Connors’ Comments for Sunday, June 27,2021

Jun 29, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind; hot twilight weather … BLENHEIM was three-wide past the 1/8 before taking back, got in fifth past the ¼, then on the roll raw again before the half, worked up with a 27.1 third split to go right to the lead and leave these in the dust. DARTY was first to show, pushed a foe most of the quarter then yielded, inside, waited then came out with cover, ducked back in in the stretch and was along for second. WISENHEIMER was outside most of a pretty good opener, yielded 3/8, backed out behind the winner towards the ¾ but soon was left raw, fair late. STOP RESISTIN was looped between horses, pressed on but needed until almost the 3/8 to clear, came under pressure and gave way as the winner went by to the ¾. ANDOVERS TOUCH and BILLIE BLUE never factored. CELEBRITY SERENA started the outer flow and got the winner out, but couldn’t begin to stay with that one.

SECOND RACE – HIGHVIEW CONALL N quarter-moved and controlled the pace, a safe winner here. JEREMES GENERAL had the speed, got a foe to tuck, then yielded to the winner, neither gained nor lost ground late. HES GONE BADDER was uncovered 9/16, made mild progress, OK mile. T’S ELECTRIC left and took the two-hole before the 3/16, gapped before the 11/16, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike late. MEADOWBRANCH FLASH sat in and was shuffled, angled widest to headstretch and some pace belatedly. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was second-over but gapped and didn’t get into it. GRANTOR HANOVER was never prominent.

THIRD RACE – ZOOMING went up and found a tuck fourth at the 1/8, moved out uncovered 5/8 and gained steadily, took the lead in the stretch and won for fun. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was outside at the half and got cover an 1/8 later, gapped it on the turn, but gained some more to gain second, good race. FRENCH MONI was well-placed until getting caught behind a tired pocketsitter on the turn, went to two-wide and trotted OK between horses for third. SIR JOHN F was far back, outside far turn, was moving fairly quickly at the wire. UVA HANOVER left strongly and went a 26.4 quarter to get control, rated the half, tried to answer the winner on the turn, but that effort and the first quarter caught up to him late. DA BOOGIE MAN was outside until getting in the pocket before the ¼, couldn’t keep up far turn. CALL ME THEFIREMAN never factored. PRESIDENTE ZETTE gapped at the back. INNISFALLEN broke at the half.

FOURTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was four-wide early but backed off and tucked, gapped from before the ¼ almost to the ½, then got going after the fast midpoint, two-wide to three-wide raw around the parked horse to two-wide raw, steadily gained, then drew away. MYIDEALSON N went two-wide covered/three-wide uncovered/two-wide covered, gapped cover on the far turn but found better foot late and came on to nip BETTER B ROLLING. The latter followed the winner’s path although somewhat in arrears of it, looked to be second but was just caught on the line. A REAL MIRACLE left three-wide to the front, decided to hang both the early and a later challenger in a wild pace, paid the price in the lane. BRINGITONHOME N left, had to hustle at a couple of points to keep the pocket closed behind a duel, finally backed off 5/8. BIG SWEEP OSBORNE offered little. SPORTSMANSHIP was between horses leaving and was looped, went up, urged 5/16 to clear but was left out in the air in wicked fractions, faded going to the 5/8.

FIFTH RACE – KATKIN AND COKE was three-wide early then two-wide, made the lead at the 3/8, was clear on the lead from the half to deep stretch, where he got tired but was far enough ahead of ULYSSES N. The latter sat in, had to wait for the Pocono Pike because of a pocketsitter/first-over wedge well off the leader with the second-over nearby, narrowed in menacingly late (in a 30.4 quarter) but came up a bit shy. CELEBRITY MASERATI went to the lead, hung the winner a ways, yielded, started leaving a gap at the half, never narrowed the gap much but held for third over GRAN PARAISO. The latter gapped second-over then got tighter, came three-wide into the stretch and almost got third. KANDY KORN and NOBLE ANTHONY (who was pushed wide by a breaker on the far turn) made up some ground as the pace slowed late. CELEBRATE WINNING went raw from third before the 5/8 as the winner was getting away, couldn’t go around the gapping pocket horse then faded. LAKEVIEW TAMMY broke while not in contention on the turn. SWISS PLATINUM looked to want to go forward early but broke.

SIXTH RACE – ALL ABOUT RUSTY moved outside at the half, methodically worked closer and closer, proved best over HUGH HEFNER N late. The latter was between horses and tucked third, came out with cover 5/16, left uncovered 3/8 and went right on to the lead entering turn two, went at a good clip to the ¾, but then didn’t have enough late. TERLINGUA was wide leaving to 1/8 command, saw two go by in quarter two, gapped down the back, then moved outside as the pocketsitter faded and regained some ground. ARTACUS had dull cover third-over and came three-wide, fair. BEACHMASTER TWO was no factor. BAYONET left, yielded, retook the lead, yielded again, backed up in the last ¼. BIG GAME HUNTER moved second-over but couldn’t keep pace.

