Jul 25, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – CAPTAIN MCKEE sat third and connected in the fast fractions for these until the far turn, then paced past the top two. CLOSING STATEMENT took his time working to the front early, set a very fast pace looking to bottom the field out, a strategy that worked for all but one. MAJOR OFFENSE quickly made the top, yielded for the pocket, got a little loose the last 1/8 but still far ahead of the rest. JAGGER ROCKS was far back in the second half of the field, went three-wide late turn and was next in line. DOGFIGHT stayed connected in fourth until the 5/8. DIVISION BELL retucked around a struggler, came out and tried to come on again but could not. NEWS WATCH was never close. R U MACHIN ME was already gapping before the ¼.
SECOND RACE – KAUAI KING cleared to the lead before the 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, stayed tight, came outside headstretch, inched by the pacesetting BEACH PARTY. The latter blasted off from the rail, yielded, moved 5/16 to 3/8 command, continued on at a fast clip with only the winner staying close, held on very gamely. BOLTMAN tucked third and kept the hole shut early, disconnected a little 5/8 but then continued on well to preserve third from SUCCESSION. The latter came outside 11/16, got a little steppy going into the turn, finished strongly. AMAZING BET did OK but could not threaten for major honors. MISTER DAVID C never entered the picture. CAPTAIN GOOGLE was wide early, gradually took back to last and then lost contact.
THIRD RACE – I’LLALWAYSBEBACK left well from the rail, saw his early challenger go offstride 3/16, rated the half, fought off the first-over, then found enough to fight off the two to his inside. BARKEEPER sat in, came up the deep Pocono Pike and had a surge that almost carried him to victory. KASEVILLE took over the pocket when a foe broke 3/16, to the Pike, not beaten by very much. ARTHUR BOY began a very long uncovered grind into turn two, put pressure on the leader, didn’t cede any ground until midstretch. FATHER OF IRELAND moved out behind cover far turn but didn’t get into the main picture. CREATE broke just past the start, caught the field, but broke again going into the far turn. VINCENTI was outside and challenging for supremacy when losing gait nearing the 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – EASYRUNNER HANOVER sat third until just before the ¾, then came up raw and ran down those in front of her. MAJOR HOULIHAN stayed in, angled behind the winner as she went by and finished crisply. MIKI THE CLOWN was on top at the 1/8, got no pressure until the far turn, still came up shy. BARDMIRY had the early lead then yielded to sit the two-hole, didn’t have gain in the Pocono Pike. ODDS ON CARLY took the inner route to the last check. TOUGH LITTLE BEACH came out 11/16, soon got cover, but couldn’t keep with it. BET ON CHRISSY could offer little. CHEEKIE BABE was already leaving a gap by the 3/8.
FIFTH RACE – NAZARIO was three-wide towards the first turn then tucked, gapped much of the middle half but hit a higher gear past the 5/8 and steadily went on to the lead, won eased up. FASHION ON A STAR moved out behind cover to the ¾, not catching the winner but not to be caught for second. TRAIN sat tight in the pocket, shuffled a little as the winner went by then backed outside, enough for third. F X HANOVER made up a lot of ground from far back. CARTIER BI wasn’t keeping up down the backstretch. ARMANI HANOVER went to the lead 3/16, had things his own way until late backstretch, then gave way. LAVANTE lost equipment coming off the first turn, fell far back. MASTER WALKER broke just past the start.
SIXTH RACE – MIGHTY SURF was three-wide leaving and on the point before the 3/16, rated the half, sped up to meet the bid of the first-over, shook that on off and drew away. ONE FANCY KID got the front into turn one, yielded to the 3/16 for the two-hole, stayed tight, outside stretch but couldn’t gain. NICE STUFF was uncovered into turn two and went a pretty big third quarter for this type, backed off the winner on the far turn but trotted on to the wire. SEVEN IRON lost gait at the start, recovered, gapped third-over, still caught the rest. LIONHEAD left and yielded, stayed in, gapped 11/16. FINAL DREAM had good second-over cover but couldn’t go enough to take advantage. EXUBERANCE looked to be struggling at the back when going to a run early on the far turn.
SEVENTH RACE – HIGHRTHANANEAGLE found an early tuck, moved out at the half then was three-wide 9/16 to loop a parked horse and get to first-over just past the 5/8, challenged, inherited a huge lead when the pacesetter broke and caused confusion, won by himself. BAY MEADOWS was last, steered between breakers on the far turn and had late pace for the distant second. DECLAN SEELSTER left but was hung out to dry, looped 5/8, got around most of the trouble while in the two-wide tier, couldn’t quite last for second though going on gamely. BARRAGE HANOVER defended the pocket, looked like he might clear the far turn breaker going inside him but clipped a wheel and also “ix”d. VELOCITY KOMODO was stuck behind two breakers on the far turn and made an “ix.” THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was outside, suffered an “ix” in the general confusion far turn. A BETTOR BEACH went out to command and parked one foe, had the winner coming on when he went to a break midturn scattering most of the field, taken to the infield, suffered “b.e.”
EIGHTH RACE – RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP got command into turn one, saw two go by, vacated third raw 11/16, grinded and was along in the last steps. SO NICE HANOVER made the lead 3/16, pushed a foe to the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, not a strong late move though perhaps getting a head ahead past midstretch, caught. UPTOWN HANOVER drifted out, couldn’t find a tuck so was set down and worked to the lead 3/8, held on gamely. SUNRISE HANOVER moved outside before the ¾ but could not reach the main threesome battling. MORROCKIN N stayed close early, stayed in, not all that much. THE OTHER PAIR never improved from the last two spots.
NINTH RACE – AUTUMN DEO made the lead just past the 1/8 and had an open lead the last ¾, winning in fast time. SPIT AND VINEGAR was outside down the back, ducked in and used the Pocono Pike in getting the distant second. BLESS YOUR HEART left and yielded for the pocket, loose in same most of the way. THE QUEEN B got an early spot, came out past the 5/8 to try to circle the gapping two-holer but could not. WHAT A DAME was out in a nonflow, ducked in and got the last check. FINLANDIA could make up no ground. EXTRA FANCY was last most of the way. PAINT BY NUMBERS was three-wide to the 1/8 then took back to fifth 3/16, not heard from again.
