Mar 12, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 30s to low 40s as the afternoon progresses … SPORTS TEEN beat them all away by the 1/8, rated the half then threw the knockout punch in quarter three, mildly urged to stay clear. LYONS AMUSEMENTS improved early position, then was second-over, ducked in fourth 11/16, up the Pocono Pike for second. RED DIRT BOOMER was looped leaving, made the two-hole at the ¼, stuck close to the leader most of the next half, then tired some. BETTOR NOTBITTER A spotted fourth, then led the outer procession into turn two, never reached the leader, fell back in the lane. WONDER BULL broke early and was far back throughout, circled the others for the last check. I’M A GIFT gapped in the outer flow. MAGIC TRICKS could only defend the pocket until the ¼, done 11/16. THE OTHER DUO were not factors.
SECOND RACE – Stretch headwind started, but wasn’t blowing hard to start … MAGNIFICENT SEVEN finally moved out of sixth 11/16, gapped cover on the turn, but closed sturdily to be along over SCHNICKEL FRITZ. The latter left best of all, yielded off turn one, pulled out from third at the ¾, made the lead past midstretch at 77-1, caught by a solid closer. SPEED IT went into the early pocket near turn one, labored to stay close, outtrotted the others. NATURAL KEMP sat in, didn’t find his best stride until too late. ROSE RUN VINCENT was out just past a quick opener, yielded for the pocket, got tired behind the fast fractions of BULLY BOY. The latter did not leave and was seventh at the 1/8 pole, then blasted up, trotting his own second quarter in 27.3, to get the lead just past the 3/8, continued on at a very fast clip, tired. MASSIVE OPULENCE was far back, as was YUGE, who did not get a quick beginning.
THIRD RACE – BROADWAY BRUISER moved nearing turn two and soon got cover, gapped it in the third split but was better on the turn, wide off the bend and got the nod in a tightly-packed group. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE sat third-in, to the deep Pocono Pike, never ahead but steadily. MANWITHAMISSION yielded to the other horse who left to sit a two-hole, to the Pike and made a short lead midstretch, not quite enough late. NICE STUFF finally could angle to the path behind the winner approaching midstretch and finished well without a clear path. URSIS DES CAILLONS, off a beat slow, was third-over, four-wide headstretch, not bad late but had too far to come. SIR BAX was the only leaver other than the rail horse, set the pace, was joined by the first-over BATTLE MAGE past the 5/8, with those two battling each other and then both giving a little ground in the lane.
FOURTH RACE – MIKI U SO FINE was three-wide 3/16 to get the front, opened a clear lead early in the backstretch and was unthreatened. THREE DRAGONS quarter-moved in front of a parked horse, took the pocket to the 3/8, gradually lost contact with the winner but did hold on to second. SICILY BEACH was buried inside, got room in the Pocono Pike and finished OK. BENEVOLENCE was second-over, three-wide midturn, a bit late. TRICK CARD could not work his way up to get in the main mix. JAM THE GUITAR was between horses to the two-hole 3/16, gave away same 3/8, was blocked on the turn but then came up empty in the lane. DILLINGER was out with cover until the 3/8 then had to take the breeze, rode alongside the pocket horse until past the ¾ then fell back. LINEMAKER was never heard from. DUNKIN’ BEACH offered very little.
FIFTH RACE – CREDIT FRAUD moved from third 5/8, trotted right up to the leader and fought with that one, then powered away from these in the stretch. CAMPBELLINI had the top from the outermost post in just a couple of steps, rated the half, could do nothing about the winenr and just did hold second over ONE DIRECTION. The latter was loose at a couple of points in the pocket, did better in the stretch. PERSEVERANCE moved with cover but gapped it on the far turn. UNABATING made a very brief break early and caught the field, but then was not heard from. SEBASTIAN U was between breakers early, then ran himself 3/16 (did he jump over the shadow from the light pole?) TW LAUXMONT was offstride soon after the start.
SIXTH RACE – ICINGON DE CUPCAKE was widest of five leavers, took back to follow cover then tucked sixth, outside in front of the stands and three-wide 3/8 to clear to two-wide raw nearing the second turn, rode in the death seat the rest of the way but made the lead midstretch and proved to have enough. DIVINE SPIRIT followed the winner’s move and was three-wide raw from the second turn, held ground very stoutly. NATALIE HANOVER raced in the pocket staying close, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. WINNING GENE was three-wide early before tucking, in, out a path headstretch while on a line, not quite clear to the wire. BUTTER TOFFEE also raced inside and also was weaving for late clearance. TROTTING Z TAM was three-wide around faltering cover far turn, evenly as the tempo slowed. FRAC never factored. STORM PARTY took advantage of track geometry and set the pace with pressure from before the half, wilted. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD was four-wide early, rode midpack until getting cover from the winner to turn two, got closer down the back but then gave way.
SEVENTH RACE – BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY raced in the pocket before moving out ¾, widest in a three-wide stretch duel and up in the last 50 feet. SERRANO VOLO went down the road at a good clip, was passed to her left past midstretch but fought to regain the lead late, only to be caught in the shadow of the wire. BATTLE QUEEN avoided trouble and rode inside, to the Pocono Pike, got the slightest of leads past midstretch but couldn’t quite sustain. CHING CHING LUCKY stayed flat. FIRE UP was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third, broke off the first turn, came back and passed the rest of the field, who all made breaks in the latter stages. WINNIE THE GOO was making up a little ground from far back when breaking past midturn. TEQUILA N ROSES was also trying to get closer from aways back when jumping past midturn. MULLIGAN’S MISS gapped throughout, broke 11/16. LADY AT ARMS was in retreat when miscuing nearing the last turn.
EIGHTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER was away in the two-hole, rethought an early move, a bit loose during a fast third quarter, had room to swing out headstretch and had the most of these. POWERFUL YIELD was between horses early, settled for a 3-spot past the 3/16, stayed in and came up the Pocono Pike to grab second. TIGHT LINES was three-wide to the 1/8 then spotted fourth, on the move raw before turn two and grinded into a fast pace, fell back a little in the last 1/8. CHUCKY DE VIE insisted on controlling the throttle, went a big third panel but couldn’t sustain the speed. BRUTAL STORM couldn’t reach the front bunch; nether SHOEMAKER HANOVER nor CHECKMATE HILL could as well. CASEY T moved second-over but was soon gapping, made a brief break ¾, recovered, then made another break later on the turn and was taken to the infield.
