Connors’ Comments for Sunday, April 18, 2021

Apr 20, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperature in the mid 50s; stretch headwind … GIVEN UP TERROR left and tucked third, stayed in then backed out midturn and quickly went three-wide, had the lead by early stretch and won easily. BYE BYE JOHN was uncovered just before the half, held on well to take second ahead of DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS. The latter defended the pocket early, shuffled a little as the winner went by, but then got the Pocono Pike and still couldn’t outkick a horse who had been raw the last half. AFTER THE LOVIN left a small gap much of the way, blocked into the stretch, came between horses with a little bit of late pace. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was last most of the way, wide in the stretch, fair. INDIGO ART blasted away from the pole to set the pace with wind-appropriate fractions, had nothing left in the lane.

SECOND RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE was third-over behind bad cover, went three-wide midturn just before his decaying cover broke, finished nicely and took the decision in the final strides. NEWS WATCH stayed in, went up the deep Pocono Pike, actually got the lead deep stretch at almost 29-1, just edged. HIGHVIEW CONALL N took control from the pole and set wind-appropriate fractions, came under pressure late backstretch through the first half of the turn, still had the lead well past midstretch but tired. HES GONE BADDER stayed in, then out in a blindswitch, had to back out behind the winner upper stretch and got going too late. HEEZ ORL BLACK N went into the pocket to the first curve, to the Pike but didn’t offer too much. BAYONET tucked third 3/16, out raw 5/8 under urging, went up and challenged before tiring midturn. SHRIMP AND GRITS lost contact at the rear. SPORTSMANSHIP moved outside off the second turn, gapped as soon as getting cover 5/8, broke midturn.

THIRD RACE – PILOT HANOVER sat in down the back and gapped slightly, then slid outside past the ¾ and gradually got a little quicker, wide in the lane and up in the last two steps. CEFFYL DWR was three-wide leaving, then two-wide most of the ¼ before tucking third, uncovered 5/8 and went up to challenge, got the lead early stretch, almost lasted to the line. KILLER INSTINCT came out 11/16, three-wide past midturn, finished well. HALLS OF VALOR protected the pocket, stayed tight, got through after the leader broke with a minimum of damage, a step shy. FATHER OF IRELAND moved outside, wasn’t tight on cover, blindswitched late turn, angled inside through the stretch, fair. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER broke at the start, caught the field but was never in contention. SOOT HANOVER was on top at the 1/8 and set a pretty good pace for this type, lost composure just past midturn and was taken inside.

FOURTH RACE – GREAT UNKNOWN was well off the first quarter duel, got in gear 5/8 and quickly gained uncovered, to the lead late on the turn and drew away, with his own last half in 55.3. MOON BRIDGE followed the winner, left uncovered when that one cleared, second-best. SWEET HEART AS gapped when the first two moved later on the backstretch, then found better steps on the turn and moved outside, finished well. LIFE WELL LIVED was out most of the ¼ in a fight for the lead, set the pace, did not have an answer to the winner’s challenge, fell back. MARION GONDOLIER contested the brisk ¼ then yielded for the pocket, stuck behind the tiring leader on the far turn, but then had little when going to the Pocono Pike. BRONZE YANKEE broke early. ATABOY HANOVER started gapping off turn two.

FIFTH RACE – IN DULCE DECORUM was two-wide in the second half of the field when he stumbled and fell 3/16, with RARE MUSCLE unable to avoid him; both were DNFs; the accident did not materially affect the race … TRICKY DICK left three-wide to get the lead going to turn one, yielded at the end of the frontstretch for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually picked up CREDIT CON. The latter was on the move from fourth before the 5/16 and made the top before the turn, set the rest of the pace, was handled cautiously around the far turn as a loose horse was kept well out of the way of the field, couldn’t quite sustain late. SHARE THE WEALTH got an early spot, stayed in to the ¾, gained well in the last stanza. BY A HOFF HANOVER was under a good hold just before the start, left widest, accepted the pocket 3/16, stayed in, not all that much late. MADDYS LEADING MAN never entered the picture. SAN CRISTOBAL never factored before making a stretch break.

SIXTH RACE – POND JUMPER was away second, on the move before the ¼ to the top not too much after that station, set the pace, came home in 57.1. WISENHEIMER made the top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, held his ground without threatening. MAGIC VACATION was looped early and tucked third past the 1/8, moved outside midturn, couldn’t gain but far ahead of the rest. LANDONFITZ was locked in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and the best of the rest. LAKEVIEW TAMMY started gapping towards the 5/8. NATALIE HANOVER never featured. CRITICAL MASS was always near the rear. NOBLE WARRAWEE tried to gain from far back down the back but couldn’t.

SEVENTH RACE – Wind is calming … INDICTABLE HANOVER took the shortest way around and finished with a pair of 27.4s to win easily. WESTERN HILL was second-over, three-wide 11/16 the duration, just up on the money to get second. ROCK THREE TIMES stayed in and gained some, to the Pocono Pike, not far off second. DO YA THINK left, went in third before the 1/8, outside midbackstretch with rocking but never gained menacingly. CENTURY ENFORCER was three-wide to the first bend, went on to the pocket to the 3/16, couldn’t keep up the last quarter. DRAGON STRIKES was third-over slightly off his cover, a bit on the end. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN never featured; nor did ABSOLUTE INTENT.

