Jun 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Many impressive winners – but also a few horses in heretofore good form finishing well off the winner … WAR-N-MUNN made two speed moves to control the pace, went 27.1 down the back and then left everybody far behind. BLOW A CLOUD N sat third, waited for the Pocono Pike then came home for the distant second. URBAN RENEWAL stayed in, moved out in the lane and had a little gain. ROYAL HEART left and got command at the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, gapped out the last ¼. DRINKA BEER sat in then backed out to third-over, went back inside dull cover and got the last payday. LOUD SPLASH was second-over but couldn’t keep up late backstretch. CAPTAIN HILL was uncovered past the 3/8, never got past the pocket horse then faded significantly in the last ¼.
SECOND RACE – INDEPENDENT ONE was in the outside flow, three-wide to the ¾ to the pocket midturn, came off the turn with what appeared to be a disconnected overcheck, but still gained and went by DARTH FADER. The latter controlled the throttle with two moves, had a clear lead down the backstretch in a fast ¾, but then got gradually reeled in by the winner. RAKSMACH N couldn’t keep with the winner’s cover, gained two-wide on the turn, not bad and an acre ahead of the rest. A REAL MIRACLE was three-wide to the 3/16 and then two-wide past the 26.2 opener to the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, tired badly in the last ¼. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN moved with cover then lost it before the 5/8, didn’t gain thereafter. PLAY THERAPY was innermost in a three-horse early duel, yielded, fell way back. LORD OF MISRULE was uncovered early on the second turn, broke going towards the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – CAPTAIN CASH went to the top at the 1/8, went the middle half in 54.1 while clear most of that distance, had DECLAN SEELSTER coming to him in the stretch, held off that one when bearing out; there was an inquiry to see if the winner’s bearing out affected the second horse; no placing was made. DECLAN SEELSTER had cover leaving, appeared reluctant to tuck third but did so late first turn, uncovered 5/8 to get into the pocket ¾, out again in the stretch, tried very hard but came up just shy. BARNABAS yielded at the 1/8 and gapped from the 3/8 onward; far behind the top two, but clear of the rest. OUTKAST BLUE CHIP gapped dull cover, three-wide into the stretch and beat out the others. STORMONT CZAR A was never a factor. ASTON HILL DAVE struggled most of the last half. NIALL HANOVER moved out well in arrears of the top three, didn’t gain. GRIFFON HANOVER never factored.
FOURTH RACE – EL IDEAL considered letting an outside foe go to the ¼ but sped up when the pocket horse moved out to follow, stayed on the lead and just had too much for these. AFTER ALL PAUL came out near the ¼ as it appeared a foe would go past the winner, but then tucked back in the pocket as the winner didn’t yield, stayed relatively close while trying hard to the line. MUSHANA struggled to keep close from the 5/8. THE LIONKING AS looked at leaving but took back to last, outside and circled the rest. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE gapped badly in the frontstretch, backed out to follow cover a great way off the lead, got the last check. TSM PHOTO BUGGER challenged early and looked as if he might clear, but then the winner sped up when the pocket horse came out and denied access to the top, had to take all the way back to fifth 3/8, not heard from thereafter. TWO AM did little.
FIFTH RACE – INDIGO ART had great second-over cover, went three-wide past midturn, drew away through the stretch. DO YA THINK was behind the winner third-over, couldn’t accelerate with that one late turn, but steadily to win a three-horse photo for second. NEWBIE came uncovered towards turn two and had reached the leader by the 9/16, fought hard with that one and had the lead but not the inside most of the turn, just missed second. BUSBOY HANOVER was wide early then took back and filled his own hole in the lineup, stayed in, out in a three-wide blindswitch late turn, squeezed between horses midstretch and had good pace once free. BAMSKI sat the pocket, outside in a blindswitch late turn as the pacesetter gave way, so-so. VALIANT IVY was not a contender. ALL IT TAKES took control from the pole, rated the half then sped up as a hard first-over challenge soon came, kept that one outside most of the turn then backed off.
SIXTH RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide until taking over off the first turn, slowed the half then sharpened the speed, found himself clear before the 5/8 and won handily. REDHOT ROMEO was second-over behind nonflowing cover, three-wide ¾ through the turn, along for a distant deuce. BETTER B ROLLING left between horses, tucked at the 1/8, stayed in, out in a blindswitch turn as the pocket/first-over formed a “wedge,” waited then found a seam late and had good pace. MAJOR ASSET was uncovered into the second bend, didn’t get close to the leader and gummed up the two-wide tier alongside the gapping pocketsitter. GIVEN UP TERROR followed the place horse and was wide behind his cover on the far turn, fair. RECORD MACHINE sat in, never a factor, came back with “b.e.” BLUEBERRY HEAVEN never got a call. SPORTSMANSHIP used the rail well to secure the pocket, but then gapped before the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – MY LINDY WINNER was second-over, slightly off his cover right to early stretch, then found a higher gear late and just got there. SORTIE was uncovered nearing the clubhouse turn, speed-grinded in 27.2 down the back and gradually went up to the leader, put that one away late but couldn’t resist the winner’s finish. GEMOLOGIST made the lead past the 3/16, rated, didn’t get pressure until the ¾ but then got a lot of it, held fairly well. TRUEMASS VOLO was last, had to go widest in the lane and was flying late. O JONNIE was in the outer flow but gapped. MANHATTANUP NO ICE was fastest away, yielded for the two-hole, then had no response in the Pocono Pike. LIFE WELL LIVED got a forward spot, gapped. HEAT WAVE HANOVER tucked third at the 1/8, was still there when breaking past midturn and going inside the pylons.
EIGHTH RACE – MOTIVE HANOVER was up on the bit and ready to go the last half, moved second-over, three-wide headstretch, drew away in the lane. EGOMANIA was uncovered off turn two, took it to the pacesetter and had a small advantage most of the way from midturn, lost it into the lane, just did get the deuce from the stubborn pacesetting LYONS AMUSEMENTS. The latter was out past the 3/16 for command, yielded 3/8 but soon on the retake and got to the half in fast time, kept going quickly with a challenger coming before the ¾, stayed in the fight for second gamely. BLACKLIGHT was three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide with cover to past the 3/16, then two-wide raw to the lead 3/8, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not too much left late. SWEET N FAST N gapped third-over, so-so late. WARRAWEE VELOCE forced most of the ¼ and yielded, third-in, tried to come up the deep Pike, may have been in tight quarters. THE FINAL TRIO were never a presence here.
