Jul 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A BETTOR BEACH made the lead early, not really threatened at any point, drew away. DREAMS BEACHBOY was three-wide to the first curve, tucked in the pocket before the 3/16, couldn’t make up any ground in the lane. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was first to show, yielded, stayed in third, outside stretch and gaining on the place horse. DA MAGICIAN didn’t show much after an inside trip. FATHER FRED came uncovered with a 27.2 burst but couldn’t put pressure on the lead, backed off in the last 1/8. FRISKY PEDRO backed out to third-over 11/16 but couldn’t get much going. MAJOR OFFENSE was far back while gapping cover. STEUBEN GLADIATOR never featured. ROCKIN THE SHADES had a pretty good trip second-over from eighth, but had nothing to offer in the lane.
SECOND RACE – CREWS HILLTOPPER went up quickly to take over the racetrack, got a challenge nearing the ¾ and around the turn but disposed of that foe, then held off O JONNIE coming in the Pocono Pike. The latter made sure of the pocket and stayed close, took a shot inside and did OK but had to settle for second. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY had cover early then spotted fourth 3/16, moved raw 5/8 and went up to challenge the winner, gained until nearing headstretch then flattened out some. MAJOR IMPACT tucked third, backed out behind the first-up ¾, steadily. THE OTHERS never got into competition whether racing inside or outside.
THIRD RACE – PAINT BY NUMBERS left well and cleared just past the 1/8, set the pace with no pressure, actually drew clear despite the last quarter being only 30.4. PRAIRIE TRINKET yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the stretch, outtrotted but still far ahead of the others. TSM EMILIA T and TURN THE TAB, both never close, circled BLUE GREEN MACHINE, who had cover leaving, tucked third 3/16, then was done 11/16. FASHION PRINCESS broke past the half.
FOURTH RACE – HUNTED HOUSE got to the top early, rated the half and didn’t have the first-over come to him until late backstretch – but then that one did so with great intensity, calling on the winner to fight back with courage to get the decision. FORREST BLU waited in third until the 11/16 then moved quickly to challenge, had a small lead from midturn to midstretch, tough loss to a game foe. HONKY TONK FLAME came outside on the far turn and was along for the distant third. BET ON YOURSELF was three-wide a bit early on, took the two-hole before the 3/16, was tight on the winner until the first-over went by, whereupon he started a retreat. HARRY HANOVER got around a gapper for a check. PRAIRIE HANDSOME was always far back. LIFEGUARD started gapping before the ¼.
FIFTH RACE – CRITICAL MASS went out and had a big lead most of the half despite a slow second quarter, had the first-over come charging down the back, appeared to have shaken that one off late turn, but got tired and just did prevail. STAR TRACK HANOVER made a big uncovered move before the 5/8 and got right up to the leader, backed off a little and tucked into the pocket after that spot’s occupant broke, was coming back late in a good outing. GREEK LEGEND tightened up on the second turn, swung wide in the stretch and was coming on. WHOUCALLNCRAZY was second-over but couldn’t quite stay with the cover, next. KANDY KORN got the last check. EXUBERANCE defended the pocket then was loose in it most of the first half, got closer, made a break interfering with NOBLE ANTHONY, who had tucked third behind him (and then ran home in the infield after being bothered), was placed. SCARLETT RAIDER offered little.
SIXTH RACE – GHIBLI took over going to turn one, forced a rival to tuck, rated the half, sprinted down the back, had challengers headstretch but maintained the advantage to the wire. AMBERS CHAMPION was out behind not-so-good cover, three-wide late turn and gained solidly. SUN TEMPLE came out behind cover, couldn’t stay with it, left uncovered down the back, advanced steadily in the stretch between horses. KRISTIELEIGH was three-wide to the first turn, tucked second 3/16, gave up the pocket in the quickening down the backstretch, then back in a better gear and moved outside far turn, flattened a little. BARNUM moved uncovered 3/8 and gained to be able to tuck in the pocket midbackstretch, to the Pocono Pike but not much kick left late. GIRL FROM QUEENS couldn’t go enough. BLUE TWISTER was well off the gate, made a break and suffered “b.e.” at the ¼, never recovered. TSM LOYAL T was galloping an eighth of a mile from the start.
SEVENTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … SERRANO VOLO took the pocket early, to the Pocono Pike and caught LIONBACKER KIDD. The latter took control from the pole, set the pace, not quite enough late to hold on. FRAC tucked third, sat in, blocked the entire last ¼ with trot. CON AIR HALL came out at the half and advanced a long way raw, tiring only late. THE OTHERS had no influence on the outcome of this mile.
EIGHTH RACE – DEEDEE DIDIT sat third until nearing the 11/16, where she came out and from where she slowly but steadily progressed, up in the last step over BET ON CHRISSY. The latter sat the pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike, lead midstretch, just edged on the money. TOUGH LITTLE BEACH went right across to the lead, went a good third quarter with the wind down the back, didn’t have quite enough late. ALESSANDRA HANOVER gapped to past the 3/8, stayed in, not enough. KATES WAY moved outside past the 5/8 and not long after picked up cover, couldn’t summon the necessary kick.
NINTH RACE – SEVEN IRON was three-wide much of the quarter going for the lead while avoiding a two-wide breaker, got the top, left a foe go 3/8 but retook before the half, had a foe come at him soon into the backstretch and had a hard battle with that one in a fast 3/4, but emerged the best late after hard usage. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was third-over, got into a higher gear after his cover ducked in, just up for second. NICE STUFF was the innermost of the three main leavers, yielded before the ¼, came out to the half and went 27.3 raw down the back fighting the winner, held up well late. TW LAUXMONT was looped leaving, had to avoid the first turn breaker then tucked, moved second-over, gapped a bit and ducked into the gaping pocket on the turn, held decently. BIG MONEY HONEY was three-wide with cover most of the first quarter while avoiding trouble, left raw to the ¼ and worked to the top 3/8, quickly yielded, gave the pocket in the fast third split, OK late. SHEER MUSCLE was not away well, was inside and shuffled, swung wide, fair. KISS ON FIRE AS was out in a lively flow but never reached. SHOSHIE DEO became detached down the back. MUSKINGUM was between horses bidding for the lead when making a break nearing the 3/16.
