Aug 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – RESPECT OUR FLAG waited until the 11/16 to go raw from third, charged up to the lead headstretch, then just withstood a big late burst from MCMIKE. The latter sat in, went inside of a gapper down the back, angled wide headstretch and finished in high gear (his own last ¼ was 26.1) to just miss out. RHP battled for the lead then finally accepted the two-hole 3/16, came out as the winner went by headstretch but didn’t have much gain. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N forced an early tuck, went 27 down the back, had no answer for the winner’s challenge and gave ground through the lane. MIGHTY SANTANA N never made it into contention. A BETTOR BEACH gapped to the half, then moved out down the back but went backwards. LEAR SEELSTER brought up the rear throughout.
SECOND RACE – STELLAR BB pushed the 1/8 and yielded, moved at the ¼ but was pushed the length of the frontstretch to clear, rolled on without a challenge until the stretch, when the resurgent ALBERGO HANOVER made him work hard to hold on. The latter was three-wide early, made the top at the 1/8, forced a tuck, made the winner work to get the lead, sat behind him then challenged him again late, gaining gamely but just a bit shy. BABES DIG ME was four-wide early, two-wide 1/8, reluctantly took the pocket nearing the ¼, didn’t gain in the stretch but did hold third. AMERICAN CHROME was two-wide and backed off to tuck, inside, not enough in the last ¼. SWEET N FAST N avoided the outer tier to get the last check. BUSBOY HANOVER came out down the back but could make no impact; the TWO BEHIND HIM two-wide down the back similarly could make no impact.
THIRD RACE – DEWEY ARNOLD charged out to command, got a little breather in quarter two then went on, gamely to defeat RICH AND MISERABLE. The latter moved uncovered 5/8, grinded relentlessly (own back half 55.2) but just could not reach the winner. NEXTROUNDSONME gapped late on the backstretch, moved outside on the turn and was just up for the distant third. THE LIONKING AS dove for an early tuck but did not prevent a foe from gaining the pocket, blocked behind that one on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, good but never generated any big closing thrust. MACMORRIS HANOVER gapped in last. SMALLTOWNTHROWDOWN left with the winner, just did back in to the pocket to the 3/16, nothing left in the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – DO YA THINK went to the lead at the 3/16, yielded 5/16 but came back for the retake, rebuffed a big challenge from the first-over, then continued strongly to the wire to keep DREAM OF LUCK at bay. The latter went forward on a briefly-delayed basis, three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide to the front 5/16, yielded for the pocket, came out in the stretch, raced well but wasn’t to catch the strong winner. DRINKA BEER was last, waited for the deep Pocono Pike, then closed well. BAMSKI sat in, gapped on the turn, never a major danger. URBAN RENEWAL moved second-over but gapped ¾. INDIGO ART left and yielded, uncovered past the 9/16 and made a strong pass at the leader, but could not sustain the charge and faded.
FIFTH RACE – ALL CHAMPY left between horses, was double-looped, had cover to the 3/16 then went up and worked to the lead 3/8, went on at a quick clip and was much the best in here. CON AIR HALL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 3/16 in pursuit of the lead, yielded to the 3/8, not catching the winner but not to be caught for place. LIBERO HANOVER went to the early lead, yielded, inside, won a three-horse photo for a distant third. SHADY MCCOY fanned wide in the stretch and had some trot finishing. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was uncovered 5/8 and gained well until nearing headstretch, then tired. SHEER MUSCLE was never on the main radar.
SIXTH RACE – BENSON BOYS N rushed away three-wide and took the front, slowed the second quarter then tacked on a pair of 27.1 panels to draw clear. BENJI’S BEST moved before the 3/8 and became second-over from seventh, gapped his cover a bit later backstretch, left uncovered ¾, good late. REGAL SON sat in, shuffled some, to the Pocono Pike and was along for third. CLASSY HILL was flushed out 3/8 and gained in the second split, continued to progress and made the pocket ¾, faded some. WALTER MITTY sat in then backed out fourth-over, wide in the lane, OK. WAR-N-MUNN was five-wide leaving and decided to take back, was last, then moved third-over, gapped down the back. SPORTS TEEN worked to get the pocket, then had no more left in the last ¼. ROCK THE NITE stayed in and was shuffled to last, could not get back into it.
SEVENTH RACE – NICE STUFF worked to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came outside headstretch and gradually worked past JACK RULES. The latter quarter-moved from the early pocket, kept up a steady pace, couldn’t hold back the winner, far clear of the rest. BIG MONEY HONEY vacated fourth ¾, just up for third over KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter showed early foot, sat in, not a great response late. ZLATAN was last, came between horses through the stretch with willing trot. LANDONFITZ did not make his presence felt. TW LAUXMONT came uncovered 5/8, got cover ¾, wide in the stretch but couldn’t advance. KANDY KORN never was a factor.
EIGHTH RACE – ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was in front past the 1/8, got pressure from the first-over past the 5/8 into the turn, went clear. DIALAMARA was second-over, gapped 11/16 despite encouragement, blindswitched ¾, was able to swing wide into the lane and finished steadily for second. VALIDUS DEO got early forward position, uncovered off the second turn and applied pressure a good way, then began to inch back from midturn. STEP ON THE GAS was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide ¾, widest in the lane and OK. NEEDLESS TO SAY left, under a good hold to take the pocket 3/16, didn’t have much late response. LOUD SPLASH stayed in, gapped, not too much to offer today.
