Mar 24, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Above 60 degrees for the entire card, and eight new lifetime marks taken … STICK WITH CRAMER was urged while four-wide early, three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the lead 5/16, repulsed two challenges in breakneck fractions for this kind, most impressive in victory. INDIGO ART left well and yielded 3/16, gapped the top two from the 3/16 to the half, came out raw 5/8 and pressed the leader from the 11/16 around the turn, left behind there but still a clear second. BIG BOY FRAZIER passed a lot of horses in the last quarter for third, good race. TODDLER TANTRUM made the point 3/16, yielded 5/16, came out of the pocket 9/16 but quickly went back in, left behind before the ¾. HERE COMES SWIFTY went evenly after an inside trip. LUZIANA left a big gap early, never in the main picture. MR MCDREAMY gapped out down the back. BETTOR B ROLLING was always far back. SPICEBOMB left three-wide, took back to tuck fourth, but then lost gait past the 1/8.
SECOND RACE – THISISSHE left and yielded but was out to retake at the ¼, had an easy time of it. O JONNIE was four-wide leaving, raced up to the lead 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close until late on the far turn, showed determination in withstanding KEYSTONE SERGEANT for second. The latter spotted third, had a shot at second up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get there. SPOILER ALERT and LIONBACKER KIDD were both hindered by being behind dull cover, came on well late. ANDOVERS TOUCH got early position, started raw at the half, never reached the leader before tiring. KOW GIRL gapped down the backstretch. CRITICAL MASS was far back throughout. MOSCONI HANOVER moved second-over but soon was gapping that cover.
THIRD RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS left strongly to get the front before the ¼, rated the half then stepped it up bigtime to keep the first-over outside down the back, powered off late. AMERICA FIRST was forwardly-placed, moved raw towards turn two and went in 26.4 down the back with urging trying to clear but could not, retreated to the pocket mid-far turn, held second. GRAVE DANCER stayed in, was behind a gapper 5/8 to near headstretch, to the Pocono Pike and gained late. HUGH HEFNER N stayed in and gapped most of the back half. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL sped away, yielded to the winner, didn’t have anything left for the latter stages. SKYWAY BILLY was never prominent although missing second by only two lengths. LUCKY LEVIS could offer little from second-over. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was never a contender.
FOURTH RACE – The race changed complexion immediately as 1-5* RICH N MISERABLE broke while looking like he was trying to leave … SYLVESTERAMERICAIT took the two-hole early and remained up on the bit, to the Pocono Pike and overhauled WILBERFORCE easily. The latter headed down the road at a good clip, couldn’t stall the pocket rocket but best of the others. LINDY’S BIG BANG gapped the top two until past the half, uncovered 11/16, was doing a little better in the stretch. VALLEY OF SIN got in gear at the ¾, ducked back in after a foe broke, came on well between horses. GINGER TREE SKYR was outside past the 5/8, got cover, evenly. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK never made his presence felt. CONSUS VICTORY was inside, looking for more far turn when making a break and going to the infield. And RICH AND MISERABLE suffered the misfortune described above.
FIFTH RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY went to the front then saw the outside leavers go by, moved at the half with cover then soon lost it, got to the lead before the 3/4 and opened a big margin, more than enough to deal with SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD. The latter was four-wide through the final turn, looked better than recently in closing determinedly. BB’S HARLEY had some early foot, got out in a blindswitch 5/8 that soon left him first-over, one-geared home for the very distant third. SHARKNADO was shuffled, angled very wide and finished well. I’M A GIFT sat in, was shuffled, evenly along the inside late. DURANT was four-wide early and three-wide to the lead near the 3/16, yielded, retook at the half but couldn’t keep the winner out 11/16 and faded. SEE YOU FRIDAY was never heard from. HES GONE BADDER moved outside, wound up three-wide past the 5/8 and stalled in that lane. BOBBIES POWER PLAY was three-wide early, looped, pressed on two-wide to the lead 3/8, yielded off turn two and fell back.
SIXTH RACE – HALL IT OFF got a great second-over trip, three-wide late turn, took over past midstretch and outtrotted DIVINE SPIRIT to the wire. The latter tailed the winner, came four-wide off the final bend, ran out of racetrack. INAPERFECTWORLD was uncovered at the 3/8 and had reached the leader by the half, fought fiercely with that one the rest of the way, may have had a brief midstretch lead but was caught by the nearest two cover horses. PUERTO RICO got the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose from the 5/8, evenly in the Pocono Pike late. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO left quickest of all, yielded, stayed in, blocked on the far turn, to the deep Pike but couldn’t summon a rally. NOBLE PRIZE did not factor. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD gapped fourth-over. CHUCKY DE VIE moved at the 1/8 to get the lead, slowed the half then had to step it up under hard pressure, gave way through the lane.
SEVENTH RACE — CLOUSEAU HANOVER was in front at the 1/8, went fast-slow-fast-fast and won handily. BLOOD BROTHER yielded for the pocket, kept up pretty well until mid-far turn, second-best. BARGAIN SHOPPER was urged early, went up to the 3-tuck, outside stretch but couldn’t get to second. RANCOUSY worked his way into the 4-hole nearing the ¼, sat in, so-so. CENTURY ENFORCER was second-over but gapped much of the rest of the way. MY DELIGHT was parked with cover leaving, waited until the cover found inside spots then moved up in the slow second quarter, never reached the leader then backed off. AMRCANBOOTSCOOTA A never entered the picture. BRACKLEY BEACH and GOLDEN GESTURE did not benefit from gapping cover.
EIGHTH RACE – I GOT THE LOOKS left, was reluctant to go in the pocket but finally did so at the ¼, came out late turn and trotted off in the last 1/16. DARTY was quickly on top, forced the winner to tuck, rated quarter two, held pretty well until nearing midstretch then lost ground. MARION GONDOLIER tucked in fourth past the 1/8, was second-over then slid inside when his cover broke last backstretch, fair late. OUR WHITE KNIGHT got into the outer flow, left uncovered to the ¾, fair. SCHNICKEL FRITZ didn’t enter the picture. MYSTICAL WYNN and MAJESTIC MISTRESS never made their presence felt. GRAPPLE HANOVER got a forward spot, moved raw 5/8 and gained but broke 11/16.
NINTH RACE – TRUSSED UP TRUDY was three-wide going away, tucked, made a “hidden quarter-move” then pushed ENGLISH ROSE N before yielding before the half to sit the two-hole, moved outside past early stretch and along in the last step. The latter got in third, came out past the quarter but needed to the length of the frontstretch to clear, came under attack early backstretch and fought the first-over through the turn, just missed in the last step in a brave mile. TYRONBETTORSELLA A stayed in then moved out mid-far turn, finished solidly. SUDDEN CHANGE N was four-wide early, sped up to take over past the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, gapped the front ones from the 11/16, so-so late. SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N moved outside down the back but couldn’t get close. MORE MORE MORE came up energetically first-over before the half, pressed the leader until late on the turn, then tired. THE OTHERS were always near the back.
TENTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP tucked third then was underway before the quarter to get the top, rated the half then came home in 55.2 as much the best. CAVIART VAL got to second-over nearing the half but gapped badly during the fast third split, finally found a better gear midstretch and was along for a non-factor second. TRAY SURREAL went to the lead, yielded, uncovered at the half and paced his own third quarter in 26.3 to put high heat on the winner, held his ground admirably. ESAI HANOVER got to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole and stayed connected, but didn’t have much punch late. FULL VIEW was behind the gapping cover of the place horse, three-wide 11/16, another who picked up his game late. BULLVILLE TERROR never featured. TSM BATMAN didn’t show much along the inside. MCNEIL Z TAM was near the back throughout, widest in the lane and had a bit under the wire.
ELEVENTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS was away for early position, came right out into turn two and streaked by 5/8, opened a big lead before the ¾ and was not threatened. POLAK A had the lead at the 1/8, yielded going to the fast quarter, stayed in when the winner went by, to the Pocono Pike and had enough for second over IMA TRAGEDY N. The latter stayed in, was shuffled then backed out on the turn and swung wide headstretch, closed strongly. THOUGHTYOUDLIKEIT was looped and pressed on to the 26.4 quarter for the lead, got a breather but then could not do nothing about the winner’s move, so-so late. SPANISH ART tucked fourth 3/16, followed the winner outside but gapped and soon was left raw, couldn’t get close. THE OTHERS did not mount a real threat here.
TWELFTH RACE – GREAT UNKNOWN took back early, moved outside into turn two, gapped cover then got tighter on new cover 11/16, ducked inside before midturn then edged out headstretch, just up in the last step-and-a-half. P L NOTSONICE started raw to the 3/8 and trotted her third quarter in 27.2 to clear to the lead, held until the shadow of the wire, tough loss. KING ALPHONSO was four-wide leaving and three-wide to the 3/16, up to the lead at the ¼, yielded, backed out behind the new leader 5/8 and retucked in the pocket ¾, to the Pocono Pike, just shy. RAINBOWINTHEWEST was in the middle of a pack of five early, made the lead 3/16, yielded, shuffled then outside late turn, bore out very wide through the stretch. TRY TRY AGAIN gradually made his way forward, ducked inside the drifter in the stretch, got the last check. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY was no factor. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE was innermost of the five leavers and yielded, not heard from again. MOON BRIDGE was outermost of the five leavers, still four-wide at the 1/8 then went behind cover, raw from the ¼ to the lead 3/8, yielded down the back and fell back. CAVILL HANOVER was launching a mild rally on the far turn when going offstride.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PEGGY J was three-wide midpack early then to two-wide, out to the 3/8 to make the lead, was able to maintain the advantage to the finish. NARINA HANOVER was third-over behind a dull one, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide covered ¾, wide early stretch and just won a three-way picture for second. WINNING WORDS took the pocket to the ¼, in and blocked on the far turn, edged out in the stretch and found clearance between horses, perhaps a little too late to get second. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD put everybody in behind except the winner, yielded to that one 3/8, sat a great trip, but came up empty in the Pocono Pike. THANEEYA stayed in, blocked on the far turn, evenly late. SIGSBEE, three-wide early, ducked in third past the 1/8, then moved uncovered nearing turn two, challenged, tired. RHYME N ROLL was second-over but gapped soon after pulling out. EMORI HANOVER was never a factor in here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SURREAL FEELING left rapidly, yielded past the ¼ but was immediately on the retake, kept going in fast numbers then had a 27.2 last quarter to bury the competition. DELISHKA N pressed on to command off the first turn, yielded for the two-hole, was game to defeat MAGICAL MISTRESS for the distant second. The latter kept a hole closed on the first turn, pulled from third before the 5/8 and went up towards the winner, wasn’t in that one’s league but almost got second. LADY LONDON came out on the far turn, OK late. ROYALTYWESTHO sat in, gapped on the far turn, then was gaining late before being shut off near the wire. PRECIOUS ALEXIS gapped cover. THE OTHER TRIO were way back.
Mar 22, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – The first day of Spring, with temperatures reaching 50 degrees during the card, and fast races resulting … WAGON MASTER spotted third, came out ¾, and had the most of these through the stretch, with an individual last quarter of 27.1. LOVE THE ACTION left, took the pocket past the 1/8, tight on the leader down the back, to the Pocono Pike, just up for second. SUNSET BRAYDON left forcefully and set all the pace, outsped in the last ¼. RANGERS SURESHOT sat in until midturn then swung wide, OK. HEREHECOMESAROCKIN moved outside midturn but couldn’t gain. TALK SHOW never factored. BAMSKI was outleft and spent most of the mile coverless midpack, faded; UNDERTAKER was on his back the last half, offered little.
SECOND RACE – CASH IS KING cleared to command at the 1/8, got a rest in quarter two, went clear on the far turn, then held off the closing threats. ITSONLYROCKNROLL was third-over, four-wide late on the far turn and finished solidly. DREAM OF LUCK gained along the inside, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough for the deuce. LORD OF MISRULE was uncovered nearing turn two, saw any gaining of his halt at the ¾ but held decently. WISE IMAGE left to keep the pocket positioning, came up short in the stretch. RANSOM DEMAND was always far back. BIG MACH went evenly between horses in the stretch. INTERNET HANOVER was fourth-over and four-wide behind a live horse late turn but had too much to overcome. NEWBIE got in fourth 3/16, then moved second-over, three-wide far turn but had no more to give.
THIRD RACE – PEACE OUT POSSE was three-wide to the first curve, tucked briefly then came to get the lead well before the 3/8, was much too powerful for these coming home in 54.4 – 27. STAR COMMANDER N forced tucks early, surrendered the lead to the favorite, started getting loose 5/8, still held the distant second. JK MUSICMAN left, went into the early pocket past the 1/8, looked all-out the last half but did fight on to take third over BLOOD LINE. The latter came up the rail from last, may have actually gotten to third deep stretch but then was nipped fro that spot. DECLAN SEELSTER came out ¾ but didn’t gain; AMERICAN ZEST A and SOMEWHERE FANCY also went outside and also did not gain.