EIGHTH RACE – RAINBOWINTHEWEST had great cover, lost it 11/16 and went up uncovered, got an advantage on the turn and kept it to the finish. CONSUS VICTORY was outside but gapped cover much of the backstretch, better towards the ¾, wide off the far turn and easily second. RIVER OTTER went up between horses early to get the two-hole, backed out to avoid a shuffle 11/16, gapped some on the turn, next in line. FOREVERHILLREIGN moved uncovered on turn two and challenged, went by 11/16, but had little left the last quarter. O JONNIE was inside and shuffled, evenly. KEYSTONE SERGEANT had an excess of cover to deal with. BRUTAL STORM never got a call. TIGHT LINES was looped early, in gear 3/16 to the top 3/8, tried to resist the brusher down the backstretch but gave way before the ¾. BELLA AVA was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, pushed a foe to the 3/8 and yielded, didn’t show too much the last 3/8.

NINTH RACE — ROYALTYWESTHO was the first to show, pushed past the ¼ then yielded for the two-hole trip, Pocono Pike, along in time. TOPVILLE ANGELINA worked up to get command past a speedy opener, got a bit of a rest but was under attack most of the quick backstretch, shook that one off, held gamely. GRANT ME THIS stayed in, went to the deep Pike, good. MAJOR BATTLE got forward position early, uncovered off turn two and had a big battle with the leader, held OK. ABIGAIL DAWN was buried in last, weaved while gaining in the lane but never was fully clear. BRING ME DIAMONDS was second-over, gapped 11/16. LADY LONDON was third-over, went between horses in the lane but never got in the main picture.

TENTH RACE – TOP ME OFF made the lead 3/16 and kept the field strung out the first ¾, held solid challengers to both sides late but preserved the advantage to the wire. TART TONGUE got the early lead then yielded for the pocket, had his chance up the Pocono Pike, OK. BLACK TIE BASH gapped down the back but was much better as the last quarter went on, finishing strongly. ROBBIE PEV sat third until popping out past the ¾, OK. CAPITAL T STORM and HOOLIE N HECTOR were far back most of the way and never reached. SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN gapped in last. WINGMAN HANOVER started to gap early in the backstretch, broke far turn while out of it.

ELEVENTH RACE – HEAT WAVE HANOVER gradually ranged up to take over past the 3/16, pushed a foe a ways before surrendering the top for the pocket, a trifle loose down the back, but ready to go when sent to the Pocono Pike and worked by. KING ALPHONSO moved outside off turn one, took most of the frontstretch to clear to the lead, came home in 56.1 but still couldn’t hold although trying hard. HARNESS AM got early positioning, outside past the ¾ but didn’t gain and ducked back in headstretch, just held third over MUSHANA. The latter stayed in, showed a good last 1/8. NEXTROUNDSONME never was a major danger. NATURAL KEMP was last, began losing contact before the ½.

TWELFTH RACE – BETTERB CHEVRON N tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved uncovered 11/16 and went to challenge pacesetting GEORGIE MARTIN N, paced her own last half in 55.1 in a nice victory. The latter was in quite a tussle to the 3/16 before asserting herself, got a breather to the half and didn’t have much pressure until the ¾, not quite enough late sprint. LITTLE SANDY TOES slid in behind the winner 1/8 then moved out behind that one but gapped on the turn, doing better late. SWEET YOUNG THING was head-to-head well past the 1/8 before reluctantly taking back for the two-hole 3/16, a little loose late turn, evenly late. TRAFFIC JAM moved out third-over ¾, some late pace. DELISHKA N never showed much of anything here. THE OTHER TWO gapped the main pack the last half.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, April 17, 2021

Apr 19, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – “Good +1” throughout the day, which featured temperatures from the mid- to upper-40s … Stretch tailwind … BLOW A CLOUD N came out raw at the 5/8, got cover from the pocketpuller ¾, had the most pace to the wire. JANAID made the lead, extended the favorite almost to the second turn in fast fractions before yielding, came out again ¾, got a small lead late on the turn, which he preserved until late. WILSONS VINNER gapped off turn two, caught up and could move to the pocket, had the option of the Pocono Pike but chose to pull out behind the first-over then duck inside him midstretch, steadily. WAGON MASTER moved with cover, circled wide but couldn’t quite reach. BUSBOY HANOVER was never a factor. SPORTS TEEN left, was hung out through almost all of 28.1/55.3 en route to the lead into the second turn, set the pace, wilted in the last 3/16. ALWAYS THE SUN considered leaving but took back, got on a line badly late on the first turn, lost contact past the half.

