Connors’ Comments for Sunday, February 21, 2021

Feb 25, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Warmest card of the year so far – it was up to freezing 32^o at first post … MYIDEALSON N was three-wide early, briefly had cover then pressed on 3/16 to the lead 5/16, continued at a quick clip in these circumstances and opened a big lead he kept from the 5/8 to midstretch, tired at that point but was just too far ahead. SARONNO went third-over and followed cover three-wide then lost it late turn, along for the DH2 with SPICEBOMB. The latter sat in last, was in a two- then three-wide blindswitch far turn, found room early stretch and gained to tie for the deuce. RATHER SWELL was second-over, three-wide 11/16 as cover failed to gain, got to two-wide and second into the lane, couldn’t quite sustain for the place. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT tucked early, stayed in, was horribly shuffled from the 11/16 to headstretch, tipped wide but had little response. ER ROCK MY WORLD couldn’t go with wide cover. GIVEN UP TERROR had some speed, uncovered at the half but failed to gain from the 5/8. NERVE OF STEEL N went out to the early lead, yielded to the winner, then gapped abreast of the first-over past the 5/8, creating bad traffic trouble.

SECOND RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER made the front just past the 1/8, rated the half, then came home in twin 28.1s to remind one of the R GAUWITZ HANOVER in the second half of 2015. TENACIOUS ONE A was carried up second-over, nicely slipped inside midturn to the pocket, clear second. LYONS AMUSEMENTS was third-over but gapped down the back, up for the distant third. IMA TRAGEDY N improved position early, then was badly shuffled on the far turn, found clearance inside and came back some. CENTURY FERRARI took on first-over duty, paid the price in the last 1/8. BJ’S GUY was forwardly-placed, then shuffled behind the gapping two-holer, out in a blindswitch near headstretch, couldn’t regain enough for even a minor award. ALASKAN SEELSTER and BRIMFIELD never factored. JUST N BERLANDER was first on top, yielded for the pocket, was done at the ¾.

THIRD RACE – STOP RESISTIN came uncovered into turn two, came home in 57.1 blowing right by the leader 11/16 and drawing well clear. CASH FOR GOLD went to the pocket just before the 3/16, gapped early backstretch as the pace picked up then better and outside raw in the wake of the cleared winner, a clear second-best. MANWITHAMISSION got early positioning, stayed in, backed outside ¾, along for a no-factor third. MAYFAIR WELL sat in with little. UNABATING grabbed the lead, rated the half, then couldn’t deal with the winner, tiring more the further they went.

FOURTH RACE – ROLL WITH DOM protected position early then moved before the ¼, got the lead, then had more than enough to deal with any challenge he faced here. GENERAL WARD moved second-over, gapped some 5/8 then was left raw nearing the ¾ when his cover broke, solid for second. ESAI HANOVER was four-wide early and three-wide to the first turn, on top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, struggled a bit in the fast last half and quarter. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE moved outside, ducked back in in front of a gapper, couldn’t gain along the inside late. FRISKY PEDRO left three-wide, was looped and couldn’t find a hole until the 5/16, then struggled to keep close from the ½. NOME HANOVER gave a tuck 5/16, went up uncovered into the backstraight, moved up in the third split then broke while looking for a bit more ¾.

FIFTH RACE – ROYALTYWESTHO was between horses leaving, refused the pocket 3/16 and pressed on to 5/16 command, won easily. MAGICAL MISTRESS was three-wide to the first turn, tucked third 3/16, squeezed out past the ¾ in front of a gapper, steadily late for second. WOODMERE OLEKSIAK started raw at the half, didn’t reach the leader, fair late. ENGLISH ROSE N wound up second-over, gapped 11/16, a bit better late. BRING ME DIAMONDS took back at the start and was not again heard from. FIRSTUP trailed. AUDREY ANNA left, yielded for the pocket 5/16, started to gap before the 5/8, broke ¾.

SIXTH RACE – LUCKY LEVIS was parked almost to the quarter for the front, but had little trouble thereafter. HES GONE BADDER was caught inside, out in a blindswitch nearing headstretch and finally angled clear before midstretch, had a big rush late. SOUTHWIND TERROR started grinding raw at the 3/8, didn’t reach the leader but went a solid mile. COLE PORTER N was out behind a wall of horses late turn, ducked in and split horses midstretch, finished well. MAGIC TRICKS used the rail to big advantage and got to sit the pocket journey, but struggled the last ¼. BIG TURN ON backed out to second-over past the 5/8, failed to keep with cover ¾. STEUBEN GLADIATOR was out the duration, got cover 3/8, gapped it 5/8, no major danger. WRANGLER ROCKSTAR raced inside, had little to offer late.

SEVENTH RACE – DOC’S HARMONY was outside early, briefly three-wide past the 3/16 as the horse in second pulled to get the top, back to two-wide and gained the stick 3/8, never a doubt in the last quarter. SURE R LOOKIN GOLD found room 3/16 to move to the top, yielded to the winner, not in her league here but good in second. NARINA HANOVER backed outside behind dull cover, wide headstretch, still last midstretch but finished with a good burst. WINNING WORDS started a long grinding move nearing the second turn, advanced in the third quarter, but had no more to give the last 1/8. RHYME N ROLL stayed in, in tight quarters between horses late. ABBY ROSE took the early lead, saw two go past, stayed in, little left late. LADY MAYA was second-over but gapping by the 5/8.

