Nov 12, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind on a warm day for November … JEREMES GENERAL left well from the rail and protected the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and was an easy winner. KEYSTONE STORM left a small gap off the top three until past the half, got going uncovered 5/8, went on steadily and photoed ROCKNROLL CHARM for the deuce. The latter moved out second-over, swung three-deep late turn, looked to have aim on second but just missed it. ASCARYONE HANOVER was so-so along the inside. WAGON MASTER gapped a little inside down the back, moved out to headstretch, then was blocked through the stretch. WINNING IS SWEET was the only outside hard leaver, kept up at a good clip, nothing left in the lane. CHEYENNE JEFFREY couldn’t contend from third-over. VORACITY was last most of the way.
SECOND RACE – IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N left no doubt who was the best in here from the first step to the last. POKERFACE BLUECHIP slid in third 3/16, stayed inside and was a clear second. STAY IN YOUR PLACE filled the pocket, stayed close until the ¾, drifted very wide in the lane. TALK SHOW gapped a bit to the half, then came first-up before the 3/8, never threatened before falling back. FERNADO started the outer tier approaching turn two, got cover before the 5/8, gapped it ¾, still got the last check. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR had little inside; BARGAIN SHOPPER and ROJAN’S WAY had little outside. DULL ROAR never got close, then was placed for an LOB.
THIRD RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was three-wide to the lead past the 1/8, went on at a fast clip and held off I GOT THE LOOKS. The latter worked up between horses to get to the pocket 3/16, stayed there until early stretch, came out and made up ground, although not quite enough. CONSUS VICTORY was first on top and yielded to the top two, kept up until the stretch, clearly third. PERFECT STICK was no factor after an inside trip. BULLY BOY was handled to show respect to the gate, last, four-wide from before the ¾ through most of the turn, not enough rally. WHAT THAT IS was second-over, edged three-wide 11/16 but didn’t gain. STINGLIKE A B K was first-up just past the half but never was a major danger.
FOURTH RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM came out of fifth early second turn and was in high gear entering the backstretch, paced a 26.2 third split to clear early on the turn and left these in the red dust. JOHNNY Q was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide to the 1/8 for the lead, had a fairly moderate half but couldn’t keep the sprinter out past the ¾, fought on resolutely to hold second. DAVID THE SAINT left but soon took back, stayed in, almost grabbed place. ARTACHE HANOVER left and sat in the pocket, moved out midturn just after the winner went by but couldn’t gain. MAYFIELD DUKE couldn’t go with his cover, was pacing well approaching the line. BIG MACH went to the deep Pocono Pike but couldn’t factor. MR BIG LOAD showed little from third-over. RED DIRT BOOMER gapped at the back almost all the way.
FIFTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL quarter-moved and set the pace as he pleased, had enough power finishing to keep BILLY LINCOLN N at bay. The latter took over at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, did well up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t get to the winner. ROLLING WITH SAM came uncovered 5/8 and put in a very commendable race. WHO’S NEGAN was three-wide to turn one to the pocket before the 3/16, gapped slightly from the 3/8 to the far turn, then began to gap even more. CENTURY ENFORCER passed TRAY SURREAL for the last check. The latter was second-over, looked well-placed for a chance at a good check but came up empty. DIVISION BELL never entered the main mix.
SIXTH RACE – CHRISTOPHER CRAZO went a fast quarter to gain the lead, then went a slower middle half, was able to sprint away through the stretch. ANDOVERS TOUCH was between horses to the pocket past the 1/8, couldn’t step with the winner in the lane but clearly second. PRETTY EDGY showed some gate jet, to the Pocono Pike but was only so-so late. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over then went three-wide midturn, found his best strides a bit too late. HOLY KOLY was not heard from. SUM FOR ALL was third-over and three-wide with cover midturn, couldn’t reach. TROLLER was wide early, took back to fourth before the ¼, underway again raw into turn two, advanced some until early on the far turn, then tired. ALEXANDER HANOVER made his first break w-a-y before the start.
SEVENTH RACE – ITSONLYROCKNROLL A left well, yielded but had retaken by coming off the first turn, went slow/fast in the middle splits, then had more than enough late. MARINER SEELSTER got a good start and was in front by the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, steadily but couldn’t make up ground on the winner late. A BETTOR BEACH got in midpack 3/16, on the move again uncovered just past the 3/8, held steadily. BOMBAY HANOVER took a 3-tuck to the 1/8, in, deep in the Pocono Pike, best of the others. CAPTAIN AHAB was second-over, swung three-wide before the ¾ and looked menacing on the turn, but flattened out. NY WHITESOX did not feature from third-over. THE REST were well out of it.
EIGHTH RACE – UNCLE HANOVER dangled outside early, went up 3/16 and got command by the 3/8, drew off from these even though the last quarter wasn’t fast. DYNAMIC EDGE left well to gain the front, pushed then relinquished 3/8, did not stay with the winner late but held off his other inside rivals for second. P L ICABOD left and made the two-hole by the 1/8, to the inside of the place horse in the stretch, couldn’t go by him and just held off ONE DIRECTION. The latter was not keeping up down the backstretch, was doing better late deep in the Pocono Pike. FREDDIE MAC was third-over, widest in the lane and got the last check ahead of second-over NATURAL KEMP. CRAZYCAT started raw towards turn two, gained in a fast quarter down the back but had no more in the stretch. FIRE ‘N WOODSHED was last at every call.
NINTH RACE — MYKINDACHIP was out and battling to the 3/8 before gaining the top, kept out the parked horse, then withstood THATSWHATISAID N in a long stretch drive. The latter came roaring three-wide from last at the ¾ to wind up just outside the winner headstretch, very good but couldn’t get by. GHOST DANCE was out behind the parked horse, slipped inside late backstretch in front of a gapper, had to wait until a bit before midstretch then could work outside and got third. ON ACCIDENT used the pole to push the winner until the 3/8, yielded for the pocket, tired in the stretch. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A sat in and was shuffled to last, went three-wide far turn but couldn’t match the speed of the place horse. KJ LEO was third-over, blindswitched by the sweeper far turn, gapped, not a factor late. DECLAN SEELSTER left, was out with cover to the 3/8, then was left raw, stayed around until the ¾. WARRAWEE UNIQUE sat in, gapped down the back, then got jammed up in traffic headstretch and made a break.
