner late turn, wasn’t getting to him but was a clear second after using much energy. RIVERIA BEACH was QM#2 to the front 3/8, tired some from midturn. INTERNATIONALCRAZE went to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, couldn’t keep up in the last 1/8. SPACE EXPLORER broke w-a-y before the start, recovered and minded his manners to get a check. GREEN MEADOW sat in, backed out before the ¾ but had little. ALFAROMEO broke an 1/8 before the start, recovered, moved outside on the second turn but sputtered again coming out of that curve.
NINTH RACE – The last ¾ was 1:31.1, so many were close at the wire … DEVITO HANOVER was uncovered down the back to command 11/16, held off the late chargers. TEMPLETON advanced in then moved out in front of a gapper past midbackstretch, narrowed in just a little too late. FULL SCALE moved with cover then was left uncovered 11/16, up to challenge the winner late turn, proceeded on steadily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS gapped early then inherited the pocket to the ¼, was shuffled midturn, then went to the Pocono Pike, not very far away. WINE BAR sat in and was buried inside, came between horses with trot then was shut off nearing the wire. TO MY CREDIT made the lead at the 1/8, couldn’t fight the winner’s move 11/16, didn’t back up too far because of the slow time. ALTITUDE was in front then yielded, broke while close at the ¼, recovered and wide far turn, flattened. STRONG BREW gapped at several points.
TENTH RACE – REFORMATION went to the lead and yielded, third-in, backed out past midturn, swung four-wide and was trotting the most solidly late. HIGHLY MOTIVATED was uncovered 5/8 and kept gaining, got a DH2 tied with CARRERA HANOVER. The latter broke at the start, made up considerable ground in second-over position down the back, wide stretch, good recovery. LONELY LAKEWOOD made the front 3/16 then yielded 3/8 for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough. EXECUTIVE GAME gapped down the back, deep Pike, fair. RISE went behind cover early, uncovered 3/16 to the lead 3/8, fell back through the stretch. CALL OF THE WILD broke coming of turn two.
ELEVENTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE took command 3/16, rated Q2 into the wind and didn’t get a severe challenge down the back — had many coming at him in the stretch, though, but gamely refused to surrender the lead. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was second-over behind a one-gear horse, three-wide past midturn, finished well but came up just shy. ARTIFACT HANOVER yielded 3/16 for the pocket, outside headstretch, had aim, just short. DOCTOR BB was forwardly-placed, got to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was uncovered into turn two, only could one-gear while not threatening. MISTER DAYTONA N was wide early then backed off, in fourth to the 3/16, not a factor late. SELECT FRIDAY didn’t enter the main picture. TERRITORY was third-over at the half but gapped the flow.
TWELFTH RACE – FORREST got the pocket leaving, loose of the fast-stepping pacesetter until before the ¾, reeled that one in far turn to take the lead, had enough to keep the winning margin as the pace (inevitably) slowed. HOLLAND HALL raced in a strung-out third-in position, behind the winner on the turn, narrowed in on that one late. MATTER OF TRUST went in fourth before the 3/16, gapped severely early backstretch, narrowed in, but could not continue forward progress. CUPID HANOVER was loose on the lead with big fractions stringing out the field, tired in the last 5/16. PRAIRIE VIRTUE never featured. STEEL SCHOONER broke right at the start. UFTON ABBY HANOVER gapped severely 11/16. KEYSTONE SERGEANT made a break in front of the stands the first time.
Jul 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … Mid 70s throughout … Rain during the first race, and continuing: “fast +0” race 1, “good +1” race 2, and “sloppy +1” thereafter … PAPI HANOVER had an ideal second-over trip, wide stretch and asserted himself through the lane. JACKED had cover early, uncovered 3/16 to the top 3/8, in a fierce battle with the first-over and wouldn’t let that one cross over, good second. BRIDGE TO VICTORY pushed the pylons, forced a tuck, yielded 3/8, got a good trip behind the last-half duel, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KEYSTONE APACHE started slowly and gapped in last much of the way, gained past a few late after the race had been decided. CHUCKY DE VIE came first-over just past the half and went 27.3 with the wind, got an advantage but never could cross over, tired. KASEVILLE left, put into the pocket 3/16, struggled from the 5/8.
SECOND RACE — …now to good +1, with the wind calm … DIRT ON MY BOOTS improved position early, vacated third 11/16 and marched right up to challenge, took the measure of CIGAR SMOKING TONY late in the sprint home. The latter was out 3/16 before claiming the lead, left alone up top until nearing the far turn, came home in 54.4 – 27.1 and still was caught. TERRY A HANOVER left, yielded for the two-hole, stayed plugged-in throughout, just a little shy late. TREVOR ONE started slowly and was gapping badly by the 1/8 with foes circling him, moved outside 5/8 but never reached the top three, passed a couple of gappers in CAPTAINS PLACE and HE’S ELECTRIC (who ironically had passed him when he gapped early).