EIGHTH RACE – In a great race the last half: STICK WITH CRAMER was looped early and tucked fourth, then uncovered 3/8 reaching the leader at the half, went at that one tooth-and-nail fully the last half, just prevailing in the shadow of the wire. ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE was three-high to the 1/8 then two-wide to quarter command, got a 30 second second quarter but then had the winner right at him the rest of the way, tough one to lose while living up to his name. AWESUM ACE had speed, sat in, behind a gapper on the turn and wide into the lane, finished strongly. KENTUCKY PROUD claimed the front before the 1/8, yielded just past the ¼ for the golden trip, left a little gap the last quarter. POP ICON took back to tuck 3/16, then third-over, three-wide far turn, finished well. DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was last-over, had too far to come. SOMETHINGINTHEWIND was not prominent. TRUSSED UP TRUDY was second-over, gapped much of the backstretch, got a little closer ¾ but then came up empty. CRUISIN VIRGIN was gapping at the back well before the half.

NINTH RACE – HURRICANE CALLEIGH was between horses until getting the lead 3/16, parked one foe then yielded to a wide sweep from the chalk past the 3/8 and stayed close, up the inside in the stretch and along late. ELENIARK A rode outside early. got cover, went three-wide before the 3/8 and cleared the field nearing turn two after hard usage, set the pace, bore out slightly and was caught but was nonetheless good. YES DOUBLE DOWN gave a tuck past the half and then launched first-over before the 5/8, stayed close to two tough ones until late, far clear of the others. TRAFFIC JAM was far back behind dull cover, closed OK wide. LIGHTNING VIRGIN couldn’t keep up second-over. ISLAY N was never heard from. MBT was three-wide to the 3/16 and then left outside by the winner, was looped past the 3/8, got inside off turn two, couldn’t offer much late. IAQUINTA was involved early, yielded, tired ¾.

TENTH RACE – BETTER B ROLLING let hard and yielded 3/16, able to go up into the pocket 3/8 in the fast pace with horses all over the place, took the short one way home and had the most in the 30.1 kicker. LITTLE ADMIRAL took back early, was behind stagnant cover and was moved five-wide late far turn, flying late to pass a lot of horses. PAR INTENDED stayed in, was behind the winner into the stretch, couldn’t quite go enough as much as that one. BIG MACH had cover leaving, then uncovered 3/16 to command off turn one, set a fast pace under pressure, understandably tired some. P-DRIVE HANOVER was three-deep to the 1/8 to command 3/16, yielded off turn one, came out in front of a charger 3/8 but couldn’t summon the speed to get by, didn’t fade badly. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was third-over and in a blindswitch down the back, backed out to four-wide past the ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was last, had absolutely nowhere to go in the stretch. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL moved out at the ¼, got cover 3/8 but was rank behind it, three-wide just past the half, clogged that lane the last ¼.

ELEVENTH RACE – LOVE THE ACTION was in front at the 1/8, got pressure from before the 3/8 from BIG GAME HUNTER but wouldn’t let that one make the top, then had enough to withstand an inside thrust from BAMSKI. The latter yielded for the pocket, stayed close to the winner but couldn’t get on by. BAYONET moved out with cover 9/16, ducked back in on the turn as that cover faltered, couldn’t keep pace with the top two but clear of the rest. BIG GAME HUNTER was looped and settled third at the 1/8, decided to try to brush up 5/16 but didn’t have enough speed to clear and was left out in the air, tired the last ¼. MOONWARDS HANOVER never entered the picture. ALTA SHELBY N gapped at the back. SHADY CITY was outside midpack until getting in before the half, not a late factor. SKYWAY BILLY moved outside but never gained.

TWELFTH RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was two-wide in a gaggle of leavers, hit the front 5/16, didn’t let anybody by and didn’t let anybody get close the last 3/16. MY ALOHA ROCK N slipped out into a blindswitch down the back then followed a three-wide sweeper, left three-wide 11/16 until able to get back to two-wide late on the turn, good second. CESPEDES Z TAM moved outside 3/8, three-wide before the 5/8, up to two-wide and challenging ¾, couldn’t get to the winner and tucked in past midturn, held third. RED DIRT BOOMER sat in then was shuffled, outside, cleared a blindswitch and had finishing pace. RUNHAPPY TEN was four-wide well past the 1/8, took back to follow cover 3/16, lost it 5/16 and was parked, got in when the pocket horse tired 5/8 but was himself spent by then. SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD was outside but couldn’t summon any gain. KHUN RATHA A was away strongly from the rail, yielded to the 5/16, fell back from the 5/8.

THIRTEENTH RACE – LUZIANA was second-over, three-wide ¾, proved to have the most pace here. GRITS N GRAVY quarter-moved and set a quick pace without challengers until the stretch, held off all but one. SAGEBRUSH SID was fourth-over, four-wide past midturn, finished strongly. BULLPUP was third-over, followed three-wide cover but gapped it far turn and was blindswitched, handled cautiously through the stretch trying to find room, had pace at the end. HEEZ ORL BLACK N was three-high early, briefly had cover then went on to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside headstretch, held evenly. DURANT made the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, pulled from third at the half and went raw, didn’t gain that much, held decently. SMART TALKER had little to say here. BOBBIES POWER PLAY got a midpack tuck, gained up the inside early backstretch, not quite enough here. SHARKNADO gapped at the back.