FOURTH RACE – GLENGARRY KNIGHT N left briskly three-wide to cross over by the 1/8, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, got in front past midstretch then kept to business to withstand TULLOW N. The latter was between horses leaving, was looped and was under a strong hold to take back to third 3/16, went outside into the stretch, found his best gear just a little too late. CAPTAIN NASH came all the way up the far inside and was moving very quickly in the last 1/16. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N left, pulled the pocket to take command 3/8, shook off the first-over but couldn’t sustain the lead to the finish. BRAVO TEX N went up second-over, three-wide ¾, not bad; SALTY ROBYN N followed that one but gapped out on the turn. CAL was first-up into turn two, backed up through the field the last quarter.
FIFTH RACE – SCIROCCO PATRICK was handled cautiously while getting away slowly, came up uncovered into turn two, slowly grinded up into contention, sustained his one-gear to take a photo decision. BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY bypassed a 3-tuck 3/16 and went on to 5/16 command, set the pace, held very well. WORTHY OF HONOR took early command, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, almost. STEEL SCHOONER was second-over, gapped cover late backstretch, a bit better late. PROTOSTAR sat in, then backed out and swung widest in the stretch, OK. SANCHEZ ROCKS took the early pocket, inside, a bit shy today.
SIXTH RACE – BABES DIG ME was actually first to show when the gate sprung but soon took back, then came out third-over, followed a sweeper, retucked behind him, then three-wide again past midturn as that cover faltered, came on gamely to get the nod over JEREMES GENERAL. The latter was outside in a 26.4 opener to get the front, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, got a short lead past midstretch, couldn’t quite hold. WHITE HAIR ROCKS made two moves to control the pace, put up fast fractions, held his ground pretty well. BLOW A CLOUD N was out with cover until the 5/8, went three-wide to clear a tiring parked horse, to two-wide raw, looked to be falling back on the far turn, but found renewed life in the straight and almost got third. RATHER SWELL was far back most of the way, showed late gain while widest. MOON DOGGIE sat in, went to the deep Pike but couldn’t gain ground. OH K MAN sat in, had traffic trouble upper stretch, hard to tell how much he had left late. MOUNTAIN HIGH couldn’t go with cover. BAYONET was looped and midpack early, went up and got to the leader’s wheel but no closer before fading badly.
SEVENTH RACE – CHAMPAGNE ON ICE was outside early, did finally tuck third 3/16, then moved to the lead 3/8, finished strongly to leave these far behind in the stretch. HALLS OF VALOR made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, stayed close to early stretch then fell back, good second. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK was fastest away, saw two go around him in the second split, held for third in a four-way photo. TRICKY DICK sat in, found better trot late up the inside. GRAN PARAISO gapped the first half, then was uncovered 5/8, sustain forward progress until headstretch then backed off some. BOSCH was second-over late backstretch, evenly. ZOE F was outside but couldn’t go with cover. CHERRY RED was always far back.
EIGHTH RACE –Stretch tailwind increasing … SCOTT ROCKS was in between horses in an early three-way fight, backed off to follow cover, lost that cover 3/8 and went up raw to and past a very fast half, effortlessly floated by ¾, had a challenger headstretch but disposed of that one nicely. WINDSONG JACK gapped early, then got in a solid outer flow, ducked inside for the stretch as his cover drifted out, just up for second over SHOREVIEW. The latter took back to fifth at the 3/16, then came out behind the winner at the half, left uncovered ¾ and moved up to the new leader, drifted out significantly in the stretch, possibly costing himself second. ROYAL HEART wouldn’t yield early in punishing fractions, finally did so 3/8, backed out past the ¾ as the pacesetter tired, pretty good mile. URBAN RENEWAL raced with cover, wide in the stretch and finished crisply. CINNAMACK kept the hole closed early, in, shuffled part of the turn but had no gain once free. BEST TRICK EVER never contended. MELANIE’S TEDY was three-wide to the 3/16 then rushed to two-wide, made the lead 3/8 and got to the half in very quick time, all done when challenged ¾.
NINTH RACE – CLASS SIX pressed on to the lead 3/16, set the pace with hard second-half pressure, had JANAID come at him up the Pocono Pike and possibly lost the lead for a tiny bit, but showed courage and reclaimed the advantage. The latter pushed hard most of the quarter before yielding for the pocket, as noted to the Pike and looking to get a nose up, just failed to take the big check. HORSING AROUND was fourth-over behind a dull one, three-wide ¾ and came a huge last quarter from a hard spot. Speaking of hard spots: AMERICAN REBEL left wide to the first turn from PP8, tucked behind the two inside leavers, moved raw at the half and put pressure on the pacesetter, unwavering to the line. MY MIND IS MADEUP sat in, looked to have pace without full clearance late. ELECTRIC WESTERN was far back, OK late. LOUD SPLASH gapped early, wound up third-over, was already gapping when having to duck in as the second-over backed up; that would be UNION STATION, who had a fine trip but was empty ¾.
TENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN never tucked, brushed at the 1/8 to take over, set a quick pace, again powerful. PATERNITY SUIT A was third-over, aided when the gapping second-over went inside on the turn, finished with good velocity from last. TRENTE DEO gapped most of the first half then came uncovered at the midway point, never got closer than the winner’s wheel but held his ground gamely. OLLIE’S Z TAM went to the front, yielded for the golden trip, but couldn’t summon too much in the Pocono Pike. REDBANK BLAZE A moved second-over before the 5/8 but never got tight on his cover, ducked in far turn. LORD WILLOUGHBY A was away well, stayed in, backed off from the 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – PROVEN DESIRE insisted on the early lead, then yielded in front of the stands, edged out late on the turn, took command early stretch, enough to hold off ALEX TYE. The latter got into the pocket 3/16, came out behind the winner late turn then went wider, didn’t seem to hit top gear until a little too late. SOMEBEACH BARON was away in good order, quarter-moved and continued on at a good clip, tired. WESTERN HILL stayed in, so-so. A REAL MIRACLE went in fifth at the 1/8, then was second-over, got no help from cover and was three-wide far turn, couldn’t close that much. IN SPADES was urged early, three-wide almost to the 1/8 then finally was able to get inside near the ¼, later went first-over but did not threaten. REVELRY moved at the ¼ but never got in the main picture. UPTOWN FUNK was well-back throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was under encouragement early to get a forward spot, still gapped a good bit of the way to the half, then came first-over, got into the pocket ¾, moved out nearing headstretch and went right by. FOO FIGHTER N sped away and set wicked fractions, had a big lead down the backstretch, overhauled by only one. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT went in third at the 1/8, outside in a blindswitch on the turn after the pocket horse gave way, looked blocked upper stretch, found some room late though still appearing in tight quarters and was along for third. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS moved out second-over 5/8, left uncovered ¾, fair. HALLIE’S COMET took back to trail, up the inside with some pace. CLASSY HILL moved third-over and then three-wide ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. DAVIDS COMING HOME was far back most of the way, three-wide with cover far turn, evenly. KEYSTONE STEAM dangled outside midpack. SHANE ADAM filled the two-hole, fell back throughout the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LEVINE left sharply to make the lead, yielded to the favorite and stayed right on his back as he dealt with a tough first-over customer, went to the Pocono Pike and had more than enough response. EHRMANTRAUT left well, moved 3/16 to take over from the winner, had pressure throughout the last half, did hold for second in the quick mile. TUCKER CREEK moved up quickly 3/8 and paced his own middle half in 55 challenging the leader, almost got second in an impressive showing. P L MUNSON slipped out to second-over soon off turn two, went three-wide midturn, couldn’t contend in the lane. BAY MEADOWS sat in, struggling to keep up the last half. BLACKLIGHT was no factor. CAPTAIN CASH came out behind the show horse but couldn’t match his brush, wound up third-over, not a late factor.