NINTH RACE – GRAN PARAISO pulled from fourth (behind a gapper) midbackstretch and kept on grinding, along as the pace decreased a bit late. KILLER INSTINCT was three-wide to the first bend to get the top, yielded 3/8 and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and made a brief lead, good but not quite enough. I AM THE STORM left inside the place horse and took the early pocket, inside, gapped some from the 3/8 to the far turn, outside, held evenly. SHELL SHOCK gapped early, finished OK. SOUTHWIND FULTON was outside midpack when set down 3/16, to the top 3/8, came up shy late. MADDYS LEADING MAN did not have a clear path in the stretch. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER never contended. MR BLUMETTI made a break past the start, far back until the far turn, then was showing solid recovery speed along the inside until jumping midstretch. DUKE OF LINDY moved outside off turn two, hadn’t gained much before going offstride.
TENTH RACE – Stretch headwind increasing … NAMJE yielded 3/16 for the pocket, stayed tight, moved out late turn and powered away from these in a fast time. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR moved uncovered 11/16, inside midturn, just second over MASSAMILLION. The latter sat in and gapped behind the quick pace, closer near the ¾, outside headstretch and almost came up for the place. TYSON set sail, got the front 3/16, set a fast pace, paid for his exertions late. MAGIC VACATION didn’t show much after an inside trip. POND JUMPER moved raw before the half but was never close. GALIXTON was never close to contending. DON’T SASS ME took back to last by the ¼ and had the best view thereafter.
ELEVENTH RACE – EXPLOSIVE MAGIC left, yielded, retook, and had these at his mercy the last ¼. WILLIE B WORTHY outleft a bunch to quickly make the lead, yielded for the pocket, started to go loose ¾, clearly second. MOOSE MADNESS moved uncovered before the 5/8 and went a good mile. ALEXANDER HANOVER was looped while three-wide early and tucked, moved outside headstretch, OK. TROLLER left and found a home third, gapped from the 5/8. THE OTHER PAIR never featured.
TWELFTH RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF left well but was still three-deep past the 3/16 and two-wide to about the 3/8, got the front, held off a tough challenge from SHE’S A BILLIONAIR all-out. The latter ducked in behind the battling front three early, was underway not long into the backstraight and went her own third quarter in 27.3 raw, ducked in on the turn then came out again, tried very hard and didn’t miss by much. SWEET YOUNG THING was kept out past the 3/16 before making the top, yielded for the pocket, gapped a bit in the quick third number, just third over GATORS BEN WINNING. The latter was second-over, left uncovered midturn, had no gain in the lane. RELLA TIVITY and SAPPHIRE HILL were detached from the main pack. JEWEL LEHIGH A forced the early fight and yielded, fell back 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JUNIOR MAN was well-placed second-over behind a very quick pace, charged to the front late. WATER SPORTS TEEN took a funky step off the first turn, was seven lengths behind the top pair when moving uncovered before the 5/8, grinded, did get the lead, held well. REST ASSURED hung a foe to a fast ¼, yielded then made a “hidden” quarter-move, yielded again and stayed tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and put in an energetic effort. MOONLIGHT SHADOW and SPECIAL TYLER unwound with good foot from far back as the pace slowed down. COME ON RAAGS was parked with cover early, tucked at the ¼, sat in, was shuffled, fair late. YER SO BAD had gate speed, moved 3/8 and got to the top before the ½, went very fast middle splits, tired in the stretch. YOUR HONOR was three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide to the 26.3 quarter to get the top, yielded, started gapping at the half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JUST N ACE got a good two-hole leaving and stayed there to a fast ¾ and beyond, to the Pocono Pike and powered off. SWEET N FAST N was well-spotted second-over, three-wide headstretch and just along for second. WAR DAN DELIGHT N outleft everybody for command, went a good third split with the wind, but couldn’t maintain the advantage. TREVOR ONE stayed in, to the deep Pocono Pike and was in the photo for second. BRUCE’S MAGIC swung widest and had belated pace. REAL LUCKY N took back at the start and was not heard from again. SOLID ASA ROCK A was uncovered, paced his own third quarter in 27.1 though barely reaching the leader’s wheel, then gradually faded.
Mar 10, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature from just above to just below freezing through the card … Stretch tailwind most of the card … SCOTT ROCKS was the innermost of three leavers, yielded before the 3/16 but came back for the retake, shook off all but ALTA SHELBY N in a fast third quarter, then disposed of that one through the stretch. The latter was three-wide to the first turn to command to the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, stayed fairly close to the leader to headstretch, couldn’t gain but far ahead of the rest. MEADOWBROOK CROWN left between horses and settled third, gapped the top two 5/8 but still got the show. BARGAIN SHOPPER moved out late far turn but couldn’t make third. STONEBRIDGE PROUD went out uncovered but never got anywhere near the lead, evenly. THE REST were always well behind.
SECOND RACE – DURANT was underway before the ¼ to get the front 5/16, rolled on and had no problem. ALL ABOUT RUSTY got to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close late. CHICO ESTRELLA moved out with cover ¾ but then ducked back in midturn, edged BRIMFIELD for third. The latter made up a lot of ground while getting around gappers down the backstretch. HES GONE BADDER showed speed, yielded, came back raw 5/8, tired in the last ¼. ALASKAN SEELSTER never got going. COLE PORTER N suffered “b.e.” past the half. HOPETOBEFIRST was last throughout.
THIRD RACE – HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON started three-wide from last 5/8 and went up to two-wide raw on the turn, took the lead headstretch and won handily while pacing her last half in 55.4. BRING ME DIAMONDS fought for the top but was forced to take the pocket 3/16, had stretch clearance and did well to be second. HURRICANE CALLEIGH took full advantage of the pole to keep control, got a big breather to the half, not enough sprint late. ENGLISH ROSE N went up to third at the 1/8, uncovered nearing turn two, kept at it in her one-gear style. JERICHO DIVA sat in, may not have had any clearance in the lane. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N moved second-over at the half, blindswitched 11/16 then gapped out the last quarter.
FOURTH RACE – AMERICAN ZEST A got the pocket almost by default as no one save FEELING CAM LUCKY showed sharp speed, sat a dream trip then came out for the drive, went by late in a quick mile. The latter barreled right to command and strung out the field in fast fractions, couldn’t quite withstand the winner but bottomed the rest out in a quality outing. CLOUSEAU HANOVER moved with cover ¾, wide and up for the distant show. DRAGON STRIKES retucked around a gapper and stayed inside, didn’t appear to have all that much late. QUICK FUN N moved out 11/16 but couldn’t gain. ADIOS MUCHACHOS started backing up before the 11/16. MISS U BIG MIKE began to gap off turn two.