SECOND RACE – SCOTT ROCKS was out 3/16 for the front in a fast quarter, rolled along, under encouragement the last 3/16, may have bore out some but held gamely. P L MUNSON tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, used the Pocono Pike and almost made it. LYONS AMUSEMENTS went away quickly to grab the lead, yielded 3/16 and sat the two-hole, considered coming out early stretch but chose to go between horses, good but not quite enough. LEAR SEELSTER started uncovered to the half, never reached the wheel of the pocket horse but went on steadily. TULLOW N offered little. SOMEBEACH BARON swung wide from third-over 11/16 blindswitching SIMPLE KINDA MAN; neither entered contention. DA MAGICIAN labored at the rear.

THIRD RACE – FERNADO left behind cover, went three-wide 5/16 to have the momentum to clear before the second turn and just did so in a cutthroat half, went on to open a big lead at the 5/8 and maintained clear space behind him to the wire while understandably tiring. RANGERS SURESHOT was in the lively outer flow well behind the winner, left uncovered on the far turn, OK to be second. MYIDEALSON N gapped cover, then found a bit better pace as the tempo slowed. REDHOT ROMEO sat in and was shuffled back to last then outside behind a gapping one, unfurled with steady pace. AN THE THUNDEROLLS moved uncovered into turn two, went into an empty pocket ¾ but had little left. WISE IMAGE was hung past the 27.2 opener, then was between horses to get the lead before the 3/8, yielded into turn two in the lightning (under the circumstances) half, gapped out 5/8. JEREMES GENERAL had the rail and hung two foes a long way briskly, started gapping off turn two.

FOURTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN started to move before the half but had to wait on the outer tier forming, third-over, four-wide just past the ¾ (about as early as you’ll see a horse four-wide here and winning), kicked very strongly in the latter stages and overhauled GROOVY JOE. The latter was urged leaving, on top at the 3/16, got pressure down the back, held very nicely. RODEO ROCK wound up second-over, not really smooth down the back, three-wide early on the far turn, finished steadily. YANKEE ROLLER A was on top at the 1/8, ceded the front for the pocket 3/16, had his chance in the lane but couldn’t summon enough. SEEL THE DEAL N stayed in, deep Pike, couldn’t reach. BABES DIG ME left well, came out at the half and moved up in the third quarter, but flattened in the fourth.

FIFTH RACE – POLAK A made the front just past the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, outside late on the turn, was passed to the inside but fought on and was up by a nostril in the last step. LORD OF MISRULE let and yielded, stayed third-in, got to the Pike, took a short lead just past midstretch, just edged. SWEET TALKIN SATIN left and was behind cover to just past the 1/8 then went up, took over 5/16, didn’t get pressure on the lead, just outsprinted home. KEYSTONE STEAM was three-wide to the 1/8 before settling in fifth past that point, uncovered before turn two, never reached but bettered the others. JUST PLAIN LOCO came out third-over but ducked back in, evenly. RECORD MACHINE did not feature. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD came second-over on the second turn, three-wide ¾ but never gained.

SIXTH RACE – ALBERGO HANOVER used the rail to maximum effect, parked challengers three-wide to the 3/8, yielded early on turn two for the pocket, had to wait for the Pocono Pike but once clear paced to the fore in the slowing tempo. NATIVE’S SWEETLOU was outside with cover early off the top three, in before the ¼, gapped in front of the grandstand, outside just past the half and soon three-wide to circle the parked horse to two-wide raw past the 5/8, kept coming at the leader during and past a wild 3/4s, made the lead with an 1/8 to go, held with great courage though bearing out a little. SWEET N FAST N followed the path of the place horse from the half, edged in some late as things decelerated. PROVEN DESIRE was widest in the lane with some pace. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS was three-wide fully to the 3/8 in a wild battle, to two-wide to clear on the clubhouse turn, got new pressure from late backstretch, tired. CLASS SIX left between horses, urged to try to clear 5/16 but instead got looped past the 3/8 and left raw two-wide, fell back. HORSING AROUND kept the pocket closed, then fell back by an ever-widening margin from the 9/16.

SEVENTH RACE – THE WALL was three-wide to the first turn to command to the 3/16, rated the second quarter then sped up and nobody got near him, didn’t hit the wall but kept going to the wire. WARRAWEE UNIQUE made the lead at the 1/8 and yielded for the two-hole, outside headstretch, gained a little late but not enough. CAPTAIN MCKEE had some early foot, swung wide headstretch from third-in, also gaining a little but not enough late. NEWBIE stayed inside, no factor. WHEN YOU DANCE took back early, moved uncovered at the half but never got close; TREVOR ONE followed that one’s cover but gapped it. HALLIE’S COMET had a problem before the 3/16 and was pulled up.

EIGHTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was three-wide to the first turn, got the point beyond the 3/16, backed off the half then had twin 27.4s coming home to keep BAMSKI safe. The latter got positioning to the first turn, started uncovered going into turn two, grinded up and reached the winner before the ¾, gave that one a hard fight home in a good mile. BURNING MIDNIGHT was second-over, gapped some ¾, distant next-best. SUNSET BRAYDON stayed in, blocked late on the turn, to the Pocono Pike, so-so, reported back with “b.e.” IN SPADES was third-over, gapped a gapper ¾. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was never a factor here. A REAL MIRACLE went out between horses to 1/8 command, yielded past the 3/16 for the pocket, stayed tight until suddenly backing off midturn.