FOURTEENTH RACE – No breeze at the end of the day … TAM MAJOR A was three-deep to the initial bend then parked past the ¼ for the lead, responded gamely to the inside challenge of ROCK THE TOWN to win the photo. The latter was reluctant to let the winner go but finally did, ducked into the Pocono Pike, might have got to even terms deep stretch, just shy. JOESSTAR OF MIA A moved uncovered 9/16, stayed right in the main fight. MR CENSI came up the rail to be next. WARRAWEE UNIQUE raced inside, had no stretch response when asked. BELL I NO gapped. ACTOR HANOVER was no factor. RAGS TO RICHES swung wide to try to go around dull cover but could not.
Mar 18, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature ranged from 29o to 34o during the afternoon card; generally there was a stretch tailwind … ADAGIO DE LA TOUR went to command at the 1/8, shook off the first-over at the ¾ and didn’t appear to have any problem. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE backed out to second-over at the 5/8, three-wide late on the turn and second-best. ONE DIRECTION yielded for the pocket, couldn’t go enough late. MASSAMILLION was uncovered early on turn two and made good progress through the backstretch, but then tired at the ¾. PERSEVERANCE sat in, was no factor. POND JUMPER gapped third-over. UNABATING fell back in the last half. NICE STUFF took a bad step just after the gait sprung, then broke following cover early on turn two.
SECOND RACE – ROUTHLAND was out most of the quarter, made the top then yielded, gapped off turn two but had narrowed back in by the ¾, to the Pocono Pike and paced to the fore. COME ON RAAGS pushed the quarter and yielded, stayed third-in, under a hold early stretch waiting for clearance, finally went to the inside and just photoed out HULOU for second. The latter had cover early, took a 4-tuck for about 1.6 seconds then rushed up to get the lead 3/8, drew clear early backstretch but saw the field catch up late backstretch, tired. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN went uncovered into turn two and grinded up throughout the backstretch, couldn’t sustain forward progress past the ¾. MOONLIGHT SHADOW had very good second-over cover but had no pace in the last quarter. YUPYUPYUP backed out to third-over but could offer little. THE REMAINING PAIR were at the back throughout.
THIRD RACE – CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was three-wide to the 3/16 and two-high to the quick quarter in pursuit of the lead, yielded in front of the stands, to the Pocono Pike and outtrotted the closers in the 1:00 back half. DOODLE HANOVER was two-wide early and tucked fourth, then second-over late backstretch, three-wide headstretch, not quite enough. WINNIE THE GOO moved out 11/16 and was third-over on the turn, four-wide stretch and finished well. HAVANA OOH NANA rode inside, not quite enough. BATTLE QUEEN was between horses to command 3/16, yielded at the ¼ but came back out to get the lead in the 58 half, couldn’t sustain in the 1:00 back half. RARE MUSCLE left a big gap midrace, closer as the tempo decelerated late. GERARD never featured. SHELL SHOCK miscued 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – SPUNKIN’SROCKETMAN moved out down the back, three-wide late turn, still sixth midstretch but benefited from a race where every fraction was slower than the one before it (the last despite a tailwind). BY A HOFF HANOVER left some, gapped the middle half then got a bit closer, to the pocket and then to the Pocono Pike, did take a short advantage late but not quite enough. MADDYS LEADING MAN strung the field out until the far turn, came up a bit shy. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER went up into the pocket at the ¼, outside midturn, outkicked. STORM BRINGER gapped early, tighter and uncovered 5/8, didn’t tip wide into the stretch, evenly. DAGON HANOVER left between horses, took a tuck fourth, stayed in, nowhere to go as the pace slowed late. THE OTHER PAIR had their own private race far off the others.
FIFTH RACE – AWESOMENESS went right to the lead, aided when one early foe broke and another took the pocket, got no pressure on the lead, put to a drive through the lane to hold on to his margin. MR PROFETA was last sans the breaker, came all the way up the inside with steady foot. REAL LUCKY N gapped in third much of the middle half then tighter to the ¾, outside towards headstretch, stayed to task to the finish. STORMONT CZAR A moved raw 5/8, couldn’t make much headway but didn’t fade much either. ROLL WITH JEFF drove into the two-hole at the 1/8, couldn’t gain in the lane. CAPTAIN MCKEE tipped three-wide off cover early far turn but didn’t get in the picture. BRUCE’S MAGIC was looped, found no hole and spent the mile on the rim. MISS U BIG MIKE was never heard from. IN ROCK WE TRUST left well, was trying to get past the winner when making a break near the 1/8.
SIXTH RACE – BROADWAY BRUISER sat the pocket until late far turn, moved out and won handily. TYSON maintained connectedness, outside stretch, steady for second. CAMPBELLINI went right to command, didn’t have pressure until nearing the 7/8, but ran out of gas in the lane. DON’T SASS ME and ALEXANDER HANOVER rode inside and had little to offer. Some thirty lengths back, TW LAUXMONT, who gapped out down the back, crossed the wire on a break and was placed behind GALIXTON, who had gapped and then ran going to turn two.
SEVENTH RACE – MUSHANA left to grab the top at the ¼, didn’t get pressure, drew away. NATURAL KEMP moved uncovered from midpack before the 5/8, could pass everybody but the winner. INNER PEACE was the early leader then yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, stayed close, no punch in the lane. BUTTER TOFFEE moved second-over but gapped, a bit of trot in the stretch. NATALIE HANOVER and WINNING GENE could do little after inside trips. FRAC gapped down the backstretch. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD was a little off the gate and never entered the picture. STORM PARTY looked to be leaving but made an early misstep.
