Connors’ Comments for Sunday, July 4, 2021

Jul 8, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE –Slight stretch tailwind to start … JEREMES GENERAL left and got the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and worked past LYONS JOHNNY. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead shortly thereafter, rated quarter two, gave a good fight but settled for second. GRANTOR HANOVER left inside the top two and stayed behind them, so-so late, won show photo over TERLINGUA. The latter came up the inside after a rail journey, evenly. MEADOWBROOK FLASH moved out before the half, got cover to the 5/8, gapped some, picked it up a little late. HES GONE BADDER moved uncovered nearing the 5/8 but couldn’t get into contention. SHARKNADO was last at every call.

SECOND RACE – BETTER B ROLLING moved second-over and stayed right on cover, paced right on past the first-over late. GOLDEN GESTURE was looped early, finally found a seat third nearing the 5/16, didn’t stay in long going uncovered to the half, applied real pressure ¾, got a short advantage but couldn’t clear, kept that lead a long way in the lane until getting overhauled after a very difficult route. BRINGITONHOME N surrendered to sit the two-hole, out in a blindswitch behind the first-over to headstretch, next in line. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was third-over, gapped before the ¾, fair late. BEACHMASTER TWO had to come widest from last, OK late. ARTACUS never factored. BIG GAME HUNTER gapped inside. A REAL MIRACLE left well from the outside and was inside and on the lead by the 1/8, set the pace, had pressure ¾, had little left in the stretch.

THIRD RACE – AGGIORNAMENTO was away third, inherited second at the half, narrowed in on the leader down the back, outside stretch, went by in hand. DONZEL HANOVER had an open lead until late backstretch when the leader got close, not enough to hold him off. MUSCLE DAN stayed flat. EDITORIAL LICENSE had the pocket while rough, broke before the half. KHAL DROGO broke well before the start.

FOURTH RACE – FASHIONWOODCHOPPER was three-wide to the first bend, went into the pocket past the 1/8, popped out ¾ and sailed right by, all alone at the finish. BIG NUDGE moved uncovered into turn two, finally got cover 5/8, saw the winner steal away, kept on going at one gear and along for second. WHOUCALLNCRAZY was stuck in on the final turn then moved out into a blindswitch, cleared towards midstretch and gained a bit. NOBLE ANTHONY made up some ground from far back. KANDY KORN finally committed outside 5/8 but didn’t do much. GRAN PARAISO got positioning early, stayed in 5/8, struggled, blocked late turn, but little once clear. CHUCKY DE VIE went out to get the lead and forced the winner to tuck 3/16, all done when challenged early far turn. LAKEVIEW TAMMY broke at the half.

FIFTH RACE – DARTY was first on top, was challenged and yielded to the 3/8, then was shuffled to last as the rest of the field went by the new pacesetter down the backstretch, then outside midturn, angled wide early stretch, was still fifth at the pond but showed great heart in rallying back. STOP RESISTIN followed a brusher to the pocket 11/16, outside to headstretch, got the lead four steps before the wire but couldn’t stall the winner. LUCKY JUNE BUG was uncovered at the half and got little resistance brushing to the lead, held on to the lead a long way. O JONNIE stayed in the two-wide path on the turn, closed OK but outkicked by the winner. ANDOVERS TOUCH retucked third 11/16 then stayed in and could summon no more. BILLIE BLUE was a little delayed going frontward early and needed until the 3/8 to clear, all done when challenged 5/8.

SIXTH RACE – Intensified wind … STICK WITH ME KID went to the lead towards the first turn, yielded at the 1/8, saw an early challenger break then himself made a quarter-move to the lead, had only TW LAUXMONT remotely close from past the 3/8 and pulled away from that one in a fast time for this class. The latter made the top just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, tightened in a little down the back but then couldn’t keep going, a clear second. SHOSHIE DEO left an ever-increasing gap from the 3/8, just held off NICE STUFF for third. The latter stayed in, went evenly. MUSKINGUM was uncovered in the backstretch but couldn’t go this much. ULYSSES BI was well back at the end of the main group. KEYSTONE SERGEANT got early position, was starting a brush 3/16 when breaking.

SEVENTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN gapped the first half fireworks, uncovered early backstretch and to the lead 11/16, held the advantage to the line with encouragement. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was third-over in the lively outer flow, three-wide headstretch, came on steadily but was a step late. ARCHETTO HANOVER was second-over, left raw late on the backstretch, in the fight between horses late, not quite enough but far ahead of the rest. LORD OF MISRULE was three-wide to the 1/8, looped a foe and got the top 3/16, yielded to that looped foe 5/16, shuffled late backstretch through the turn, came wide in the stretch and outfinished the others. MYIDEALSON N was between horses, looped at the 1/8, needed until the 5/16 to get in front, yielded to a brusher, stuck behind that one from late backstretch until late far turn, couldn’t recover. REDHOT ROMEO gapped, went wide, didn’t enter the picture. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN pushed away from the rail, yielded, quarter-moved, put up a quick half, surrendered 11/16 and faded. THE OTHER PAIR never featured.

EIGHTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N got early position and stayed with the first half of the field, great second-over trip, wide in the lane and steadily got on top late. JUXTA COWGIRL left very strongly and forced a tuck in a 26 opener, continued on at a fast pace, clung to the lead tenaciously as long as she could. ABIGAIL DAWN took the pocket 3/16, stayed tight-up, Pocono Pike, not enough, perhaps bottomed chasing the fast pace. SO NICE HANOVER gapped a gapper early then tightened on that one, outside late backstretch and in third-over position on the turn, widest, OK but had too far to come. ROLL WITH ANGEL spotted third, was uncovered at the 5/8 and went head-to-head with the leader from the 11/16, held on very well. VELOCITY MCSWEETS gapped down the back, closed some. LITTLE SANDY TOES left a gap virtually all the way around (but it was a very fast pace). TRAFFIC JAM was last throughout.

NINTH RACE — In a pacing race that went only as quickly as an earlier “nw2500” trot … ROCK THREE TIMES used the rail well early and wound up in the pocket, was able to back out to second-over 11/16 behind a strong first-over as a foe gapped, uncovered far turn, won a close decision. CASHNCAM went in fourth 3/16, uncovered second turn, went on and took over the lead after a brief duel to the 3/16, almost lasted to the wire. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N had cover leaving and got in midpack at the ¼, then second-over, gapped past the 5/8 allowing the winner to move out, three-wide briefly ¾ back to following the winner’s cover, a step shy. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was out in a blindswitch ¾ and advanced in that position on the turn, ducked into the inside for the drive, slightly flattened. BARNABAS was three-wide from far back and four-wide headstretch, came on. ASTON HILL DAVE never factored. COLUMBO got an early forward spot, could advance to the pocket before the ¾ but then was blocked by the fading pacesetter, didn’t appear to have much once clear. DAAMERICANSKY, occasionally rough, was up to the lead at the 5/16, went a fast half but still could not answer the first-over foe.

TENTH RACE – DELISHKA N left strongly, yielded before the 3/8 to sit right behind the favorite, to the Pocono Pike and outgunned her home. TURNTHEFROWNAROUND was briefly three-wide early, lost cover past the 1/8 and needed until nearing the 3/8 to take over, set a good pace, held well but just not enough sprint. ALLI NUI left, took the pocket past the 1/8, stayed in, had stretch clearance and held third over DBLDELITEBRIGADE N. The latter had clearance in the Pocono Pike off the top two and narrowed in. SWEET ROCKIN GIA took back, then backed out to second-over 11/16 but could make no impact. BRONSKIMACKENZIE A came up in 27.1 raw down the backstretch but never headed the pocket horse, faded in the last 1/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – CERTIFIED IDEAL left enough to put everyone behind, seemed in charge to the wire even though LETS DRAW was closing along the inside. The latter tucked third, got room in the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter went outside, narrowed in with good late speed. DEJA VROOM stayed in, gained some up the back, blocked in far turn, some late pace. MARYMACISBACK sat close in the pocket until the far turn, weakened and bore out in the stretch. SUNRISE HANOVER finished well from last. BULLVILLEKARLA didn’t have the greatest cover, but still never worked into contention. ROCK N ROLL ROSIE never featured. JENORA N was raw before the half, got to joint-third but likely never closer, then faded.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, July 3, 2021

Jul 6, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Rain early, so track “sloppy +1” through four races; with the sun coming out, the track was rated “good +1” the rest of the card … JANAID left and yielded, stayed in until late turn then came on with a burst while a bit on a line, took over midstretch, then held off the charge of LOUD SPLASH. The latter was two- and three-wide in a nonflow, four-wide towards headstretch and flying through the lane. MAJOR ASSET was three-wide to the 1/8 and two-wide until taking over off the first turn, went on and opened up the pocket for a foe, continued on the lead unbothered as the first-over never reached, but tired after some good fractions in the off going. DO YA THINK gapped at the back down the back, then found a seam early stretch and came on some. LITTLE ADMIRAL didn’t have all that much after an inside trip. VICTORIAS MAVERICK was four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide, got into the pocket before the 3/8, came up empty late. AMAZON was second-over, three-wide midturn but failed to come on. DARTH FADER got in front towards the 1/8, yielded, gapped letting a horse in, uncovered at the half but had little progress before retreating.