NINTH RACE – CHIEF JUSTICE sat last behind the wild battle, circled three-wide midturn and trotted over the field. TWO AM stayed in, could go right up the deep Pocono Pike and closed steadily to just miss. DISCUS HANOVER went to the lead just past the 1/8, was under severe pressure two- and three-wide from the ¼ and 3/8, respectively in fast fractions, held up very well. RIVER OTTER stayed in, outside early stretch, took a while to find a better gear but was narrowing in late. DARTY left well, yielded, maintained the pocket while having horses all over the place around him, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have much of an answer late. ARCHIBALD moved before the ¼ with cover, three-wide 3/8 trying to sweep but was left out three-deep until past the 5/8, then two-wide, lasted until mid-far turn after a horrorshow trip. WISENHEIMER was three-wide early then had cover past the 1/8, two-deep but was refused the lead, between horses from the 3/8 past the 5/8, faded before the ¾.
TENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN made two speed moves to control the pace, came home in 26.4 and left these far behind. OLLIE’S ZTAM left well to the front past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, clear second. YS MATHIS sat in, gapped ¾, just was along in the battle for third. THE WALL was third-over in a dull flow, ducked in, fair finishing. IMAROCNROLLEGEND N was second-over, went three-wide mid-far turn but didn’t offer much. ROCK THE TOWN was losing contact most of the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – TULHURSTSANTANNA N was reluctant to take the pocket but did so as they neared the 26 quarter, outside towards the ¾, finally put away the pacesetter then withstood CAPTAIN MULZAC up the inside. The latter had access to the Pocono Pike because the winner pulled the pocket, finished steadily but came up shy. ATTA BOY DAN came out 5/8, didn’t gain but did better when the winner gave him cover going to the far turn, not a win threat but stayed on sturdily. CAPTAIN CASH forced a tuck with a 26 opening stanza, no pressure most of the middle half, not enough late. BULLVILLE TERROR gained some up the deep Pike. LESPNDNITETOGETA N moved out but ducked back in as cover did not progress, not prominent late. THE OTHER TWO were near the back throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – BELLOW’S BINGE was three-wide to the first bend then went behind cover to the 3/16, made the front 5/16, came under no pressure and was in control. KEYSTONE STEAM was fourth-in, could finally go outside past midturn, was moving well late and just caught MACH WEST for second. The latter traveled two-wide to the top 3/16, yielded 5/16 to sit the two-hole, not enough to hold second. DUCHESS DYNASTY was the innermost of the leavers, pushed then yielded, couldn’t keep up ¾. WINNING LINC had nonflowing cover, then had some finishing pace. BLACKLIGHT and PARTY BOY did not feature. CLIFFHANGER tucked midpack, then went out uncovered at the half but could offer very little.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TRUEMASS VOLO went to 1/8 command, shook off the first-over, easily in the finale. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT yielded for the pocket, a clear second. INNISFALLEN tucked third early, wasn’t tight on the top ones 11/16, next in line. MANHATTANUP NO ICE was stuck inside, rallied some in the Pocono Pike. FOREVERHILLREIGN started raw at the 3/8, trotted his own third quarter in 27.2 to reach the leader, continued his challenge until an 1/8 of a mile out, then started to tire. STOP RESISTIN tucked, stayed in, went wide, a bit on the end. KEYSTONE THUNDER never factored. CREWS HILLTOPPER, a bit off the gate, tried to go up second-over but couldn’t stay with cover.
Aug 2, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Fairly strong stretch headwind … JAGGER ROCKS was three-wide towards the first turn, then two-wide and got the lead 3/16, rolled on the engine and was the dominant force here at 23-1. HOW ARE YEE JOHN forced the 1/8 and yielded, inherited the pocket near the ¼, was loose in it at several points, went on for the place. DOGFIGHT went up the inside down the back, evenly late. WAY TO CLOSE tightened in in quarter two, uncovered 5/8, couldn’t sustain any forward gain. ABSOLUTE INTENT was second-over, three-wide headstretch, even response. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN struggled at the back. JK MUSICMAN left between horses to 1/8 command, yielded 3/16, then went to a break.
SECOND RACE – SVF CASH DEPOSIT stayed connected early, outside late in the backstretch, briefly ducked in behind the leader then moved out early stretch and went right on by. SPLITSVILLE gapped in the fast early pace, moved behind the winner, couldn’t stay with that one far turn, then gained as the tempo slowed. CELEBRITY ROLEX took controlled from the pole, parked a challenger and then opened up a big backstretch lead in fast fractions, but paid the price in the stretch. WHOUCALLNCRAZY gained a bit late. TROTTING Z TAM left, went into the pocket past the 1/8 and kept the hole closed in the second quarter, then started gapping the leader before the 5/8. GAAREAT GAZOO and LIGHTS COME ON never entered the picture. BREEZING PRAYER was three-wide to curve one, briefly had cover then was left out in the air, couldn’t get the top in the fast pace, faded.
THIRD RACE – Few things help make for a multi-horse win photo better as a slowing last quarter … BLESSINGSANDFAVOR came uncovered at the half and went raw in 29 with the wind down the back, showed just a bit more late grit than the others. FINLANDIA was the innermost of the leavers, forced tucks and rolled, got pressure from the 11/16, scrapping to the finish. PAINT BY NUMBERS left between horses and took the pocket to the 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, photoed out. BLING IM A WINNER was three-wide to the 1/8, backed off to a 3-tuck 3/16, picked it up on the far turn, narrowed in. A MILLION CHUCKLES took the inner path to the last check. ONDA SONORA gapped. MISS MAYTRIX gapped badly. CUSTOMARILY gapped off turn two, broke trying to regain ground before the ¾.
