Jul 1, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm most of the evening; a touch cooler near the end … Stretch tailwind to start … KINDA LUCKY LINDY took back from a wide early position to tuck fourth, uncovered 5/8 and went right by into the far turn, opened up a big lead. TRUEMASS VOLO went up between horses for pocket positioning, backed out ¾ as the winner went by, left uncovered on the turn, good for second. JACKED was out behind the winner but gapped letting a foe out, did not tip wide in the stretch, evenly. CAVIAR’S YANKEE gapped in front of the stands then narrowed in, had an excess of cover, went between horses midstretch with some trot. KEEGAN HO got a forward spot early, gapped a bit, sat in, blocked late far turn, to the Pocono Pike but no gain in recovery. PAPI HANOVER was three-deep to turn one and took the top at the 1/8, set the pace, no response when challenged late backstretch. THE OTHER TWO were always well back.
SECOND RACE – BIRDIE THREE headed down the road, opened a clear lead in quarter two and an even bigger one in quarter three, had foes coming after her to both sides as tiring late but had enough. EAZY HUNTING was second-over far off the leader, uncovered on the final turn and made steady progress in the last quarter but the leader was just too far gone. PAIGE PERFECT moved uncovered 5/8 and got to the pocket just past the ¾, Pocono Pike, just a little shy. HERS HUNGRY was last, sidestepped a breaker early turn then swung wide in the stretch and finished strongly. SUNSHINE CHIP did get a check. HONEYMOON TRAIL left for the pocket, loose in varying degrees from in front of the stands. SANTAFE’S APPETITE went outside but broke early far turn.
THIRD RACE – TWIGGS PUB went through between horses and was on top 3/16, yielded off the first turn then moved to retake 3/8 in a slow half, opened a big lead while coming home in 57 – 28. STEAM PLAY left well, yielded 3/16, sat in, shuffled, Pocono Pike and decisioned CONCEALED for the deuce. The latter was three-wide well past the 1/8, on top into the stretch for the first time, yielded to the retaking winner, gapped almost all of the last half, just missed retaining place. PRICE OF MEMORIES was showing speed when breaking before the first turn, recovered, made another break at the ¼ bothering a foe, recovered again and moved up uncovered, had gotten all the way to second far turn before tiring, would have been in the photo for second except placed for causing interference. ANTE UP HANOVER was behind the breaker at the ¼, moved out and got to second-over, three-wide headstretch, not far off second herself. SILKEN SWEET gapped inside, then swung wide in the lane and had some late foot.
FOURTH RACE – DUCHESS HILL took back early, tagged along until nearing the ¾ then uncovered, kept coming steadily, with her own last quarter in 26.4 – and how often is there an $85.00 Dexter Dunn winner? CANTGETUOUTAMYMIND went to the lead near the 1/8, yielded to a brusher, gapped in the pocket early backstretch then closer late down the back, Pocono Pike, closed well but outpaced. BELTARA moved from third 3/16 and went to the lead, got a breather in quarter two, but then didn’t have the necessary sprint late. LADYTERRA had speed, yielded, third-in the outside headstretch, not all that far off. TALLCHIEF HANOVER gapped leading the second half of the field, then did much better in the last quarter. THE OTHERS were in the trailing spots throughout.
FIFTH RACE – BRONX BARISTA, on a line, didn’t want to go in a hole early, moved up 5/16 to the lead before the 5/8, stayed on a line to the wire but was game to hold off two late challengers. MILLIE’S SPIRIT quarter-moved from the pocket, saw the winner go by early backstretch, outside headstretch, pursued gamely to the line. CHRIS’S CHOICE spotted third, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and loomed midstretch, but flattened out a little in the closing steps. LADY DEVINE left for the early lead, yielded, next well ahead of the others. THE NEXT THREE never entered in the main radar. SHOWBOAT HANOVER spotted fourth, moved out at the half and was making up ground raw when jumping 11/16.
SIXTH RACE – BUTTERFINGERS left and was three-wide to the ¼, briefly got cover then uncovered and on to the lead into turn two, held together for the victory. AMBUSHED was three-wide just past the 1/8 for the lead, finally yielded 3/8, third-in, came on well in the Pocono Pike to just miss. CALLIOPE HANOVER was between horses in a battle that lasted almost to the 3/8, yielded for the pocket, came out headstretch and looked a possible winner but hit the wall deep stretch. ULTIMATE LOULOU was uncovered 5/8, fell back on the turn, checked right at the wire. LULU ROCKS sat in and was blocked, evenly in the lane then ran up on a tiring horse at the wire. BLANK CHEEK never factored. ROMANTIC EVENING was far back, wide off the far turn, never in the main picture. DOLE WHIP was second-over, moved three-wide far turn but clogged that lane.
SEVENTH RACE – CHECK HER OUT caused a lineup, rated the half then was clear the final half, coming home in 57.3 – 28.1. FOXY JOYCE was a bit loose in the two-hole the last half, still raced well. TACTICLAND couldn’t go with the top two from midbackstretch. TSM LOYAL S avoided an early breaker, gained moving uncovered down the back, couldn’t continue the gain in the fast last panel. DIVINE ZETTE didn’t show much. LEAST WEASEL avoided the early misbehaver, then never entered in contention. MISSISSIPPI GALE gapped early then ran at the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind swirling to a mild stretch headwind (if at all blowing) by this point … ALWAYS B NAUGHTY was reserved just off a fast early pace, came uncovered 5/8 and kept on grinding up toward the lead, took over entering the stretch and drew away. ODDS ON HAIL MARY was kept outside in a stiff quarter, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, backed out early stretch and proved second-best. FRONT PAGE STORY was very wide early, left uncovered at the ¼ and made the lead 3/8, kept up a fast pace, not enough. SQUARE DEAL was stuck in far turn, came up the Pocono Pike to be a distant next. HUNGRY FOR LOVE pushed the quarter and yielded, gapped much of the last ¼. HALLELUJAH HANOVER moved out ¾ but didn’t contend. MOLLOP HANOVER moved outside with cover but couldn’t go with it, then broke 11/16.
