Jun 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … CASH IS KING let the two outside horses go at it, and when they resolved their positions moved outside and grabbed the lead, dominated from the 5/8 on. T’S ELECTRIC went out to the lead and forced a tuck in a 26.2 quarter, yielded to the chalk past the ¼, gradually unplugged from the 5/8 but still held for the distant second. NORTHBROOK RON had an excess of cover, three-wide midturn and closed very well passing five horses. MEADOWBROOK FLASH spotted, then moved second-over, gapped, not all that much. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was third-over, not all that much. BEACHMASTER TWO was away last, gapped, never prominent. BIG GAME HUNTER went first-over, got close to the pocket horse but no further near the front before tiring. KIWI IDEAL N reluctantly took the pocket near the ¼, tired from past the 5/8 on.
SECOND RACE – MUSCLE MACH A went out purposefully and took early command, let a foe go nearing the 3/8, stuck behind that one as horses went past to the ¾ and on the turn, then couldn’t finally back outside, widest and picked up those who had circled him when he was blocked. ASTON HILL DAVE was in the pocket early, also shuffled then moved outside 11/16, tipped wide headstretch, had the lead for a step-and-a-half deep stretch but was caught. UNION STATION was second-over from seventh, uncovered ¾, went on pretty well. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN was outside but gapped, then had a wall of horses in front of him once in gear, so he went first between horses upper stretch then all the way down to the Pocono Pike and gained some ground. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN went uncovered soon after the parked horse finally got the lead, rushed up down the back and cleared ¾, tired late. R U MACHIN ME left between horses and tucked at the 1/8, gapped down the back. DAKOTA JACK retucked around a gapper then had no more to offer. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME was four-wide to the 1/8, went frontward but needed until the 3/8 to clear, couldn’t resist the challenger ¾ and fell back.
THIRD RACE – FRENCH MONI got away in the pocket, narrowed the gap to the 3/8 and then sat the trip of trips to headstretch, pulled out and went right by the tired leader. DA BOOGIE MAN boogied to a four-length lead by the 3/16 towards the 27.2 quarter, then had only the winner anywhere near him the rest of the way, understandably tired but still were clear of the rest. SIR JOHN F gradually circled up to retuck third with the top two long gone, distant third. KEYSTONE ORION followed cover but couldn’t do much. POUND STERLING got in third at the 1/8, saw the gap between himself and the top pair grow wider and wider, couldn’t make up any ground. NOBLE WARRAWEE was far back. INNISFALLEN was rough early, away last, gapped, then broke on the backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP moved uncovered from seventh into turn two and never got any cover so just gained inch-by-inch, benefited from the fast pace and with good courage kept going to get the victory. CELEBRITY SERENA was second-over from last, followed grinding cover, three-wide past midturn, good. BILLIE BLUE was buried inside, got room deep in the Pocono Pike and finished alertly as the tempo decreased. FREDDIE MAC backed out to third-over 11/16, three- and four-wide far turn, narrowed in. FOREVERHILLREIGN quarter-moved and kept rolling along at a good clip, tired midstretch. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded to the brusher and stayed close, Pocono Pike, tired side-by-side with the pacesetter late, crossing traffic trouble for the last two. LIBERO HANOVER sat in, backed out a path, still was blocked. MARLEY’S GUY was between horses to 1/8 command, yielded, wound up third-in, had no clear path in the lane.
FIFTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN moved raw going to the half and unleashed a 26.3 third quarter that carried him right to the lead and to a clear margin which he extended to the wire. HUGH HEFNER N advanced inside before and after the ¾, blocked late turn then to the Pocono Pike, rallied enough for the distant second. HIGHVIEW CONALL N went up between horses to get the lead 3/16, yielded off the first turn, moved outside far turn after the winner was gone, caught for second. JEREMES GENERAL was three-wide 3/16 and then cleared 5/16, had no answer for the winner, evenly late. HES GONE BADDER moved out with cover on the turn but didn’t go forward. NEWS WATCH was very wide off the far turn and beat out the rest. GRANTOR HANOVER never featured. ARTACUS moved outside but was soon left behind. BAYONET was not away quickly, got into the cover path, tried to go three-wide around a gapper but never progressed.
SIXTH RACE – LANDONFITZ left well and maintained the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, easily went by before midstretch, though he did not draw away. FRAC went to the lead 3/16, slowed the second quarter, disposed off the first-over, couldn’t stall the winner and had been passed for second but battled up to reclaim that spot. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN stayed third-in, to the Pike behind the winner, briefly got to second but hung slightly late. KANDY KORN went up behind good cover, three-wide headstretch, fair finishing. ULYSSES BI steadily progressed on a long first-over move until headstretch, then tired. WINDSUN HUGO took back early, angled wide in the stretch, fair. LAKEVIEW TAMMY had little late. SHEER MUSCLE was very wide leaving, two-wide raw 3/16 but broke at the ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – LOUD SPLASH was not in a dynamic flow, but picked it up when left uncovered ¾, easily went by a tiring DARTH FADER. The latter left between horses for the lead then forced a tuck just after a fast quarter, kept on rolling, paid the price for the quick fractions from midstretch. RECORD MACHINE moved outside and passed four horses in the last quarter for the distant third in a three-way photo. ARCHETTO HANOVER retucked around a fader to the ¾, evenly. GIVEN UP TERROR stayed in, searched for room upper stretch then squeezed between horses with late pace. VICTORIAS MAVERICK was three-high to the 1/8, forced to accept the pocket past the ¼, came up empty in the latter stages. ALL IT TAKES pushed away well from the rail, yielded, called it a day 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – BULLVILLEKARLA was behind so-so cover as the leader stole off to a big backstretch lead, downshifted on the turn, powered away late. ROCKIN ZENDAYA had plenty of room to advance along the inside down the back, found room between horses and photoed out J ROCKIN B for second. The latter was parked with cover until getting in the three-hole at the 1/8, outside towards turn two, didn’t advance much in the quick third quarter but did get to retuck in the pocket ¾, steadily but edged for the deuce. MORE MORE MORE left left left quickly, rated the half, went fast again down the backstretch to open a big lead, but got tired. THE BOSS’ WIFE was in the outer flow but didn’t do much. TSM ARTEMIS T gapped. BETZIESBOOKINIT was off the gate and gapped all the way. MACHIN MARLEY went into the pocket past the 1/8, unplugged 5/8. MISS TRESSA lost composure soon after the start.