FOURTEENTH RACE – ROJAN’S WAY held early position, went uncovered 3/8 and engaged the new leader at the half, ahead of that one from past the 5/8 through the turn but couldn’t clear, held off a bunch in a game triumph. I AM THE COWBOY rocketed out to the lead, saw several go by, waited for the Pocono Pike and was just along for second over NEEDLESS TO SAY. The latter went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded 3/8 to sit the two-hole, out behind the winner headstretch but was slow to find clearance another lane outside that one, possibly costing him place. JUSTIFIED was double-looped, pushed on to 3/8 command, soon joined by the winner, fought bitterly with that one, weakening a little late. TEO ENTEO A moved out in a blindswitch down the back, was blocked through the stretch under a hold. ALL ABOUT RUSTY gapped early and then a bit second-over, not enough late. BIG BOY FRAZIER was off of cover, looked to drift a bit wide ¾, no factor. THE OTHER PAIR were never heard from.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, February 20, 2021

Feb 24, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – 28 degrees throughout; track “good +1” through eight races, then “fast +0” … HORSING AROUND insisted on cutting the pace from the pole forcing tucks, kept a controlling lead to the wire. APEX SEELSTER sat in, gapped a bit early, blocked on the far turn, came up the far inside with solid pace. SHANE ADAM went into the pocket at the 1/8, lost a little ground from the ¾ on, still not bad. GRAND TETON was third-over, three-wide with then without cover to two-wide ¾, OK late. MARINER SEELSTER, swishing his tail throughout, made the 3-hole to the 3/16, fell back in the last ¼. BARBADOS was too far back to get into the main fight. CINNAMACK moved second-over, three-wide early backstretch to two-wide but himself stalled past the 5/8. RANGERS SURESHOT attempted a quarter-move but was left out to dry without the necessary speed, fell way back.

SECOND RACE – A REAL MIRACLE left sharply and crossed over into turn one, yielded but retook just past the 3/8, much the best in here. ALEX TYE spotted, then was third-over, briefly three-wide then back to two-wide with cover, again three-wide midturn and was second-best in here. MY MIND IS MADEUP was uncovered into turn two, made the pocket 5/8 as the former resident backed up, couldn’t gain in the stretch. MY DELIGHT stayed inside and gained a lot of ground from far back. BURNING MIDNIGHT had cover then lost it, challenged, backed off steadily in the last 1/8. SPROCKET came three-wide late backstretch but flattened nearing midturn. DAAMERICANSKY was looped early, made the lead off the first turn then surrendered it nearing the second bend, couldn’t keep the hole filled from early backstretch. FIREBALL was never close. WAGON MASTER offered very little.

THIRD RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER spotted early, closed a gap, on the move to turn two and got cover, three-wide 11/16 and went right to the lead early turn, stayed safe with urging. BEST TRICK EVER followed the winner’s cover until winding up two-wide raw far turn, inside early stretch and paced home gamely. BYE BYE JOHN backed out to third-over, four-wide briefly ¾ and three-wide on the turn, OK. NINE WAYS was three-wide leaving to the ¼, made the front 3/8, got little rest, didn’t fade too badly. BOBBY K HILL fought between horses just past the ¼ before getting the lead, shuffled some but didn’t have much response when clear headstretch. ROYAL HEART was innermost in a three-way battle past the ¼, yielded, uncovered again on turn two but couldn’t sustain his bid much past the ¾. STORMONT CZAR A developed a problem past the half.

FOURTH RACE – A snow squall during race … MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was slow to the gate, outside uncovered off turn two, inexorably grinded up, got the advantage midstretch and went on sturdily to the line. CAL tailed the winner’s cover, couldn’t go by but got second in the last steps. JUST N ACE left and took the early pocket 3/16, back out 5/16 to regain the lead, had heavy pressure from the winner, still on even terms midstretch, held well. CAPTAIN NASH settled behind cover early, then raw 3/16 to command just past the 5/16, yielded and sat the pocket, had inside room, OK but not quite enough. BARIMAH A forced a tuck then yielded past the first turn, caught in, had nowhere to go late. HEREITIZ never factored. ROCKNROLL CHARM gapped third-over; he and ROCKIN INTHE HILLS were never factors.

FIFTH RACE – POLAK A was three-high to the 3/16, briefly behind cover then to the lead off the first turn, relinquished to the chalk off the second turn, out again ¾ and went right by, won easily. UNDERTAKER didn’t get much help from his cover, three-wide ¾ to two-wide late turn, enough to hold off ITSONLYROCKNROLL A for place. The latter was last until the stretch, came a long way in the lane with sharp speed. HERE COMES SWIFTY was two-deep much of the ¼, yielded, stayed in, not much late response. CHEYENNE JEFFREY started the outer flow on turn two but never reached the leader. GIAS BOY was not prominent. OFFICIAL DELIGHT pushed early and yielded, came back to reclaim the lead nearing turn two, had no more fight when challenged 3/4 and tired significantly late.

SIXTH RACE – SWEET TEA was three-wide to the first curve, on top 5/16, rated quarter two then had a big challenge from the first-over, with those two being joined by the pocketsitter late, had enough to prevail. WORTHY OF HONOR made the front then yielded to the winner, had a shot up the Pocono Pike, just missed. MANWILLING came boldly uncovered 3/8 and raced the winner head-to-head the third quarter, fell back a little on the turn but persisted gamely (as the pace slowed). PROTOSTAR was third-over, four-wide in the stretch and finished steadily. PRESIDENT, SWEET SOFIE T, and TRICKY DICK were all behind a wall of horses throughout the stretch – hard to tell how much they had left in the 30.2 kicker. LAZER JET was second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. GALIXTON broke just before the 1/8.

SEVENTH RACE – Some stretch headwind … THISJETSABOOKIN yielded at the 3/16 to sit the two-hole, clear in the Pocono Pike and paced away easily. WILSONS VINNER was forwardly-placed early, then trapped in ¾, spent the first half of the stretch angling wide and the second half closing well. BLOW A CLOUD N was first-up at the half, never reached the first horse but went on steadily. CASH IS KING saved ground throughout, some pace late. RAKSMACH N was out 3/16 before taking the lead, set a quick clip on this day, tired in the stretch. MAJOR BUCKS was blindswitched in a stagnant outer flow to the ¾, never gained contention. MOUNTAIN HIGH was second-over, three-wide not long after turning into the backstretch but never posed a major danger. REAL LUCKY N miscued an 1/8 before the start.