SEVENTH RACE – DAYTONA DREAMIN was wide early, eyed a four-tuck 3/16 but decided to press on, left out in the air the rest of the way, at points with an advantage, was passed by the Pocono Pike horse but courageously kept fighting and got the nod. STICK WITH ME KID was away in the pocket and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, got a brief short lead midstretch, just failed to prevail. KEYSTONE SERGEANT gradually worked his way up to tighten behind the winner’s cover, three-wide late turn, best of the rest. FREDDIE MAC sat in, to the Pocono Pike but never got close to the top two. BELLA AVA went right to the lead, had the winner outside (and slightly ahead) at points though the middle half was not overly fast, regained the lead heading for the stretch but tired. BABY MAKER HANOVER was not quick early, three-wide then took back, then was third-over, didn’t tip wide in the lane and was not a major danger. CRITICAL MASS and SHOSHIE DEO both had trouble keeping up, at different points. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN was last at every call.

EIGHTH RACE – DELISHKA N was innermost of three leavers and retained control in 26.2, moderated quarter two then sped up in quarter three so that the first-over never really reached, saw ABIGAIL DAWN gain inside her in the lane but looked to be being handled confidently. The latter went right to the pocket and kept it closed, a bit loose in it on the turn but was resurgent in the stretch, good second. SWEET ROCKIN GIA came raw 3/8 and one-geared it, hung in there tenaciously. GEORGIE MARTIN N was third-over behind gapping cover, finished with pace. JUXTA COWGIRL was three-wide to the 1/8 and tucked third at the ¼, struggled in the last ¼. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD gapped second-over. VELOCITY MCSWEETS was not factor. TRAFFIC JAM always had the best view.

NINTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE left side-by-side with WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY, made the top, yielded for the pocket, came outside headstretch, looked like he was going to be outkicked up the Pocono Pike by GIVEN UP TERROR, but that one got funky late and the “LORD” got the win. WHATSTROUBLNUROCKY left well, yielded, outside 3/16 to the lead, slowed the half, had hounding pressure in the quickened third quarter, shook the first-over off, not quite enough to last to the line. GIVEN UP TERROR stayed in third, access to the Pike as the pocketsitter pulled, looked ready to go by midstretch when putting in bad steps and had to be steadied. RECORD MACHINE avoided the outer tier. THISJETSABOOKIN was third-over, four-wide late turn and had late pace. REDHOT ROMEO didn’t do much from second-over. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was first-over before the half, challenged, got tired midturn.

TENTH RACE – SHECANDANCE N was last until midturn, swung wide and had a furious last 1/8 to nose out CRAZY CUTE. The latter was underway before the ¼, worked some to get the lead 3/8, kept in front until the last step. APRIL AVA was three-wide to the first bend then two-high to the lead 3/16, pushed a brusher some then yielded 3/8, Pocono Pike, not far off. CAVIART CHERIE left between horses for the early lead, yielded, stayed third-in, appeared to have room deep in the Pike but didn’t have the necessary steps. LUCKY ARTIST A gapped second-over, ducked in on the turn, came back with a bit of pace late. PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL moved raw past the 5/8, but her bid didn’t last long before she tired.

ELEVENTH RACE – LITTLE SANDY TOES let two battle it out early then was on the move nearing the ¼ to the lead 3/8, had twin 28.1s coming home to be the best here. BRING ME DIAMONDS went to the lead, got a foe outside her to tuck, yielded to the winner and kept tight, neither gained nor lost ground late. BULLVILLEKARLA was second-over, three-wide just past midturn, finished solidly. IDEAL CLASSIC was three-wide early then two-high to the pocket 3/16, third-in, deep Pike, not quite enough. YES DOUBLE DOWN moved raw at the half with flicking, got to the winner’s wheel but no closer before falling back. THE OTHERS could not make their presence felt.

TWELFTH RACE – VICTORIAS MAVERICK took charge early and wouldn’t let anybody by, drew clear from the 5/8. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN was between horses early and took back, stuck in behind a “wedge” from the 5/8, to the Pocono Pike and up for the distant deuce. SOMWHERENBROOKLYN N was uncovered before the ½, raced side-by-side with the pocket horse well off the winner, held OK. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN went from the rail before midturn to widest headstretch, had late pace. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was second-over, not helped by cover but didn’t show much at crunch time. UNION STATION was four-wide to the first turn, took the pocket off that bend, loose from the 5/8. TSM ARTEMIS T didn’t factor. ASTON HILL DAVE was outside early, wide but couldn’t gain. COLUMBO was stuck outside midpack the first half, then fell back.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, June 26, 2021

Jun 28, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind, strong at times, as generally reflected in the fractions … Speed didn’t last to the wire until the 10^th race … BABES DIG ME got the pocket at the 1/8, gapped in the 25.4(!) third quarter, but gradually reeled the pacesetting CURIOUS CORTEZ in. The latter went right to the top, tried to steal the race in the third quarter (odd quarters = 52.2), almost lasted to the end. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was well out of it going to the ¾, but downshifted and gained with every stride, didn’t miss by much. BLACKSTONE and AMERICAN VIRGIN gapped behind the gapping pocket horse down the back, evenly late. BELLOWS BINGE never featured. REGAL SON took back early, came out into turn two but his move never amounted to much.