NINTH RACE – NORTHERN SPORTSMAN protected the pocket early, moved 5/16 to the lead past the 3/8, in control until late, then tired some but still held off SPORTSMANSHIP. The latter looped inside rivals four-wide to the first turn, yielded to the winner for the pocket, outside in the lane, slowly gained on the winner late. RAKSMACH N was out behind a sluggard and was three-wide 5/8, got to tuck third far turn, went to the Pocono Pike, came up a step shy but far ahead of the others. REDHOT ROMEO was blocked far turn, got through to be best of the rest. HERE COMES SWIFTY came out nearing the half but never progressed. MIKE’S POWERHOUSE did nothing from behind sluggish cover. BIG TURN ON took back early, unplugged 11/16.
TENTH RACE – SHECANDANCE N made the lead quickly, rated the second quarter, then paced her last half in 55 in control of this event. GEORGIE MARTIN N advanced inside up the backstretch, to the Pocono Pike and went on steadily for second. JUXTA COWGIRL sat a good pocket trip, outfooted for the deuce. TRAFFIC JAM stayed in, next in line. BETSEA was underway into turn two and got cover coming off that bend but soon was gapping it, a little better in the last quarter. VICIOUS CIRCLE made no impact from third-over. TOPVILLE ANGELINA tightened an early hole, started uncovered into the backstretch, held OK until the last 1/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – A CRAFTY LADY stayed two-wide early and gradually made the top at the ¼, yielded but was right back on the retake to the lead past the 3/8, under third quarter pressure, shook that one off, then fought through the stretch with pocketsitting PAIGE’S GIRL and just withstood her. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide with cover to the ¼ then two-wide without cover to 5/16 command, yielded to the retaker and sat behind her under a hold, outside headstretch, battled hard in a long duel, just missed. IDEAL CLASSIC tucked early, sat in, shuffled behind a tired horse, found room in a blindswitch late turn, came between horses and edged BRING ME DIAMONDS for the distant third. The latter was second-over, three-wide late turn, a bit of late pace. YES DOUBLE DOWN went right after the winner after she retook the lead, started to fade past the ¾. ROCK N ROLL ROSIE gapped third-over. AMERICAN TOUR N forced the quarter, yielded, gapped from the 5/8.
Jun 21, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm day with a stretch headwind … BUSBOY HANOVER let outside foes go by at the 1/8, moved uncovered to the half and with a 26.1 third quarter went to the lead 11/16, an easy winner. CLASS SIX was three-wide just past the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead past the 5/16, didn’t have enough to keep the winner outside, but the only one who could be remotely close. BAMSKI had some speed, sat in and was trapped on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and a distant third. VALIDUS DEO was uncovered into turn two, caught cover ½ but soon was gapping it and essentially raw, couldn’t come home this fast. DO YA THINK was last until late on the turn, went widest and was along for the last check. NEWBIE tried to go three-wide around cover ¾ but could not. BLOW A CLOUD N was between horses to the early lead, yielded 5/16, gapped from just past the 5/8. CAPTAIN HILL was never in the picture.
SECOND RACE – JACK RULES tucked, got underway at the half and soon had cover, three-wide late turn and trotted away from these – the start of the George and Darren Show. FINAL DREAM was far back most of the way, came off the rail late turn and swung wide into the path behind the winner, showed good stretch trot and photoed WISENHEIMER for second. The latter yielded then moved 3/16 before the parked horse came up, on top by the ¼, kept rolling down the back, no match for the winner and just caught for second. DARTY outleft everybody, yielded for the two-hole, not too much in the Pocono Pike. MIGHTY SURF bided his time early, then tucked third 3/16 as another foe went up to take command, uncovered into the backstretch, grinded up, fair. MUSKINGUM gapped third-over 11/16. ZOOMING never featured. KEYSTONE THUNDER gapped inside down the backstretch.
THIRD RACE – BENSON BOYS N made the lead, surrendered to the early brusher, moved outside behind the duelers on the far turn, moved three-wide and won easily. WARRAWEE VELOCE sat in, got room up the Pocono Pike and was along for place. BLACKLIGHT quarter-moved and kept going at a fast pace, was challenged from the 11/16, fought on with courage. CAVIART ROCKLAND took the early two-hole at the 1/8, inside, followed the path of the winner but didn’t accelerate as quickly exiting the far turn, gaining late. CAPTAIN MCKEE was never a factor. MELODIES MAJOR moved uncovered before the 5/8 and put in a big challenge, but could not sustain any gain in the lane. WALTER MITTY was third-over, gapped a gapping second-over BARNABAS. MAJOR OFFENSE had lost contact before the quarter.
FOURTH RACE – RIVER OTTER took over control at the 1/8, in charge of things throughout the last half. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY made the lead and yielded for the two-hole, started to get a bit loose by the 9/16, did hold second over PROTOSTAR. The latter was uncovered early in the backstretch, never reached the leader, OK late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT came off the rail late turn, evenly. ANDOVERS TOUCH moved second-over 11/16 but was soon gapping. MAJESTIC SUNRISE left a big gap well past the half, narrowed in a little, so-so along the inside. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE was never in it. THE OTHER PAIR were at the rear.
