May 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A cool day (46o) at Pocono, with a stretch tailwind starting early in the card … KEYSTONE STEAM moved uncovered into turn two, was between horses the length of the backstretch battling the pacesetter to his left and a sweeper to his right, edged past the leader midturn but in getting the advantage clipped that one causing massive interference, paced on gamely but was placed last for the violation. CLASS SIX originally sat in then went out into a blindswitch 5/8 and gained in the lively two-wide path, wasn’t affected by the trouble, bore out in the stretch and had to settle for second, then placed up. A REAL MIRACLE made the top before the 3/16, then saw two others go past in quarter two, went out into a blindswitch behind CLASS SIX and advanced, bothered slightly headstretch, next in line. SPORTS TEEN got to the progressive two-wide tier on the turn, checked then had a clear path and gained some. CAPTAIN HILL gained up the inside then had to angle fairly sharply to avoid the trouble headstretch, finished OK. BLOW A CLOUD N made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket, ran up on the bothered horse near headstretch, went to the inside while on an “ix” but recovered some. NOTABADGAME moved out to last-over, started a three-wide sweep off the second turn, gained circling, flattened midturn, then was shoved wider by the trouble. BURNING MIDNIGHT moved out but gapped allowing horses to get out into the midbackstretch blindswitches, then was bothered. DARTH FADER was quarter-mover #2 to the lead just past the 3/8 and set the pace with great pressure, was still fighting to keep horses parked when he was clipped, stumbled, and broke, causing the big interference.
SECOND RACE – LOVE THE ACTION left strongly, yielded nearing the 3/16 and sat the pocket, outside in the stretch and was very strong the last 1/16. REGAL SON sat in, left a small gap down the back but gained a bit back on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and just edged ROCKIN INTHE HILLS for second. The latter worked to get the lead 3/16 and kept on rolling down the road, came up shy. BUSBOY HANOVER moved first-up just past the 5/8 but never headed the pocket horse, held OK. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N trailed most of the way, so-so late. SWEET N FAST N moved out but couldn’t enter the main picture.
THIRD RACE – K RYAN BLUE CHIP settled third at the 1/8, then quarter-moved, looked to be in control of this assemblage. CAPTAIN NASH moved second-over from last, gapped most of the third quarter, then better on the turn, wide and just second. CAPTAIN CASH left with some speed, stayed in, squeezed between horses to midstretch and just missed place. MACH WEST went to the front 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, didn’t have much punch late but still in the photo for second. VELOCITY KOMODO was buried on the rail, had access to the Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. BULLVILLE TERROR backed out to third-over but couldn’t contend. FEELING CAM LUCKY started uncovered before the 3/8 and paced his own middle half in 55, but couldn’t sustain in the lane.
FOURTH RACE –- BOBBY K HILL tucked third going to the first bend, out and going before the 3/8, needed until early backstretch to clear, but then remained in charge in a sharp mile. CLASSY HILL backed out to the 11/16, soon had to go three-wide around a stalled horse, two-wide raw on the turn, good second. GIVEN UP TERROR circled three-wide from last far turn then went inside in the lane and was along for third. WHITE HILL ROCKS took command in a 26 quarter, hung the winner a ways then yielded past the half, tiring late. WINDSONG JACK and LIVE LUCKY did not factor. FOO FIGHTER N left, put in the pocket past the 1/8, moved out again after the winner cleared but had no more forward gear.
FIFTH RACE – SCOTT ROCKS left enough to maintain the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and got by a stubborn BELL I NO. The latter was uncovered at the 3/8 and reached the leader at the 5/8, went head-to-head with that one just before the ¾, took a short lead early stretch, went on courageously. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU had a great second-over trip, did well late. TULLOW N tucked third, backed out and angled wide early stretch, finished with a big rush in a mile that was better than it may look. WATERWAY sat in and was shuffled to last, had some pace between horses late. LYONS AMUSEMENTS went to the front, got a fairly moderate pace for this type, still didn’t have enough at crunch time. SUNSET BRAYDON backed outside but couldn’t get into it.
SIXTH RACE – BRAVO TEX N took an early tuck, backed out to second-over off turn two, left uncovered ¾ as the parked horse cleared, battled with him through the turn, then drew away. DA MAGICIAN was looped, lost cover 3/16, methodically grinded up and went by 11/16, couldn’t go with the winner late but held remarkably well after a tough journey. BETTER WATCH OUT was the first on top, yielded past the 1/8 and stayed tight in the pocket, squeezed out before the ¾ to avoid a shuffle then ducked back inside on the turn, OK+ for third. ABSOLUTE INTENT left a gap early, inside, out in a blindswitch far turn, between horses and with some late pace. LENWOODS REAL DEAL had trouble staying with cover. BLUEBERRY HANOVER never featured. TERRITORY was three-wide to turn one, on top past the 1/8, was challenged down the back and gave way 11/16. THE OTHER TWO were well back.
SEVENTH RACE – ALLUNEEDISFAITH N left well, forced a tuck, then let a foe go just past the 3/8 to sit in the two-hole, outside and a safe winner. TRENTE DEO bided time outside early, appeared to consider a tuck late first turn as a foe was parked but then went on as that one finally went inside, to the top just past the 3/8, urged midturn, good as second-best. AIR FORCE HANOVER needed until almost the ¼ to ease into the pocket, stayed in, OK. ALEX TYE sat in, moved out midstretch, fair. AINTNOBETTOR A gapped cover, evenly. CLOSING STATEMENT moved raw into turn two, went :26.4 against the wind down the back but never headed the pocket horse, tired. OLLIE’S Z TAM was at the back throughout.