NINTH RACE – RACIN HUNGRY established the pocket, moved midturn just as her main foe did, took the lead entering the lane, hard-urged to withstand SOUTHWIND ICENFIRE. The latter left a small gap in third to the ¾ then in a faster gear, stayed two-wide late turn, surging late with good kick but just missed. PROUD MARY was on top at the 1/8 and set the pace, went a fast third quarter without pressure, couldn’t deal with the top two. LODESTAR trailed, swung widest and was moving well late if belatedly. MISS BRICKLEY gapped throughout. TO ALL A GOODNIGHT was weakly uncovered, no factor. HUNGRY FOR KISSES came up empty.
TENTH RACE – “C”-ing is believing … C IS FOR COOKIE took over early, forced a tuck, then yielded 3/8 to an early brusher, pulled from third raw 11/16, advanced and took the lead before midstretch, went on gamely. MY LITTLE CAPTAIN came out at the ¼ in tight quarters with the favorite, made the lead 3/8 then yielded at the half, to the Pocono Pike, second-best; an inquiry into the tight quarters at the ¼ yielded no reason for placing. DAFFLED HANOVER made up a lot of ground after being behind a bad gapper. ZANATTA left, took the pocket, stayed connected and backed out with cover ¾, OK. CULTURED was very wide early, was advancing when a foe pulled at the ¼, followed that one to the 3/8 then pressed on to take the top in a speedy half, paid the price for her early efforts late. THE NEXT TWO were never factors. GINGER TREE COCO, wide early, was wrestled back into a tuck late first turn, had her air shut off and gradually faded, was pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – HOW SWEET IS THAT was fastest away, relinquished, stayed in third, got Pocono Pike room as the pocketsitter moved outside, just along. MY HUNGRY GIRL quarter-moved, rated the second split then picked up the pace in the third, almost held on. LATE FOR DINNER left wide, outside 3/16 to take over, yielded for the pocket, outside into the stretch, raced well but pictured out. FALANA HANOVER was second-over, came on strongly once finding her best gear. SWEET PHENOMENA sat in, had stretch clearance but only moderate pace. LEGAL JEOPARDY was uncovered past the 5/8, never threatened but held her ground well. THE OTHER TWO were the last two throughout although not too far off at the wire.
TWELFTH RACE – QUICK E left between horses to 3/16 command, yielded but retook, left the field behind with a big third panel and won easily. PERCY HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, moved uncovered then got cover, closed for second. HUNGRY LIZZO was in the outside flow, some late. FRONDEUR stayed in, shuffled late far turn, found inside clearance but didn’t have a great response. UTOPIA BLUE CHIP pushed the early pace, moved out ¾ and went back inside headstretch, didn’t have much. THE NEXT DUO were never prominent. NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was three-wide past the 1/8, hard-used to get the top before the 3/8 then yielded it, couldn’t keep up the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SORTIE moved past the 5/16 and took the top while getting a second quarter breather, was clear most of the third quarter and unchallenged thereafter. NANCY BAR went to the top, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, held for second over LOUS LANCELOT. The latter was away well, stayed connected third-in, outside ¾, couldn’t quite make the place. MY BOY CHRISTIAN offered little. BY A HOFF HANOVER moved out from far back 5/8, got cover, but posed no threat. FIX-IT-UP left and cleared past the 1/8 but soon made a break and went to the infield.
Jun 29, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm day … Stretch headwind … GENTLE GIANT was second-over, blindswitched past the ¾, ducked to the vacant Pocono Pike and finished well, holding off JK STANDINGOVATION. The latter was third-over, blindswitched ¾, then followed the sweeper then had to go wide of him as he flattened, flying on the far outside. OUTWIT OUTRUN was three-wide to the first turn, needed some coaxing to clear past the ¼, set the pace, was outpaced to both sides late. QUICK SNAP sat in and was last, out in a blindswitch headstretch, ducked behind the winner midstretch, OK late. SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL was forwardly-placed early, uncovered 9/16, challenged hard, held OK. DANCE PARTNER moved fourth-over and then almost immediately three-wide ¾, gained well through the turn, but then flattened out and broke late. STONEBRIDGE KARIS left, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, was in good position past the ¾ but then developed a problem and backed way off.
SECOND RACE – IDEAL BEACH was looped, pressed on to take the lead at the 25.4 quarter, opened a big lead in the middle half, saw JIM BLUE get closer on the turn, but then paced away from that one. The latter left, sat third until coming from behind the gapping pocket horse 5/8, retucked in the pocket and gained on the leader, saw his bid flatten out but still clear in second. COMBATANT had dull cover, wide and just third over TERRY A HANOVER. The latter came out behind cover but couldn’t go with it. THE NEXT DUO never made their presence felt. HORSE was fastest away to 1/8 command, pushed the monstrous ¼ before yielding, fell back the last ½.
THIRD RACE – PARK OFFICIAL used being the innermost of three leavers to advantage and wound up in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and up at 10-1 as the longest shot on the board in his first victory since winning ten in a row earlier in the meet. THE WALL was three-wide to the first turn and on the point 3/16, dealt with the first-over, held well. FATHER NUNO came out past the 3/8, didn’t move up right away and was looped down the back, but stayed going one-geared, swung wide in the lane and fought on to the wire. SPRINGSTEEN was second-over, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw 11/16, challenged, held decently. CAPTAIN ROMANCE left between horses, took back, not a late factor. FRISKIE ALL NITE struggled to go with cover. CIGAR SMOKING TONY trailed throughout.