FOURTH RACE – BEACH TOWN BOY sat just off fast fractions then pulled ¾, lead early stretch and went clear. HIS BEATS HANOVER gapped in quarter two, sat in down the back then moved outside far turn, wide and finished nicely. CYRUS PEAK went uncovered 5/8, gained but couldn’t reach cover when it came ¾, outkicked for second. CANDYS IMAGE ROCKS got the lead right away, yielded to the brusher for the pocket, backed out behind the winner to headstretch, so-so. AQUAMAN HANOVER took the early pocket then quarter-moved, took over and kept going quickly, couldn’t hold on to the lead. MCNEILL Z TAM stayed in, not prominent. AMAZON took a while to settle back last, then never improved.
FIFTH RACE – SWEET BOUQUETS was on the move from second before the ¼ to get the front, rated the half then sprinted off to a clear lead, tiring some late but with too big an advantage to overcome. SPIT AND VINEGAR got out second-over, three-wide late turn and finished very nicely. CANTABSLEADINGLADY was in front before turn one, yielded off that turn to sit the two-hole, gapped the winner most of the second half, came back on some late. BLESS YOUR HEART sat in and gapped a gapper, not that much. HIP HOP GRACIE was not prominent. MYREANNA started uncovered on turn two, gained a couple of positions but never threatened before tiring. BILLIE CLAIRE moved outside but went back in when gapping cover, not much.
SIXTH RACE – AMAZING BET was looped, took the pocket at the 1/8 then went to the lead in front of the stands, dictated the tempo and won comfortably. CAPTAIN GOOGLE was out raw before the 5/8, kept on coming gamely, had to settle for second. MAJOR SHOW was third-over, didn’t hit a high gear until going four-wide headstretch, had good late pace. CHAMP CHARBEL was under encouragement early and went three-wide to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, had difficulty keeping close from the 11/16. HERE COMES RED moved second-over, went three-wide, evenly. YER SO BAD did not factor. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was last at every call.
SEVENTH RACE – TRAIN let a foe go then moved in front of a parked horse to the lead, retained control of the stick and drew away. LAVANTE made the top, yielded to the winner, started to get loose 11/16, just held second over CARTIER BI. The latter took a while to settle back, then moved outside far turn and wide off of it, closed very nicely. VINCENTI decided to take the 3-hole 3/16 after the winner made the regaining move, stayed in until the far turn, fell back some. FATHER OF IRELAND was never in the hunt. GAVINATOR made a break going to the ¼. ARTHUR BOY moved uncovered before the 5/8, gained some but then broke towards the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – SO NICE HANOVER made sure one of two outside foes backed off before letting the other one go at the ¼, came back to reclaim the top just past the 3/8 in a slow second quarter, came home in 27.4 into the wind in firm control. IN LOU OF MONEY left three-wide, had her head in front past the 1/8 but track geometry dictated she back off to the 3-hole to the ¼, steadily for third inside. WIGGLE DELIGHT laid off the fighting top three most of the first half, moved raw before the 5/8 and gained, but stopped gaining midturn. SUNRISE HANOVER came off cover but didn’t have much late. THE OTHER DUO gapped at the back.
NINTH RACE – BEACH PARTY was three-wide early to the front at the 1/8, clear from the ¼ and opened a tremendous lead with a 26.4 third quarter, had the hoofbeats of SHORE OF HIMSELF coming the last 3/16 and was mildly roused most of the stretch, had the margin measured off late. SHORE OF HIMSELF came to the gate slowly but started quickly, had the pocket, looser and looser in same the middle half then in a better gear, narrowed in but couldn’t quite make it. HIGH BALLER was very far back, moved uncovered before the 5/8 and closed a large amount of ground. BOLTMAN left between horses and took back, gapped a gapper the middle half, another getting closer late. LINDYSALWAYSTHINKN couldn’t keep up early backstretch. THE OTHER TWO were far back and unlike the others didn’t make up ground the last ¼.
TENTH RACE – BELMONT MAJOR N was the innermost quick starter and showed first, yielded, shuffled to last with the third quarter outer flow, outside far turn and widest stretch, the only horse with a powerful gear in the later stages. TELL THEM LOU was uncovered going to the second turn, went 26.4 with the wind and cleared past the 5/8, couldn’t make the lead stand up. IM A GIGOLO N had good cover but couldn’t stay with it 11/16 and was left raw, OK. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the fast ¼ to get the top, yielded and was shuffled badly, cleared midstretch and was going forward late. SOUTHWIND DREDGE backed out to third-over but couldn’t keep pace. EXAMINER HANOVER was between horses early, went to the top 3/16, yielded, went to the Pocono Pike but didn’t get back into the fight. COALITION HANOVER was looped and with cover past the ¼, on to the lead 3/8, yielded 5/8 and tired.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAJOR HOULIHAN left for the early pocket, sat third-in and connected, wide headstretch and had the most late speed. BARDMIRY left briskly to the top before turn one, yielded to the brusher 3/8, edged half-out early stretch as looking to get cover as long as possible, came clear after the winner went by and passed SOUTHWIND XENA late. The latter gapped early, tighter and moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, strung out the field, came up shy in the drive to the wire. ODDS ON CARLY took a long time to settle inside, out again 11/16, picked up the others well off the top three. SNUF ENUF HANOVER was never prominent. CAVIART LUCIA left and tucked third, all done ¾. MIKI THE CLOWN sat in, was in the Pocono Pike when breaking to midstretch. SPEEDI PEARL was away slowly then broke at the half.