NINTH RACE – TRENTE DEO got out in a good flow after a fast half, left uncovered to the ¾, had gotten ahead before headstretch and extended his advantage through the lane to win in fast time. WINDSONG JACK moved uncovered 9/16 and made a big burst, pacing his own third split in 27, to get the lead late on the backstretch, proved no match for the winner on his back, just did hold second. MY MIND IS MADEUP was third-over, gapped far turn, closed some to be photoed for second. REVELRY was fourth-over, didn’t enter the picture. PRINCE OF TIDES was urged leaving, got the pocket, was quarter-mover #1, yielded to QM #2 towards turn two, was shuffled late backstretch, out in a blindswitch but didn’t gain once clear. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was QM #2, left uncovered 5/16 and under urging to clear early second turn, done when challenged towards the ¾. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was very fast leaving wide right to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, in, shuffled some, outside turn, very little left.

TENTH RACE – ONE EIGHT HUNDRED was extended to clear to the lead 3/16, really backed down the middle half, then drew away without asking in a 27.1 last quarter on a day when no other race came home faster than 27.4. WARRAWEE WHYNOT gave the winner a good tussle before yielding, sat the two-hole, started to get loose mid-far turn, held second in a good outing. STOP STARING backed out second-over, three-wide into the lane and lost a little ground straightening away, then finished nicely. TREVOR’S ACE tucked third, in, went to the Pocono Pike but had little to offer. SIX DEGREES was buried last, found room between horses midstretch and had kick once clear. MOVE THE LINE had some early foot, in then backed out to third-over 11/16 but couldn’t get in the hunt. BATTERUP HANOVER came from last uncovered and got to the winner’s wheel ¾, but had nothing left in the last 1/8.

ELEVENTH RACE – COALITION HANOVER briefly settled third to the 3/16, then soon was on his way to get the top 3/8, had to fight off in turn the first-over and then the Pocono Piker, but stayed strong to the wire. CAPTAIN SLEAZE forced an early tuck, then yielded when the winner came calling to the 3/8, waited, went inside, held his ground well but couldn’t go by. STELLAR YANKEE came raw from last on turn two, gradually ranged up to cover on the backstretch, wide in the lane and closed well. MIKIBYTHESEASIDE had the pocket early, moved out again before the 5/8 and pressed the winner, faded only a little. AQUAMAN HANOVER had little inside. BUD TRUCK couldn’t keep up the last ½.

TWELFTH RACE – HE’S A SNOB quarter-moved under tap urging and made the lead 3/8, drew clear on the turn and kept rolling to the wire. MAD MAN HILL stayed outside early, in gear at the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, loose in the two-hole from the 5/8, did a little better late but was not getting to the winner. KYUQUOT rushed raw 9/16 out of fifth and made up a lot of ground, fell back a little on the turn but continued to pace on doggedly to the wire. MAJOR MAKOVER was able to swing out all the way to four-wide late turn, had good pace late. TARKIO went right to the lead, yielded, backed out to second-over 11/16 but gapped some. TERRY A HANOVER never entered the main picture. WIN PLACE ‘N SHOW trailed to gain outside down the back but tired 3/4 without getting close.

THIRTEENTH RACE – ALEX TYE was on the move from third at the 1/8 to take over the racetrack at the ¼, yielded to the chalk for the two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, proved the best today. CAPTAIN NASH started raw early on turn two and made a big move to go up towards the leader, lost ground the first half of the far turn, but kept on pacing determinedly in a good showing. BRAVO TEX N was last, four-wide late turn and charging home very strongly late. PATERNITY SUIT A quarter-moved, set the pace and looked to be in control, but came up shy at crunch time. JAHAN HANOVER was first on top then relinquished, boxed in on the turn, was going evenly when having to steer a bit wide of the tiring pacesetter late. DIVISION BELL came up the deep Pike and wasn’t bad. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was second-over gapping slightly, three-wide past midturn but could offer little late.

FOURTEENTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT left behind cover and tucked, quarter-moved but waited on the chalk’s early move, then sent three-wide to the 3/8 to two-wide to clear early on turn two, went a fast third quarter and was very impressive today. AFLAME HANOVER was three-wide past the 1/8, tucked third, quarter-moved in front of the winner, cleared to the lead between horses 3/8, yielded, could do no more than hold his ground late. BILL HALEY N was first to the top, saw two brush by in quarter two, evenly late to maintain third in the fast mile. SCOOTNROLL sat in, gapped on the far turn, next. BELL I NO gapped in last but took the inside path to the last check. CAPTAIN CASH preserved the pocket early, then moved uncovered before the 5/8, never got close and formed a clogging “wedge” from well before the ¾ with CENTURY FURY, who moved three-wide 5/8 but never got into the action. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was outside, hampered by these two and lost all chance.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Apr 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

F

FIRST RACE – From the high 50s to the mid 60s during the card … TRY TRY AGAIN used the rail to advantage, yielded for the early pocket, looked to move just past the ¼ but was rebuffed and retucked, waited for the Pocono Pike, then caught pacesetting TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP. The latter left between horses and went on to 3/16 command, kept two different challengers from getting the top, held well late. WILLIE B WORTHY moved outside to the half and trotted up to cover, three-wide early in the far turn, came home steadily but came up shy. NAMJE took back early, sat in, went to the deep Pike, may not have had full clearance. BROADWAY BRUISER got into the flow third-over, evenly late. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE showed little. URSIS DES CAILLONS left three-wide well past the 1/8, backed off but found no hole, went up again nearing turn two to challenge and pressed in the third quarter, tired but not too badly.