THIRD RACE — …and now sloppy +1 … IGNATIUS HANOVER gapped second-over and was blindswitched late backstretch, did better on the turn, dropped down when the pocketsitter broke and used the Pocono Pike to take the victory. FOXY JOYCE was uncovered before turn two, gradually went up to start challenging the leader 11/16, may never have had the lead but trotted on steadily. DIVINE ZETTE was behind the gapping winner when going three-deep before the 11/16, found her best gear late to narrow in well. TSM LOYALTY T was three-wide to the first turn, took a tuck third 3/16, stayed in, out in a blindswitch past midturn, followed the path of the winner late, may not have been fully clear – hard to tell how much she had left. RAVIOLI came through between horses to assume command early, went a slow half, was challenged from late backstretch, tired. WAL STREET LADY made no moves, then had to sidestep a far turn breaker. TACTICLAND was innermost of three leavers, yielded for the pocket, started to fade at the ¾ then broke midturn.
FOURTH RACE – HUNGER STRIKE floated out and tucked third, moved out 5/8 and advanced, went by easily. FUNKY BUNCH showed sharp speed and rolled on the engine, couldn’t handle the winner but preserved second over ANTE UP HANOVER. The latter left well to secure the pocket, slightly shuffled nearing headstretch, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t get second but far ahead of the rest. SILKEN SWEET was never in the main frame. ADRIATICO HANOVER moved to the 5/8 then accepted cover, couldn’t stay with it. PYRENEES HANOVER also gapped two-wide. LAST GOODBYE went to a run at the ¼.
FIFTH RACE – BRIGHT SIDE UP was three-wide to turn one, in front at the 1/8, slowed the half, then drew away from this field. PADRE gapped inside midpack, to the Pocono Pike and just got the distant second. CELEBRITY SERENA was part of the strung-out bunch behind the winner, inside then outside early stretch, found better steps late and almost made second. BY A HOFF HANOVER left between horses for the pocket, started going loose 5/8. KEEGAN HO did not benefit from his cover, three-wide midturn, did get a payday. CREEMORE followed cover from far back but never featured. RED OVERBACH, looking a bit hard to steer at times, left some, then gapped a little, underway uncovered early in the backstretch but his bid ended at the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – It has stopped raining; the track will remain “sloppy” … REACHTHRUTHESKY AS left well and reached the pocket at the 1/8, gapped in the third quarter duel, then up the inside in the stretch and drew away. KAY SAGE got to the top easily, picked up a determined challenger off turn two and had to deal with her, finally shook that one off but couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. A CRAFTY LADY moved out with urging but gapped cover, better late then had to steer inside the drifting horse for third. THINK OF GALAXIES moved sharply 3/8 to try to get the lead but was kept out (while having a small advantage on occasion), fell back in the lane and drifted wide. SPITTING IMAGE was behind gapping cover, did not factor. CLEAR THE WAY was not prominent from third-in.
SEVENTH RACE – ASWEETBEACHHERE yielded for the pocket, sensed the 3/8 slowdown and moved to the lead, went a soft third quarter as the challenger did not arrive until near the ¾, sprinted home in 27 to control her own destiny. HUNGRY FOR MONEY worked to command just past the 1/8, backed off the tempo then let the winner go by, not quite enough quickstep from the pocket but a good second. SHOWBOAT HANOVER made up a lot of ground raw in a soft third split, then held well in a fast last quarter. AMERICAN STARLIGHT followed cover from last, not much late. SALTZ SHAKER was third-in, didn’t have enough late sprint. PD’S GEM gapped at the half then broke before the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – TREVOR’S ACE was three-wide to the first turn, had cover to the ¼ then went up and took the top just past the 5/16, went head-to-head with CURBSIDE PICKUP starting at the 5/8, got away a little bit headstretch but still needed to go on to defeat his stubborn foe. The latter started uncovered 5/16, reached the leader by the 5/8 and got into a big tussle with him, stayed close considering the raw ground he had to cover. EDDARD HANOVER was inside other leavers and didn’t yield easily, finally did 5/16 for the pocket, a little loose in the fast third split, outside in the stretch and got close as the speed slackened a mite late. BEACH TOWN BOY was five-wide early, took back to tuck, then outside behind a sluggish one, ducked inside, raced better than the line would suggest. ROSE RUN WOODROW wasn’t prominent. A STUD NAMED SAM backed out to second-over but couldn’t keep up. KYUQUOT followed the place horse outside early but never reached contention. CALYPSO ROCK N left, finally took the pocket at the ¼, all done at the 11/16.