EIGHTH RACE – CREDIT FRAUD followed second-over from the half until going three-wide just past the ¾, gained, made the lead before midstretch, didn’t draw away but got the job done. URSIS DES CAILLONS raced into the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good but had to settle for second. PIERCEWAVE HANOVER went right to the lead, set the pace, couldn’t make the advantage last. GOLDEN SON got in third past the 1/8 when a foe broke, swung out in the stretch and was moving well late. CLARION HALL was first-over but didn’t reach the leader, a bit tired late. ANDOVER ALL K stayed connected to headstretch, then had zero left in the tank. MOOSE MADNESS broke right at the start. SEBASTIAN U was trying to hold early position when misbehaving just past the 1/8.
NINTH RACE – TERRY A HANOVER left well but was forced to take the pocket, chose the Pocono Pike, got the lead past midstretch, just held PATRIOT LINE. The latter, pacing his last half in :56.1, moved third-over 5/8 then picked off horses one by one while three-wide on the far turn, kept on coming to the wire and just missed. START A RUCKUS forced the winner to tuck, git a slow half then picked it up, held well in the stretch duel. WIN PLACE’N SHOW sat third-in, to the deep Pike and didn’t miss taking the whole thing by very much. SICILY BEACH was second-over, blindswitched before mid-far turn and ducked in, didn’t have a clear path in the stretch. BENEVOLENCE was uncovered early on turn two, couldn’t reach the leader before tiring. MAX GASTANK DEAN gapped out. THE OTHER PAIR never were in the picture.
TENTH RACE – WILLIE B WORTHY put into the pocket early, considered an early move but stayed in, came uncovered past the 5/8 and went up to challenge, bore out to about 5-wide by the line but just beat out EXPLOSIVE MAGIC. The latter came out 3/8 but took the entire second turn (past the 57.1 half) to clear the leader, got pressure from the winner, almost lasted. MAGIC VACATION retucked down the back, then got cover ¾, wide headstretch and up for the distant third. SECTOR was a long way back but came up the inside well late. TRIUMPHANT’S CHIP left, made the winner tuck then held a brusher out just past a fast half, faded the last 3/16, returned with “b.e.” SIX BAX couldn’t get going. MANWITHAMISSION stayed connected until late backstretch, moved out past midturn as the pocket horse tired, but himself could do little. TROLLER was out past the ¼ before tucking, made a break on the far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF set the pace with two moves and had no problem at all in here. TRUSSED UP TRUDY took a spot at the 1/8, uncovered at the half, kept at her task and just grabbed second late over SHE’S A BILLIONAIR. The latter was looped and four-wide to the first turn, then to two-wide and hung until the 5/16 for the top, yielded to the retaker, unplugged ¾ but battled gamely in the fight for second. RELLA TIVITY was the first to go two-wide, got cover at the half but gapped it significantly. DANCE FOR KISSES was looped among a bunch early and took back, no factor. BETTOR BECAUSE A couldn’t keep pace. IAQUINTA never got a call. ENCHANTED EVA was five-wide heading to the first turn, needed until the ¼ to take back all the way to last, never again heard from. GATORS BEN WINNING started quickly, yielded, faded the last half.
TWELFTH RACE — CHEESE OMELET was behind a gapper early, moved fourth-over, three-wide ¾ and gained rapidly, paced to the fore in the last 100 feet. HIGH ST CORRIDOR was third-over, crucially blindswitched to midturn then backed out behind the winner, finished steadily. MIKI U SO FINE raced aggressively with two moves to have the lead at the fast half, still ahead with 100 feet to go but couldn’t quite make it. SPECIAL TYLER gained up the inside down the back, to the Pocono Pike, step-and-a-half short. TOPVILLE CRUISER had cover to the 3/16 then went on to get command 3/8, yielded for the pocket, no gain in the lane. REST ASSURED pushed and yielded 3/16, back out raw 9/16, tired in the stretch. PLAY THERAPY was never close. STEP ON THE GAS was second-over, did not swing wide and offered little late.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was just off the early wars, kicked the plugs at the half and moved outside, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide raw before the ¾, won in hand. MASSIVE OPULENCE wasn’t driven like a 45-1 shot: parked with cover early, he went three-wide before the 3/8, got around the parked horse and then to the lead at the half, made the winner work for his victory. DARTY left well, kept the hole closed in the fast fractions, was shuffled some far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and had late trot. SPEED IT was in the outer flow but couldn’t stay with the winner, three-wide far turn, gained as the tempo slackened; ICINGON DE CUPCAKE used similar tactics with a similar result. RIVER OTTER went to the lead 3/16, parked one challenger then yielded to the sweeper before the half, started to get loose ¾. INAPERFECTWORLD and MAJOR IMPACT did not make their presence felt. SCHNICKEL FRITZ was looped, raced up but was given the cold shoulder in hot fractions, was looped at the half and remained outside, eventually tiring.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SEEL THE DEAL N was four-wide leaving, got to two-high and got to the point before the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, moved to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp response for the upset. BILBO HANOVER took back to tuck 1/8, then uncovered into turn two, grinded a long way, kept coming on in a game showing. BEACH BOOGIE left between horses, tucked, in, had to wait then found room between horses and moved well late. DO YA THINK was second-over, gapped the main action 11/16, three-wide headstretch, evenly. YUPPER sat in and was shuffled, spent most of the stretch angling wider to get room. IDEAL FLIP left to protect the pocket then quarter-moved, set the tempo, powerless late. THE OTHER PAIR were not major dangers.
Mar 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High to mid-30s during the twilight card … Strong stretch tailwind, reflected in many fractions … like the first race, where SPORTS TEAM left and made the lead 3/16, then kept a foe parked in a 55.1 half, left the pocket horse behind ¾, and ran away. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was first in front, yielded for the two-spot and kept the hole closed, stayed close until the ¾, far ahead of the rest. NEEDLESS TO SAY was in another area code early backstretch, moved up three-wide and circled the rest to be a very remote third. STONEBRIDGE PROUD one-geared uncovered but couldn’t reach. CHICO ESTRELLA looked at leaving but took back, saved ground, got the last check. SKYWAY BILLY gapped early and was never in the main picture. DURANT was three-wide to the 1/8, briefly got cover then was hung raw from the 3/16, challenged hard for the lead in the (wind-aided) wild half but couldn’t clear, tucked late backstretch but understandably tired. GIVEN UP TERROR and SEDONA SEELSTER couldn’t keep up.