TWELFTH RACE – BALDAQUIN was looped early and had cover, lost it past the 1/8 and went in the two-hole, outside headstretch and went right by, finished with trot in reserve. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE left, was battling with a foe when that one jumped, set a slow second quarter, rebuffed the first-over, couldn’t do much about the winner but was good for second. ALTUS HANOVER gapped significantly second-over, three-wide past midturn and along for the distant third. CAVIART EMMA didn’t have all that much inside. JACK FIRE came first-over past the 3/8, went up in 27.2 to challenge the leader, began to regress to midturn. AP HALL OF TRIX was three-wide leaving, got to two-wide and was challenging for command past the 1/8 when losing gait.
THIRTEENTH RACE – RHETT SEELSTER left, yielded, moved off turn two and was used to clear 11/16 while pacing his third quarter in 27, held off the resurgent DOUBLE METAL. The latter left between horses to the front past the 1/8, would not yield to the parked foe, tried to go with the winner down the back but gave up the lead 11/16, stayed close, out again headstretch, narrowed in gamely. WHITE BELLY sat in, to the Pocono Pike and a very distant third. BAY BRUTE was three-wide just past the 1/8 then two-wide, couldn’t get the lead so settled for the pocket just past the ¼, tired in the stretch. STELLAR YANKEE never was prominent; nor was HAGGARD. KAUAI KING was always far back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was outleft, patiently made her way to the lead 3/8, got a breather to the half then sped up, drew clear. DAGON HANOVER sat in, found room between horses before midstretch, had some late trot. TUFF TO BE LINDY was away with a sharp burst in a quick quarter, eventually yielded for the pocket, gradually went loose, did retain third. MAGIC CAPE was outside with cover before tucking fifth before the ¼, outside again down the back but gapped. CHING CHING LUCKY never featured. SERRANO VOLO came uncovered near the half, didn’t have much in the last ¼. ISLAND LILY made a break just past the ½.
Aug 1, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – CAPTAIN MCKEE stayed in third, moved out with cover midturn, built up his closing speed and was along in the last step. MELODIES MAJOR came up in 27 into a fast pace to challenge the leader, had the lead early stretch, caught in the last jump. JESSE DUKE N had “b.e.,” appearing to be left-side near the head, to the first turn, sat the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, came close after poor luck. DREAMS BEACHBOY caused a lineup with a quick start, had pressure from late backstretch, gave way early stretch. FEELING CAM LUCKY came out second-over but couldn’t keep up and went back in.
SECOND RACE – Stiffening stretch tailwind … TOUGH MAC was third-over, three-wide late turn, easily got past a tired field. MUSKINGUM disdained a 3-tuck and went on to the lead before the 3/8, went a rapid second quarter (partially because of the wind), still had a clear lead to midstretch but could do little about the winner, held second. CHUCKY DE VIE was three-wide almost to the 1/8 to clear shortly after that point, yielded before the 3/8 to sit in the two-hole, vacated that spot past midturn, bore a little wide headstretch, evenly late. NOBLE ANTHONY was far back, came on steadily belatedly. GREEK LEGEND came out to the 5/8, got a bit closer, blindswitched by the winner late turn, not too much late. DEVIOUS HANOVER was the innermost of three leavers, yielded at the 1/8, started gapping at the half. FASHION WINNER was never in the picture. SCARLETT RAIDER broke right at the start.
THIRD RACE – CONAIR HALL was three-wide into turn one and had the front past the 1/8, kept on rolling and had an open lead much of the third quarter, tiring late but held off ALL HEART I AM. The latter left to maintain the pocket, gapped down the back, got tighter and tighter nearing the wire but couldn’t go by. BARLEY moved up past the 5/8 but never reached the lead, took third over KANDY KORN. The latter went around a gapper, evenly along the inside late. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS broke just past the start, recovered half the ground. GOLDEN ZETTE was looped between horses and tucked third past the 1/8, gapped out 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – AGGIORNAMENTO had the front past the 1/8, pushed a foe to the 3/8 before yielding then sat the two-hole, outside headstretch and right by with big strides. SLAVE LABOUR was three-wide to the 1/8, gradually made his way to the front 3/8, got a 1:00.2 middle half, was clearly second. A ONE A showed speed, yielded, faded some in the lane. REECE N TEDDY moved out raw past the 5/8, gained some on the turn but then flattened. HIGH TOPS moved outside late turn but couldn’t get into the main argument. THE BACK THREE were never factors in this contest.
FIFTH RACE — BIZET left well to make the lead at the 1/8, continued on at a good clip, was well in control here. NICE STUFF vacated third 11/16, outfooted DYNAMIC EDGE late for second. The latter hit the front early, yielded for the pocket, got a bit loose on the far turn, fair late. SPEED BALL SWAGGER moved outside 5/8, got cover 11/16, couldn’t go with the cover, next in line. CRITICAL MASS gapped behind the quick pace. THE LAST THREESOME never got into the principal fight.
SIXTH RACE – PATSVILLE took the early lead, yielded, moved to the 3/8 and was back on top before the ½, drew away in the last quarter, with fast even-numbered quarters. KING PRINCESS left between horses, took the lead at the ¼, saw two go by in quarter two, moved outside midturn and decisioned ALWAYS B ROYALTY for the deuce. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, ducked behind cover to the ¼, then onward to command to the 3/8, yielded to the winner on the second turn, just missed saving place. BET ONLINE went evenly inside. ALESSANDRA HANOVER moved out ¾ and got cover midturn but couldn’t gain. MELBA (off the gate), TRAVELLING LADY (broken equipment), and SWEET KATIE BUG were all far behind by the half.