NINTH RACE – MUFASA AS quarter-moved and was far clear from the half on. REAL MCCOY moved to go around the gapping pocketsitter before the 11/16, tucked back in the two-hole, outside stretch and bore out almost to the outside fence, still a clear second. FIX-IT-UP was right behind the place horse, wound up out three-wide through the turn while a bit steppy, moving best of the rest late. SON OF LIBERTY came out in a blindswitch far turn, photoed for third. PHANTOM RUSTY sat third-in, eased out towards the ¾ to avoid a shuffle, had little late. MY BOY CHRISTIAN gapped at the back. CRITICAL MASS never reached critical mass. CRAZY ABOUT PAT went on to the lead at the 1/8, surrendered it to the winner, started going backwards from the pocket from the ½.
Jul 6, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind on a warm day … URBAN RENEWAL came out 11/16 but gapped cover until midstretch when he was still fifth, then edged wider and had the most pace as the tempo slowed. THE DARK SHADOW was hung just past a 25.3 opener, yielded for the pocket, pulled same before the ¾, battled solidly home after hard involvement. ELWELL had cover until the ¼ then went on to take over 3/8, continued the torrid pace with pressure from the ¾, held the lead until the final steps. PLAY THE FIELD pushed the monstrous opener before yielding, inside, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. BENJI’S BEST was third-over, narrowed in from last. GONNAHAVEONEMORE gapped the early battle most of the way to the half, inside, deep Pike, not enough. … ELWELL was claimed for a track-record-equaling $40,000.
SECOND RACE – GENTLE GIANT was three-wide early then two-wide into the first turn to the lead 3/16, refused to let the parked horse go, shook off the bid of the sweeper, then went on solidly to defeat CAPTAIN ROMANCE. The latter left well, forced one tuck then yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, had his shot but came up just short. STOP STARING was between horses early and took back, sat in until mid-far turn, wide, gained some but not enough. TOPVILLE SOMROCKET was out second-over before the half, three-wide to the 5/8 to two-wide uncovered late backstretch, challenged, gave ground little by little in the lane. JK STANDINGOVATION was last, didn’t enter the picture. GOOD DEAL gapped inside 5/8. MUDVILLE was outleft and had cover to the ¼ then was left out in the air, urged but could not clear the winner, faded after being looped.
THIRD RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER took back to third early, moved around the gapping pocket horse and got close to the leader, outside headstretch and went right on by. AMERICA’S GUEST followed the winner at a distance. AWESOMENESS retucked, outside late turn, some on the end. SOUTHPORT BEACH made two moves, had a big lead before midbackstretch as the pocket horses faded but then had the winner catch up, tiring late. ER VEGAS offered little. CHEYENNE REIJANE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 26.1 quarter, yielded for the pocket, all done at the half.
FOURTH RACE – AGGIORNAMENTO had great cover second-over, tipped wide early in the lane, up in the last couple steps. BULLY BOY HILL was uncovered not long into the backstretch, grinded away, got a very short lead deep stretch, just missed after a big mile. KINDA LUCKY LINDY moved at the ¼, briefly had cover then took the lead in front of the stands, under duress most of the last half, ahead until very late. GREAT MAGIC was by far the fastest away, saw two go by early, stayed in and was shuffled, found room before midstretch, evenly late. ONE AFTER NINE gapped cover third-over. MACMORRIS HANOVER moved from second 3/16 to the lead to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, started gapping 11/16.
FIFTH RACE — CAVIART LUCA was three-wide to the 1/8, was shut out of a hole and went up before the ¼ to challenge for the lead, couldn’t clear despite urging, fell back nearing the very fast ¾ but then regathered on the turn, drifted wide but continued gamely to catch the tiring ODDS ON DELRAY in a 30.1 last quarter. The latter was parked to a 26 quarter then gave the winner the cold shoulder, seemed to have dispensed him before the ¾ and went clear, but then tired after the speed show. A FEARSOME HANOVER was away slowly and far back in last, along for the distant third. COWBOY COOL also gapped, outside late turn, evenly. ROLLINWITHAMBITION pushed the quick quarter then yielded, got loose past the 5/8. ART SCENE shut a hole 3/16, then was not heard from again.
SIXTH RACE – GRAPPLE HANOVER left hard, refused to yield to one foe forcing him to take back into the pocket, then did yield to the next opponent before turn two, sat the two-hole, just up along the inside as the pace slowed. ARCHIBALD quarter-moved behind cover, briefly three-wide 5/16 and built up enough steam to go by before the second turn, was challenged down the back and through the turn, shook off that opponent then just missed as caught up the inside. SEVENTIER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide, couldn’t go by the leader to the 3/8 but was able to tuck behind him, on the go again 5/8 and attacked raw, held well considering the tough trip. SKYWAY KON MAN was between horses early then tucked fourth, which turned out to be the pocket past the ¼, but gapped allowing a tuck, out second-over but didn’t have much. ALLINDOTIME wasn’t a factor inside; SORTIE wasn’t a factor outside. TRUEMASS VOLO broke coming off the first turn.
SEVENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND OZZI worked to the lead 3/16, rated the half then really had to speed up under a big challenge from PEACE OUT POSSE from just past the 5/8 all the way to the wire. The latter came out of third coming out of the second turn, found full stride and went 26.1 to argue with the winner down the back, very good but second-best now. HEZA KINGSLAYER N, slightly off the gate, started uncovered into turn two and got cover coming out of that bend, gapped in the big third panel but got closer on the turn, ducked to the Pocono Pike, raced well but didn’t have the steps of the top two. KASHED UP A was last, wide and gained late. THE WALL couldn’t keep up along the inside. ACTON HANOVER yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, couldn’t keep up against the warring front two from the 11/16. PARK OFFICIAL moved outside but couldn’t get into it.
EIGHTH RACE – IMAGINARY LINE headed right down the road, had enough speed to keep BUILDING BOOST outside, then could draw away from that one late. The latter moved uncovered not far into the backstretch and speed-grinded in 26.2 the third quarter to challenge, gave a little bit of ground gradually. FRISKIE ALL NITE was three-wide to the first turn, in third at the 1/8, gapped when the pace picked up, a distant third. MODERN ROCK was out behind nonadvancing cover that he had to steer around that one when he broke, so-so late. SANTAFE’S COACH left and went into the two-hole at the 1/8, started to let loose 11/16 and fell back. BULLVILLE STEPHANO was second-over but gapped his cover, then broke far turn.
NINTH RACE – KENZIESKY HANOVER tucked third and gapped a little late first turn, then quarter-moved, didn’t have anybody reach her and won nicely. DONATO PATRIOT K was uncovered early in the backstretch and one-geared up, fought on steadily but never reached the winner. SHADOWFAX gapped second-over, then had better trot towards the end of the mile. DIEHARD SEELSTER was seventh at the “START” point but used track geometry and a burst of speed to be on top nearing the 1/8, yielded to the winner to sit the pocket, went a bit loose nearing the ¾. COLLEGE TUITION left well, took the pocket at the 1/8, sat in, not clear far turn but not tight on the horse directly in front, Pocono Pike, not much response. MARION GONDOLIER was looped before the first turn and took back, did not factor. THE LAST TWO were always at the back.
TENTH RACE – JOESSTAR OF MIA A was in front before the 25.4 opener, got some breather in quarter two then turned on the jets again, came home in 55 to hold off ILIKEMEBETTOR A. The latter was away swiftly and kept up in the pocket, outside to headstretch, gained a little. CODE CRACKER gapped in quarter two then tighter, Pocono Pike, did well. AFLAME HANOVER sat in, was doing OK late then shut off nearing the wire. SONNY WEAVER N moved uncovered but got only to the pocket horse’s wheel, kept at it well. MIRRAGON A was out before the half and got cover which didn’t advance too well, three-wide headstretch, OK from an impossible spot.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN FANCY moved 3/16 to the lead 5/16, saw most of these left well behind trailing a gapper and went 26.3 down the back with only SPRINGSTEEN staying close, drew away from that one late. The latter was away quickly, yielded, stayed connected but in doing so was robbed of any rally. BINGE ON YANKEE was locked in in last, used the deep Pocono Pike for the very far back third slot. BETTOR ROLL ON A sat in and was stuck behind a gapper, to the Pike, couldn’t quite take third. BULLVILLE FRANK had sluggish cover, wide, got the last check. WESTERN PERCH gapped a bit the first half and then more and more in the second half. DONT JUDGE A BOOK tried to make up ground uncovered but did not.
TWELFTH RACE – STENDAHL HANOVER left inside three of his six rivals and put them all in behind, sped up with the wind down the back and opened a huge lead, appeared to be coasting late as SHVAIKO got closer. The latter defended the pocket, left a big gap through much of the last half, did narrow the margin a bit late and far ahead of the rest. LAST MACH had nonadvancing cover second-over, wide and the distant third. REGAL ESCAPE was uncovered at the half but never reached the same zip code as the winner. PARMESAN N was three-wide until before the 3/16 then tucked, not a forward factor thereafter. SOMBODYITREASURE was four-wide early, tucked fourth, far back. SPORTY DRAGON lost contact with the others down the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DANCE PARTNER left and got the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, then outfooted JK OBJECTION from midstretch home. The latter cleared 3/16 in the 26.1 opener, got a breather, then came under pressure down the back, held decently but settled for second. QUICK SNAP was uncovered early backstretch, urged but didn’t get closer than the leader’s wheel until past midturn, finished steadily. YS DO IT RIGHT moved three-wide from second-over midturn, didn’t quite reach. JACKIE MOON took back early, followed cover two- and three-wide, wider in the lane and did well late. STONEBRIDGE DUEL sat in, evenly without a clear stretch path. TRUTHBTOLDBLUECHIP didn’t get into the main mix. OUTWIT OUTRUN was four-high to the first turn, soon thereafter two-wide and advancing frontward when breaking before the ¼.