SECOND RACE – WARRAWEE VELOCE was fourth-over, three-wide with cover on the turn then four-wide headstretch, picked them all up late. MELODIES MAJOR stayed tight on cover second-over, three-wide late turn, took over early stretch, almost lasted to the line. ROCK IDOL was third-over but gapped, blindswitched two- and three-wide on the turn, stayed in the lane behind the place horse and advanced. AMERICAN CHROME was outside much of the ¼ for the lead, yielded for the pocket, appeared to consider joining the outside flow past the 11/16 but stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, fair. MUSCLE MACH A stayed in, gapped down the back, then tighter and behind a wall early stretch, had to angle very wide losing all chance. ALEX TYE quarter-moved, was under constant pressure from first-over DUCKIES DYNASTY from the half, tired alongside that one in the last 1/8. The latter was first on top, yielded later on turn one, back out again into turn two, had the lead while outside from the 5/8 to midturn but could not clear, gave way after a hard journey. MISTER INDIANA was off the gate and never in the picture.

THIRD RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER picked an early tuck, then quarter-moved, steadily advanced to the lead beyond the 3/8, rated the half, had pressure from the first-over, dealt with that but then saw a resurgent THE LIONKING AS coming on in the Pocono Pike, gamely held the advantage. The latter went away well and put foes in behind, pushed the winner then yielded, gapped on the turn but then made another strong push in the Pike, just missed. TSM PHOTO BUGGER had the early pocket at the 1/8, came out raw 5/8 and challenged, stayed in the fight. MARION GONDOLIER did everything about a half-step slower than those around him. JACK RULES was inside, insufficient late response. GRAPPLE HANOVER broke just past the start.

FOURTH RACE – Sun! … REBELLIOUS was looped early, went up to challenge but was put into the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, won a long fight with WHITE HAIR ROCKS. The latter stayed in, angled out in front of a gapper late turn and wider headstretch, tried hard, almost made it. ROBBIE BURNS N was shuffled to last, spent most of his last quarter angling to follow the place horse, then did well once free. CAPTAIN MULZAC used the “leave/yield/gap/tighten/first-over” tactic recently prevalent, fought the leader hard on the turn, couldn’t sustain the move. RESTORE OUR FLAG zipped out to command, forced the winner in behind, got pressure from the first-over, didn’t fade too much. YS MATHIS moved uncovered from last into the second turn, got cover 5/8 but then couldn’t keep with it.

FIFTH RACE – Track upgraded to “good +1” … SOMEBEACH BARON made the top at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and paced away easily. BRAVO TEX N got in gear at the 1/8 and went up, needed mild urging to clear 5/16, kept going at a good clip, no match for the winner but held second. BELL I NO was looped, tucked fifth at the 1/8, uncovered off turn two, one-geared in not a fast-enough gear but went on steadily for third. REGAL SON sat in, went inside in the stretch but didn’t appear to have too much. BELLOWS BINGE was second-over, gapped then tighter, so-so. SWEET N FAST N sat in, finished decently. INDIGO ART was not a factor. MY MIND ISMADEUP pushed the 1/8 and yielded, third-in, could offer very little late.

SIXTH RACE – FOREVERHILLREIGN was fourth-over, followed the third-over when he went three-wide before the 11/16, was on the grandstand side through the stretch but picked up the favorite. DAYTONA DREAM gapped early, got tighter, went uncovered before the half, one-geared uncompromisingly, went in front early stretch and stayed there for a long while. PROTOSTAR was third-over, went three-wide not too much past the 5/8 and was limbed three-deep while challenging the rest of the way, flattened a little but still a very good mile. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE was second-over, blindswitched from before the 11/16 behind the favorite, never came clear while keeping pretty tight. ONE DIRECTION took the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t summon enough. NATURAL KEMP took command from the pole, rated the half, gradually got pressure two- and three-wide, couldn’t defend the advantage. LIONBACKER KIDD swung wide but couldn’t make up the distance. SEVEN IRON left and was briefly three-wide, tucked third past the 1/8, then never got free as the field was compact and three-wide most of the way from late backstretch.

SEVENTH RACE – CAVIART ROCKLAND was parked past the 1/8 for command, slowed the second quarter, left the opposition behind. RECORD MACHINE sat in, came outside midturn and closed nicely to just be second over WINDEMERE FRANK. The latter advanced second-over, two-wide raw ¾ when his cover took the pocket, made it to second but was just beaten out of it late. NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP got a tuck third, uncovered off the second turn, tucked in the two-hole into the far turn, tired some. FRISKY PEDRO left, yielded to sit the pocket, couldn’t keep up ¾. ABSOLUTE INTENT moved uncovered 3/8, got cover early backstretch but couldn’t go with it and went inside. THE OTHER THREE gapped badly the last 3/8.

EIGHTH RACE – HOT SUMMER KNIGHT followed great cover second-over, three-wide late turn, just caught PRESIDENT in the shadow of the wire. The latter was uncovered on the lead, fought with the pacesetter and alternated short advantages until early stretch, where he finally put that foe away, just caught at the end. LIVE WELL LIVED was the first to show, forced a tuck, then yielded to a brusher, pocket, Pocono Pike, had aim but not quite enough. CLASSIC VENTURE was third-over, three-wide behind cover far turn, briefly blindswitched but kept trotting behind the winner in his path. FINAL DREAM worked into the pocket 3/16, in, gained in tight quarters. DYNAMIC EDGE was last, four-wide headstretch but couldn’t reach. OOH RAH quarter-moved, was in a serious battle from the 5/8 on, faded in the lane.

NINTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, then briefly had cover before continuing on to the lead before the 3/8, rolled right on and did not have any anxious moments. BAMSKI was urged leaving, took the early pocket at the 1/8, third-in, deepest to the inside and along for second over NEEDLESS TO SAY. The latter forced a tuck then pushed the winner to near the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, couldn’t hold place late. BLACKLIGHT advanced inside down the backstretch, not too much late. CLASS SIX did not have good cover. NEWBIE moved with cover but soon lost it to a break, didn’t advance thereafter. BLOW A CLOUD N stayed in, no factor. URBAN RENEWAL moved outside off the second turn, didn’t gain much before breaking 5/8.

TENTH RACE – AFTER ALL PAUL was looped leaving, went on to take over 5/16 and backed down the half, had to speed up as the first-over pressed hard, but went on strongly to the wire while bearing out a little. ROCK OF CASHEL was behind cover early, tucked fourth before the 3/16, stayed in, went to the deep Pocono Pike and finished well to edge KING ALPHONSO. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, got the lead, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, outtrotted to his inside for second. MYSTICAL WYNN yielded, moved first-over on turn two and battled the leader getting a small advantage at a couple of points, couldn’t quite sustain the move. PAPI HANOVER cut over to the rail early, stayed in, out in a blindswitch late turn, found room between horses past midstretch and finished well. BURN NOTICE looked to want to get a quick start but broke, got back on but was last, joined the two-wide flow, not a bad recovery. SORTIE was second-over, gapped a little late backstretch, three-wide far turn, couldn’t reach.

ELEVENTH RACE – PATERNITY SUIT A yielded just past the 1/8, stayed third-in, gained access to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter went outside, got in gear quickly and went right to the lead. MYKINDACHIP took over just past the 1/8, yielded after a fast quarter to sit in the two-hole, outside near headstretch, didn’t appear to ever get the lead but went on steadily for second. OLLIE’S Z TAM was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to a fast opener, kept rolling on the lead, with the pace eventually taking its toll. PRAIRIE PANTHER stayed in, split horses late and had good speed at the end. LYONS AMUSEMENTS was between horses leaving and took a tuck, started raw off turn two but never got near the lead, went wide for the stretch after the pocketsitter pulled out, evenly. CAPTAIN CASH was not heard from. ATTA BOY DAN was off the gate and gapping early, no factor. JK MUSICMAN moved second-over, gapped, tightened a bit, then faded.

TWELFTH RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE pulled 3/8 to follow the parked horse, three-wide 5/8 to go around that one and challenge hard from the ¾, grinded away and proved the best late. MISS MC KEE was looped and powered on to the lead off the first turn, kept going to keep one foe parked then kept going to brace against the winner, held very well in a fast mile for this class. GHOSTINTHESHELL S came out behind the winner, couldn’t stay with that one’s wide move, then three-wide ¾, came on steadily. JUST MAYBE THE ONE got a forward position, was stuck behind a fader late turn, then outside early stretch and won a photo for fourth. GEMOLOGIST was away quickly and cleared by the 1/8, yielded to the place horse and kept the pocket closed until the far turn, then faded. TRUEMASS VOLO stayed inside, finished with “b.e.” ARCHIBALD and THISISSHE never featured. BANK BOX TREASURE was three-wide to before the 3/16, had cover to the ¼ then was left raw, challenged in a fast tempo, was looped going to the ¾ and faded.

THIRTEENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST was outside but way off the lead at the half, advanced two-wide then left uncovered to the ¾, really hit a high gear, went three-wide near headstretch when the pocketsitter pulled, drew away – helped by the fractions, but still with a powerful late kick. SUGARTOWN made the lead just past the 3/16, yielded past the quick opener and stayed connected through the fast numbers, came out towards headstretch, just did work by NOTABADGAME at the end. The latter was three-high to the 3/16 and parked past a very fast opener, put up giant fractions on the lead, almost held on to second. CURIOUS CORTEZ retucked around a fader, out again in the stretch to get around another tired horse. ALBERGO HANOVER got the last check. BENSON BOYS N never was in the main picture. WAR-N-MUNN was four-wide leaving, dropped down behind cover and got in at the ¼, came out down the back and retucked third around a fader, not much to offer late. SHANE ADAM wasn’t prominent. LOVE THE ACTION kept the early action three-wide until the 3/16, started gapping behind the hot pace before the half.