FIFTH RACE – CENTURY FERRARI settled into the pocket early then quarter-moved, was clear of these most of the last half. BB’S HARLEY made the front by the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t keep tight in the pocket but kept at his task steadily. GIVEN UP TERROR sat third, didn’t gain or lose ground late. AWESUM ACE tucked fourth 3/16, not heard from again. DEVISSER ducked back in to avoid stagnant cover on the turn, got the last check. BOBBIES POWER PLAY started on the grind 3/8 but never menaced. ILLEGITIMATE SON could offer little from second-over.
SIXTH RACE – SHECOULDBEGOOD N took the pocket going to the 1/8, backed out nicely to second-over 5/8, three-wide headstretch and had the most of these. YES DOUBLE DOWN started uncovered at the half, grinded but never got within a length of the leader until the winner went by nearing midstretch, steadily for the deuce. ELENIARK A quarter-moved then had things as she wanted them, still not enough. LIGHTNING VIRGIN closed up the inside late backstretch through the turn, to the Pocono Pike and was moving well late. TRAFFIC JAM was too far back. AUDREY ANNA was the first to show, yielded, done nearing the ¾. MORE MORE MORE left a gap gap gap at the back. TWICE AN ANGEL originally was second-over at the half but started gapping very soon after that. IAQUINTA could offer little.
SEVENTH RACE – NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP left enough from the rail to force a lineup, sprinted down the back and left these behind as stragglers. SEEL THE DEAL N took back for the pocket at the 1/8, kept up until the far turn. SMILEANDSAYCHEESE kept up third until the ¾. DOIN THE MOST was wide early but put into his own hole, kept up to the 11/16. JERICHO WILLIE started uncovered before the 3/8 but never reached the front half of the field. GOLDEN GESTURE didn’t advance behind nonflowing cover. SHADY CITY stayed in and never surfaced. INSTRUCTOR fell back significantly in the last stanza.
EIGHTH RACE – VALLEY OF SIN got a sprightly start and soon cleared, rated the half, picked up pressure which was shaken off at the ¾, turned for home with a good lead and stayed safe ahead of the closers. THE NEXT THREE all sat inside most of the race: KEYSTONE SERGEANT got to the Pocono Pike with alert foot; MUSCLE AVE, who took back early, angled wide early stretch but didn’t quite have enough for the deuce; O JONNIE was last, came up the deep Pike with a good finish. WISENHEIMER was looped and made the two-hole at the 1/8, not enough response late. VALLORIA N was outside the duration, never got into the main action. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was underway raw past the 3/8, challenged until the ¾ then retreated. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was looped, got a 4-spot 3/16, then moved second-over, gapping from early in the backstretch. KOW GIRL jumped off the first turn.
NINTH RACE – SUNSETBOOZECRUISE made a sharp quarter-move and set the pace, in charge to the wire. ESAI HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to 3/16 command, yielded to sit in the two-hole, angled out early stretch, clearly second. BULLVILLE TERROR gapped in last past the half, stacked four-wide late turn and finished strongly. TSM BATMAN sat in, just had room to angle out midstretch and finished OK. HYPNOTIC DREAM left between horses for the lead, yielded, angled out and wide late turn, had little left to give. WAY TO CLOSE was second-over, three-wide past the ¾ but didn’t offer much on the turn, did a little better from midstretch then was shut off by an angling horse. TRAY SURREAL moved out to third-over but came up empty and ducked back in. GENERAL WARD began first-over towards turn two, started backing off ¾.
TENTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION pushed BAMSKI to a 26.4 opener, yielded then retook but was made to pay a bit by that one, saw BAMSKI go to the Pocono Pike and get a nose/head up midstretch, but was very game fighting on late to take the decision. The last-named was out a bit past that quick first stanza, in turn pushed before yielding, as mentioned went inside, got a small lead but couldn’t sustain it. SWEET TALKIN SATIN tucked fourth to the 3/16, then led the outer charge towards turn two, applied pressure, never took a backwards step. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR got a spot leaving, inside, just a bit shy late. MYIDEALSON N was three-wide early, tucked fifth 3/16, then was second-over, gapped a little late backstretch and was blindswitched, edged over in tight quarters past midstretch and gained some. P-DRIVE HANOVER stayed in, in bad traffic the last 1/8, weaved and regained some ground. BIG GAME HUNTER was three-wide from third-over before the ¾, evenly. THE OTHER TWO were never in the main hunt.
ELEVENTH RACE – STICK WITH CRAMER was away well and kept the pocket closed, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, just enough over R GAUWITZ HANOVER. The latter slid in midpack to the 1/8, then third-over, wide with then without cover late backstretch to second-over, three-wide in the lane, came up just shy. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was three-wide 3/16 until dropping back and tucking fourth, then second-over 3/8, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw before the ¾, not quite enough late but a good race. LUZIANA sat in, so-so along the inside late. NEEDLESS TO SAY shot through at the start and kept a looped foe parked, had heat all the way through, withered a little late. GRITS N GRAVY was fourth-over despite moving out just off the first turn, followed wide cover and left three-wide raw ¾, not enough gain. LUCKY LEVIS was never prominent. ROJAN’S WAY was a bit rough nearing the half, never close. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was between horses and looped, was left out in the air, didn’t have the speed to clear and faded 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – Wind down to almost calm … ECLIPSE ME N went to command nearing turn one then yielded for the pocket, outside to late turn and bettered 27.3 in the sprint home while winning confidently. ROYALTYWESTHO was three-wide early and to the top 3/16, got her own fractions, did well but outsprinted home by a classy veteran. SURREAL FEELING tightened along the inside late backstretch, did OK as they came home quickly. ALLI NUI also saved ground, with pace to the inside late. QUEEN LOSTRIS N left and yielded, popped out 5/8 but stopped any gain midturn. CERTIFIED IDEAL was a little off the gate, then last throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TWO AM defended third early and sat there until the 11/16, moved up and briefly took the pocket on the turn, then out and went by easily. KING ALPHONSO was wide leaving, took back to spot sixth, then going again to turn two uncovered, steadily made up ground to the 11/16 where he got cover, couldn’t match strides with the winner but still good after a tougher trip. WILBERFORCE showed as much speed as anybody and headed down the road, lost the pocket horse past the half and went a big third quarter, was gradually reeled in by the top duo. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK made up a lot of ground very late from way back. BELLA AVA was out with cover but never entered the drama. CAVILL HANOVER maintained the two-hole, got looser from late backstretch. CHOCO CHARLIE was three-high past the 1/8, finally got in fourth past the ¼, not heard from thereafter. ASKMELATER HANOVER never featured. RIVER OTTER was off the gate and gapped in last.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LAURIE LEE worked her way to command to the 3/16, slowed the half, then picked it up to 56.3-28.1 to have control over the finale field. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD made sure of the pocket early, stayed close but wasn’t really threatening. P L NOTORIOUS, a little rank going to the gate, spotted third at the 1/8, was asked for more ¾ but had no gain to give, kept going evenly. WINNING WORDS and PEGGY J sat in and went evenly. NARINA HANOVER went uncovered towards turn two but never got close. RHYME N ROLL played no factor in the outcome of this race.