TENTH RACE – RED POWER spotted, attacked uncovered 5/8 and came his own last fractions in 54.3 – 27.1 in going by on the turn and winning comfortably – one to watch. IM A GIGOLO N followed the winner, uncovered mid-far turn, summoned enough to keep off CIGAR SMOKING TONY for second. The latter left strongly from the rail and defended the pocket, backed out late turn as the outer tier was going by the pacesetter, ducked in for the drive and made up ground well. MANKAT left strongly to take the lead, slowed the half, but was found wanting in the last ¼. SOUTHWIND DREDGE never entered the main picture. BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE gapped third-over. CAVIART VAL gapped much of the way.
ELEVENTH RACE – BAY BRUTE was right on top, pushed a foe past the 5/16 then yielded but was quick on the retake, set good fractions, won handily. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was far back and four-wide headstretch, closed very sharply. YER SO BAD was third-over, gapped some, then in gear three-wide far turn, just outclosed for second. AIR GUITAR was between horses early and took back, sat in, was weaving through the stretch to find clearance and kept on gaining. THE BIG PICTURE got forward position, went uncovered towards turn two, never got to the winner and dropped into the pocket ¾, faded. BEACH FORECAST was second-over, left uncovered ¾, little to offer late. BALI BEACH was three-wide most of the 3/16 and finally made the led 5/16, yielded to the winner, started to gap out past the 5/8. HIGH ST CORRIDOR broke just past the start.
TWELFTH RACE – KEYSTONE BARRACUDA left and got the pocket as the rail horse broke, on the move 5/16 to go to the lead, opened up down the back and reached the ¾ in fast time, won by herself. DAGON HANOVER was wide leaving, tucked third after the early breaker, sat in, to the Pocono Pike and was finishing willingly. TUFF TO BE LINDY took over early, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, couldn’t keep up 5/8, couldn’t quite save place. REBEL GIRL gapped early, moved uncovered at the half but did not get close. SERRANO VOLO sat in, angled out early stretch, finished decently. BOUNTIFUL BRITNEY struggled inside. SHEER MUSCLE was off the gate and never a factor. NANCY BAR joined the two-wide tier but never made progress. PADRE was leaving but lost gait going to turn one.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HULOU was three-wide to the 1/8 en route to taking over 3/16, yielded to the brusher and stayed tight, then popped out ¾, went by the leading RHETT SEELSTER but couldn’t quite clear to the inside on the turn, saw that one resurgent up the inside but found enough for the quick victory. The latter pushed the 1/8, yielded, quarter-moved and kept up a fast pace leaving all but the winner behind, wouldn’t let that on cross to the inside on the turn, then went to the Pocono Pike, tried hard but couldn’t quite get the job done. BEACH TOWN BOY had dull cover, closed nicely. ILLBEWATCHINGU sat in, Pocono Pike, evenly. AQUAMAN HANOVER, a bit off the gate, gapped in quarter two, went uncovered 9/16 but made little headway. MCNEIL Z TAM left between horses to 1/8 command, yielded for the two-hole, tired ¾. KYUQUOT was last at every call.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ANGEL NATION was five-wide early, crossed down to two-wide and then to the lead just past the 3/16 in a fast quarter, set the pace, shook off the first-over headstretch, then withstood a serious late bid by BALDAQUIN. The latter was away last in the main group, saw no profit in the outer tiers so stayed in, got room in the Pocono Pike and closed furiously in the last 1/16. CAN’T SAY NO was four- then three-wide early, then with cover, got a tuck just past the ¼, sat in, got to move outside when the second-over gapped and broke, did well. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was between horses early, couldn’t make the pocket so tucked third near the ¼, looked to be coming out on the second turn but without anyone coming could until the 5/8 could wait until then, challenged the winner, couldn’t quite go enough late then bore out through the stretch. ABOVE THE CLOUDS was behind dull cover, three-wide to headstretch then steered inside a drifting horse, OK. ROSE RUN VINCENT left strongly and had the outside leavers stacked up, relinquished for the pocket, tired 11/16. ALTUS HANOVER and BANZAI AS both broke right after the start. AP HALL OF TRIX was outside early, didn’t get cover until the 5/8 then couldn’t keep with it, then broke midturn.
Jul 24, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch tailwind … KEYSTONE STEAM was quarter-mover #2 to the lead just past the 3/8, drew away from these the last 3/16. JESSE DUKE N moved out on the far turn and wide for the stretch, got past ABSOLUTE INTENT. The latter moved outside midturn, just outkicked for second. MISSILE SEELSTER was parked 3/16 for the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, lost ground when shuffled behind a tiring pocketsitter headstretch, almost rerallied for second. HOW ARE YEE JOHN made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket, all done late on the turn. GIVEN UP TERROR and SUNSHINE WEST were always far back. DEVIL OR ANGEL broke w-a-y before the start, was pulled up.
SECOND RACE – KEYSTONE THUNDER left and got to sit in the pocket right behind duelers, got to the Pocono Pike and steady worked to the lead. KANDY KORN moved out 11/16 then three-wide midturn, may have had a short lead early stretch but outkicked to the inside. TROTTING Z TAM wasted no time getting the lead, had a persistent challenger hounding him through fast fractions, tired. NOBLE ANTHONY followed the two- and three-wide tiers, some late. PUERTO RICO gapped at the ¾. GRAN PARAISO was never in the hunt. CHUCKY DE VIE was left hung the mile outside the leader, lasted longer and better than most do from that tough spot. DEVIOUS HANOVER went to a break and into the infield nearing the half.
THIRD RACE – AGGIORNAMENTO made the lead between horses, relinquished but was quick to reclaim, got a slow middle half and still lost everybody but pocketsitter BACKSTREET PLAYER, came home in 28.1 to ward off that one. The latter was three-wide to near the 1/8 and went on to take over the racetrack, yielded for the pocket, outside stretch and well but just not quite enough sprint. BEETLEJUICE was gapping before turn two and had a big gap behind the top two open up, held on to third. BANTAM gapped the gapper show horse, made up a little ground. JOBAVA HANOVER moved outside before the 5/8 but was soon offstride.