FOURTH RACE – BULLY BOY HILL, benefiting from breakers, came uncovered from last of the main pack before the 5/8, steadily advanced and proved the best. STREET SMARTS was close-up from the rail early and emerged with the pocket as three rivals broke before the ¼, moved to the lead 3/8 and rated the half, not enough for the winner. GREAT MAGIC was first on top, saw leaving rivals break, yielded to the frontstretch brusher, moved out with cover midturn then back inside stretch, fair. CHOCO CHARLIE gapped cover. GRAPPLE HANOVER stayed out of trouble and got a check. SAY YOU DO was three-wide early when breaking past the 1/8; MISS MCKEE, to his outside, wound up in tight quarters nearing the 3/16 and also broke. BLENHEIM was outleft, challenging for the lead two-wide when jumping it off before the ¼.
FIFTH RACE – ELWELL was second-over from last, ducked in third far turn and continued on the Pocono Pike to catch TRASHYTONGUETALKER. The latter was looped, had cover to the 3/16, then went up and got command before the 3/8, tried to lose the field with a big third quarter and three-quarters, but couldn’t maintain the advantage to the wire. DEALT A WINNER was uncovered into turn two, gradually passed horses the latter part of the backstretch, into the pocket on the turn, bore out extremely wide in the lane and didn’t gain. MODERN ROCK sat in and was shuffled way back far turn, had some pace in recovery. ODDS ON DELRAY backed outside after a shuffle but couldn’t offer much late. PLAY THE FIELD was on top to turn one, yielded, stayed in and was shuffled badly when the pocketsitter couldn’t keep up from the half. TUGGIN ON MY HEART went to the front 3/16, yielded in front of the stands, was bottomed out behind the fast pace and fell back more and more.
SIXTH RACE — COLLEGE TUITION was away sharply and got the lead at the 1/8 as the only leaver, set a quick pace, fought off QUEEN OF ALL late. The later used the rail to stay connected in the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but no real excuse. SHADOWFAX picked up cover 11/16, tipped wide midstretch and worked by ILBENEEDINSTITCHES for third. The latter moved uncovered 11/16, gained on the far turn, flattened a little. MARION GONDOLIER went evenly. THE OTHER TWO did not make their presence felt.
SEVENTH RACE – BENJI’S BEST left and fell in behind cover early, uncovered 1/8 and on to the lead 5/16, showed courage in defeating THE DARK SHADOW by a nose. The latter was on top 1/8 and yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, loomed boldly in the Pocono Pike, unlucky to get pictured out. GONNAHAVEONEMORE gapped behind the early contention, tighter and then underway raw to turn two, got as close as the leader’s wheel but no closer, tired but held off URBAN RENEWAL. The latter had pretty good cover but couldn’t do that much off of it. MAKE SOME WAVES gapped third-over. HOT DEUCE pushed the 1/8 and yielded, fell back from the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – SPEED AWAY sat third until the 11/16 then went up to challenge the leader and found no resistance, right by into the stretch and drew clear. HAYEK took the pocket in a lineup, stayed close, shuffled headstretch as the winner went by, got going in the Pocono Pike and came on for second. SHARE THE WEALTH started uncovered 5/8 but soon picked up cover, couldn’t quite stay with it. ROBBIE PEV sat in, shuffled then outside early stretch, a bit of trot between horses. DIEHARD SEELSTER didn’t factor from third-over. CRAZYCAT caused a lineup from the rail and set fractions as he pleased, but had nothing left on the far turn. DIVINE SPIRIT gapped out down the back.
NINTH RACE – CAVIART LUCA took back between horses to tuck early, went at the leader shortly past the half and kept up the pressure, proved superior late. FRIDAY NIGHT BLUES was out 3/16 for the lead in a 26 quarter, let a foe go before the 3/8 but retook before the half, soon under attack and had to keep going at a relentless pace, clearly second. AWESOMENESS was second-over, gapped, inside third ¾, held that spot. AMERICA’S GUEST had some dull ones in front of him and went three-wide 11/16, steadily. SELECT FRIDAY was third-over, blindswitched, went inside late, so-so. ER VEGAS was never close. DING DING DINGER yielded 3/16, stayed in, was behind a tired one far turn but wasn’t keep up with that one anyway. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was three-wide to the 1/8, fell in behind cover, left raw 3/16 and went on to the lead before the 3/8, yielded before the half and was soon retreating.
TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL, in peak form, wouldn’t let anybody by early while paying a 25.4 price, got a breather to the half then picked it up, roused on the far turn and kept his dominance to the line. BETTORS DONTTELL left but took back, uncovered just before the half, speed-grinded in 26.4 down the back, stayed good in one-gear mode. CODE CRACKER was second-over, just got third over JOESSTAR OF MIA A. The latter took the pocket 3/16 in the hot initial stanza, was well-placed in the two-hole but just didn’t have enough the last 1/8. AFLAME HANOVER stayed close but wasn’t threatening late. GET LIT was third-over but couldn’t gain.
ELEVENTH RACE – LADYFORD DOLLAR GB left between horses and sat in what was mostly a distant pocket until the 11/16, worked by the leader on the turn, remained in control. SOUTHPORT BEACH got cover 5/8, gained while three-wide on the turn, clearly second in a good mile. BUSBOY HANOVER moved raw 5/8 and one-geared it for third. A FEARSOME HANOVER rode outside the first half, fell way back off turn two, but somehow found his closing kick late. ROLLINWITHAMBITION gapped out from the 5/8. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was three-wide early and then off to the races on the lead, reeled in to the ¾, tired. TERRITORY lost contact after the half.