SEVENTH RACE – LUISELLA moved uncovered from fourth 11/16, overtook the front two steadily in the stretch. WILD KAT G defended the pocket, moved out nearing headstretch, never ahead but steadily for second. TSM EMILIA T made the top in good order and set her own pace, but couldn’t sustain her advantage to the wire. GOO GOO LU LU stayed flat. BEHINDBLUEYES broke early. GIRL FROM QUEENS was looped, took back to the 3-hole just past the ¼, gave way nearing the ¾. BUCKET HEAD misstepped just past the start.
EIGHTH RACE – BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE advanced to command at the 1/8, yielded off the first turn and awaited the Pocono Pike, went right by when shown racetrack. HONALI got forward position leaving, deep in the Pike and along for second. DONTLIKEITLEAVE was three-wide early, briefly had cover then uncovered at the 1/8, went forward to the lead but was a bit wide late on the first turn, did make the top into the frontstretch and set the pace, not enough late and bore out a little. A DEAL’S A DEAL was uncovered 9/16 and gained to the ¾, but then couldn’t sustain the forward move. THE OTHER TWO were well off the main group the last half.
NINTH RACE — BARNUM yielded for the pocket and stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually wore down KRISTIELEIGH. The latter went out early and grabbed command, set an unhurried pace without pressure, still could not stall the winner. FASHION PRINCESS did not get a good start, gapped midrace, outside late far turn and photoed JUST DO IT LUCAS for third. The latter was away third, evenly the last 3/8. DREAM ZETTE was a bit hard to handle and covered a lot of ground, showed a decent amount of energy. AMBERS CHAMPION made a delayed move forward, broke while three-wide into turn one, caught the field but couldn’t get back into it. MOODY BLUE went offstride just before the start.
TENTH RACE – MIGHTY SURF was three-wide to the 1/8 to the top 3/16 in a fast quarter, didn’t get much pressure, had enough to defeat TRUEMASS VOLO. The latter was between horses leaving, took the pocket 3/16, tried the winner in the Pocono Pike, good but not quite good enough. OOH RAH was on top into turn one, raced closely-placed, held off a pair to get third. BANGE BI was second-over, showed a pretty good late response. BANZAI AS started a long uncovered bid 9/16 and gained good ground, weakened slightly the last 1/8. MUAY HANOVER didn’t have much the last 3/8. LUCKY SEVENS was at the back throughout.
ELEVENTH RACE – ALL CHAMPY was behind the early duel two-wide, went up after the early wide leaver broke to the ¼, had to work to get the lead into turn two in a pretty quick half, had enough to win over TSM PHOTO BUGGER. The latter used the rail to maximum advantage, pushed the winner to near the second turn before yielding for the pocket, eased out headstretch and was game but came up shy. BIG MONEY HONEY gapped a little in the middle, stayed in, to the far inside in the lane and just third over CIMERONKEN. The latter kept the two-hole shut, not much to offer late, did return with “b.e.” ICINGON DE CUPCAKE went uncovered just past the 5/8 but never headed the third-in horse before retreating. KISS ON FIRE AS was rough to the start and then broke. ONE FANCY KID was between horses early, going up towards the leader when breaking before the ¼. BLUEBIRD KEEPSAKE left, was three-high going into turn one when misstepping.
TWELFTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER left well, pulled at the ¼ and saw a foe take the pocket, went on to the front and continued on at a good clip for these, game late to defeat MAX’S BEAST. The latter was fastest away, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, had a chance up the Pocono Pike, came up just a little shy. SEVEN IRON was three-wide to turn one, tucked in the pocket as the winner readied for his quarter-move, stayed connected until mid-far turn, held for the distant third over O JONNIE. The latter saved ground, locked in far turn, clear in the lane but bore out and could not make third. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was last but parlayed sitting in into the last check. BILLIE BLUE was second-over, briefly blindswitched towards the ¾ then could go out three-wide, but could not gain. JACK RULES was behind nonflowing cover, three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t make an impression. TW LAUXMONT was four-wide to bend one, with cover, tucked fourth at the ¼, came uncovered off turn two and made a mild bid before tiring through the last quarter.
Jul 28, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Track was “fast +0” for the first six races; then the rain came through and the track was “sloppy +1” for the last six races … Stretch headwind of varying degree until the storm came through … HIGHVIEW CONALL N left well, then quarter-moved to control the tempo, a safe winner. VALRHONA moved raw just before the half, didn’t reach the leader until the ¾ then made a good challenge around the turn, gave a little bit of ground grudgingly. PICKLED PREACHER was third-over, three-wide far turn and passed many horses. BUGGER BRUISER was urged leaving and cleared 3/16, yielded, pocket, not much left in the lane. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN sat in, had room to the inside but couldn’t get to be a major player. DARK HORSE was second-over, gapped, did not tip wide. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN was inside, actually had a bit of pace finishing.
SECOND RACE – URBAN RENEWAL tucked third at the 3/16 but didn’t stay there long, quarter-moving to the lead, had some pressure in the third quarter while rolling along, drew clear through the stretch. MOVE THE LINE used the pole to advantage, then yielded to the winner, could not gain in the lane but saved second. ROCKINWITHTHEBEST was carried up by moving cover but had to go four-wide when it failed him late on the turn, came on sharply. ROCK THREE TIMES went evenly along the inside. DATELINE HANOVER also went along evenly. MAJOR HUMOR was not in the picture. ZINNY MACH N moved second-over but gapped, went three-wide before late on the turn but didn’t offer much. P L MUNSON hustled through to maintain the early pocket, came uncovered just before the half, got as close as the leader’s hindquarters, faded late on the turn.