EIGHTH RACE – SOMEBODYITREASURE went to the lead in 27.1, strung out the field, went 27.1 the second quarter with the wind and then 27 against it to open a huge lead, hit the wall headstretch and was kept to business to maintain his lead over BLACKLIGHT. The latter went in fourth at the 1/8, moved out 5/8, to third and inside ¾, out again past midturn, steadily narrowed the margin. DIVISION BELL came out, two-wide far turn, ducked in for the stretch, beat out PALOMAR for third. The latter defended the pocket, then was bottomed out chasing the runaway leader. WHEN YOU DANCE was gapping from in front of the grandstand the first time. THE REST never got anywhere near the main action.
NINTH RACE – HELLABALOU was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the quarter to take the lead, yielded before the 3/8 to sit the two-hole, outside headstretch and gradually paced past KOMODO BEACH. The latter was looped early, lost cover at the ¼ and grabbed the top before the 3/8, didn’t have taxing fractions but was outsprinted on the end. SIX DEGREES had some gate foot, stayed in, OK late. BETTER NOT TALK made the top at the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, came again uncovered off turn two, held evenly although not threatening. JUST CALL ME MIKI sat in, finished with some speed. HIS BEATS HANOVER never entered the picture. RIFLEMAN didn’t show much second-over. HULOU never featured.
TENTH RACE – EMBLAZE HANOVER was right on his cover third-over, spurted when the second-over ducked in and soon was three-wide, finished well. CRUNCH HANOVER took back early, was second-over, ducked into the pocket just past the ¾, outside headstretch, second-best. RED RIGHT HAND was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide with cover to just off turn one, went up and got the lead to the 3/8 during quick fractions, held out the first-out but then couldn’t withstand the stretch chargers. LOUIE THE LOOPER closed an early gap, backed out wide ¾ then three-wide with cover, fair. LYONS LEGACY gapped. TAPPED TEEN was the innermost of four leavers, pushed the ¼ and yielded, came back out before the 5/8 but couldn’t sustain any threat. POWER SWEET was off the gate, gapped far in the back. CAPTAIN SLEAZE was four-wide approaching the 1/8, went on to two-wide and got the front just past a fast opener, yielded 3/8, started fading 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – GAMBLIN MO was two-wide most of the ¼ for the lead, zipped along in fast fractions, the easiest of winners. STONEBRIDGE REEF took a tuck fourth, came uncovered before the 5/8, ducked in late turn, won a photo for the distant second over CAPTAINS PLACE. The latter was second-over, lost cover past midturn, steadily. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE sat in, was shuffled some then outside midturn, so-so. PHILOSOPHIZER was backed up a bit on the turn, fair late. SWEET ANGEL BOY was last, could find inside clearance when a foe broke and went to the inside, finished with pace. SOMEWHEREINVERONA was not in the main picture. ALWAYS A MIKI was three-wide early and took back, then third-over, gapped. FULSOME pushed the winner most of the ¼ and yielded, gave way midturn, broke midstretch and went to the left.
TWELFTH RACE – ONE EIGHT HUNDRED tucked third behind the early fighters, then quarter-moved, was in firm control of this contest, a couple of taps late. WATER SPORTS TEEN forced a quick rival to tuck, then yielded to the winner, kept up very well in a 27 kicker. WARRAWEE WHYNOT showed in front off the gate but could not overcome the geometric advantage of the place horse and tucked in, evenly late. ALWAYS B SWEET stayed in, had some pace in the Pocono Pike. DOUBLE METAL gapped second-over, then three-wide when cover tired, got the last check. BAZOOKA HANOVER tucked early, went raw 5/8 but didn’t get close. BAKLOUVA was always near the back. CYRUS PEAK seemed to be looking for a forward spot early but broke, caught the field but then fell far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WESTERN JOE drifted out then was set down at the 1/8, needed until the 3/8 to clear in fast fractions, kept up the hot pace, rebuffed the first-over, then held HESA KINGSLAYER A off to his inside while recording the fastest local mile of the year, 1:49.1. The latter left sharply, pushed the winner very hard before surrendering command, came back some in the stretch, good second. VETTEL N gained inside, out in the lane and edged HIGHALATOR for third. The latter had early speed, pulled from third just before the half, challenged, gave ground inch-by-inch the last 3/16. CASUAL COOL and IDEAL FEELING never entered the main argument. TULHURSTSANTANNA A gapped the fast early pace, moved second-over but gapped from that position as well.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STONE HANOVER was looped and took the pocket at the ¼, pulled out midturn, went to the lead midstretch and paced home well. MYKINDACHIP was mired behind dull cover, ducked in and gained, then came back out past midturn well off the top two, made up a tremendous amount of ground in the last 100 yards. BLOOD LINE quickly took the lead, put the winner in behind, set the pace as he wanted with no pressure, not enough late. LEAR SEELSTER stayed connected until the ¾. BILLY BADGER N moved outside but was behind a moribund one, lost all chance for a board position when having to circle that one wide. PRAIRIE PANTHER was not heard from. I’M BENICIO A was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked fourth 3/16, came out again early in the backstretch but only clogged the two-wide tier. BILL HALEY N broke w-a-y before the start.
May 8, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s most of the card, then dropping a bit at the end … CIRCUIT PARTY quarter-moved, set an even pace, seemed to be in charge even as DYNAMITE VOLO made up late ground. The latter went to the top and yielded at the ¼, vacated third-in on the turn and inched up the last ¼. CHERRY MASON gapped late backstretch, to the Pocono Pike, fair. MY SON TY HANOVER never entered the main picture. TUFF TO BE LINDY was out to the quarter to make the front, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t find any more on the turn and broke, went inside the course and ran home, placed. CARTIER BI broke way before the start, recovered ground. DONATELLO FASHION got a slow start and was gapping significantly by the ¼. GOTCHA HANOVER lost gait just before the start.