NINTH RACE — FOREVER FAY went right to the lead, got pressure from BRAVO TEX N from the 5/8 but bettered that one in a long duel. The latter started uncovered from past the 3/8 and reached the lead near midbackstretch, fought hard, good but had to settle for place. REGAL SON went in third past the 1/8, blocked as the top two got away then outside late turn, ducked n for the stretch and made a good recovery. KEYSTONE STEAM never factored. AMERICAN VIRGIN trailed most of the way. ACES ROCK left and got the two-hole, but got looser and looser in it from the 5/8. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU settled back early, came out into turn two but looked rough, then gapped cover 5/8 and fell way back.
TENTH RACE – JACK’S LEGEND N was third-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, used high speed to gradually work to the lead very late. ELVER HANOVER left and got a great trip in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and did have the lead late in the lane, but caught. HICKFROMFRENCHLICK left well to gain control, slowed the half then sped up as company came on, paced doggedly to the finish. SHOOBEE DEE A had to swing four-wide from last and had good pace a mite belatedly. HIGHALATOR was put into first-over grind move early on turn two, inched up until headstretch, then fell back some. RESPECT OUR FLAG was second-over, gapped slightly late backstretch and was blindswitched two-wide past the ¾, edged over to the three-wide path headstretch behind the sweeper, not all that much late. BRAEVIEW BONDI A had some speed and yielded, not heard from again.
ELEVENTH RACE – CURIOUS CORTEZ hit the top immediately, continued on parking a challenger in science-fiction numbers, still strong at the end in an overwhelming performance. BABES DIG ME very reluctantly went into the pocket before the ¼ and kept it tight, good race but not enough to beat the winner. ALBERGO HANOVER went out behind cover nearing the ¾ then was left raw when the cover ducked in turn midturn, next-best. SHANE ADAM gapped a bit off the early-race three-way war, then moved outside well past the 5/8, was urged but did not gain, went back inside. ALEX TYE and TULLOW N never had a say in this. BELL I NO was out three-wide much of the fast ¼ then was zizzled two-wide as the pace did not deintensify, finished to the 5/8 and broke late backstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – AMERICAN COURAGE, looking like a “push-button” horse, was the only leaver, had an open lead from the 1/8 to the 5/16, paced home in 54.2 – 27 and did not look to be near extending himself. JK MUSICMAN came raw out of fourth to the 5/8 and went 26.4 the third quarter, tucked in the pocket on the turn, non-threatening but way ahead of the others. FABRICE HANOVER stayed in, distant third up the Pocono Pike. REDBANK BLAZE A had the pocket by default, couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. THE WALL couldn’t go with his cover. THE LAST THREE were always the last three.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BUDDY HILL tucked fifth 3/16, joined the outer tier on the second turn, three-wide with cover 9/16 when his cover broke, so he made the sweeping move to two-wide raw to the lead ¾, ran away with this one. MY MIND IS MADEUP kept the pocket closed in the first-half dustup, backed out behind the winner late backstretch, couldn’t keep with that one, ducked into the pocket on the turn, just got the distant deuce. GONNAHAVEONEMORE gapped off the early fireworks then moved out, swept by the fader well behind the leader, two-wide on the turn, just missed place. BULLVILLE TERROR was in the two-/three-wide flow, not quite enough. BETTING EXCHANGE gained ground down the back then moved out into a blindswitch, moved over one more lane right, a bit of late pace. MELODIES MAJOR tried to make up significant ground wide but could not. SOMEBEACH BARON shut a hole 3/16, then moved before the half and soon was three-wide but broke sweeping, recovered, made up a lot of ground inside on the turn, then was blocked through the stretch. BENSON BOYS N was three-wide past the 1/8 then to two-deep, found no hole so argued the hot pace, looped just past the 5/8. ROBBIE BURNS N got the lead and would not yield in fast numbers, yielded to the ¾ and fell back sharply.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SOMEBODYITREASURE was three-wide early, appeared to kick plugs at the 1/8 and responded with a surge to quarter command, rated the half, then came home in 54 and still only won by a head over MYKINDACHIP. The latter yielded for the two-hole trip, came home in 53.4 (albeit after an easy journey), inched up on the game winner but couldn’t go by. PRINCE OF TIDES stayed connected third-in, best of the others. BLOOD LINE was second-over, three-wide late on the turn, evenly. OLLIE’S ZTAM had no shot from where he was in a 54 back half. PRAIRIE PANTHER was uncovered to the half, went his own third quarter in 26.1 and barely reached the pocket horse’s wheel, gave way.
Jun 14, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – It had been raining, causing a “sloppy +1” surface, and the rail started again as this field went to post; the field was briefly sent back to the paddock until the immediate downpour lessened … MYSWEETBOYMAX went to the front 3/16, kept a second-quarter brusher at bay, then dealt with the backstretch brusher in a long fight to the wire. RHETT SEELSTER was out at the half, moved three-wide before the 11/16 to get around the parked horse and take up first-over duties, kept gaining little by little, but not quite enough. LOU ED ZEPPELIN left well for the pocket, stayed close, neither gained nor lost ground late. CAPTIVATE HANOVER was three-wide ¾ to two-wide a bit off his cover, finished steadily. MCNEIL Z TAM and CAPTAIN KEEN never were heard from. MOVE THE LINE pulled from fifth at the ¼ and gained through the frontstretch but never got by, faded just past the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – A delay between races as the track surface received additional work … CAPITAL T STORM used the rail to advantage and did not let anybody go, had a clear lead from the 5/16 onward, an easy winner. CHROME PACKAGE came out with cover past the 5/8, three-wide at the ¾ then two-wide as cover ducked in, steadily late to nip DON for second. The latter was between horses early, backed off to the pocket before the 3/16, was loose in the two-hole from the 5/16, just missed lasting for second. FATHER OF IRELAND backed outside late far turn, went evenly. PREACHER MAN was three-wide early, backed off to tuck third 3/16, came back out raw past the 5/8 but did not gain and tucked back in. SHELL SHOCK broke just before the start; STONE CHIP HALL broke just after the start.