SECOND RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER basically was one-paced, working to the lead just before the ¼ then yielding for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and gradually but surely going to the wire first. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE was outleft and outside early, uncovered before the ¼ to the lead 5/16, got pressure in the third quarter and around the turn, was just worn down to the inside. EVANNA left between horses and tucked, uncovered at the half and attacked, stayed in the fight until very late. LANDONFITZ was shuffled badly inside on the far turn, found room between horses towards midstretch and finished with trot. NATURAL KEMP left, yielded before the ¼, inside, gapped far turn. IMPACTER was first to move 3/8 then got cover at the half, gapped out ¾. SEVEN IRON had an excess of cover, went between horses early stretch in tight quarters, finished with trot. FOREVERHILLREIGN was third-over, three-wide towards headstretch, flattened and bore out.

THIRD RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY took the pocket, right behind the two battlers to the far turn while up on the bit, to the Pocono Pike and had enough to defeat a game JANAID. The latter was wide around the early breaker and tucked in third, uncovered 9/16 and went up to contest the lead, never gave up to the wire. LOUD SPLASH also was wide around the early breaker, gapped, then swung wide in the stretch and was up for a no-factor third. CAPTAIN HILL left in 26 to ensure the lead, rated the second split then sped up when challenged, tired headstretch. AMAZON came uncovered off turn two but soon got cover, gapped it until the ¾, wide but failed to improve. DARTH VADER was twp-wide towards the first turn when making a break.

FOURTH RACE – WAR-N-MUNN was three-wide well past the 1/8 before tucking, came out 11/16 and swiftly advanced, got the lead late on the turn, drew away. INDIGO ART was last, came off the rail late turn but then ducked to the Pocono Pike and closed steadily to decision SWEET N FAST N for second. The latter moved outside midturn then was three-wide when the pocketsitter pulled, finished steadily. ALBERGO HANOVER was the innermost of three bombers leaving, kept one outside past a 25.4 quarter until yielding, but then went right back to the lead, hit the ¾ in fast time, tired. LOVE THE ACTION was between horses early then two-wide past the 25.4 opener to get control, soon yielded for the pocket, vacated same late turn but had no gain. URBAN RENEWAL tried uncovered off turn two but went backwards.

FIFTH RACE – ROBBIE BURNS N was between horses early, squeezed a tuck 3/16, uncovered to the 5/8 and battled with the leader from the 11/16, inched away from midstretch. OLLIE’S Z TAM was three-wide to the 3/16 and parked past another 25.4 opener to the 5/16, slowed the pace then picked it up again when challenged, held well but had to settle for second. LYONS AMUSEMENTS took back, moved second-over, narrowed in on cover to the ¾, finished steadily. MACH WEST was innermost of the leavers and pushed the quick quarter and slightly beyond before yielding, gave a little ground the last 1/8. GONNAHAVEONEMORE was never prominent.

SIXTH RACE – CAPTAIN MALICIOUS left very quickly, yielded for the pocket and awaited the Pocono Pike, got there and took over, just enough to withstand DUCKIES DYNASTY. The latter left with urging, landed the pocket, stayed in and was shuffled badly, got clearance towards midstretch when the two horses got tangled, angled and was flying in the last 1/16. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS tucked then quarter-moved, set the pace, shook off the first-over, tired late. TRIP HAMMER sat in and offered little. MUSCLE MACH A had to go wide around the early stretch trouble. ROCK IDOL gapped second-over, advanced a bit on the turn, well-placed to get a good share when BARNABAS got a wheel under him. The latter was looped and couldn’t get in before the ¼, then was uncovered going to turn two, pressed the leader, was beginning to tire when getting tangled up with ROCK IDOL; had shown a lot of energy before that.

SEVENTH RACE – BAMSKI was shuffled to last, got going three-wide to midturn after a sweeper broke, kept on coming and picked up a tired bunch. AMERICAN CHROME stayed in, had the pocket 5/8 but escaped it in a blindswitch midturn as the pacesetter faded, ducked in to the Pocono Pike and had a brief late lead but was caught. CAVIART ROCKLAND was out with cover early, went frontward before the 3/16 but couldn’t clear, then couldn’t find a hole and had to be steadied, renewed his pressing for the top, somehow actually got past the pacesetter far turn after a very hard road, still had the lead midstretch in an extraordinary showing. MAJOR OFFENSE was two-wide and gapping, continued two-wide on the turn as the sweeper broke and the parked horse got to the inside, OK. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU didn’t enter the picture. WALTER MITTY would not yield and had a challenge at his throat throughout, finally gave way far turn. BAY MEADOWS got the pocket at the 1/8, gapped the two fighters early backstretch then in gear 5/8 and soon three-wide, advanced menacingly but then broke midturn.