SECOND RACE – SPELLCHECK HANOVER was ahead of the quarter trouble and brushed to the lead, in charge the last 5/16 despite bearing out a little. SPICY COVINA went to command before the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, came back out past the 5/8, lost some ground far turn but stayed to task and came back to grab second late. CAPTAINANDTELLY was three-wide to the 1/8 and got the top coming off the first turn, yielded to the brusher for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, so-so. DIXIE CHICK made a small break at the ¼, recovered, made a small break at the ½, recovered, next. EMORI HANOVER was first on top then yielded, stayed in, not that much late. HILDA BE MINE was behind trouble at the ¼, then fell back steadily the last half. CHANEL BEACH saw the horse in front of her break near the ¼ then made a break coming off the first turn, which caused ADELIA HANOVER behind her to run up on her and go to a knee; both were pulled up. An inquiry into the action near the quarter gave no reason for any placing.
THIRD RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … PLAY THERAPY finally committed to moving outside 5/8, left uncovered 11/16 and gained steadily once raw (in a slowing last quarter) to charge away from these. SHIP WRECK BEACH K made very little progress despite coming first-over into turn two, retucked third 11/16, then outside at a distance behind the winner on the turn, finally showed some speed late to grab second. YOUR HONOR headed right down the road, went a fast (for these) 3/4s, but out of gas late. DANCING TINA raced up into the pocket, stayed close to the ¾, then retreated. SOMEWHEREINAMERICA tucked third before the 3/16, couldn’t keep up down the back. LUST IDEAL was away last and lost contact with the group through the last half.
FOURTH RACE – THISISSHE raced up to take over coming off the first turn, set the pace without much pressure, again an easy winner. TYSON left well and yielded for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, couldn’t gain but held on to the deuce. CLARION HALL got forward position early, outside late turn and wide in the lane, finished well. BROADWAY BRUISER was away last from the rail, went second-over but gapped and ducked back in, fair late. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC went 28.1 the third quarter raw but didn’t reach the leader, backed off. FINAL DREAM was never a presence. ST JAMES GATE was outside midpack when jumping at the ¼.
FIFTH RACE – KOKOMO got in gear just past the 5/8, advanced bit-by-bit, then went by a tiring CAN DO IT ALL in hand. The latter was in front from the 1/8 and set a slow pace, opened up a clear lead on the far turn, but was defenseless against the winner. PAINT BY NUMBERS tucked third, was shuffled when the pocketsitter fell back, then moved outside and did well to wear down PRAIRIE TRINKET for third. The latter moved outside behind the winner ¾, had reached third but couldn’t quite preserve it late. SUNSHINEINTHERAIN sat a pocket trip, came up empty ¾ despite the slow tempo. SIMPLYME HANOVER fell far back in the last half. AMBERS CHAMPION made a mistake just before the ¼. TWO PIECE TANLINES was leaving but broke.
SIXTH RACE – TSM PRINCESS LADY left around early trouble, got to the pocket 3/16, waited until the stretch then caught the leader and went clear. QUICK SIX picked her way through late first turn trouble, advanced up the inside down the back, came on late. BROKEN was behind the breaker to the 3/16 and checked, gapped to the half, moved out down the back but did not gain, then found pace in the last quarter and was coming on the lane after a troubled trip. SIGNIFICANT OTHER headed down the road, rated the half, didn’t have enough in the latter stages. RAINBOW RISING suffered an “ix” before the quarter, went to the infield, got straightened away and came back for the last check. TWIN B BEACHDREAMS was last, made an “ix” in the chain-reaction interference. HAZEL PARK jumped nearing the 3/16 causing wholesale confusion.
SEVENTH RACE – RED REDEMPTION went a fast quarter from the pole to put everybody in behind, slowed the half. got pressure most of the rest of the way, was being asked to hold on to the lead when going to a run midstretch, went to the Pocono Pike and ran home, placed from first to fifth. SOOT HANOVER came uncovered at the 3/8 and was an ominous presence outside the leader from the half, still scrapping when the leader broke and got the big check after a big mile. BY A HOFF HANOVER spotted, left a slight gap down the backstretch, outside headstretch, finished pretty well. MADDYS LEADING MAN raced in the pocket, evenly through the stretch. WINGMAN HANOVER never entered the picture. WILLIS THE MAN moved out second-over 5/8 but couldn’t reach his cover, galloped midturn. THAT’S ALL FOLKS was out of it when breaking in the stretch. MATH WIZARD left and was moving up steadily on the outside when making a break nearing the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – QUEEN TILE NO stayed in fourth until the 11/16, came up with a big last quarter raw to defeat R SPEED OF LIGHT. The latter was on top from PP8 before the first turn and put up quick fractions, had a clear lead the third quarter, just got grinded down late while holding off the others. SECRET EDGE gained places coming up the rail, angled out far turn and finished steadily. LIMOGES was shuffled to last and was three-wide the last quarter, really closed well the last 1/16. A BLUE BLOOD went to the lead, yielded, stayed in third, blocked through the lane. FLAME AWAY was looped and raced up into the pocket 3/16, stayed connected but didn’t have much to offer late. ONE TRIX PONY never entered the picture. BABYILOVEYOURWAY moved outside down the back but never contended.
NINTH RACE – MOVE THE LINE was uncovered not much past the ½ and went his third panel in 27 to challenge the pacesetter, had the lead ¾ but couldn’t clear on the turn, only got a big margin late. BARRYWHITE HANOVER was looped, tucked third, then quarter-moved, fought with the winner as those two drew well clear of the field, stayed close to the winner until midstretch, then fell back a bit. THE BIG PICTURE was outside early backstretch but one-geared it well off the front fight, along for a distant third. DILLINGER got the early pocket, not a late factor. BIG IDEA left quickly for command, yielded, stayed close until the 11/16, then retreated. OCTAVE was last at every call.
TENTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN moved 5/16 in front of the parked horse, made the lead and kept the parked one out, drew away in the last ¼. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR yielded for the pocket 3/16, pinned in on the final turn behind a tiring pocketsitter as the winner drew off, Pocono Pike and got second. DARTY was outside 3/16 to make the lead, yielded to the winner, couldn’t stay with him by the 5/8. HARNESS AM gained some inside, so-so late. TRY TRY AGAIN was outside the duration, only briefly with cover, could not make the lead and fell back. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP had bad traffic woes then cleared headstretch, didn’t gain. GOLDEN SON came out behind the parked horse, moved three-wide 11/16 but just clogged that tier.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAJOR SHOW was content to sit in the two-hole, came out midturn and by in a matter of steps, won comfortably. HURRIKANEKINGCARLO was uncovered before 5/8, never reached the leader, did stay game and won a four-horse photo for second. CHEESEHEAD stayed in, in tight quarters upper stretch then found a seam and had pace. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH stayed in until the far turn, came inside the drifting first-over very late and finished as quickly as anybody. SHAKEALEG HANOVER had things his own way on the front end, still had little late. LOST MY LIGHT got a forward spot, clear in the Pocono Pike but had nothing left. SWEET SHUNEY MOON was last when breaking late far turn.
TWELFTH RACE – URSIS DES CAILLONS tucked fourth past the 1/8, moved second-over, initially gapped and went back in then out again ¾, wide late turn, had the most in the 30.2 last quarter. PUERTO RICO stung a foe to a hot quarter then yielded for the pocket, got a short lead midstretch but couldn’t hang on. ALEXANDER HANOVER sat in, came up the deep Pike with steady trot (in the slowing fraction). DON was last, angled to the path behind the winner, not clear until past midstretch and had trot once in gear. CAMPBELLINI was outside most of a hard opening split, rated the half, but gave way. CIMERONKEN tucked third at the 1/8, came uncovered past the half, never got to the leader’s wheel, faded in the lane. POND JUMPER couldn’t make up significant ground.
May 8, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … BETTER B ROLLING left, yielded, stayed in third, trapped headstretch but found room when the pacesetter bore out, came inside that one and was really rolling from midstretch to be just up. REGAL HOPE went on between horses to the pocket past the 1/8, inside in the stretch and had a clear advantage midstretch, but was outkicked late. CASH IS KING was three-wide just past the 1/8 and onward to the lead 3/16, rated the half, did not get heavy pressure, bore out badly early stretch, held for third. ARCHETTO HANOVER joined the outer flow 3/8, three-wide past the 5/8 all the way into the stretch, ducked inside the drifting pacesetter with a bit of pace. HUGH HEFNER N backed out to fourth-over, followed the three-wide horse from the 5/8, gained a little as the pace slowed. ALL ABOUT RUSTY sat in, little late. CHANCELLORCULLEN N backed out to second-over near the 3/8, gapped 5/8 and was blindswitched, never factor. ROCK MY TEN moved outside nearing the ¼ and grinded uncovered, stayed fairly close until approaching headstretch.
SECOND RACE – GRAPPLE HANOVER quickly had the top, kept rolling and won easily in fast time for bottom trotters. MOOSE MADNESS came out second-over, left uncovered on the far turn, distant second but clear of the others. SHOOT EM ALL LINDY was outside on the turn while well back, along for third. CHUCKY DE VIE gapped the second quarter after the horse in front of him ran at the ¼, moved out down the back and retucked second 11/16, tired. CELEBRITY SERENA was looped and got in third, broke nearing the ¼, made some recovery. PIER HO EXOTIC and BUTTER TOFFEE were never close. MOSCONI HANOVER started well and got the two-hole, but started falling back soon after entering the backstretch.
THIRD RACE – STORM BRINGER pushed a foe to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, briefly paused as the leader went offstride late turn, then came through and got the lead, which he maintained to the wire. ARMANI HANOVER raced third-in, appeared to want to go to the Pocono Pike early stretch but couldn’t because the recovered-from-a-break leader was in that lane, backed behind the winner and then inside him, finished well. ETHAN T HANOVER dangled outside the whole way, three-wide headstretch, finished steadily although the pace was slowing. NEW LEGACY was three-wide to the 3/16, ducked in fourth after a foe broke, uncovered to turn two, grinded in a fast pace, held well. MOSCOW MOON sat in, behind a wall of horses in the stretch. INCENTIVE was between horses early, went on to the lead 3/8 and set a fast pace, broke late on the turn, went inside to get back on gait, then went to the Pocono Pike but lost ground. TRUFFLES TOO was four-wide leaving, took back to a cover position, broke 3/16, recovered, then broke again far turn. SHELL SHOCK miscued right before the start.
FOURTH RACE – FULL MOON BEACH was three-wide early, took back for a midpack tuck, led the outer charge into turn two, went his third split in 26.3 raw fighting REST ASSURED, a fight which carried deep into the stretch before “BEACH” prevailed. REST ASSURED left very well for the point, yielded but retook to the 3/8, maintained the lead until reaching the pond, very fine mile. KAUAI KING was looped and stayed outside, proceeded up to wrest the top past the 1/8, yielded 3/8, gapped a little off the backstretch duel, retightened, then couldn’t go with the top two late but far ahead of the others. JASPER HANOVER avoided the outer tier. BOLTMAN was behind dull cover, was three- and four-wide, couldn’t reach. PD THE BIG EASY maintained the early pocket, backed out to get second-over ahead of a gapper, but soon started gapping himself. TSM BATMAN was outside but couldn’t keep up.