TENTH RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide from the 11/16 onwards and with strong pace to draw away from these easily. BELLOWS BINGE came out fourth-over before the 5/8, followed the winner on the turn, didn’t have his late foot but did have enough to win a four-way picture for the 25%. BUTTER BAY HANOVER was second-over but gapped, blindswitched before the ¾, moved to the path behind the winner in the stretch while off him, gained some late. JUST N ACE sat in and was backed up to last, gained on the far outside. DAAMERICANSKY was three-wide 3/16 then in just past the 25.3 quarter, blocked the upper half of the stretch then found room inside a slightly-drifting pacesetter and responded well. MARK WITHA K wouldn’t surrender the lead in a 25.3 opener, rated to the half but then got heavy pressure, tired. RAZOR’S EDGE went uncovered near the second turn and battled with the leader, also tired in the stretch. SEAFARER was between horses until taking the pocket 3/16 in the wicked opener, nothing left late.
ELEVENTH RACE – DELTASUN A raced with cover early, uncovered to the 3/16 and took a like distance to clear to the lead, under heavy pressure on both sides in the stretch but showed great determination. MAX came uncovered from second-last off the second turn, gained inch by inch to just miss. FASHION CREDITOR worked to the front past the 1/8, kept the winner out most of the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket and awaiting the Pocono Pike, went there and looked to get within a nose of the lead past midstretch, flattened ever so slightly. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT was first on the lead, yielded, struggled to keep up on the turn. TWO AM moved second-over but couldn’t get tight on cover. MARION GONDOLIER had some early foot, in and shuffled to last, outside far turn but couldn’t enter the main picture.
TWELFTH RACE – OUR MAX PHACTOR N made the early pocket, outside past the 1/8 to the lead and set the pace, was passed by the first-over in a blistering third quarter while not driven to keep that foe outside (though making that one work), outside himself stretch and came back gamely for the decision. ROCK THE TOWN outleft everybody to the front into turn one, yielded to the winner, stayed in, went inside when the winner went outside headstretch, almost seemed to get to even terms midstretch as they both went past the new leader, good effort. RODEO ROCK stormed uncovered at the half and went his own third split in 26 to clear to the lead ¾, but the price for that third split came due midstretch. LACHIE MAGUIRE N was second-over, gapped 11/16 and left uncovered on the turn, steadily. MACHEASY A found room to come out third-over 5/8, OK. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was far back. BEACH BOOGIE spotted third, considered an early move but rethought that tactic, then didn’t have much. MARCO BEACH moved outside towards urn two, but lost contact the last half.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TITO ROCKS showed speed and yielded, waited until just before the 11/16 to come out raw but charged up when doing so, engaged the leader on the turn, made the lead before midstretch and came his own last quarter in 26.3 as very impressive. REDBANK BLAZE A went to command into turn one, pushed an opponent to the 5/16 before yielding for the two-hole, sacrificed a bit of momentum to the winner headstretch as awaiting the Pocono Pike, but responded very quickly when shown room in a very good mile. ALBERGO HANOVER was out 5/16 before making the top, got a breather the rest of the second split and likely early backstretch, stepped it up as the winner came charging, could not sprint enough late. THE FIRST STEP was very wide, took back to follow cover then ducked in fourth off the first bend, out second-over 11/16 but gapped. MAJOR OFFENSE didn’t offer much offense; nor did ROCK THREE TIMES.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BENSON BOYS N made the early top, yielded before the 3/8 to sit in the golden seat, had a sharp response when taken to the Pocono Pike and scooted right by. TREVOR ONE kept the pocket closed on the first turn, stayed in, went deep into the Pike to rally for second. AMERICAN ZEST A was three-wide to the 3/16 in pursuit of making the lead before the 3/8, got a slight second quarter breather then picked it up, not enough late. STORMONT CZAR A was second-over, three-wide approaching headstretch, evenly. CLASS SIX sent in, evenly late. JK MUSICMAN was between horses to the 3/16 then took back for a 4-tuck, on the move again just past the 3/8, never got closer than the leader’s wheel before backing off. TRUMP THAT was third-over, blindswitched, edged wide headstretch but couldn’t rally enough. ROCK THE NITE was far back. OUR ZAK WHITBY A tried a three-wide move from fourth-over 11/16 but never made much of an inroad.
Nov 9, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – CARMENS BEST made two speed moves and fronted the field, gamely holding off two good foes. STONEBRIDGE PROUD was in the early-forming second tier 3/8, circled three-wide from last 5/8 and stayed wide the duration, kept narrowing in but didn’t get there by the wire. MYSTERY ISLAND was between horses early and tucked, started on the grind 3/8, tried very hard to the finish. REDHOT ROMEO was caught behind a tired pocketsitter mid-far turn, made up ground once free in the Pocono Pike. SPORTY REDHOT was three-wide leaving then two-wide at the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t stay tight on the leader ¾. JAMAICAN COWBOY was second-over, blindswitched ¾, gapped late on the turn. DELIGHTFUL FASHION sat in and was far back, but didn’t gain too much once clear. CHANCELLORCULLEN N never factored. LITTLE ADMIRAL was third-over, blindswitched to the 11/16, never got into the hunt.