FOURTH RACE – Wind calm … IDENTITY POLICE was outside near the back, went frontward 3/16, got into a tuck third at the ½ and rested, then pulled before the ¾ and swept right by late turn, tons the best. CHERRY MASON made the front, yielded, sat the pocket, backed out behind the winner late turn and was left raw, a clear second. MANUKA went to the lead, yielded, gapped to the half and allowed the winner in, moved out down the back but didn’t gain and went back in, then surprisingly angled wide and found a good late gear for third. FATHER PATS SECRET tucked third, then moved shortly before the ¼ to the lead 5/16, got a breather down the back but still had no answer when the outer horses came on. GAVINATOR gapped, didn’t show too much. GOTCHA HANOVER was away last from the rail and never entered the picture. THE PAPA BEAR moved outside from far back but didn’t gain.
FIFTH RACE – SUN TEMPLE got an early spot, then moved 5/16 to command, got a slow half and didn’t face much of a challenge. CHAMBERS COVE left between horses for the pocket, moved out ¾, was in tight quarters with TURN THE TAB turning for home, came on well. BUCKET HEAD gapped early, stayed in, next-best. TURN THE TAB was uncovered before the 5/8, got cover ¾, appeared in get in tight with the place horse headstretch and made an “ix,” recovered some. LATIFAH HANOVER was three-wide to 1/8 command, yielded for the pocket, had little left in the lane. GOO GOO LU LU never featured. WILD KAT G broke while far back late turn.
SIXTH RACE – CELEBRITY SERENA gapped slightly midpack down the back behind a fast pace, outside ¾ and gradually ground down BIZET. The latter left some, moved 5/16 to 3/8 command and kept up hot fractions for this type, reluctant to give up the lead but finally did late. KISS ON FIRE AS was three-wide towards turn one, took the pocket 3/16, stayed connected, backed out with cover past midturn, distant best of the rest. ANDOVERS TOUCH left between horses and pressed on to command seating a rival, yielded to the chalk, seemed empty far turn. SPEED BALL SWAGGER moved outside but didn’t gain. THE OTHER PAIR had no say in the outcome of this one.
SEVENTH RACE – BLING IM A WINNER was uncovered to the 5/8, grinded up into a 1:01 back half and proved the best. YOUNG MICHELLE gapped in the rear at the ½, tightened in 11/16, to the deep Pocono Pike, may have been in tight quarters upper stretch but then was along for second. AMBERS CHAMPION was off the gate, inside, moved out far turn then gapped, evenly late past tired horses. PRAIRIE TRINKET was away third then gradually narrowed in in the pocket when the pocketsitter broke 3/16, Pocono Pike, not much. KRISTIELEIGH went a relatively fast quarter and half, but had nothing left headstretch in a race with a 1:01 last half. MOODY BLUE broke not long off the first turn. CIAO BELLA was in the pocket early when breaking 3/16 and going to the infield.
EIGHTH RACE – A stretch tailwind picking up a little … MUAY HANOVER forced tucks from inside leavers then yielded to the widest leaver 5/16 to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and drew away from this field (despite 30.3 with a tailwind). FRAC was first-over before the 5/8, went on steady to nab second over MUSKINGUM. The latter left but backed off early, inside, to the Pike, couldn’t go with the winner but had a little gain. CON AIR HALL was urged while four-wide at the 1/8, got to two-wide and then the lead 5/16, rolled on, not enough for the latter stages. GOLDEN ZETTE was stuck inside far turn, clear in the stretch, so-so. WHOUCALLNCRAZY was behind the gapping cover of ELO HANOVER, blindswitched far turn, didn’t seem to have too much once clear. CELEBRITY ROLEX was off the gate, tried to gain three-wide ¾ but could not.
NINTH RACE – MAGIC VACATION was three-wide to the 1/8, then went on to take over 5/16, yielded to be well-placed behind a fast pace, came on and drew away easily. MAX’S BEAST used the rail early, yielded but came back to get the lead, went on quickly, had to settle for second. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was outside early on the backstretch, one-geared along for a steady third. TSM PHOTO BUGGER left, tucked at the 1/8, not enough late. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE moved third-over 11/16, four-wide headstretch, finished with trot. CIMERONKEN was second-over, three-wide midturn, not as sharp as some of the others. O JONNIE came five-wide headstretch, had no chance but still missed show by only 1¼ lengths, as did CASH FOR GOLD, who sat inside then used the Pocono Pike. PRESIDENT couldn’t offer much.
TENTH RACE – SPANISH ART moved second-over but gapped cover, kicked into a higher gear late and won going away. FLYINGEVENBETTOR N quarter-moved and kept up a good clip, met the head-to-head challenge of the first-over BULLVILLE TERROR, but then couldn’t kick enough late. The latter was first-up and reached the leader by pacing in 27.1 down the back, not much between these two to the line. CAPTAIN CASH made the front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose on the turn, came back some in the Pocono Pike. PREMIER ROCKSTAR took the pocket leaving, stayed in, in the deep Pike and steadily. GONNAHAVEONEMORE couldn’t enter into it. IN ROCK WE TRUST was gapping at the back when breaking at the ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – OOH RAH was parked 5/16 for the lead, turned back the first-over and briefly drew clear late turn, then barely lasted at 1-5 in a 1:00.1 back half. EVANNA came out to second-over 5/8, wide for the stretch and was closing in rapidly late. BARLEY was third-over, wide but still far back midstretch, motoring fastest of all late. CAJOLE HANOVER left hard and surrendered only to the favorite, sat the pocket, Pocono Pike, came up a bit shy. HOLIDAY HANOVER was three-wide past the 1/8 then took back, tucked third off the first turn, inside, OK deep in the Pike late. CRITICAL MASS never factored. KATKIN AND COKE and GREEK LEGEND gapped at the back. WHAT THAT IS came uncovered 9/16, progressed up to the flank of the leader ¾, soon tired.