Mar 8, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Never above freezing temperatures … Winds swirly throughout the day … JANAID left some, came off the rail 5/8 and quickly went up to challenge, had the lead but couldn’t clear around the far turn, finally got a safe margin late. UPTOWN FUNK was behind a breaker into the backstretch, steadily made up a tremendous amount of ground and was just along for second. CLASS SIX was on top near the 1/8 and headed down the road in fast numbers, had a clear lead down the back before the winner came to him, stayed in the fight for win until very late. WHITE HAIR ROCKS was three-deep to turn one, took the pocket 5/16, was gapping from early backstretch. OH K MAN went evenly. TALK SHOW also wasn’t tight down the back, went outside on the turn but offered little. ASTON HILL DAVE had to check in last as a foe two-wide broke early backstretch, never a factor. DREAM OF LUCK was second-over, made a break early off turn two. WINDSONG JACK was midpack two-wide early, found no hole so scooted up with a 27.3 second quarter to get close to the leader, but soon fell back.
SECOND RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT made the early lead, finally yielded 3/8 but then was quick on the retake, equal to whatever they threw at him throughout the last half. TUCKER CREEK was fourth-over, four-wide midturn and again finished like a runaway train. WATERWAY stayed next to the pylons and rode third-in, to the deep Pocono Pike and finished with pace. BRAVO TEX N was looped and between horses early, needed until the 3/8 to make the front, soon yielded for the pocket, to the Pike but couldn’t gain. PROVEN DESIRE left and yielded, came again first-over and challenged, held his ground well late. MY MIND IS MADEUP sat in, had nowhere to go late. BARBADOS was looped and three-wide to the 3/16, tucked at the ¼, moved again third-over, three-wide ¾ but was empty. CINNAMACK was second-over, was struggling to stay on cover before the 11/16.
THIRD RACE – NEWBIE was determined to get the lead and finally wrested it at the ¼, kept INTERNET HANOVER outside as those two drew away from the field from the rest 11/16, proved strong to the wire. The latter gapped the two leavers early, was uncovered just before the half, fought with the leader late backstretch and through the turn, gradually ceded a little ground late but held for place. KEYSTONE STEAM was fourth-over behind stagnant horses, widest in the stretch and had crisp late pace. RAKSMACH N was third-over, went three-wide around a gapper midturn, got to third but flattened a bit. MR BIG LOAD spotted fourth, sat in and was shuffled to last, bad-luck mile. HERE COMES SWIFTY was on top right away, eventually relinquished to the winner, struggled late backstretch. BJ’S GUY was second-over, tired ¾ alongside the pocket horse forming a “wedge” causing traffic woes.
FOURTH RACE – RECIPROCAL BLUE CHIP made the two-hole at the 1/8 and sat there until midturn, then angled out and wide, had the most of these in the latter stages. ZOE F was third-over, wide midturn, finished well. LAZER JET tucked fourth at the 1/8, then was uncovered towards turn two, went a big third quarter pressuring the leader, finished OK. MANWILLING rode inside, not all that much late. SWEET TEA put everybody in behind, came under pressure from before the 5/8, couldn’t sustain the last 3/16. BANZAI AS was not close throughout. HALL IT OFF was second-over, gapped early backstretch, then tightened, then gapped again past the ¾, then broke in the stretch.
FIFTH RACE – BOBBY K HILL yielded past the 1/8, quarter-moved, kept the favorite outside in fast fractions, drew away on the turn and bottomed these out. OFFICIAL DELIGHT and WAGON MASTER both advanced up the inside, with the former just holding off the latter to his left for the distant second. I GET THAT was third in the sweeping tier, four-wide to headstretch and gained (admittedly into a slowing pace). BEST TRICK EVER was second-over, three-wide past the 5/8, didn’t gain. DA MAGICIAN tucked, then was third-over, stayed in a blindswitch around the turn, in tight quarters late. ROCKIN INTHE HILLS had some late pace from an impossible spot. FOO FIGHTER N got to the front just past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, bottomed out by the fast fractions. CLASSY HILL spotted, then tried a brush 5/16 but was left out in the 27o chill, faded ¾.
SIXTH RACE – Stretch tailwind for this race … ANDOVERS TOUCH tucked third, able to slip out second-over 11/16 after four rivals had made breaks earlier, wide headstretch and just along in a 31.1 last quarter. KARETS worked up to the lead 3/16 and kept going at a good clip for these, almost lasted to the line. SOUTHWIND LAREDO came a long way uncovered starting at the half, held in there very gamely. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was the first leader then yielded 3/16, evenly at best the last quarter. PHANTOM RUSTY stayed close, then came up empty late. I GOT THE LOOKS was second-over, broke at the ½ just as another opponent jumped, but the chalk’s break looked independent. PRESIDENT spotted fourth, came again 3/8 but made a break near the half. MINEFIELD HANOVER miscued not far into the race. SWISS PLATINUM misbehaved as the gate sprung.
SEVENTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N was two-wide amidst a host of leavers, was kept out 3/8 before making the lead and then had to deal with a group of parked horses, left them behind ¾ only to see NINE WAYS come out of the pocket, fought with that one virtually the entire last quarter and gamely put his nose in front. The later used positional advantage to secure the pocket behind the winner, vacated it ¾ and quickly drew level, lost a bit of ground upper stretch but kept coming on nicely to just get edged. BIG MACH was behind dull cover in a blindswitch, came four-wide headstretch and was far the best of the rest. JEREMES GENERAL was three-wide early, took back looking for a hole but found none and pressed on 3/16, never made the lead, left behind ¾. WHAT’S GOIN ON was far back inside, returned with “b.e.” ITSONLYROCKNROLL A was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, then raced behind cover, went three-wide 11/16 but his gas tank was empty at crunch time. MOUNTAIN HIGH was on the rim throughout, four-wide far turn, little. SKYWAY BILLY got a good trip inside but was done ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – CATWALK AS took over going to turn one, got her own pace, withstood WORTHY OF HONOR. The latter raced into the pocket past the 3/16 and stayed close, took a shot in the Pocono Pike, good but was not exactly breathing down the winner’s, um, neck. SANCHEZ ROCKS sat third, gapped far turn, held show. FATHER DUNN was second-over, three-wide far turn as cover tired, steadily. PROTOSTAR was three-wide past the 1/8 then got in fourth 3/16, stayed in, so-so late. MY BOY CHRISTIAN never entered the main picture. TRICKY DICK, a touch off the gate, made a good move off the second turn until the 11/16, then suddenly backed off. HAVANA OOH NANA broke at the ¼.