TENTH RACE – STEWARTOFTHELAND was first on top, let the chalk go at the ¼ and sat in the golden chair, outside into the stretch and just caught the pacesetter. REGENTS HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide to the ¼ in getting the lead, set a reasonable pace, outsprinted on the line. A DEAL’S A DEAL advanced up the inside and was next in line. SMOKESTACK came second-over, gapped midturn. CHARIOT DRIVE gapped much of the way to the half, out raw 11/16 but made little impression before fading. AMERICAN ZESTAR moved uncovered just past the 5/8, quickly got cover but soon after that broke. TSM TRISTAN T couldn’t go with these.
ELEVENTH RACE – FASHION ON A STAR spotted third then quarter-moved, rated quarter two, didn’t have any threats once making the lead. TSM PRINCE TITAN was in front into turn one, relinquished for a pocket trip, couldn’t stay with the winner the last 3/16 but safely ahead of the rest. CHERRY MASON was three-high to turn one, took the early pocket 1/8, in, Pocono Pike, evenly. FATHER PAT’S SECRET moved outside before the 5/8 but failed to menace. THE NEXT THREE couldn’t keep up in the latter stages. GOTCHA HANOVER was a bit off the gate, moved outside off the second turn, never gained much before breaking.
TWELFTH RACE – NEXTROUNDSONME found an early tuck, then moved second-over behind a fast pace, three-wide headstretch and got the decision in the finale. TRICKY DICK was quickly on the lead and set a good pace with fast odd-numbered quarters, had pressure come to him on the turn, withstood that one but succumbed to the heavy chalk. MAGIC VACATION was looped, into the pocket 3/16, had a chance in the Pocono Pike but chasing the fast numbers may have taken a toll. OOH RAH was uncovered at the half, shifted to a higher gear ¾ and threw serious heat on the leader, couldn’t quite sustain that move. ONE FANCY KID gained inside on the backstretch, angled wide in the lane and gained as the tempo slowed. GRAPPLE HANOVER couldn’t reach. CIMERONKEN was not prominent here.
Jul 15, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind, though it tailed off during the card … CHANCELLORCULLEN N was three-wide leaving and tucked third to the 3/16, stayed third-in, angled out early stretch then found a seam past midstretch and responded quickly to get the nod. BRINGITONHOME N dove in behind the early four-wide fight and tucked fourth, then came first-over into turn two, speed-grinded with the wind, made the lead deep stretch, a bit unlucky to be caught in big outing. BEACHMASTER TWO was third-over behind gapping cover, three-wide through the final turn and finished steadily (if into a decelerating pace). T’S ELECTRIC left and backed into the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. TARANTULA was four-wide early, three-wide past the 1/8, and two-wide to the ¼ before a midpack tuck, stuck inside, gained some late deep in the Pike. ARTACUS would not let anyone pass in a fierce first quarter, set the race of the pace, had a presence outside him from late backstretch, couldn’t retain the top. LIMA RAIDER was too far back. BIG GAME HUNTER wasn’t prominent. BEBOP ON THE BLOCK was in good second-over position but gapped.
SECOND RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE was first on top, yielded 3/16 to sit the golden trip, outside past midturn, inched away from JEREMES GENERAL. The later worked to the top 3/16, rated Q2 against the wind then went faster down the back without pressure, grudgingly gave way to the winner. HES GONE BADDER sat in third, got room to accelerate when the winner moved outside, also angled out and made up good ground. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was inside, best of the rest. ALL IT TAKES got in midpack past the 1/8, was second-over but ducked in ¾ when cover went no good, couldn’t gain. FASHION MAVEN was third-over in a nonflow, never reached. LYONS JOHNNY was uncovered before the half, didn’t get close before starting to fade 11/16. THE REMAINING DUO were always far back.
THIRD RACE – CLARION HALL waited outside while the front end resolved itself, then went up 3/16 to the lead before the 5/16, set the pace and shook off the first-over, won in hand. RIVER OTTER had forward position, came uncovered to the 5/8 and challenged, shaken off by the strong winner but edged UVA HANOVER for second. The latter was three-wide to the first bend to the lead past the 1/8, ceded the lead to the winner not too far off turn one, stayed close in the two-hole until late, just missed second. DARK POOL gapped cover from the 5/8 to headstretch, then had some kick. SILVERMASS VOLO got around the others from far back. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE gapped, never a factor. IF I MUST backed off early into a tuck, started gapping before the 5/8. SIR JOHN F had little to offer.
FOURTH RACE – JD came out behind cover off the first turn, saw his cover clear to the 3/8 then went right on by, had bigtime pressure from HECANDANCENCRUISE, but the freshman came back and got the nod. The latter moved out 5/8 and was soon three-wide as a foe pulled, remained three-wide until near midturn and went to even with the winner, stayed fighting to the line. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE spotted, sat in, fair along the inside. BESTONEYET HANOVER yielded, moved 3/16, a bit wide off turn one and needed most of the way to the 3/8 to regain the top, soon yielded it, angled wide in the stretch but couldn’t get closer. HONALI got the last check. HOWULIKEMENOW RAY was quickly away, pushed the first brusher a ways before yielding, came back out 5/8 but tired from midturn. BACK IN MY DAY lost contact in the last half.
FIFTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE pushed an early foe, yielded, immediately retook, got a slow half, then came home in 27.2 and then 27.1 to leave these far behind. REDHOT ROMEO was “wedged in” when the first-over and pocket horse tired simultaneously, to the Pocono Pike, just got to second late. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN was four-wide to the first turn then two-wide to clear 5/16, yielded for the two-hole, gapped most of the last half but almost held for second. RANGERS SURESHOT was first-up before turn two but never bettered being even with the pocket horse before fading 3/4; DARK HORSE was behind him and went wide on the turn but didn’t make up ground. RAKSMACH N was two- and three-wide behind dull cover, never a factor. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was three-wide early, took back and needed past the ¼ to settle in last, not prominent thereafter.
