May 23, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature in the low 60s … Stretch tailwind early … In the stakes races, there are three-year-olds early in their campaigns, so you’ll see a LOT of fast back halves and quarters from these talented horses gearing up for their long year … KOMODO BEACH made the lead 3/16, rated the half, then stepped home in 55.1 – 27.1 to win safely as an example of what we just mentioned. MYSWEETBOYMAX yielded for the pocket, tried the Pocono Pike and did well to stay close to the winner. GREAT SOMEWHERE came off of turn two and paced his own back half without cover in 54.3, game to the line. FULL MOON BEACH swung outside from third on the far turn, held evenly. BEACH TIME BOY was shuffled a bit, OK from far back. MAD MAN HILL was third-over, could get to second-over when a foe bore out late backstretch but couldn’t get into the main fight. SETH HANOVER and ANDRES HANOVER weren’t going to gain enough into these back numbers. FULSOME was second-over but bore three-wide late backstretch and lost his action.
SECOND RACE – ALLI NUI accepted the pocket at the 1/8 and traveled the golden trip, out in the stretch and stepped right by to an easy win. DELISHKA N decided to cut the pace, got a breather to the half, could not match steps with the winner but clear of the rest. MAJOR BATTLE was second-over, three-wide when cover faltered midturn, just got third over TSM ARTEMIS T. The latter sat in, swung out far turn, OK. SHE’S A BILLIONAIR gapped inside down the back, got the last check. ISLAY N was never prominent. KAY’S DELIGHT went uncovered from third at the half, didn’t make much of an impression before falling back. MISS TRESSA had too far to come. RELLA TIVITY gapped at the back.
THIRD RACE – SHOW EM ALL LINDY appeared to give a tuck near the ¼ so he could quarter-move before the parked horse came to him, went to the lead and set fast fractions for bottom trotters, bottomed these out. KANDY KORN had room to go outside late backstretch but stayed in, cleared midstretch and came with a big rush the last 50 yards (as the pace was slowing). MAGIC VACATION got into the early pocket at the ¼, urged far turn, evenly. LAKEVIEW TAMMY came up the inside for the last check. PITTSTOP KIP gapped down the backstretch, then moved out two- and three-wide, couldn’t get into it. NATALIE HANOVER was always far back. CRITICAL MASS pulled out to follow cover towards turn two, went three-wide ¾ but couldn’t sustain any gain in the stretch. CHUCKY DE VIE was outside with cover from two different horses to the 3/8, then left raw, hung in there in the fast pace until the 11/16.
FOURTH RACE – STRAIGHT TALK took the pocket past the 1/8, moved raw 11/16 and went up to make a big challenge, got the lead early stretch then just held off DOUBLE METAL on his back. The latter tucked, then moved out behind the winner, kept inching closer to him, just missed. CAPTAINS PLACE was on top at the 1/8, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t hit high gear right away but was doing a little better at the end. PRAYFORTHEWICKED got inside 3/16, then was third-over, four-wide headstretch, good late pace. RIFLEMAN yielded, made a quarter-move and didn’t get a hard pace, but faltered after being challenged. HIS BEATS HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, to the far inside in the stretch, evenly. GET ALONG offered little. WINNING LINE looked a little rank behind the gate, got away last, not enough here.
FIFTH RACE – LINNYCALLEDFRANKIE got the pocket and sat right behind fast numbers, came out into the stretch and just wore down TAPPED TEEN. The latter went quickly to the front and strung out much of the field in fast fractions, went a big mile but just came up shy. ABACUS got in third to the 1/8, moved outside before the 5/8, fumbled for a few steps then went forward, kept on coming. MANHOLMES gained inside from far back, blocked late turn then moved a lane to the right, did well in the last 1/16. THE LEGEND HANOVER moved outside to turn two, went back inside, evenly. STELLAR YANKEE had little after staying inside. LOUIE THE LOOPER moved uncovered before the half, soon got cover, soon after went inside of it as it did not go (immediately) forward, back out behind it on the turn, but with little. BEACHHEAD gapped at the ¼, then was behind a breaker to the half and moved outside, lost his action. AS ALWAYS was inside when breaking nearing the half.
SIXTH RACE – BOILER MAKER, the only winner on the card to come off cover, moved out past the 9/16 and soon got cover, wide early in the stretch and just caught DEAN B HANOVER in the shadow of the wire. The latter went uncovered 5/8, got in high gear before the ¾ and challenged, made the lead early stretch and almost made that lead stand up to the line. CAPTAIN SLEAZE went to the lead early, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, not as much as the first two but OK. SIMON SAYS HANOVER was last entering the far turn and had to come widest off it, passed a lot of horses in the lane (individual LQ = 26.3). MIKIBYTHESEASIDE was third-over, looked all-out to stay in the flow. SHAKESPEARE grabbed the early pocket, inside, couldn’t offer much late. PATRIOT LINE and TARKIO were never prominent. COALITION HANOVER was under a hold behind the gate, moved 3/16 from third to the lead 3/8, got pressure before the ¾, had little left for the drive.
SEVENTH RACE – SOUTH BEACH STAR was three-wide to the 1/8 then proceeded two-wide to 5/16 command, rated the half, then produced twin 27.1s on the back end and was uncatchable. WARRAWEE WHYNOT took over into turn one, yielded for the pocket, showed good speed to stay right behind the winner. SOMEWHEREINVERONA came out down the back but gapped, ducked in ¾, outside headstretch, not bad at all. BAKLOUVA was uncovered off turn two, couldn’t threaten as the speed really sharpened, then fell back. PHILOSOPHIZER got the last check. CAPTAIN ROMANCE took back early and did not resurface. YANKEE LITIGATOR was behind dull cover, went three-wide but didn’t have much; JUST CALL ME MIKI was that dull cover.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind had calmed … EXPLOIT was uncovered 9/16 and paced in 26.4 down the back to challenge the leader, lost a little bit of ground turning for home, but showed a high capacity in being resurgent and getting the job done. GAMBLIN MO moved just before the 3/8 to the lead entering turn two, took heat from the winner, looked like he may have conquered him headstretch but saw that one come back, no disgrace in this second. LITERL LAD HANOVER was pushed much of the quarter by his stablemate then cleared, yielded entering turn two, a bit loose in the big third quarter battle, came on in the Pocono Pike and was not far off. LUNAR got the lead before the first turn, yielded, stayed in, to the deep Pike, closed well while possibly in tight quarters. HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST was second-over, steadily. STONEBRIDGE REEF was third-over, wide in the lane but not prominent. PIRATE HANOVER yielded into turn one, made a break at the 1/8.