THIRD RACE – IDEAL TYSON didn’t keep up until the second turn, moved past the 5/8 and soon got cover, wide and got to the faltering DARTH FADER. The latter left between horses, went enough to force a pocket tuck, opened a clear lead into the far turn, but couldn’t quite last to the line. KABOOM POW had some speed, moved uncovered 11/16 and kept edging closer, came up a step shy. MAYFIELD DUKE stayed in, edged to the path behind the winner past early stretch, steadily. LIMA RAIDER gapped early, moved outside but didn’t get into the fight. ARTACUS was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked in the pocket past the 3/16, couldn’t keep up ¾. BIG GAME HUNTER fell way back in the lane.
FOURTH RACE – ROCK IS SWEET had the early pocket, moved 3/16 to get command, was in command to the finish. TRAFFIC JAM left well to the lead before the first turn, yielded for the pocket, stayed just off the leader to the wire. DEJA VROOM edged out late backstretch, got cover that proved useless so three-wide past midturn, OK. AVERYS HAILSTORM sat in, gained inside late while possibly not having a fully-clear path. BULLVILLEKARLA couldn’t enter the picture. PAPPY ROCKS gapped off the early tussle, narrowed in, edged out to the ¾ but made no impression. TRUSSED UP TRUDY went outside into turn two but bore wide, then fell back.
FIFTH RACE – CHANCELLORCULLEN N made the lead then yielded to the chalk to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and overhauled JEREMES GENERAL to become the second “teenaged” son of Christian Cullen to win today. The latter foe was three-wide for a spell then took the lead past the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, overhauled late. HES GONE BADDER stayed in, utilized the deep Pike and finished OK. GRANTOR HANOVER stayed in, beat out the outer tier. HERE COMES SWIFTY was third-over in a dull flow, ducked between horses in the stretch and had a little pace late. MIKE’S POWERHOUSE tucked third at the 1/8, started the outer tier before the half but never really challenged. REGAL HOPE settled in 3/16, then was second-over, three-wide far turn but had little response.
SIXTH RACE – Rain started to fall, and the headwind picked up strongly … INAPERFECTWORLD made the lead and could force a tuck, rated the half, turned back the first-over and handled the drifting pocket horse easily. LIFE WELL LIVED went into the pocket before the 3/16, came out near headstretch, couldn’t gain and bore out through the lane. SILVERMASS VOLO was third-over and hampered by dull cover, four-wide mid-far turn, was making up a ton of ground late. CALL ME THEFIREMAN came up the inside down the backstretch, but that wasn’t enough to make him a factor. FRENCH MONI was first-up into turn two, gained some with the wind down the back but was tired by midturn. LUCKY JUNE BUG was second-over, gapped, a little closer ¾ and three-wide midturn but had little to offer. HOLIDAY HANOVER was never a factor.
SEVENTH RACE – Track now “sloppy +1”; wind is calm … MEADOWBROOK FLASH started uncovered after the battle to the 3/8 for the lead, steadily advanced uncovered to clear mid-far turn, just held off LAREDO TORPEDO N. The latter made the front right away, pushed the early brusher to the 3/8 before relinquishing the lead to sit the pocket, edged out behind the winner late turn, came on very nicely late. MYIDEALSON N left well to get the early pocket, stayed in, had some rally up the Pocono Pike. ARCHETTO HANOVER was on the move before the quarter, but needed encouragement to overcome the resistance of the leader and clear 3/8, came under attack by the winner, saw that one cross over midturn but kept on pacing gallantly to the line. ROCK IDOL had an excess of cover, moved three-wide uncovered past the ¾, got cover then ducked inside that cover, fair late. MOONWARDS HANOVER was second-over, went three-wide mid-far turn but had little to give. SPORTSMANSHIP was never close. FRISKY PEDRO was third-over but gapped. R U MACHIN ME was already gapping by the 3/8.
EIGHTH RACE – The fractions were posted as 25.4, 55.4, 1:23.4, and 1:51.4, but in the official charts they were corrected to 26.3, 57.1, 1:25, 1:53.1 … JUXTA COWGIRL was quickly away to take the lead, radically slowed quarter two, held off the field nicely late. ALII NUI left and sat a great trip in the pocket, Pocono Pike, just could not make up the necessary ground. A CRAFTY LADY went uncovered before the 5/8, challenged, couldn’t quite keep pace late. SWEET ROCKIN GIA stayed in, OK at the wire while possibly not fully clear. LYNBAR ROSE N got a little rank behind the gate and jumped 100 feet before the start, recovered, got cover, wide headstretch, couldn’t recover enough.
NINTH RACE – CAPTAIN HILL controlled the pace, went 27.2 down the back to try to lose the field, got tired but had just enough in the 30 kicker to hold out over the closers. BARON MICHAEL tucked third, came uncovered 5/8, made good headway from headstretch and just missed, holding off LITTLE ADMIRAL by a whisker for second. The latter stayed in, decided to go between horses in the stretch and was “flying” the last 1/16 of the slowing mile. GOLDEN GESTURE made a small break shortly after the start, righted, wide in the lane and finished steadily. ARTACHE HANOVER was asked leaving but didn’t have enough response and was taken back into a hole, second-over, came up a bit shy. RECORD MACHINE angled wide from last and had a belated rush. AN THE THUNDEROLLS got the pocket at the 1/8, started gapping at the 5/8.