SECOND RACE – SPECTACULAR ROCK went away well and got to sit in the two-hole, outside nearing headstretch, made the lead, and held off STEUBEN GLADIATOR up the inside. The latter moved uncovered 5/8, got to tuck in third late backstretch and then had the Pocono Pike open as the pocketsitting winner pulled, gained ground. NEEDLESS TO SAY was between horses 3/16 for the lead, rated quarter two, didn’t have pressure, but still tired. NEWS WATCH was behind dull cover, went three-wide before the ¾ and got to two-wide late turn, had some pace finishing. SIR JAKE’S Z TAM sat in, backed off and had three-wide cover on the turn, next. MAGIC TRICKS was three-wide almost to the 3/16 then backed into a 3-tuck, couldn’t keep up 5/8. WORDSMITH was second-over, didn’t gain after losing cover. TSM GANNICUS T was last throughout.
THIRD RACE – TRICKY DICK got jammed up at the ¼ and was briefly outside, settled down, moved in the slowest quarter of the race to go around a gapper and kept right on going to challenge the leader just before the ¾, made the lead midstretch, then just held off GERARD at $78.00. The latter gapped third in front of the stands behind the fast pace, then made up ground rapidly after the pocket horse broke to get to be tight in the pocket, angled wide in the stretch and just missed taking it all. CELEBRITY ROLEX went on at the 1/8 to get the lead and had a clear advantage to the fast half, tried hard to the wire but came up fractionally shy. DRAIN THE SWAMP gapped a gapper 3/8 and was off the top three the rest of the way. THE NEXT THREE never factored (KEYSTONE THUNDER looked at leaving but took back). HALL IT OFF made an early burst to get the lead, yielded 3/16 and immediately started to leave a gap, broke entering the lower turn.
FOURTH RACE – Wind has switched around to a stretch tailwind … SIR GENE G HANOVER was away enough to maintain the pocket, wanted to move 5/16 but rethought that plan and stayed in the pocket, waited a good ways down the lane before moving outside, got by the pacesetter MOVE THE LINE with quick steps. The latter left well for the top, rebuffed the winner’s early challenge, rebuffed a backstretch challenger, but didn’t quite have the steps late. PLAY THERAPY tucked fifth, came roaring off the second turn and went in 27.4 against the wind to put a head up late backstretch, but stopped gaining on the leader ¾, although holding his ground well late. SHOW STOP backed out of third to second-over 5/8, three-wide past midturn, fair. GENERAL WARD joined the backstretch two-wide flow, wide and some late. LOST MY LIGHT backed off to tuck, not heard from thereafter. PERFECTLY SAID never factored. A B COLLINS may have been in tight quarters when breaking early.
FIFTH RACE – BELLA AVA was three-wide leaving, two-wide to the 1/8 and up to the lead, won unthreatened. LIONBACKER KIDD worked into the pocket just past the 1/8, stayed close to the winner most of the way home. CHOCO CHARLIE had some speed, started to gap ¾. BUZZEN GARLAND gapped in quarter two, never featured. PHANTOM RUSTY went to the Pocono Pike to get the last check. BRUTAL STORM showed little. BUTTER TOFFEE went wide late on the turn and beat the two in the two-wide tier: FRAC, who moved off turn two but never got closer than midpack, and O JONNIE behind him.
SIXTH RACE – RYDIA HANOVER went right to the top, kept the early challenger out and saw her melt off, got another challenge from the sweeping MAJOR HOULIHAN towards the ¾, but pulled away from that one late. The latter came out behind cover then soon was three-wide to clear to first-over late backstretch, challenged through the turn, lost ground in the stretch but still a clear second. LOUD BRAZILIAN stayed connected in the first half of the field, along for third. EMORI HANOVER left and took the pocket, kept that spot closed during the second quarter battle, then started gapping on the turn. AMERICAN CHANCE broke leaving, recovered fairly quickly, but neither she nor THE NEXT TWO could get into the hunt. SENDMETOTHESTARS came out 5/16 and tried to go to the lead but was left out to dry, tired towards the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – MANDELA BLUE CHIP was wide to the first curve, accepted the pocket 3/16 and waited, went to the Pocono Pike, got the lead past midstretch then held off MOOSE MADNESS. The latter was second-over, three-wide late turn, narrowed in (in a back half of 1:00.3). PERSEVERANCE was intent on cutting the pace and went a quick two quarters in that pursuit, still held well. CAN DO sat in, then angled widest headstretch and gained some. SCARLETT RAIDER was not prominent. KANDY KORN was uncovered nearing the half and went up to pressure the leader, then gave way. LAKEVIEW TAMMY trailed most of the way. TRIPLE T SWINGER appeared to have trouble staying tight the last 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – MOSSDALE LOTTEE N got great second-over cover from seventh, gapped it a bit during a third quarter duel but was tight by the ¾, three-wide late turn and drew away from these. WOODMERE HARRIET was uncovered at the 3/8 and moved quickly to be challenging the leader not far into the backstretch, kept up the pressure, was passed by the winner but continued gamely for second. SWEETONTHEBEACH left rapidly then followed up a semi-into the wind 26.4 opener with a 30.2 with the wind behind her, then had to accelerate to meet the first-over, was in the battle for second until very late. SOCIETY JILL got the early pocket and gapped from the 3/16 to nearing turn two, then got loose again ¾. PRIMROSE got early position then went evenly. THE NEXT THREE never made their presence felt. FRISKIE JULIE badly gapped a good cover flow.
NINTH RACE – ANOTHER BREATH got in third just past the 1/8, came uncovered 5/8 and went right up, got by the leader midturn and stayed clear. BATTLE MAGE was urged early to maintain the pocket, was able to slip out late turn after the winner cleared the pacesetter, clearly second-best. MASSIVE OPULENCE was third-over, stuck behind a sluggish second-over, widest in the lane and had late trot for the distant third. WINNING GENE didn’t offer too much. COURT’S N SESSION showed a bit of trot at the end. SPOILER ALERT was on the lead before the 1/8, came under pressure from the winner, kept him out until midturn, then fell back. D’DREAM was uncovered 9/16 to second-over 5/8 but couldn’t go enough. PRETTY EDGY was never close. SWISS PLATINUM was already gapping by the ¼.