TWELFTH RACE – FLIP MY CHIP was quarter-mover #2, had cover to near the 3/8 then went on by, never in doubt thereafter with a 27.1 last quarter. SHAKERTOWN gapped from before the ¼ past the half, then underway raw past the 5/8, closed solidly. ZEUS HANOVER went to the top 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, stayed connected on the rail, then moved outside midstretch as HARRY HANOVER tired and went past that one for third. The latter left, yielded, was extended a little to clear to the lead then yielded to the winner, tired in the stretch. TWIN B MUMBLE never got close. CEDAR HALL HEIR slowed considerably on the backstretch then made a late break.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TW LAUXMONT left strongly, put a rival in behind, yielded to the early brusher to sit the two-hole, outside late turn, bore out in the stretch but still worked by KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter was away third then quarter-moved in front of a parked rival, set an even pace, fought hard but came up second here. SUM FOR ALL was uncovered from far back just past the 3/8, never got close but went on steadily to be next in line well off the top two. BLUEBIRD KEEPSAKE was double-looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide, mostly with cover, until tucking 3/8, out again but gapped cover, still went on determinedly late. SHOSHIE DEO was never in the main equation. MEADOWBROOK GLIDER moved outside but did not gain. LIBERO HANOVER was put into the early pocket, stayed, gapping before the 5/8. CLASSIC VENTURE moved out from last into turn two but quickly broke.
Jul 22, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Coolish; stretch tailwind that got more intense midcard, then greatly moderated the last few races … GOLDEN GESTURE made the front, yielded 3/8 and sat in the fast pocket, outside midturn, paced right on by. ARCHETTO HANOVER tucked third, out behind the winner midturn, clear second. RUNHAPPY TEN moved in front of the parked horse and finally got the lead in a fast half, kept going to a fast ¾, paid the price in the last 1/8. COACH CAL was able to come up the inside and almost made it to third. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME went outside late backstretch but couldn’t gain. PRINCE ASTON offered little. MIKE’S POWERHOUSE dangled outside midpack the first half, then faded.
SECOND RACE – MEADOWBRANCH FLASH was last very far off the leader, circled up to the ¾ and ate into the leader’s margin with every stride, bore out in the stretch but still caught that one. DARTH FADER took the pocket behind the insistent rail horse early, moved 5/16 and had to work to get the lead, opened up a huge lead from the 5/8 into the far turn, but was methodically grinded down by the winner while staying far ahead of the rest. LIMA RAIDER backed out, had some late foot. MAYFIELD DUKE got a spot to the 3/16, then was second-over, left uncovered 11/16, not too much. BRINGITONHOME N was shut out of a hole first turn so had to proceed forward, uncovered until being able to get into the pocket 11/16, not much after that point but had showed energy. TERLINGUA was very reluctant to yield, but once he did he started backing up. BIG GAME HUNTER shut a hole first turn, never heard from again.
THIRD RACE – BIG NUDGE was nudged outside raw near the half, grinded up to the leader and took over ¾, firmly in control. LUCKY JUNE BUG hung a rival just past the ¼, yielded, backed out behind the winner late backstretch, uncovered ¾, just did hold second over SILVERMASS VOLO. The latter was outside but not tight on cover, ducked inside in the stretch and almost got the place. FRENCH MONI was never prominent. CLARION HALL was parked just past a quick quarter, rated the half, had no answer for the winner to the ¾ and faded. THE OTHER PAIR were well removed at the back.
FOURTH RACE – JEREMES GENERAL took over at the 1/8 then put the co-favorite behind him, rated quarter two, got a challenge late backstretch through the turn, but saw that foe off and won easily. ARTACUS was uncovered 9/16, made steady progress and battled with the winner from before the ¾ through the turn, couldn’t sustain the forward progress but clearly second. HES GONE BADDER spotted into turn one, ducked to the Pocono Pike and was along for third with some late foot. ALL IT TAKES left and took the pocket, couldn’t keep pace in the last 1/8. CHANCELLORCULLEN N made steady progress from last second-over but then gapped on the far turn. GRANTOR HANOVER never factored. COLE PORTER N never entered the main picture.
FIFTH RACE – STRETCH THE LINE never settled in but gradually went forwarded, pushed by his main foe until clearing past the 3/8, had only that one remotely close the last half, drew off late in a giant mile for a 2YO. HURRIKANE CHUCK went to the lead towards turn one, pushed the winner over a quarter of a mile (27.2 second quarter) before yielding, stayed close-up until just before midstretch, good mile in his own right and a ton ahead of the others. CHARIOT DRIVE was away third from the rail and was already gapping by the half, just did save third over CURRENT YANKEE. The latter passed a straggler down the back, then ducked inside and almost made the distant third. HONALI couldn’t offer enough puff. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT pulled before the half but broke shortly thereafter.
SIXTH RACE – WISENHEIMER was in the early mix, let it settle, moved in front of the stands to the lead, opened a huge margin in a very fast 3/4s for this type, tiring some but too far ahead. STOP RESISTIN sat in, came out late far turn and was along for second. TAKE A WISH took back early, moved outside ¾, overhauled for second. SWEET HEART AS was way back when he moved out 5/8, cover ¾, three-wide far turn, came on as the pace slowed. CREWS HILLTOPPER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, started gapping out 5/8. DYNAMIC EDGE went in front to the 3/16 and yielded at the ¼, inside, struggled the last half. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE and WATKINS never entered the picture. WINGS OF SPEED was four-wide early, drooped down behind cover, then broke at the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – ARTACHE HANOVER left for the pocket, stayed within a reasonable distance of the leader, then came out midturn and gobbled him up midstretch. LAREDO TORPEDO N got the front quickly and strung foes out most of the way, just did hold second. MYIDEALSON N circled a gapper late backstretch, paced steadily late. AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A was way back in last, then circled tired foes. HERE COMES SWIFTY got into the three-hole before the 3/16, gapped out down the back. DA MAGICIAN showed little.
EIGHTH RACE – MON CHEVAL led from the first step to the last, strung the field out and came home in 28 on her own in a most impressive debut. BAPTISM worked up into the pocket to the 3/16, stayed close to the ¾, clear in second. AVACAKES tucked fourth, out and retucked third past the 5/8, couldn’t gain any more. HODA HANOVER was outside FASHION PRINCESS as hose two came on for the distant last checks. FIERCE WOMAN and MISSALETTE (who defended the pocket past the 1/8) were both leaving gaps by the half. SOUTHERN AUTUMN broke well before the start.