FOURTEENTH RACE – FABRICE HANOVER, three-wide before the 1/8, was in front at the ¼, didn’t get much pressure, then was too far ahead to be overhauled by the closing BLOOD LINE. The latter was out third-over in not much of a flow, three-wide with cover far turn to four-wide headstretch, passed many horses but had to settle for second. NIGHT WATCHMAN tucked, then he and MAJOR OFFENSE (who was pinned in from the ¼) went to the Pocono Pike after inside trips and got the next two spots in a big photo. MIGHTY SANTANA N moved second-over, three-wide ¾, evenly. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS defended the pocket, had trouble keeping up in the pocket from the backstretch. DECLAN SEELSTER moved raw before the half, briefly second but never at the leader, tired. SPANISH ART came out at the ¼, fourth-over, not prominent.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Jul 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Hot; stretch headwind … TUIS SHADOW left three-wide to get early command, yielded to a looped foe, backed out from third-in 11/16 to follow cover, three-wide headstretch and finished steadily. ETRA DE VIE started uncovered to the half and gained a lot of ground down the back, continued to gain and got the lead upper stretch, just not enough to handle the horse on her back. TUFF TO BE LINDY was looped leaving and made the lead before the 5/16, yielded just past the 3/8 for the two-hole, a little loose in the pocket on the turn, couldn’t gain in the lane. CHING CHING LUCKY gapped in a good backstretch flow, fair at the end. BLACK TIE BASH was never in the main action. ISLAND LILY left and yielded, came out with cover past the ¼, lost cover and brushed to the lead 3/8, came under pressure, tired. CAPITAL T STORM sat in, did not make his presence felt.

SECOND RACE –SOCIETY JILL started uncovered before the half and gained a lot of ground in the third quarter, took an advantage on the turn but did not clear inside, got a clear lead upper stretch then could hold off JK’S JENNA. The latter pushed away well from the rail, yielded off the first turn and sat the pocket, crucially shuffled some when the outer tier proved stronger than the pacesetter late turn, finally clear in the Pocono Pike and ate up the ground but was just short. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON stayed with fine cover, wide and steadily. BARDMIRY was four-wide early then two-wide as inside rivals backed off, to the lead off the first turn, got a radical slowdown in quarter two then had to pick it up again as the winner came on, not as much in the last quarter although going on gamely. MIKI THE CLOWN backed off early, was third-in, shuffled, deep Pike, fair. SNUF ENUF HANOVER gapped third-over down the back, evenly late. SKYLINE HANOVER backed off early, stayed in and was shuffled to last, had to fan widest and had no realistic chance.

THIRD RACE — CAVIART EMMA was three-wide leaving then dropped behind early cover, uncovered 3/16 and went on to the lead just before the 3/8, went right along, a nice winner. GOO DOO DOLL was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-high to 3/16 command, pushed the winner to the 3/8 and yielded for the pocket, had a chance in the Pocono Pike, held her ground well but didn’t gain. MY BOY CHRISTIAN one-geared first-over from the half, never got closer to the winner than at the wire. SEVEN NATION ARMY followed progressing cover, wide and with late trot. DAGON HANOVER sat in and was shuffled to last, pretty much avoided the midturn breaker, evenly late. ADELANTE S swung four-wide headstretch but made a break. TRUFFLES TOO was between horses to the early pocket, keeping up on the far turn when going to a break and then the infield.

FOURTH RACE – HULOU burst through and set the pace, had an early rusher come at him 3/8 but wouldn’t let him go, especially when he went wide into turn two, got a lot of pressure from that one, but shook him off and came home in 54.2 on his own. DIAMOND HEAD moved second-over 5/8 but gapped, back in on the turn, Pocono Pike and did well late to be a distant second. KYUQUOT tucked third at the 1/8, moved out 5/16 trying to brush to the lead but went wide into the second turn and was not permitted past, faded some. MCNEIL Z TAM got the early pocket, started going a bit loose ¾ and had little left late. ROCK ON LOU never factored. MOVE THE LINE moved out with cover but never contended. DOWNTOWN SHOW was always at the end.

FIFTH RACE – SOOT HANOVER moved out at the ¼, didn’t have the speed to reach the top so grinded, got the lead headstretch as the pacesetter broke, held off CARTIER BI. The latter left between horses and got the pocket 3/16, waited, had to pause slightly when the leader broke late on the turn, then moved out to challenge the new leader, good but second-best. SHAMROCKS was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked fourth 3/16, then second-over going to the second turn, best of the others. KASEVILLE took an early tuck, couldn’t keep up ¾ after an inside trip. FATHER OF IRELAND was third-over 11/16, couldn’t offer much. CHECK MY SCORE was already disconnected before the half. LEGION OF HONOR went down the road, had pressure from before the half on, was still fighting with that one when breaking stride late turn and going to the infield. ARTHUR BOY broke past the 3/16.