Jul 3, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE — “Fast +0” race one; “sloppy +1” races two to eight; “good +1” after that … ROCKIN MARTY moved from third 3/16 but was left out almost another quarter mile before finally obtaining the lead, the best here in fast time for this class. CAVIART ROCKLAND was on top at the 1/8, made it tough on the winner before yielding, Pocono Pike and wouldn’t go away in the stretch. MR CENSI got the early two-hole, uncovered late backstretch, OK. HEREITIZ moved out off turn two, finally got cover but then gapped it, steadily late. BIG BOSS HILL was behind a tired horse then backed out 11/16 to avoid a shuffle, did get the last check. NIGHT OUT tucked fourth at the 1/8, not much the last 3/8. GUMPTION gapped early at the back, never got close.
SECOND RACE – Rain between races, changing the track over to “sloppy” … MARINER SEELSTER was second early as there was only one leaver, moved before the ¼ to take over, looked to be comfortable throughout. MCNEIL Z TAM was the only strong leaver, yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, clearly second-best. DIAMOND HEAD was uncovered to the second turn, gained down the back but no closer than the winner’s wheel midturn, tired some. BOLTMAN sat in third, so-so; ROCK THREE TIMES also didn’t do much after an inside trip. BEACH VIBES didn’t have great cover third-over, wide stretch and had a bit finishing. SUNKEN TREASURE gapped second-over. ALADDIN HANOVER never factored.
THIRD RACE – BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was wide leaving, tucked in the early pocket, moved uncovered into turn two, went a big third quarter raw to challenge, saw the leader get away a bit into the stretch but was relentless and just up. SHARED BY ME was looped early, in gear 3/16 and pressed on to the top, rated the half then had to pick it up dramatically when the winner challenged hard, briefly clear again early stretch but just failed to hold. CLEVELAND B MIKI was second-over, gapped, closer on the turn and wide stretch, with late pace. FUN MUNKY stayed in, gapped in the fast third quarter, outside late turn, had to hesitate upper stretch waiting for room between horses, then OK. BARNEY HANOVER forced a tuck, yielded to a brusher for the pocket, went loose to the 5/8. WHERES GREG did not factor. GAYLE’S ARSENAL gapped in the back.
FOURTH RACE – NOTTINGHAM got away fourth, moved 3/8 during the very slow second split to take the lead, looked in control thereafter. ROYAL PRECEDENT was outside 3/16 before taking over, yielded towards turn two, not tight on the leader down the back but closer on the turn, did well for second. SIR PINOCCHIO moved outside late backstretch, went around a gapper and ducked back in, to the Pocono Pike and next. CREEDMORE, a bit off the gate, was second-over, three-wide late turn, evenly. ATTIS ROCK was also slightly off the gate but rushed through, moved uncovered as the winenr cleared, kept coming up on the turn then faded. THE NEXT DUO were never close. MBF CONQUEST took the lead then yielded, inside, loose 5/8, broke far turn and went inside the course.
FIFTH RACE – IM HUNGRY left and tucked third, moved 5/16 and quickly took over the lead, came home in 55.1 – 27.1 to prevail over BAY CITY. The latter took the top before the 3/16 then yielded to the winner for the pocket, moved outside early stretch and did well to gain into the fast last quarter. ZEUS HANOVER left well, yielded, stayed third-in, outside stretch and also with good late foot. ERINWOOD YVES tucked fourth, sat in, good up the inside late. MARRIED MAN was outside, three-wide midturn as cover stalled, couldn’t reach. VARNEY went out raw early in the backstretch but didn’t reach the wheel of the pocket horse before tiring. NOLAUGHINGSTOCK trailed the field.