NINTH RACE – ABUCKABETT HANOVER moved just before the ¼ and just did have PERFECT STING beat him to the punch, went by that one with a nice brush past the 3/8 after he had gotten the lead, had the first-over reach his rump to the ¾, shook that one off, then was all-out to withstand “STING” trying to shoot the Pocono Pike on him in a solid mile. PERFECT STING dropped in third, moved towards the ¼ just before the winner then let that one go, slightly loose down the back but then tighter on the turn, to the Pike and inched up on the winner, not quite by but his own last ¼ in 26 in his 2021 debut. RED RIGHT HAND moved with fine cover second-over, three-wide into the lane and edged BILLY CLYDE for third. The latter came with a big roar (26.3) down the backstretch, reached the leader, couldn’t match strides in the lane, still a good mile. LOU’S PEARLMAN was used early to seat a foe, saw the two big horses go by in quarter two, started to lag midturn. SUMMA CUM LAUDE left hard, took the pocket near the ¼, shuffled then back out third-over but couldn’t get back into it. SWEET ANGEL BOY was no factor.
TENTH RACE – ONE EIGHT HUNDRED was away second then moved just before the ¼, went to the lead then let his main rival go and sat behind him, outside in the lane and gained into a 26.2 last quarter with a tremendous blast in the last 1/16. SOUTHWIND GENDRY was three-wide early then in gear at the 1/8, was behind the winner when he moved and carried on to command to the 3/8, certainly no disgrace to be caught after being wide early and then coming home in 54.2 – 26.3. ROCKYROAD HANOVER was second-over behind good cover when he caught up with it, three-wide late turn and up for third. HELLABALOU stayed inside, got to third in the stretch then just passed for that finishing spot. WATER SPORTS TEEN moved uncovered off the second turn and sustained a long grind until nearing the stretch, then backed off. CHASE H HANOVER was on top at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, in, outside far turn but couldn’t gain contention. BETTER NOT TALK broke W-A-Y before the start, caught the field but then tired in the last quarter.
ELEVENTH RACE – WHICHWAYTOTHEBEACH tucked third, then quarter-moved, controlled the throttle and looked comfortable winning. SIX DEGREES went right to the top, saw two horses go by, stayed third-in, up the Pocono Pike and solid for second. CRUNCH HANOVER moved 3/16 for the lead then yielded to the winner to sit the two-hole, outside stretch but could not gain. CURBSIDE PICKUP spotted early, gapped down the back, then advanced along the inside throughout the last quarter. ALWAYS A MIKI tucked midpack 3/16, then was second-over, three-wide approaching midturn, not quite enough to reach on the speed-favoring night. PERFECTBOY HANOVER swung wide from third-over, not a factor. HULOU never entered the picture. POWER SWEET moved uncovered 9/16, started to fade early on the far turn. BRAEMAR never was in the picture.
TWELFTH RACE – ALWAYS B SWEET was three-wide to the 1/8 to the top soon thereafter, yielded and sat snug in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and up in the last few steps. EMBLAZE HANOVER was between horses early and looped, went on to grab the racetrack to the 5/16, set the pace as he liked, came home well but was just outkicked. LOUIE kept a hole closed 3/16, inside, gapped a little on the turn, to the deep Pike, not bad. BAZOOKA HANOVER spotted behind the early fight, then moved raw into the backstretch, one-geared steadily. SERIOUS MIKI was wide on the first turn and outside throughout, wound up third-over, showed good stretch velocity wide. BAYFIELD BEACH was second-over but lacking in the last 1/8. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO offered little after an inside trip. CYRUS PEAK was away slowly, lost contact in the last half. BAY BRUCE was far back when going offstride on the far turn.
THIRTEENTH RACE — BOLT OF BEAUTY settled in the two-hole at the 1/8 and waited until just past midturn to move out, easily caught pacesetting JUSLIKEAQUEEN. The latter made the lead going into the first turn, set a crawling half then sharpened the speed but couldn’t stall the winner. BRING ME DIAMONDS was away in good order, third-in and to the Pocono Pike, OK and far ahead of the rest. SWEET YOUNG THING stayed in, just edged ENGLISH ROSE N for fourth. The latter started uncovered into turn two but was doomed by the slow half as she is a one-speed grinder, not a sprinter, held OK. READY SET ROCK was second-over but not helped much by cover, three-wide at the ¾ but couldn’t reach the main action. ALL ABOUT AMY was in a nonflow third-over. OOH REAL GOOD never factored.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DANCE CLUB left between horses and finally made the lead in 26.2, rated the second split then downshifted and held everybody well at bay. STELLENBOSCH was the innermost of the three early battlers, kept the pocket, clear second. DIBABA N stayed in until the 11/16, then moved raw but could not threaten. PAIGE’S GIRL got cover late backstretch, gapped it on the far turn. WESTERN STEPP never surfaced. SUNDAY AFTERNOON was three-wide past the 1/8, took back to tuck third, faded at the ¾.
May 18, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Low 70s; some stretch headwind, at varying strengths including not so much early … SPORTS TEEN was edging outside trying to flush cover early backstretch, did so 5/8 but then gapped and briefly went back inside, outside far turn and wide stretch, had the most late. VALIANT IVY pushed much of the ¼, yielded but soon was back on the retake, set a quick pace, trying to find more late while bobbing his head, held pretty well. BLOW A CLOUD N was out most of the 27 opener to get the lead, yielded, pocket, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. CLASS SIX tucked third, came out raw 5/8, went up to the winner’s wheel but no closer, held OK. URBAN RENEWAL sat in in last, blocked in the stretch. LOUD SPLASH followed cover but didn’t have enough late.
SECOND RACE – LENWOODS REAL DEAL was underway before the 5/16, went up to get second-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, took the lead into the stretch and lasted until the wire. REDHOT ROMEO left and went on between horses to the front 3/16, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, went out into a blindswitch on the turn as all the two-wide horses went three-wide, ducked between horses and had late pace to just nab second. LORD OF MISRULE was in a good flow fourth-over, three-wide on the turn then inside his cover in the stretch and finished well. ARTACHE HANOVER was third-over, three-wide behind the winner on the far turn, widest in the lane, flattened just slightly. SWEET TALKIN SATIN was originally three-wide then outside with cover until tucking fourth at the ¼, came out into turn two and challenged hard first-over, had the lead part of the far turn, held OK but was engulfed by the closers. JOURNEYMAN left from the rail, yielded 3/16, caught in, so-so in the lane. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was behind a troubled horse 3/8, never heard from again. BURNING MIDNIGHT was four-wide early and three-wide 3/16, made the lead 5/16, set a moderate pace but under high pressure, tired. LIVE LUCKY developed a problem to the 3/8 and dropped far back.