TWELFTH RACE – FRANK THE ELDER was on top going to curve one, yielded, retook 3/8 and got a second quarter breather, then sped up down the back and gradually lost the opposition, giving ground late but too far ahead. AP HALL OF TRIX gapped in third most of the way, then rallied well up the inside to get as close as he did. POINT REYES also hugged the inside in finishing third. PRIMO VOLO was three-deep to turn one then in front 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not able to stay with the winner. VELVET STYLE was outside on the turn but couldn’t gain. ZETTE FLAME broke soon after the start.
Jun 26, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High 70s today … Light stretch tailwind early when it was there; then reversing midcard to a stretch headwind … DECOY left between horses, was in front 3/16, rated the half then sharpened the speed, briefly even with SANTAFE’S COACH but came back to outfoot that one to the wire. The latter left, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, came out late turn before a sweeper dropped down, may have had a nose up early stretch but was outpaced to his inside. ROCKIN MARTY A sat in, OK late, possibly without a full clear lane. TREVOR ONE moved second-over, three-wide midturn when his cover stopped advancing, closed well. MAJOR SHOW was three-wide to the first bend, tucked third 3/16, out raw 5/8, backed off on the turn but then was resurgent late. THE LAST THREE didn’t figure in the main action of this race.
SECOND RACE – VALENTINE EXPRESS was forwardly-placed, came with a head of steam early backstretch and sailed by 11/16, got pressure around the far turn, but drew clear. SHADOWFAX was five-wide halfway to the first turn then backed off, tucked fifth 3/16, dawdled down the back then gradually got better the last 5/16. DART GUY made the front and yielded for the pocket, backed out late backstretch to avoid a shuffle, to the pocket mid-far turn, just missed second. ARGENTO got in the outer flow, initially wanted to come between horses in the lane but found that path blocked, so to the path behind the place horse and narrowed in. JUSTLIKEHIM had good cover, left raw 11/16 and challenged around the last bend, tired. SIMON GOT LUCKY never got close. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was briefly four-wide, down to two-wide and then the lead 3/16 in a quick opener, set the pace, faded after being passed late backstretch.
THIRD RACE – MOTLEY RAY was looped and with cover, settled third past the 1/8, underway before the 5/8 and quickly paced to the lead, opened a big margin and was coasting late. FUN MUNKY was three-wide to the initial curve to the top, slowed quarter two, picked up the pace but still could do nothing with the winner, showed courage in cutting back into the margin late. CLEVELAND B MIKI yielded for the pocket, gapped late backstretch, just third over BULLVILLESPANDEMIC. The latter moved outside 11/16, in the photo for third. THE NEXT TWO retucked around a gapper but never contended. LAZ TO FIRST struggled from the half. WHERES GREG was always near the back.
FOURTH RACE – R MELINA was three-wide to the 1/8, outside 5/16 for the top, yielded the lead to the favorite early backstretch, but came back in the last 1/8 and trotting a nice last panel to draw away. DIAMANTE HANOVER moved uncovered before the 3/8, was outside the second turn then cleared to command, tired in the stretch and just held third. KEYSTONE SIERRA used the rail well to be forwardly-placed, gapped a bit inside on the far turn but then found a good finishing gear. RUTHIAN was out behind the favorite, left raw down the back, never got close, next. WUNDERKIND HANOVER was outside but couldn’t get in the fight. CHAPALONIA was between horses early and tucked third, gapped out to the ¾. THE OTHER DUO were near the rear throughout here.
FIFTH RACE – BINGE ON YANKEE had the speed to force a lineup, slowed the half, then came home in 54.4- 27.1 to hold off the uncovered foe and then the potential pocket rocket ERINWOOD YVES. The latter sat in the two-hole, used the Pocono Pike and closed well to just miss. FULL SUPPORT was second-over, three-wide late turn, just along for third over HURRIKANE JOHNYBOY. The latter was uncovered at the half, made the winner work a long hard way, held well though losing ground in the last 3/16. HURRIKANE CHUCKY sat in, OK in the quick back half. ZEUS HANOVER couldn’t reach contention. NOPEWASNTME had an excess of cover, four-wide in the lane, very tough spot.
SIXTH RACE – Stretch headwind starting, and would intensify … FOOLISH GAMES got in third at the 1/8, stayed fairly well connected, to the deep Pocono Pike and found a burst very late to carry her to victory. FLASHY SWAN yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and easily went by the leader early stretch, couldn’t withstand the inside onslaught of the winner very late. GET THE PICTURE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead 3/16, rated the half then sped up down the backstretch, little response in the last 1/16, MISS HALL came out 11/16 and made a good uncovered bid that carried her up, flattened a little. QUEEN CAMILLE gapped inside 5/8, was doing a little better as the pace slowed down. BINGO BRAIN was stuck inside, couldn’t get into the battle. MELODRAMA was outside but never close. BANGLES N BEADS never factored.
SEVENTH RACE – GET ANSWERS was three-high to turn one, refused a 3-tuck and pressed on to command, rolled on, shook off the far turn challenger then withstood the wide closers. SWEET HOME lagged early, then joined an advancing flow third-over, four-wide headstretch, very strong through the stretch. YOUNONOTHINJON was carried up by good cover, three-wide to headstretch, had pace but outclosed by the one on his back. CARIS took control early, yielded to the winner, couldn’t quite summon enough late. BLANK CHEEK took back early, stayed in, OK in tight quarters late. BENICIO made a big power move started at the 9/16, challenged all the way around the turn and into the stretch, then tired. JAGGED LITTLE PILL didn’t keep up.
EIGHTH RACE – NIGHT STAR was three-wide early and in front 3/16, slowed the second quarter, proved adequate to those coming on late. SWAN JOVI stayed in third, found clearance midstretch and one-geared home steadily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS yielded past mid-first turn for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. DANCEHALL KING sat in, angled wide early stretch and had a burst at the end. MONKS HOOD S was uncovered at the 3/8 and had to keep going uncovered, held well until late turn. HS REMINGTON sat in, gained some ground as the pace slowed late. ALTITUDE gapped second-over. HILLASVIVA broke soon after the start.