EIGHTH RACE – TULLOW N got in a lively outer flow, tipped three-deep late turn and paced over the field at $69.80, giving driver Eric Goodell his first victory since a long hiatus. TWIN B SPEED DIAL defended the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and got the briefest of leads, clearly second. FOO FIGHTER N looped horses en route to 1/8 command, rated the half then sped up, not enough late. WINDSONG JACK moved with cover then lost it to the 11/16, couldn’t continue to gain late. ELECTRIC WESTERN gapped ¾, was doing a little better late. UNION STATION left but took back, went uncovered 9/16 then went into a gap third 11/16, no factor late. JEREMES GENERAL took back into his own hole, was gapping by the ¼ and little to offer today.

NINTH RACE – MELANIE’S TEDY left well and spotted, came uncovered at the half and battled hard for the lead through the backstretch, finally passed the leader ¾, drew clear late in a big mile. P L MUNSON was underway 3/8, three-wide briefly early on turn two as sluggish cover pulled, went behind cover but then had to go three-wide again 11/16 in order to gain, finished steadily for a good second. DA MAGICIAN was looped and settled in fourth 3/16, came out near the half but gapped despite urging, went back inside, then went around a tiring pocketsitter and retucked far turn, split horses late as trying hard and got third. CLASSY HILL went a big opener to put a foe in behind him, was under relentless attack by the winner the third quarter then was passed, held second until late. TUCKER CREEK tried to follow P L MUNSON ¾ but gapped, passed tired horses. ASTON HILL DAVE moved outside but gapped the flow, blindswitched, very little. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A offered very little. ALBERGO HANOVER left, was forced to take the two-hole just past the ¼, was all done to the 11/16.

TENTH RACE – Wind is calmer … GLENGARRY KNIGHT N hit the top straightaway as there were no other fast leavers, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, up the Pocono Pike and looked a safe winner. WESTERN HILL looked to want to take back early but was a little rough and stayed outside until the ¼ then brushed on to the lead 3/8, under reminders the last half, held well but had to settle for second. URBAN RENEWAL gapped in fourth down the back but showed some comeback inside in the last 1/8. WATERWAY had the early pocket by default, stayed connected, came out midturn but had no gain. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN was never close but got the last check. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N pulled out at the ¼ but did not find cover and never got close. GRAND PRIORITY and WHAT’S GOIN ON never made their presence felt.

ELEVENTH RACE – JUST PLAIN LOCO had some speed, sat in, got room up the inside as the pocketsitter swung wide, rallied for the tally. OH K MAN started uncovered into turn two, challenged, had a brief lead late turn to just past midstretch, held well. TALK SHOW followed up second-over, three-wide from past midturn, flattened a bit. WHITE HAIR ROCKS took command into turn one, yielded near the ¼ for the two-hole, came out in a blindswitch midturn as the leader started to give a little ground, had to angle four-wide for stretch clearance, OK. SHOREVIEW was parked in a fast opener for the lead, rated the half then came under severe pressure, was beaten midturn but didn’t fade too badly. BARGAIN SHOPPER was wide a long way early before settling in, then followed cover, blindswitched, not much. MR BIG LOAD swung three-wide from fourth-over 5/8, couldn’t threaten. DREAM OF LUCK broke at the start.

TWELFTH RACE — FERNADO pressed on to the lead 3/16, didn’t get pressure until almost the ¾, threw matching 28.2s home to show he was the best here. JANAID moved second-over off turn two, three-wide around a dull one 5/8 back to two-wide and raw, very gamely to the wire. NEWBIE defended the pocket, had a great trip but came up shy along the inside at crunch time. SUNSET BRAYDON was third-over in a nonflow, went four-deep 5/8, to three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t sustain his gain on the turn. BRACKLEY BEACH saved ground to no avail. TODDLER TANTRUM was not heard from. BARNABAS gapped early, moved outside at the half but had no punch at all.

THIRTEENTH RACE – IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N again used his good early speed to make the lead quickly, hung the chalk almost to the 3/8 then sat on his back until the stretch, to the Pocono Pike and had the requisite burst to win. AMERICAN REBEL didn’t leave but was still outside past the 1/8 when deciding to press on to the front, got there at the 3/8, was pressured on the far turn, held gamely but beaten by a horse with a better trip. I GET THAT was uncovered from last before the half and gradually moved forward, attacked the leader on the turn, couldn’t quite sustain the gain in the lane but a clear third. SEVENS HOPE A did not keep up. CLASS SIX took the early two-hole 3/16, not heard from again. FRANKIE ROCKS A was inside, asked for more 5/8, got rough then made a full break.

FOURTEENTH RACE — TRENTE DEO was three-wide to the first turn, briefly had cover then went forward, took until a fast 3/8 to make the lead and continued at a hot clip, with nobody in behind able to do anything about it. HALLIE’S COMET took over the lead at the 1/8, made the winner work to get the top, pulled the pocket 11/16 but was back inside again pretty quickly, paced very well but couldn’t defeat the winner. SAILBOAT HANOVER left and yielded, sat in, did well to be as close as he was in a fast mile. JAHAN HANOVER moved out 5/8, briefly had cover then was left raw and left behind in the last ¼. ROCK THE HILLS stayed in until the stretch, couldn’t quite reach fourth. BILBO HANOVER was outside but couldn’t make a dent; RANSOM DEMAND followed that one then was three-wide on the turn, no factor. THE FINAL TWO were never heard from.