SIXTH RACE – CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL made the lead to the 1/8, pushed the favorite the length of the frontstretch before yielding to sit the two-hole journey, outside headstretch and proved the better late. RHETT SEELSTER got in the pocket 3/16 but soon was on his way again, was used to clear past the ¾, had to fight off another challenger down the back, tiring late after hard usage. A BETTOR BEACH moved out second-over 11/16 but ducked back in far turn as cover faltered, outside stretch, raced well. LOU ED ZEPPELIN stayed inside, OK. ROLLNTHEJOE stayed in, gapped ¾, then moved two- and three-wide late turn, fair. TRANSPARENCY broke equipment before the ¼, was outside but didn’t enter the main picture. BEACH FIRE K gapped during the second quarter fight then got in gear at the half and went raw, challenged while pacing his third quarter in 27.1, but was tired midturn.

SEVENTH RACE – NANCY BAR was first on top, yielded, was behind a gapping pocket horse 5/8, then inherited the two-hole as that one went offstride and quickly closed the distance to the leader, proved herself the best in here. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved at the ¼ to the lead just past the 3/8 and went her own middle half in 57.1, had a big lead after the pocket horse broke after gapping, but saw the winner quickly catch up and then go past. MISS ZELDA was well back on the far turn then finished briskly (in a slowing last ¼). A MILLION CHUCKLES moved outside 5/8 but went back in when the pocket horse ran, next in line. FINLANDIA and BLESS YOUR HEART never entered the main picture. BILLIE CLAIRE kept on going frontward and cleared off the first turn, yielded for the pocket, gapped soon past the half and ran past the 5/8.

EIGHTH RACE – INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW was outleft, tucked, wasn’t tight as the front two dueled on the turn, but then hit a higher gear in the Pocono Pike and worked to the lead. ROLL ON MAMA was immediately on top, saw a looped foe break 3/16 making her own chances better, wasn’t pressured until midturn, caught up the inside. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE sat in, gapped down the back and around the turn, but then hit a much better gear in the lane and finished alertly. MACKIE HANOVER was defending the pocket when a foe outside her broke, stayed in the two-hole until popping out midturn, not enough late. SHOULDABEENATD was looped early, went on nearing the 1/8 but made a break going frontward 3/16, caught the field but wasn’t a factor. JENORA N gapped down the back.

NINTH RACE – KISS AN ANGEL was looped and took her time making the lead at the ¼, dialed up the speed after the half and was never in any danger. FAWN DE TOUCH moved outside 11/16, briefly had cover but lost it when it broke, continued to advance nicely, clearly second-best. EXTRA FANCY went up behind cover and tucked fourth, started gapping at the 3/8, came off the rail early stretch and won a photo for the distant third over CANTABSLEADINGLADY. The latter went directly to the front, yielded at the ¼, started going loose off the second turn, so-so. WHAT A DAME never got in the main fight. EVIL EMPRESS gapped at a couple of points. CUSTOMARILY was at the back, came back with “b.e.” ILLICIT FUNDS moved out of third behind the gapper nearing the far turn, gained some then rolled offstride just past midturn.

TENTH RACE – MANKAT went on against a speedy early field to get the lead 3/16 en route to a 26.3 first quarter, got a breather to the half, never had anybody really pressing until TELL THEM LOU came on late on the turn, held that on off pacing his own last half in 54.4. The latter sat third, came raw 5/8 and gradually advanced in the speedy third split, continued to try hard to the wire. IM A GIGOLO N gained a lot of ground inside far turn, continued inside and along for third. HORSE pushed the winner most of the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole, struggled in the last ¼. GET LIT was in and out a couple of times but couldn’t make up serious ground. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was always near the rear. MARCO BEACH fell back at the ¾.

ELEVENTH RACE – MAGICAL MUSCLE MAN went up with cover towards the 3/16, then went on to 3/8 command, warded off a big challenge from the first-over much of the backstretch into the turn, then had enough to withstand ONE AFTER NINE. The latter just got out second-over 5/8, initially gapped the brusher then caught up, wide into the stretch, kicked into a higher gear and was narrowing in. PREACHER MAN was three-wide to the first turn to the lead before the 3/16, pushed the winner a like distance before relinquishing to sit the two-hole, gapped just off of the big duel, Pocono Pike, OK. ARMANI HANOVER left but took back, came raw 9/16 with a big rush that had him at the leader’s throat by the 5/8, battled hard, gave a little ground the last 1/8. CAMDEN HILLS was away well, yielded, gapped inside. NEW LEGACY went two-wide but could not gain. RARE MUSCLE was no factor. TORN TO PIECES AS moved outside off turn two, momentarily three-wide 5/8 as the place horse moved out behind cover, not much the last 5/16.

TWELFTH RACE – HURRIKANE GEORGIE made the top at the 1/8 and pushed on until yielding past the ¼, only to come right back to take the lead, was challenged by ARTIST BEST far turn but kept that one at a safe distance. The latter left then yielded at the 1/8, moved uncovered 11/16 and quickly got into contention, good but had to settle for second. BEACH PARTY was three-wide to turn one then two-wide until tucking at the ¼, got shuffled a bit past the 5/8 then backed out and followed cover, next-best. MAJOR SHOW was nowhere near the top ones at any point, did show a bit of late speed. DESIRED ART gapped midpack. THE NEXT THREE never were prominent. KEYSTONE CATALYST was four-wide to the 1/8 and three-wide to just before the ¼, went on to get command but quickly yielded, hit the wall late backstretch.