THIRD RACE – KEYSTONE STEAM pulled before the ¼, given reminders to get on with it and made the lead into turn two, drew away in the last quarter. CAPTAIN HILL was out with cover early, took the top at the ¼, yielded nearing turn two, struggled to stay tight the second half, but a clear second. BARNABAS was second-over, three-wide when cover stalled late backstretch, some late foot. A REAL MIRACLE was on top the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, not too much along the inside late. GIVEN UP TERROR started uncovered early on turn two, didn’t threaten before fading. SUNSET BRAYDON was at the back throughout.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch headwind has picked up … TWO AM quickly made the front, got a slow half, picked up the pace, unthreatened winner. GREAT UNKNOWN was second-over, went three-wide headstretch, finished steadily while going his own back half in 56.1. THE LIONKING AS had the pocket by default as there was only one leaver, fair along the inside. NEXTROUNDSONME was third-over, widest in the lane and was doing well late. BANK BOX TREASURE advanced along the inside, trotted up in the stretch to a position where he had no room late. WARRAWEE ROO gapped early, started first-over 9/16, gained until the stretch then tired.
FIFTH RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY, once again bad on a line on the turns, left well and yielded for the pocket, his difficulty causing him to go inside the last two pylons into the stretch, mustered the pace to go past WISE IMAGE, but after an inquiry was placed second for the pylon violation. WISE IMAGE left to get the racetrack just past the 1/8, slowed the half then sped up, caught in the lane while bearing out, but placed first. BYE BYE JOHN sat third throughout and clearly maintained that position late. SPORTSMANSHIP was caught in then backed out to third-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, made up good ground. AN THE THUNDEROLLS was four-wide early the dropped behind the top two, tucked fourth 3/16, not prominent late. GOLDEN GESTURE never got on the main radar. MYIDEALSON N took back early, wheeled out raw before the 3/8, never did get close. WHATA TWIST was second-over, gapped and blindswitched.
SIXTH RACE – GRAPPLE HANOVER was three-deep leaving to the top at the 1/8, yielded but retook almost immediately, an easy winner today. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT pulled raw from midpack 5/8 and grinded, ducked inside headstretch and to the Pocono Pike, giving a little ground late but good. O JONNIE backed out in front of a gapper before the 11/16, himself initially gapped then was better on the far turn and through the stretch. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was third-over but gapped, went on evenly. FINAL DREAM had some finishing trot coming wide from last. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY left and yielded, wound up third, gapped, no factor late. FOREVERHILLREIGN never surfaced. RIVER OTTER was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, on to the lead nearing the ¼, yielded to the retaker, faded the last quarter. BILLIE BLUE improved position early, but then was not heard from.
SEVENTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION took the pocket at the 1/8, alertly moved just before the parked horse cleared the leader before the 3/8 and went on to command into turn two, fought off the favored first-over, bore very wide in the stretch but still was clear. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU left and went on doggedly to claim command past the 5/16, yielded for the pocket, a good second. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT moved second-over, left a slight gap late backstretch but then in gear and three-wide midturn, steadily. STICK WITH CRAMER was fourth-over, zigzagged between horses in the stretch with pace. JANAID was third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn then four-wide, OK. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was last, finished widest of all and well. BAMSKI left some, inside, gapped. BOBBY K HILL made the front, let a horse go 5/16 and saw the winner pull right behind that one and go on to the top, had to go raw to the second turn or else risk being pinned-in, challenged hard, tired after using a lot of energy. TIGERS WAY never got a call.
EIGHTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide to the 1/8 and then tucked fourth, started the outer tier at the half, grinded a good third panel to reach the leader, had an advantage on that one through the turn but could not clear inside, went on and proved the best. WHITTAKER N had a dream trip second-over, three-wide headstretch, closed well but beaten by a tough horse. ELECTRIC WESTERN was the first on top, yielded, shuffled third-in on the turn, found room between horses towards midstretch and responded well. PROVEN DESIRE was looped, refused a big pocket 3/16 and went on to get the front off the first turn, set the pace, came under pressure from the winner, not equal to the task. MYSTICAL WALLY moved before the 3/8 and wound up third-over, couldn’t keep pace in the last 1/8. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N had an excess of cover, three-wide ¾, was in a tough spot. MONEYMAN HILL was three-wide early to command before the 1/8, tried to get a rival to tuck but then yielded to that one off turn one, fell back through the stretch. HOW ARE YEE JOHN gapped inside. ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped outside.
NINTH RACE – BELL I NO made the top leaving, saw tucks given behind him so the favorite could come first-over, but that one did not threaten as the winner was clear the last 3/8 in a fast mile. REGAL SON was underway 3/8 and was second-over before the half, left two-wide uncovered midturn, caught SCOTT ROCKS for second. The latter was urged leaving, tried to keep the pocket closed but could not so gave a tuck to another outside horse 3/8 so he could come first-over, tried hard but not enough here. TULLOW N was three-wide to the 1/8, could get into the pocket past a fast quarter, then fell back from the 5/8. SWEET N FAST N had excess cover, had a bit of pace finishing. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS gapped from third-over ¾. BUSBOY HANOVER was shuffled but showed little once clear. WAR-N-MUNN was looped, outside with cover to the ¼ then coverless until getting in 3/8, backed up.