THIRD RACE – The rain had stopped … SERIOUS MIKI was three-wide to the 1/8 after being looped, then two-wide and went to the lead 5/16, had a serious challenger from the 11/16 but seemed to have things in hand late confidently – in 1:51.3 in a “nw2” in the slop. UNCONTROLLABLE fired away looping everybody, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, gapped slightly off the battle on the far turn, but stayed trying hard right to the wire. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE got forward position, came out 5/8 and reached the leader by the 11/16, fought hard with him into the stretch, drifted wide a bit and couldn’t sustain the charge. WARRAWEE WHYNOT was looped and four-wide early before taking back to last, moved again into turn two and got cover 5/8, couldn’t stay with it midturn. HIGH BALLER was third-over but couldn’t get into it. DILLINGER left some but then was not heard from. BAY BRUTE was not a major player.
FOURTH RACE – TRUFFLES TOO was away second then moved 3/16 to gain control by the ¼, went along at a decent clip, enough to withstand FLEMSTEEN. The latter went to the front towards turn one, yielded out of that turn for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good but second-best here. DYNAMITE VOLO went evenly along the inside. SOOT HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8 but couldn’t sustain any gain late. RARE MUSCLE gapped. CARTIER BI broke soon past the start. ARTHUR BOY miscued 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – PAULAS BET HANOVER got away fourth, appeared to wait for the third horse to pull but did so herself 5/8 when the other stayed in, brushed right to the lead ¾, saw the tailing BEACHBLANKETLINDY move to her on the turn but had more than enough. The latter as noted followed the winner, left raw ¾ and gained on the turn, couldn’t sustain the move but a clear second. QUICK SIX was between horses to briefly take the lead past the 1/8, settled for the pocket off the first turn, shuffled behind the tired pacesetter then out in a blindswitch nearing late turn, came on between horses. MORROCKIN K was in the outer flow, three-wide around a stalled one headstretch, had finishing pace. BARDMIRY was in the early mix then yielded, looked to be considering going raw but stayed in, then was shuffled, in a blindswitch, not that much once clear. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was in the lively outer flow but didn’t have enough in the last 1/8. MAJOR HOULIHAN offered little. IDEAL IN MIRACLES looked at leaving but took back to last and wasn’t heard from again. ITALIA SEELSTER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide the rest of the first turn to get the lead, had no answer when the winner came calling and backed through the field.
SIXTH RACE – A shower would pop up intermittently … PRAIRIE VIRTUE wound up in the pocket, came out headstretch and was up by a nostril over KOKOMO. The latter was away second then first when the leader broke 3/16, set a slow pace to the half, responded to the first-over, then just missed as the winner came on. GOODGOLLYMISSMOLLY stuck to the inside and was along for third over EVIL EMPRESS. The latter angled behind a four-wide wall into turn one and tucked, stayed in, evenly late. BROAD STROKES was second-over, had just started three-wide when the first-over ran, couldn’t make up ground. BLESS YOUR HEART gapped. MISS MAYTRIX was four-wide into the first turn and gradually eased her way back to last, broke past the half. TWO PIECE TANLINES made a nice gain going up raw the third quarter, but tired and broke early far turn. A MILLION CHUCKLES went to the top, but took a bad knuckling step and ran 3/16.
SEVENTH RACE – HURRIKANE GEORGIE was in front at the 1/8, yielded just past the 5/16 to sit the pocket, outside early stretch and got up in time over BET NINETEEN. The latter was outleft but stayed outside, in gear past the 1/8 to the lead just past the 5/16 and got a little breather to the half, paced on well to the wire but was nipped by the pocket rocket. GRATEFUL KISS went out third-over then went back in ¾, gained up the inside late for the distant third. DESIRED ART was second-over, three-wide to headstretch, couldn’t gain. THE BIG PICTURE gapped in last, came between horses late for the last check. JASPER HANOVER left and secured the early pocket, stayed in, not much late. PATRIOT LINE was uncovered at the half but never was menacing before backing off.
EIGHTH RACE – KISS AN ANGEL took control right away and fronted these throughout, no problem. SOUTHWIND RITZ raced up into the pocket, held on for a pretty good second. CUSTOMARILY went to the Pocono Pike from third-in, evenly. FAWN DE TOUCH moved out behind the parked horse, had to go three-wide far turn, finished in a good gear. FINLANDIA did not factor; nor did SALT AND VINEGAR. NANCY BAR left, found no hole and had to take all the air, fell back 5/8. GOLD STONES sat in then backed out third-over, couldn’t keep up and ran before midturn.
NINTH RACE – SUNRISE HANOVER moved out before the 5/8 and went on to challenge, wore down the leader by midturn, won with sharp speed. FOLLOW YOUR NOSE got in fourth at the 1/8, then was second-over, couldn’t stay with the leader in the stretch but went on to grab second. LOOKING SANTASTIC yielded for the pocket, shuffled far turn as the leader gave way, waited for the Pocono Pike and collected third ahead of SWEETONTHEBEACH. The latter set the pace and slowed the half, but wasn’t quick enough in the last 3/16. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was out with cover and wide headstretch, evenly. WINNING WORDS appeared to have a strap dangling near the ¼, never in it. NARINA HANOVER was outside on the far turn but got rough, not prominent late.
TENTH RACE – GRAY DRAGON left and had cover before the 1/8, went three-wide before the ¼ as a breaker moved to two-wide, continued on to get the lead towards the 3/8, met the challenge of the onrushing first-over, then gave the field the slip in another impressive victory. IM A GIGOLO N was out to the ¼, avoided the incident and took the open pocket, used the Pocono Pike to rally for the distant second. TELL THEM LOU was third-over, four-wide headstretch and closed very well. BLU CREW gapped early and (even though gapping) briefly checked nearing the 1/4, in gear to the half and came up a long way first-over, rebuffed but stayed game in the fight for minor honors. CIGAR SMOKING TONY was trying to hold on to the early lead when the pocket horse ran up on him to the ¼, got a foe to tuck and then let the winner go 3/8, did not have enough late. HURRIKANEKINGJAMES struggled second-over, went three-wide but couldn’t get into it. GET LIT tucked, had to check when the horse in front of him made a break nearing the ¼, inside, was blocked in the stretch. SHVAIKO was always far back. HORSE was maintaining the pocket past mid-first turn, looked to get a little rank and ran up on the leader near the 3/16, made a break and went outside.