NINTH RACE – DECLAN SEELSTER was urged leaving, three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, set the pace and drew away. BILBO HANOVER left some, rode third-in, came clear early stretch and angled wide, just caught ROLL WITH JEFF for second. The latter was on the point at the 1/8 then yielded at the 1/4 for the golden seat, tiring. MR MCDREAMY was second-over, stayed in a blindswitch before the ¾ then ducked in far turn, next in line. SARONNO gapped early, wide far turn, never a factor. ROOTIN TOOTIN pulled at the ¼ and grinded, not a major danger before fading. APP HANOVER was never in the hunt. ER ROCK MY WORLD backed out to third-over, went three-high 11/16 but couldn’t mount a rally.
TENTH RACE – GLENGARRY KNIGHT N took back amidst many leavers, came out after the 3/8 and wound up second-over, three-wide before ¾ to two-wide before midturn, dead-game and just proved the more photogenic. AMERICAN REBEL quarter-moved, set the pace with third quarter pressure from the chalk, briefly stole clear upper far turn but was joined by the winner, fought very gamely to the line. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was four-wide to the first turn, had to take back and spot sixth, stayed in and advanced to third-in, came clear early stretch and gained ground late; APEX SEELSTER also took the inner route, angled wider and just missed third. A REAL MIRACLE had the most gate speed, discouraged one early mover then let his stablemate go by, gapped out from the pocket far turn. HORSING AROUND dove quickly to a midpack tuck early, then third-over behind the winner, couldn’t keep pace. CAPTAIN NASH was last much of the way. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT never menaced. MELANIE’S TEDY was three-wide to the 1/8 then got the pocket, appeared to rethink a quarter-move, then went out raw before turn two, challenged but empty ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – SUNSET BRAYDON was slightly removed from the 26.3 action, then was moved rapidly after the early commotion had settled and was on top 3/8, safely to the wire. JUST PLAIN LOCO avoided the moribund outer tiers, angled wide past early stretch and finished sharply. CASH IS KING left in 26.3 to retain control, got a foe to tuck behind, then yielded to the winner, tried the Pocono Pike but only held evenly. SHOREVIEW was outside in the rapid quarter, saw the horse trying to hold the pocket break at the ¼ and got in, outside later on the turn, couldn’t gain. POLAK A ducked in ¾ as the outer tiers clogged, a bit late. THISJETSABOOKIN never entered the picture. ROYAL HEART left sharply, yielded and looked to be trying to keep the pocket closed in a fast opener when breaking at the ¼. FERNADO started uncovered going to turn two, never menaced; BUSBOY HANOVER was on that one’s back, gapped 5/8, tried to gain three-wide as the first-over faltered but himself had little.
TWELFTH RACE – BARNABAS struck the front just past the 1/8, rated quarter two, then came home in 55.4-27.4 and withstood ELECTRIC WESTERN. The latter was away well and yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, raced gamely but just outsprinted. REVELRY got a forward spot, came uncovered just past the 5/8, won a three-horse battle for third. CAL retucked around a bad gapper and narrowed in down the back, got to third midstretch but couldn’t quite hold that spot. ALEX TYE was second-over, wide in the lane, OK. URBAN RENEWAL never could step around a gapper. TULLOW N (off the gate) and WESTERN HILL were always far back. RANGERS SURESHOT was already leaving a big hole by the 1/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ACTOR HANOVER yielded at the 1/8 but was quick on the retake, unopposed the last 3/8. SOMEBEACH BARON was second-over, three-wide past the ¾ when cover faltered, did well to go on for the distant second. WARRAWEE UNIQUE got the front at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, loose from the 5/8. LACHIE MAGUIRE N stayed in, blocked headstretch, but then not all that much once free. SIMPLE KINDA MAN fell back in the last quarter. STAR COMMANDER N and GOLDEN GUN were always far back. WESTSLUCKY TERROR was three-wide to turn one, spotted fourth, was flushed out just past the half, couldn’t reach in the fast third split, then faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JOESSTAR OF MIA A left and had cover to the 3/16, tucked at the ¼ as ANOTHER DAILY COPY quarter-moved, moved out past the 5/8 after that one had stolen away to a big lead, went on with courage and ran down that foe late. The latter left, yielded then retook in front of the winner, opened a big lead in a fast third quarter which he kept until nearing midstretch, then saw the tank go low and couldn’t hold the advantage. ROCK THE NITE was last behind gappers and steadily gained ground (own last half 55.1), three-wide with cover on the turn, stayed in a blindswitch headstretch then got clear and came on very well. GRAND PRIORITY retucked fourth around a gapper early backstretch then went raw at the other end of the straightaway, OK. ABSOLUTE INTENT sat in, out into a blindswitch on the turn, evenly late. DAAMERICANSKY went on to command 3/16, soon yielded, got more loose in the pocket all the way from before the half. ART SCENE advanced down the backstretch, couldn’t sustain the gain while three-wide. ROLLNTHEJOE was always far back. MAJOR CRISIS A took a 4-spot at the 1/8, backed through the field the last half.
Mar 4, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A “good +1” track in 40-degree temperatures, with a stretch headwind early… I GOT THE LOOKS went to three-wide with cover to the first turn then two-wide, left raw 5/16 and to the lead 3/8, mildly roused late to withstand MEADOWBRANCH RICKY. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the top 5/16, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket much of the last half, then did better from early stretch home. MARION GONDOLIER was third-over in a dull flow. three-wide ¾ and gained very nicely. OUR WHITE KNIGHT took a forward spot, was shuffled to last, split horses before midstretch and finished willingly. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE was innermost of the leavers, pushed the early pace then yielded, looked all-out to keep up much of the last half. ANDOVERS TOUCH, off the gate a bit, moved to second-over, didn’t reach cover, blindswitched, not a contender. MAYFAIR WELL charged out from fifth 5/16 but did not make the lead, faded near the ¾.
SECOND RACE – THE LADY SHERIFF set the pace with two moves, strung the field out in the third quarter then drew away. JEWEL LEHIGH A left well and was on top just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, loose in the pocket, just held second over SHE’S A BILLIONAIR. The latter was uncovered from last just before the half, retucked fourth down the back, outside on the turn, came a long way in a good outing. THE BAND K had a forward position, could make up no ground late. CHEEKY CHERRY and BETTOR BECAUSE A never entered the picture. SEA’S IDEAL left an ever-widening hole from early backstretch.