SIXTH RACE – MARKET BASED went frontward, wide coming out of turn one and needed until the 3/8 to clear, but was in charge thereafter, visibly downshifting when asked to pace out midstretch – impressive. LOU’S BEACH left quickly for command, strung out the winner then yielded for the pocket, kept up in the two-hole, but then couldn’t gain in a 27.1 last quarter and just held second over THRESHOLD. The latter sat third, came out in the stretch and made up some ground. AMERICAN FRONTIER gapped in quarter two but then worked closer and moved out 11/16, couldn’t reach the main action. ABEL DE VIE couldn’t keep up 11/16 but got the final payday. BOSTON was not heard from; nor was ZEUS HANOVER. COAL CRACKER was looped early, looking ready to try to get in the five-hole when breaking to the 3/16.
SEVENTH RACE – SOMWHERENBROOKLN N made two speed moves to control the throttle, withstood the first charge of BARNABAS, and then the second one as well. The latter was uncovered down the back and went up in 27.2, lost ground on the turn and went into the pocket, then came back for more before midstretch and almost made it. MAJOR HUMOR had room to gain up the inside down the back and did to some degree, outside stretch and just a distant third. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was far back, gained in the Pocono Pike. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ in pursuit of the top, yielded, stayed close to midturn then tired. MOVE THE LINE came out behind poor cover, three-wide to the ¾ but couldn’t get nearer. ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped at the back of the main pack. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over 5/8 but immediately started going backwards. AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A lost poise an 1/8 before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – WEARINMYSIXSHOOTER was content to sit third until past the 5/8 then went up to challenge, tucked in the pocket on the turn, then came out and paced what had to be a sub-13 last eighth (own total last ¼ = 26.1) to overhaul BIRTHDAY – one to watch. The latter was parked to the quarter for the lead, got a slow half, then would have won a great rate of two-year-old races by pacing a last half in 55 – but not this one against this foe, big try on his own. DONTLIKEITLEAVE left and yielded, sat the pocket, gradually got looser the second half but still held third. ALADDIN HANOVER moved behind the cover of the winner but couldn’t go that much, still a good race. FOUREVER BOY was off the gate, moved outside far off the pace, had solid pace for the last check. LEONARDO HANOVER gapped out 5/8. WEHADABABYETZABOY was inside far back but with a horse in front of and beside him when making a break past the ¾. CAMOUFLAGE MONEY was wide leaving, took back, broke to the first turn.
NINTH RACE – STATEMENT MADE A (7-5 / 4-5 / 1-9 in the last three flashes) went up four-wide to gain the early lead, totally dominated this gathering. CASHNCAM was looped early, worked to the pocket before the 3/16, slowly got loose the third quarter and through the turn, then came back a little late. ROCK THREE TIMES was uncovered off turn two, never reached the leader, best of the rest. WAY TO CLOSE had cover, a little bit late. DOCTOR BUTCH never got a call. HIGHLANDBEACHYCOVE struggled to keep up at points, then gave way ¾. KEYSTONE STEAM was last at every call.
TENTH RACE – JM’S FINALTREASURE was wide early, followed cover to the ¼ then went on to the lead 3/8, no anxious moments in the last 1/8. ALL THE CHIPS was three-wide leaving and two-wide at the ¼ for the top, yielded, pocket, was in tight quarters with the fading first-over horse on the turn and had to lose momentum to avoid trouble, made a good recovery to be clearly second. CAVIART SCOUT pushed the ¼ and yielded, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, won a three-way photo for third. BAY CITY looked at leaving but took back, shuffled inside, angled very wide and closed very nicely. MIND HUNTER was third-over, three-wide past midturn, outkicked on both sides for show. ETBAUER was second-over, gapped cover some, blindswitched far turn, not a late factor. I’LL TAKE THE BET came out of fifth and went 27.1 to get close to the leader, backed off early turn and may have been bearing in a little. MCCLELLAND HANOVER was always far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – HIGHVIEW CONELL N came raw 5/8, challenged, made the lead late on the turn, went on to victory. ARCHETTO HANOVER moved out from last in the short field and was second-over, finished steadily. MYIDEALSON N yielded for the pocket, had to wait a couple of seconds for access to the Pocono Pike, then had a good response. DARTH FADER went on to the lead past the 1/8, unbothered until very late on the backstretch, empty at crunch time. SPORTSMANSHIP sat in, shuffled to last, moved out with cover far turn but got in close quarters with the horse he was following and broke.
TWELFTH RACE – DELISHKA N took the early lead, stung a foe to just before the 3/8 then released her to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and snapped right on by. DANCE CLUB was used well beyond a 26.2 opening to get the top with rocking, set the pace, settled for second. TURNTHEFROWNAROUND was outside off the second turn, got cover 5/8 then gapped it, better the last 3/16 and wide in the stretch, edged PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL for third. The latter stayed in, finished pretty well. ALLI NUI backed out to follow cover down the back but then went back in, not prominent. BRONSKIMACKENZIE A moved uncovered 5/8, got to even with the pocket horse then faded.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ROLL WITH ANGEL was moved before the 3/8 and quickly got the top, still was able to back off the half a bit, never had the first-over get past her wheel, a good winner. SUNRISE HANOVER moved second-over, wide in the stretch and found a better gear that carried her to second. TRAFFIC JAM was three-wide leaving and looped a horse to be in front at the 1/8, saw two horses go by before the second turn, went to the Pocono Pike and had gain to be third. KEENE OLIVIA was looped, briefly went into the pocket 3/16 then brushed to the lead in front of the stands, yielded to the winner, looked all-out in the last ¼. LITTLE SANDY TOES was first-over at the half, never posed a major danger before fading. THE OTHER QUARTET were the last four throughout and never entered the main radar.