SIXTH RACE – “Clubhouse turn headwind” starting up … FOOLISH GAMES was looped early, went to the lead 3/8 and got a slow half, had her closest challenger break on the far turn and then the new closest challenger also break, won comfortably. PARTY AT SEVEN left, yielded, stayed in, up into the pocket after a late far turn breaker, Pocono Pike, couldn’t summon enough late. GRAND SLAM HERO stayed onstride. THE GOOD BOOK broke early, recovered and caught the field, didn’t break in the second half and was next. AVA MARIE was out and rolling uncovered past the 3/8, had a brief short lead late backstretch, still challenging when breaking past the ¾. ULURU was wide leaving, three-high to the 1/8, and on to the lead past that spot, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, went to a gallop past midturn and went inside. ALDEBARAN BURST was third-over, was trying to get closer after the second-over broke but she herself ran late backstretch. YO CARTER was out second-over but broke at the half.
SEVENTH RACE – STARS OVER DOVER took over right away, had only one stay close to her while setting a fast pace for this kind until the last 1/8, then drew away. GET THE PICTURE was well back until the ¾, went around a gapper, came on for the distant second. MELODRAMA stayed right behind the fast-going leader until the stretch, then was absolutely empty. BANGLES N BEADS was never a factor. QUEEN OF THORNTON gapped most of the way. LIRA HANOVER was last throughout, broke in the lane.
EIGHTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N left between horses to command into turn one, yielded, retook, came under pressure, but was able to stay safely clear. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was three-deep to curve one, on top past the 1/8, yielded 3/8, tried hard along the inside late. LOVE THAT SMILE was second-over, three-wide midturn, along for third over DIAMONDTOOTHGERTIE. The latter rode third-in most of the way, OK along the inside late. BULLVILLEKARLA was third-over, three-wide with cover far turn, evenly. TRAFFIC JAM was uncovered shortly after the 3/8, went after the leader, but tired on the far turn. BYE BYE MICHELLE was never close. CHELSEAS TWILIGHT was gapping from early on and lost contact down the back.
NINTH RACE – Track now rated “good +1” … ANNA’S WISH took control of the pace early, went briefly clear at the ¾, had enough to retain the advantage as SWEET HOME narrowed in. The latter was second-over, three-wide mid-far turn, finished strongly. YOUNONOTHINJON gapped inside much of the backstretch then got closer, angled across the track upper stretch and finished with pace on the far outside. ON THE MONEY GB was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed off to tuck third 3/16, uncovered second turn, began to give a little ground from the ¾. WILD BLUE WONDER gapped much of the first half, not a major danger. FOX VALLEY CACHET was not on the radar. ADULT SWIM left between horses, backed off past the 1/8 to get into the two-hole, tired through the last 5/16. CARIS was never prominent.
TENTH RACE – ARGENTO moved quickly out of fifth into the backstretch and challenged raw a long long way, took over midstretch and withstood NICALO HANOVER. The latter was third-in, came out behind the winner far turn, went wide before midstretch and was eating up the real estate late. LADY’S IMAGE left well to secure the pocket, had a shot up the Pocono Pike but didn’t quite have the steps. JUSTLIKEHIM went along on the lead, had heavy pressure from the winner, a bit tired late. ITS A HORSE tucked fourth, then backed out to second-over but couldn’t stay with cover. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT broke early. MUSHANA broke 3/16. NASEY was trying to crash through the gate and went to a run before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – Now, a stretch headwind … MONKS HOOD S set the pace, rated the half as CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was content to trot two-wide, apparently had shaken that one off headstretch, bore out a little, saw the other come back gamely late but prevailed. The latter was left on the rim throughout, not enough speed to clear but went with great determination to just miss. MISS HALL was just behind a breaker before the ¾, went inside the runner then angled out in front of a gapper, wider and was doing well late. QUEEN CAMILLE was in the outside flow, gapped, found room in tight quarters between horses early stretch and came on at the end. ALTITUDE came out at the half, got closer to his cover, then ducked in on the turn, evenly. LINDYS LANDING kept the pocket closed behind the duel, was in a good spot when making a break late on the turn. DANCEHALL KING was very wide early, took back behind cover, went in fourth 3/16, broke before the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – TREVOR ONE was carried up perfectly second-over, wide headstretch and to the lead towards midstretch, withstood IM A POWERPLAY A. The latter left strongly, forced a rival to go a 26 quarter to get the lead, sat in the pocket, started angling out past early stretch and got all the way to widest midstretch, very well late. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was uncovered to turn two and attacked, had the lead from early backstretch until midstretch but could not clear and cross over, a very tough mile. DRUNKONAPLANE yielded, stayed in the pocket during the big second half duel, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KB MAC was strung out to a 26 scorcher before clearing, under attack from the half and would not let the first-over go by, stayed in the fight until midstretch, then gave way a little (understandably). ANOTHERSTATEMENT A gapped third-over. BULLVILLE TERROR was at the rear, never a factor. YANKEE BOOTS tried a three-wide move from fourth-over ¾ but didn’t gain.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WALLET sat third, got closer late backstretch, outside midturn, looked like he was going to go by even before the late incident. HOLY BEING sat the pocket after the outside challenger broke to the 1/4, to the Pocono Pike, close to the leader when he went offstride and may have been in tight quarters, got back together and was second. SILENT NIGHT saw an early rival break and set the pace, was still on the lead midstretch but broke, placed for LOB. FAMOUS DAN went evenly. THE NEXT PAIR were far back. BUDWEISER GIRL was wide early, proceeded up and may have been ready to clear before breaking just before the ¼.