ELEVENTH RACE – WORTHY OF HONOR went to the lead before the first turn and had things his own way, won safely. ISLAND LILY stayed third-in, used the Pocono Pike when the pocket horse pulled, gained some. TUIS SHADOW sat the pocket trip, came out headstretch, neither gained nor lost ground. ALTUS HANOVER made a break while fourth at the ¼, quickly caught back on and was uncovered and one-gear advancing the bulk of the race, held together very well late. CHING CHING LUCKY was second-over, three-wide late turn, evenly. CHOCOLATE MATTERS slipped into a midpack tuck, not much to offer thereafter. SERRANO VOLO was three-wide early outside and steadied past the ¼ when a foe broke, got inside, little late. SHEER MUSCLE was third-over, made a break nearing headstretch.
TWELFTH RACE – Sunshine! … AP HALL OF TRIX got position leaving, on the move just past the half and hit a higher gear 5/8 to clear to the lead after a fast third quarter, had 2½ lengths past midturn, saw all but a neck of that gobbled up by MAGNIFICENT SEVEN but did last to the wire. The latter had cover but didn’t stay with the winner’s quick move into the far turn, but never gave up and kept getting closer. DIVINE SPIRIT was stuck in, out in a blindswitch far turn then inside in the lane and was next-best. BANZAI AS was fourth-over, four-wide into the stretch and outkicked HUNTING AS. The latter got a tuck, then was third-over and three-wide, outtrotted. PRESIDENT never factored. CAN’T SAY NO got into the pocket well into the fast first quarter, was shuffled when the leader gave way ¾. PETER’S EXPRESS went up between horses to take over and went 26.4 to seat a foe, under attack down the back and was finished 3/4.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MANKAT was first on top then yielded 3/16, vacated the pocket 11/16 and challenged, got a short lead, looked possibly in danger of being swallowed by the second-over but that one broke midstretch, went on gamely. CAPTAINOFROCKNROLL was three-wide to the first turn, tucked third, stayed in and went to the pocket as it was vacated 11/16, to the Pocono Pike, coming on well. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN made the top 3/16 and kept up a fast pace, was challenged from late backstretch and then on both sides in the lane, held pretty well. EMBLAZE HANOVER and SOMEWHEREINVERONA were two-wide slightly off the top bunch far turn, both finishing very strongly wide. BEACH FIRE K gapped most of the second quarter, got going uncovered and then got cover 11/16, wide in the lane and may have had the momentum to go by but broke midstretch, placed. TRANSPARENCY was buried inside, had no room upper stretch then was in tight quarters with the breaker midstretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – FULL MOON BEACH got forward position, moved quickly 3/8 to get the lead, left these far behind from the ¾ in a quick mile over a drying but still-off surface. KAUAI KING moved uncovered 5/8, got to a clear second early stretch, urged to hold that position. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was first to go outside, got cover but gapped, narrowed in a bit. MAJOR SHOW gapped in front of the stands, a bit late. HULOU was first on top, yielded, stayed in and was shuffled badly when the pocketsitter gave way. KEYSTONE CATALYST gradually made his way up to the lead off the first turn, yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up in the pocket ¾. ANDRES HANOVER was off the gate and gapped in last throughout.
Jun 13, 2021 | General News
FIRST RACE – Again hot, with a stretch headwind changing midcard … MARION GONDOLIER left well, yielded at the ¼ and sat in the two-hole behind quick fractions, outside late turn and soon got the lead, drew away. TRICKY DICK got early position, didn’t stay with the top two far turn, but then steadily late and along for second. FRAC stayed in, decent to get third. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-deep to the ¼ to take the lead, set a pretty quick tempo without pressure, weakened the last 1/8. MUSKINGUM was second-over behind nongaining cover, three-wide, just got the last check. FOREVERHILLREIGN had an excess of cover, widest and a bit at the end. KEYSTONE THUNDER looked at leaving but the filled a hole, uncovered 11/16, not a major danger. FINAL DREAM was not prominent.
SECOND RACE – DIXIE CHICK came out from fifth just past the quarter and made the lead before the second turn in a not-swift quarter, remained in firm control. BETTER BID HANOVER was three-wide leaving in getting the front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, extended to hold into the distant second. TEMPTATION EYES was four-wide towards turn one, momentarily got rough and took back to tuck third 3/16, outside again ¾, evenly. SANTAFE’S MJ was three-wide far turn and gained some. JENN’S GIRL was two-wide to the 1/8 and had the early pocket, stayed in, gapped out in the last ¼. KATHY’S CHAMP was gapping down the backstretch. PINEBUSH SWEETLIFE never made her presence felt. SIGNIFICANT OTHER lost contact past the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – BY A HOFF HANOVER was three-wide between horses going into turn one, then two-wide in securing the top at the ¼, sped up down the back, had to be urged home (30.2 last quarter) to stay safe of the closest challengers. TUFF TO BE LINDY took advantage of the rail, yielded at the ¼ for a pocket trip, was gaining some ground back in the Pocono Pike. ENDYMION moved uncovered 11/16 and made a steady progression to the wire. WINGMAN HANOVER took back early, started to gap in third 5/8. MY SON TY HANOVER and GAVINATOR both gapped a good part of this mile. JET STRIDE was four-wide leaving into turn one, then made a break.
FOURTH RACE – MIGHTY SURF gradually worked up to command 5/16, rolled on and drew off late in a very fast time for this bottom trotting level. LIBERO HANOVER made the lead and pushed the winner past the ¼, yielded for the pocket, was third when the first-over challenged, but stayed on steadily to be the distant deuce. EVANNA made a big 27.4 uncovered move down the back, but she was tired in the last 1/8. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK got the early pocket at the 1/8, struggled to keep pace in the three-hole 5/8. SCIROCCO JAKOB and GRAN PARAISO were never part of the main story. WELL CONNECTED KID moved out behind cover down the back but immediately couldn’t keep up.
FIFTH RACE – ROLLIN IN NEW YORK went three-wide into the first curve, onward to 3/16 command, slowed quarter two then sped up down the back, had a safe lead. SHIP WRECK BEACH K moved uncovered into the second turn, retucked in the pocket 5/8, went on well to the wire in a fast mile for this type. SNUF ENUF HANOVER followed the place horse’s cover, couldn’t stay with it, got to tuck in early on the far turn, clear third. HOLY MOMENT had some speed, was stuck behind a tiring pocketsitter 5/8 and had to wait to back outside, but didn’t make up ground once clear. YOUR HONOR went to the lead then yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up from not much off turn two. ROAD READY WES lost contact.