FOURTEENTH RACE – EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY moved at the quarter to 3/8 command, resisted the late charge of WISENHEIMER. The latter left well to put everybody in behind early, yielded to the winner and stayed close-up, out in the stretch, made up some ground but not enough. MARION GONDOLIER was far back, came up the inside for the distant third; LUCKY JUNE BUG was even further back, fanned widest and closed well. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP took the pocket past the 1/8, left a minutely-but-ever-constantly increasing gap behind the top two. STOP RESISTIN went up first-over, but retreated in the last quarter. SWEET HEART AS had to go three-wide 11/16 and got to second-over on the turn but gapped, a touch of trot finishing. LIONHEAD gapped, moved outside, had little to offer.
Jul 14, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – SPORTS TEEN went on the lead at the 1/8, yielded just past the ¼, vacated third to the 5/8 and grinded after the fast half, to the lead midstretch, held off JANAID. The latter came out second-over, three-wide late turn, not quite enough. LOUD SPLASH was last, gapped inside on the turn, then came through a tight space in the lane with pace. NEEDLESS TO SAY moved going to the ¼, was briefly covered then pushed to clear nearing turn two in a fast half, had heat from the winner, couldn’t sustain. AMAZON looked to wanted to back off early between horses then decided to go frontward, made the lead past the ¼ then pushed before yielding into turn two, a bit rough in the pocket down the back, then not enough late. RUNHAPPY TEN was third-over, three-wide but didn’t tip wider, couldn’t gain in the lane.
SECOND RACE – BENSON BOYS N left between horses, tucked third 3/16, then grinded from off turn two, made the lead late turn, drew away while coming his own last half in 54.4 raw. DREAM OF LUCK left and defended the pocket, could slip out behind the winner as he cleared on the turn as the second-over was gapping, went on steadily. REGAL SON was three-wide into the first turn and tucked fourth past the 1/8, second-over but gapped, went along decently at one pace. SOHO CHELSEA A went right out to command, slowed the half, had the winner come to him 5/8, kept him out until late on the far turn then had no more to give. NEWBIE stayed in, was blocked 11/16 through the turn, to the Pocono Pike and with some pace. MUSCLE MACH A sat in, gapped from the 5/8. DO YA THINK tried to go three-wide around a dull third-over VASARI N, but neither made any inroads. TACT TATE N never featured.
THIRD RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER went out for it, was three-wide 3/16 to two-wide to the lead 5/16 in a quick half, kept pouring it on (nobody came off the rail until the 11/16), looked to be under a hold finishing. STELLAR BB left between horses to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16, seemed to be going about all he could to stay with the winner but nonetheless put in a good race and far ahead of the others. BLACKLIGHT sat in, came out headstretch and paced past CLASS SIX for third. The latter was the innermost of the three leavers, yielded 3/16, gapped midturn. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was not heard from. LIFEONTHEBEACH A moved out late backstretch but lost ground.
FOURTH RACE – DAYTONA DREAMIN considered quarter-moving but stayed in when a foe beat him to the punch, went first-over off the second turn, benefited from the fractions (56.2 out, 59 back) and the pacesetter breaking headstretch, went by at that point then just held off FASHIONWOODCHOPPER as tiring late. The latter gapped third-over until headstretch, then narrowed in (in a 29.4 last quarter). PROTOSTAR was second-over, trotted steadily behind the winner in the stretch. HALO ITS ME made the front to the first turn, yielded to the frontstretch brusher, was preparing to go to the Pocono Pike so not badly affected by the leader breaking, not quite enough. MANHATTANUP NO ICE was last, moved outside with the headstretch confusion and finished OK. LIFE WELL LIVED was three-wide to turn one, took the pocket 3/16, in, was significantly bothered in the headstretch confusion and never recovered. BLUEBIRD KEEPSAKE quarter-moved and went a fast half, had the pressure of the winner, still had the lead when breaking turning for home, was well-handled to keep straight and not veer while galloping.
FIFTH RACE – JUST MAYBE THE ONE, just maybe not the smoothest-going horse, grabbed the lead and forced a tuck, then pushed a rival to a 55.1 half before yielding, came back up the inside with gameness and wore that one down late. ROCK OF CASHEL was underway 5/16, went a 27 quarter to clear near the half, kept on rolling, just failed to last late in a good outing. MACMORRIS HANOVER was outleft, between horses then went up and got in the two-hole off the first bend, back out again midturn, just a bit shy. BURN NOTICE left and was three-wide to the 1/8, took back to last, moved again ¾ but couldn’t gain that much. PAPI HANOVER left, gave the pocket at the ¼, tired.
SIXTH RACE – TUXEDO BAY made two speed moves, got his own way to almost the half then was challenged the length of the backstretch, drew clear on the turn then just did have enough to defeat ALEX TYE. The latter got a great trip second-over, three-wide late turn, just got going a little too late. MELODIES MAJOR was between horses early then got in third before the 3/16, was caught in far turn and waited for the Pocono Pike, clearly third. RECORD MACHINE was underway 3/8 and reached the leader right at the half, challenged, tired on the turn. WINDEMERE FRANK was three-wide just past the 1/8 to command to the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t stay with the winner the last 3/16. COLUMBO was third-over, four-wide headstretch but didn’t make a dent. ROCK IDOL gapped at the back. MISSILE SEELSTER never factored. FEELING CAM LUCKY was also always far back.
SEVENTH RACE – GLOBETROTTING went up steadily to the lead before the 3/8 and hung up fractions more appropriate to a winners-over trot than the second-bottom level, on her own in the stretch. STICK WITH ME KID moved second-over, uncovered on the turn, came on steadily. FOREVERHILLREIGN was well-placed early, circled a gapper the latter part of the backstretch and tucked in the pocket, held for a clear third. JACK RULES gapped in quarter two, moved outside but never reached. INAPERFECTWORLD didn’t show too much. TSM PHOTO BUGGER went to the early lead, forced the winner to work before yielding, fell back from the half onward. MUSHANA was trying to get into a tuck near the ¼ when miscuing.