NINTH RACE – BARON MICHAEL retucked at the half, was second-over but gapped the latter part of the backstretch, then in gear turn, wide to a midstretch lead, had just enough to hold off DARK HORSE. The latter made up ground to be a tight third-over, gradually angled wider in the lane and came on well. BUGGER BRUISER sat the pocket, got into high gear quickly once shown the Pocono Pike and didn’t miss by much. REDHOT ROMEO angled widest, just had too far to come (last quarter 29.2). PICKLED PREACHER came out 5/8 and went up raw to challenge, in gear nearing the ¾, got a short lead early stretch but was tiring at that point. RAKSMACH N was trapped in, didn’t appear to have full clearance inside. VICTORIAS MAVERICK went right to the top in a fast opener, set the pace, got pressure to the ¾ through the turn, tired. BLOW A CLOUD N tucked third 3/16, developed a problem in front of the stands and dropped way back.
TENTH RACE – DIXIECHICK HANOVER yielded for the pocket, came out to the ¾ just before the leader broke, was forced wide but didn’t have to check too much and emerged headstretch with the lead, which she maintained. A PERFECT HELEN was out behind the winner and also had to steer wide, came on well late to get second from GUMDROP HANOVER. The latter reached the front at the 1/8, yielded to the favorite for the pocket, had to pause for a few strides to avoid the breaker then came through on the inside losing some momentum, OK late. MISS PRINCIPLE gapped, was in the middle of the confusion then steered inside for fourth. VOGUE broke leaving, was far back when the trouble occurred, steered around a breaker and salvaged the last check. MIMI OCEAN HANOVER tucked third then quarter-moved, seemed to be going along well when making a break just past midturn. DREAMONHIGH was outside behind cover when misstepping 1/8. PINK GYPSY was caught in behind the confusion late turn and went offstride. JUST DO IT LUCAS didn’t have much.
ELEVENTH RACE – ABIGAIL DAWN decided to go into the pocket at the 1/8, waited until the Pocono Pike, then worked through to just catch ALII NUI. The latter used the rail to advantage and went 26.2 to the quarter to keep control, just failed to hold on. MAJOR BATTLE was second-over to the half, three-wide midturn, closed well. SWEET ROCKIN GIA was third-over, four-wide headstretch, closed a little better than the third horse but couldn’t make the Trifecta. GEORGIE MARTIN N came up the inside down the backside, not quite enough late. LUCKY ARTIST A started uncovered before the half, pestered the leader until tiring midturn.
TWELFTH RACE – MUSCLE MACH A was in the dynamic outer flow, left uncovered at the half and challenged, sustained her bid steadily and proved to be the best. NEWBIE was behind semigapping cover, four-wide headstretch and closed very stoutly. ROCK THREE TIMES was two-wide in a four-wide tier behind the first leader, let outside foes loop him, followed them and was left raw 3/8, went on to the lead at the half, got a little tired late. MOVE THE LINE had an excess of cover, steered through a small seam in the lane and finished well. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN wound up second-over, seemed to be all-out from the 11/16. WILDCAT HILTON was three-wide most of the ¼, briefly had cover then went on to the lead 3/8, yielded at the half, not too much response late. WAY TO CLOSE was outside most of the ¼, yielded, inside, might not have been fully clear nearing the wire. ASTON HILL DAVE was the first on top but in the many lead changes wound up sixth at the half, not a late factor. R U MACHIN ME never featured in this mile.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LATE NIGHT DATE A was away second then improved that position by one after the quarter, came home in 54.2 – 26.4 and needed it to hold off ROCK IS SWEET (although GNap may have been measuring). The latter quickly got to the front, yielded to sit the pocket, cut into the winner’s margin from midstretch and was well ahead of the others. BRING ME DIAMONDS spotted fourth, sat in, gapped out before the ¾, just held the distant show. BULLVILLEKARLA was inside, moved diagonally between horses headstretch, found her best strides a bit too late in the battle for third. TRAFFIC JAM never threatened. LITTLE SANDY TOES wound up second-over, gapped down the backstretch; so did TRUSSED UP TRUDY further back. SHES SPORTY A, a bit hard to handle early, fell way back.
Jul 21, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm day; stretch tailwind to begin, then it moderated … ALEX TYE left three-wide to get the top at the 1/8, yielded to the quarter and sat tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and paced away in the last 1/16. TUXEDO BAY was four-wide early, could cross down to two-wide and challenged until getting command at the ¼, kept going at a good pace, did have enough to maintain second. URBAN RENEWAL sat in, used the Pocono Pike to be third. HEREITIZ was second-over, gapped some then closer ¾ and three-wide past midturn, OK. STELLAR YANKEE was third-over, blindswitched past mid-turn, found room between horses in the stretch, evenly. MOTIVE HANOVER was fourth-over in a not-great flow, three-wide ¾, not a factor. HUDSEN A was uncovered just before the half, went up in 27.1 against the wind, but then couldn’t make any stretch progress. CAPTAIN HILL was buried inside. IDEAL FLIP left a big gap behind the front two to the 9/16, tightened, but then was empty in the lane.
SECOND RACE – STELLAR BB quarter-moved and went a uniformly fast pace, no problem taking this one. MACH WEST used the pole to maximum advantage, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, only gave ground to the winner in the last 1/16, held second. RHP left and was soon in the two-hole, inside, outside stretch and gained some. DREAM OF LUCK stayed in and seemed to be all-out to keep up, but then showed better pace late. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide to the first turn, took back to fourth 3/16, then went uncovered into the backstretch, never got particularly close before fading. THE OTHERS never got into the main action here.
THIRD RACE – WAR-N-MUNN was stung well past a 26 opener to gain the lead 5/16, rebuffed all challengers including the closing CURIOUS CORTEZ. The latter was in front at the 1/8, stung the winner a way before yielding for the pocket, outside in the lane and gained inch by inch but came up a couple of inches short. SPEED N FAST N sat in, and advanced along the inside, to the Pocono Pike, a step off the top ones. ALBERGO HANOVER followed good cover in quarter three then went three-wide midturn when it flattered, next. INDIGO ART swung wide from last to get the final payday. BUSBOY HANOVER broke at the start but recovered, was third-over, looked to be trying to find a better gear but galloped again before the ¾. LYONS AMUSEMENTS had speed, uncovered after the fast half but was all done on the far turn.