FIFTH RACE – ALBERGO HANOVER was three-wide leaving, considered a three-tuck 3/16 but decided to go on and took over past the 5/16, slowed the half then accelerated rapidly to deal with a huge charge from the first-over, kept him at bay, then maintained an advantage to the wire. LYONS AMUSEMENTS left strongly from the rail, did yield for the pocket, gapped a bit during the wicked third quarter but then tightened in, Pocono Pike, raced well to the wire. ROBBIE BURNS N also gapped inside in the third split, also got tighter, decent in the deep Pike. DECLAN SEELSTER was second-over, gapped in the third quarter, was coming back a little late. MIGHTY SANTANA N went first-over on a supersonic brush going his third quarter in 25.4(!) but not able to clear, held his ground to midstretch, where he understandably tired a bit. BULLVILLE TERROR went evenly. THE OTHER TWO never made their presence felt.
SIXTH RACE – EVANNA was three-deep to the 1/8 then two-wide most of the quarter to make the lead, got a slow second quarter into the wind then sped it up down the back, a comfortable winner. NICE STUFF was innermost of three leavers, yielded, stuck behind the gapping pocketsitter on the turn and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, then gave a good response to be a clear second. CRITICAL MASS backed out to second-over early second turn, got no help from his favored cover, three-wide ¾, not bad from a not-good spot. CELEBRATE WINNING left between horses to get the advantage 1/8, yielded at the ¼, couldn’t stay with the winner from the 11/16. CELEBRITY MASERATI got the last payday. EVERYONE’S TALKIN went first-over from sixth past the 3/8 but was badly on a line the second turn, never advanced. SWISS PLATINUM gapped out past the half.
SEVENTH RACE – WAR-N-MUNN went to the lead, yielded but moved again to the top in front of the parked horse, had no problem the last 5/16. SHANE ADAM was able to come first-over two-wide as the parked horse drifted out, went 26.3 down the back but could not clear over to the rail there or on the turn, held off INDIGO ART for second. The latter backed out to second-over 5/8, gapped cover a bit, then a little better late and just missed second. WHITE HAIR ROCKS had some speed, stayed connected, shuffled when the pocketsitter tired, but didn’t have much rebound once free. LOVE THE ACTION worked up to the front 3/16, yielded to the winner, gradually lost connection behind that one from the 11/16. REGAL SON was always well off the action. BELL I NO was three-wide early after being looped and decided to press on, saw the winner move in front of him just before the ¼, then again raw, drifted out entering turn two and started falling back just past the half. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU offered very little. KEYSTONE STEAM gapped then broke on the far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – GEMOLOGIST was in front just past the 1/8, slowed the half then sped up, didn’t come home particularly quickly but was more than enough for these. MARION GONDOLIER kept close the whole way, to the Pocono Pike and took second ahead of CONQUEST AS. The latter moved uncovered 11/16, a steady one-gear to the line. PRESIDENT moved outside on the turn, wide, OK late. TRUEMASS VOLO stayed in, ducked inside in the stretch, gained some then may have been shut off late. MANHATTANUP NO ICE defended the pocket, came up empty in the lane. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE fell back in the last half.
NINTH RACE – BABES DIG ME drifted out early, started going forward at the 1/8, had the pocketsitter vacate and get pushed to the 3/8 while following his cover, then went on to get the lead early on turn two in a fast half, put up a third straight 27.2 quarter, handled confidently late despite several late rushers – for the day, George Napolitano Jr. six wins, Darren Taneyhill five wins. OLLIE’S Z TAM shot right to the lead, pushed the first challenger to the 3/8 and yielded, inside, got to the Pocono Pike and closed well. TOOKADIVEOFFDIPPER had an excess of cover, widest in the stretch and flying towards the wire. SOMEBEACH BARON moved from second 3/16 but was left out until the 3/8 in clearing, yielded to the winner, a bit loose the last quarter but did come back with “b.e.” TOWN GOSSIP was second-over, three-wide late turn, finished steadily. BAY MEADOWS stayed in, wasn’t gaining late. THE WALL went 26.4 to challenge after moving raw 9/16, but his bid stalled. MACH WEST couldn’t get into the picture.
TENTH RACE – STONE HANOVER showed gate speed and was well-placed throughout behind the top two, moved outside late turn then wide, still fourth midstretch but kicked in and went by everybody. SOMBODYITREASURE made it to the rail at the 1/8 and soon was in the pocket, vacated same 11/16 and quickly moved to get a small advantage but not the rail, fought on gamely to the line. MIKE’S Z TAM came all the way up the inside from last to the pocket and then the Pocono Pike, briefly loomed midstretch but flattened a little. CURIOUS CORTEZ was three-wide to the first turn and made the front past the1/8, slowed the half, responded to a brisk challenge late backstretch to hold that foe outside and fought back to regain a small advantage, then tired some. BRAEVIEW BONDI A moved outside, couldn’t gain enough. JK MUSICMAN was a little off the gate, gapped a bit, no factor.
ELEVENTH RACE — RICH AND MISERABLE gapped considerably in the early dustup then narrowed in, uncovered 9/16 and trotted up to get to even to the ¾, lost a bit of ground on the far turn, but was resurgent under confident handling. THE LIONKING AS seemed determined to control the pace and went 26.4, slowed it down after an outside foe broke, had to pick it up when the heavy favorite came calling, held that one out on the turn and into the lane, finally gave way after a good mile. ARCHIBALD filled the early pocket, went a bit loose at the ¾ as the top two fought, went on evenly. BANK BOX TREASURE was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide ¾ and made up a good bit of ground. NEXTROUNDSONME was the first to pull and soon wound up fourth-over, no factor. TSM PHOTO BUGGER was off the gate a little and never factored. GRAPPLE HANOVER left a gap starting at the 3/8. MAJESTIC MARVEL was second-over, couldn’t keep up 5/8 and broke on the far turn. MUSHANA left hard, had the pocket kept shut on him and then broke 3/16.