EIGHTH RACE – ROCK THE DEVIL moved at the half and gained while going his third quarter in 26.4, challenged hard, had a short lead turning for home, briefly drew clear, then was safe of SOMEBEACH BARON at the finish with a 27 last quarter. The latter was well-placed second-over, didn’t accelerate as quickly as the winner into the stretch, but kept coming on. MYKINDACHIP was in front before the 1/8, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, got right to the Pocono Pike, evenly. CAPTAIN MULZAC appeared all-out keeping up third-over, had a bit of pace at the end. ROBBIE BURNS N yielded and sat in third, to the deep Pike, OK, possibly in tight quarters. THE GREEK FREAK was three-wide to the first bend ten to the point 3/16, rated the half, but didn’t have enough late speed. CAPTAIN CASH was inside, had a call in front of him but wasn’t right on them. LYONS AMUSEMENTS brought up the rear.
NINTH RACE – ZOOMING went first-over 5/8, challenged, trotted away in the lane with little problem. CLASSIC VENTURE was quarter-mover #1 (and saw QM #2 break), got to the top 5/16, had the winner come to him, couldn’t withstand that one, certainly best of the rest. DYNAMIC EDGE was very wide leaving to make the front, yielded for the two-hole, kept up well until the stretch. FINAL DREAM was second-over before the 5/8, couldn’t quite stay with the winner’s cover. ARCH CREDIT was o factor. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO didn’t have too much. MUSHANA was out to be quarter-mover #2 but broke while behind cover shortly after the ¼.
TENTH RACE – SOMBODYITREASURE got the front before the ¼, held out a challenger during a fast third split, opened enough distance early stretch that PATERNITY SUIT A couldn’t reach. The latter went away hard to defend the two-hole, a trifle loose in the fast third quarter, outside stretch, gaining but not really threatening. COVERED BRIDGE tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved second-over but gapped and went back in late backstretch, out late turn and three-wide headstretch, gained OK. BILLY BADGER N gapped most of the way, with ROCK THE TOWN behind him. BLAZEN RIVER N went in third at the 1/8, uncovered at the half and challenged in 26.2 the third quarter, tired.
ELEVENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST was not involved early, then went to the live outer tier, three-wide towards the 5/8 around horses who had moved outside to escape being shuffled, gained steadily, ducked down to two-wide late turn as the “new” pocket horse came out, trailed the top two in the lane, then was wide and found a good late burst to be along right on the money. BABES DIG ME was three-wide with cover early, went in at the ¼, second-over, left uncovered to the ¾, tucked in the two-hole then back out again late turn, battled with the leader, may never have been ahead but kept on trying hard. SUGARTOWN was three-wide to the 3/16 then backed off to tuck fourth, came with a rush raw at the half, cleared before the ¾ and briefly had an open lead, soon had company, battled very hard to the line. SWEET N FAST N moved outside, gapped and was blindswitched by the winner, swung wide far turn, best of the others. WAR-N-MUNN took back and gapped off the cavalry charge to turn one, four-wide in the lane and paced on for the last check. SHANE ADAM left, forced fast early fractions then was in the pocket, briefly shuffled then out in a blindswitch late backstretch, not much left to give. INDIGO ART just did keep the pocket in the fast early action, not a late factor. BELL I NO was between horses with cover early, tucked, not heard from again. NOTABADGAME left between horses, pressed on to the lead just past the 3/8 while going at a good clip, powerless when challenged to the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – FASHION CREDITOR was parked past the 3/16 to gain the lead, but he had smooth sailing from there. THE LIONKING AS showed alert gate jet then yielded, neither gained nor lost ground late. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT gained along the inside midbackstretch, next in line. TRUEMASS VOLO gapped early backstretch then tightened inside, evenly. BLENHEIM was second-over, three-wide midturn as his cover gave way, finished decently. GEMOLOGIST never featured. BANK BOX TREASURE was uncovered 9/16 but didn’t do much before backing off. ARCHIBALD got early position, then got rammy in the hole and jumped to the 3/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ATTA BOY DAN tucked third, then was quarter-mover #2, uncovered from the 5/16 to nearing the second turn, shook off a challenger and won nicely – for the 80th time in his career – and giving George Nap seven on the day. HUDSEN A was second-over, no threat but beat out a bunch for second. MOTIVE HANOVER was uncovered off turn two, made a good challenge but couldn’t quite sustain it. CAVIART ROCKLAND was three-wide early then two-wide to the front 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, stuck behind a fader far turn, to the Pocono Pike and had a decent rally. AMERICAN CHROME was three-wide from the 11/16, kept on coming from a tough spot. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was last, split horses in the stretch, hard to tell if having full clearance. JK MUSICMAN made two speed moves then yielded nearing turn two, empty the last ¼. P L MUNSON gapped third-over.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CHIN CHIN HALL left, took the pocket past the 1/8 then quarter-moved, came home in 27.2 in a dominant performance. SCIROCCO ROB gapped at points in third, uncovered 11/16, steadily late. RICH AND MISERABLE also gapped early, moved second-over but fell back on the turn, then surprised again by coming on well to get third. CUPID HANOVER left, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up in the last 1/8. KING ALPHONSO stayed in, was not heard from; nor was MYSTICAL WYNN.
Jul 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot day … Track “fast +0” races 1 through 11; then weather came and track “sloppy +1” for the last three … The stretch headwind would reverse as the storm came through … CAPTAINS MAID was looped, finally took over 5/8, saw a foe dive into the pocket ¾, but handled that one and the others easily. RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP tucked, went uncovered at the half, gained down the back and made the pocket at the ¾, the only one to stay reasonably close. UPTOWN HANOVER was covered during the third quarter then lost that cover, inside headstretch, held third in a photo with NATCHEZ BELLE. The latter went evenly in the good cover flow. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER sat in, blocked far turn, cleared headstretch and a distant best of the others. SWEETONTHEBEACH darted right to the front, yielded 5/16, loose in the two-hole from the 5/8. MORE THAN KUTE and MORROCKIN K never featured. IN LOU OF MONEY broke going to the first turn, couldn’t recover.