Jul 2, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High to mid-70s … Rain came in – track rated “fast” 1-8, “good +1” 9, and “sloppy +1” 10-13 … Shifting winds, with a stretch headwind to start … BEER CHEESE yielded 3/16 and sat in the pocket behind a contested front end, to the Pocono Pike and by easily. NICE STUFF made the lead 3/16, kept a rival parked, saved second over MISS MUSCLE. The latter had forward positioning, trapped inside until after early stretch, then could move out and made up some ground. SMART AS HILL was wide then parked with cover to the 3/16, tried hard with urging to clear and was ahead but couldn’t cross over, held ground very well for being out every call. STEALING moved out towards turn two, three-wide 5/8 but only went evenly. KEYSTONE APACHE rode inside, little late. ARCHIBALD had non-flowing cover, little chance from far back.
SECOND RACE – PANTHEON HANOVER went to the pocket at the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, surged very late and proved the best in a three-way photo. TODDLER TANTRUM headed right down the road, got pressure mid-far turn, held on until very late. ARTACHE HANOVER was urged leaving, got away third, outside ¾, one-geared home while bearing out and not far off. REAGAN BLUE CHIP circled the rest for a distant fourth. THE NEXT TWO got around a backstretch gapper but couldn’t get catch up with the top three. RUNHAPPY TEN left a gap from the 3/16, faded way back and was pulled up. EFFRONTE A developed a problem at the 1/8.
THIRD RACE – JOLLY RANCHER put everybody in behind in a good quarter for this class, got a rest to the half, had the first-over get to his wheel ¾ but never let him get any closer. DONATELLO HANOVER got early positioning, uncovered past the 5/8 and reached the leader’s wheel ¾, held well. PAUC HANOVER was three-wide early then tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over, gapped then tighter on the turn, then faded some but clearly third. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was four-wide early and got into the two-hole 3/16, started going loose ¾. ACTION SHOT was slightly off the gate, passed the others. THE NEXT TWO were not contenders. SEMINOLE MOON gapped inside, to the Pocono Pike but made a break midstretch.
FOURTH RACE – BRIDGE TO VICTORY was wide early and out past a 26.3 quarter to get the lead, but rated the half and had no problems the rest of the way. GRIZZLY BARE was the innermost of the quickest leavers, maintained the pocket, stayed close until the far turn, held for second at 80-1. SWIZZLE HANOVER was between horses early, tucked, had a chance for second in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite reach. STEEL SCHOONER avoided the clogged outer tiers, a bit of trot late. BANG BANG BOINGA was second-over, three-wide ¾ but didn’t get close. TEDDY BROSEVELT was uncovered at the half, gained some then fell back sharply in the last stanza. FORREST broke at the ¼ and went to the centerfield.
FIFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND FIREBALL spotted third, uncovered 11/16, found his best gear midstretch and just had the time to catch PRAIRIE FAMOUS. The latter was going down the road, rated the half then had a clear lead from past that point until just past midstretch, then couldn’t hold off the winner’s late move. FAIR KOUNTRY went up to get the pocket, little left late. DEVITO HANOVER broke before the first turn, caught the field, came on late with some trot in recovery. STRONG BREW was inside, had to avoid the breaking HS REMINGTON near headstretch; the latter gapped throughout, then ran late far turn.
SIXTH RACE – LOUSAIN BOLT was on the move from fourth 3/16 to hit the top to the 3/8, sped up down the backstretch to bottom these out and won handily. RUSTY BEACH took the two-hole before the 3/16, stayed in third, then moved out early stretch and gained though not threatening the winner. MOTLEY RAY showed speed, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close but didn’t have much left for the stretch drive. HUNGRY TO SUCCEED was uncovered on turn two but never reached the wheel of the third-in horse; RICARDOSHILYSHALLY was behind this dull cover, three-wide far turn but did not gain. THE OTHERS offered very little.
SEVENTH RACE – PORTULACA cleared to the lead before the 3/16, slowed the half, remained in control. QUARANTINA made the lead early then relinquished for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, stayed close to the winner to the wire. KINGPIN HANOVER was last when pulling outside nearing the ¼, got cover but it gained little, so three-wide 11/16 to two-wide far turn, kept coming very grittily. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME stayed connected in third, little along the inside late. MISSILE was bearing way out in the lane. QUITE FAST was uncovered early on turn two but couldn’t live up to her name today. UNRESOLVED DEBT broke past the 5/16. GETTING ALLFIREDUP gapped down the back then broke 11/16.