NINTH RACE – LET’S MISBEHAVE was three-wide leaving, got to the top at the ¼, continued on very strongly to the wire. UTOPIA BLUE CHIP pushed hard early then relinquished for the pocket, lost ground in the stretch. ALWAYS B CITY was uncovered 5/8 and advanced a long way, held OK; an inquiry into this one possibly causing early interference yielded no placing. ALL YOU CAN EAT sat in, next. EVERHART HANOVER gapped at several points. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE backed out to follow cover 11/16 but had little. THE LAST PAIR were well back throughout.
TENTH RACE – BELIEVE U ME sat third-in, moved out a notch early stretch then found clearance as the pocket horse went to the Pocono Pike and the pacesetter drifted out a little, knifed through sharply very late and won. HOLY BEING made two speed moves, slowed the half, then set the rest of the pace, not enough to withstand the winner. STRONGERWITHLINDY started uncovered into turn two and gradually worked up, held well late. DEVIOUS PROMISES made the lead at the ¼ then yielded to a retaker to sit the pocket, to the Pike but not enough. BUDWEISER GIRL posted midpack, then was second-over, three-wide late turn, finished OK. U BAKE THE CAKE was inside, started to edge out nearing headstretch but then went back in, not all that much. ULI BLUE CHIP broke taking back towards turn one. ALDEBARAN ACRUX made a break before the 3/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – SPARROW HANOVER left, couldn’t get by an insistent one late first turn so tucked briefly in the 26.1 opener, then went up again and took over 3/8, continued on strongly and won all alone in a very fast time for “nw2.” RUSTY BEACH gapped during the first quarter fight, then tighter third-in, got clear of the breaker far turn, Pocono Pike and up for second. PARK STREET BLUES was last of the main pack mid-far turn, four-wide in the lane and closed well though far behind. SHARED BY ME went uncovered soon into the backstretch and challenged, got to tuck in the pocket midturn after a breaker, tired. FOUT spotted fourth, backed out behind cover, left uncovered midturn, not too much. HESTONATOR was outside, three-wide late far turn, not enough. COBRA KAI JOHNNY never got close. CAPTAIN UP refused to yield in the 26.1 first quarter, did yield 3/8 for the pocket, still close when making a break midturn.
TWELFTH RACE – UPSTAGED spotted third, moved early backstretch and went by past the ¾, drew away. THE GOOD BOOK came from far back to reach cover to the ¾, three-wide midturn, clearly second-best. GRAND SLAM HERO backed out behind the place horse and was along for third. PARTY AT SEVEN was outside past the 1/8 for the top, set the pace, had no answer for the winner, broke while tiring in the stretch, went inside the pylons and galloped home, placed. BAR KEEP DE VIE couldn’t stay with the winner’s cover, left raw ¾, faded. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT yielded for the pocket, had little to offer the last 5/16. SEMINOLE MOON lost contact the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – STOP STARING went to the lead 3/16, had to step up the tempo down the back to ward off the first-over, then had that one joined up the rail in the lane but dug in to withstand both. STENDAHL HANOVER was looped by the winner, took back to fourth 3/16, was uncovered off the second bend and went up in 26.4 to apply pressure to the winner from just past the 5/8 onward, held remarkably gamely. MCNEIL Z TAM was quickly to the top then yielded for a two-hole ride and stayed close, Pocono Pike, not far off. BOLTMAN got improved position early, far-back best of the rest. ALADDIN HANOVER showed little. SUNKEN TREASURE gapped early, then gapped second-over. THE REMAINING PAIR was disconnected the second half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MISS MUSCLE took the pocket early, had the winner get away down the back then narrowed in by the ¾, to the Pocono Pike, quickly to the lead but never drew away from the pacesetter. ARCHIBALD headed down the road, rated the half then sprinted down the back to open up, reeled in but stayed game. STONE MASON was not away well, three-wide at the ¾ the rest of the way and passed a lot of horses. SNOWMAN HANOVER, rough at points, tucked third, gapped the last half. JESSIES OUTLAWED didn’t offer much. GIVEM THE GOO shopped for a tuck early but didn’t find one, had to press on uncovered, never really challenged for the lead, faded. MISS PRINCIPLE gapped cover. LOOK IN MY EYES was never a consideration.
Jun 25, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A warm day … WEATHER VANES went second-over, burst three-wide 5/8 and circled up to challenge, went by at the ¾ and opened up a big margin. SAINT TRIXIE yielded for the pocket, was stuck inside and had to wait for the Pocono Pike as the winner got away, rallied for second. LIKE A WARRIOR was looped and got in third at the ¼, also shuffled back, also gained inside belatedly. LONESTAR FASHION avoided the clogged outer tiers. KALEUN was behind cover and stayed there until headstretch, not much response late. QUITE FAST went out to command, rated the half, had little response against the winner in the last ¼. BAR COINS went first-over, was looped late in the backstretch, no gain late. LOUS LANCELOT went three-wide early and was trying to clear to the lead but broke at the 1/8.
SECOND RACE – PANTHEON HANOVER moved uncovered off the second turn, worked up to the leader and went by that one on the far turn, withstood ARTACHE HANOVER. The latter was right on the leader’s back all the way around, lost a little ground straightening away, then came back on. BLAKEMORE was buried in last, advanced in blindswitches, then found room inside the place horse midstretch and closed with pace. RUNHAPPY TEN left and yielded, sat in, out in a blindswitch far turn to avoid a shuffle, three-wide, decent. TODDLER TANTRUM was three-wide early, got the lead then soon yielded it in a fast quarter, stuck behind a tired pacesetter on the turn but didn’t show much once free. WHAT’S GOIN ON gapped third-over. EFFRONTE A was four-wide headed to the first turn, three- then two-wide in getting the lead past the 1/8 in the sharp opener, set the pace, had little to offer when the winner came calling.