TENTH RACE – HIGHALATOR was outleft and gradually worked his way to the lead 3/8, proved too tough to catch. VETTEL N started up raw before turn two, threw 26.4 heat on the winner, couldn’t get by him but did very nicely to maintain second. REBELLIOUS moved strongly early to 3/16 command, yielded for the two-hole 3/8, had a shot up the Pocono Pike for second but got edged out. BLOOD LINE pushed a foe then relinquished 3/16, stayed in, deep Pike, OK+. AFLAME HANOVER was wide early, had some cover, then finally got a tuck, back out again second-over, didn’t tip wide for the drive, came between horses in tight quarters with willingness. MYKINDACHIP had an excess of cover, good pace belatedly. FAST N FIRST was third-over, three-wide, not enough. IDEAL FEELING was far back throughout. LEAR SEELSTER never contended.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAJOR OFFENSE drew mutuel attention, disdained a 4-tuck 3/16 and went on to 3/8 command, saw off the favored first-over, clear midstretch but still under encouragement to the wire as the closers were coming. BRAVO TEX N started the outer flow into turn two, got cover at the half, gapped slightly ¾ then found a better gear, three-wide late turn, finished steadily. HORSING AROUND was third-over, four-wide for the stretch, came on well late. THE WALL yielded 3/16, came back uncovered at the half and challenged in a big third quarter, held on well. MELODIES MAJOR gapped a bit down the back, blocked most of the stretch, some when clear. DIVISION BELL gapped inside down the backstretch. WARRAWEE VELOCE had late pace from an impossible spot. WHEN YOU DANCE got the front 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, started getting loose ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – POINTS NORTH was between horses most of the opening quarter and made the lead just after that point, set a quick pace, opened up some room ¾, but then was kept to task to resist AINTNOBETTOR N. The latter took full advantage of the rail to cause a three-deep situation a long way early, wound up in the pocket, loose at the ¾ but then kept narrowing in to just fail. KINNDER JACKSON left a gap behind battlers to the half, then was uncovered early in the backstretch, couldn’t get close enough but made third. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was second-over, outside to the 5/8, three-wide midturn, couldn’t get to third. SEEL THE DEAL N and YANKEE ROLLER A never entered the main action. BILL HALEY N was three-wide almost to the ¼, took back to tuck third, fell back in the stretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – STEUBEN HANOVER started uncovered into the backstretch and started a tough one-gear grind that carried him past the pacesetting SUSIE’S SISTER late. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 and in front going past a good quarter, got mounting pressure from the winner going to the ¾, nicely held off the others. NOTHIN BUT MUSCLE gapped behind the winner’s cover but trotted steadily for third. CONSUS VICTORY was innermost of three leavers, yielded for the pocket near the ¼, couldn’t keep up in the last 1/8. MARION GONDOLIER sat in and was shuffled, went inside a stretch breaker and got the last check. MYSTICAL WYNN was never in the main picture. ANDOVERS TOUCH went on between horses but took back before the first turn, little to offer here. MASSIVE OPULENCE was third-over, looking for more midstretch when going offstride.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SOMBODYITREASURE tucked third then quarter-moved, rated quarter two, then came home in 55 – 27.1 to win easily. ALEX TYE came a long way uncovered (27 third quarter), and while not reaching the winner he was admirably game late to grab second. BLOOD BROTHER made the lead 3/16, then yielded for a pocket trip, loose most of the last half, in the middle of a three-horse photo for second. CAPTAIN MCKEE was seventh but got excellent cover, three-wide into the stretch and with some late pace. CAPTAIN CASH yielded 3/16, sat third-in, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make the battle for second. MACH WEST and THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN didn’t do much off cover. BLACKLIGHT never entered the fray.
May 15, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 50s, with stretch headwind … CASH IS KING left to command, yielded past the 3/16 and then gave the pocket 5/16 to give him a path for a move to the top, which he made past the half, clear the last 3/8. BUGGER BRUISER left outside the winner and tucked, inside and shuffled, in a blindswitch two- and three-wide far turn then could angle to four-wide early stretch, closed strongly. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was in the good outside flow, three-wide late turn, just missed for second. ARCHETTO HANOVER moved with cover but lost it into the backstretch, made some progress, then continued on evenly. BETTOR B ROLLING was out just past the 3/16 for the front, yielded to the winner past the half, a bit loose the last 3/8. HUGH HEFNER N was looped leaving, had cover to just past the 3/16, then got in the pocket to the 5/16, not a late factor. REGAL HOPE was blocked most of the stretch, had pace finishing. ROCK MY TEN offered little. LYONS JOHNNY was not prominent from third-over.
SECOND RACE – WICKED WAYS wound up third, early, closed ground to get into the pocket down the back as the two-holer challenged the leader, to the Pocono Pike and just caught a determined OFF THE RECORD. The latter was outside just past the ¼ to get command, slowed quarter two then received hard pressure the rest of the way, turned back the challenger to her right and battled mightily against the late one to her left. IDEAL HANNAH stayed in, started to angle wide headstretch but then ducked back in, OK. TEMPURA HANOVER moved two-wide with cover then three-wide without cover the last half of the turn. with late speed. IDEAL IN MIRACLES parked a foe just past the ¼, yielded, out to challenge early in the backstretch but could not go by, gave way in the lane. TSM PRINCESS LEXI was not in the mix. BYTHEWAY HANOVER started uncovered at the half, would have had good cover if she could have reached it. BROOKDALE JESSIE left, made the pocket at the 1/8, but broke soon after that point making those behind her go briefly wide, caught the pack but couldn’t gain any more.
THIRD RACE – MARSALA HANOVER moved raw just past the 5/8, paced her own last half in 55 and took over for good midstretch. TURNTHEFROWNAROUND moved up to follow excellent cover, paced on sturdily. FILLY SPEAKS got the front, went faster in the second quarter vs. the wind, then got high heat from the winner late backstretch, hung in there a long way. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD thought about leaving but took back, never again heard from. VIBRENT KELLY defended the two-hole until the ¾ then started to struggle. LYDIA never got into the main argument.
FOURTH RACE – MOVE THE LINE was the only leaver, set the pace as he wanted, and was in control. BEACH TOWN BOY sat in, shuffled a bit then angled out past midturn and wide into the stretch, had late speed for second. SOME DEAL HANOVER was third-over in a nonadvancing flow, four-wide headstretch and finished with good velocity to get third ahead of STELLAR YANKEE. The latter came uncovered from fourth off turn two, went in 27.1 the third split but wasn’t a threatening force. BULLVILLE JONATHAN passed tired opposition. PERFECTBOY HANOVER got the pocket almost by default, went loose on the far turn. MAJOR SHOW was second-over but had little. KAUAI KING fell back down the backstretch.
FIFTH RACE – PD THE BIG EASY went right to the lead, yielded at the ¼ but regained to the 3/8, very strong today. YER SO BAD left well but was limbed out three-high to the first turn, in front just before the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and edged out NUTTIN BUT FINESSE for second. The latter settled third just after the 3/16, uncovered early backstretch, didn’t have enough the last 3/16. ROUTHLAND started the outer flow towards turn two then got cover, but gapped it the latter part of the backstretch. BOLTMAN had some speed, in, couldn’t keep up. TSM BATMAN gapped behind the top five. MR LIQUIDITY and SIR GENE G HANOVER were always far back; so was AMAZING BET, who took a while to settle inside, then had nothing when moved back outside.