SIXTH RACE – Wind diminishing … P L OLIVIA moved from second 3/16 to quickly grab control of the racetrack, rated the half and was in control. PRAIRIE TRINKET tucked third towards turn one, gapped a bit midbackstretch, then came out in the stretch and just caught PAINT BY NUMBERS for second. The latter was quick to get the early lead, yielded for the pocket, kept up pretty well most of the way but then tired and lost second late. EXTRA FANCY went around stragglers. BARNUM and AMBERS CHAMPION were not major players. SECRET EDGE jumped an 1/8 before the start. ONE TRIX PONY galloped going into the first bend. KRISTIELEIGH broke w-a-y before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – CHEESEHEAD raced up into the early pocket, gapped the runaway leader until late backstretch, out ¾ and went right by, far enough clear to withstand the rush of FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX. The latter was three-wide early and tucked midpack at the 1/8, outside on the turn, finished the last 1/8 very strongly. EDITORIAL was double-looped and settled third at the 1/8, gapped the gapping winner a ways, tighter, outside on the turn, just made third over JAM THAT GUITAR. The latter had trouble, as many did, keeping tight in the fast pace, stuck behind the tired pacesetter late turn, then to the Pocono Pike and almost got third. MOM’S LITTLE WORLD got around stragglers for the last check. SIR LOVEALOT BC was off to the races setting a fast pace for maidens on a clear lead until past the 5/8, then got tired. THE OTHER TRIO were always way behind (TOTALLY ABEL got a slow start and was disconnected early).
EIGHTH RACE – CIMERONKEN was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed into the 3-hole, moved out with cover on the turn and wide headstretch, worked his way to the lead. DON was two-wide until getting the pocket 3/16, outside ¾ to the lead late on the turn, overhauled, kept second ahead of MAGIC VACATION. The latter swung wide into the stretch and finished strongly. CAMPBELLINI decided to use the advantage of the rail and went through to force tucks and set the pace, rated quarter two, yielded late turn, fair late. POND JUMPER was wide with distant cover early, then two-wide with cover until swinging three-deep early in the backstretch, got to two-wide with cover again ¾, OK. WINDSUN HUGO did not enter the picture. MARLEY’S GUY actually showed first away from the gate but was four-wide and, seeing he would not clear easily, took back, found no hole and was on the outside raw, looped late backstretch and tired. ALLY WAY CAST moved outside but had little to offer.
NINTH RACE – It rained during the race … KIANNA was first to the point, yielded past the ¼, moved outside 3/8 and reclaimed control just before the half, was subjected to first-over pressure which she turned back, stayed safe in the lane. ALLEY HANOVER went into the early pocket, third-in, went to the Pocono Pike and had late kick. CAVIART LUCIA was three-wide to the 1/8 and pressed on to the front past the ¼, yielded at the half, stayed close but didn’t quite have enough. DARK MIRAGE was second-over, found her best gear a little too late. KATES WAY was between horses leaving, looped and in 3/16, came first-up 9/16 and pressed the lead, tired some in the lane. THE LAST THREE were well behind (CHANEL BEACH was off the gate).
TENTH RACE – The diminished wind appears to be reversing to a stretch tailwind … THISISSHE was on top at the 1/8, relinquished, retook to the 3/8, had a lot of horses in contention headstretch but maintained her advantage to the wire gamely. ARCHIBALD was second-over, three-wide past the ¾, one-geared it steadily. STOP RESISTIN was third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn then four-wide headstretch, finished nicely. JUST MAYBE THE ONE started uncovered just past the 3/8 and attacked the winner, tired a little bit. CLARION HALL got the top 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, had the Pocono Pike awaiting but could muster little rally. THE NEXT THREE never achieved contention. MISS VET HANOVER had some speed, had started to gap before the half and broke soon after that point.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROCK IDOL had some gate jet, pulled uncovered at the half and attacked the leader on a long challenge from the 5/8, finally pulled away from that one past midstretch. BEGINNER’S LUCK was wide leaving to get command in a quick quarter, rated quarter two with the wind then picked it up as the winner made his presence felt, fought that one off as long as he could, second while well-clear of the rest. BRANDON HANOVER was away to secure the pocket, was loose in same from the 5/8, distant third. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN gapped gapping cover then got tighter, three-wide midturn, picked up the rest. WILDCAT HILTON left but took back, not heard from thereafter. ASTON HILL DAVE was not prominent. MOXLEY moved uncovered nearing the second turn, then got cover at the other end of that bend but couldn’t go with it, falling way back late.
Jun 12, 2021 | General News
FIRST RACE – Hot; stretch headwind … BETTOR B ROLLING didn’t come off the rail until the ¾, but circled those in front of him by headstretch and ran away. NORTHBROOK RON trailed the winner at a distance that grew in the last quarter, but still beat the others. TERLINGUA gapped the early duelers, came up the Pocono Pike for the very distant third. ARTACUS went off the rail 3/4, evenly. SPORTY REDHOT kept the pocket closed during the early duel, then gapped out 5/8. BAYONET went in front at the 1/8 and hung a foe in fast fractions, had nothing left for the stretch. BIG GAME HUNTER had cover to the 1/8 then was left raw, challenged for the top but was left out in the air, fading before the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – JEREMES GENERAL was looped and tucked third at the 1/8, moved outside past midturn and three-wide headstretch, kicked in late and got the decision. CASH IS KING made the lead before the 1/8, set wind-appropriate fractions under no pressure, couldn’t hold up. HES GONE BADDER secured the pocket, outside headstretch but came up a bit shy. CHANCELLORCULLEN N stayed connected, next in line. NEWS WATCH outfinished MEADOWBROOK FLASH for fifth. GRAVE DANCER was uncovered before turn two, had stopped gaining 5/8. GRANTOR HANOVER backed out behind the first-over, three-wide 5/8 but never gained.
THIRD RACE – ANDOVERS TOUCH took the pocket nearing the 3/16, gapped at the half then got closer through the backstretch, outside ¾ but back in on the turn, then had a clear inside path as the pacesetter bore out and was along in a slow last quarter. TW LAUXMONT would not yield while setting a monstrous quarter and half for bottom trotters, clear much of the backstretch, bore out through the stretch but still didn’t lose by all that much. CHOCOTURE was out down the back about a half an acre behind the lead, went inside the bearing-out horse late and gained (in the 32 kicker). CRITICAL MASS moved outside 5/8, carried three-wide by a drifter headstretch, so-so. LANDONFITZ gapped much of the way, got the last check up the inside. NATALIE HANOVER couldn’t stay close the last half. CHUCKY DE VIE was three-wide much of the 3/16, got in past the ¼, gapped, bore out some headstretch and had no late response.