EIGHTH RACE – SOMEBEACH BARON raced out to the pocket, waited just off the pace, to the Pocono Pike and the fresher horse late over BUSBOY HANOVER. The latter had cover early, got in fourth just past the ¼, on the move again raw 3/8, speed-grinded in 26.3 with the wind, wore down the leader headstretch, caught only by the pocket rocket in another good race. SPANISH ART was third-over, had the second-over duck in and advanced, up in a photo for third. CLASS SIX asserted himself with a 26 opener, rated the half then had to pick it up as the grinder was coming, had that one at his throat until headstretch, then couldn’t go on any more. DO YA THINK got a check. NEWBIE was second-over but didn’t have much. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was three-wide to the 3/16 then dropped in, gapped down the back. LIFEONTHEBEACH A broke 3/16.

NINTH RACE – SORTIE was uncovered at the half then picked up cover, tightened in on it late backstretch, three-wide past midturn, trotted well through the stretch and made the front late. THISISSHE was looped early, stayed out until making the lead 3/8, under pressure from the first-over, held off that one but not the one behind the first-over. NEXTROUNDSONME was third-over from last, four-wide past midturn, didn’t accelerate off the curve as well as the winenr did, but moving well late. WARRIOR ONE was forwardly-placed, went uncovered 9/16 and reached the leader by the other end of the backstretch, applied pressure, held well. THE LIONKING AS vaulted out to a quick open lead, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, couldn’t summon a late response in the Pocono Pike. JACK RULES was inside, evenly. TSM PHOTO BUGGER never was a major danger.

TENTH RACE – HICKFROMFRENCHLICK caused a lineup with a 26.4 from the rail, slowed the half, then came home in 53.4 and needed all of it to withstand J M MANDAMIN. The latter sat in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, gained on the leader but didn’t quite have enough to go by. BLAZEN RIVER N was uncovered 11/16 and gained sharply on the turn, tried to the wire. REBELLIOUS sat in third, not quite enough late pace. STONE HANOVER took back to last, then had no shot from that position although finishing very well.

ELEVENTH RACE – BURN NOTICE dropped right into the pocket, urged a little to stay tight late backstretch, came out behind the first-over midturn, wide, just by that one in the shadow of the wire. AFTER ALL PAUL was on the move soon off the second turn, speed-grinded vs. the leader and put him away early stretch, good in almost lasting to the line. PAPI HANOVER stayed in, came up the Pocono Pike to photo KING ALPHONSO for the distant third. The latter moved outside on the turn, finished OK. ARCHIBALD went fast-slow-fast in coordination with the wind and the traffic flow, had nothing left the last 1/8. GEMOLOGIST moved outside but couldn’t get close. RICH AND MISERABLE jumped right at the start.

TWELFTH RACE – BRAVO TEX N went away well, caused some tactical thinking from two other leavers and yielded for the pocket 3/8, backed out behind the first-over towards late turn and quickly three-wide, paced away from these. TULHURSTSANTANNA A was in the pocket at the 1/8, was going to give the pocket to clear the way for a quarter-move but stayed in when the outside challenger went on, gapped in quarter two, then coaxed to hit a higher gear 11/16 and went raw, had a brief lead into the lane, no match for the winner but held second. PRAIRIE PANTHER stayed in and came up the Pocono Pike with some pace. TAM MAJOR A was second-over to the 11/16 but gapped on the far turn. RANDOM HANOVER was third-over behind a dull one, couldn’t reach. BRAEVIEW BONDI A was three-wide to the 1/8, eyed the pocket but went on when the favorite showed he wanted to move, made the top in a hot 3/8, couldn’t hold up the last 3/16. JK MUSICMAN also was hampered by dull cover. ATTA BOY DAN looked at leaving but was four-wide towards turn one and retreated back, not heard from again.

THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH left purposefully, forced a tuck, slowed the half, then came home in 54.4 – 27.1 in control. SOMEWHERE FANCY left, pocket 3/16, under a good hold in the slow second quarter, vacated the pocket 11/16, couldn’t get by the winner but clearly held second. DECLAN SEELSTER had a chance to go into the pocket ¾ but couldn’t quite reach, won photo for third over ALEX TYE. The latter came out at the ¾ with cover, fair. WARRAWEE VELOCE showed some pace up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach in a 27.1 kicker. DIALAMARA was last at every call.