SIXTH RACE – CHOCOLATE MATTERS was outside midpack most of the first turn then wide off that bend, but hit high gear and made the lead before the 3/8, rolled along and withstood SNOWFALLA. The latter took command at the start, yielded for the pocket, tried the winner up the inside, couldn’t quite make it. CHING CHING LUCKY stayed connected most of the way, outside ¾, fell back some in the lane but still a clear third. SPIT AND VINEGAR one-geared along the rail. LEXA HANOVER gapped for a forward spot, started gapping 11/16. DOODLE HANOVER moved outside but couldn’t do much. KEYSTONE BARRACUDA was never close. BROAD STROKES broke just past the start. YOU ATO DREAM broke off the turn before the start, recovered and caught the field not much after the start, eased outside behind the winner late on the first turn but made another break.
SEVENTH RACE – BLONDE ONTHE BEACH came uncovered off turn two and gradually gained while one-gearing, along in a slowing late pace. MORROCKIN K was outside midpack nearing the 3/16 then in gear and took the lead past the 3/8, went on at a good clip, got pressure on the top, just held second. SWEETONTHEBEACH was first on top, yielded at the ¼, in, moved out in the stretch, had some pace. A BETTER GAME was looped early, went up to ¼ command, pushed a foe just past the 3/8 then yielded for the two-hole, not too much late. MISS TANGO gapped inside, as did TSM PRINCESS TEDDI. LADY AKILA moved outside off the second turn but didn’t reach cover; CATIE FAYE HANOVER was behind her, never a factor.
EIGHTH RACE – GERARD left well to the lead before the first turn in 27.4, did not let an early mover get by, turned for home with the lead, bore out considerably and saw his margin shrink but just did withstand STORM BURNER. The latter made the pocket fairly easily, had a clear path up the inside in the lane but couldn’t get by the drifting leader. KASEVILLE got early position, continued on evenly, a clear third. COUNT CHOCALOT parlayed an inside trip into fourth. PREACHER MAN tucked midpack past the 1/8, came out at the half but gapped, narrowed in to cover 11/16 then three-wide when that one tired, but never was a major factor. FATHER OF IRELAND moved outside just past the 5/16 and went up but didn’t have the requisite speed to clear and had to stay on the rim, fell back. SHELL SHOCK was off the gate, made a small break early, then dropped way back. CIRCUIT PARTY gapped inside, outside late backstretch, moved three-wide with cover and looked to be ready to go four-wide late on the turn but broke. RARE MUSCLE made a mistake entering turn two.
NINTH RACE – HIGH MINDED grabbed command early, came home in 55.3 – 27.3 and was untested. LOOKING SANTASTIC hustled away to protect the pocket, did well to stay as close to the powerful winner as she did. SUNRISE HANOVER moved uncovered 5/8, kept to her task steadily. TWIN B CHIT CHAT moved second-over, ducked in far turn, to the Pocono Pike, fair. AVAYA HANOVER was third-over late backstretch then second-over on the turn, couldn’t summon enough. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER never reached the top five; THE OTHER TWO didn’t reach the top six.
TENTH RACE – GRAY DRAGON put foes in behind early, yielded to the frontstretch brusher and stayed with him, outside headstretch and probably came home in sub-13 to catch the very good BEST IN SHOW in a super-sharp 1:49.2 performance. The latter went two 27.2 quarters to get early position then brush to the lead in front of the stands, got a “breather” of 28.1 down the back, then sprinted home in 26.2 and still got caught – impressive in his own right. TRU LOU took back to last, moved uncovered in 27.1 down the back just to get close to the leaders, couldn’t sustain but did edge VIRGIN STORM for third. The latter gapped in front of the stands then got a bit tighter, stayed in, waited for the Pocono Pike and closed with pace. TOWNLINE FLIGHT was briefly four-wide early then took back, backed outside down the back but gapped. JAHAN HANOVER had the early pocket, inside, couldn’t go enough the last ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – GONNAHAVEONEMORE got the pocket leaving, moved not long into the frontstretch to 3/8 command, bore out some in the stretch but kept a safe lead on NEED AROCKET. The latter hustled away sharply to 1/8 command, yielded to the winner, tight on his back down the back and outside ¾, gave him pressure, had to settle for second. SOUTHWIND DREDGE was looped early and settled in third, kept on going to hold third over GET LIT. The latter followed nonflowing cover, went wide in the stretch and closed well. BOURBONS COURAGE started uncovered at the half, never got into the main fight. ALWAYS ON THE HUNT backed out to third-over but couldn’t get into this hunt. ROCK IDOL was gapping before the half.
TWELFTH RACE – PAPI HANOVER left, had a hole close and pressed on to the lead nearing the 3/8, yielded, stayed in the two-hole until the stretch, then to the Pocono Pike, won a blanket finish. CAN’T SAY NO was hustled 3/16 to keep the pocket closed, moved 3/8 just as the pacesetter retook and was limbed outside that one in a big fight, fell back ¾ but found renewed determination (as the pace slowed) and came back to just miss. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN saved ground, to the deep Pike, didn’t miss by much at all. KING ALPHONSO tucked fourth, then went up second-over, three-wide late turn, lost some ground upper stretch but narrowed back in (in a slowing tempo). ROSE RUN VINCENT took full advantage of the pole, yielded to the 3/8 but retook just in front of the place horse, had to go a fast 3/4s to deal with that one, came up a bit shy. PETER’S EXPRESS did not feature. HUNTING AS was third-over but didn’t factor. MUSKINGUM never entered the picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HORSE was the only leaver, strolled to the half, ratcheted up to 27 down the back and left everybody behind on the turn, continued out in 27.4. TERRY A HANOVER protected the pocket, went loose late backstretch and through the turn, but continued on gamely. KYUQUOT was first-over before the 5/8 and was a clear second before the ¾, lost ground on the turn but hung in the fight for second well. CAPTIVATE HANOVER was out second-over past the 5/8, swung three-wide before midturn then seemed to have to steady, couldn’t recover enough. MAKE IT COME TRUE wasn’t bad, but not enough vs. this tough crew.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CHERRY RED originally stayed in and was helped when the first-over broke early backstretch, took up those duties himself 5/8 and grinded up, made the lead approaching midstretch then held off the closers. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS tailed the winner, swung wide, gained, just came up a bit shy. BALLCAPSNBLUEJEANS was third-over in the strong outer flow, four-wide into the stretch and lost a little ground straightening, then was moving best of all late. WORTHY OF HONOR dueled with a foe in a fast quarter, briefly tucked in the two-hole but then decided to go on and took the lead 3/8, rolled on with pressure, came up a step shy. ISLAND LILY sat in, got clearance inside when the pocket horse broke, loomed for a couple of steps midstretch but couldn’t summon enough. EVANNA was far back. SERRANO VOLO insisted on the early lead in a sharp opener, then did yield 3/8 for the pocket, might have been starting to tire a little when breaking late turn, to the infield. TUIS SHADOW was forwardly-placed, came out just past the 3/8, but broke off turn two. SO LONG HANOVER looked to be seeking forward position when jumping early.