Jun 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – FOLLOW YOUR NOSE came out past the 3/8, three-wide for a couple steps early turn two as a foe pulled then settled right behind cover and was carried up well, three-wide late turn and shot to the lead quickly in the lane, then withstood DEJA VROOM. The latter tailed the winner the entire way and paced steadily in being well-clear of the rest. SWEETONTHEBEACH fired away to command, rated Q2 then had a very stiff challenge from the first-over in Q3 but kept that one from clearing, shook that one off but couldn’t stall the closers, held third over WINNING WORDS. The latter went out to secure the pocket, reconsidered a quarter-move, Pocono Pike, not too much. MORE THAN KUTE was in a lively flow third-over but gapped. AVERYS HAILSTORM was not heard from. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER came raw going into the clubhouse turn, stormed up in 27.2 and had a half-length lead 5/8 but never got to the rail, then tired. NARINA HANOVER gapped inside from nearing the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – ALTUS HANOVER had hardly settled in past the ¼ when he was back out third-over, looked a bit rough in gapping cover, to second-over as the first-over broke, three-wide past midturn, steady trot to get the decision in the last steps. TUIS SHADOW dropped in the pocket and had a good trip, to the Pocono Pike and immediately went to the lead, looked to have almost a length advantage midstretch, just failed to get the job done. ISLAND LILY followed the favorite through the turn then tipped wider, closing very well. CHING CHING LUCKY was second-over, then first-over when cover broke past the 5/8, pressed the leader, held decently. DAGON HANOVER established command early, saw one first-over break then had pressure from the next one, a little weary late. SERRANO VOLO tucked third, looked to have room in the deep Pike but couldn’t gain. CELEBRITY ROLEX wasn’t away well and never factored. SHEER MUSCLE was always far back. CAVIART EMMA looked to leave but broke, caught quickly and got away fourth, uncovered towards turn two, was making a good uncovered bid when losing gait again past the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – MORROCKIN K was three-wide to the first curve to 3/16 command, used a 27.3 third quarter to get away from these and won all alone. BEACHBLANKETLINDY was third-over in a nonflow, three-wide ¾ and got to the inside second headstretch, not bad. BARDMIRY got a forward spot, then was stuck behind the tired pocketsitter, out between horses headstretch and found a seam, closed well. ODDS ON CARLY spotted, then was first-up towards turn two, never near the winner and helped form a pocketsitter/first-over “wedge” jamming up those tiers, evenly late. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was second-over, was blindswitched, three-wide late turn but couldn’t gain. DIXIE CHICK gapped, as did MIKI THE CLOWN. SNUF ENUF HANOVER gradually came up the inside the second part of the backstretch, then was blocked, not too much once free. KIANNA yielded to the winner, unplugged towards the 11/16.
FOURTH RACE – KISS AN ANGEL decided to tuck early, then moved before the 3/8 to the lead nearing the second turn, drew clear past the 5/8, saw the pocket horse reinvigorated and narrow on the turn, then drew clear again. SOUTHWIND RITZ was second-over behind moderately-advancing cover, left uncovered far turn, tipped wider midstretch as the pocketsitter faltered and up in a multi-horse photo for second. THE QUEEN B was uncovered before the half, went up gradually, got to the pocket on the turn, almost held second. SPIT AND VINEGAR had an excess of cover, ducked to the Pocono Pike in the lane and had some gain. CANTABSLEADINGLADY made the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner past the 3/8, gapped in the pocket late in the backstretch, refound her focus on the turn and narrowed in, moved out, but had no more gain left. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, in, shuffled badly at the ¾ onwards and couldn’t recover. FINLANDIA was never in it. CUSTOMARILY left well to protect the early pocket, started to give ground into the backstretch.
FIFTH RACE – CAPTAIN ROMANCE was uncovered at the half and quickly got into high gear, went 26.1 the third split to clear to the lead and run away from these. MAKE MY DEO left to 1/8 command, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, could slip outside 11/16 after the lead exchange, then retucked in the pocket on the turn, had others closing on him but did hold second. HULOU was caught inside and shuffled badly, waited for the Pocono Pike and finished quickly inside. MAJOR SHOW had to check when the horse in front of him broke 3/16, underway 3/8, got “cover” at the half but it was the winner and he couldn’t begin to stay with him, left aw ¾, OK late. BAY BRUTE also was shuffled back when the leader gave way before the ¾, had some pace in recovery. WHAT ABOUT BOB had to go wide around the 3/16 trouble, joined the outside flow, wide headstretch, not enough. DILLINGER was outside midpack, tucked in the hole left by the breaker, not heard from again. ROSE RUN WOODROW was looped and parked to a pretty good ¼, rated the half, couldn’t come close to keeping the winner out and fell far back. SHIP WRECK BEACH K broke 3/16.