FOURTEENTH RACE – TRUEMASS VOLO stayed outside early, lost cover 5/16 and was the last one to the top 3/8 in a very fast half, stayed game through the stretch. BANK BOX TREASURE was parked with cover until tucking midpack past the ¼, then moved raw just past the half and grinded, showed a big heart in staying in the fight all the way. FINAL DREAM was third-over, three-wide around a gapper midturn and finished well. MARION GONDOLIER was three-wide to the 3/16 and two-wide to the 5/16 to get the lead, yielded 3/8, well-spotted but couldn’t gain after the hard early fractions. MONTEVERDI angled out for clearance headstretch then came between horses with steady trot. LIFE WILL LIVED was well-placed second-over but did not have enough. PRESIDENT ducked into the early pocket 3/16, inside, to the Pocono Pike, hard to tell how much he may have had. RIVER OTTER left hard from the rail, forced a rival to the 5/16 and yielded, gapped a bit, little response late. INAPERFECTWORLD was well of the gate and never close.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Jun 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Moisture early in the card stopped, but has left the track “sloppy +1” all day … DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL left and yielded, committed to third-over, three-wide soon past the ¾, kept on coming with tenacity and was along over EXTRILLA HANOVER. The latter started uncovered from sixth 3/8, had reached the leader before the 5/8 and fought long and hard with that one, unlucky to be caught after a big mile. MORROCKIN K was out to the quarter to get the lead, slowed quarter two then was put under pressure by the first-over, tired a little bit. WINNING WORDS came out second-over to the half, was blindswitched while gapping slightly in the last ¼, came back with “b.e.” SWEETONTHEBEACH grabbed command then yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, struggled the last 3/16. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER never was a major player. AVERYS HAILSTORM moved outside but never got close. MARINA HANOVER never got close.

SECOND RACE – CAVIART EMMA had the pocket early then allowed a tuck and sat third, uncovered to the 11/16 and made a long challenge, the only one going forward in the stretch. ISLAND LILY went out to command, kept up a pretty quick tempo, no match for the winner but just did hold second over TUIS SHADOW. The latter made the two-hole going to the 3/16, came out in the lane behind the winner, just failed for second. DAGON HANOVER stayed inside, not far off in the decision for second. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS gapped cover, evenly late. CHING CHING LUCKY and SNOWFALLA were never close. BEAUTIFUL GAME moved second-over, in prime position midturn but then ruined her chances with a break. CELEBRITY ROLEX gapped off the second turn.

THIRD RACE – Stretch tailwind picked up … HULOU was three-wide 3/16 to command at the ¼, had a horse pressing him much of the way, stepped away with a good last quarter. MAKE MY DEO was between horses 3/16, yielded to the winner at the ¼, couldn’t quite go with him late. MAJOR SHOW left with cover, got inside midpack 3/16, out again second-over, three-wide 11/16 and got around the major trouble, next-best. MY BOY JACK was moving well three-wide when shoved four-wide midturn, closed well. BAY BRUTE was inside, went to the infield to avoid trouble, but was placed back because he did not regain the course at the earliest possibility. CHEESEHEAD was out at the ¼ and wound up third-over, a bit rough and gapping down the back, then shoved three-wide by the midturn incident. CHAMP CHARBEL had cover to the ¼ then was left raw and went up to challenge, fading on the turn and then getting entangled with YER SO BAD, who had showed speed then raced inside; both those horses were placed for causing interference with ROUTHLAND, who was far back then suffered an “ix” avoiding trouble midturn.

FOURTH RACE – KEYSTONE BARRACUDA went to the lead before the ¼ and looked more like a shark today, drawing clear in the last 5/16 in fast time. CANTABSLEADINGLADY kept in contact with the front ones, to the Pocono Pike and just got the distant second. MISS CLEOPATRICK pushed a challenger for the lead much of the first ¼ and yielded, stayed close in the pocket and may’ve been bottomed chasing the fast pace, photoed for the deuce. NANCY BAR was uncovered at the half, tired to the 11/16. KOKOMO gapped inside. QUICKEST HANOVER was gapping before the half. CUSTOMARILY made a break well before the start. EVIL EMPRESS went offstride early on the backstretch. FAWN DE TOUCH was second-over, started to go three-wide 11/16 as cover tired but jumped.

FIFTH RACE – DREAM CHASER was three-deep to turn one to command 3/16, had an easy time of it in a quick race. CAPSAICINN went on between horses early for the lead, yielded to the winner, stayed fairly close but did not threaten late. BARDMIRY had some early speed then yielded, evenly in the stretch. CHANEL BEACH left a gap all the way to the stretch, where she found a better gear. TSM WESTERN SOUL couldn’t gain enough. ODDS ON CARLY moved outside but could not reach. JK’S JENNA never factored.

SIXTH RACE – SPIT AND VINEGAR left three-wide, took back and tucked into what would become the pocket before the 3/16, outside again ¾ and went right by the leader, no problem late. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved two-wide 5/8, three-wide 11/16 then back to two-wide behind the winner ¾, soon to lose that cover, kept going for second. MISS MAYTRIX came out ¾, had to go three-wide when her cover broke, showed sharp late pace. BLESS YOUR HEART left for the early lead and saw outside rivals break before the ¼, backed off the third quarter but still gave way once passed. BARNUM gained position inside the two breakers, outside stretch but not all that much. GHIBLI also gained inside, then also didn’t have much. FINLANDIA was never close. LINNEA HANOVER was four-wide early, crossed to two-wide and was challenging for the lead when breaking 3/16. THE QUEEN B was five-wide leaving then three-wide with cover to the 1/8 to two-wide with cover 3/16, lost that cover but soon went offstride herself, recovered and tried to get back into the race but was tiring when making another break mid-far turn.