Connors’ Comments for Sunday, February 14, 2021

Feb 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

Connors’ Comments at POCONO DOWNS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2021

FIRST RACE – High 20s; stretch tailwind from race two until late in the card … MYIDEALSON N got early position, quarter-moved right to the top, shook off the outside challenger by headstretch, then held safe the inside threat of LOVE THE ACTION. The latter was outside until just past the ¼ for the top, yielded for the two-hole, battled inside the winner, good second. BAYONET started uncovered 3/8, pressed the leader hard down the back and through the turn, didn’t fade all that badly. CHIP FOR REAL went evenly along the inside. SHADY CITY gapped third-over. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR made the lead to the 1/8 and kept a foe out until past the ¼, stayed in, little left in the last 1/8. GIVEN UP TERROR looked all-out to keep close to cover down the back and on the turn, swung wide but had no gain. SPICEBOMB jumped early.

SECOND RACE – NEEDLESS TO SAY raced into the pocket at the 1/8, tight on the leader the last ½, to the Pocono Pike, good to defeat STEUBEN GLADIATOR. The latter moved uncovered to the 9/16, grinded, may not ever have been ahead but paced on with determination. I AM THE COWBOY headed right down the road, just outsprinted at the end. BOBBIES POWER PLAY was quite wide early, got into third at the 1/8, evenly in the lane. SAGEBRUSH SID moved from last 3/8 and got cover early backstretch, struggled a bit to the lane then did a little better. TRUSSED UP TRUDY sat in, not a presence here. CRUISIN VIRGIN was not swift early, went to third-over but didn’t enter contention.

THIRD RACE – SWEET TALKIN SATIN was uncovered into the backstretch, held his ground evenly down the back then fell back a little on the turn, but could summon some more, made the lead, and just held off RATHER SWELL. The latter was second-over, gapped a bit on the turn, but also gained well late. PAR INTENDED cleared to command past the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and had the lead past midstretch, just nipped. BETTER B ROLLING went in third at the 1/8, moved 5/16 to the front before turn two, didn’t have much pressure, still could not hold on. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN hung a foe 3/16 then yielded, sat in, appeared clear to the far inside but couldn’t get into the main action. RED DIRT BOOMER gapped third-over. NERVES OF STEEL showed little.

FOURTH RACE – DURANT went in third at the 1/8, then was quarter-mover #2, went on at a good clip without heavy pressure, impressive winner. LUZIANA moved second-over, swung three-wide midturn, good but a non-threatening second. I’LL CALL U LATER left, yielded, was quarter-mover #1 and yielded again, not really tight on the winner most of the last half, so-so late. STICK WITH CRAMER was first-up into the club turn, never appeared to head the pocket horse, tired midturn. MORE MORE MORE moved third-over, slid inside for the drive, not that much. SMART TALKER had no say in this. KENTUCKY PROUD was left out 3/16 before getting the point, yielded to two horses, empty midturn.

FIFTH RACE – P-DRIVE HANOVER was looped leaving and rode cover to the ¼, then went up and cleared to the lead past the 3/8, didn’t have much pressure and drew away nicely. SKYWAY BILLY was the first to show then yielded, sat third-in, got room inside when the pocket horse pulled on the turn, best of the rest. MY ALPHA ROCK N was third-over behind dull cover, three-wide before the ¾ to the finish and steadily gained. CESPEDES Z TAM was wide early then parked until getting the top at the ¼, yielded nearing turn two for the pocket, pulled same past midturn but never gained. CAPTAIN CUT THROAT started uncovered going to turn two, stalled 11/16 having not headed the pocket horse. RED DIRT ROCKNROLL was second-over, blindswitched late backstretch, ducked in, little late. SPRINGBRIDGE ROAD broke not long after the start and couldn’t get back into it.

SIXTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE got the first call, yielded for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike and had the most of these late. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP came raw from third 9/16, went on steadily but couldn’t get the job done. CAMPBELLINI made the front past the 1/8, got a moderate middle half with the chalk only coming to him late backstretch, held OK. WHOUCALNCRAZY sat in then angled out in the lane but could make little impact. BUTTER TOFFEE gapped at a couple of points. SHOEMAKER HANOVER had too far to come. LE REVEUR N came out at the bottom of turn two then got cover coming out of that bend, started gapping ¾. STOP RESISTIN made a break w-a-y before the start.

SEVENTH RACE – POP ICON worked out a nice second-over trip, let uncovered far turn, finished out well to take the victory. JUSTIFIED stayed in, deftly moved into a blindswitch midturn then ducked back in to the pocket late turn, in the Pocono Pike and edged a pair for second. ALL ABOUT RUSTY was first-over just before the 3/8, grinded steadily and made the lead far turn, held well after a not-easy journey. BIG BOY FRAZIER was third-over, finished steadily. IMA TRAGEDY N sat in and was shuffled far turn then out into the blindswitch behind the place horse, angled inside towards midstretch and had some gain. BJ’S GUY was fourth-over, had to go four-wide late turn, little chance. DONEGAL JIM yielded for the pocket, badly shuffled around the turn. LOVE YOURSELF left quickly to gain command, set the pace but had nothing in reserve when challenged to the ¾.

EIGHTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was looped and three-wide most of the 1/8, tucked third after the outside challenger broke, then quarter-moved but took the length of the frontstretch to clear, but still drew clear in the last half in a very nice mile. CASH FOR GOLD was battling with a foe when that one jumped 3/16, pushed the winner then yielded before the second curve, couldn’t go with the winner but did hold second. TROLLER moved outside midturn and narrowed in some. SPOILER ALERT was far back, took the inner route and had a good gain. B THREESEVEN sat in good position, not much at crunch time. ARCH CREDIT moved out on the far turn but didn’t make up ground. DISCUS HANOVER left well and was fighting for command towards the 3/16 when jumping. SPEED BALL SWAGGER gapped midrace, came outside off turn two but made a break and went wide; KEYSTONE SERGEANT, just behind him, tried to go through inside that one but also miscued.

NINTH RACE – ONLYTHETUFFSURVIVE wound up going down the road, handled both the first-over and the late surge of LUCKY LEVIS. The latter was outleft, managed to defend the pocket as the outside challenger backed off, took his shot in the stretch and was good but had to settle for second. LYONS AMUSEMENTS left well and was almost a length past the winner past the 1/8 when he took back and finally got in at the ¼, gapped far turn, but then found good finishing pace. HEEZ ORL BLACK N tucked fourth, came raw on turn two and pressed the leader, tired some very late. ALASKAN SEELSTER sat in and gapped. HES GONE BADDER and BIG TURN ON were behind the dull cover of second-over WRANGLER ROCKSTAR; none of those three made their presence felt.

TENTH RACE – BIG GAME HUNTER stayed two-wide behind the early fight, then paced up to take control before the 3/8, never threatened. LITTLE ADMIRAL was second-over, three-wide not much past the ¾, gained steadily in the last quarter; RUNHAPPY TEN was right on his back and was along for third. MOONWARDS HANOVER was shuffled to last, finished alertly inside. KHUN RATHA A sat in, moved over a lane in the stretch, may have been in tight quarters between horses late. ER ROCK MY WORLD was three-wide to the first turn and got in front at the 1/8, yielded, stayed in, not much to offer late. ALTA SHELBY N was four-wide early and three-wide to the 3/16, crossed over off the first turn then yielded to the winner, paid the price for the early exertion. BAMSKI left some, came back first-over towards turn two but couldn’t get close.

ELEVENTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY was on the move 3/16 to get the lead and control the pace, drew clear ¾ and finished in 27.2 in hand. PLAY THERAPY tucked in third before the 1/8, came out in the lane and had good pace. FATHER FRED was on top before the 1/8, yielded to the winner, outpaced for second. VINTAGE SUMMER stayed in, gapped far turn. YER SO BAD was third-over in a dull flow, ducked in and finished with some pace. JUNIOR MAN was second-over but didn’t have great cover, three-wide late turn, a bit late. NOTYOURTYPICALMAN was uncovered into turn two, never reached the leader before fading. PANTHER’S PINOT was already leaving a big gap by the 3/8.

TWELFTH RACE – Wind has abated somewhat … ROJAN’S WAY got early positioning, went first-over at the half, got cover to the ¾ but found that useless and was three-wide near late turn, drew off from these. BULLPUP was third-over behind a dull one, very wide in the lane and gaining as the pace slowed. GRAVE DANCER pushed much of the 1/4 and yielded, gapped third-inside on the turn, just third. JUST N BERLANDER stayed in, angled out early stretch then dove down into the Pocono Pike and was gaining. MAGIC TRICKS looked at leaving but tucked, shuffled to last, gained some in the declining tempo. TEO ENTEO A left and cleared just before the ¼, yielded 3/8, pulled the pocket ¾ but had no gain. PROM KING could do little from second-over. CENTURY FERRARI went frontward belatedly early and was three-deep 3/16, then pressed on two-wide to the lead 3/8 in a very fast half, tired.

THIRTEENTH RACE – DON’TCALLMEFRANCIS was looped early, pressed on to the front off turn one, dealt with the first-up, then had enough to defeat foes to both sides while drifting out a bit. GRITS N GRAVY was away nicely to 1/8 command, yielded for the two-hole, outside stretch, just did get second over R GAUWITZ HANOVER. The latter spotted early then was a groundsaver, steady pace up the inside. SOUTHWIND TERROR was second-over, three-wide midturn but lacked sufficient late kick. SHARKNADO gapped third-over early backstretch then got tighter, tried to gain wide on the turn but could not. TENACIOUS ONE A went uncovered nearing turn two and was tenacious in challenging the winner, but tired past midturn. THE OTHER DUO did not make their presence felt.

FOURTEENTH RACE – RANSOM DEMAND was in front at the 1/8, yielded to the retaker for the two-hole, not outside until early stretch, gradually got to the front. JAHAN HANOVER left, yielded, retook before being caught in by a parked challenger, set the pace, held very well. DRAGON STRIKES sat in, went to the Pocono Pike and gained strongly. WILSON VINNER stayed in, gapped a little 11/16, evenly late. SHIPSHAPE tucked midpack, then was second-over, three-wide midturn, found his best strides a little too late. VODKA ON THE BEACH was not in the main action. SCOTT ROCKS left, tucked third when the favorite retook the lead, went first-over at the half, tired far turn. GRANDPA DON was never close. REDDING HANOVER was away slowly and then gapped.