SECOND RACE – Stretch tailwind starting … STOP RESISTIN backed out to trail up second-over into turn two, three-wide midturn, came home steadily then held off CLARION HALL. The latter originally stayed in then backed out to third-over at the half, three-wide with cover on the turn, still last past midstretch but finished with a rush. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR stayed in, out into a blindswitch headstretch, found a stretch seam and moved through well. EXPLOSIVE MAGIC started uncovered at the 5/16 and reached just outside the leader 9/16, went 27.4 against the wind down the back to challenge, stayed right in the fight until very late. FINAL DREAM left and got the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough. DARTY moved out quickly to the lead, came under pressure early in the backstretch, weakened a bit late. GOLDEN SON broke right at the start, recovered and caught the field by the ¼, but then couldn’t get into the main action.

THIRD RACE – SURE R LOOKIN GOOD went quickly to the lead, never let the uncovered favorite get to with a length of her down the back, then drew off impressively in the last ¼. LET ‘ER BUCK was looped, got in third at the ¼, uncovered before the 5/8, clearly second-best. SPEAKING OF COFFEE came out at the half, had cover before the 5/8 but gapped it, distant third. SUNRISE HANOVER defended the pocket early, gave ground the last 5/16. SIGSBEE sat in and was boxed in on the turn, finished with some pace in the Pocono Pike. RHYME N ROLL stayed in, evenly. WINNING WORDS went three-wide from behind dull cover but couldn’t get into the picture. LADY PHOENIX moved outside, gapped a gapper. NARINA HANOVER wasn’t in the main hunt when making a break headstretch.

FOURTH RACE – ALPINE tucked just behind the early three-way war, moved coming off the second turn and grinded up to clear nearing the ¾, a safe winner. P L OLIVIA was innermost of the three early battlers, yielded past the quick opener to sit the two-hole, came out on the turn after the winner had gone by and was three-wide headstretch, finished very nicely. LEXA HANOVER was between horses well past a 27.2 opener before getting command, kept the winner out most of the backstretch, tired some. R SPEED OF LIGHT was three-wide virtually the entire ¼, then backed off to tuck third, came out behind the winner past the 5/8, left uncovered towards the ¾, didn’t have much more to give. PRAIRIE VIRTUE and LILYBET never entered the picture. MYREANNA was last when making a break early backstretch, regained stride then broke again after the ¾.

FIFTH RACE – FRANKLY MY DEAR was three-wide to the first turn then went on to get the lead 3/16, strung out the field in quarter two despite slowing it and kept the opposition well in her wake thereafter. ORANGE ZEST gained forward position to turn one, moved outside just past early stretch and finished well to be along for second. CHEESY HANOVER left well and got the top before turn one, yielded for the pocket 3/16, couldn’t quite preserve second late. NANCY BAR backed out to second-over 11/16, three-wide late turn, moving well under the wire. GRACEFUL TITAN was uncovered past the half but never reached the winner. SECRET EDGE offered little. PRAIRIE TRINKET looked to be struggling to keep up by the 5/8.

SIXTH RACE – BILLY CLYDE was handled cautiously while three-wide early, went frontward from just before the 1/8, a bit wide at one point but powered on to command soon off the first turn, slowed the half, then came home in 54.3 – 27 and looked within himself. REST ASSURED left well, hit the point at the 1/8, yielded past the ¼, a bit loose in the third quarter but very good in the latter stages. BEACH TOWN BOY gained position at the start, then was caught behind a gapper, angled out headstretch and along for the distant third. KAUAI KING started uncovered on turn two, couldn’t make progress in the rapid back half. YOUR HONOR never factored. INTELLIGENT AM was well back. MONTERREY JACK was out near the back from the start, got cover, blindswitched 5/8, not a major presence. AMAZON broke off the turn before the start, recovered and joined the outer tier, went three-wide 5/8 but soon flattened significantly.

SEVENTH RACE – BREEZING PRAYER was four-wide early, three-wide past the 1/8, then two-wide to the lead just past the ¼, strung the field out in quarter two and didn’t get much pressure, got a couple of late taps in warding off HAVANA OOH NANA. The latter used inside positioning to defend the pocket, made up a little ground late. COUNT CHOCALOT was second-over at the 5/8, three-wide midturn, closed for third. CROWN FASHION started raw past the half, got to the wheel of the pocketsitter to the ¾ but no closer. SHELL SHOCK moved wide with cover far turn and had some trot on the end. NEWYORKBLUEBLOOD sat in, out into a blindswitch late far turn, had some stretch traffic difficulty. DUKE OF LINDY left between horses, backed off to tuck third, couldn’t keep up late.

EIGHTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY left a gap behind the top two most of the first half, got in gear before the 5/8 and grinded up, worked past GERARD late. The latter made the top quickly (aided when the rival starting just inside him broke early), set the pace he wanted, almost lasted to the line. DAGON HANOVER moved third-over, finished alertly. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK sat the pocket, no more forward gain the last 3/16. ROOKIE SEASON sat in with little. DRAIN THE SWAMP was never prominent. SEVEN NATION ARMY moved out second-over, was swinging three-wide headstretch when going offstride. ARMANI HANOVER was leaving when breaking.

NINTH RACE – TONIANNE went right to the top, put a foe behind her, set the pace, dealt with a backstretch challenger and then drew away in the last ¼. SWEETONTHEBEACH quickly went up into the pocket, couldn’t keep up to the ¾ but held on for second. MIKI THE CLOWN sat in third, had no room on the turn, had room in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. PEAKS CRUISER appeared to want to move at the ¼ but rethought that tactic, then moved second-over, three-wide far turn as the winner was drawing away, could make up no ground. MORE THAN KUTE sat in, angled out early stretch but did not make her presence felt. TIAMOGONEDANCIN was off the gate, wasn’t in a lively cover tier. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI gapped third-over. DANCING TINA was underway raw on turn two and reached the leader well before the 5/8, went her third split in 27.1 but was tired after that move. LAST LUXURY lost contact.

TENTH RACE – ETRA DE VIE took back for the pocket 3/16, stayed close, inherited the lead when the pacesetter broke, wasn’t to be caught. KAYLA’S PLAYMATE got around non-fast starters, gapped some the middle half then was tighter ¾, OK going under the wire. TRIP SEVENS forced a tuck and set the pace, wasn’t the smoothest far turn but still clear early stretch when losing her gait; placed fourth for a violation of the breaking rules. FIRE UP didn’t get away well and was outside, got in gear past the 1/8 but made a brief break off turn one, regathered and went up to challenge for the lead, didn’t fade badly; an inquiry into her break showed no reason for placing. CANTABSLEADINGLADY made a short break after the start but mended quickly, then broke again going to turn two. SUNSHINEINTHERAIN wanted a quick start but lost composure right after the start. TRIX ME jumped at the ¼.

ELEVENTH RACE – NO MAS DRAMA cleared at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, had drama searching for room late on the turn and came out into a blindswitch, then deftly angled back in to midstretch and showed an instant burst to draw clear. LAZER JET yielded and sat third, backed out to second-over, three-wide towards late turn, had a short lead to midstretch but was caught to his left. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN rode in the two-path in one gear, grinded up to challenge down the back, actually made a short lead into the stretch, held with great endurance. PROTOSTAR gapped a bit third-over then was tighter on the turn while three-wide with cover, fair late. CAN’T SAY NO was inside, didn’t have much response when free. MISTER BOINGA had a lot of cover, but it was lively, couldn’t quite reach. HALL IT OFF was three-wide to the 1/8 and soon made the lead, wilted. MY BOY CHRISTIAN was out to follow cover 5/16 but broke, caught and was last, broke again past the 11/16.

TWELFTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY had one mission and accomplished it in an overwhelming mile. CAVIART VAL struggled to reach cover later on the backstretch but then hit a high gear, rolled four-wide off the far turn and finished powerfully. GONNAHAVEONEMORE tucked third at the 1/8, came out raw before the 11/16, held his ground well in a talented field. HORSE moved out 5/8 and soon got cover, three-wide but couldn’t get closer. SOCIAL THEORIES sat inside, not a factor. NOME HANOVER trailed most of the way. ESAI HANOVER left but took back to sit the pocket, bottomed out at the ¾.

THIRTEENTH RACE – SO LONG HANOVER was very wide leaving, hit the top 3/16, refused to let a foe go in a vicious half, had enough to keep the late chargers at bay. WORTHY OF HONOR left and kept the hole closed, the only one with a shot in the stretch, ducked in, did well. STEEL SCHOONER came out towards turn two, rushed three-wide 5/8, to two-wide ¾, best of the others. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP made a break w-a-y before the start, recovered to get back in the cover flow, went along steadily in a good comeback. CHERRY RED was shuffled to last, wide around spent horses then ducked back in, not all that much late. TUIS SHADOW was three-wide with cover early getting around a break, went inside near the 3/16, outside and three-wide early in the backstretch to get to two-wide raw, tucked third ¾, gapped far turn. CELEBRITY ROLEX was very wide early, went up to try for the lead but was hung in a very fast half, faded soon thereafter. SANCHEZ ROCKS gapped 3/8 behind the early fight, then steadily fell back. AP HALL OF TRIX was in the middle of a bunch of leavers when breaking 1/8.