EIGHTH RACE – Rain started this race, and the wind went calm … BARCELONA PRINCESS yielded and stayed third-in, came out after the ¾ and moved sharply to challenge and get the lead into the stretch, withstood a late challenge to either side. RAVIOLI was very wide early, spotted fifth 3/16, was behind the winner far turn and followed that one out, had a clear path but couldn’t catch the winner. FLASHY SWAN reluctantly took the pocket nearing the ¼, crucially shuffled late far turn, couldn’t regain any momentum to get closer and was nosed for second. KT DOUBLE DEUCE forced a lot of tucks, slowed the half then sped up to a clear lead, was reeled in. IT’S SNOW WONDER got a check. EVER HOPEFUL G had unhelpful cover, three-wide far turn, not that much. MY FRIEND KELLY was wide early, tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved out down the back but made little impact. SOPHIE HANOVER broke well before the start, almost caught the field then fell back.
NINTH RACE – “Pelting rain” as the track goes to “good +1” … WENTWORTH HANOVER drifted up three-wide to the 1/8 then got in gear and made the lead by the fast ¼, set the pace and was resilient late. SMOOTH LANDING moved uncovered at the 5/8, ducked inside when the pocketsitter pulled out late turn, continued to gain. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN left for the lead, yielded for the pocket, moved outside late turn, gained a little then held OK but did lose a little ground. POWHATAN moved second-over, gapped. PRAIRIE NUGGET was caught in and shuffled far turn, not much late. NIGHT STAR went to a tuck third past the 1/8, tired ¾. BUDDY EARL was outside but wasn’t close when breaking far turn.
TENTH RACE — …and the track is now “sloppy +1” … Wind shifting, almost a second turn headiwnd … WEATHER VANES didn’t mind the change in weather at 18-1, going to the lead right away, rating the half and then being clear until the stretch, then held off the charge of MANDRILL. The latter sat third until almost the ¾, found her best strides just a touch too late. SOME KINDA CRAZY moved outside far turn, also making up late ground. EVIL GUY went up to the pocket 3/16, a bit loose of the leader much of the way, evenly in the Pocono Pike late. RUFFLES N LACE went an even mile. LADY LIRA came outside but didn’t gain. UNO MAS BLUE CHIP jumped right at the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – Rain stopped … Wind shifted to stretch tailwind … PARK SLOPE was parked to the ¼, set the pace, saw off the first-over and drew clear. MIDWIND SUCCESS was outside from last at the half, followed the cover of the early backstretch sweeper, left uncovered on the turn, stayed game to be just along for second. CHEROKEE JOY went around the parked out horse early backstretch to go first-over into the wind, into the pocket far turn, just photoed for the deuce. SANTA MONICA AS took back to tuck, kept a hole closed, backed out to get into the three-wide tier but never got close. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER was caught behind a wedge far turn and couldn’t recover. TSM EMILIA T went very wide early, shopped for a tuck late first turn but never found one, was looped to the 5/8 and faded. WAL STREET LADY forced the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, went loose past the 5/8, broke while fading. BT BABE ran coming off turn two.
TWELFTH RACE – IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING was three-wide past the 1/8 and then to command past the ¼, went on at a good clip, kept challenger STELLAR BLUE CHIP at bay. The latter was uncovered in the backstretch and advanced with speed to contend, held well for second. LORD OF MISRULE pushed the early action then yielded, backed out to second-over 5/8, gapped, into the “pocket” on the turn, next. SOUTHWIND DREDGE moved out before the half, one-geared with cover steadily. THE NEXT TWO were not factors. MIDNIGHT DAY was shuffled back. FRED’S NIGHT left between horses to the lead at the 1/8, yielded just past the ¼, all done 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – …and back to a mild stretch headwind for the last … GREEK LEGEND was gapping midpack down the back, in a better gear ¾, outside, wide and along in time. MATTER OF TRUST went fast-slow-fast on the lead, caught late. TUXEDO ATTIRE went to the far outside and came a long way in the (slowing) last 1/16, picking up laboring foes for third. CUPID HANOVER went into the pocket at the 1/8, just didn’t have much to give late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT came raw off turn two, gained mildly, then flattened. CRITICAL MASS sat in third and was caught in when the pocketsitter and first-over tired, didn’t appear to have much once clear. PRAIRIE VIRTUE may have wanted to leave some but broke early, caught the field, three-wide ¾ but didn’t gain. MUSCLES D’ORO followed cover but gapped, faded.