FIFTH RACE – MADAME SHERRY tightened a hole left by an early breaker, moved uncovered 5/8, grinded her way to victory here. CHERRY RED moved second-over but gapped slightly, wide stretch and moving well just a little too late. MY BLUE OPAL sat a good two-hole trip, Pocono Pike, good but a step shy. CELEBRITY ROLEX went right to an early clear lead, rated the half, couldn’t make her advantage stand up. GRAN PARAISO was never in the hunt. HAVANA OOH NANA looked at leaving but was taken back, made a break. THE IRISHMAN settled third early, broke at the 1/8, recovered well and caught the back of the field, but jumped again at the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – BALLCAPSNBLUEJEANS was outside early, bypassed a hole created by a breaker and pressed on to the front 3/8 after some fast early work, seemed in charge the rest of the way. RARE MUSCLE moved uncovered 5/8, gradually got to within a length of the winner but no closer, did well. FATHER OF IRELAND reached the front, pushed the winner to the 3/8 before yielding, fell back a bit late. KASEVILLE sat forwardly-placed, gapped a little 5/8, evenly late well ahead of the rest. SAN CRISTOBAL was well behind following nonflowing cover; COUNT CHOCALOT was that nonflowing cover, ducked back inside, not prominent. GAVINATOR was gapping by the 3/8. MAGNIFICENTFASHION was not in the picture while breaking headstretch. SWAN BY LAND was away third but then broke past the 1/8 and went inside the course.
SEVENTH RACE – MISS VET HANOVER tucked first turn, then was second-over 5/8, an easy winner. CHOCOLATE MATTERS was third-over, ducked inside late turn which seemed to braven her up, used the Pocono Pike for second. SNOWFALLA left and got the early pocket, moved out raw before the 11/16, challenged, stayed on evenly. NANCY BAR tucked third, then was on the move again before the quarter and went up to the front, continued at a quick clip for this type, tired. PRAIRIE VIRTUE never was prominent. DOODLE HANOVER struggled at the back. ME THREE left quickly for the early lead, yielded for the pocket, dropped back sharply in the last quarter.
EIGHTH RACE – BYTHEWAY HANOVER tucked early and stayed in the three-hole, could swing out to midstretch when the first-over backed off, and had a big late roar to just get up on the money. CAPSAICINN hit the top before the ¼ then yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got a short advantage, but the winner had a bigger burst. IDEAL HANNAH set the pace with two moves and seemed to have things her own way, came up just shy. SNUF ENUF HANOVER tucked fourth, gapped in the second quarter, then went uncovered 5/8, made a bid, gave way some late. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI swung widest and passed the rest. ARIANNA GRANDEO was never a factor. TEMPURA HANOVER gapped. CATIE FAVE HANOVER went outside down the backstretch but couldn’t make up any ground. MIKI THE CLOWN broke near the back of the pack.
NINTH RACE – MELANIA was briefly wide early, then onward to the lead at the 3/16, set a good tempo and was still strong at the end, the fourth Buter/Butenschoen successful collaboration of the day. IMHATRA AM S was first to the top then yielded for the two-hole, stayed in past early stretch, then moved outside and gained some but did not menace. AUTUMN DEO gapped a bit off the top two at some points, clearly third. BILLIE CLAIRE and CHING CHING LUCKY stayed inside and got the final checks. WHAT A DAME never really seemed to settle inside, didn’t have enough speed to reach the front ones. BROAD STROKES was wide most of the ¼ taking back, no factor. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR had dull cover, finished far back.
TENTH RACE – MAGNIFICENT SEVEN left enough to keep the pocket as the leader was clear early, tightened up, outside past midturn, just got by CAN’T SAY NO after a long and hard battle. The latter was quickly clear on the lead, set wind-appropriate fractions, just gave way a couple of steps out. PETER’S EXPRESS defended third, fell back a bit from the 11/16. PAPI HANOVER gapped a bit down the backstretch, then was a bit better inside late. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP was uncovered before the 5/8, got cover ¾ but couldn’t make significant inroads. LAZER JET took back to tuck, came out ¾ but did not go forward. MANHATTANUP NO ICE, a little off the gate, gapped at the rear then broke past midturn.
ELEVENTH RACE – GRAY DRAGON was outleft and was behind cover early, uncovered to the 3/16 to the lead past the 5/16, was briefly under pressure before the 5/8 but quickly dismissed that challenger, then drew away as another Butenschoen beast. HORSE left between horses to get the early pocket, stayed third-in, showed courage late to outclose CIGAR SMOKING TONY and pick up second. The latter was three-wide leaving and two-wide just past the 1/8 for the lead, yielded to the winner and sat the two-hole behind the fast 3/4s, came out for the drive but did not gain and was beaten out for second. WALK IT TALK IT went evenly after an inside trip. GONNAHAVEONEMORE left an early gap, was out second-over but couldn’t go with the first-up in the big third panel, found room to swing wide headstretch and was OK. MAJOR BEAN used an inside route, had little chance from last. CAPTIVATE HANOVER went wide, was too far back to get in the main game. A BETTOR BEACH did not feature. AMAZON was uncovered going into turn two and came with a roar at the half, got to within a neck of the winner but started to back off 11/16.