THIRD RACE – CHERRY RED persisted leaving and made the top to the 1/8, got his own pace, all-out as others were charging late. RARE MUSCLE wanted to leave but took third 3/16, uncovered 5/8 and went up, fell back some on the turn, then regathered and came up just shy. I AM THE STORM left and protected the pocket, had a shot up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make it. SHELL SHOCK made a brief skip past the ¼, gapped at the 5/8, then found a better gear late and finished in tight quarters. SECTOR was two-wide on the turn, ducked in and gained some then made a break midstretch, placed for LOB. DUKE OF LINDY was not prominent. MR BLUMETTI went offstride 5/8. APOCALYPSE lost gait twice.
FOURTH RACE – VITANI AS went right to the lead, strung the field out most of the way, won easily. SERRANO VOLO slid into a tuck 3/16, moved out second-over, tightened in then left uncovered as cover broke ¾, inside late turn, second-best. BOUNTIFUL BRITTNEY was far back at the half but got a lot closer in the third quarter, with cover on the turn, could not sustain her gain. FIRE UP went into the pocket as a foe miscued going to the 3/16, gapped a bit the last half. CHING CHING LUCKY tucked in a hole that the first turn breaker left, moved out 9/16 and gained, got rough challenging 11/16 and then did go offstride. MULLIGAN’S MISS broke at the half and was taken inside the course. LADY AT ARMS was far back when going offstride on the far turn. QUEENS N BEES may’ve been trying to keep the pocket closed when she misstepped nearing the 3/16.
FIFTH RACE – YOUR HONOR left like a shot, yielded, backed out to follow cover 11/16, gapped it a little then ducked in far turn, swung wide early stretch and had the most pace late. TRICK CARD moved down the back, lost his cover and challenged the new leader, ahead from the 11/16 through much of the turn but couldn’t get to the rail, got the lead again before midstretch but outkicked on the end of it. JAM THAT GUITAR was looped and parked to the ¼ for command, yielded for the pocket, outside 5/8 and went right by, held a foe outside around the turn, then tired. MAX GASTANK DEAN was on the move before the ¼ to get the lead by the 3/8, was attacked down the back and surrendered the front without a fight, faded. BENEVOLENCE moved outside but couldn’t keep up. GRATEFUL KISS was three-wide after leaving when breaking at the 1/8.
SIXTH RACE – EXPLOSIVE MAGIC tucked fourth then quarter-moved to get the lead past the 3/8, strung the field out the last half and won quite easily. HOLIDAY HANOVER pulled 3/16 from third and was in front 5/16, yielded to the winner, couldn’t go with that one but had enough to maintain the deuce. WINNING GENE trotted steadily along the inside the last 3/8 to grab third from CHRISTOPHER CRAZO. The latter was away sharply to command, yielded, couldn’t keep tight behind the pocket horse on the turn, just lost show. BUTTER TOFFEE gapped. FRAC was never in it. TW LAUXMONT got an early spot, uncovered 5/8 but made no headway. JACKIE’S RN was far back when coming out of the final turn very wide.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind has shifted to a quartering wind, behind the horses going to the half … ADAGIO DE LA TOUR went straight down the road, with only O JONNIE close-by most of the last half, kept to business to almost the wire. The latter took a tuck third, moved past the half and quickly retucked as the pocket horse retreated, tried but settled for second, far ahead of the others. BRUTAL STORM backed off into a 4-tuck, moved out then left uncovered early backstretch, retucked third 11/16, just held that spot. PERSEVERANCE was behind slowly-advancing cover, ducked inside and was OK along the inside late. SOUTHWIND BLIZZARD got into the outer tier, left uncovered late backstretch, not that much. HAVANA OOH NANA was never prominent. DIVINE SPIRIT ran 3/16. ARUBA VACATION made the pocket at the 1/8, had no more to give not long off turn two.
EIGHTH RACE – DECLAN SEELSTER had to work past the quarter to get the early lead, yielded but retook just before the half, had immediate pressure from SWEET N FAST N and defeated that one in a big showing. The latter was left uncovered going to the half, stayed close to the winner to the wire. NOX VEGAS BLUECHIP was in the good outer flow, three-wide headstretch, clearly third. MISSILE SEELSTER was out with cover to the ¼, pressed on to the lead 3/8, yielded to the retaker, kept semi-connected to headstretch, then gave a little more ground. DRAGON STRIKES pushed the winner just past the ¼, yielded, stayed inside, went to the Pocono Pike but could not get closer. THE OTHER THREE were not in serious contention.
NINTH RACE – CAMPBELLINI hit the front at the 1/8 in by far the fastest quarter, didn’t have much pressure, saw CHUCKY DE VIE get to about even using the Pocono Pike, fought on gamely for the win. The latter got a comfy trip in the two-hole, took his shot in the stretch, OK but not quite enough. MANWITHAMISSION went uncovered off turn two, grinded up steadily. BATTLE MAGE was second-over, wide in the stretch and found his best steps a mite too late. CREDIT FRAUD sat in, gapping on the turn, but was gaining near the wire. RENTIER and SHOEMAKER HANOVER were always at the back. NATALIE HANOVER was three-wide early, took third at the 1/8, wasn’t keeping up from early backstretch.
TENTH RACE – STEP ON THE GAS made the front past the 3/16, yielded to a brusher, back outside early backstretch to go right back to the lead in fast fractions, was about out of gas late but had too big a margin to be denied. REST ASSURED sat in and was shuffled, out in a blindswitch, then three-wide late turn and paced home steadily. JUNIOR MAN went uncovered on the second turn, improved position as the inner tier collapsed and tucked third, outside late turn and made second before midstretch, held OK. YER SO BAD weaved in traffic on the far turn, came up the inside to be next. PET SUR-ROC joined the lively outer tier, left uncovered, went a little wide as rough late turn, fair. TOPVILLE CRUISER stayed in and got lost in the shuffle. PLAY THERAPY moved from fourth before the quarter and went to the top, was passed easily by the winner and left an ever-increasing hole. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN never factored. FATHER FRED was in the early pocket, had little to offer from the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – OUTKAST BLUE CHIP got around early confusion and tucked fourth, uncovered 5/8, urged around the turn after the fast pace, made the lead early stretch and paced away. SPROCKET yielded at the 1/8 and stayed third-in, very slow to clear in tight quarters past midstretch and finished well to photo FEELING CAM LUCKY for second. The latter had to work past a 27 opener to get the lead and continued to a very fast half, held well but had to pay for the early usage. CLOUSEAU HANOVER was bothered by the early breaker but recovered quickly, outside towards the far turn, stayed in the fight for second. BABES DIG ME was on top at the 1/8, yielded and trailed the fast pace, Pocono Pike but came up empty. CENTURY ENFORCER and POYNTA BOY were bothered early but never recovered at all. IN ROCK WE TRUST was outleft, spotted, then broke past the 1/8 bothering those behind.