THIRD RACE – ULURU headed right to the top, got no challenges until very late, then held together to withstand RAVIOLI. The latter spotted third and stayed there into the stretch, then outside, quickly found a better gear, narrowed in but ran out of racetrack. KT DOUBLE DEUCE was wide early, made the pocket at the 1/8, tired some but still clearly third. BARCELONA PRINCESS moved outside 11/16 but gained little, ducked back inside. QUEEN OF THORNTON was outside 5/8 then soon got cover, couldn’t stay with it on the turn, but stayed flat and got a check. NINA HANOVER raced inside, broke far turn. DIVINE ZETTE jumped headed to the first curve; TSM LOYAL T jumped a bit before that.
FOURTH RACE – MASSIVE OPULENCE got an early spot, moved raw 5/8 to go to the lead ¾, drew away. SWIZZLE HANOVER yielded for the pocket, caught in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and came on steadily. STEEL SCHOONER had to circle a breaker first turn, moved with cover but gapped, left uncovered far turn, one-geared the rest of the way as OK. BY A HOFF HANOVER went right out to command, couldn’t answer the challenge of the first-up, fell back some. SORTIE was outleft and three-wide early, made a break, caught the back of the field, was behind gapping cover, decent recovery. PRAIRIE VIRTUE avoided a first turn breaker but then faded in the last ¼. TUXEDO ATTIRE was away slowly, ran mid-first turn and was taken to the centerfield.
FIFTH RACE – Mild stretch headwind starting; would fluctuate in and out … BUDDY EARL was third-over, three-wide late backstretch and circled up, drew away from these foes. DONATELLO HANOVER won an early multi-horse skirmish, got a soft middle half, clearly second. JOLLY RANCHER was uncovered on turn two but got cover coming off that bend, blindswitched late backstretch then backed out behind the sweeper, a distant next in line. FOX HOLE maintained the pocket in the early dustup, nothing left for the stretch. ACTION SHOT was five-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, worked into the 3-hole past the quarter, enough for the final payday. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN stayed in and went to the Pocono Pike but could not gain. YO CARTER was gapping by the half. DECHAMBO was caught in, angling wide near headstretch in close quarters when making a break.
SIXTH RACE – SHARKY BEAR was away third, moving 3/16 to the lead just past the 5/16, opened a clear lead early backstretch while continuing on in quick numbers, unchallenged here. LORD OF MISRULE made the lead into turn one, yielded, third-in, had a clear inside as the pocketsitter bore way wide and had late pace. MIDNIGHT DAY also sat in, also finished with some late foot with a clear path. RIOT was three-deep to turn one and on top 3/16, yielded to the winner for the two-hole, moved out headstretch but drifted very wide through the lane. PERKINS was uncovered into turn two, gained down the backstretch then saw his gaining halt far turn. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS had gaining cover, didn’t do much off of it. THE LAST TWO were never factors.
SEVENTH RACE – TOMMY BOY HANOVER left, took back for the pocket nearing a quick quarter, sat in then moved out, briefly with cover then raw 11/16 as the lead changed hands, challenged the new leader and just got by late. DEVITO HANOVER was out raw at the half and went a big third panel to clear to the lead 11/16, under attack much of the rest of the way, held very gamely. LEAST WEASEL took a tuck at the 1/8, gapped a bit down the back, then got in gear near the ¾ and moved out although not getting close to cover on the turn, continued to narrow in. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP went around a struggler and retucked, errorless and next. UNCLE NINO insisted on the early lead, backed the second stanza way off, still could not resist the brusher to the ¾, tired. FAWN DE SIGN lost contact the last half. F SCOTT’S MUSE moved out second-over but couldn’t go with cover, then broke nearing late backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide early, worked to command 3/16, got a breather in quarter two while keeping an outgunned rival parked, went clear 5/8 and extended the margin. PADRE stayed in, gapped down the back as the leader went a solid third split, outside on the turn and along for second; JACKED followed the place horse , wide headstretch and up for third. MISTER BOINGA left well, sat the pocket behind the early contest, began to unplug 5/8. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. EXCHEQUER was out behind the parked horse at the half, went three-wide 5/8 to get to two-wide uncovered but couldn’t gain. TUIS SHADOW had cover early then made a bid for the lead, but lacked the needed speed, fading from before the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – ONE HUNDRED POOF slotted fifth, out third-over, gapped past the 5/8 but then in gear ¾, three-wide headstretch and drew away in a good time for this class. WENTWORTH HANOVER spotted early, came uncovered at the ½ and fought with the leader head-to-head from the 5/8, may have had the lead for a step or two early stretch, outtrotted but game to be second. KOBE B was up tight second-over, ducked in midturn and went to the Pocono Pike, steadily. ENZO AQUELLO was not away swiftly, gapped, then moved outside midturn and was doing better late. OPTRIX gapped early, stayed in, some at the very end. DINKY WINKY moved outside but never entered the picture. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN went right up to the lead and set a fast pace with pressure from the 5/8, nothing left in the lane. KNIGHTS GUARD, wide early, went into the two-hole past the 1/8, started to fade from the pocket 5/8.