THIRTEENTH RACE – MISS VET HANOVER was wide to the 1/8 then fell behind cover, had the pocket horse CAN’T SAY NO pull in front of her, followed that one and then went around him 3/8, came under pressure from before the 5/8 until past the ¾, shook off that one then had to be brave to withstand the two-holer. CAN’T SAY NO left, yielded, moved 3/16 to the lead, then let the winner go to sit behind her, to the Pocono Pike and again tried very hard. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was third-over behind so-so cover, three- then four-wide far turn, flying late. SO LONG HANOVER sat in and was shuffled to last, came between horses in the stretch and was best of the others. BANZAI AS was second-over, gapped some, three-wide far turn, didn’t enter the main fight. GERARD went to the lead, saw two horses go past within the next 3/16 of a mile, in, no factor late. GITTIN ALL SEXY came uncovered at the half, pressured the leader but couldn’t sustain the move to the wire.

FOURTEENTH RACE – DREAM CHASER was looped early and briefly had cover, then proceeded up to take command just past the ¼, rated quarter two then stepped it up, tacked on a 27.3 last quarter to keep REALIZATION at a safe distance. The latter came uncovered at the half and roared up in 27 (with the wind), tucked in an abandoned pocket, tried the winner again in the lane and cut a bit off the margin but still had to settle for the deuce. CAPTAINANDTELLY stayed in, moved out into a blindswitch late turn, found a seam and came on for the very distant third. MORE THAN KUTE had good cover but gapped it, left uncovered ¾, never got close. SWEETONTHEBEACH took the early lead, yielded, was stuck behind a tiring pocketsitter, never did recover significant ground. WINNING WORDS was never in it. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER tried to circle dull cover but could not. DEJA VROOM was always far behind. MORROCKIN K left well, on top 3/16, yielded, struggled throughout the last half.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 28, 2021

Jul 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Again, a hot day … Stretch headwind … BLUEBIRD KEEPSAKE went up behind the early battlers to tuck third 1/8, outside again far turn and had a good turn of late speed to get the decision. SERRANO VOLO was on top just past the 1/8, rated the second quarter then rolled on, still had two lengths at the pond but the writing was on the wall (watch the driver’s face as he looks over at the winner). LIBERO HANOVER yielded for the two-hole, steadily but outtrotted. KISS ON FIRE AS gapped down the backstretch. SCIROCCO JAKOB gapped off the second turn. HOLY KOLY gapped at the 3/8.

SECOND RACE – VENDOR BILL went to the lead at the 1/8, got a very slow half then had to turn it up against a hard first-over challenger, saw that one off headstretch then had to deal with a lefthand rival who got to even past midstretch, game victory. CHERRY MASON yielded for a great two-hole ride, to the Pocono Pike, got to at least even midstretch, just missed. IDENTITY POLICE was second-over at the half, gapped in the quick third quarter, then narrowed in well as the pace slowed late. GAVINATOR took a tuck 3/16, inside, evenly. VICTORY YANKEE moved raw at the half and trotted in 27.4 the third split but couldn’t clear to the lead, gave way midturn. MY SON TY HANOVER was outside when breaking far turn. BLAZIN POLITICS was last when breaking at the half.

THIRD RACE – ETBAUER went frontward and grabbed the lead past the 1/8, didn’t really have a challenge until late far turn, then held off one to each side late. WHAT ABOUT DAVID was off the gate a little and gapped in last, moved raw at the half and went his own third quarter in 26.4, briefly tucked in the pocket on the turn then out again headstretch, looked to want to run in before midstretch then straightened, gaining but came up shy. REGENTS HANOVER showed little until the far turn, then passed tired ones, then went to the Pocono Pike, made up a lot of ground. TRAVIS SAID took the early lead, yielded for the pocket, loose in the two-hole 5/8. BUCHANNON HANOVER gapped inside.

FOURTH RACE – THERESNOLIMIT S was three-wide to the first turn, refused a tuck and went up 3/16 to the lead 3/8, was in firm control the last half. DONZEL HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8 and showed sharp trot to the wire. CRAFT BREW LINDY was out most of the ¼ to clear to the lead, yielded 3/8, was loose in the two-hole past the half and fell back ¾. BEER CHEESE had cover but couldn’t go on. LEBRON HANOVER pushed the quarter, yielded, couldn’t keep up.

FIFTH RACE – TWENTY GRAND got in gear 3/16 and made the lead 3/8, strung the field out to the far turn, kept control to the wire. APRIL ANGEL moved outside from third ¾, steadily late. SHE’S MAGICAL took over the lead before the first turn, pushed the winner to the 3/8 then sat the pocket, looked to first want to come outside in the lane but then went to the Pocono Pike, a bit shy. PATSVILLE beat the others. MRS TEACHEY showed speed but two others leaving strongly inside her and took back to tuck third, no factor thereafter. BET ONLINE moved out but couldn’t get into it.