SEVENTH RACE – CAPTAINANDTELLY made the lead going to the 3/16, rated quarter two, shook off late backstretch pressure, came home in 28 and held back SOUTHWIND XENA. The latter left and protected the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and good. SOCIETY JILL was three-wide to turn one, tucked third 3/16, caught in, gained clearance midstretch and had finishing pace. MIKI THE CLOWN was uncovered to the second turn, reached the winner later in the backstretch and pressured her, held OK until early stretch. SNUF ENUF HANOVER was inside, gapped on the far turn, a trifle better late. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was third-over, three-wide soon off the second turn and hustled up to get to second-over, but then had little in reserve. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI broke at the start, recovered quickly but didn’t get into the main action. DIXIE CHICK moved second-over but was soon gapping cover.

EIGHTH RACE – TUFF TO BE LINDY got forward position came out with cover to the ¾ and was soon left uncovered, found more midstretch and drew away. SAN CRISTOBAL left from the rail and kept a foe out 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, outside ¾ and right by, a bit tired midstretch. FATHER OF IRELAND stayed out of trouble and didn’t miss second by much. CARTIER BI moved at the half but broke and bothered a foe, made a good recovery but was placed for causing interference. SHELL SHOCK before just before the start and also made a good recovery. SHAMROCKS was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide, needed until the 3/8 (second quarter wind-aided) to get the lead, all done when challenged ¾. ONE AFTER NINE moved out just before the half then suffered an “ix” when a foe broke. SECTOR was leaving when going offstride going into the first bend.

NINTH RACE – CAPTAINS MAID was urged leaving, settled into the three-hole 3/16 then tightened in behind a dueling pair, uncovered off turn two and grinded, kept on going in a very nice victory. ROLL ON MAMA was not interested in the pocket and battled to command 5/16, set the pace with pressure from the winner from before the 11/16, not quite up to that challenge but held second over RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP. The latter had good second-over cover, three-wide late turn, closed steadily. REALIZATION yielded only past a fast quarter, sat the pocket then went to the Pocono Pike, but didn’t have the needed response. DEJA VROOM was third-over, gapped some, doing better late. SUNRISE HANOVER was fourth-over and never was a factor. IN HIGH COTTON gapped inside 5/8. MORE THAN KUTE was always near or at the back.

TENTH RACE – BLANK STARE moved out behind great cover before the 11/16, kept on coming and was up very late. CIGAR SMOKING TONY yielded past the 1/8, moved from third raw to the 11/16 and battled the leader, got a brief small advantage nearing deep stretch, just caught in a good outing. TELL THEM LOU quarter-moved but was kept outside until just into turn two before getting the lead, set the pace, held well in a long battle. KING JAMES EXPRESS was third-over and closed well late; HORSE was fourth-over and was moving even faster at the wire. REIGNING DEO never figured in the main battle. MARCO BEACH sat in, gapped on the far turn. IM A GIGOLO N was in front past the 1/8, strung a brusher out with a tailwind then yielded for the pocket, well-placed headstretch but came up empty.

ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE had some early speed, then quarter-moved, in control the last half and impressive with a 27 kicker. WHITE BELLY made the top at the 1/8 and got other leavers to tuck, relinquished to the winner to sit the pocket, got increasingly loose from before the 5/8 but dug in and did hold the distant second. HURRIKANE GEORGIE was four-wide towards the first turn then ducked down to tuck midpack, moved uncovered past the 5/8, got to second late far turn, flattened a little bit. IMAGINARY LINE moved before the 5/8 and got cover after that point, gapped some late turn, was moving well at the end. BEACH PARTY was three-wide leaving then to the pocket 3/16, shuffled far turn, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. THE OTHER DUO did not reach contention.

TWELFTH RACE – DEWEY ARNOLD was three-wide early then worked on to the top nearing the ¼, rolled and couldn’t be caught. CAN’T SAY NO was urged early and did maintain the pocket, stayed very close to the winner in an excellent try. WORTHY OF HONOR was between horses early, tucked third, gapped on the far turn and had “b.e.” turning for home, still held the distant third. ALTUS HANOVER gapped a gapper third-over, ducked in, split horses and finished alertly. BANZAI AS was never in the major fight. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN was second-over but couldn’t keep with it down the back. YANKEE GIRLFRIEND spotted, then was raw before the 5/8, advanced until around midturn then couldn’t go on. THE LAST TWO never achieved prominence.