May 15, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High 40s to mid 50s during the card … Stretch tailwind … LINDY’S BIG BANG was three-wide most of the quarter waiting for the front to settle, then went on to 3/8 command, put down a good clip and was much the best of these. NORTHERN SKYWAY did not get away well, moved out third-over ¾ and then spent of the last turn three-wide, solid closing effort. HARNESS AM was uncovered at the half, reached the wheel of the winner ¾ before backing off, saved third. DARTY took back early, then moved second-over, gapped cover, not too much. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP took into the early pocket just before the ¼, sat in, shuffled on the far turn then got to the Pocono Pike, gained back a little. CLARION HALL prompted a spirited quarter, yielded for the pocket, was getting loose before the 5/8, offstride late. MARLEY’S GUY broke well before the start and went up towards the gate on the dead run, may not have ever caught stride then fell way back on the run.
SECOND RACE – CARTIER BI left well three-wide to the top at the 1/8, was in command of these. TUFF TO BE LINDY sat third, inside and went along steadily. BIG CHARLIE MORAN left between horses to land the two-hole at the 1/8, moved out early stretch, couldn’t gain, started to break 100 feet out and ran home; after an inquiry, the judges found no reason for placing. THAT’S ALL FOLKS was one-paced whether inside or outside. MY SON TY HANOVER gapped past the 5/8. ENDYMION got a slow start and never was close. DONATELLA FASHION lost gait well before the start.
THIRD RACE – SHIP WRECK BEACH K was looped, got in third 3/16, moved raw 5/8 but soon got cover, gapped it on the turn, regathered then proved to have the most in the stretch. SNUF ENUF HANOVER was behind dull cover, gained from way back three-wide far turn, ducked between horses early stretch and finished well. PLAY THERAPY sat in the pocket, vacated same 11/16, lead early stretch but could not make it stand up. YOUR HONOR was fast at the start, rated the half and didn’t get pressure until late backstretch, gave way. ROAD READY WES moved out towards turn two, got cover 5/8 but didn’t go forward. HOLY MOMENT never factored. DANCING TINA tucked early, had room up the inside but was no factor late.
FOURTH RACE – DYNAMITE VOLO moved 5/16 to easily take over 3/8 and rated the half, proved superior here. BY A HOFF HANOVER was in front 3/16, yielded for the pocket, steadily for second. INFINITE ZETTE tucked at the 1/8, moved raw before the 5/8 and went up to pressure the leader, held OK. CAMDEN HILLS had to go three-wide around a sluggish bunch past the ¾, finished steadily. CHERRY MASON was blocked on the far turn but didn’t make up ground. GAVINATOR was first on top, yielded, gapped 5/8. WINGMAN HANOVER moved outside past the 5/8 but could offer very little.
FIFTH RACE – SIRI BLUE CHIP went right to the lead and set the pace as she pleased, had enough sprint on the end to withstand SPICY COVINA. The latter sat the two-hole, then went up the Pocono Pike, gained some but not quite enough. BETTER BID HANOVER stayed connected until early stretch, held third. BROKEN got a slow start then tightened, uncovered off the second turn, fell back in the last 1/8. SIGNIFICANT OTHER didn’t have enough.
SIXTH RACE – A BLUE BLOOD sat a great two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike and outtrotted R SPEED OF LIGHT to the line. The latter made the top at the 1/8, saw a challenger break 3/16, was not under pressure, just couldn’t go enough late, clear of the others. PRAIRIE TRINKET stayed inside and won the photo for third. PAINT BY NUMBERS spotted third, came out past the ¾, evenly. LINNEA HANOVER was off the gate then was bothered at the 1/8, made a good recovery for a check. SECRET EDGE got a tuck early, no factor thereafter. TWO PIECE TANLINES was also bothered at the 1/8 and was far back. FLAME AWAY broke an 1/8 before the start, had caught the field before the first turn, but then made another break and bothered opponents. LILYBET was up and challenging for the lead when going offstride 3/16.
SEVENTH RACE – MAJOR IMPACT came out behind cover 3/16 ahead of a parked horse, saw his cover go by then went up and challenged the new leader, cleared 3/8, kept a foe parked out, then opened some distance headstretch, kept going and withstood LIONBACKER KIDD. The latter was looped early, went on to ¼ command, yielded for the pocket, saw the winner get away some headstretch, narrowed back in some. BUTTER TOFFEE outleft everybody, saw two go by and stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and performed well. STEEL SCHOONER went up behind cover, had to check 5/8 when the cover took a balky step, got back settled then went three-wide midturn, did OK after a difficult journey. ARCHIBALD moved outside and gained late. CELEBRITY MASERATI was looped early, bypassed a hole to press on for the lead but was left outside, took a bad step 5/8 but righted, then got tired in the last 3/16. THE OTHERS couldn’t get themselves into the main picture.
EIGHTH RACE – Most of the field had trouble in this race, but TSM WESTERN SOUL did not: she went right to the lead, did benefit from the mishaps behind her, but still came home in 28.1 as an impressive winner. RAINBOW RISING tucked third, outside past the half to clear a breaker and retucked in the pocket, held second. ALLEY HANOVER picked her way through trouble in early backstretch, closed well. CHANEL BEACH had to go to the infield to avoid a horse dropping down inside in front of her to the 5/8. TEMPTATION EYES went three-wide to get around the early backstretch trouble, then dropped back down to the rail interfering with others, tired, placed. ODDS ON CARLY left well and had the pocket, made a break off the second turn scattering horses, placed. TWIN B BEACHDREAMS couldn’t avoid the second incident and suffered an “ix,” but she was placed up two spots and got a check.