FOURTEENTH RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR moved rapidly the latter part of the backstretch to catch up to cover, three-wide with then without cover on the turn, still pacing strongly to the wire. TREY SURREAL pushed a foe past a fast quarter then yielded for the pocket, vacated same past the 5/8, went three-wide when the first-over couldn’t clear, swept and did himself clear to cross over late turn, second-best in a better mile than it may appear. ROCK IDOL sat in the back, came up the rail and was a distant third. WINDEMERE FRANK had forward position, moved to go head-and-head with the leader from past the half, faded in the stretch. FULL VIEW was under urging leaving to no visible effect, sat in, shuffled and moved two- and three-wide late turn but didn’t have all that much today. MCNEIL Z TAM was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide just past a very fast quarter to get control, came under hard attack just past the half, kept the uncovered horse two-wide, but then had nothing left to give late.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, April 12, 2021

Apr 15, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – 47 degrees throughout the card … GIVEN UP TERROR moved uncovered 9/16 and overpowered the leader by the ¾, won handily. SHARKNADO was out behind the winner, couldn’t stay with him, uncovered around the far turn, paced steadily to be an easy second. GRAVE DANCER pulled the pocket at the ¼ but needed past the 3/8 to clear, couldn’t resist the winner ¾, just holding for a very distant third. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was in front at the 1/8, yielded, stuck behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn, but then had the Pocono Pike and did not recover. LIMA RAIDER moved out but gapped a gapper. EASEONDOWNTHEROAD offered very little.

SECOND RACE – BROOKDALE JESSIE struggled to keep up down the backstretch, then outside on the turn and three-wide headstretch, got the nod as FAST MACHINE had issues late. The latter stayed in, went to the deep Pocono Pike and accelerated quickly to have a midstretch lead, but got very rough nearing the wire and was caught; the judges looked at FAST MACHINE’s gait late but found no cause for placing. EMORI HANOVER yielded at the 3/16 for the pocket, had her shot in the Pike but came up a bit shy. WELLTHERACEISON had cover leaving then tucked third past the 1/8, moved raw just past the 5/8 and challenged, held well. IDEAL HANNAH was used to get the top 3/16, rated the half, didn’t have enough late. GRIP N WIN moved uncovered into turn two but never got close, then was moving OK at the wire. ADELIA HANOVER never factored. SANGRIA JULIE went three-wide trying to get around dull cover but couldn’t.

THIRD RACE – SWEET YOUNG THING was out almost all of a 26.3 quarter, yielded to the favorite and stayed perfectly-placed, went to the Pocono Pike and got up in the final strides. THE LADY SHERIFF was three-wide to the 1/8 then took back to tuck third, came again not much past the ¼ to make the top, dealt with a pesky first-over, held her off but couldn’t withstand the pocket rocket. TRUSSED UP TRUDY used the rail to advantage, yielding near the ¼, back out raw 9/16 and put the leader under pressure, held her ground well. JUSLIKEAQUEEN was briefly three-wide around a dull one down the back then two-wide well off the top three, had a little bit late. ROJAS BLUE CHIP was gapping inside 5/8. GALARINA moved uncovered into the second turn but soon was paceless.

FOURTH RACE – DIVINE SPIRIT moved second-over past the 5/8, three-wide midturn, still had a long way to come in the stretch but just caught MASSIVE OPULENCE in the shadow of the wire. The latter tucked fourth, then brushed to the lead in front of the stands, rated quarter two, unbothered on the lead, just failed to last. FOREVERHILLREIGN was three-wide leaving to the lead past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came out in the stretch, not quite enough. SKYWAY TINACIOUS moved uncovered 5/8 but did not make much of a serious dent. TRAVELLER never factored. WILLIAM STAR left for forward positioning, gapping on the far turn then broke headstretch. SECTOR broke past the half.

FIFTH RACE – MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE quarter-moved, rated the half, drew clear around the far turn, urged to preserve his lead over PUERTO RICO. The latter tucked early, had to wait on the far turn for clearance then swung wide, narrowed in well. CAMPBELLINI struck the front, yielded for the two-hole, loosened up in the last quarter. TYSON took a while to close the hole left when the horse in front of him broke, tried to gain midrace but didn’t look smooth. SPLITSVILLE came uncovered early on the backstraight, didn’t reach the leader, broke mid-far turn. KOW GIRL ran off the first bend.

SIXTH RACE – Small stretch tailwind starting … STORM BRINGER was fleetest away, yielded past the first turn for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and just got up in the fourth “nose” decision in six races. FLAME AWAY briefly had early cover then uncovered and up to the front 5/16, didn’t get intense pressure, just caught by the pocket rocket. INFINITE ZETTE picked a nice spot early, moved uncovered 11/16, went up to challenge on the turn, stayed close although not really a win threat. ORIGINAL SMOKEY got in fifth past the 1/8, considered coming out down the back but stayed in, then did move out late turn, not bad at all. GLACIER HANOVER spotted sixth, moved uncovered past the 5/8, waited on a potential outside mover to the 11/16 then had to restoke when that one didn’t pull, found better strides in the stretch. CHECK MY SCORE wasn’t prominent here. CHOCOLATE MATTERS wasn’t showing much when breaking on the far turn. KATJUSHA HANOVER lost gait past the ¼. TUFF TO BE LINDY broke at the ½ and was taken inside.