SIXTH RACE – Stretch tailwind picking up a little … GOODGOLLYMISSMOLLY was three-wide to the first turn and on to the front nearing the 1/8, kept right on going, with NANCY BAR the only one to stay close. The latter worked between horses to the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close, went to the Pocono Pike, tried hard but was second, way ahead of the rest. EVIL EMPRESS was the outermost of five leavers, ducked down behind cover and tucked midpack, then second-over, clear third. KOKOMO spotted, gapped in the frontstretch, came uncovered 11/16 and tucked a gapping third ¾, so-so late but far ahead of the others. GHIBLI gapped but still got a check. BARNUM and SAVANNAH SLEW were never close. A MILLION CHUCKLES was four-wide early, to two-wide 1/8 and tucked third 3/16, had nothing left the last 5/16. BLESS YOUR HEART was away slowly, broke entering the backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE – BEACH TOWN BOY spotted midpack, then moved second-over, left uncovered to the ¾ when the first-over ducked in, much better in the stretch and along very late. YER SO BAD was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-high to 5/16 command, stepped a good third quarter, held on until very late. THE BIG PICTURE was third-over behind good cover, didn’t kick in as quickly as the winner into the stretch but finished very well, well ahead of the others. GRATEFUL KISS joined the good two-wide flow but was only the best of the rest. CHAMP CHARBEL had some speed, inside, gapped badly along the backstretch then shuffled by a tired horse, came back some between horses late. DESIRED ART went to the front, yielded 5/16, stayed reasonably close in the pocket, empty late. THE NEXT TWO was always far back. ROUTHLAND left but took back, came uncovered 3/8, got to the leader’s wheel at the half but no closer, began to fade 11/16 and tucked inside, then backed up CHAMP CHARBEL.
EIGHTH RACE – FLEMSTEEN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to third 3/16, gapped slightly at the half and beyond then in gear uncovered 5/8, battled the leader from the ¾, proved the best. SHAMROCKS headed down the road, got his own way until late backstretch then fought with the winner, held well. BY A HOFF HANOVER went into the pocket 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, evenly; an inquiry against him for possible Pike interference resulted in no placing. CARTIER BI was uncovered at the half and got cover 5/8, couldn’t go with it the last quarter. SECTOR sat in, went to the deep Pike, in close quarters, made a break midstretch. KASEVILLE gapped out. CHECK MY SCORE broke off the bend before the beginning, ran the mile, placed. SHELL SHOCK got a slow start then went to a run off the first turn.
NINTH RACE – SOUTHWIND DREDGE got the pocket in a lineup, went to the Pocono Pike and had the most step late. MCNEIL Z TAM was uncovered just before the 5/8 and challenged hard, got the advantage early stretch but was caught to his inside. CRYSTAL BEACH had fine cover, paced home well, not far off. KYUQUOT stayed in and gradually made up inside ground, deep Pocono Pike, evenly. LOU ED ZEPPELIN went down the road from the pole, under pressure from just before the ¾, didn’t fade too badly. MOVE THE LINE went to third-over, widest and with pace on the end. ALWAYS ON THE HUNT was never in the hunt. HIS BEATS HANOVER pulled out from fourth late on the first turn but soon was on the run.
TENTH RACE – GRAY DRAGON was four-wide to the 1/8 and three-wide to the 3/16, two-wide with cover until nearing the 3/8 then briefly three-wide to clear past the 3/8 in rough fractions, under a hold down the backstretch, then came home in 27.3 under a hold – on to bigger things. TELL THEM LOU was uncovered off turn two, went up towards the winner, couldn’t pace with him but held second very bravely in a big outing of his own. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was second-over, wide in the lane, steadily. IM A GIGOLO N pushed out from the rail, yielded 3/8, third-in, gapped a bit on the turn, then to the deep Pocono Pike and OK. REIGNING DEO had an excess of cover, well late. HIGHLANDBEACHBEST had to swing widest and was smoking late. MANKAT was three-wide leaving then two-wide well past the 26.2 opener until near the 3/8 for command, immediately yielded and stayed close, to the Pike but nothing left to give late. GET LIT was up close early, shuffled, not free in the lane. REPEAL OR REPLACE was way off the gate and always far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – SOMEWHEREINVERONA pushed the favorite early then yielded for a perfect trip, outside early stretch and went by for his first win since the Stallion Series Championship – and he went faster than “the other gray,” too. GAMBLIN MO was in front 3/16 and was taking no prisoners, got a little tired late. RHETT SEELSTER sat in third, left a slight gap at a couple of points, but then had good energy in the Pocono Pike. CAPTIVATE HANOVER was second-over, three-wide nearing headstretch, couldn’t gain enough in the quick race. BEACH FIRE K gapped some to the half, then afterward got going first-over, with his bid lasting until late on the turn. THE LAST TWO were never in the hunt.
TWELFTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO never settled early, gunned up at the 1/8 to 5/16 command, got a fairly soft pace and had enough to secure the victory. BANZAI AS stayed in, came up the inside and gained steadily despite “b.e.” GERARD was in front early, hung the winner to the 5/16 then yielded for the pocket, doing better finishing out. DIVINE SPIRIT was second-over from far back, gapped 11/16 then better, three-wide past midturn, a little too far back. TOP ME OFF backed out to get into the two-wide flow third-over, three-wide with cover late turn, not bad at the end. DEWEY ARNOLD looked to want to leave but broke right after the start, gradually caught the field, looked to try to advance in a two-wide headstretch but was behind the breaker, angled wide and couldn’t get close enough. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN was not prominent. AP HALL OF TRIX left well and yielded, uncovered just past the half and gained against the wind down the back, was looking for more when going offstride late turn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LADY LOU was in front at the 1/8, went fast with the wind in Q2 and slower in Q3, challenged on both sides in the stretch, held very gamely. STEPHANIE DEO was used early to maintain the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, just edged out in a good race. CAPTAINS MAID went uncovered 11/16 into the wind and advanced to challenge, kept going strongly. REALIZATION stayed in, backed out to follow cover past the ¾ but went back in, a couple of steps behind these. THE OTHERS never achieved a contending position early (DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL examined leaving but tucked back) or late.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BETTERTHANTHEBEACH was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide (briefly covered then uncovered) until landing the top to the 5/16, yielded to his main rival past the 3/8 and sat the pocket, moved out headstretch and wore that one down gradually. FULL MOON BEACH never went fully inside early, raced with cover from the 1/8 to the 5/16 then raw and onward to the top past the 3/8, continue at a quick clip, just a little bit less than the winner here. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE went to the lead approaching the 3/16, pushed the winner to the 5/16 and yielded, swung wide in the stretch, held for third. HURRIKANE GEORGIE was forwardly-placed, moved outside later on the turn then ducked in to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t get the show dough but far ahead of the rest. THE NEXT THREE never were in the top four. SHORE OF HIMSELF was extremely wide leaving and took back all the way to last, lost contact. SOME DEAL HANOVER also had very little to offer.