FOURTH RACE – SWEET ROCKIN GIA backed off early, quarter-moved but needed the length of the frontstretch to clear to the top, tough in the latter stages. GEORGIE MARTIN N, low-going, moved alertly to second-over, three-wide to headstretch, looked to want to run in a little early stretch, then got straightened away and went on steadily. DELISHKA N put everybody in behind early, then yielded only after pushing past the 3/8, tired a bit. DIBABA N was three-wide to the 1/8, reluctantly went inside past the 3/16, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, couldn’t sustain. ROCK N ROLL ROSIE was no factor. PAIGE’S GIRL gapped cover.
FIFTH RACE – GEMOLOGIST settled into the pocket early and rode the good trip, outside headstretch and went on to an easy victory. DARTY stayed third-in, went to the Pocono Pike and held second over RECIPROCALBLUECHIP. The latter looked at leaving but took back, stayed in, outside for clearance before midstretch and finished with trot. WISENHEIMER headed down the road in snappy fractions, nothing left for the stretch. BLENHEIM was third-over, three-wide at the ¾, some belatedly. WHAT A RUSH gapped early then tightened in en route to going first-over into turn two, never reached the leader, faded. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over, was blindswitched, then angled wide headstretch but couldn’t contribute much.
SIXTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS reluctantly settled in the pocket nearing the ¼, moved outside midturn, then wide and ran down BUDDY HILL late in a very fast time for bottom-level horses. The latter went into the 3-hole past the 1/8, then started uncovered 9/16, went up with the wind and challenged the leader from the 11/16, put that one away headstretch, held gamely, far ahead of any of the others. ROCK THREE TIMES moved outside at a distance on the turn and was along for a no-factor third. IMAGINEUWITHOUTME stayed in, advanced to fill a hole late backstretch, didn’t have that much along the inside late. SEEL THE DEAL N went right down the road, under pressure from late backstretch, surrendered headstretch. NIALL HANOVER moved outside but couldn’t enter the fray. STORMONT CZAR A and BEACH BABY BEE gapped at the back. SHOREVIEW moved out uncovered 5/16, never got close.
SEVENTH RACE – HOPEFUL PRAYER used inside positioning to take control of the throttle, put in a pair of 28.2 back splits to be an easy winner. VICTORIANA left between horses and went to the pocket at the 1/8, maintained second over MY ABIGAIL late. The latter was well-placed second-over, tipped wide late turn but went wider than needed and stayed wide, could not rally for the deuce. AD ASTRA was three-deep leaving, settled n third past the 1/8, uncovered early on the backstretch, challenged then started to fade past midturn. CHEESY HANOVER hugged the inside and just got the last check. QUICKEST HANOVER was far back, in tight quarters late going for the last check. THESUNRISESAGAIN was eclipsed in here. CANTABSLEADINGLADY was behind the gapping cover of SISTER CHRISTINA and tried to circle it ¾, but neither filly got close.
EIGHTH RACE – APRIL AVA was looped leaving and went on to the front in a quick quarter, yielded, loose in the pocket from the 5/8 into the stretch, but (as the pace decelerated) rallied courageously to get the decision. CAVIART CHERIE quarter-moved to 3/8 command, went 54.4 in the middle half opening a clear lead 5/8, almost lasted in a fast mile – good effort. PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL looped everybody leaving to the front into turn one, saw two go by, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, was doing very well up the inside late. CRAZY CUTE was looped, tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved uncovered 5/8, grinded all the way home after looking shook off headstretch. SKATEBOARD CHIC raced inside, evenly late. BYE BYE MICHELLE never featured. PAMMY JO moved second-over but gapped.
NINTH RACE – PIPER HANOVER gradually worked her way to the lead off the first curve, finished in hand while unthreatened with back fractions of 55.2 – 27.3, top mile. MAY KARP left and forced a tuck, then let the winner go, up on the bit, just not quite as good as the winner. ALPINE left, went in behind the place horse, stayed connected, clear third. ABOVE THE CLOUDS also stayed connected while no threat. KOMMIN ON STRONG was inside, gapped ¾. MISS CLEOPATRICK was uncovered at the half and did trot up in 27.1 the third panel, but never got close and then tired significantly. DD’S DIAMOND was no factor. FORTITUDE FASHION was near the back when breaking 5/8.
TENTH RACE – The teletimer malfunctioned during the race; the official fractions were 27.1, 57.2, 1:26.2, 1:53.1 … BELLA BELLINI went up gradually and shopped a tuck fourth 3/16, uncovered past the 5/8 and soon in high gear, had a terrific battle with ANOKA HANOVER in the 26.4 last quarter, gained the advantage for good very late. The latter quarter-moved and got a rest to the 5/8, where she picked it up as the winner was coming, all-out in a ding-dong duel with the one, very good race. YOU ATO DREAM went out to instant command, yielded for the two-hole, was just off the top two and far ahead of the rest. PUB CRAWL left and took the pocket going to turn one, couldn’t keep up ¾. FORTISSIMO FASHION was last when breaking on the far turn. INEFFABLE tried to keep with cover but broke on the last bend.
ELEVENTH RACE – LADY CHAOS worked up to the lead at the 1/8, let a foe go 5/16 and sat on her back as she came under pressure, went to the Pocono Pike and steadily worked her way to the front. DONNA SOPRANO was looped, briefly had early cover then went on to grab the racetrack 5/16, came under bigtime pressure from FLAWLESS COUNTRY, held that one off but was caught to the inside. The latter started uncovered 5/8 and went head-to-head with the pacesetter from the 11/16, held well. MAZZARATI had the early pocket, stayed in then backed out to second-over 11/16, didn’t quite have the speed of those finishing ahead of her but stayed trying. REBEL GIRL saved ground, never a factor. GOO DOO DOLL came off the rail midturn after a foe broke, but couldn’t reach. MELANIA was third-over, went offstride mid-far turn. LOVE MUFFIN misbehaved soon after the start.