TWELFTH RACE – ITSONLYMONEYHONEY was second-over, didn’t tip wide until nearing headstretch, found enough late kick to catch REMARKABLE DE VIE. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and had the lead just before midstretch, almost got it all. SVF BLUSHINGBRIDE yielded at the 1/8, quarter-moved, was rated then picked up the tempo down the back, outtrotted late. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK took up uncovered status towards turn two, gained in a quick third split but couldn’t sustain that gain. KOMBUCHA looked to contemplate a quarter-move but stayed in, not that much late. BULLY BOY, hard to steer at times, was third-over, had speed in spots. SIX BAX trailed throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HALLIE’S COMET came uncovered into turn two, paced a 27 third quarter in clearing the leader to the 5/8, had no problem through the stretch. WAR DAN DELIGHT N showed a sharp burst off the gate, yielded, backed out behind the brushing winner and retucked second, good but not as much as the impressive winner. WARRAWEE TOTAL took back early and tucked near the ¼, was in the good outer flow, uncovered 11/16 and tucked in on the far turn, good mile. DUDDIE’S LOR was looped early, made the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, then lost all chance when shuffled as the leader gave way, was coming back a little late. AWESOMENESS was shuffled then got outside but couldn’t get into the main action. MARINER SEELSTER moved out with cover at the ¼, lost it 5/16, pressed on to the lead, surrendered without a fight 5/8. THE OTHER PAIR were never in the main picture.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN stayed outside early until the front end had all but resolved itself then brushed up to the 3/16 to the lead before the 5/16, appeared to be comfortably in control until MAGNIFICENT SEVEN burst on the scene late. The latter made a break at the start and lost about eight lengths, moved strongly from the back on the far turn and circled up, kept on coming and almost got there with a big recovery. BROADWAY MOJO was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, yielded for the golden seat, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over, left uncovered on the far turn, steadily. NICE STUFF was not a factor. ONE DIRECTION made the front between horses at the 1/8, yielded, outside again 11/16 but couldn’t threaten. PILGRIM’S LASS showed some speed but was not heard from thereafter.
Mar 3, 2021 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 39 degrees, “sloppy +1,” with a stretch headwind … BIG GAME HUNTER refused to give up to the lead to BAMSKI early, and then again refused to give it up when that one challenged inside him late. BAMSKI wanted the top but was forced to accept the two-hole, gapped far turn but was resurgent in the lane, just edged out. MY ALOHA ROCK N moved 3/8 and got cover, three-wide just past the ¾ and finished steadily. GIVEN UP TERROR stayed connected, OK late. P-DRIVE HANOVER was uncovered towards turn two, got even with the pocket horse but didn’t appear to head him, gave way some. SKYWAY BILLY had lots of useless cover, angled in, not bad. RUNHAPPY TEN could do little from third-over. SHADY CITY was three-wide and looped early, spotted, not heard from again.
SECOND RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS tucked past the 1/8, moved past the ¼ into the wind to get the lead before a very fast half, ran away with it while posting the fastest time of the night in a $7500 claimer. STICK WITH CRAMER joined the cover flow well off the leader, moved three-wide and was a good if distant second. LUZIANA was out with cover, briefly three-wide then back to two-deep raw, outpaced for second but far ahead of the rest. HES GONE BADDER left strongly, pushed a very fast opener before yielding, came out again off turn two to retuck in the pocket 5/8, but had lost touch by the ¾. MAGIC TRICKS got the last check. KENTUCKY PROUD moved with cover, lost it, retucked third to the ¾ but was all done at that point. DONEGAL JIM never featured. BULLPUP was three-wide past the 1/8 then two-wide past a 26.3 quarter to 5/16 command, yielded at the half, all done to the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – SURE R LOOKIN GOOD moved with cover at the half, left uncovered to the 11/16 as her cover got the pocket, gradually went by on the turn, then drew far clear with the trouble in behind. RHYME N ROLL came out on the far turn, avoided inside trouble and was the distant second. WINNING WORDS looked at leaving but took back, started a brush 3/8 but was left outside, tucked in the pocket 11/16, then had to check when a horse ran headstretch. MISTY SHOOTER gapped early, moved out late backstretch but gapped and went back in, then also bothered headstretch. NARINA HANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide the same distance before making the lead, kept rolling, was challenged far turn and was surrendering when making a break near headstretch. ABBY ROSE took control from the pole, yielded 3/8, was losing ground before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was out most of the quarter for command, left a brusher in the wind in a fast half, drew clear the last 3/16 to be the only horse to sweep in the Game Of Claims prelims. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT left and tucked third, tightened a hole behind a second quarter duel, came out far turn and was along for second. ER ROCK MY WORLD pushed the leader most of the ¼ before yielding, kept tight in the pocket until the ¾, then tired. PAR INTENDED was behind a three-wide wall going nowhere ¾, next. KHUN RATHA A gapped inside. CHIP FOR REAL worked up to second-over, three-wide 11/16 but did not gain. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL tried a quarter move but was left outside past a fast half, little to give in the latter stages.
FIFTH RACE – SAILBOAT HANOVER was innermost of five leavers and after there was a breaker hustled enough to maintain the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and looked a convincing winner. ESAI HANOVER went to the lead, rated the half, held a big challenge in the third split and through the turn, lost only to the pocket rocket. NOME HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked, uncovered nearing the half and went 27.2 down the back, held his ground staunchly. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE gapped second-over, evenly late. TRAY SURREAL was locked in at the ¾, made up some ground in the lane. FRISKY PEDRO spotted third, looked to be struggling to keep up the last half. TSM BATMAN never factored. WHO’S NEGAN could do little from third-over. GENERAL WARD was four-wide to the 1/8, still charging forward when going offstride past that point.