Jun 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strong stretch headwind … POND JUMPER tucked fourth at the 1/8, came out behind the parked horse at the half and soon started a sweep which would carry him to the lead past the 5/8, strong in a fast mile for this kind. DON’T SASS ME tailed the winner the entire way, got in the pocket ¾, made a very good try in the lane. MAGIC VACATION took the early pocket and kept it closed, was shuffled 5/8 then backed out, couldn’t go at all with cover, uncovered ¾, very distant third. CIMERONKEN left but was hung out to dry, actually got a head up on the pacesetter to the 5/8 before the sweepers came, then cleared the leader but the rest were going by. SIR JOHN F broke at the start. CAMPBELLINI refused to yield on the lead, all done 5/8. LE REVEUR N broke just past the start, recovered and caught the back but broke again.
SECOND RACE – AWESOMENESS spotted third, came out late backstretch but didn’t gain, ducked to the rail and the pocket when the two-holer came out, up the Pocono Pike and took the three-way picture. BEGINNER’S LUCK went to the top at the 1/8, rated the half then sped up, held to the final steps. JANAID was on top to turn one and released for the pocket, outside before the ¾, fell back a little early stretch but was resurgent late. ROCK THREE TIMES moved outside but never got into the main action. MUSCLE MACH A was not close throughout. POP’S ROMEO was off the gate, gapped early, moved outside towards turn two but went back in as having no gain. WILDCAT HILTON was no factor in here.
THIRD RACE – EXTRA FANCY was second-over, gapped slightly down the back then tighter ¾, three-wide to headstretch, bore out a bit late but still had the trot to go by. PAINT BY NUMBERS made the front to turn one then yielded, back uncovered 9/16 and challenged, never was ahead and just grabbed second nearing the wire. CHEESY HANOVER was parked 3/16 for command, yielded before the 3/8 for the pocket, went up the Pocono Pike and got the lead midstretch, but didn’t have quite enough to complete the victory. MISS MAYTRIX got away in the back, swung four-wide headstretch and was gobbling up the ground late. SECRET EDGE raced with cover to the 3/16 then went forward to take over the racetrack before the 3/8, didn’t have all that harsh a pace but still tired. AMBERS CHAMPION went evenly after an inside trip. TWO PIECE TANLINES was forwardly-placed, not a late factor. LILYBET was three-wide to the 1/8 and was hard to settle back in a hole, moved third-over but couldn’t keep up in the last 1/8. KRISTIELEIGH was last at every call.
FOURTH RACE – TUFF TO BE LINDY pushed the yielded to sit the two-hole, came out midturn, was handled as confidently as you’ll ever see an 0-for-34 horse winning by a neck be handled. CHERRY MASON was three-wide to the first bend then two-deep to command past the 1/8, not pushed in the middle, tried hard but came up second. MANUKA was between horses early and took third at the 1/8, looked all-out to keep up late backstretch and on the turn, Pocono Pike, stayed close but not quite enough. ENDYMION broke at the ¼, passed no-factor foes BLAZIN POLITICS and GAVINATOR.
FIFTH RACE – BALI BEACH made two speed moves to control the throttle, clear much of the backstretch, saw a challenger break headstretch and had a big lead, saw the big lead getting eaten into but had enough. FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX was last until the 5/8, moved outside and still far back ¾, three-wide midturn, closed steadily (own last half 55.2). SUCCESSION spotted fourth, gapped then moved outside on the turn to avoid a shuffle, just outkicked for second as closing inside of the place horse. MOM’S LITTLE WORLD never featured. EDITORIAL went to the top 3/16 then yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up before the 5/8. BLAZING LIGHT offered little. JAM THAT GUITAR had speed, moved uncovered 11/16 to go around the faltering pocketsitter, did not duck inside but continued to make progress, then broke headstretch and was pulled up.
SIXTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT made the front at the 1/8 and just poured it on, won by half a block. LIBERO HANOVER yielded for the pocket, began to struggle before the 5/8 but still stayed ahead of the rest. MARLEY’S GUY landed third early, gapped at the half, got a little closer on the backstretch, but could gain no more. SUM FOR ALL passed PUERTO RICO and CELEBRITY MASERATI, both of whom didn’t have that speed for this mile. GRAN PARAISO broke an 1/8 before the start; I’LLALWAYSBEBACK broke 50 yards before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked second before the 3/16 to sit the two-hole, outside late turn and was the strongest late. FOREVERHILLREIGN left between horses, tucked third at the 1/8, came up the Pocono Pike, second-best. BRONZE YANKEE was in control of the pace while under a hold, mildly asked down the back and kept a clear lead, but then didn’t have enough in the last 1/8. KEYSTONE SERGEANT tucked fourth, moved outside midturn but couldn’t reach. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE was struggling to keep up 5/8. CELEBRITY SERENA offered little. FINAL DREAM jumped it off an 1/8 before the start. TW LAUXMONT looked to leave but soon broke.
EIGHTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK joined the outer tier 5/8 after the sweeper broke, followed cover three-wide on the turn and wider headstretch, came a tremendously long way (in a 30.1 kicker) and got there in time. DARTY was quickly to the top, yielded and sat the pocket behind the duelers, got the lead midstretch as the pacesetter drifted out, caught by the closer. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT got a forward spot, sat in, had room on the inside late, OK but not quite enough. DESWANSLITTLELORIE was looped leaving, went on to get the top nearing the ¼, was pressured by the parked horse from the 3/8, tired and bore out. NATURAL KEMP stayed out of trouble and got the last check. TRICKY DICK left, had cover to the ¼ then had to go on raw, at the leader from the 3/8 onward, actually held pretty well. SEVEN IRON struggled outside behind the parked horse, three-wide midturn but with little. PRESIDENT was third-over then swung wide to the 5/8 but soon went offstride.
NINTH RACE – CHAPEL BEACH was underway before the ¼ to the front 3/8, drew clear ¾ and won easily. CAVIART LUCIA had speed and got the top, pushed the winner to the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, couldn’t stay close to that one but well ahead of the rest. KATES WAY spotted third past the 1/8, locked in far turn, found room between horses midstretch and gained to take third from DEEDEE DIDIT. The latter tucked midpack, came uncovered 5/8 but never headed the pocket horse, evenly late. SANTAFE’S MJ got a slow start, was far behind the main pack to the ¾, then showed some last quarter speed. BETTER BID HANOVER protected the pocket leaving, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike but had no response. TEMPTATION EYES never factored. SPEEDI PEARL broke an 1/8 before the start but caught the field just after the start, then never entered contention. KATHY’S CHAMP gapped, pulled to attempt to follow cover but gapped that too.
TENTH RACE – THISISSHE tucked third at the 1/8, gapped past the half until almost headstretch, then swung wide and showed grit after the hot pace to charge past the front ones. CLARION HALL left and yielded, may’ve been bottomed out some chasing the hot numbers, outside midturn, never ahead but OK for second. JUST MAYBE THE ONE got command at the 1/8, set fast fractions while occasionally rough-going, tired the last half of the stretch. MIAMI lost contact but stayed out of trouble. GUILTY DESIRE was never close to the gate and was distanced. STOP RESISTIN resisted being taken back and ran from the 3/16 to the wire.
ELEVENTH RACE – SPANISH ART was fourth-in on the turn and looked buried, might’ve tried for the deep Pocono Pike but saw the leader bear out some and split the seam between him and the Pocono Pike horse, the fourth and last horse to have the lead from midstretch. NATIONAL SPORT took a tuck early, uncovered 5/8 and grinded, did make the lead late but was caught to his inside. WALTER MITTY left quickly, got a few to tuck then yielded to the one who persisted 3/8, to the Pocono Pike and made the lead just past midstretch, couldn’t sustain it to the line. FEELING CAM LUCKY was looped, pressed on to make the lead at the 3/8 and went on quickly, held on until midstretch. CAVIART ROCKLAND got the early pocket 3/16, raced third-in, came out in front of a gapper late turn and swung wide, steadily late. RAGS TO RICHES gapped cover, found a better gear nearing the finish. NOME HANOVER left then took back and got in fifth, not heard from thereafter. ROCK IDOL was already disconnecting by the half.
Jun 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – The American Harness Drivers Club provides us with an exciting last half in the opener … INAPERFECTWORLD got the lead, yielded before the 3/16, came out off turn two and was briefly three-wide as the pocketsitter pulled, then to first-over and went to the lead ¾, held off all of the opposition. ZOOMING moved off turn two, briefly four-wide past the 9/16 then settled behind cover, lost cover ¾ and went on to challenge, just missed. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was in the outer flow, ducked into the pocket late backstretch then had to back out with cover midturn and swing three-wide headstretch, not far off. MARION GONDOLIER was in front before the 3/16, yielded 5/16, came out of the pocket and went by 5/8, couldn’t hold out the winner ¾, not quite enough late. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP sat in, gapped much of the backstretch, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. FRENCH MONI could not enter the main action. FASHION POSSESSED was three-wide to before the 3/16, then two-high to command 5/16, called it a night when challenged 5/8.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind has picked up … CASH IS KING quarter-moved, rated the half, then had SWEET TALKIN SATIN right at him from the half, battled on gamely to get the nod in a five-way close finish. The latter went uncovered towards the second turn and had reached the leader just past the half, went 26.3 down the back with a giant challenge, stayed right in the fray to the line. HIGHVIEW CONALL N was first on top then yielded, in then moved outside ¾ and gained on the turn, OK late. BAYONET was in front at the 1/8, yielded to the winner for the two-hole and sat right behind the front battlers, Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite do it. JEREMES GENERAL was well back through most of it, gained up the far inside in the last ¼. NORTHBROOK RON tried to follow the first-over but couldn’t go with him. THE OTHERS were never in the picture.
THIRD RACE – A CRAFTY LADY moved 3/16 to command 5/16, set wind-appropriate fractions, opened a big lead before the ¾, well in charge. BULLVILLE KARLA tightened in at the ¼, moved out midturn and wore down PIREAUS midstretch for second. The latter had the top immediately, let the winner go, started to go a bit loose 11/16, held in the late battle until midstretch. MACHIN MARLEY went evenly. TRUSSED UP TRUDY broke while last past the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – RECIPROCALBLUECHIP was between horses much of the quarter then took the pocket, attacked up the Pocono Pike in the stretch and caught BLENHEIM. The latter charged through and insisted on the lead forcing wholesale tucks, slow-fast in the middle splits, good but couldn’t withstand the winner. MIGHTY SURF was looped and three-wide with cover past the 1/8, took back to tuck midpack past the ¼, uncovered at the half but never reached the front duo, but good to hold off SIMPLY VOLO for the show dough. The latter was gapping second-over, did better late. JACK RULES gapped a gapper third-over, but came on for the last check. RIVER OTTER was three-wide most of a quick quarter, tucked third towards the front straightaway, out of gas in the stretch. ANDOVERS TOUCH never featured. CHOCOTURE had no punch at the ¾. MUSKINGUM was looped and between horses when breaking to the 3/16.