TENTH RACE – SURFER BEACH stayed outside early, in gear 3/16 and uncovered at the ¼, made the lead early on turn two, had full control of this race in the stretch. SUPER MAC showed good speed, needed until the ¼ to make the top, pushed the winner a while then yielded into turn two for the pocket, held off SIX DEGREES for second. The latter charged out to the lead before the first turn, yielded at the ¼, came out late turn, almost made the distant second. BOLTMAN was third-over, saw his cover deteriorate towards the ¾, went three-wide, next in line. BIG CITY BUD was outside behind the winner early, then was left uncovered into turn two, started to fall back nearing the ¾. TSM BATMAN and GUYS IN THE BAND did not factor. KENTUCKY PROUD gapped at the back. BEACH FIRE K was second-over, ducked inside midturn, broke in the stretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – BUSBOY HANOVER went into the pocket 3/16, came out raw 5/8, was challenged on the turn and gave up a short lead headstretch, but stayed strong and won nicely. DOCTOR JIMMY started outside towards turn two, picked up cover 5/8, left uncovered midturn and got a short lead early stretch, couldn’t sustain but was second. WILLIE BOOTS was in the two-wide tier, gapped the place horse a bit on the turn, then came on some late. ABSOLUTE INTENT was fourth-over, did well late without threatening. WINDSONG JACK was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, two-wide to quarter command, yielded for the pocket, went loose ¾. GARRETT’S GUIDE was three-wide early and looped, behind cover to the ¼ then outside to the lead before the 3/8, set the pace, held until mid-far turn. QUAKE BLUE CHIP and THORN IN YOUR SIDE were inside and shuffled on the far turn, but did not gain once their traffic situation improved. GOLDEN GESTURE never entered in the picture.
TWELFTH RACE – OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP raced midpack, moved outside late backstretch then ducked inside far turn, to the deep Pocono Pike and had by far the most trot. VALLEY OF SIN moved out second-over, three-wide headstretch, good to go on for second. WISENHEIMER pulled first-over 5/8, never looked like a threat to win but kept to task gamely. RIVER OTTER left strongly and dropped in the pocket at the 1/8, waited for the Pocono Pike, not enough for the win. CHUCKY DE VIE got a good start and set a quick pace, still had the lead early stretch but was then engulfed. NICE STUFF went evenly. THE REMAINING TRIO were always far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BENSON BOYS N went right to command, set an evenly-rated pace without pressure, dug in gamely as BARBADOS was coming to him late. The latter left and got to the two-hole 3/16, edged out into the stretch and slowly ate into the winner’s margin, not quite enough. URBAN RENEWAL was well-placed throughout, to the Pocono Pike, good mile (his own back half in 55.1). OUTKAST BLUE CHIP moved uncovered nearing the half, made up ground bit by bit in the third quarter and on some of the turn, held OK and was clearly next-best. AUDACIOUS WARRIOR was inside, gapped at the ¾. MR D’S DRAGON was not prominent. P L MUNSON wasn’t in bad position second-over but couldn’t mount a rally. BETTOR NOTBITTER A gapped at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DREAM OF LUCK was quickly in front, kept a foe out until the 3/8 of a very fast half, stayed behind that one as they drew away from the field far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and went by handily. MOTIVE HANOVER was urged early but did not show sharp speed, gradually worked up to the lead 3/8, kept a foe who immediately attacked on the outside in a very fast half, clearly second-best after hard early usage. BABY KITTY stayed in, gapped ¾, clearly third-best. VODKA ON THE BEACH and HEARTBEAT HILL were blocked behind a tiring foe far turn, but then came clear and got the last checks. SURF THE WEB could not keep up ¾. KHUN RATHA A was outside the mile near midpack. SCOUTS REPORT tucked, then moved two-wide but had little to offer. DAKOTA JACK maintained the early pocket, rushed out 3/8 but couldn’t quickstep to the lead, remained raw and faded before the ¾.
Nov 5, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – WINNING IS SWEET was three-wide to the first turn, then covered to the 3/16, then raw to the front going into the stretch the first time, shook off the first-over, then held off the long challenge of second-over BEN ROCKIN. The latter as noted followed cover, went three-wide at the ¾ to two-wide late turn, just edged out. POKERFACE BLUECHIP swung widest of all in the lane with good pace to get third. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR left and protected the pocket, couldn’t stay with the front two on the far turn. DRUNK ON YOUR LOVE sat in, went to the Pocono Pike but didn’t show too much. SPANISH ART was outside 5/16 and got to third-over, three-wide midturn but unable to keep with the place horse. LINKJACK HANOVER left but took back when the pole horse was insistent early, underway uncovered towards turn two and gave a good challenge to the winner under urging, but fell back before midturn. HERE COMES SWIFTY went outside but gapped and went back in, no factor.
SECOND RACE – JOHNNY Q backed off early, started uncovered to the half and cleared 11/16, remained game to maintain his lead to the wire. TODDLER TANTRUM was in the outer flow, three-wide early far turn and finished strongly to be close. MAYFIELD DUKE moved outside 3/8, got cover at the half, lost it 11/16, continued steadily to the finish. FERNADO was three-wide off his cover on the far turn, gained in the slower last half. BIG MACH stayed in, gapped a bit then shuffled on the far turn, got clear in the Pocono Pike but didn’t offer much comeback. DAVID THE SAINT forced the winner to tuck then pushed the red-hot opener, yielded to sit the pocket, shuffled as the pacesetter gave way to the ¾, outside headstretch, couldn’t rereach contention. J M JET SET gapped early and never factored. XPERT BAYAMA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-deep to the 25.4 quarter before getting the top, set the pace until yielding to the winner before the ¾ and packing it in.
THIRD RACE – COURTING MARIA sat in waiting for cover, got it 11/16, then ducked inside headstretch and just got the nod over PEGGY J. The latter moved raw 11/16 and challenged, may have had a nose up midstretch, but lost by a nose. SWEET ACE was underway 3/16 from the pocket, got the top and went on at a good clip without pressure, wilted. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD gapped at the ¾, distant next. RHYME N ROLL went right out to the lead, yielded for the two-hole, started getting loose 5/8. MADDELLE dangled outside to the half, when she dropped in last, never a major factor.
FOURTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN had the lead at the 3/16, was never threatened thereafter and won in fast time on a chilly day. DREAMS BEACHBOY was the first to show, yielded and sat the two-hole, no match for the winner but defeated the rest. GOLDEN GUN sat third, inside stretch, didn’t gain. THE FIRST STEP was out raw 5/16, never mustered the speed to give a hard challenge to the leader, backed off gradually in the last quarter. AFLAME HANOVER was three-wide early and tucked fifth, then second-over, three-wide late turn, couldn’t get into the picture. THE LAST THREE never were factors in the quick mile.
FIFTH RACE – MY LINDY WINNER got a great second-over trip from the half, three-wide late turn and just along over WARRIOR ONE. The latter came raw at the half and dueled the leader, took the lead midstretch, just caught by the horse on his back. VIC’S WINNER started quickly and got the lead, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, briefly loomed but then was squarely outtrotted. GRAPPLE HANOVER didn’t have a big response after an inside trip. NEXTROUNDSONME set the pace with two moves, tired in the stretch. WHAT THAT IS gapped a bit third-over, got a little closer on the turn, but could gain no more. NANGE BI was at the back throughout.
SIXTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER was into the three-hole quickly, came out 11/16 and rapidly moved up to challenge, sailed by on the turn and drew away. MYSTICAL WYNN came out early in the backstretch, got cover 11/16 but couldn’t stay with it, just edged DYNAMIC EDGE for second. The latter set sail from the rail, didn’t have enough to deal with the winner, just missed out on second. FIRE’N WOODSHED sat the pocket trip, let loose far turn. CRITICAL MASS struggled to keep up. GOLDEN SON miscued at the start.
SEVENTH RACE — IYQ YQR was just absolutely overpowering today. DEETZY got the pocket, unplugged into the far turn, bore way out in the stretch but still held second. ROCKNROLL CHARM backed out to second-over past the 5/8 but ducked back in on the turn, next in line. KEYSTONE STEAM moved with cover but gapped. JUST N ACE needed until the 3/16 to tuck fifth, stayed in, gapped down the backstretch. WHATS INTHE ESKY A tried to circle up from last but didn’t gain. OUR ZAK WHITBY A was uncovered into turn two, gained some to the ¾ then was out of gas. ROYAL HEART was never prominent.
EIGHTH RACE – TWIN B TUFFENUFF briefly tucked third then quarter-moved, met with first-over pressure then had most of the field in a position to win headstretch, but outpaced them all. LACHIE MAGUIRE N was third-over, blindswitched two- and three-wide far turn, then was able to swing wider and passed a bunch of horses. ROCK THE TOWN put everybody in behind early then yielded to the winner, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have enough of a response. JOESSTAR OF MIA A tucked second, appeared to consider a quarter-move then stayed in, uncovered just past the half and challenged, held on well. LETS ROLL was in good position second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A sat in, had some stretch room but didn’t gain. STONE HANOVER was fourth-over, three-wide ¾ and four-wide midturn, flattened a little. GHOST DANCE gapped in last early, stayed in, hard to tell if he were in tight quarters late.
NINTH RACE – GRINDER settled in early, did not live up to his name but sat third-in, was full of trot when shown space in the Pocono Pike. FIFTY CENT PIECE did come on the grind at the half, challenged, never had the lead but went on steadily while appearing to edge a little wide. MR COOL SEAEYRE N emerged with command, hung a foe to the 5/16 then sat on her back, saw that one bear out nearing headstretch and shot up the inside to get the lead soon into the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. MR VICKTOR was second-over, did not tip off of cover and wound up coming on steadily inside of the place horse. WINE RACK HANOVER was outside 5/16 to get the lead, went a quick second panel, had pressure come to her, bore out a little turning for home and gave ground bit by bit. I GOT THE LOOKS was never prominent. DOT DOT DOT DASH couldn’t do much from far back. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was at the rear throughout.
TENTH RACE – Closers were 1-2 after the pace slowed following a hot half … LOUD SPLASH was fourth-over, three-wide with cover on the turn to four-wide late turn, finished the strongest as the longest shot on the board. BURNING MIDNIGHT was third-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, may have been ahead a nose in the third-to-last step but was overhauled. DAAMERICANSKY left four-wide to cross over soon past the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, may have had his nose up midstretch as the second of four stretch leaders, came up just shy. ALEX TYE was looped three-wide early, went on two-wide uncovered 3/16 to the lead 5/16 and was in charge in hot fractions, pressured, held on to midstretch. BUTTER BAY HANOVER gapped the early battle, then moved out second-over, was blindswitched ¾, came clear inside of the winner midstretch and finished well. SEAFARER had a forward spot and sat in, to the deep Pike, missed less than a length but made no money. MAJOR DECEPTION went grinding towards turn two, held on well. BELLOWS BINGE was slightly removed from the field at the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – NATURAL KEMP finally hit a better gear behind the hot pace 5/8 and got to second-over, left uncovered on the far turn, steadily in the 30.4 kicker and was just along. P L ICABOD had an open lead from going to the first turn until nearing midstretch while carving out hot numbers for this kind in the chill, performed gamely but had to settle for second. MYSTICAL MOTOR started uncovered into turn two, circled everybody but the leader and made the pocket far turn, up the inside late but not quite enough. ANDOVERS TOUCH gapped early, backed outside, gained some as the pace slowed. WINNING PRINCESS took a tuck, then was caught in behind the tiring pocketsitter, finally clear nearing midstretch and gained, hard-luck effort. PUERTO RICO landed the pocket, loose throughout and disconnected the last half, faded. DJOKOVIC N left a big early gap in front of THE OTHER TWO, and none of the three ever factored.