NINTH RACE – CAMPBELLINI was the innermost of the leavers, let a foe go 5/16 and could sit the pocket, outside ¾, got the lead but couldn’t clear the pacesetter on the turn, did make the lead stand up to the wire. POND JUMPER left between horses and was parked past a fast ¼ to get the top, had pressure, then had the winner pull ¾, held gamely in the face of that one’s protracted challenge. CIMERONKEN left and filled the pocket, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, not bad. ALEXANDER HANOVER was inside until the far turn, then moved two- and three-wide, found his best gear a little too late. DON took back early, then decided to go up and follow the parked horses, had to go three-wide before the 11/16, got fresh cover from the winner that he couldn’t stay with, held OK after a hard journey; speaking of which, URSIS DES CAILLONS was three-wide all the way to the ¼, had cover to the 5/16 then was left raw, could never surmount a real challenge to the leader, was looped to the ¾, and still was beaten less than five lengths. PERSEVERANCE never surfaced. NEWCASTLE gapped. WILLY MOUSE came out at the half but was soon offstride.
TENTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN moved into the second turn and rode cover to the ¾, then three-wide to two-wide past midturn, finally got a small advantage just past midstretch, then just held off EXPLOSIVE MAGIC. The latter followed the former then was left three-wide uncovered past midturn, was gaining through the lane but came up a step shy. INAPERFECTWORLD took control in a sharp opener, then left the chalk out to dry, didn’t surrender the lead until just past midstretch. PUERTO RICO had nowhere to go far turn but didn’t get into the battle once free. THISISSHE tucked third, then was underway past the ¼ but could not clear in a 29.4 second quarter despite encouragement, was left out to dry and fell back. TRY TRY AGAIN was near the back throughout. TYSON left, took the pocket 3/16, went inside in the stretch, looking for more trot when going offstride.
ELEVENTH RACE – THE BIG PICTURE moved behind those fleeing the rail into turn two and was left raw, gradually worked up into contention, continued his gain and was just along at the wire. BARRYWHITE HANOVER tucked fourth, sensed trouble 3/8 and moved out but had to go three-deep on the second turn as the pocketsitter also had to get out from behind the potential trouble, to two-wide and to the lead before the 5/8, lasted until near the wire. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH, a handful in his second lifetime start, came out 3/16, went a little wide out of the first turn and made the lead before the 3/8, then appeared to start pulling himself up despite Allard’s hustling him and jammed up those immediately behind, fell far back then re-revved up on the turn, came wide out of the same turn into the stretch and was moving fastest of all late, placed for causing the difficulty. DILLINGER left strongly to get early command, yielded 3/8 and immediately started to run up on the new leader, came out pushing a foe wide and made the lead into the backstretch, let the one behind him go, gapped on the turn, came back some. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO was outside on turn two, then couldn’t keep with the winner when that one brushed up. SHAKEALEG HANOVER had the pocket early, jammed up a bit when the new horse took over 3/8, was caught in and had to be taken under a big hold, never recovered. CAVIART SKIPPER gapped near the back. SWEET SHUNEY MOON lost contact at the back.
TWELFTH RACE—SEVEN IRON went right to the lead, pushed a brusher the length of the frontstretch before yielding for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and proved the best. GREEK LEGEND gapped in quarter two, uncovered 11/16 and steadily moved up, good mile. WILLIE B WORTHY went into the early pocket, stayed in, mulled his directional options headstretch, then went inside the pacesetter and did OK. PHANTOM RUSTY moved outside on the far turn and finished OK. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE quarter-moved but need the entire frontstretch to clear, got pressure on the far turn, gave way. NICE STUFF and FRAC were never factors; nor was FINAL DREAM after breaking early.
THIRTEENTH RACE – THE CANDYMAN CAN went right along on the engine, proved better than his only main challenger, NATIONAL SPORT. The latter was three-deep to the 1/8, then with cover to the ¼, decided not to tuck and went on uncovered, made the pocket 11/16, tried very hard. NOCH TEN took the pocket early, started to get loose past the 5/8, won a photo for a very distant third. BUDDY HILL settled in third before the ¼, stuck behind a tired one far turn, but then couldn’t gain at all once clear in the Pocono Pike. LINCOLNJAMES gapped cover second-over; WAY TO CLOSE was out behind that one, never entered the picture. THUNDER SOME WHERE got early position, then was not heard from again.
May 11, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A chilly 45 degrees on a dank “sloppy +1” night … BANK BOX TREASURE was three-wide leaving to the front 3/16, got stern pressure from MUSHANA from before the half until into the stretch, asserted himself late. The latter came out 3/8 raw and fought hard with the winner, having a small advantage at a couple of points, but got a bit tired midstretch. LIFE WELL LIVED yielded for the pocket, was off the leaders in the last quarter, held for third. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY moved out 5/8 but couldn’t get close enough. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY gapped at a couple of points, a touch of trot late. JACK RULES was always at the back.
SECOND RACE – HEEZ ORL BLACK N went up second-over in a lively flow, left uncovered midturn, took the lead in the stretch and held off closers (1:29.2 last 3/4s in this). HIGHVIEW CONALL N advanced fourth-over, four-wide late turn, beat out SHARKNADO for second. The latter was out third-over, initially gapped a little but then tightened in, three-wide late turn, fair. JEREMES GENERAL was between horses early and looped, tucked, came out into a blindswitch midturn, fair. ARTACUS picked up the last check. HES GONE BADDER was three-wide early and took over past the 1/8 in a 26.3 opener, yielded for the pocket, shuffled badly around the far turn, had some pace once clear. GRANTOR HANOVER was not heard from. AMERICA FIRST came uncovered at the half, fought for the lead and did get to cross over late on the turn, but was all done at that point. BAYONET made two speed moves, kept the first-over out most of the turn, then tired badly.
THIRD RACE – MASSIVE OPULENCE was looped early, went on to get the lead before the 5/16, held off the inside rush of FOREVERHILLREIGN. The latter yielded, sat in third, went right up the Pocono Pike and was making up ground, just failed. ZOOMING was three-wide to the first turn and on top just past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have too much late. TRUMAN JR HANOVER came raw 5/8 but did not advance. SIR JOHN F gapped well past the half, never a major danger. BROADWAY BRUISER moved outside with cover just past the 5/8 but never summoned much. O JONNIE went three-wide ¾ trying to gain from last but could not.