SECOND RACE – ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE spotted midpack just past the 1/8, started raw to turn two but got cover at the half and milked it for all it was worth, wide in the lane and just caught BB’S HARLEY. The latter started first-up at the half, reached the leader 11/16 and fought with that one head-to-head around the far turn, to the lead to midstretch, just caught by a fresher horse. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was third-over in a great flow but couldn’t go with the top two, beat out the rest. LUCKY LEVIS was looped early and pressed on to quarter command, under pressure from late backstretch, couldn’t hold up. BOBBIES POWER PLAY outleft everybody, yielded at the ¼, was crawling up the back of the leader 5/8, went to the Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT was wide, finished mildly. NAKED CITY was not a factor; nor was RED DIRT BOOMER. DONEGAL JIM was third-in, nothing to offer late.
THIRD RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was on the move 3/16 to get in front at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, trotted to the fore, then just withstood LINDY’S BIG BANG. The latter was looped early and went up to 3/16 command, saw two brush by, sat in, angled wide early stretch and found a high gear just a fraction too late. BELLA AVA got going near the ¼ and moved up to the front 3/8, came under pressure, photoed SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE for third. The latter cleared everybody early, then saw three different foes take the lead in the next quarter, underway again raw 5/8 and battled, tired some. CRAZYCAT got a slow start, was well-placed second-over but gapped ¾. THE REST brought up the rear of the field all the way.
FOURTH RACE – CERTIFIED IDEAL led the field all the way around. BRING ME DIAMONDS sat third until coming out ¾, fighting for second when the pocket horse broke, then clearly second. QUITE A DELIGHT was second-over behind dull cover, three-wide ¾, wider midstretch to be clear of the breaker, not a bad mile. JERICHO DIVA came up the inside late largely avoiding the trouble. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide gapping cover far turn, finished well belatedly. HURRICANE CALLEIGH could muster little. MISS IRISH ROSE A was always far back. PREMIER CABERNET went up to a 5-tuck at the 1/8, left a slight gap to the half, moved uncovered but never reached. KOTARE YARRA N raced into the pocket at the 1/8, still in contention for second looking for more pace when making a break before midstretch, causing confusion.
FIFTH RACE – ROOTIN TOOTIN tightened in in the early pocket, rethought a quarter-move and waited, outside headstretch and paced away. DRAGON STRIKES was very fast off the gate to the lead, rated the half then picked up the pace, couldn’t deal with the winner, held OK. BARGAIN SHOPPER sat third, outside in the lane, evenly. CLOUSEAU HANOVER was third-over, three-wide late turn then ducked between horses early stretch and was a distant next. CENTURY ENFORCER one-geared raw from nearing the 3/8, fell back far turn. MR MCDREAMY was looped and three-wide past the 1/8, looked to be in tight quarters and took back, then second-over, not enough late. GOLDEN GESTURE was looped and two-wide, also took back 3/16, not heard from again. PINE BUSH ROCKET had little to offer.
SIXTH RACE – TRAFFIC JAM was locked in by the parked horse early, which turned out to be good fortune as it allowed her to eventually scoot all the way up the inside to the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, took the lead, and measured off FOX VALLEY CHARLIZ. The latter went away enough to protect the pocket, pulled out behind the raw horse 11/16, swung wide into the stretch, lost too much ground to the horse hugging the inside. MORE MORE MORE left well and crossed right over, set the pace, got pressure the latter half of the backstraight through the turn, next in line. LIGHTNING VIRGIN was looped and three-wide at the 1/8 when bearing left and hooking a foe, briefly offstride but caught and tucked, stayed inside, evenly late, but placed for the first turn interference. DEUCES FOR CHARITY went three-wide around the parked horse early backstretch, back to two-wide, never could reach the leaders. TYRONBETTORSELLA N was never prominent. MARYMACISBACK avoided trouble early, gapped to the half then started uncovered, fought hard late backstretch through the turn, then tired. DONEGALARTCHOKIN N was looped and between horses, hooked by a foe, extricated herself but could find no hole and was left outside, done early backstretch.
SEVENTH RACE – THISISSHE was quickly on top, got a soft middle half without pressure, more than enough to hold off MUSCLE AVE. The latter sat in the two-hole, came out in the lane, good but second-best. NOBLE PRIZE tucked third just past the 1/8, went evenly late far ahead of the rest. TROTTING Z TAM advanced some with cover, three-wide late turn, best of the others. MINEFIELD HANOVER gapped inside. PHANTOM RUSTY didn’t get a call. KANDY KORN was uncovered from far back early on curve two, gained some until the 11/16 then flattened. SWISS PLATINUM made an error not far before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – LYONS AMUSEMENTS was four-wide and looped early, to two-wide at the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded to his main foe 3/8 and sat on his back, came out headstretch and gradually got the better of the stretch duel between the 6-5 “Nap” horses. GRITS N GRAVY was three-wide and double-looped early, proceeded up to grab command 3/8, didn’t get pressure, fought hard to the wire. LUZIANA moved uncovered into the backstretch, won a battle for third over HES GONE BADDER well off the top two. The latter started strongly and circled everybody, yielded, stayed in, struggling the last 3/16. I’M A GIFT never reached cover, got the last payday. BJ’S GUY took back early and was not heard from again; AWESUM ACE was never heard from. COLE PORTER N had lost contact before the 3/8.
NINTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICA IT raced into the pocket 3/16 then quarter-moved, set a decent clip stringing out the field a long way, had to fight off the pesky I GOT THE LOOKS in a tough duel. The latter was uncovered past the 3/8, never got cover and kept on grinding, never took a backwards step in a big outing. O JONNIE backed out to catch cover before the ¾, went on pretty well for third. SPOILER ALERT was forwardly-placed, blocked late turn into the stretch as the two-holer tired, to the Pocono Pike, fair. WISENHEIMER was three-wide most of 3/16 to get command, yielded for the two-hole, not much left in the last stanza. ANDOVERS TOUCH was looped and outside midpack until tucking past the ¼, not again prominent. VALLORIA N showed little. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke nearing the first turn.
TENTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP quarter-moved, got a moderate pace for this type, won easily. SOUTHWIND DREDGE left between horses and took the early pocket at the 1/8, inside, went to the Pocono Pike and seemed to get second more because TRAY SURREAL was tiring. The latter was three-wide leaving then two-wide to before the 3/16 to hit the front, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have much punch late. BULLVILLE TERROR was third-over then ducked in as the outer tier was sluggish, cleared midstretch and angled wide, a solid last 1/16. FULL VIEW was second-over, not helped by cover then empty when circling three-wide, taking a lot of show money with him. JUNIOR MAN started uncovered towards turn two but could not muster the speed to be a contender. THE OTHER PAIR had no say in the outcome of this one.
ELEVENTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER started uncovered off turn two, went by nearing the ¾, in no doubt after that. LITTLE ADMIRAL was third-over, ducked in for the stretch and finished steadily to catch INDIGO ART for second late. The latter was three-wide early and took a tuck, then second-over, left raw on the turn, just failed to preserve the deuce in the shadow of the wire. ALTA SHELBY N went away between horses and got in third, shuffled as the leader gave way then outside on the turn, best of the rest. GRANDPA DON gapped. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN pushed away hard, yielded, shuffled out of it when the leader tired ¾. BIG GAME HUNTER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-high to get the lead at the ¼, offered no resistance when the winner came at the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – WILBERFORCE was three-wide leaving, made the lead 3/16 and just kept pouring it on in a most impressive mile. VALLEY OF SIN left and protected the pocket, stayed fairly close until fairly late. RAINBOWINTHEWEST was uncovered from the half, trotted on determinedly. CONSUS VICTORY tucked third past the 1/8, gapped the last 3/8. KING ALPHONSO was second-over while never close to the lead, three-wide late turn, made no impact. STOP RESISTIN had cover after leaving, tucked before the ¼, never resurfaced. GINGER TREE SKYR was away slowly and was gapping at the back. TRAVEL WINNER never featured.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE was three-wide towards the first turn to the lead nearing the quarter, slowed the half then came home in 55.2-27.3 to see off the challenge of SURREAL FEELING. The latter started uncovered entering turn two, went up swiftly while going her third quarter in 26.4 and challenged, very big mile in second. MAGICAL MISTRESS pushed away, yielded, gapped before the ¾, then had some late rally. ROYALTYWESTHO was in front before the 1/8, yielded near the ¼ for the two-hole, kept close to the battlers until the stretch, then lost ground in the sprint home. LADY LONDON was no factor. LADY MAYA got cover but soon couldn’t stay with it. HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON never got a call here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LAURIE LEE left between horses, took a tuck third but soon came on a quarter-move, set the pace, looked to have shaken off first-over PEGGY J late on the turn but then had enough to take care of that resurgent one. The latter moved out 3/8 and went right up to challenge for the lead, was kept outside, fell back a little late turn and early stretch, but was digging back in hard late. WINNING WORDS wouldn’t yield early, finally did to the winner 3/8, held OK for third. NARINA HANOVER made up a lot of ground to get as close as she did. RHYME N ROLL was three-wide before the 1/8 then two-wide, took the pocket near the ¼, kept up until the far turn. GRIP N WIN never featured. ABBY ROSE lost contact with the field.
Mar 14, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A couple of degrees either side of 40 and a fast track produced the fastest overall card of the year so far … Wind was swirling throughout the card … A REAL MIRACLE launched uncovered into turn two, battled the leader from the half down the back and around the turn, then just left these in the dust while finishing out in 27.3. BRAVO TEX N had great cover, did OK to be second. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N was hustled away and cleared before the first turn, yielded coming out of that bend to sit the pocket, came clear in the Pocono Pike after the winner got away, not bad. ELECTRIC WESTERN sat in, was blocked much of the stretch, but wasn’t running over horses looking for clearance. P L MUNSON was third-over, moved three-wide but flattened. JUST N ACE was caught in and shuffled; hard to tell if he had much. WESTERN HILL was too far back. HORSING AROUND was looped leaving and persevered to take over off the first turn, under hard pressure by the winner, all done in the lane.
SECOND RACE – CLASS SIX took the pocket 3/16, stayed in, got access to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter came out, proved to have the most in a three-way late battle. SHOREVIEW insisted on the early lead, then yielded to a brusher early on the backstretch, back out for more to headstretch, never had the lead in the lane but wore down ROYAL HEART for second. The latter came with a rush around turn two to get the lead early backstretch, held well. BEST TRICK EVER gapped but was aided when opponents had trouble. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT went around a horse nearing the ¼, then backed out to third-over to the 11/16, shoved extremely wide to avoid the two hooked horses and lost all chance. DAVIDS COMING HOME was roused early but could show no speed, may’ve jumped a shadow 3/16, fell way back. CLASSY HILL was in the cover flow, moved three-wide to midturn but got hooked up with POLAK A. The latter went around a troubled foe late on the first turn, moved out with cover then was left raw early down the back, was tiring on the far turn when getting hooked up with CLASSY HILL.
THIRD RACE – SCOTT ROCKS went in third to the 1/8, then quarter-moved, superior to these throughout the last half. KEYSTONE STEAM yielded early for the pocket, stayed in and shuffled far turn as the pocketsitter fell back, came clear in the Pocono Pike and finished well. MR BIG LOAD gapped second-over, best of the rest. SPICEBOMB had too much to overcome. WHITE HAIR ROCKS joined the outer tier then went back inside, in tight quarters while seeming to have late pace. BIG MACH went a big third quarter to gain contention but couldn’t sustain the move in the last split. NEWBIE was in front at the 1/8, relinquished just past the 3/8 for the two-hole, loose down the back then fell back further. RAKSMACH N developed a problem 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – MISS MCKEE set the pace with two moves, slowed the half, then drew away as much the best. MOON BRIDGE stayed connected in third, to the Pocono Pike and had steady late trot. GREAT UNKNOWN was second-over, three-wide far turn, OK. P L NOTSONICE had excess cover, four-wide late on the turn and kicked in a mite belatedly. HEAT WAVE HANOVER gapped early, stayed in, very slow to find desired clearance between horses in the stretch. FOCUS POCUS started uncovered before the 5/8, tired alongside the pocketsitter from the ¾. RECIPROCALBLUECHIP went on to the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, empty in the last quarter. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY was never in it.
FIFTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER was away strongly and yielded to sit the two-hole, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and took care of NINE WAYS. The latter went to the lead 3/16, got a breather to the ½ then had to pick it up, held pretty well until the last 50 yards. INTERNET HANOVER quickly tucked third, moved uncovered early on the second turn and reached the leader 5/8, pressured that one hard pacing his own third split in 27, held very nicely. ROJAN’S WAY sat in, spent the first half of the stretch angling wide, couldn’t build enough momentum to close any more. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A never factored. TODDLER TANTRUM was second-over but couldn’t keep up 11/16. UNDERTAKER was third-over, not well-served by cover and three-wide ¾ but couldn’t reach. JEREMES GENERAL was always far back.