FOURTH RACE – SPORTS TEEN was three-wide to the 1/8 and then two-wide to the 3/16 to get the lead in a 26 quarter, decided to park out the challenging favorite in fast fractions, but once disposing of that one no one else could get near in a powerful mile. DO YA THINK stayed third-in, angled out late turn after the outer tiers backed off, clearly second. NEEDLESS TO SAY went to the front at the 1/8, yielded 3/16, kept up in the pocket until the far turn. JANAID backed out to follow the parked horse near the half, went three-wide 11/16 when that one tired, but couldn’t gain contention. AMAZON gapped at the back. LOUD SPLASH stayed behind the front wall of three to the first turn, had cover to the 3/16 then was left raw, despite urging was left out to dry in hot fractions, faded late backstretch.
FIFTH RACE – SOMEBEACH BARON tucked, moved at the ¼ ahead of a parked horse, worked up to the lead by going 26.4 the second quarter and cleared at the half, then left these in the red dust by immediately going another 26.4 to open up a huge lead, in another dimension from these today. BENJI’S BEST was last and outside at the half, behind non-advancing cover, went from seventh to second in the stretch with good late pace. BABES DIG ME was outside midpack early until taking the hole left by the pulling winner just past the ¼, second-over but gapped, next in line. THE CANDYMAN CAN came out past the 5/8 to try to circle the gapping pocketsitter and get closer to the leader, but THE CANDYMAN couldn’t. NOTABADGAME was shuffled to last and behind a wall, had a bit at the end. SHANE ADAM went to the top 3/16, surrendered to the winner at the half, then fell further and further behind that one. LOVE THE ACTION looked at leaving but took back, gapped midrace and never factored.
SIXTH RACE – MUSHANA was up close third-in, got a great break when the pocketsitter broke late turn, was able to clear to the outside early stretch and trotted right by. HALO ITS ME went to the lead 3/16, had them coming in waves at him, fended off all but the last challenger. FOREVERHILLREIGN got out behind the sweepers just past the 5/8, four-wide headstretch (didn’t seem to lose any momentum when the breaker angled wide), closed nicely. MANHATTANUP NO ICE joined the two-wide tier into turn two, followed the sweeper to second-over position early backstretch, three-wide past midturn (also not much affected by the breaker), evenly. JACK RULES tucked, came out 3/8 and was three-wide raw just at the half, quickly got to two-wide raw and challenged the pacesetter, tired far turn. SCIROCCO PATRICK was off the gate while breaking before the start. MOSCONI HANOVER wasn’t in the hunt when breaking midstretch. INAPERFECTWORLD came through at the start to defend the pocket, in good position when losing gait late on the turn, angled sharply wide to avoid causing interference. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO had cover leaving then was left raw and two-wide, looped just past the half and fell back.
SEVENTH RACE – WALTER MITTY left quickly, yielded 3/16, moved out again 11/16 and grinded up, went by in a slowing last quarter. HE’S ELECTRIC made the lead going to the 3/16, then kept an early brusher out to a fast half before yielding, sat in the pocket then went to the Pocono Pike, might have gotten to even honors for the midstretch lead, not quite enough. KERRIN JOSEPH A came out 9/16, got cover to the 11/16, narrowing in late. FEELING CAM LUCKY tucked third at the 1/8, moved out 5/16 but was stung to a fast half before clearing, couldn’t make the lead stand up. WHATA TREASURE left a gap inside at a couple of points in the first half, tightened in, so-so late. RECORD MACHINE was third-over, widest, fair. THE OTHER TWO never featured from the back.
EIGHTH RACE – ARCHIBALD left OK, got in gear towards the 5/8 and went right up to challenge the clear leader, went right by in the mile of his life. GEMOLOGIST sat the pace on an open lead until the winner came nearing the ¾, held for the distant second. DON’T SASS ME was inside, angled between horses wide headstretch and passed many horses in the lane. DAYTONA DREAMIN gapped throughout. ZOOMING left for the pocket nearing the 1/8, soon loose of the leader, faded. TRUEMASS VOLO was outside but had little gain. THE REST never were prominent.
NINTH RACE – BARNABAS moved uncovered 5/8, gradually advanced, proved best in a four-way fight to the wire. THREE WAYS N yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, had a very short lead midstretch, just did not have enough at crunch time. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was three-wide early to the lead, slowed quarter two, got pressure from the winner, held his ground fairly well. MELODIES MAJOR charged up early backstretch and got to second-over, continue to narrow in, wide headstretch, flattened slightly. REPEAL OR REPLACE never entered contention. TACT TATE N was way off the gate, caught the field but never contended. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N never factored. MAJOR DECEPTION was well-placed but came up empty down the back.
TENTH RACE – SCIROCCO ROB was in front at the 3/16, rated the half, then had twin 27.4s for these in a knockout mile. AFTER ALL PAUL sat third then came out midturn, just in time to avoid any trouble from the breaker, still only got the distant second by a diminishing margin. RICH AND MISERABLE was able to swing wide near headstretch and avoid most of the trouble, finishing very well. MACMORRIS HANOVER was on the rail, had to check as in the path of the breaker late turn, didn’t regain any momentum. JUST MAYBE THE ONE wasn’t the one today. GHOSTINTHESHELL S yielded for the pocket, was trying to find more to keep up late turn but went to a break and then the infield.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAJOR BETTS was out until the 3/16 to make the lead, set his own pace and turned back OLLIE’S Z TAM. The latter pushed the winner then yielded for the pocket, came up in the Pocono Pike and made up some ground but not quite enough. MYKINDACHIP came on a steady grind from the 5/8, did well. ROBBIE BURNS N came out off the second turn and got cover 5/8, OK late. ATTA BOY DAN got a forward spot, but couldn’t gain in the lane. PATERNITY SUIT A was three-wide early but took back to last, then tried to split horses in the stretch but never was clear. MIGHTY SANTANA N and SI SEMALU raced inside and never got into the main action.
TWELFTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE was double-looped and between horses, pressed on to command at the 3/8, came a back half in 56 as an impressive winner. GLOBETROTTING was double-looped and three-wide past the 1/8, tucked, started uncovered early second turn and went up in 27 down the back, backed off a little late. BLENHEIM raced up into the early pocket, backed out second-over 11/16, fair late. THE LIONKING AS quickly looped the field from the outermost post, yielded, let loose in the pocket in the last ¼. DARTY was first to show but was passed early by three horses, sat in and was gapping much of the last half. THE REST could not make their presence felt in here.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HIGHALATOR was away second then moved 3/16 to command 5/16, rated the half, came home in 54.1 – 27, saw the pocket horse loom briefly but then dug in in his usual game fashion. OAKWOODNITOWNIT IR circled the field in a matter of strides, yielded for the pocket, looked menacing into the stretch but didn’t quite have the late steps. BLAZEN RIVER N was a bit tardy to the gate, second-over, wide and wider off the far turn, narrowed in very nicely. STONE HANOVER went up in 26.4 down the back but never got closer there than the rump of the pocket horse, kept trying to the wire. RESPECT OUR FLAG sat in, looked all-out ¾. ROCK THE TOWN was last throughout.
FOURTEENTH RACE – REGAL SON took the pocket, gapped in it at a couple of points, drew closer with urging ¾, up the inside and went right by CAVIART ROCKLAND. The latter was in control from the pole, rated the half, went :26.4 down the back and opened a big lead, but not big enough to keep the winner safe, but big enough for none of the others to threaten second. BENSON BOYS N tucked fourth 3/16, out second-over, three-wide from the 11/16 the rest of the way, steady to the line. PRAIRIE PANTHER was first-over early second turn, was side-by-side with the gapping pocket horse down the back, not enough. LUCK N ROLL K gapped ¾, not prominent. MCMIKE looked at leaving but took all the way back to last, sat in last, shut off trying to gain late. CAPTAIN MULZAC found no hole and sat midpack or worse on the outside throughout. BLACKLIGHT never featured. DIALAMARA had little from third-over.
Jul 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … GET LIT was three-wide to the first turn, had cover for a bit then moved on to the lead 5/16, yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and had a good late bid for the tally. OFFICIAL DELIGHT tucked at the 1/8, came again uncovered 5/8, paced steadily to the wire. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was second-over, tipped three-wide for the stretch and did well. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS tucked, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8 and set a hot pace, gave way some, returned with “b.e.” MAC ANOVER was four-wide early and circled everybody past the 1/8, yielded, stayed in, to the deep Pike, OK. ROCK ON LOU stayed in, did not have a clear stretch path. DIVISION BELL was in the outer flow, wide, flattened a little. CAPTAIN MCKEE was last, stacked widest and was going forward at the end. URBAN RENEWAL was outside but gapped.
SECOND RACE – TORONTO was looped and three-wide to the 3/16 then covered to just past the ¼, went on to command 3/8, came home in twin 27.4s to win easily. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE moved uncovered into the second turn, was able to tuck into the pocket in front of a gapper 11/16, no threat to win but not threatened to be caught for second. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was in the two-wide tier, moved three-wide before midturn but was a bit rough, still was next in line. ARTIST BEST cleared everybody from PP9 before the first turn, pushed a quick quarter before yielding, shuffled a bit as the original pocketsitter couldn’t keep up, finally to the Pocono Pike, made up a little. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH was looped between horses, went up to get the front past the ¼, yielded to the winner 3/8, did a slow fade from the half. KAUAI KING was shuffled to last and had to stack four-wide, OK on the end. BEACH PARTY was two-wide on the turn, blindswitched, not a big factor. BALI BEACH got early position, stayed in, gapped out ¾. AMAZING BET moved out behind the place horse, but couldn’t keep up gumming up the traffic flow.
THIRD RACE – MILIEU HANOVER got a forward spot, rethought a quarter-move, then brushed on the second turn to the lead not far off that bend and went a 26.4 third quarter, held very gamely to the finish. REALIZATION followed the winner then was left raw early backstretch, went 26.2 down the back to get to the leader to the ¾, battled that one all the way home. NATCHEZ BELLE left and made the lead in a quick quarter, reluctant to yield but did so before the 3/8, quickly retook, quickly passed by the winner then stayed tight in the pocket, had a chance in the Pocono Pike but didn’t have enough response, way ahead of the rest. DEJA VROOM was outside early, followed midpack cover then was three-wide ¾ and a distant best of the rest. AVERYS HAILSTORM got the last check. MORROCKIN K was outside the duration without ever getting close. THE NEXT TWO were stuck inside horses who couldn’t keep up. JK’S JENNA was outside leaving and went onward, finally got the top to the 3/8, immediately yielded, suffered “b.e.” in the third quarter and dropped out of it.
FOURTH RACE – PADRE headed down the road, kept a foe parked despite getting a breather in quarter two, stayed in control. TART TONGUE moved second-over, left uncovered 5/8 when his cover dropped into the pocket after the occupant of that spot broke, kept on coming steadily. ARMANI HANOVER had an excess of cover, aided when the horse in front of him broke late turn, closed for the distant third. BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide past the 1/8, then hung out until getting a break when the pocketsitter broke 5/8, dropped in, far ahead of the rest. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK stayed flat. F X HANOVER was inside and caught behind a tiring horse, broke nearing headstretch. MISTER WALKER was able to maintain the pocket until breaking 5/8 and going to the infield. CREATE broke right after the start. ONE AFTER NINE was in a good flow and was tightening on cover when miscuing mid-far turn.
FIFTH RACE – BAY BRUTE was three-deep before turn one, took the pocket just before the first quarter, stayed connected, outside stretch and snapped right by the leader. HIGH BALLER edged out late backstretch, wide and found very good strides a bit too late. YER SO BAD made the lead, got a breather in quarter two but went a combined 54.1 in the quarters on either side, gave way. THE BIG PICTURE had some speed, gapped then tightened in and outside to the ¾, not too much late. BOLTMAN was outside but ducked in on the turn, no factor. THE OTHERS were always far back.