FIFTH RACE – ABIGAIL DAWN was the only leaver and soon had the lead, backed up the half, then came home in 55.4 – 27.4 unthreatened. PAIGE’S GIRL maintained the pocket, neither gained nor lost ground late. LITTLE SANDY TOES one-geared uncovered from next-to-last off turn two, got to the saddle pad of the pocket horse but no closer, courageous in going on for third over ROCK N ROLL ROSIE. The latter had an inside trip, outpaced for third. Both BRING ME DIAMONDS (outside) and BETZSIESBOOKINIT (inside) could go with the late action late backstretch.
SIXTH RACE – PREACHER MAN went right down the road, opened a big lead late backstretch, and was well clear, looking more like a 2-5 shot than a 22-1. STRIKING GENSON was about at The Woodlands when he pulled from the back of the pack early backstretch, kept passing horses, course-corrected wide midstretch and showed promise while finishing second. RARE MUSCLE sat third, wasn’t keeping up on the turn, edged a bit wide headstretch, was pinched between the drifting pocket horse and the place horse midstretch and was gathered, then restarted and up for third. TART TONGUE was three-wide to turn one, got to the pocket after the horse inside him broke, made up a little ground on the leader far turn, but came up empty late. FATHER OF IRELAND was not prominent. MUSCLES TANGO gapped at a couple of points. TRUFFLES TOO broke entering the backstretch before the start. SOOT HANOVER left between horses, was asked for a little more speed nearing the first turn but made a misstep.
SEVENTH RACE – STOWAWAY HANOVER was uncovered 9/16 and paced his third panel in 26.1 to clear to the lead going to the ¾, and kept right on going. LUCKY ARTIST forced a fast quarter, yielded but retook, had no answer for the winner late backstretch, but was game to hold on to second. JUSLIKEAQUEEN stayed in then backed out with cover midturn, some good steps late to just miss second. JENORA N pulled with cover but couldn’t go 26.1 to stay with it, uncovered ¾, could not sustain any gain. DELISHKA N was out most of the hard quarter, yielded for the two-hole, pinned in on the far turn, but didn’t have a great response once free. JUXTA COWGIRL needed until the quarter to take back to last, fair late. KAY’S DELIGHT could not go with these.
EIGHTH RACE – DAZZLING REIGN was uncovered to the 5/8 and grinded right at the leader, got the advantage only within the shadow of the wire. LOVE MUFFIN was three-wide most of a hot quarter to the lead, rated the second quarter, had the winner come at her ¾, fought with that one through crunch time, tough loss. REBEL GIRL was the innermost of three hard leavers and used the rail to secure the pocket, stayed close until the far turn when she dropped back looking all done, but then unusually refound a high gear and came up the Pocono Pike with solid trot. FAWN DE TOUCH backed out behind dull cover ¾, next in line. VICTORIANA started uncovered off turn two, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t go enough. MOVE OVER SOME left between horses, backed off to third 3/16, finished 11/16. MELANIA misstepped before the ¼. WIXX HANOVER lost gait as the field came off the turn before the start.
NINTH RACE – BILLIE BLUE left well for the early lead, yielded, came out behind the backstretch brusher and was left raw ¾, trotted home solidly for the win. LANDONFITZ came out at the ¾ following cover, wide headstretch and along for the no-factor second. FRAC made the lead at the 3/16, rated the half, urged to try to keep the backstretch brusher outside but could not, gapped on the turn, then moved outside early stretch and got around a tiring foe for third. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN tucked third, gapped down the back, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. EVANNA got in midpack 3/16, first-over to the 3/8 and rolled right on to take over 5/8, but then got tired in the last 1/8. KANDY KORN moved out but gapped cover, not prominent. CRITICAL MASS was blocked inside on the turn, angled out early stretch but could not recover enough for the battle for minor honors. B YOYO took a long while to settle back, then was no factor; neither was ER BEN.
TENTH RACE – BELLA BELLINI was still fifth, about five lengths out, just before the 5/8 but underway raw with a frightening brush to go past the Breeders Crown champion with no problem just past the ¾, stepped home in 27 in a tremendous performance. LADY CHAOS went on to the lead 5/16, backed off the half, but couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, still herself trotted in 27.2 in a very good outing. GOO DOO DOLL went to the lead, surrendered past the ¼, gapped on the turn, held respectably. PUB CRAWL came outside headstretch but couldn’t get in it. INEFFABLE and ABOVE THE CLOUDS couldn’t go this much. ANOKA HANOVER was second-over and keeping up with the winner’s brush until past the ¾, then couldn’t stay with it and made a break.
ELEVENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE went on to get the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, slightly loose from the 5/8, but continued on steadily when taken to the Pocono Pike and caught CAVIART CHERIE. The latter got forward position then quarter-moved, set a decent clip, visibly got tired in the last 100 feet and was just caught. LATE NIGHT DATE A was uncovered at the half and inched up down the backstretch, then really went after the leader from the ¾, in the fight to the wire. SWEET LUCY LOU was hard to settle inside, then was second-over, wasn’t really tight on cover, then found a higher gear midstretch and was narrowing in well. PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL went right to the top, yielded, not enough in the latter stages. GEORGIE MARTIN N didn’t have say in this. SHOULDBEENATD gapped at the rear.