TENTH RACE – DELISHKA N made a foe work to the 3/8 at a fast pace to get the lead, waited for the Pocono Pike, paced to the lead midstretch and held off opposition to both sides. BETTORS HEART N was buried in last, to the deep Pike and almost got past everybody in the last ¼. ABIGAIL DAWN left and kept the pocket shut, inside, shuffled then out in a blindswitch late turn, had room to swing wide and finished well. WATCH ME NOW N was four-wide early then retreated to tuck, came first-over 9/16, stayed in the heart of battle to the line. ECLIPSE ME N had no hole for a tuck and pressed on to the lead after very hard usage to the 3/8, again came under attack from the first-over, paid the price for fast involvement in the lane. CRAZY CUTE gapped 3/8, moved second-over but still gapped.
ELEVENTH RACE – DON’T SASS ME was looped early and followed cover to the 3/16, then went up to take the lead past the 5/16, dealt with a tough first-over, established superiority late. BIG NUDGE was second-over and gapped lively cover slightly, angled wider midstretch and just did catch SWEET HEART AS for place. The latter was looped early and took a tuck, led the outer charge towards turn two and went 27.4 in the off going to be a big threat, went on gamely. FOREVERHILLREIGN was third-over, wide off the turn and went wider, finished steadily. MAGIC VACATION left, yielded 3/16, stayed in, shuffled when the pocketsitter tired, waited for the Pocono Pike, so-so once clear. ZOOMING was out to the 3/16 before hitting the front, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, struggled from the 11/16. ALEXANDER HANOVER was never a factor. EVANNA backed out to fourth-over, went between horses into the lane but made a break midstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR left very hard, did yield past the 1/8 and sat the pocket, wheeled out for the stretch and had far more sprint than the other favorite. BLOOD BROTHER worked to the top past the 1/8, wasn’t under much pressure in the stretch, clearly second here. CLOUSEAU HANOVER tucked behind the two early fighters, struggled the last 3/16 but held third. KEYSTONE STEAM gapped some much of the way, a little better late. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was second-over behind not-great cover, wide on the turn, some late. MORE DRAGON gapped midrace, not prominent. REPEAL OR REPLACE was not a presence here. ROJAN’S WAY started uncovered into turn two, stopped any gain before the ¾.
Jul 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … BENJI’S BEST was last, moved uncovered early in the backstretch, got cover ¾ but was still a bit off of it, but once straightened away just overpowered this field. WALTER MITTY sat in, out in a blindswitch headstretch and behind a wall early stretch, had to wait for the winner to go by then could angle wider and finished very nicely to just get second. BABES DIG ME was looped leaving, had cover then dropped in the three-hole past the 1/8, outside ¾, steadily. WAR-N-MUNN was wide early, hung out 3/16 in a fast quarter to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a big late move. CURIOUS CORTEZ set the pace with two moves and just kept right on going, ran out of gas. SWEET N FAST N was always far back. REGAL SON gapped at times, had little to offer.
SECOND RACE – ROCK PARTY was looped early, went on to 3/16 command, rated the half, fought off the first-over, finished well. DARTY took over immediately, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t make any but the slightest of gains. INNISFALLEN had some speed, backed out to second-over but gapped on the turn, wide and better late. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT stayed in, not clear in the stretch. CRAZYCAT was uncovered off turn two, went 27.4 the third quarter to challenge the leader and kept fighting, then went evenly late. SLATED TO WIN was not heard from. DAYTONA DREAMIN moved off turn two, didn’t gain much in the outer flow, three-wide far turn, not prominent. MUSHANA broke going to turn one.
THIRD RACE – SPORTS TEEN gapped in quarter two, then in gear to second-over, three-wide the entire far turn as the pocketsitter pulled, still paced away from that one. VALIDUS DEO defended the pocket in a fast quarter, came out late turn before the three-wide horse could pin him in, went to the stretch lead, raced well. DREAM OF LUCK took back to tuck 3/16, stayed in and gained inside to pocket position, angled out behind the top two early stretch and finished steadily. CLASS SIX was under constant pressure leading from the rail, faded. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS tried to follow the winner but could not. BAMSKI was between horses early and put in third 3/16, decided to try again but was left outside and fought with the pacesetter, faded the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – DO YA THINK tucked third, came out first-over going to the half, went 27 down the back to have the lead going into the far turn, lengthened the advantage. WHATA TREASURE was crucially locked in late backstretch and much of the turn, finally came free and paced home well for second. LOUD SPLASH also took the inner route, went past a tired NEEDLESS TO SAY for third. The latter was briefly three-wide early, to the top 1/8, set the pace, faced an argument from the winner down the backstretch onwards, faded. JANAID got out second-over but immediately gapped cover. STEP ON THE GAS broke at the start. POCKET WATCH N came through at the start and got the pocket, was laboring from the 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – BERMUDA looked to leave but saw the inside two buzzing away and took back to her lineup position, outside 5/8, could tuck into the pocket at the ¾, outside stretch and gradually worked by JAZZED late. The latter took control from the pole, slowed the half then sped up, held gamely against a determined winner but had to settle for second. NO FOOLIN defended the pocket early, started to gap off the second turn, gave the pocket to the ¾, held third. LIFELUVN YANKEE couldn’t go enough. SWEET HELLO got very tired in the last quarter.
SIXTH RACE – MANHATTANUP NO ICE pulled at the 1/8, raw 3/8 and went right to the lead, not under pressure the last half. ZLATAN was outside 3/16 before getting the front, saw two go by, inside and blocked on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike, cut into the winner’s margin but wasn’t threatening. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was looped leaving and out with cover to the 3/16, then uncovered to the lead towards the 3/8, yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose most of the last half. KEYSTONE THUNDER yielded early for the “pocket” and was shuffled back to last, backed out to follow cover, tipped wide, mile may be a bit better than it looks. DA BOOGIE MAN, the only one not to have the lead at some point, made a good uncovered move commencing before the half, tired past midturn.