SIXTH RACE – AWESOME TRIX was looped and pressed on to take over 5/16, never in doubt in the crucial stages. MISS ZELDA was second-over, three-wide towards headstretch and just got second over THE QUEEN B in the last stride. The latter had some speed, then gapped from going into turn two until the 5/8, then pulled raw and went up some, almost held onto second. BILLIE CLAIRE was third-over, didn’t tip off cover until midstretch, finished OK. KAYLA’S PLAYMATE gained up the inside when the three in front of her pulled 5/8. SALT AND VINEGAR was four-wide leaving but quickly dropped down to take the lead at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, stayed close most of the way until the stretch. THE LAST THREE were always in the back.
SEVENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND XENA quarter-moved and quickly took over, bottomed these out in a 27.4 third quarter, won for fun. BARDMIRY went into the pocket past the 1/8, came outside into the stretch and took the distant deuce. SNUF ENUF HANOVER gapped early, stayed in, used the Pocono Pike for third. MIKI THE CLOWN moved outside early far turn, had some late foot. TSM WESTERN SOUL was away well, yielded for the pocket, struggled in the last ¼. THE LAST TWO couldn’t go enough.
EIGHTH RACE – THESUNRISESAGAIN outfooted these away by a good margin, had an open lead to the half despite a 30.4 second quarter, then left the rest far back in the shade. KOKOMO got into a distant second after an outside contender for the spot broke 3/16, in effect cut her own 1:58.1 mile to retain the deuce over CARTIER BI. The latter tucked, moved outside past midturn but couldn’t pass the pocketsitter. BARKEEPER moved with cover far turn, had some belated trot. THE NEXT THREE were over their heads against this winner. INCENTIVE broke early and then again before the half. MISS MAYTRIX was looped, going up to try to get in the pocket when losing gait 3/16.
NINTH RACE — DREAM CHASER went to the top and set a good pace while not under pressure until late, when she had to be good to ward off GINGER TREE LIZ. The latter came through on the rail to secure the pocket and stayed close, outside in the stretch, narrowed in and almost made it. RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP tucked third, gapped most of the middle half, better on the turn and good late in the Pocono Pike. STEPHANIE DEO was second-over, three-wide late turn and closed well. WICKED WAYS left, took the 4-tuck 3/16, sat in, a bit inside late. IN LOU OF MONEY came first-up before the half and went a third quarter of 27.1 but only got to the winner’s wheel, backed off in the last quarter. CAPSAICINN was third-over but didn’t offer much. CAPTAINS MAID looked at leaving but backed off and was three-wide taking back to last at the ¼, swung wide headstretch but couldn’t gain, luckless outing. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was never a presence here.
TENTH RACE – TRU LOU quickly made the top, rated the half, went 27.3 down the back and still saw the first-over’s bid continue, finally disposed of that one but needed all of a 26.3 kicker to withstand CIGAR SMOKING TONY. The latter tucked third, stayed in, angled out past midturn and wide headstretch, appeared to want to lug in through the stretch and had to be kept on course, still ate up the ground furiously. MANKAT yielded for the pocket and had a golden journey, not enough sprint in the Pocono Pike. COALITION HANOVER moved uncovered before the 5/8, went his own third split in 27 and continued to challenge the winner through the turn, then tired. BELMONT MAJOR N showed little. REIGNING DEO tired to go with cover but could not.
ELEVENTH RACE – BEYOND ORDINARY was three-wide to the 3/16 then briefly behind cover, left raw off the first turn and to the front before the 3/8, had a foe rush to him late backstretch but held that one off, drew away. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE moved with good energy raw from the 5/8 until early stretch, then flattened, still held second over CAN’T SAY NO. The latter was between horses until making the top 3/16, pushed almost that far before yielding for the two-hole, gapped nearing the ¾, just missed place. BANZAI AS was second-over but couldn’t go with cover. ALTUS HANOVER was underway before anybody else but couldn’t get close. GINGER TREE KNOX never was a presence here. TUIS SHADOW was innermost in a three-horse duel early, yielded, had little left in the stretch. AP HALL OF TRIX never featured.
TWELFTH RACE – MARSALA HANOVER had the lead going to the first turn and stung a rival before releasing her to sit the two-hole, outside past midturn, didn’t find her best strides until late, but soon enough to catch CLASSICIST. The latter was three-wide before the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, rolled on at a fast clip, went a big mile and wasn’t caught by much. PODIUM GIRL maintained good position throughout, was outstepped by the top two late but a clear third. INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW was uncovered from the 5/8, paced home in 54.2 – deceptively sharp. EMMA moved outside to little avail. FIGHTING EVIL fought geometry while four-wide almost to the 1/8, took back and went inside off turn one, started to gap 3/8, faded. ATORITOTELL offered little. THE OTHER PAIR lost contact down the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LOU ED ZEPPELIN was rarin’ to go and set the pace with two moves, got a slight breather from the 3/8 to the half, then came home in 54.2, had to be good to defeat the unrelenting SOMEWHEREINVERONA and was. The latter was about to be looped so took the 3-hole, moved raw 5/8 and kept coming at the leader, unlucky to lose. GAMBLIN MO moved out second-over, wide and was a quarter-step off the top two. CAPTAIN SLEAZE was outside just past the 1/8 to make the front, pushed the winner then yielded 3/8, stayed close until early stretch then really ran out of gas. STELLAR YANKEE gapped midpack, but not as badly as THE REMAINING THREESOME did.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ABOVE THE CLOUDS stayed connected, moved out past the 11/16 and went forward, proved to have the most late. ALPINE kept a foe hung most of the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, inherited the lead when the pacesetter broke past midturn, held second in a photo over NANCY BAR. The latter gapped much of the middle of the race then was closer on the far turn and moved outside, closed (into the 30 kicker). DAGON HANOVER took back to take third 3/16, came through the trouble then went to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t summon a sufficient late response. FAWN DE TOUCH was hard to take back early, stayed flat afterward. CAPITAL T STORM broke early, caught the field, but couldn’t contend. PILOT HANOVER was behind a gapper much of the way, wasn’t on the move when breaking late turn and going inside the course. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was three-wide to the 3/16 then worked to the lead before the 3/8, kept up a fast pace, but broke when challengers came up past midturn, went inside the pylons. TUFF TO BE LINDY broke off the first turn.