TWELFTH RACE – DAZZLING REIGN went out to early control, yielded to a brusher to the half and sat connected in the two-hole, outside headstretch and drew away easily. DIFFIDENT advanced all along the inside, Pocono Pike, good to be up for second. MOVE OVER SOME made a move 3/8 to get the lead by the half in a slow second quarter, rolled on but came up shy in the drive. EVENING STROLL had the early pocket, stayed in until moving wide and wider nearing headstretch, found a better gear a little too late. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA never entered the picture. R SPEED OF LIGHT was out behind cover, never got close. VINYANA tucked third at the 3/16, backed out to third-over nearing the half but soon found herself raw as one horse cleared up top and one broke, never factored thereafter. WIXX HANOVER went into a midpack tuck 3/16, then followed a brusher 3/8, about to be left raw when breaking at the half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JUXTA COWGIRL wouldn’t let anybody by at any point, dug in tough when threatened late. JENORA N got in third past the 1/8, came uncovered 11/16, went on well but couldn’t go by. JUSLIKEAQUEEN took the pocket past the 1/8, to the inside of the winner, held OK but edged for second. ROLL WITH ANGEL stayed in, gapped a bit on the turn, then was better in the Pocono Pike late. ABIGAIL DAWN was out behind a dull second-over, ducked in past midturn, squeezed through up the deep inside with pace. A CRAFTY LADY had an excess of cover. BULLVILLEKARLA never was in the mix. BRING ME DIAMONDS moved outside but never gained. ELENIARK A was last at every call.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR was third-over, blindswitched ¾, able to clear and go widest in the stretch, up in the last step in a blanket finish. DARK ENERGY N was uncovered towards the 5/8 and gradually gained, kept going, may have made a one-step lead two steps from the wire, just nipped. JANAID was looped leaving then went on to take over control, set the pace, was ahead until the last couple of steps. GENERAL JOY A was second-over, three-wide midturn, steadily but a quarter-step short of these. JAHAN HANOVER left for the top then yielded for the pocket, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, not far off. MOTIVE HANOVER took back at the start, trailed inside, went to the deep Pike, missed it all by 1¼ lengths, and didn’t get a check. HOW ARE YEE JOHN went three-wide from fourth-over ¾ blindswitching the winner, but couldn’t sustain.
Jun 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot weather; stretch headwind … SCOTT ROCKS was urged leaving, three-wide to the 1/8 then cover to the ¼ then raw to 3/8 command, still got a rest to the half, then came home in 54.4 and proved too tough. BABES DIG ME started raw on turn two and went up in 26.2 the third split to challenge, held very nicely. WHITE HAIR ROCKS backed off early, sat in and was shuffled to last, angled widest in early stretch and had strong velocity. CURIOUS CORTEZ left between horses, needed most of the ¼ to gain the lead, yielded 3/8 and stayed tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. ALEX TYE pushed a very fast quarter from the rail and yielded, sat in, to the deep Pike, OK late. BELLOWS BINGE stayed tight second-over, three-wide midturn, flattened out in the lane. REGAL SON moved to third-over at the half, gapped cover.
SECOND RACE – LINCOLNJAMES made two speed moves and just kept pouring it on, gave these the bum rush with a 26.3 third quarter and won for fun. INDICTABLE HANOVER was midpack the first quarter with some cover, then was left raw, kept on grinding and second in a very brave showing. DECLAN SEELSTER left between horses and spotted third, locked in when the pocketsitter backed up from the 5/8, belatedly to the Pocono Pike and did OK for third. OUTKAST BLUE CHIP was second-over, blindswitched ¾, but couldn’t keep with his two-wide cover. HEISMAN PLAYER moved three-wide with cover far turn and four-wide headstretch, had a little pace late. HORSING AROUND was third-over, gained some three-wide on the turn but flattened in the stretch. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A was three-wide to the 1/8 in taking back to last, never again heard from. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was three-wide early and urged to clear at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, gapped from the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – BELL I NO made the lead at the 3/16, got a little breather to the half, then blistered home in 54.3 – 27.1 as a clear winner. LOVE THE ACTION left hard, pushed the winner then yielded for the pocket, could not stay with that one late today. ALBERGO HANOVER gapped as the top two fought early then tightened in, backed out and wide after the second-over broke, drifted wider but a clear third. PROVOCATIVEPRINCEN was wide leaving then took back to tuck fourth 3/16, uncovered early on turn two, gained some down the back but could gain no further. TULLOW N couldn’t keep up. KEYSTONE STEAM was second-over, gapped, broke mid-far turn.
FOURTH RACE – INDIGO ART stayed in, had a rough step or two ¾ closing a gap inside, but then was taken directly to the deep Pocono Pike and had good pace to get the decision. NEWBIE didn’t have to go that much to defend the pocket as there was only one leaver, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead, but then was outpaced to his left. ZOEEZ BOY HENRY vacated third 11/16, steadily while no threat. ALL IT TAKES was on top just past the 1/8, went slow-fast in the middle quarters, empty in the stretch. BAMSKI sat in, didn’t gain in the lane. BUSBOY HANOVER moved to the outside but never entered in the picture. A REAL MIRACLE moved raw from far back into turn two, got cover late backstretch but never reached it then started to retreat midturn.
FIFTH RACE – LOUD SPLASH took a tuck third but was again on the move before the ¼ to claim the top 5/16, separated from the pocket horse much of the last half and won for fun. NEEDLESS TO SAY made the front at the 1/8 then relinquished to sit in the pocket, on a line late on turns two and three (no surprise) and started to gap entering the backstretch, proved to be second-best here. REDHOT ROMEO left for the early pocket, stayed third-in, outfooted the other overmatched foes for third. GIVEN UP TERROR moved uncovered before the 5/8, never reached the leader, evenly. RAKSMACH N was third-over, not a presence here. LENWOODS REAL DEAL didn’t enter the picture. MYIDEALSON N was second-over behind nonadvancing cover, went three-wide ¾ but then himself did not advance.
SIXTH RACE – PAPI HANOVER got command past the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, was steered to the Pocono Pike, was confident in going past CONQUEST AS. The latter had early cover then went on, might’ve been shopping for a hole but found none and proceeded to get the lead 5/16, rated Q2 against the win then sped up, gave way grudgingly. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE was uncovered at the half, was never closer to the lead than at the wire. MANHATTANUP NO ICE left and yielded, inside, not enough late. TRUEMASS VOLO and MYSTICAL WYNN were in the two-wide nonflow behind a gapper, four- and five-wide respectively in the stretch and kicked home well. O JONNIE offered little. JACK RULES was second-over, three-wide late turn but didn’t do much. RIVER OTTER was wide early then took back, not heard from again.