Connors’ Comments for Saturday, February 13, 2021

Feb 17, 2021 | Connors’ Comments

Connors’ Comments at POCONO DOWNS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021

FIRST RACE – Welcome back for another year of harness racing at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono … Temperature rising from the low to mid 20s; wind is not a factor … I GET THAT was second-over, gapped in a quick third quarter, then went three-wide midturn as cover tired, overhauled UNION STATION at 40-1. The latter tucked fourth just past the 1/8, quarter-moved to the lead to turn two then had to resist a backstretch challenger in a fast middle half, almost lasted. WAGON MASTER was forwardly-placed, shuffled some mid-far turn, clear in the Pocono Pike just a little too late. JEREMES GENERAL left to 1/8 command, yielded before turn two for the two-hole, gapped far turn, was going to go inside the pacesetter early stretch then altered course outside, evenly. WHAT’S GOIN ON was not heard from. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was underway early and was third-over, but was gapping midbackstretch. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A gapped at the back. TULLOW N had the early lead, yielded, moved raw at the half and made a big third quarter push, then tired in the last stanza.

SECOND RACE – FERNADO followed the parked horse before the half, made a quick three-wide move to the 5/8 to clear before the ¾, went on steadily to withstand THISJETSABOOKIN. The latter was fourth-over, had great cover, left three-wide early turn and two-wide late turn, kept coming on. BEST TRICK EVER was third-over, left three-wide raw before the ¾ then got to two-wide on the turn and inside headstretch, good race but had to settle for third. OFFICIAL DELIGHT made the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, was shuffled when the leader was engulfed to the ¾, to the inside and a distant next. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A also was caught inside, slow to clear, had some on the line. JUST PLAIN LOCO had too far to come from last. CASH IS KING left well, yielded then quarter-moved, couldn’t resist the sweeping winner to the ¾ and faded. POLAK A was looped and tucked third at the ¼, shuffled around the far turn, couldn’t get back into it. TODDLER TANTRUM went up with the early leavers, did not look for a tuck but went on, didn’t threaten before fading.

THIRD RACE—CAPTAIN NASH spotted third at the 1/8, came raw off turn two, gradually hit a higher gear, proved strongest in the stretch. REVELRY was third-over and not helped by his cover, three-wide headstretch and finished well. CLASS SIX made the lead before the 1/8 and was clear to the ¾, couldn’t sprint late. TEXAS TERROR N left well then yielded for the two-hole, loose most of the way, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. FRANKIE ROCKS A advanced up the inside down the back, a bit of pace late. FIREBALL gapped much of the way, including as second-over. ALBERGO HANOVER trailed.

FOURTH RACE – SHOREVIEW was about to yield to an outside foe when that one broke to the first turn, did yield 3/16 but was out again off turn one, cleared nearing turn two, controlled the pace from there and won easily. WHITE HAIR ROCKS left and was going to cross over before turn one when he made a brief misstep, recovered and hit the front 3/16, yielded, couldn’t go with the winner late but was second-best. BOBBY K HILL saved all the ground and was along for third. UNDERTAKER came out behind the winner early frontstretch, left raw nearing the second curve, challenged, tired past the ¾. BYE BYE JOHN found a spot at the 1/8, came out with cover, three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t gain. BARGAIN SHOPPER was third-over, gapped and was blindswitched, ducked in, little. JANAID tried to gain three-wide from far back but couldn’t. KEYSTONE STEAM gapped early and was never in this one.

FIFTH RACE – JACKAMINO held forward position and stayed third-in, fanned wide headstretch, got going early stretch and had a big last 1/16 to get the decision. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT left boldly from the rail discouraging a few, yielded to the ¼ and stayed in the pocket, outside late turn, made the lead past midstretch but was caught. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was four-wide leaving, briefly checked then went on and circled to the lead at the ¼, rolled on, held on to the lead until past midstretch. APEX SEELSTER did and then did not have cover in the third quarter, three-wide when the new first-over tired on the turn, regathered before midstretch and not bad at all. HEREITIZ gained steadily inside on the far turn and to the wire. WINDSONG JACK pulled behind the parked horse, was three-wide soon off turn two to first-over, stalled past the 5/8. BURNING MIDNIGHT looked at leaving but was surrounded and tucked, not heard from afterward. JUST N ACE was wide early and looped, left uncovered at the ¼, urged but couldn’t reach the leader, fell back.

SIXTH RACE – ROYAL HEART used the rail well and sat the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went by midstretch. NINE WAYS made the lead at the 1/8, got his own way to midpoint then sped up, couldn’t stall the winner’s move. OH K MAN tucked fourth just before the 3/16, then came again uncovered off turn two, didn’t threaten the top two but was game to nip HERE COMES SWIFTY for third. The latter tucked third going to turn one, sat inside, evenly late. BRACKLEY BEACH and NEWBIE couldn’t mount a threat after inside trips. STORMONT CZAR A was mired behind dull cover. DREAM OF LUCK moved outside before the half and soon got cover, but gapped it from the 5/8. BIG MACH pulled 3/8 and wound up third-over, tried to go three-wide around a gapper but couldn’t gain.

SEVENTH RACE – LORD WILLOUGHBY A worked to the top at the 1/8, set a strong pace with no one getting close, rocked out to an impressive win. WESTERN HILL had early cover leaving then was raw, couldn’t make the pocket and tucked third off the first turn, moved out late on the far turn and did well. BRAVO TEX N was second-over, three-wide past midturn when his cover faltered, steadily. MARINER SEELSTER started alertly, yielded at the 1/8, kept the pocket closed while off the leader the rest of the ¼, nothing left late. CINNAMACK was third-over, three-wide with cover far turn but gapped it. BORN ON FIRE gapped early, never in it. TWIN B SPEED DIAL sat in, went wide far turn but never got close. DAAMERICANSKY came uncovered 3/8 but never got to the winner’s wheel before fading.