TENTH RACE – EMIRA MIL IT was away in the pocket, then sat third to headstretch when moving out, didn’t look like she was going to make it early stretch but had a giant last 1/16 to be just along – one to keep an eye on. TACTICAL MOUNDS moved from third at the ¼ and went her own middle half in 55.2 stringing out the field, went a giant mile but was just caught. KADDARI took command into turn one, yielded to the brusher, a bit loose down the back then a bit closer, clearly third-best. RUFFLES N LACE was next. KINGPIN HANOVER left a big gap in fourth the last half. SILENT NIGHT left but backed off and got in fifth at the ¼, outside again but couldn’t make up ground. INSIDE EXPRESS never featured. LOWRY lost contact the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – SELENA DEO avoided trouble, came uncovered past the 5/8 and grinded up, easily stepped by MIRASOL S late. The latter was outside until making the top 3/8, moved right along, couldn’t stall the winner. WAL STREET LADY took command past the 1/8, pushed a foe to near the 3/8 and yielded, to the Pocono Pike, not enough. TSM EMILIA T stayed connected but did not gain late. DIGNITY HANOVER and GADOT HANOVER were the two behind a first turn breaker, off the main group the second half. SANTA MONICA AS broke past the start, was far back at the ¼ when bothered by the other breaker, I CANT REFUSE, who jumped tucking past the 1/8.
TWELFTH RACE – BRECKENRIDGE was part of a bunch contesting the early lead, yielded at the ¼ and sat the pocket behind a duel, to the Pocono Pike and had the most trot late. NICE STUFF stayed inside, got to the deep Pike and just edged KINDA LUCKY LINDY for second. The latter was wide in the early scramble, then two-wide to ¼ command, kept a rival outside during a hot pace, almost held onto second. BULLY BOY HILL was very wide early, dropped down to follow cover at the 1/8, lost it at the ¼, moved up past the half to really go at it with the pacesetter, held on very bravely. STAR TRACK HANOVER left and yielded, backed out far turn, couldn’t summon enough. DAGON HANOVER was widest in the lane, had a little at the end. KASEVILLE was never prominent.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GLOBALDOMINATION N got away in the pocket then quarter-moved, shook off a challenger on the turn, looked safe against the late move of IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING. The latter moved to the lead past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came up in the Pocono Pike, good but not enough. BLACKLIST made a solid gain along the inside down the back, couldn’t go with the top two late but a clear third. GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE backed outside towards the far turn, so-so. STELLAR BLUE CHIP came up uncovered 5/8, challenged hard on the turn but couldn’t sustain his move. APPLE VALLEY ART fell behind the cover of MISTER DAYTONA N early, tried to go around that parked-the-mile horse but couldn’t. FRED’S NIGHT was last at every call.
FOURTEENTH RACE – FAMOUS DAN pressed on to take over 5/16, rated the half, held off late contenders. KEYSTONE SERGEANT came uncovered at the half and gained a lot of ground in the third quarter, kept up his challenge to the line in a good mile. MATTER OF TRUST went out to the early lead, kept the winner out past the ¼, well-placed throughout, didn’t have the punch late. MANWILLING had early speed, moved outside 3/4, finished steadily. PHANTOM RUSTY stayed connected until the stretch. GREEK LEGEND and GHIBLI who was wide early but took back) never made their presence felt. MUSCLES D’ORO broke midpack at the half.
Jun 25, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – As usual on Sunday evening cards at Pocono, the temperature dropped from the mid-70s to the mid-60s … BULLVILLE FRANK moved in a lively outer flow, urged to keep up 11/16 and drew closer to cover, then got to the pocket mid-far turn, Pocono Pike and up nearing the wire. TERRY A HANOVER was two-wide to the lead at the ¼, where two horses went past him, moved again just past the half and went by to the 11/16, kept up the hot numbers with a rival coming at him, just failed to last in a big outing. SHVAIKO was second-over then left uncovered late backstretch, challenged the rest of the way home. DRUNKONAPLANE was innermost of a fierce four-way early battle, sat in and was shuffled back, cleared in tight quarters between horses midstretch and made a good recovery. NIGHT OUT was in the outer flow but gapped. EDDARD HANOVER had excess cover. SOMBODYITREASURE was three-wide to a fast ¼ to get the lead, yielded in front of the stands, stuck behind a tiring pacesetter from late backstretch but had little once clear. MARINER SEELSTER was left out four-wide fully to the ¼, then worked by to the lead, but had no resistance to the first-over and understandably faded far back.
SECOND RACE – PAPI HANOVER came on the raw grind at the half, battled on and wore down BRIDGE TO VICTORY late. The latter took the top 3/16, yielded in front of the stands but was quick to retake, had pressure from the winner from the 5/8, held well. NANCY BAR was wide leaving, fell in behind cover, lost it 3/16 and went on to the lead before the 3/8, yielded to the retaker, not tight on the leader far turn, lost a little ground in the stretch but held third over KEEGAN HO. The latter was first to show, yielded, stayed in third, couldn’t get free until midstretch, closed well. CHUCKY DE VIE had great cover but gapped out on the turn. CREEMORE never made the main scene from third-over. TEDDY BROSEVELT never featured. SPREE was too far back, couldn’t gain wide late.
THIRD RACE – SOME KINDA ANGEL moved from third 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8, set the pace, pressed on the turn but then drew away in a big outing. TRAFFIC JAM made a big uncovered move to battle the leader through the final turn, couldn’t sustain the charge but won second in a three-horse photo. GEORGIE MARTIN N gapped second-over, found better pace inside a drifting horse very late. BULLVILLEKARLA left and took the early pocket, stayed in, not quite enough late. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was first on the lead, yielded to the early mover and stayed close, outside late turn and loomed, but then drifted wide through the stretch. BE BEST couldn’t rally enough; nor could SURE R LOOKING GOOD. BELLATRICKS stayed in, not enough in the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – LIE IN WAIT lived up to her name until moving out ¾, just took the measure of PIANO BAR in the last steps. The latter made two speed moves and had a fairly soft middle half, just failed to resist the oncharging winner. GINA’S ON FIRE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead off the first curve, yielded to the retaker, outtrotted late but a clear third. FLARES ZIVA stayed close until the stretch, remained flat. AVA MARIE started to gap near the 3/8, broke early backstretch. JAMESON N LIME broke at the start; SMOOTH AS SILK broke going to the first turn.