SECOND RACE – BABY MAKER HANOVER left well, yielded 3/16 and waited inside in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and drew away from these. CRITICAL MASS sat in, went inside in the stretch, didn’t have the speed of the winner but beat the others. SERRANO VOLO pressed on until securing the top 3/16, got no pressure until before the ¾, couldn’t maintain the advantage. CON AIR HALL was three-wide leaving, tucked third towards the 3/16, uncovered 11/16 and went right up to challenge the leader head-to-head, but couldn’t sustain the progress. SCIROCCO JAKOB moved out past the 5/8, got cover but gapped it. DEVIOUS HANOVER couldn’t keep up. HOLY KOLY first broke an 1/8 before the start.
THIRD RACE – FAWN DE TOUCH was looped and tucked fourth, moved raw 3/8 and went to the front just past the half, was going about all she could, but that was enough. MISS CLEOPATRICK made two speed moves then yielded just past the half, to the Pocono Pike, stayed close but had to settle for second. CHEESY HANOVER backed out second-over 11/16, three-wide far turn, enough for third. SPIT AND VINEGAR was in the outer flow and wide around the fading first-over, ducked between horses and came on some late. VINYASA was three-high to turn one to the lead at the ¼, yielded, inside, weakened the last 1/8. GOODGOLLYMISSMOLLY took a while to settle in, not much thereafter. QUEEN TILE NO moved with cover past the 3/8, left raw just past the half, did not handle the last two turns well, faded. FLAME AWAY took back to last, broke 5/16. CUSTOMARILY went offstride past the ½.
FOURTH RACE – CAPSAICINN left and wasn’t anxious to yield to anybody, drew clear in the last ¼ in a good mile. EASYRUNNER HANOVER left and took the pocket, stayed close to the ¾, withstood SOUTHWIND XENA for second. The latter slotted third 3/16, waited then had room to move outside midstretch, gained some. MIKI THE CLOWN sat in, avoided the outer tiers and was next. SOCIETY JILL was underway before the half, three-wide soon into the backstretch to two-wide raw past the 5/8, faded in tandem with the pocketsitter ¾. BARDMIRY followed cover two- and three-wide, didn’t enter the main battle. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI followed the sweeper early backstretch, two-wide with cover 11/16 but labored to keep up. JK’S JENNA was wide early, uncovered 3/16 and went up to challenge, couldn’t clear and faded after expending a large amount of energy.
FIFTH RACE – FRANKASAURUS headed down the road, put in two good odd-numbered quarters, withstood PREACHER MAN. The latter stayed flat, gapped down the back, but came up the inside in the lane with some trot. CAMDEN HILLS took the pocket, moved out in the lane, did not gain and bore out. ARMANI HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8, faded in the last 1/8. ONE AFTER NINE jumped early in the backstretch. CARTIER BI was three-wide leaving when misbehaving at the 1/8. BY A HOFF HANOVER went offstride at the start. LEVANTE lost gait off the turn before the start.
SIXTH RACE – CHANEL BEACH was on top at the 1/8, went on, stayed clear with mild rousing. ODDS ON BADD BUNNY sat the good two-hole trip tight to the winner, couldn’t gain late but clear of the others. SNUF ENUF HANOVER gapped in third from the 5/8; TSM PRINCESS LEXI sat behind that one, moved out past midturn to try to pass that one but could not. HAZEL PARK was parked after leaving when breaking before the 3/16, took back to last, made more breaks. CHEEKIE BABE lost touch with the main group by the half.
SEVENTH RACE – R SPEED OF LIGHT sat third behind the pocket gapper, moved outside midturn, worked to the front in a 31.1 kicker. MISS ZELDA was at the back of the main group, outside midturn and wide headstretch, gained a lot of stretch territory. CANTABSLEADINGLADY went 28 to force a tuck then went 28.3 into the wind in opening up a big lead which she retained to the ¾, not quite enough to get home first. FINLANDIA moved out far turn but couldn’t offer much. AD ASTRA was very wide early, crossed down to two-wide then got in the pocket at the ¼, soon left a big gap to the leader, tightened late backstretch, Pocono Pike, couldn’t gain late. A MILLION CHUCKLES was left behind by the half. KOKOMO and MISS MAYTRIX were affected dodging a breaking LINNEA HANOVER at the 1/8. The last-named was looped and three-wide towards the 1/8, made a break bothering those around her.
EIGHTH RACE – TAPPED TEEN moved from fourth off the first turn to the lead past the 3/8, had a long fight with ARTIST BEST in the stretch and withstood that opponent in good time for these. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 and went on to take over, yielded past the 3/8 for the two-hole, outside early stretch and narrowed in well. BALI BEACH was between horses early and looped, wasn’t going to take the pocket then decided to do so 3/16, started to gap a little 5/8, clear third. THE BIG PICTURE came out down the back, finally gained some on the turn and was next in line; SOME DEAL HANOVER followed that one’s cover and got the last check. DOGFIGHT was forwardly-placed, empty midturn. THE OTHERS were away in the back from outer posts and never entered the main picture.
NINTH RACE — TRAIN chugged through at the start, kept a foe out to the quarter then waited in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was along easily into the wind and a31 last quarter. MISTER WALKER tucked third, pinned in headstretch, went to the deep Pike and was along for second while possibly in tight quarters. VENDOR BILL pressed on and made the front at the ¼, went a good third split with the wind, but then didn’t have enough late. COMMAND THE MARKET was outside before the 5/8, got a head up on the third-in horse on the turn but flattened some. KASEVILLE gapped past the 5/8. SHAMROCKS offered little. LEGION OF HONOR was three-wide to the 1/8, took back, two-wide then finally tucked, out again at the half and three-wide around a fader, but couldn’t keep up down the back then broke. CHECK MY SCORE was outside midpack until the half, then was all done.