EIGHTH RACE – SUNSET BRAYDON was second-over, three-wide before the 5/8 to two-wide past the 5/8 to the lead before the ¾, a runaway. BUSBOY HANOVER left hard, forced a tuck then stung a rival to the 3/8 before yielding, swung out behind the winner to the ¾ then was left two-wide raw, just got the distant second in the final steps. BLOW A CLOUD was three-wide just past the 1/8, then two-wide and was out to the 3/8 to gain the lead, had no resistance for the winner but fought hard for the place. MR BIG LOAD left between horses and took an early tuck, gapped a little on the far turn, evenly. MAJOR BUCKS was fourth-over, bothered behind a breaker early backstretch and three-wide much of the rest of the way, stayed digging in. MOUNTAIN HIGH got a slow start and never factored. CHEYENNE JEFFREY came out at the quarter, left raw 3/8 and challenged but didn’t have the speed to clear, left behind 11/16. INTERNET HANOVER was third-over when making a break early in the backstraight.

NINTH RACE – GLENGARRY KNIGHT N made the front past the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, tightened in in the pocket down the back, outside headstretch and by easily. FOO FIGHTER N was taken back at the start then shifted gears and showed good speed to go up and get command by the ¼, rated quarter two, couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. TUCKER CREEK sat in, gapped far turn, then found his best strides a mite too late. GRAND PRIORITY pushed out from the rail, yielded, stayed connected, evenly late. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN backed out to second-over, tucked in when his cover gave way ¾, OK late. SEVENS HOPE A backed out to third-over but was soon gapping. ASTON HILL DAVE didn’t get a call. ROCKIN IN THE HILLS moved uncovered from last 5/16 but never got near the front.

TENTH RACE – AMERICAN REBEL was looped and between horses, had to check as the foe outside him took a stumblestep, tucked in, was able to swing wide in the stretch and had the most pace late. A REAL MIRACLE was challenging for the early lead when he took a stumblestep going to turn one, recovered and made the pocket by the 1/8, considered quarter-moving but did not, outside in the lane, got second between horses. MELANIE’S TEDY blasted down the road in quick numbers, held well far ahead of the others. DA MAGICIAN was urged early, caught out three-wide to the 3/16 then tucked fifth at the ¼, gapped nearing the half, went out into a blindswitch 11/16 then ducked back to the rail as his cover faded, went a better mile than it may look after a horrible journey. BARBADOS swung widest headstretch and was coming on belatedly. ALEX TYE was never in it. MY DELIGHT moved second-over, then three-wide 11/16 but soon flattened. GRAND TETON was on the move raw before the 3/8, was rough-gaited and did not clear, faded in the last ¼.

ELEVENTH RACE – MY MIND IS MADEUP moved outside 5/8, was off cover to the ¾ but caught up to it on the turn, wide and along in time. CLASSY HILL left very strongly as the only outside speed horse, yielded for the pocket and stayed close to the fast pace, outside ¾ to challenge, took over turning for home but couldn’t hold off the winner. VALIDUS DEO gapped in the second quarter, went to the Pocono Pike in the stretch, next in line. ROCKNROLL CHARM went evenly. RANGERS SURESHOT left a gap much of the way. ELECTRIC WESTERN and BARIMAH A were never in it. WISE IMAGE yielded for the pocket then quarter-moved, set a fast pace without pressure to the ¾, nothing left in the stretch.

TWELFTH RACE – MIGHTY SANTANA N started uncovered at the 3/8, cleared to the lead just past the 5/8 and was under immediate attack to his right, shook off that one then held off the foe to his left. OLLIE’S Z TAM set the early pace with two moves, yielded to the winner just past the 5/8 and stayed close, Pocono Pike, good but second-best. ALL ABOUT HEAVEN was towed up behind live cover, left uncovered to the 11/16 and made a bold challenge, held his ground nicely. VIRGIN STORM was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide until getting the top off the first turn, yielded, backed out and went two-wide 11/16, didn’t gain while bearing out in the stretch. NVESTMENT BLUECHIP was stuck behind a tired one as the top horses got away, recovered to get the last check. HORSING AROUND left between horses, worked into a tuck 3/16, then was gapping from the ½. THE OTHER TWO were two-wide but never entered the main picture.

THIRTEENTH RACE – WESTERN FAME went right to the top, helped when a breaker altered the fortunes of outside leavers, forced a tuck, rated the half, left these behind with a 26.2 third split and won like a $1.8M winner should. BLACKLIGHT was inside the early breaker and checked, then caught the front three, steadily inside to be the distant deuce. ANOTHER DAILY COPY was four-wide around the early miscuer, raced up to get the pocket just before the ¼, couldn’t stay with the leader 11/16, fair late. ARTIFACT HANOVER left well, did give the pocket nearing the ¼, couldn’t gain late. HALLIE’S COMET had to check behind the “x”er and “ix”ers, got the final payday. WARRAWEE UNIQUE and BILLY LINCOLN N were knocked offstride early by P L MUNSON, who left three-wide but made a nasty break going to turn one, was kept out wide the rest of the way.

FOURTEENTH RACE – FOCUS POCUS asserted himself early and forced tucks, slowed the half then picked up the pace and kept everybody at bay nicely. SWEET TEA left three-wide and circled the chalk early, to the pocket 3/16, maintained second. HALL IT OFF was third-over going to the half, swung very wide in the lane and got the edge in a three-horse photo for third. LAZER JET came out just past the 3/8, went three-wide headstretch, edged for third. PROTOSTAR sat in, started up the deep Pocono Pike but may not have had room, had to wait and back out behind SWEET TEA to midstretch, possibly costing himself enough momentum to get third. CONTEXT tucked third, started raw at the half, never posed a big threat before tiring. PRESIDENT and SWEET SOFIE T were never in it. TRICKY DICK lost gait w-a-y before the start.