SIXTH RACE – LORD OF MISRULE left for the pocket, gapped on the first turn then closer, suddenly had an 8 length gap behind him as the chalk broke to the 3/8, tight in a wicked half, came out ¾ and went right by the leader, withstood MYIDEALSON N. The latter got closer after the frontstretch incident then gained quickly late backstretch (last half 59.1, last quarter 30), three-wide late on the turn, narrowed in, did very well. MOUNTAIN HERO followed the place horse, three-wide with cover late turn then wider headstretch, kept coming. RATHER SWELL was leaving a big gap even before the chalk broke, gradually tightened in, clear early stretch, evenly. WISE IMAGE was off to the races with a four length lead past the 1/8, hung up 26.2 and 54.1, then had no power to stop the closers. BAYONET never featured. SWEET TALKIN SATIN got rough 5/16 and made a bad break.
SEVENTH RACE – AMERICAN REBEL slid in fourth past the 1/8, went raw early on turn two, took it right to the leader pacing his third quarter in 27 into a mild headwind, gained the lead but not the inside on the far turn, drew away in a superior performance. UPTOWN FUNK was far back, went four-wide late turn and passed an awful lot of horses in the stretch. PROVEN DESIRE moved 5/16 to take over, under pressure from the winner, kept him out on the turn, fair+ late. WATERWAY was between horses to the lead before the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, not enough late. MY MIND IS MADEUP was third-over, wide coming off the far bend, a touch of pace late. MELANIE’S TEDY was three-wide to the 1/8, took the pocket 3/16, considered trying for the top but rethought at the ¼, sat in, not again heard from. REVELRY gapped. BARNABAS had great cover second-over but could not keep with it.
EIGHTH RACE – SANCHEZ ROCKS started a grind just before the half, wore down the lead headstretch and kept a foe on each side at bay. LAZER JET was well-placed second-over, three-wide headstretch, didn’t seem to have an excuse in 1:00.1-30.2 back fractions. CATWALK AS took the top before the 1/8, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, blocked for a couple of ticks headstretch but had time to regain momentum in the Pocono Pike, didn’t quite have enough. MANWILLING was third-over, didn’t tip wide, went OK late. HALL IT OFF was last save the breaker, weaved between horses in the lane and finished well from where he was. I’LLALWAYSBEBACK looked all-out from the 3/8 on. CHERRY RED never got into the main action. FATHER DUNN was three-wide just into turn one, on top 3/16, cut a fast half, tired. ZOE F was not away quickly then soon made a break.
NINTH RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT was four-wide early and three-wide past the 3/16, then two-wide until finally reaching the top past the 3/8, went on to a 26.4 third quarter and tired everybody else while impressive. PEACE OUT POSSE moved uncovered into the backstretch, kept on coming very nicely. BLOOD LINE forced tucks then finally ceded the top to the winner past the 3/8, stayed fairly close. STAR COMMANDER N took the inside route to the distant fourth. AMERICAN ZEST A was “second-over” but never got close to his cover. OWEN left, accepted the pocket before the ¼, left behind towards midbackstretch. THE REST never got into the picture in this fast mile.
TENTH RACE – REDBANK BLAZE A got an early spot, then brushed in front of the stands as the pace slowed, sprinted down the back, then held off THATSWHATISAID coming up the inside. The latter was three-wide 3/16 and two-wide until coming off the first turn to get the stick, yielded for the pocket, gave it a good shot in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make it. TAM MAJOR A gapped in the back until past midturn, then stacked four-wide and finished with a strong burst. TRENTE DEO gapped second-over down the back then was better on the turn, swung wide but was outpaced home. ROCK THE TOWN went uncovered at the half, never really threatened the leader, tired some. JACKAMINO left strongly, yielded just past the 1/8, began to back off gradually 5/8. LORD WILLOUGHBY A kept a hole closed late first turn, couldn’t offer much at crunch time. OLLIE’S Z TAM was between horses leaving, eyed tucking but saw that opportunity close, was looped and was pressing on when making a break at the ¼.
ELEVENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN started uncovered 3/8 and was flying down the back with his own third split of 26.1, went by effortlessly and looked like an Open horse in the fastest mile of the year here, 1:50.3; big day for The J.B.’s. HIGH IMPRESSION quarter-moved, recognized it was futile to try to keep the winner out late backstretch, good second. JOESSTAR OF MIA A took early control from the pole, yielded, sat in, out in the lane and raced quite well. BLACKLIGHT sat in, found room up the inside for the very distant fourth. ACTOR HANOVER was three-wide to the first bend, tucked 3/16, gapped 5/8. OZONE BLUE CHIP was too far back. SOUTHWIND BARON took back early, backed out to second-over but could not go with this cover. SOMEWHERE FANCY offered little.
TWELFTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was away well and got the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, by before midstretch and a good winner. WAGON MASTER sat third-in, to the deep Pike, wasn’t catching the winner but outpaced the rest. URBAN RENEWAL came from last 3/8 and wound up third-over, three-wide around a gapper ¾ and finished vigorously. CINNAMACK was uncovered at the half, grinded, OK. BOBBY K HILL left very well to cross over before turn one, took a fumbly step or two 3/16 but quickly righted, didn’t have the first-over reach him until the ¾, tired. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS sat in, had to angle all the way out to four-wide late turn and in early stretch, finished well. JUST PLAIN LOCO gapped second-over. OH K MAN wasn’t in the hunt.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TULLOW N had good cover second-over and tightened in on it late backstretch, three-wide past midturn, took command in early stretch then held off the inching-in CAPTAIN NASH for George’s sixth win. The latter was third-over, four-wide stretch, gained bit by bit to just miss. ALEX TYE was two-wide but couldn’t get the lead and took the pocket 5/16, inside and blocked, into a blindswitch headstretch and then to the path behind the winner, OK late. HALLIE’S COMET was three-wide past the 1/8, came into close quarters with the four-wide horse and stumbled a bit, took back, in, angled widest, good after a troubled trip. JANAID pushed away very hard from the rail suffering right-sided “b.e.” in the process, didn’t yield until just past the 3/8, cleared fairly quickly headstretch, couldn’t gain. CAL went a big third quarter uncovered and had a slight lead around the turn, gave way. BURNING MIDNIGHT gapped at the back. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was four-wide fully to the 3/16 then three-wide to the ¼, went up two-wide to command just past the 3/8, received backstretch pressure and understandably faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Shifting wind definitely in the field’s faces through the stretch … FOO FIGHTER N was away strongly for the lead, yielded to the brusher and stayed close to him in the fast third quarter, outside midturn and went by early stretch, safe winner. SHANE ADAM took back to tuck fourth nearing the ¼, retucked around a gapper 5/8, outside headstretch and gradually got second. UNION STATION left to defend the two-hole then quarter-moved, strung the field with a 27 third quarter, not enough. SUNSET BRAYDON tucked fifth 3/16, retucked down the back, inside, fair. ASTON HILL DAVE had early position but gapped most of the last half. THE OTHERS never got close enough to challenge.