FOURTH RACE – VALIANT IVY was under a hold early to take back to last, outside and soon three-wide before the ¾, made a move to put her squarely into contention, made a course correction early stretch as possibly lugging in, but paced away once straightened away. SWEET TALKIN SATIN headed down the road, held on well. NEWBIE sat in, shuffled a bit on the far turn, then spent much of the stretch angling wide for room, finished well. NEEDLESS TO SAY, on a line at several points of the mile, sat close in the pocket until the far turn, stayed on OK late. LORD OF MISRULE moved uncovered 5/8 but could not threaten. REDHOT ROMEO moved out off turn two but never got into the picture then was blindswitched.
FIFTH RACE – JUSLIKEAQUEEN made the lead 3/16, yielded before the 3/8 and was the only one close to the pacesetter, outside late turn and drew off. SWEET YOUNG THING stayed outside early, in gear 3/16 and up to command before the 3/8, tired in the stretch but held second. OOH REAL GOOD gapped early, was right behind the two troubled horses at the half and was slowed to get clear of them, made up some ground. TRUSSED UP TRUDY went to the front, yielded 3/16, was third on the second turn when making a break, placed behind YES DOUBLE DOWN, who was right behind her at that point and suffered an “ix.”
SIXTH RACE – HOT SUMMER NIGHT, in the cool spring twilight, made the lead past the 1/8, slowed quarter two then went on, had a 28.3 kicker and needed every bit of it to hold off KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter had a great pocket trip, outside early stretch, inched up with a steady late kick and just missed. I AM THE STORM was third most of the way, no threat. NATALIE HANOVER came outside 5/8 but could make little impact. KANDY KORN backed out to third-over, four-wide into the stretch, got the last check. LAKEVIEW TAMMY worked up to second-over, three-wide towards headstretch but had no forward gear. PITTSTOP KIP never featured. PIER HO EXOTIC broke at the start.
SEVENTH RACE – SHADY MCCOY moved past the quarter to the lead at the other end of the frontstretch, withstood the first-over and then the Pocono Pike shooter CON AIR HALL. The latter needed until almost the ¼ to get a 3-spot, to the Pike when the pocket horse broke, did well late. MAGIC VACATION was away well, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, not quite enough. DON’T SASS ME moved before the half, caught cover 5/8, three-wide into the stretch and with some trot on the end. BRUTAL STORM did not factor. CRITICAL MASS couldn’t achieve critical mass here. SPLITSVILLE was out most of the quarter to get the front, in turn kept the winner out a ways before yielding for the pocket, still in good position when breaking past midturn and going to the centerfield.
EIGHTH RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE sat well-placed until moving out before the 5/8, quickly rushed up to the lead and had a big margin most of the last quarter, tiring late but safe. MYIDEALSON N followed the winner out but couldn’t stay with him, left raw then got some inside time on the turn, out again and narrowed in late. AN THE THUNDEROLLS sat the pocket, shuffled badly when the leader tired then backed out, along for the distant third over SPORTSMANSHIP. The latter was shuffled a little then went two-wide, not too much late. BYE BYE JOHN passed the rest. AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A joined the sluggish outer tier, never was in the picture. GYPSY LEATHER was outside midpack without cover much of the way, never close to the lead. POLAK A went right to the top, all done when challenged to the ¾. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was out behind a sluggish one, tried to go three-wide around him but himself had little.
NINTH RACE – NEXTROUNDSONME was four-wide much of the 1/8, took back to two-wide covered and then inside 3/16, right back out 3/8 to follow cover, three-wide ¾, strong in the lane (in a slowing tempo) after covering a lot of ground. CONSUS VICTORY was away well, forcing some to seek tucks, then let a foe go off the first turn, sat in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and was second ahead of CRAZYCAT. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, then followed cover until tucking third near the ¼, stayed in, to the deep Pike, had late trot. NOTHING BUT MUSCLE went third-over, gapped and blindswitched, but kept one-gearing it to be not too far off. SWEET HEART AS was two-wide in the early scramble, to the lead just past the ¼, had hard pressure, tired. BLENHEIM stayed in and was shuffled back, but not that much once clearing. SUSIE’S SISTER moved before the ¼ and was uncovered before the 5/16, trotted strongly in the middle half to challenge the leader, but could not sustain. ANDOVERS TOUCH was fourth-over behind a gapper, moved three-wide before the ¾, couldn’t reach three-wide cover on the turn.
TENTH RACE – LADY ROCKNROLLA A made the top at the 1/8 and forced a rival to take the seat behind her, slowed the half and sped up again, was under pressure from TOPVILLE ANGELINA from the 5/8 but maintained the lead to the wire. The latter launched uncovered off turn two and as noted battled with the leader from the 5/8, very gritty. GEORGIE MARTIN N moved third-over 5/8, three-wide late on the turn, into her best gear a little too late. TRAFFIC JAM was in a traffic jam on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and closed some. PEGGY J moved second-over, gapped on the turn. ROYALTYWESTHO was three-wide early then two-wide fighting for the early lead, reluctantly took the pocket just past the ¼, started to gap 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – The rain that had been falling during the card has finally stopped … LITTLE SANDY TOES drifted out early, in gear before the 3/16 to the lead 5/16, set an even pace with no pressure, seemed confident from midstretch despite the inside presence of BRING ME DIAMONDS. The latter was away strongly right to the front, yielded 5/16 and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and gained a little but didn’t appear menacing. KAY’S DELIGHT stayed connected inside, couldn’t go with the top two late but beat out the rest. TSM ARTEMIS T came uncovered 5/8, never got close to the lead, held evenly late. RELLA TIVITY didn’t show much after an inside trip. SHE’S A BILLIONAIR was second-over, gapped cover 11/16. MISS TRESSA couldn’t keep up at the back.
TWELFTH RACE – BAY MEADOWS went to the top to the 1/8, yielded before the ¼ for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and had enough speed to take the finale. MELODIES MAJOR had the pocket early, moved 3/16 to the lead by the ¼, couldn’t outsprint the winner and just did save second over INDICTABLE HANOVER. The latter stayed in third until late on the turn, found good strides just a mite too late to get second. NIALL HANOVER went up the inside from last, angled out midstretch and just took the distant fourth. HOW ARE YEE JOHN stayed in, no factor late. BEN ROCKIN was third-over and far back, ducked inside in the stretch and had a little on the end. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was second-over behind slowly-advancing cover, three-wide midturn but never got close. SCOOTNROLL came uncovered into turn two, never near the front, then faded.