THIRTEENTH RACE – BETTOR OF THE WEST left strongly to take the lead in s 26.2 opener, then went 30.2 with the wind, the rest enabling him to come home in 55 – 27.2, every bit of which he needed to gamely hold off the game RHETT SEELSTER. The latter defended the pocket early, gapped some on the turn but came back on strongly and just lost by a whisker after a protracted battle. ROLLINTHEJOE left between horses and tucked third, came out 11/16 and was clearly second much of the turn, couldn’t quite sustain the move late. DIAMOND HEAD tucked fourth 3/16, stayed in, used the Pocono Pike and almost got show. TERRY A HANOVER pulled going to the half recognizing the slowdown, advanced then got cover 11/16, but couldn’t keep up far turn despite encouragement. MOVE THE LINE and KYUQUOT never factored. MCNEIL Z TAM joined the outer flow but could offer little.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 21, 2021

Jun 27, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – A stretch headwind … CLARION HALL pulled from the pocket off the first turn and went to the lead, had a very easy time of it. MAGIC VACATION put foes in behind in taking the early lead, yielded to the winner, clearly second-best. CIMERONKEN slid in third at the 1/8, gapped far turn, third. WATKINS was off slowly and left a bigger gap the further they went. ELO HANOVER broke at the ¼.

SECOND RACE – NEW LEGACY had cover to the 1/8, went on to 5/16 command, drew off on his own. VICTORY YANKEE avoided a breaker going to the quarter, stayed close in third, outside midturn as the winner drew clear, took over second just past midstretch. CHERRY MASON was in front at the 1/8, yielded at the 5/16 for the pocket, close most of the way but tiring in the lane. GAVINATOR and TSM PRINCE TRISTAN had their own battle for fourth in the last quarter, with the former winning. MY SON TY HANOVER was in back of a breaker at the ¼, closed in the gap in quarter two, got very rough late turn while fading and was inside the course, placed for the pylons violation. MANUKA yielded at the 1/8, still in the pocket when breaking before the ¼. ENDYMION tucked midpack, broke off the first turn. BLAZIN POLITICS was near the back when going offstride late on turn one.

THIRD RACE – Two-year-olds! … FORREST BLU left between horses, tucked past the 1/8, vacated third 11/16 and advanced rapidly, was pushed wide when the leader broke midturn but emerged with the lead, easy winner. ALL THE CHAOS was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ in pursuit of the top, yielded nearing turn two, suffered an “ix” when the leader broke far turn, recovered, a bit rough, then went on to be a clear second. ETBAUER left as the innermost of three quick starters, yielded for the pocket at the ¼ then moved 3/8 to the lead, went on, coming under pressure when making a break past midturn, made a good comeback to cross the wire a distant third, then had an inquiry against him for the break that showed no reason for placing. TWIN B MUMBLE was a bit rough early, gapped in the second quarter, came through the far turn inside and intact, but couldn’t get third. ZEUS HANOVER was behind nonflowing cover, briefly three-wide then two-wide when his cover went inside, broke in the stretch. FLIP MY CHIP couldn’t offer much at all.

FOURTH RACE – PRASIOLITE moved from second at the 3/16 to the lead at the ¼, set the pace as she pleased and had no problems. HEART MATTERS went right to the front, yielded to the favorite, showed gameness to take second after a good late fight with RHEIA ROSE. The latter tucked leaving, sat in, came up the Pocono Pike and just failed to get the deuce. TSM EMILIA T gapped a little from the 3/8. BLUE TESLA jumped soon after the start.

FIFTH RACE – 19YO Cody Schadel gets his first pari-mutuel driving victory behind CHEESY HANOVER, who left and induced tucks, rated the half then sped up into the backstretch and left the others far behind. LOYAL LYNNLY sat third, gapped a gapper down the back, had just moved outside on the turn when the pocket horse broke, enough for second over AMBERS CHAMPION. The latter had cover early then tucked fourth at the 1/8, avoided the breaker near headstretch, evenly late. BLING IM A WINNER moved outside into turn two but never got close. LILYBET took the pocket at the 1/8, was gapping early in the backstretch, was fighting to stay second when making a break near headstretch and went to the infield. TWO PIECE TANLINES was away last from the rail then broke just past the ¼.

SIXTH RACE – MY BOY CHRISTIAN was uncovered off turn two, moved up and got cover to the 11/16, gapped cover on the turn then wide and outfinished BIG MONEY HONEY in a 30.2 kicker. The latter tucked third, came out 11/16 to battle with the leader, was passed by the Pocono Pike horse, fought on to get the lead past midstretch, just got caught late. CHOCOTURE yielded and gapped in the pocket from before the ¼ to after the fast ¾, to the Pike, got the lead, but didn’t have much power left. GRAN PARAISO stayed connected though gapping, evenly late. CHUCKY DE VIE was on top quickly, had an open lead most of the way to the stretch, but tired and bore out some. THE OTHER THREE never got into the main action.