TWELFTH RACE – GOLD STAR YODER made the front at the 1/8, yielded before the 3/8 to sit the two-hole, up the Pocono Pike and had a good surge late to catch the heavy favorite SCOOTNROLL. The latter was on the move before the 1/8 to command before the 3/8, dealt with the first-over, but didn’t have enough resilience late. TAIL HOOK sat in, came clear late between horses and finished solidly. WHO’S NEGAN had early speed, moved uncovered before he 5/8 to challenge, did pretty well. BILLY LINCOLN N slid in fifth, then was second-over off turn two, struggled to keep up ¾ then was better mid-far turn and three-wide headstretch, not quite enough. DIVISION BELL and CENTURY ENFORCER were near the back throughout. TREY SURREAL could offer little from third-over.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MAX quarter-moved and set an evenly-rated pace, was tapped once midstretch and stayed safe. FASHION CREDITOR was in front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, proved second-best. MIGHTY SURF took the early pocket, sat in, evenly. MACMORRIS HANOVER spotted fourth past the 1/8, moved out on the far turn, was inside the stretch breaker with some kick. HATIKVAH one-geared raw from just before the half, wasn’t getting to the leader when breaking to midstretch. SQUEE HANOVER never was prominent. INAPERFECTWORLD was second-over but didn’t have enough in the last ¼.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SEEING EYE SINGLE was sixth at the START, but through track geometry and some urging he came through and parked horses, let one go 3/16 and sat the pocket, outside into the lane and quickly drew clear. KJ LEO stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and along for second. IMAROCNROLLEGEND N was three-wide to the 3/16 for the lead in a fast quarter then had to stay rolling to keep a foe parked, saw the outer tiers flatten on the turn but was caught by the two in behind him. TREVOR ONE stayed inside and picked up the rest. A REAL MIRACLE was third-over, three-wide with cover from the 5/8 until before midturn when he had to go four-wide as his cover deteriorated, back to three-wide, couldn’t gain after covering more ground than it may appear. ROCK THREE TIMES never gained contention. MAJOR OFFENSE was looped between horses 3/16 and then was left out in the air, challenged during hard fractions but didn’t have enough in the last ¼. BRANDON HANOVER was very wide early, backed off to fifth 3/16, outside towards turn two, three-wide 5/8 but just clogged the three-wide tier.
Nov 3, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – CROSSFIT was three-wide past the 1/8 and on top to the 5/16, got pressure from a brusher before the half but kept that one outside, stayed safely ahead of the pocketsitting CASH FOR GOLD late. The latter went between horses to the lead to the 3/16, yielded to the winner and stayed tight in the two-hole, outside in the stretch but second-best, though a clear second-best. STRIKING ENCORE was innermost of the leavers and yielded to the 3/16, stayed in, outtrotted by the top two and just saved third over ONE DIRECTION. The latter was outside and picked up his game decidedly in the last 1/8. MR HOUDINI gapped near the back near the half, passed the rest. BOSS DU FOSSE never got close. PILGRIMS TIDE tucked fourth, was on the move before the winner cleared and was raw from the 3/8, challenged, had a right to tire after doing much hard work. NICE STUFF gapped for much of the mile.
SECOND RACE – SNUF ENUF HANOVER was very wide early then settled behind cover, rode that until going three-wide 5/8 to two-wide to the ¾ still off of the leader, but went on determinedly and got a well-earned decision. SENDMETOTHESTARS was out with cover to the 3/8, went three-wide and cleared everybody to the second turn, opened a large lead that she held until early stretch, couldn’t hold off the winner but went a big mile. AMERICAN CHANCE was caught in with all the parked traffic, angled two- and three-wide later on the turn, had late speed. LOUD BRAZILIAN was behind dull cover, three-wide midturn and finished steadily. HELLO TOMMY was the first on top, yielded, shuffled as stuck behind a tired pocketsitter on the far turn, then to the Pocono Pike, but couldn’t build enough speed for a better check. SEARCH LIGHT went on to the lead 3/16, parked the foe behind her, was circled by a sweeper into turn two and gapped that one the rest of the way. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI never got in the main picture. PINEBUSH SWEETIE was three-wide to the first turn, briefly behind cover then left out raw, never could clear and faded. KISSIMMEE BEACH joined the outer tier early but never got close.
THIRD RACE – BELIEVER sat in until the far turn, moved two- then three-wide when the pocketsitter came out, found best strides very late and was up in a four-horse photo. TRICKY DICK sat fourth-in, had the 2-in and 3-in come out late turn and thus had a clear shot up the Pocono Pike, indeed did get a small lead midstretch, outkicked late. FATHER OF IRELAND protected the pocket throughout, outside nearing headstretch, just a bit shy. PREACHER MAN took command and kept a foe parked, was attacked on both sides in the stretch, didn’t miss by that much. WORLD BANK gapped at a couple of points. RARE MUSCLE raced up frontward first turn but found no hole nor ever could make the top, fading before the 5/8. COMMAND THE MARKET fell far back.
FOURTH RACE – THEMYSTERYISOVER was three-deep to turn one then two-wide until tucking third 3/16, gradually got closer down the back, had brief cover then was let raw when the lead changed hands ¾, kept to his task and caught LOU ED ZEPPELIN. The latter took the pocket, gapped then tightened on the leader off the second turn, outside 5/8 to clear at the ¾ and opened his own clear lead on the turn, but came up shy late. BAYONET hustled right to the lead and strung out the field past the half, yielded the lead ¾ but came back in the stretch with some tenacity. TSM BATMAN outpaced HOLY MOMENT for the no-factor fourth. LAGUNA BEACH BOY and SWEET SUCCESS fell far out of it.