TENTH RACE – MANKAT went right down the road, strung the field out in quarter two despite moderating the pace, then sped up, came home in 55 and was handled confidently in defeating CIGAR SMOKING TONY though that one narrowed in. The latter left and held the pocket, gave it a good try in the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by too much. CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL tucked third to “disrupt” an otherwise-lineup, stayed going well to be third ahead of IM A GIGOLO N. The latter went uncovered in 26.3 with the wind the third quarter and got to the saddle pad of the pocket horse before flattening slightly, still a good mile. BETTOR AT HIGHTIDE gapped frontstretch, never a big factor. THE OTHER TWO were well off the rest from down the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – A mist started, and the wind a) really started to pick up and b) turned 90o (it would turn into a stretch tailwind by the twelfth) … DOUBLE METAL sat a distant pocket until 9/16, then quickly closed the distance to the leader and then went right on by, challenged by GAMBLIN MO the last 1/8 and gamely turned that one back. The latter took back at the 1/8 and then tailed the winner throughout, stayed uncovered around the turn to engage her, tried very hard. STELLAR YANKEE left a big hole in fourth in front of the stands, tightened up and just got out 5/8, retucked, faded in the lane but held third. DIAMOND HEAD was outside down the back, briefly three-wide then back to two-wide off of his cover, just missed third. ROCK ON LOU and RHETT SEELSTER never contended. MCNEIL Z TAM flew away to a big lead to early backstretch, then was quickly reeled in. BETTOR NOT TALK was looped and three-wide, made a break before the 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – Raining; track now “sloppy +1,” and as noted the wind is now a stretch tailwind … KISS AN ANGEL was looped, eyed a 4-hole to the ¼ but decided to go on and made the lead 3/8, got a big challenge ¾, appeared to be in very tight quarters with her outside challenger into the stretch, but came clear and responded gamely for the win. DAGON HANOVER pulled out second-over, three-wide 5/8 well off the front ones but kept gaining, moving very well late and didn’t come up short by much. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was three-wide towards turn one, took the pocket before the 3/16, came uncovered before the 5/8 and went up at the pacesetter, at times having a slight lead, as mentioned in close quarters with that one into the lane, held on well. ABOVE THE CLOUDS was inside 5/16 when breaking, recovered, was still way back late on the far turn, found room on the inside and was motoring late in a hard-luck outing. ISLAND LILY was forwardly-placed, stayed in, not all that much late. LIBERO HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, yielded, sat the pocket, looked to have found a golden path when the front two got in close quarters, but had no forward response late. TUFF TO BE LINDY pulled at the ¼ and went up raw, done at the 5/8. CHING CHING LUCKY broke past the 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Wind moderated after the main storm came through … SHOULDABEENATD went on to grab the racetrack, rated the second quarter then sprinted despite the slop in 54, with only MACKIE HANOVER remotely close. The latter made the front and yielded, did as best as she could to stay with the impressive winner, an ocean ahead of the rest. LAURIE LEE had cover, went three-wide 11/16 as it stopped going forward, very very distant third. EMMA gapped out before the 5/8. INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW was outside early, tucked seventh at the ¼, moved out again but did little. PODIUM GIRL tried to circle the back ones three-wide before the ¾, not too effective. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD was uncovered before turn two, briefly advanced then stayed in place, tucked in, tired. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE had little. ROLL ON MAMA tucked fourth at the 3/16, lost ground in the last half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BEYOND ORDINARY was three-wide most of the ¼ before tucking third, uncovered again just past the half to the lead ¾, much the best of these. BANZAI AS played front-end hardball, finally yielded at the 3/8, pocket, shuffled behind a tiring leader on the turn, split horses midstretch and finished well, was better than the line may look. ALTUS HANOVER gapped the main pack down the back, had some speed finishing. CAVIART EMMA was between horses to the ¼, persisted on to the lead 3/8, yielded ¾, had little to offer late. NEZBLANC got cover, lost it as it cleared ¾, couldn’t maintain any improvement. TUIS SHADOW and MAGNIFICENT SEVEN were off the gate and gapped the first five throughout. MISTER BOINGA wanted to start quickly but broke just as the gate sprang.
Jul 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … GET LIT was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, went into the pocket at the ¼, moved to the Pocono Pike, took the lead midstretch and proved best. WALTER MITTY had some early speed, uncovered before the 5/8, never had the lead but kept on going steadily. LEAR SEELSTER was three-wide to turn one, went on to command and forced a tuck in a fast quarter, set the pace, couldn’t make the lead stand up. WAY TO CLOSE was second-over, evenly. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN had excess cover third-over, angled inside in the stretch, OK. BEACH FIRE K went wide from last but couldn’t reach. JERRYTONE looked to leave but backed off, struggled the last 3/16.
SECOND RACE – CLARION HALL was widest as the 5-7-8-9 all left, put in fourth at the 3/16, started uncovered 5/8, challenged, had an advantage on the turn but not the rail, drew clear. MAGIC VACATION tucked behind the two early fighters than had the pocket as the outside battler broke, backed out behind the winner to the ¾, second-best. ELO HANOVER was off the front group, had some trot late for third. SIR JOHN F gapped at a couple of points. CIMERONKEN was determined to hold onto the lead and saw an outside rival break before the 27 quarter, rated the half, met with pressure late backstretch and around the turn, appeared to lose his left headpole, gave way. ONE FANCY KID was never a factor. IF I MUST was always well back, as was SCARLETT RAIDER. CAMPBELLINI went away strongly and was challenging for command when breaking 3/16.