SEVENTH RACE – SHANE ADAM was three-wide leaving, took back but wouldn’t go in a hole so motored up nearing the 25.4 quarter and went on to the lead 3/8, threw a 26.3 third quarter at these turning back the first-over and leaving the rest behind, won for fun. CLASS SIX was out a long way in the scorching opener before taking the pocket, stayed in, outside early stretch and was along, had some back-end “b.e.” flopping under the wire (the tail tie?). BLOW A CLOUD N refused to give up the lead in a 25.4 opener, then did relinquish to the winner 3/8, fell back from the far turn, very tired late. URBAN RENEWAL sat in, evenly. CAPTAIN HILL closed in behind the early duelers, then was uncovered into the second turn and rushed up to the leader by the half, did not go by by the 5/8 and fell back in the last stanza. P H KENNY moved second-over but couldn’t keep up. SPORTS TEEN drifted outside near the back early, developed a problem late.
EIGHTH RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP left well and pushed a little before yielding for the pocket, was under a good hold in the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, then held off the closers – not what you’d expect from your typical $169.40 horse. ARCHETTO HANOVER spotted at the 1/8, then was second-over, three-wide past midturn, steadily to just picture out ARTACHE HANOVER for second. The latter was third-over, followed the place horse’s cover on the turn, then wider and moving well late. SWEET TALKIN SATIN led the outer charge at the half, grinded up and challenged hard from the ¾, held decently. PANTHEON HANOVER sat in, outside late turn, OK between horses late. AN THE THUNDEROLLS gapped off the second turn. POLAK A was used to clear 3/16, didn’t have it in the stretch today. GOLDEN GESTURE never featured. HIGHVIEW CONALL N moved outside but had very little.
NINTH RACE – WAR-N-MUNN left and was content to take the pocket, outside late turn and proved the best in here. JUST PLAIN LOCO sat in, came out just before the ¾ and moved up well, stayed two-wide when the winner pulled, finished steadily for the deuce. IDEAL COWBOY went out quickly to establish command, wasn’t bothered on the lead, but couldn’t make his advantage last. VALIANT IVY moved outside far turn, then ducked to the Pocono Pike, edged for third, far ahead of the others. ALWAYS THE SUN was away slowly and gapped. VICTORIAS MAVERICK started to gap out 5/8. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was parked with cover early, never made a sharp move frontward and faded down the backstretch.
TENTH RACE – SHOOBEE DOO A moved into turn two and got a great second-over trip, three-wide midturn, came out of the turn with a small lead, paced steadily to the wire and bettered the inside move of J M MANDARIN. The latter pushed away very hard, finally yielded past the 3/8 in brutal fractions, was crucially shuffled late turn as the pacesetter tired, finally got to the Pocono Pike and was pacing at least as fast as the winner late. HIGHALATOR was urged leaving, backed off to keep the pocket closed, moved uncovered at the half and was pushed while challenging, had the lead but not the inside in an amazing 1:20.2 3/4s, outkicked by fresher horses, game. BLAZEN RIVER N was third-over, four-wide headstretch, raced well. CROCKETTS CULLEN N sat in, behind a wall headstretch but couldn’t keep up late. COVERED BRIDGE was three-wide most of the hot ¼, then parked past the 3/8 to get the lead, went to the half in 53.1, had a hard challenge from the first-over, kept that one out on the turn but finally tired nearing the stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – HICKFROMFRENCHLICK made the top before the 1/8, dissuaded an early move from MAYHEM HANOVER, then held on against a late charge from that pocketsitter. The latter rethought an early move from second, then came on in the stretch with a 27 quarter against the wind but just missed while far ahead of the others. PRINCE OF TIDES sat third, gapped the top two on the turn but did hold on for third. BLOOD LINE didn’t keep tight along the inside. FABRICE HANOVER stayed in and got the last check. SOMEBODYITREASURE moved third-over 9/16 but had dull cover. AMERICAN ZEST A was just behind midpack when deciding to go frontward past the 1/8, out raw, never got close. JK MUSICMAN was second-over, three-wide ¾ but never gained. BAY MEADOWS was off the gate a little then gapped at the back.
TWELFTH RACE – WITH OUT A DOUBT charged through to get early command at the 1/8, yielded off the first turn for the pocket, a bit loose on the far turn after the fast fractions but dug in and summoned enough to catch the leader up the Pocono Pike. MISS MCKEE had cover to the 1/8 then was left raw and went up to clear to the lead off turn one, went a fast third quarter and as noted briefly stole clear far turn, but couldn’t hold the advantage to the line. THE LIONKING AS left and yielded, evenly for third. AFTER ALL PAUL came raw 9/16 and started a gradual grind that didn’t really get him close. TWO AM was not prominent. JACK VERNON struggled second-over. HATIKVAH was far back when breaking near headstretch. MUSHANA had moved outside into turn two but soon broke.
THIRTEENTH RACE – AMERICAN VIRGIN started a long uncovered move before the 3/8 in front of a horse who pulled early, just kept coming and coming and earned the decision impressively. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS backed out to second-over past the ¾, almost took it all. NATIONAL SPORT sat in, outside in a blindswitch headstretch, searched for clearance through the stretch, didn’t seem to find it until very late. CLOSING STATEMENT was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide past the 3/16 in a 26.1 opener, rated the half, didn’t get pressure until the turn, not enough. BARNABAS was inside, appeared to check before as a horse in the Pocono Pike made a break, then gained a little near the finish. LORD WILLOUGHBY A came at the ¼, was behind the winner but gapped and was blindswitched. WAGON MASTER tried to gain three-wide around dull cover 11/16 but couldn’t do much. CAPTAIN CASH went into the two-hole before the first turn and stayed there, moving into the Pike to take a shot in the stretch but went to a gallop.
FOURTEENTH RACE – AINTNOBETTOR A drove through early to protect the pocket, then moved in front of the stands to get command, withstood the late charge of MIGHTY SANTANA with some late encouragement. The latter left but was caught three-wide and retreated into his own hole, stayed in, came off the rail past early stretch and gained well late. BLACKLIGHT drove on between horses to the lead, yielded for the two-hole, did not have sufficient punch late. SOMEBEACH BARON was third-over, three-wide midturn, had late pace; MELODIES MAGIC followed that one’s path, four-wide headstretch, OK. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was not prominent. WEONA SIZZLER A tucked behind the three early fighters, then moved raw 3/8, got up to the wheel of the winner but no closer, tired. WAVES OF FIRE A was second-over, accepted the blindswitch midturn, little late. CAVIART ROCKLAND never featured.