FIFTH RACE – HOSTILE moved behind good cover off the second turn, gradually wore down ASTEROID in the last couple steps. The latter tucked early, started uncovered on turn two and grinded, had the lead ¾ but couldn’t cross over, just missed in a good race. TUFF TO BE LINDY went right to the lead, hung a foe almost to the 3/8 before yielding, then shuffled in the pocket much of the turn and until the Pocono Pike, closed well but couldn’t recover enough. DOMINIC DE VIE spotted third, backed out to third-over to the ¾ as the outer tier was proving livelier, finished steadily. SHIPSHAPE HANOVER made an early break but caught pretty quickly, then caught the field, inside on the far turn and got the last check. DAGON HANOVER was looped and pressed on towards the top, finally getting it nearing the 3/8, under pressure from the first-over and tired in the last quarter. BARCIA HANOVER gapped down the backstretch. RIGHT MAN never got a call.
SIXTH RACE – TRUMP THAT went into the pocket when the rail horse showed he wanted to cut it, able to slip outside late backstretch as the gapping second-over appeared to drift out a bit, uncovered ¾ and right by on the turn, drew away. DULL ROAR sat in, was in the pocket late backstretch and managed to escape a shuffle by following the winner several lengths off him on the turn, second-best. GARRETT’S GUIDE was last, passed a lot of horses while four-wide through the last quarter. ADIOS MUCHACHOS and QUAKE BLUE CHIP went evenly in getting the last checks. J M JET SET was very wide early, settled into fourth 3/16, then moved second-over, gapped and may have drifted wide. THISBEACHRGHTHEREA went in third past the 1/8, started first-over at the half and advanced, got the lead at the ¾ but was used up by then. SKYWAY BILLY was behind dull cover, moved three-wide 11/16 but didn’t gain. THORN IN YOUR SIDE left with intent and put up some good numbers, finished once passed ¾.
SEVENTH RACE – COMMANDER PARIS N made the front at the 1/8 in by far the fastest quarter of the race, had a long challenge from the first-over, held him out, then trotted away in the stretch. NEW IDENTITY preserved the pocket early, stayed close behind the backstretch duelers while the others gapped, not in the winner’s league but held for second. PRETTY EDGY tucked third, gapped a bit down the back then got closer, gained on the place horse some late. D’DREAM was mired by excess cover, two-wide off the far turn, went between horses and then dropped inside to photo out PERSEVERANCE for fourth. The latter moved uncovered into turn two and went right up to fight the leader, gave a little ground around the turn, and then a lot in the stretch. ALEXANDER HANOVER found an early spot, then was behind nonadvancing cover and never got in the main battle. TROTTING Z TAM moved second-over but gapped. HOLY KOLY was never prominent. PUMA BLUE CHIP went out three-wide from last ¾ but didn’t gain.
EIGHTH RACE – ALWAYS HOTSPEED was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the top past the 3/16, held off the hard challenge of the first-over and the late Pocono Pike move of MOVE THE LINE. The latter outleft everybody by far, yielded before the ¼ for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, gained incrementally but really did not look like a threat to go by. YER SO BAD, looking a bit hard to handle, moved uncovered 5/8 and went right up to challenge the winner, was held at bay but raced with energy. DANCING MACHINE was second-over, evenly. LOST MY LIGHT sat in, didn’t gain late but was well ahead of the others. PERFECTLY SAID wasn’t heard from. CARDINAL VIEW was way off the gate and way behind. A B COLLINS was a bit off the gate then ran going to turn one.
NINTH RACE – CAPTAIN KRUPNIK left between horses and got command at the ¼, yielded to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, and got by ADAGIO DE LA TOUR a bit more easily than the margin may suggest. The latter pushed out from the pole, yielded but retook right away, had a bunch on his back headstretch, held off all but the one right behind him. MUSCLE STAR moved out behind the parked one before turn two, three-wide from the 11/16, steadily. PHANTOM RUSTY got an early tuck, vacated third-in for a blindswitch before the ¾, ducked in in the lane, wasn’t keeping tight early stretch, then had no clear lane, hard to tell if he had more trot. UNCLE LEO, very wide early, was left uncovered 5/16 and charged up, held on quite well considering the extra real estate covered. KRENTLER HANOVER gapped. AUTEUR HANOVER broke at the half.
TENTH RACE – NOME HANOVER wanted the early lead but was forced to accept the pocket 3/16, back to third-in 5/8 as a sweeper went by, got out just in front of a gapper midturn, wide and finished nicely. SUPER MAC forced the winner to tuck, rated the half, was quickstepped past by a foe 5/8 but stayed up tight, to the Pocono Pike and briefly had the lead back midstretch, won a five-way fight for second. BOLTMAN stayed in, came up the deep Pike with solid pace. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN tucked past the 1/8, got out third-over but couldn’t keep up in the fast third quarter, wide in the lane and had some lick on the end of it. SURFER BEACH was second-over but lost cover past the 5/8, went up to challenge the new leader, held OK. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE had an excess of cover far turn, went to two-wide late turn and followed the winner’s path until he was shut off with pace late. MOONLIGHT SHADOW was not prominent. BEACH FIRE K vacated third before the half and went up with a roar to clear 5/8 while pacing his third quarter in 26.3, but could not sustain in the lane.
ELEVENTH RACE – REALLY A VIRGIN left and took the two-hole, then quarter-moved and strung out the field almost to the 11/16, looked to be in control before midstretch but then needed late rousing to have enough for a foe to either side. SWEETONTHEBEACH had the early lead, yielded for the two-hole trip, found his best strides a little too late. BREAK THE DEAL popped out of fourth 11/16, never got closer to the winner than at the finish. MOSSDALE LOTTEE N was last most of the way, found Pocono Pike clearance and gained a lot of ground in the last 1/16. RT DON’T SPEAK was never a factor. SOMEWHERE NORTH got in third 3/16, empty on the far turn. THE OTHER THREE were outside at a distance.