FIFTH RACE – SALDANA HANOVER was loose in the pocket much of the way, was a little wide on turn two, kicked into gear in early stretch and had a big last 1/16 to catch BIRDIE THREE. The latter set the pace on an open lead, just didn’t quite have the late steps to resist the favorite while far ahead of the rest. HONEYMOON TRAIL sat third, lost contact with the top two but did just take third over HERS HUNGRY. The latter was second-over, paused briefly as her cover broke, gained a bit. MIKI B MOUSE was uncovered 5/8, made a break 11/16, recovered and was wide in the stretch to get the last check. MORE PLEASE was outside then went back in, not much. SUNSHINE CHIP never factored.
SIXTH RACE – LADY LIRA headed down the road, elected to park a challenger and still could get a second-quarter breather, got new pressure approaching the far turn but then outtrotted this crew late. CHEROKEE JOY moved behind the parked horse off turn two and soon was three-deep, got to two-over past the 11/16, not enough for the winner but kept digging and got second. WIND CHIME was three-wide to the 1/8, ducked behind cover and slid into what would become the pocket, so-so in the Pocono Pike. OVER BOARD followed the backstretch sweeper, three-wide late far turn, not enough. SHOW ME DA MONI was wide early and took far back to tuck, four-wide headstretch and raced better than the line may look. FORTUNE FORECAST left but had the bad fortune not to be able to clear, eventually faded. QUARANTINA ran up on a foe at the back 5/16 and ran. OLD MAGIC was trying her best to keep up when going offstride midturn.
SEVENTH RACE – HEAVEN HANOVER briefly had cover then was left raw 9/16, grinded at new leader ANGELPEDIA and worked past that one at midstretch, drew clear. The latter left, yielded to a parked challenger 3/8 but regained the lead past the ½, under pressure from the winner, second-best tonight. HEART ON FIRE was three-wide past the 1/8, gradually advanced until taking over 3/8, yielded into the backstretch, a clear third. CANDO VOLO had good cover but didn’t stay with it. PEMBROKE MONI was not heard from. WILD JIGGY S was third-over, a touch of trot at the very end. PORTULACA never was in the picture. SHEER FAITH jumped approaching the start.
EIGHTH RACE – KB MAC was outleft and took the early pocket, was quarter-mover and then kept QM#2 outside a long long way in a quick pace, with the 1-10 favorite proving to have too much in reserve from midstretch. LAST MACH tucked third before the 3/16, on the move again but saw the winner come out, then was left raw 3/8 and was in the face of the winner from that point until before midstretch, amazingly brave to hold for second after that trip. CALYPSO ROCK N had the most early foot, yielded to the winner and stayed tight in the pocket until the stretch, not quite enough for place. CENTURY IGLESIAS stayed semiconnected to the top ones early, outside 11/16 but gapped. OHARE HANOVER got around stragglers for the last check. ROCK THREE TIMES was not a factor. LUZIANA fell far back. LUC ROCKS gapped badly from before the 3/8 onward.
NINTH RACE – SOUTHWIND TYRION pushed his main rival to the 3/16 before yielding, content to sit the pocket until headstretch, then moved out and came home with a wicked blast to overhaul HILLEXOTIC while posting the fastest trotting mile of the season at Pocono, 1:51. The latter as noted worked to the lead early, got even fractions, outsprinted at the end. ON HIGHER GROUND came on late to pass JUJUBEE for third. The latter stayed connected with the top two, then weakened a little late (if coming home in 27.4 is “weakening”). HAVEK went around a laboring RICH AND MISERABLE for the last check.
TENTH RACE – BOND went by at the 1/8, got no pressure and slowed the half bigtime, speeded up 5/8, held off her main foe and won in 1:51.4, a fifth off her divisional track record, with the earplugs still in. RAILEE SOMETHING was away swiftly and yielded for the pocket, edged out headstretch then decided to try the winner along the inside in the lane, again very good though in defeat. BELLA MACCHIATO stayed connected until late backstretch, well ahead of the rest. FASHION ANNIE settled in fourth at the 1/8, lost stretch ground. UNO MAS BLUE CHIP was gapping 11/16. THE NEXT PAIR were not on the main radar. PERFECT PASSION pulled outside from way back early backstretch, never made the front half of the field, faded ¾, broke stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – TWO PROUD spotted, was on the move from third at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, drew clear save the pocket horse in a quick third quarter, then pulled away from her only rival in the stretch. THINK OF GALAXIES was out past a 26.2 opener, yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the leader to nearing headstretch, far ahead of the others. FRANTASY HANOVER came out late backstretch and circled AMERICAN DELIGHT N for third. The latter left hard and pushed the fast opener, yielded, couldn’t stay with the top two from off the second turn. STELLENBOSCH couldn’t keep up but at least avoided trouble and got a check. SPITTING IMAGE became entangled with a foe (apparently locking wheels) just past the start, no factor, placed. RIGHTFULLY MINE was bothered early and was way behind, outside down the back and gained a little, then suffered further indignity when shoved wide by a breaker far turn. TSM WESTERN SOUL got into the five-hole, eased out towards midturn but made a break.
TWELFTH RACE – LILLEHAMMER HALL came out 5/8 and steadily advanced grinding, went to the lead then was able to hold off ROSITA. The latter was third-over, four-wide headstretch and flying in the last 1/16. FOOLISH MONI was third-in, had room in the Pocono Pike and gained. BABY TAKE A VOW was between horses early and looped, worked up to command 5/16, tired in the stretch. WISTERIA HANOVER was second-over, three-wide headstretch, evenly. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER took all the way back to last, then responded late in tight quarters to make up some ground. JET ZETTE never featured. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, had nothing left to offer in the stretch.