SEVENTH RACE – JASPER HANOVER was immediately on top, rated the half, aided when the pocket horse broke and finished out in 56.4 – 28.1. SHIP WRECK BEACH K moved uncovered into turn two, gradually ranged up until on cover ¾, closed well to get second. SETH HANOVER came outside 11/16, held OK late. WINE MAJOR was best of the rest. BIGBABAJIM gapped down the backstretch. LOST IDEAL was never close. SOME DEAL HANOVER was looped out of the gate and went on to the pocket at the 1/8, looking for more headstretch but broke.

EIGHTH RACE – INAPERFECTWORLD left well to get the top and force tucks, then yielded to a brusher to sit the two-hole, not outside until early stretch, but got in gear in enough time to catch BATTLE MAGE. The latter angled a 3-tuck to the 1/8, then quarter-moved, had no pressure until the stretch, just failed to hold. FRAC left and settled in the early pocket, in, wide stretch and was gaining late. PHANTOM RUSTY improved position at the start, then went evenly. COURT’S N SESSION had dull cover, three-wide ¾ and was along for the last check. SWISS PLATINUM was shuffled to last, not a contender. BOB N TONY was second-over, gapped failing cover on the turn. MINEFIELD HANOVER was hustled uncovered 3/8 and went a middle half of 57.2 raw, but then fell far back.

NINTH RACE – CATIE FAYE HANOVER went up second-over, three-wide past midturn, proved to have the most pace late. AHSOKA TANO was wide leaving, tucked at the 1/8, started raw at the half on a good grind, never had the lead but stayed at her task and was a good second. RED RED HOT tucked at the 1/8, blocked through the far turn, angled out behind the place horse midstretch and finished well when clear. BETTER BID HANOVER hung an early foe then yielded past the 5/16, sat the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough gain. SHAKE N GO was three-deep to the 1/8, went on well past a quick quarter to get the lead, rated the half, then got first-over pressure, held so-so. SANDRADIMPLES sat in then slipped out third-over late backstretch, little to offer late. NOPE NOT YET gapped most of the mile.

TENTH RACE – INCASEYOUDIDNTKNOW made two early moves, set the tempo as she pleased, fought hard with CARRINGTON before taking the photo decision. The latter took command past the 1/8 and yielded to the 5/16 to sit a great trip, Pocono Pike, just edged. SO ONE came out before the 5/8, didn’t get in gear until getting cover later in the backstretch, three-wide then four-wide off the turn, did well. INDRA HANOVER only stepped out raw well past the 5/8, outpaced late. ITZPAPALOTL moved with cover late backstretch, evenly late. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME stayed in, didn’t offer much. SIMONE BLUE CHIP gapped at the back, broke in the lane. ALWAYSABEACHDAY broke halfway down the backstretch before the start.

ELEVENTH RACE – SO IRRESISTIBLE moved uncovered on the second turn and paced her own third quarter in 27 while making the top 5/8, looked to win confidently. BEACH CRAZY pushed much of the ¼, yielded, sat in until the ¾ then made a sharp move, ducked inside for the drive and paced well late. MILIEU HANOVER was out most of a good ¼ for command, yielded to the foe, backed out to follow cover mid-far turn, finished with pace. MILEY ROSE gapped, best of the rest. JANE DIAMOND was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide covered up to the ¼, went on to the front 3/8 in a slow second quarter, couldn’t stall the brushing winner, fell back on the turn. SHES SO SWEET was outside behind a dull one early backstretch, made a small break while appearing in close quarters, didn’t get back into it. AP BLAZE OF GLORY never entered the picture. THE DOUBLE DEUCE was wide early, tucked fifth 3/16, came out on the second turn but soon was in retreat.

TWELFTH RACE – ROLL ON MAMA gapped off the top two in quick fractions from in front of the stands to late backstretch, outside shortly before the ¾, made a good move and took over into the lane, good winner. BACI BACI made the lead past the 1/8, yielded off turn one for the two-hole, moved outside behind the winner into the stretch and gained ground between horses late. ATOMIC FIREBALL was wide early, went to the front off the first turn and strung out the field, tired but saved third. RABLE tucked fourth past the 1/8, gapped midrace, underway 5/8, couldn’t stay with the winner’s brush to the ¾, evenly late. STATE OF MIND rode cover though it wasn’t helping much, widest in the lane, moving a little better late. IN HIGH COTTON sat in and was blocked, threaded between horses in the lane, had pace while also having some bad luck. MAJOR HOULIHAN wasn’t prominent. NUTTINBUTHEBEST was empty in the lane. SOUTHWIND TALISA was away last from the rail, never close.

THIRTEENTH RACE – TORONTO gapped during the first quarter fight then tightened in, decided not to wait at the half and paced a third split in 26.4 to get by a good pacesetter, finished in hand. IMAGINARY LINE was out to the eighth in a 26.4 opener, backed the second quarter off four seconds, then could speed up and make the winner work to clear to the lead, did a very good job staying close. THREE DREAMS came out far turn while off the top two and got third. JIM ROCKS retucked around an early gapper, best of the rest. DUSTUP HANOVER pushed a fast 1/8, stayed in the pocket, unplugged ¾. SICILY BEACH was gapping by the ¼.