SIXTH RACE – PRASIOLITE moved 3/8 during a slow second quarter and got the lead at the half, remained in control. AMBERS CHAMPION went to the top and found herself with a big early lead as the pocket horse broke ¼, yielded to the winner, stayed close to her but wasn’t threatening. R DESIRABLE LADY moved outside far turn and was along for a no-factor third. BLING IM A WINNER left and tucked, found herself well off the leader in the pocket after that spot’s former occupant broke, struggled to keep up most of the rest of the way. CIAO BELLA and TWO PIECE TANLINES offered little. KRISTIELEIGH was tightening in in the pocket when making a break coming off of the first turn.

SEVENTH RACE – MISS MAYTRIX tucked third going to the first turn, moved raw to the 5/8 as the winner threatened to get away, got to the pocket to the ¾, outside late turn and finished steadily for the victory. PRAIRIE TRINKET strung the field out in a 1:00 half then sped up to open a very big lead, but was caught by the winner while far ahead of the rest. BARNUM followed the winner, couldn’t keep up in the lane but third. GHIBLI sat in the pocket then gapped in the pocket. PAINT BY NUMBERS offered little. LILYBET moved outside to no avail. SUNSHINEINTHERAIN was gapping going into turn two.

EIGHTH RACE – CLARION HALL had cover to the 1/8 then went up and cleared to the lead before the ¼, got mild pressure far turn, shook it off and won comfortably. MAGIC VACATION was on the lead at the 1/8, yielded before the ¼ and sat close in the two-hole, preserved second. TW LAUXMONT moved uncovered 5/8, fond a better gear ¾ but couldn’t sustain it in the stretch. CAMPBELLINI pushed away some and yielded, was struggling far turn. CIMERONKEN moved with cover but then gapped it far turn. ELO HANOVER never factored.

NINTH RACE – EASYRUNNER HANOVER was out 3/16 before taking over, got no pressure until DEEDEE DIDIT came at her out of the pocket late, but prevailed with a 28 kicker. The latter was on top going to turn one, yielded for the two-hole, took her shot in the stretch and gained, but not quite enough. HAZEL PARK moved second-over but gapped cover on the turn, found a better gear near midstretch and outclosed the rest. SANTAFE’S MJ went to the Pocono Pike but could not make an impact. LIEWHENTRUTHWILLDO gapped early, uncovered going to the half, gradually progressed until the stretch, then faded. KATES WAY was double-looped early and tucked, not heard from again. SPEEDI PEARL moved out at the back but did not gain. BETTER BID HANOVER got a slow start and never factored.

TENTH RACE – POND JUMPER was between horses most of the ¼, moved from the pocket to regain the lead, strung out the field much of the backstretch, still had a clear lead midstretch but had many horses coming to him late as tiring, held them all off. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY moved second-over 11/16, three-wide headstretch, closed steadily in a good showing. O JONNIE left well, yielded to the ¼, up uncovered 11/16 and charged into the thick of it, kept trotting on to the finish. DON’T SASS ME stayed in and got to use the Pocono Pike, OK. MUSHANA had to swing widest and had trot on the end. CONQUEST AS was three-wide past the 3/16 en route to the lead, which he surrendered for the pocket, a bit loose down the back, then tight on the turn, then empty late. TRICKY DICK was four-wide early, took back all the way to last, at the back.

ELEVENTH RACE – BELL FAMILY was away well, quarter-moved from the pocket, already had a clear lead 3/8, drew far clear with a 27.1 third quarter and was tons the best. SUCCESSION looked at leaving but took back into his own hole, moved out ¾ and gained in the wake of the winner. OCTAVE was three-wide to the first turn and soon after on the lead, yielded for the pocket, had difficulty keeping up from before the half, but still almost held second. MOM’S LITTLE WORLD gapped a gapping pocket horse. BARSTOOLSPORTS was a disconnected last past the ¾, but showed a very good last 1/8. SIR LOVEALOT BC was behind cover early, took back to last, retucked around a gapper ¾, not too much. SHAKEALEG HANOVER had trouble keeping up the whole way.

TWELFTH RACE – MARLEY’S GUY was on top before the 1/8 and was in charge of this one for the rest of the way. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY defended the pocket early, had trouble keeping tight at several points in the mile, steadily late. MUSKINGUM took back early between horses, stayed third-in and stayed third. BIG MONEY HONEY was shuffled to last and then moved out, four-wide headstretch and had late kick. FASHIONWOODCHOPPER was uncovered at the half, got to the winner’s wheel at the ¾ but no closer, then faded. PROTOSTAR was second-over, three-wide to headstretch, couldn’t make an impact.