SEVENTH RACE – STELLAR BB had cover past the 3/16, then raw to gain control 3/8, dealt with whatever he had to and won nicely. ATTA BOY DAN was looped leaving, got the front past the 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, had a good trip, did not gain late but held his ground well. CAPTAIN MULZAC was uncovered at the half, got to even with the pocket horse on the turn, didn’t fade too much. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE was second-over, wide stretch, not enough. MIGHTY SANTANA N went evenly along the inside. LYONS AMUSEMENTS made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, started to gap ¾. LEAR SEELSTER never featured.
EIGHTH RACE – GLOBETROTTING was unhurried early, in gear from fourth 3/16 to the lead 3/8, set fast fractions, perhaps a bit tired late but seemed to be in control. THE LIONKING AS charged right to command, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, didn’t keep up into the ¾ and around the turn, then made up some ground in the Pocono Pike. NEXTROUNDSONME was uncovered from near the back of the field, cover on the turn then three-wide headstretch, finished well. MIND YOWN BUSINESS went into the early pocket 3/16, sat in, outside midturn, evenly. NO DRAMA PLEASE narrowed in a bit late. MOON BRIDGE gapped from midbackstretch. POND JUMPER gapped from the half.
NINTH RACE – BENSON BOYS N moved before the 3/8 to command before the second turn, had his task made much easier as a brushing contender broke nearing headstretch, won easily. BUSBOY HANOVER moved outside down the back and may have briefly retucked third before following the sweeper, gapped that one before he broke, steadily for second. CLASSY HILL was in the flow, blindswitched midbackstretch, moved three-wide late turn, had to pause when a foe broke, recovered well. ALBERGO HANOVER was best of the rest. ALEX TYE left, yielded, quarter-moved, yielded again, couldn’t keep up ¾. MONTEFALCO N moved three-wide from a long way back early backstretch and paced his third quarter in 26.4 to get to two-wide, still looked in contention for a big share when breaking late turn. INDIGO ART was three-wide early to the lead 3/16 in a 25.4 opener, yielded, faded the back half.
TENTH RACE – HIT ME UP was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ and got control, slowed the half, then came home in 55.4 – 27.2 as much the best. JK I FEEL FINE protected the pocket, was loose in same most of the last half but still was clearly second-best. GALLERIA HANOVER took a forward position at the 1/8, steadily. COLLUSION ILLUSION went evenly. HOFFMAN HANOVER gained some with an uncovered bid down the back, but tired ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – BLAZEN RIVER N left as did four horses to his left so was taken back to two-wide, underway 3/16 and had the lead well before the ¾, kept on rolling stringing out the field, bore out in the stretch but had enough to hold off OLLIE’S Z TAM. The latter left rapidly four-wide to get the top, yielded to the winner, stayed pretty tight behind him, then came up the inside as he bore out but still couldn’t reach the wire first although very good. MYKINDACHIP left to sit behind the place horse, next in line. PATERNITY SUIT A went evenly in the fast mile. CAVIART ROCKLAND stayed in and got the last check. QUALITY BUD moved out late backstretch but couldn’t gain. BIGONPERSONALITY N was at or near the back throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – MORAIRTIME made the lead 3/16 and kept up free-for-all fractions, much the best. Also very good was P L NOTSONICE, who was uncovered from sixth into the second turn and kept gaining while trotting her third quarter in 27.3 and then continuing to game behind the monster winner. RICH AND MISERABLE stayed in, backed out second-over, did well late for third. KING ALPHONSO sat in, shuffled as the inner tier collapsed past the ¾ then outside, not enough. AFTER ALL PAUL had little chance from this spot. JUST MAYBE THE ONE hung the winner past the 1/8, gave the pocket before the ¼ and looked all-out to stay close, did get shuffled far turn but was rough-gaited and couldn’t gain once free. WINNERUP was three-wide to the 1/8, got to two-wide then got to the pocket in the 26.3 quarter, got bottomed out chasing the fast fractions.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TUXEDO BAY utilized the rail well and wound up tight in the pocket, outside headstretch and wore down frontstepping MCMIKE. The latter went on between horses to 3/16 command, rated the half, never really got any pressure, not as much late kick as the winner. CLIFFHANGER was second-over in a so-so flow, three-wide nearing late turn, passed several horses in the lane. MACH WEST was three-wide to the 1/8 then took back to tuck fourth, inside, tried hard to the wire. HEREITIZ was first-over just before the half, never could get close to the main action. MOTIVE HANOVER had an excess of cover, blocked to midstretch then angled wide and finished briskly. BLACKLIGHT had an inside gap in which to game down the back but didn’t get really tight. BARNABAS moved third-over 9/16 but gapped 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was between horses three-wide leaving, tucked third at the 1/8, backed out to third-over late backstretch, swung first three- and then four-wide on the turn all the while gaining, had the most pace in the latter stages. WINNING LINC was second-over, had his hand forced by the winner ¾ and was three-deep through the turn, had a small, short advantage to deep stretch but was caught. FERDINAND N left some, gapped for a spell, then gathered and was first-over to turn two, put high-intensity heat on the leader, took over into the lane and had the lead for a while but couldn’t sustain. MAJOR DECEPTION was in a tough spot, swung wide, couldn’t go as much as the first three. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was four-wide to the first turn to the lead 3/16 in a 26.1 opener, slowed the half but then had to restoke against the first-over, tired the last 1/8. CASHNCAM left and got the pocket, behind the pacesetter headstretch, but couldn’t summon much once clear. HE’S ELECTRIC was last when breaking before the second turn.