THIRD RACE – F X HANOVER was looped, raced up into the pocket, a bit loose until late backstretch, to the Pocono Pike, had a little more than IDENTITY POLICE late. The latter made a brief skip just before the start but soon righted, grinded from far back from before the half, good recovery though decisioned out. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was soon to the front and strung the field (except for the place horse) out to late backstretch, couldn’t maintain the advantage to the wire. GAVINATOR spotted, backed outside past the ¾ then went back in later on the turn, evenly. FOX VALLEY COLBY never got going. KENTUCKY GENTLEMAN misbehaved going to turn one. U BAKE THE CAKE was already gapping when running 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – IZNOGOUD AM tucked midpack, moved 5/16 to the lead before the second turn and was clear from there to the ¾ when a challenger came, looked to still be in control but then broke before midstretch, ran home as there was nowhere to safely take him with contenders nearby, placed back for the break. CREATE was forwardly-placed, moved out before the ¾ and made a solid bid to get close to the leader on the far turn, lost ground straightening away, kept on going OK and was placed first. FASHION ON A STAR was three-wide leaving, worked up two-wide to the front past the ¼, yielded at the other end of the frontstretch, gapped the third quarter, to the Pocono Pike, was handled cautiously as watching what the galloper might do. CHERRY MASON was in control to the 1/8, yielded past the ¼, backed outside far turn but didn’t keep up into the stretch, evenly late. MANUKA and FRENCH HOPS never featured. FATHER PATS SECRET broke past the start.
FIFTH RACE – GLOBAL PANDEMIC tucked into turn one, came out uncovered 9/16 and grinded up to the leader from before the ¾, around the turn and in the stretch, then proved superior although the last quarter wasn’t much for these. BIG BEN HANOVER was on top at the 1/8, saw a challenger make a break before the 3/8, got a clear lead at the half that he kept until the winner came up, kept that one from passing until early stretch, clear of the others. A ONE A yielded at the 1/8, gapped, came back a little late for third. BEER CHEESE made a pretty substantial move from way back to get to third headstretch, but then tired. CRAFT BREW LINDY offered little. BETTERINPINEHURST was three-wide early then two-wide, stuck out in the air until breaking past the 5/16, caught back quickly but was eased back to trail, not a factor thereafter.
SIXTH RACE – THESUNRISESAGAIN was on top at the 1/8, rated the half, was well in control of these. PAINT BY NUMBERS came through at the start to the front, yielded at the 1/8, had no gain in the lane. BLING IM A WINNER was uncovered past the 9/16, ranged up and almost got to joint-second, evenly late. BARNUM seemed to be struggling to stay close in the last ¼. AMBER’S CHAMPION (who took back early) and KRISTIELEIGH never appeared on the radar. RUNINOUTOFRSNTORUN started outside to the half but soon was on the run.
SEVENTH RACE – REGENCY HANOVER was three-wide and looped early, tucked third past the 3/16, moved out behind cover midturn and wider early stretch, finished with more than enough. LIFEGUARD kept the pocket but gapped the leader through most of the middle half, narrowed in and outside to challenge midturn, never ahead but kept digging in. MASK ON MASK OFF left very well from the outside, set a not-fast pace on a big lead the middle half, tired in the stretch, did salvage third over POWER RANKINGS. The latter was way in the back, gained, then really gained in the last 1/8. PRAIRIE HANDSOME sat in, then moved into space late on the far turn, coming home with pace between horses late. SMOKESTACK gapped from the half. TSM TRISTAN T was looped and three-wide early, then outside midpack, got a tuck 9/16 but faded. BACK IN MY DAY was never prominent.
EIGHTH RACE – MOON BRIDGE was away third and sat in, could come out past midturn when the first-over backed off, won going away. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was looped at the 1/8 and tucked fourth at the 3/16, came out behind the winner near headstretch and continued on for second. NEXTROUNDSONME saved tons of ground advancing along the inside, angled to a clear path midstretch and finished well to grab third in the last step. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT was quickly in front, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, lacked the needed response. EVA DAIRPET FR was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ in pursuit of command, rolled along, tired. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY never factored. CLASSICALITY had poor cover. POND JUMPER was second-over, gapped floundering cover. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP was first-over into turn two but never got close to the lead before falling back.
NINTH RACE – CAVIART LUCIA went to the top at the 1/8, slowed the half, met the challenge of the first-over, was under a hold while clear. SINGLE SOURCE picked her way around gappers and gained well. DEEDEE DIDIT sat the pocket, not enough in the last 3/16. KATES WAY was gapping early, never in the hunt. TSM PRINCESS REBECCA gapped most of the way. IMONABEACH HANOVER was rough going to the start and broke just after it, recovered but broke into turn two, then was bothered when way back on the turn. HILDA BE MINE was gapping by the 3/8, then also was in the far turn confusion. TOUGH LITTLE BEACH slotted third 3/16, uncovered before the 5/8 and gained, but broke on the far turn.
TENTH RACE – KEG STAND waited until the 11/16 to move, then powered right on by. S I P was on top 3/16, yielded early on turn two to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, never got the stretch lead but went on steadily. WHISKEY HANOVER was away third, moved 5/16 and cleared to the top early on turn two, didn’t have enough to last to the wire. RAMSES made up a little ground from far back. COMELETUSADOREHIM wasn’t keeping up. BAR COINS broke well before the start, caught the field but couldn’t get into the main action. BIG MILES went to the lead, yielded 3/16, broke while still fairly close on the far turn. PUB HOPPING broke well before the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – WISENHEIMER made two speed moves, went 27.2 down the back to leave the rest well behind, perhaps a bit tired at the end but half-a-block ahead of the others. BIG MONEY HONEY was uncovered from midpack 5/8, one-geared for second. SHEER MUSCLE followed that cover, wide in the lane and gained. LANDONFITZ was behind a gapping pocketsitter, didn’t seem to have that much late. FRAC also was stuck inside, Pocono Pike, got the last check. KATKIN AND COKE gapped at the back. KEYSTONE THUNDER could do little from third-over. EVANNA got the top past the 3/16, yielded to the winner, fell back further and further until the stretch, then made a break.