SIXTH RACE – HOTTIEONTHEHORIZON started uncovered mid-second turn, put in a last half of 55.4 while on the grind, very impressive. AUDREY ANNA left, forced a tuck, yielded to the brusher for the pocket, came out behind the winner midstretch, kept going well, came close to being shut off nearing the wire, got a DH2 with SHECOULDBEGOOD N. The latter spotted, then moved second-over, paced well in the good last half. FIRSTUP quarter-moved, met with the winner’s pressure, held OK. MORE MORE MORE left well, took the pocket, stayed in, kept up until midstretch. YES DOUBLE DOWN had to go three-wide around a breaker off the second turn, made up a lot of ground. LIGHTNING VIRGIN was inside the breaker at the ½, far back. MBT moved outside but took bad steps at the half, broke again on the far turn and went inside the pylons.
SEVENTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE began an uncovered trip before the 5/8, grinded, went on to get the lead early stretch and proved the best in here. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was widest among four leavers, got to two-wide and then the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, had room in the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite reach. WISENHEIMER set the pace with two moves, gave way. SCHNICKEL FRITZ tucked towards the 1/8, backed out to second-over 11/16, fair. TROLLER was three-wide to turn one and tucked at the 1/8, not again prominent. KARETS was behind nonproductive cover, ducked inside midturn, so-so. MUSCLE AVE gapped second-over. MOOSE MADNESS, a bit off the gate, was never close. WHOUCALNCRAZY was not heard from.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind has calmed … JOESSTAR OF MIA A was looped and followed cover, left raw 3/8 and went right up, getting the top aided by a break from the former leader, met pressure then opened up and was tons the best. ROLL WITH JEFF was uncovered before the half and went up well to the ¾, dropped in behind the winner, second-best. BILBO HANOVER went up in the flow, briefly uncovered ¾ then tucked third, couldn’t gain late. MR MCDREAMY advanced in the two-wide flow, evenly. THUNDER SOME WHERE had the early pocket, then was badly shuffled to the ¾, finally backed out but had too much to repair. GOLDEN GESTURE was far back. SEEL THE DEAL N went right to the lead, pushed then yielded 3/8, lost touch to the ¾. SCOTT ROCKS was looped early, worked his way frontward to command 3/8, had the winner come alongside before turn two, broke and went to the infield.
NINTH RACE – KING ALPHONSO was three-wide early, up to get command at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, outside early stretch and muscled past TWO AM. The latter was four-wide, then three- and two-wide before getting the top at the 27.2 quarter, held very gamely but couldn’t get home first. BELLA AVA pushed out and sat third behind the two big horses, not in their league late but third. VALLEY OF SIN sat in, angled wide early stretch and finished solidly. RIVER OTTER was double-looped and took a tuck 3/16, no factor. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY was second-over from last, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t gain. ASKMELATER HANOVER never featured. COMMON PARLANCE pulled outside 3/16 and rushed up at the 5/16 but was given the cold shoulder, gradually faded from the 11/16.
TENTH RACE – CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was the only horse showing gate speed, yielded near the ¼ for the pocket, outside early stretch and went right by SPICEBOMB. The latter may not initially have planned to leave but seeing little early foot was hustled up to get the lead at the ¼, went on well on the lead, caught by the pocket rocket. LITTLE ADMIRAL sat in then swung wide early stretch, OK. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN went evenly late after an inside journey. BETTER B ROLLING was hindered by the lack of an outer flow. SARONNO was moving three-wide 5/8 when he may have gotten in close quarters and made an “ix,” didn’t recover. BIG MACH was uncovered before the half but didn’t get close. RED DIRT BOOMER was second-over, three-wide but ineffective while looking rough-gaited.
ELEVENTH RACE – DAVIDS COMING HOME dangled outside early, got cover 3/16 until the 3/8, then left raw and was off the leader down the back, but kept on grinding, made the lead turning for home and opened up a clear margin after the hard work in fast fractions, terrific mile. ALTA SHELBY N had to back out from last and was four-wide in the stretch, made up ground in the slowing pace. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD gapped second-over, was fair in the last quarter. RATHER SWELL came out in a blindswitch near headstretch, found room inside the closers and made up some territory. MYIDEALSON N left and was out until nearing the ¼, then yielded 3/8, gapped after the fast half, evenly late. MOONWARDS HANOVER needed until the 1/8 to clear the pole horse, yielded at the ¼, not heard from again. CESPEDES Z TAM bypassed an early tuck 3/16 and drove on to the lead 3/8, was clear down the back in a very fast 3/4s, but the hard work caught up to him. BAYONET was not prominent.
TWELFTH RACE – HEEZ ORL BLACK N went out and got the pocket, stayed connected with the leader as they drew away from the rest by late backstretch, outside in the lane and very good to march right on by. NEEDLESS TO SAY headed down the road and left behind everybody but the winner. STEUBEN GLADIATOR got early position, gapped by the half, very distant third. TEO ENTEO A was blocked inside, didn’t gain once clear. COLE PORTER N moved three-wide ¾ through the turn, did get the last payday. ROJAN’S WAY gradually moved up to tuck fourth off turn one, underway again raw on turn two but couldn’t reach the leader, faded. I’LL CALL U LATER never got a call. SAGEBRUSH SID was underway 3/8 and soon got cover, blindswitched ¾, not a contender here. JUSTIFIED offered little.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GRITS N GRAVY stayed in, got to the Pocono Pike when the pocketsitter came out, finished well though the last quarter time was slow. LUCKY LEVIS was three-wide early and made the lead past the 1/8, set a good pace under these conditions, held second in a three-horse photo. BRIMFIELD insisted on the pocket, moved out into the lane, evenly. TENACIOUS ONE A moved outside before turn two, in a dull flow, blindswitched late backstretch, ducked in on the turn, kept angling wider in the lane and gaining. BIG BOY FRAZIER was second-over but didn’t make his presence felt. DURANT tucked third 3/16, rethought a quarter-move, then went first-up off turn two but never made much of a dent. LYONS AMUSEMENTS went three-wide from fourth-over 11/16 but quickly flattened. I AM THE COWBOY looked at leaving but took back, did very little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER was away well, was quarter-mover #1 and yielded for the pocket, backed out behind cover late turn then swung wide, had the most pace to the line. IMA TRAGEDY N cleanly outleft everybody, saw two go around him in quarter two, found room along the inside in the Pocono Pike and was good. CENTURY FERRARI was second-over, three-wide before the ¾ to two-wide to battle for the lead, held pretty well. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was quarter-mover #2 and set the pace, got pressure from the ¾ and gave way. ALASKAN SEELSTER sat in, no factor while getting the last check. ALL ABOUT RUSTY dangled outside near the back the whole way, three-wide late backstretch but didn’t gain. POP ICON was forced to swing widest late turn, little chance. BJ’S GUY tucked, then started raw to the second turn, done at the ¾. AWESUM ACE was out with cover but gapped it.