SEVENTH RACE – ARTIST BEST was on top at the 1/8, yielded after a little pushing to past the 3/8, outside ¾ and went right on by, drew clear easily with the trouble in behind. SIR LOVEALOT BC gapped the top two early, narrowed in then continued on outside to the lead before turn two, was passed easily far turn, far back in second ahead of horses all of whom had trouble. MOM’S LITTLE WORLD gapped a bit inside, went inside the pylons to avoid the mixup past midturn, regained the course and was third; an inquiry to see if he committed any pylon violation resulted in no placing. LOST MY LIGHT yielded for the early pocket, sat in, gapping a bit inside of the first-over when those two became entangled far turn. CAPTAIN EMOTION moved outside 5/8, gained some, then started to fade before making a break and bothering others. DOWNTHEROAD Z TAM made his first break just before the start.

EIGHTH RACE – VELVET STYLE gapped early even before a horse made a break near the ¼, tightened in in the slow quarter two, uncovered 11/16 and trotted right up to the leader, proved the best. DONZEL HANOVER came out late backstretch, not tight on the winner on the turn, but nabbed second very late. BAR COINS had the early lead, yielded past the 3/8 for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, had second briefly late but couldn’t hold on to it. MUSCLE DAN was three-wide early, took the pocket and was on the bit in the hole, moved 3/8 right to the lead, couldn’t quite come home enough. GINGER TREE BRAD was leaving and was actually a head ahead when breaking to the first turn, made a decent recovery. KENTUCKY GENTLEMAN ran at the ¼.

NINTH RACE – LIGHTNING LEIA had cover early then proceeded up to the lead just past the ¼, set the pace, extended late in warding off TWENTY GRAND. The latter left between horses and tucked third, came out 11/16 but didn’t gain until midstretch, then was narrowing in late. SHE’S MAGICAL was three-wide to just past the 1/8 for the lead, yielded for the two-hole, eased outside early stretch, had a little gain late. SHE’S NEVER WRONG moved uncovered 5/8, got cover 11/16, moved inside the place horse in the stretch, OK. AT MY PEAK showed some speed, evenly thereafter. GINGER TREE NINA and TEEN DREAM could not keep up.

TENTH RACE – GHOSTINTHESHELL S left with intensity and grabbed the lead at the 1/8 en route to a 26.4 quarter, moderated the half then picked it up, had to withstood a solid late bid by JUST MAYBE THE ONE. The latter left hard and defended the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and gave the winner a good challenge. SYLVESTERAMERICA IT left, eased in third 3/16, didn’t have the late steps to go with the top duo. DON’T SASS ME swung wide headstretch and had some late speed. POND JUMPER moved out on the far turn but could make no headway. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP broke coming off turn one.

ELEVENTH RACE – ODDS ON BAD BUNNY made a quarter-move, set the pace, got pressure late on the backstretch but shook it off and won handily. DEEDEE DIDIT was three-wide leaving, made the pocket at the 1/8, pulled uncovered 5/8 and reached the leader 11/16, couldn’t go with that one the last 1/8 but held second. SANTAFE’S MJ moved with cover 11/16, ducked in for the stretch drive and finished steadily. BRUSH N CRUSH didn’t get inside until just past the ¼, then moved uncovered off the second turn, gained little by little until getting cover late backstretch, wide stretch, good outing. HAZEL PARK sat in, gapped inside down the back, made a brief break midturn but got right back onstride and recovered for the last check. BETTER BID HANOVER was away quickly to take the racetrack, yielded to the winner, came up empty in the last 1/8. THE LAST THREE were always the last three.

TWELFTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was three-wide to the 1/8, saw the horse outside him break, went to the lead 5/16, went another fast quarter down the back and won in speedy time. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was two-wide then settled in the early two-hole, came back out to the 5/8 and retucked in the pocket to the ¾, far ahead of the others. O JONNIE was last of the main pack most of the way, swung wide and showed late speed to edge HOT SUMMER KNIGHT for third. The latter stayed in, was blocked midturn as a horse faded, to the Pocono Pike, so-so. STOP RESISTIN moved out trying to follow cover but gapped it. TRICKY DICK led past the 26.4 opener before yielding, started gapping in the pocket at the 5/8. BLENHEIM left four-wide and was just about ready to cross over in front of the horses in the two- and three-path but broke nearing the 3/16.

THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MULZAC quarter-moved from second, strung out the field and drew clear from before the ¾. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was three-wide to the 1/8, backed into a midpack tuck, then was second-over behind nonadvancing cover, three-wide midturn, best of the others. SWEET N FAST N settled in past the 1/8, back raw to the 5/8, one-geared home OK. DOCTOR BUTCH swung wide on the far turn and made up some ground. ROCK THREE TIMES was looped and spotted third, backed up far turn as the pocketsitter faded, made up some ground in the Pocono Pike although sacrificing some momentum. BOURBONS COURAGE showed little. BIG BAD BILL had the most speed, yielded, left behind in this fast mile. POP’S ROMEO moved outside but never gained.