TWELFTH RACE – REALIZATION was looped, tucked in fourth past the 3/16, moved outside ¾ but gapped on the turn, but still gradually wore down RAPUNZEL BLUE CHIP. The latter, who returned with “b.e.”, left and yielded, didn’t move until the 11/16 then turned high heat on the leader and had the lead by headstretch, held very nicely. LOOKING SANTASTIC stayed in, able to slide out far turn, so-so for third. MORE THAN KUTE was in the two-path early, couldn’t get cover, but paced on determinedly with stretch speed. SUNRISE HANOVER gapped inside 5/8, slow to clear traffic trouble upper stretch, OK late. AP BLAZE OF GLORY left between horses and took the pocket, tried to move to the top 3/8 but was rebuffed and went back in the two-hole, nothing left late. TWIN B CHIT CHAT was never in the picture. EVEN LOUDER was three-wide to the first bend to the lead 3/16, made a 3/8 brusher rethink that strategy, went a fast third quarter without a challenger to nearing the ¾, but that challenger took her number quickly, bore out in the lane. SPORTS DUCHESS never factored.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TRAY SURREAL left, yielded for the two-hole but then made a quarter-move, set wind-appropriate fractions, had enough to leave the challengers behind late. THANOS was three-wide to the 1/8 then on to 3/16 command, relinquished for the two-hole, a bit loose ¾ but tighter on the turn, went to the Pocono Pike and took about four menacing steps then couldn’t gain, good to hold second at 25-1. MAKE IT COME TRUE went uncovered at the 5/8 and gradually gained some, held OK. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN took back past the start, moved out on the far turn, fair. ALWAYS ON THE HUNT gapped down the back. ROCK IDOL moved outside but couldn’t get into the main argument. NOCH TEN had little. FULL VIEW left some, was sitting third when taking a bad step before the 3/8, taken right to the outside and was pulled up.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DEWEY ARNOLD was on top 3/16 and was sensational – 1:23.3 speed leaving out the second quarter rest, and only a tick off the fastest 3YO trot mile of the year so far. WORTHY OF HONOR pushed the winner early and then stuck to him like Gorilla Glue, big effort for this one. TUIS SHADOW started to gap before the 5/8, but still held on to the distant third. TRICKY DICK stayed inside, couldn’t quite reach show. CALLE PALEMA came uncovered 5/8 and had reached level with the pocket horse when breaking past midturn. STEEL SCHOONER was away slowly and never got close. SERRANO VOLO moved outside before the 11/16, not close when breaking past midturn.
May 4, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warmest day of the year so far at 80o … Wind would start as a stretch headwind, then make a 180o switch midcard to a stretch tailwind … JUSLIKEAQUEEN made the front just past the 1/8 in a rare “reverse lineup,” opened a big lead down the back, maybe a bit tired late but very far ahead. ROJAS BLUE CHIP stayed on the back of the gapping pocket horse until midturn, just edged past that one for second. SWEET ROCKIN GIA yielded to the winner just past the 1/8, started to get loose to the 5/8, did fight for second to the wire. PICKLES ON TOP began falling back before the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – HES GONE BADDER moved out raw before the 5/8 and soon got cover, three-wide midturn, came home steadily and got the nod as the pace slowed late. BAYONET was first to show, relinquished to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and gained a short lead, came up just a bit shy. NEWS WATCH was third-over, spun four-wide late on the turn and looked to have the momentum upper stretch, but flattened out some. HEEZ ORL BLACK N moved raw from third to the 11/16, a step shy. JEREMES GENERAL joined the cover flow ¾, went between horses headstretch and had pace on the end of it. SHRIMP AND GRITS stayed in, shuffled to last, never a factor. DURANT went to the front past the 1/8, rated the second quarter then went faster with the wind, little left in the lane. ARTACUS was looped and worked in fourth 3/16, couldn’t keep up not long after the second turn.
THIRD RACE – KARETS was four-wide almost to the 1/8, pressed on to the lead 5/16, slowed the half, never got outside pressure, kept clear despite the slowing last quarter. PHANTOM RUSTY was innermost of five leavers and took positional advantage to ride in the pocket, couldn’t gain and just held off SPLITSVILLE for second. The latter was behind very-slowly-advancing cover, three-wide in the stretch and had a very big last 1/16. LANDONFITZ sat third, a little bit off the top two from past the 5/8. NATALIE HANOVER was never prominent. ER BEN was uncovered to the 9/16 and advanced inch-by-inch to almost headstretch, then tired. BATTLE MAGE was five-wide early and soon was taking back to last, not a factor thereafter.
FOURTH RACE – TRAFFIC JAM bided time outside early then was in gear at the 1/8 to get the lead coming of turn one, set the pace, won easily – giving the 33-year-old “youthful veteran” Matt Kakaley his 5000th career driving victory. RHODATOLD ME stayed in, got clearance in the Pocono Pike and did OK. SHE’S A BILLIONAIR looked to be struggling a little to keep up to the ¾ whether inside or outside, then finished well. RELLA TIVITY left to 1/8 command, yielded just past the ¼ for the two-hole, no gain in the lane. SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N offered little. GALARINA was last and fell far back.
FIFTH RACE – ITSONLYMONEYHONEY took advantage of inside positioning to force one leaving foe to tuck then push the other past the ¼ to get the lead, retook with a quick move just past the 3/8, ran away from these. MAJESTIC MISTRESS briefly had cover then battled SHADY MCCOY in a long duel for second, which the former won. The latter was out between horses until tucking third 3/16, outside early backstretch and got to tuck into the pocket late backstretch, fought hard to try to preserve second and was away ahead of the rest. BRUTAL STORM was three-wide to the 3/16, trotted to the front off turn one, yielded to the winner’s quick move past the 3/8, started unplugging before the 5/8. LAKEVIEW TAMMY got the last check. CAN DO couldn’t keep up down the back. KANDY KORN was outside but couldn’t reach. KOW GIRL showed a bit of speed, then was well off the dueling top three when breaking 3/16.
SIXTH RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY got the early lead, sat close-up in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and made the lead, held off the good late charge of SPECTACULAR ROCK. The latter moved with cover at the half, went three-wide midturn when the first-over faltered and lost some ground straightening away, really coming on late. MYIDEALSON N yielded under a hold then quarter-moved, in a good third panel fight with the first-over, shook that one off, but couldn’t make his advantage last to the wire. GOLDEN GESTURE had an excess of cover, ducked inside for the stretch and finished OK. MEADOWBRANCH FLASH was out third-over and gapping down the back, then better and followed cover three-wide, too far to come. BYE BYE JOHN started the outer train at the half and went head-to-head with the leader from the 5/8 until past the ¾, when he began to tire. SPORTSMANSHIP was last at every call.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind is shifting to a stretch tailwind … MELODIES MAJOR was looped and parked to the ¼, yielded to sit in the pocket, outside stretch and along easily. NIALL HANOVER chose to stay in, up the inside to grab second. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was away well, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, battled the first-over, not all that much left late. WHITTAKER N gapped second-over, wide in the stretch and a bit better belatedly. CENTURY ENFORCER never entered the picture. GRAND GALOP SEMALU was away quickly to get in front, saw two go by in quarter two, back out for more first-over and challenged, but faded in the last 1/8. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was always at the rear.
EIGHTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N sat the pocket, saw the front horses tire and the back ones get in gear too late, to the Pocono Pike and along easily. SWEET YOUNG THING gapped a little second-over, three-wide just past midturn, along for the distant second. YES DOUBLE DOWN stayed close, didn’t have the inside acceleration of the winner, OK late. ALL ABOUT AMY took back early, then third-over, finished with speed. LADY LONDON headed down the road but couldn’t finish out the task. BETTERB CHEVRON N tucked fourth 3/16, then underway raw just past the half, advanced making a good charge, but tired after a hard trip. BRING ME DIAMONDS offered little. LITTLE SANDY TOES gapped at the back, swung three-wide ¾ but never got in the picture.
NINTH RACE – DIVINE SPIRIT wound up in the early pocket, stayed third-in until midturn, then out and gained to just edge BANK BOX TREASURE in a quick mile for these. The latter quarter-moved and kept on rolling, held very gamely and was unlucky to get nipped. CONSUS VICTORY assumed the front early, yielded for the pocket, had a shot up the Pocono Pike but didn’t have enough. ZOOMING stayed in, to the deep Pike but didn’t gain. MUSHANA was three-wide leaving but broke going to the first turn. SWEET HEART AS broke shortly after the start.
TENTH RACE – SHOULDABEENATD went out between horses to control the throttle, went 27.4 against the winds down the back then drew clear while storming home in 27.1. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD was three-wide early, then tucked in the two-hole behind the big chalk, held second at 48-1. LADY ROCKNROLLA A was away in good order, sat third-in, couldn’t quite get to second late. PEGGY J moved to second-over past the 5/8, blindswitched far turn, never entered the main picture. MAJOR BATTLE tried a three-wide sweep from third-over on the far turn but didn’t enter contention. BOLT OF BEAUTY went raw off turn two, gets credit for going 27 raw vs. the wind down the back, but never reached and then fell back. TOPVILLE ANGELINA was gapping in last before the ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – REMARKABLE DE VIE looked at leaving but was taken back although not appearing to like it, went out third-over, made a big gain three-wide through the far turn, drew away. LIFE WELL LIVED set the pace with two speed moves, couldn’t stall the winner but held second over WINNING LEGENDS. The latter made the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, had a clear shot at place in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get there. FOREVERHILLREIGN was way wide off the far turn and closed very nicely. SEVEN IRON took back to tuck, then second-over, blindswitched by the winner then backed out to follow him three-wide midturn, evenly late. ARCH CREDIT stayed inside, evenly late. SIR JOHN F spotted, then came first-up going to the race’s midpoint, challenged but faded the last quarter. ATABOY HANOVER never featured.
May 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 50s throughout the day … WITH OUT A DOUBT was the only leaver and rolled on the lead, just warded off the grinder KING ALPHONSO. The latter moved raw at the 5/8, never made a big move at the leader until very late, very steadily to just miss. NEXTROUNDSONME moved out and got second-over, wide early in the stretch and had an OK finish. CONQUEST AS got the pocket by default with only the one outside leaver, clear in the Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. COOL CLIFFORD sat in, deep Pike, also not having much. THE LAST TWO never entered the main picture.
SECOND RACE – CAPTAIN NASH was under encouragement early but did not advance much tucking fourth, did advance when pulled raw at the half and reached the lead before the ¾, ran away from these. DIVISION BELL sat in and was badly shuffled, cleared deep in the Pocono Pike and just up for a distant second. CAPTAIN MCKEE, outside, couldn’t get close to the winner early backstretch, got new cover, went three-wide around it midturn, almost second. JAHAN HANOVER was first to the lead, pushed the favorite the entire frontstretch before yielding the lead, then got shuffled back, mildly in the Pike. WHEN YOU DANCE was on the move 3/16 but needed urging to get enough speed to clear to the lead nearing turn two, couldn’t keep the winner out 11/16, fell back. NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP and DA MAGICIAN didn’t do much here. DRAGON STRIKES went into the pocket at the 1/8, moved back outside past the 5/8, soon left raw and just clogged that tier.
THIRD RACE – TULLOW N worked out a good cover trip, lost cover ¾, one-geared the last ¼ and was just up for the King Of The Longshot Trainers, David Russo. BUSBOY HANOVER, rough-gaited but game, moved raw into turn two, rushed up and cleared before the ¾, held on to the lead until the shadow of the wire. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N moved out 5/8, couldn’t stay with the top two but bettered the rest. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was four-wide to the first turn, two-wide to the pocket 3/16, wanted to move off the first turn but rethought that idea, was shuffled as the top two got away, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. IN SPADES was shuffled to last, three-wide headstretch, some pace in recovery. LOVE THE ACTION came through from the rail, forced the same horse to tuck in twice, yielded to the ¾ and tired.
FOURTH RACE – Driver James MacDonald, 2017 World Driving Champion and Mark’s brother, had a rough trip for his first Pocono win (he raced here one day in 2015): NOTHING BUT MUSCLE left, was closed out of a hole 3/16 and tucked fourth, back out on the move on the lower turn, was swept down the back and gapped cover a bit until the stretch, then again wide and found the energy to win the battle to the wire. MARION GONDOLIER got a pocket trip, to the Pocono Pike, may have had a deep stretch lead for a step or two, did well. MASSIVE OPULENCE moved out with cover on turn two, three-wide before the 5/8 to get to two-wide and challenged, had a short lead at points on the turn but couldn’t clear, did grab the lead early stretch and held it a long way. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR outstepped everybody from the far outer post, set the pace, battled hard with the first-over and held well. JACK RULES was stuck inside, angled out to the path behind the winner before midstretch and closed some. TW LAUXMONT was away last from the rail and did not emerge as a factor. LIGHTNING KIDD gapped third-over. KEYSTONE SERGEANT had traffic trouble late on the turn, ducked back inside but broke trying to gain.
FIFTH RACE – CAPTAIN HILL left, had cover to the 3/16 then went on to the lead before the 3/8, pushed a brusher to near the half then sat behind him, outside stretch and stepped right by late. BEACH FIRE K left well and was tight behind the early battle, stepped out to the 3/8 and went on to the top before the fast half, kept going quick numbers, tired but held second. LORD OF MISRULE was in a cover flow, left raw to the 11/16 and continued on steadily. RANGERS SURESHOT gapped his cover, OK late. REDHOT ROMEO went uncovered at the half, retucked third before the 11/16, faded the last quarter. AN THE THUNDEROLLS sat in, was shuffled to last and lost all chance. POLAK A left and seized command 3/16, yielded, all done 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – BLACKLIGHT left between horses and tucked third at the 1/8, moved uncovered past the 5/8, crept up a little, then did better late and went on by. SOMEBEACH BARON was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, set the pace as he wanted, just could not sustain the advantage to the finish. MONEYMAN HILL left well and preserved the pocket, little at crunch time. WORLD ON EDGE stayed semi-connected. THE OTHERS did not.
SEVENTH RACE – ICINGON DE CUPCAKE moved uncovered past the 5/8 and went up to challenge, in a fight through the stretch, just along. O JONNIE sat the pocket behind fast fractions, may’ve been bottomed a little chasing them, Pocono Pike, had dead aim but not enough. CRITICAL MASS stayed connected, a bit of trot as the pace decelerated. MAGIC VACATION rolled along at a quick clip without pressure until nearing the ¾, tired. MAJOR IMPACT was outside but couldn’t reach cover; WILLY MOUSE was right behind him, gapped slightly. PITTSTOP KIP never featured. SWISS PLATINUM was losing contact before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – REVELRY was urged leaving, maintained the pocket, then quarter-moved, set a quick pace under pressure from the half until nearing late on the far turn, then just drew away. AINTNOBETTER A was raw before the half and at the leader from the half to mid-far turn, tucked in the pocket to headstretch, all-out to hold second from BULLVILLE TERROR. The latter backed out to third-over, wide late turn, kept on coming. CAPTAIN CASH was away alertly for the lead, yielded for the pocket, gapped a little in the backstretch battle, gave way the last ¼. FEELING CAM LUCKY was right on his cover until the far turn, then couldn’t keep up. SCOOTNROLL and WARRAWEE UNIQUE were at the end of the field throughout.
NINTH RACE – BAMSKI left a big hole behind the pacesetter from before the 3/16 until the 5/8 then began to narrow in, out late backstretch and had a small advantage around the turn but could not clear, did not fully assert himself until late. WHITE HAIR ROCKS stayed connected to the top two, outside towards the ¾ but then inside nearing the stretch, to the Pocono Pike and second. BLOW A CLOUD N blew right out to the lead, with a large margin as noted from mid-first turn until late backstretch with giant fractions, had enough left to keep the winner a fight to midstretch, then tired some. GIVEN UP TERROR retucked around a gapper, gained inside, outside stretch and had belated pace. WINDSONG JACK went around the gapper but had little more to offer. A REAL MIRACLE and DRINKA BEER never got into the main picture. BURNING MIDNIGHT went up to tuck fourth at the 1/8, started gaining going to turn two, fell way back.
TENTH RACE – HIGHALATOR was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the front off turn one, rated the half then picked it up as a serious first-over challenge came on, shook off that one and held the rest safely in yet another game mile. RODEO ROCK came out second-over before the half, followed good cover until going three-wide headstretch, finished strongly although the winner didn’t look in danger. MYKINDACHIP used the rail to advantage to force a tuck then hang the favorite, yielded before the ¼ for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough pace late. AFLAME HANOVER was third-over, found his best strides a little too late. BILL HALEY N took back early, started uncovered into turn two and went his own third split in 26.2 to pressure the leader, got a little tired. AIR FORCE HANOVER didn’t enter the picture. I’M BENICIO A was between horses early, taken back to tuck but didn’t seem comfortable doing so, faded at the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – SCOTT ROCKS got the early two-hole then proceeded to gap for the next half-mile, in gear 5/8 and grinded to the leader, got the lead midturn but never cleared to the inside, held off the good-closing SWEET N FAST N. The latter was outside behind the winner, chose to stay behind him two-wide on the turn with room inside, finished resolutely. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU was last, had to circle three-wide past midturn, narrowed in very nicely. SUNSET BRAYDON sat in and was shuffled to last, weaved for clearance and finished well once with space midstretch. LYONS AMUSEMENTS lost cover to the 1/8 and was left on the outside challenging for the lead (in 26.4 / 54) until almost the half, kept the winner out around the turn, held well considering the amount of work he did. LEAR SEELSTER had cover, was blindswitched, ducked inside, not too much. HORSING AROUND was off on an open lead well past the ¼, pushed a foe before yielding before turn two, called it a day 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – TRENTE DEO forced his main rival to tuck past the 1/8, rated the half, then powered home in 54.4 – 27. JOESSTAR OF MIA A had a slight advantage as the gate sped off but couldn’t clear the winner and took the pocket to the 3/16, second-best while no threat to win nor a “threat” to be caught for second. NATIONAL SPORT stayed connected third, outside midturn but quickly back in, evenly in the fast back fractions. INDICTABLE HANOVER moved behind dull cover, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide and getting cover, soon lost that cover on the turn, fair. BELL I NO took a spot, then was third-over, couldn’t keep up with the late backstretch sweeper. RAGS TO RICHES and BARNABAS were never in the main picture. PROVEN DESIRE moved uncovered to turn two but had very little.