TWELFTH RACE – CONSUS VICTORY left well to the point at the 1/8, saw two go by, went up the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter pulled out headstretch, just got the nod. SIMPLY VOLO was looped early and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, vacated that spot headstretch, in the fight to the wire. BELLA AVA quarter-moved from fourth and set the pace, tired midstretch. LIONBACKER KIDD was first on top, yielded, angled out when clear midstretch and finished well. YUGE was second-over, gapped late backstretch then got closer, had to go three-wide midturn around the breaker, never entered the main picture. FRAC and CHOCO CHARLIE were near the rear throughout. BUTTER TOFFEE was gapping in last. TOTAL DIVA was out raw on turn two, hit a higher gear 5/8 and battled the leader, appeared to be looking for more when breaking midturn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL went into the two-hole at the 1/8, gapped slightly past the 5/8 and was rocked, hit a better gear and zoomed right by when tipped into the Pocono Pike. KHUN RATHA A started uncovered 3/8 and was on a long grind, did very well to grab second over CAPTAIN MALICIOUS. The latter took early command, rated the half then picked up the pace, didn’t have enough to the wire. DREAM OF LUCK was third-over, three-wide from midturn and finished well. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR had to swing widest and also finished with pace. SURF THE WEB was second-over, blindswitched midturn while gapping some. GOLDEN GESTURE wasn’t keeping up 5/8. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was three-wide to the 1/8 and got in fifth at the ¼, broke early backstretch, caught the field but was in a tough spot.
FOURTEENTH RACE – THATSWHATISAID N was the innermost of three leavers, let them go, moved uncovered 3/8 with urging and cleared before the 5/8, maintained the advantage to the wire for George’s sixth of the day. MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N made the lead between horses at the 1/8, forced a tuck, yielded to the winner’s brush but stayed close and even came back a little bit late. AUDACIOUS WARRIOR was in the early-forming outer tier, went inside late backstretch and came through for the distant third. WARRAWEE TOTAL moved with cover just past the half, three-wide late turn, some on the end of it. MY DELIGHT was three-wide to the 1/8 and then took the two-hole 3/16, struggled from the 11/16. MOTIVE HANOVER was far behind, moved three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t gain enough. ALLIE’S FINALE was outside but never factored. WINDSONG JACK moved with cover but lost it before the 5/8, stopped gaining far turn. ABSOLUTE INTENT gapped early and never featured.
Oct 31, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ARTACHE HANOVER had some early foot and sat third-in, swung out late on the turn and just did catch GUNSLINGER HILL on the money. The latter made the lead to the first turn, yielded to a brusher for the pocket, a bit loose at the ¾ and much of the turn, but accelerated when shown the Pocono Pike, to the lead just before midstretch, unlucky to be caught late. ASCARYONE HANOVER controlled the pace with two moves, clear ¾ but couldn’t make the lead stand up. INTERNET HANOVER sat in, never prominent. SWEET TALKIN SATIN was uncovered early second turn, never made enough progress to be a major danger. LOOKINFORADVENTURE never factored. XPERT BAYAMA was behind the cover of REDHOT ROMEO, swung three-wide midturn when that one didn’t keep up, but himself also didn’t get into the battle. SPECTRUM had lost contact with the field nearing the ¼.
SECOND RACE – ALWAYS BE LUCY was first to show, yielded and stayed third-in, two- and then three-wide late turn, made up a lot of ground late to get the duke. JUSTABITOFCHARM moved uncovered early backstretch and quickly in high gear to get the lead 11/16 and to clear midturn, just failed to hold up. GATORS BEN WINNING was in front at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, came out past midturn, couldn’t regain enough ground. ENGLISH ROSE N had cover to the 1/8 then left raw until the 5/16 for the front, kept the brusher out until midturn, didn’t collapse. AUDI BAYAMA was behind dull cover, three-wide late on the turn and had some late sped to get the last check. BIG BAD BABY was away slowly and never entered the picture. SUN BELLE SLIPPERY could not stay with cover down the back. HOW ABOUT MURPH trailed.
THIRD RACE – ELENIARK A came in 27.3 from fourth in front of the stands to make the lead before the lower turn, turned it into a laugher the last ¼. MARYMACISBACK was last most of the way, had to go four-wide around clogging cover far turn, second-best. RHYME N ROLL was the only leaver in what otherwise was a lineup, yielded past the 3/8 to sit the two-hole, started gapping to the ¾. JERICHO DIVA went out uncovered at the half, soon got cover but it was of little use, went three-wide midturn, didn’t gain much relative to the rest. ROCK N ROLL BABE gapped the first half, inside, blocked far turn, but had little once clear. MELANIE’S FILLY pushed early then yielded, came back out raw 5/8 but didn’t make a dent.
FOURTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN slid and early tuck and kept a hole closed late first turn, moved out off turn two and three-wide 5/8 to two-wide 11/16 to the lead just past the ¾, opened a big advantage and had more than enough to stay clear. MYSTICAL MOTOR forced the ¼ from the rail then yielded, shuffled a bit then outside going midturn and three-deep nearing headstretch, closed very well. LE REVEUR N came out behind the winner, couldn’t match that one’s sharp burst late backstretch and was three-wide first covered then uncovered, to two-wide raw ¾, tired. VICKI ALL sat in, no factor. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE was between horses leaving and needed until the ¼ to clear the pole horse, then kept a challenging foe parked, had the winner charge up late backstretch and couldn’t resist. INNER PEACE and MOOSE MADNESS offered little. EV’S GIRL was three-wide almost to the 3/16, behind cover then uncovered past the ¼, pressed the issue but was left outside, faded.
FIFTH RACE – DAFINATY led from the first step to the last, withstanding LITTLE ADMIRAL. The latter was second-over but was slightly off cover to the ¾ and around the turn, wide and found good strides late to narrow in well. SPECTACULAR ROCK was away well and grabbed the pocket, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t produce enough. NEEDLESS TO SAY was uncovered 11/16 and challenged, couldn’t sustain that move. SMART TALKER gapped inside down the back; SIR JAKE’S Z TAM (who suffered “b.e.”) gapped outside him. BIG CC’S ROCK and WORDSMITH fell far behind.
SIXTH RACE – PRINCE OF MINTO was three-wide towards the 1/8 to the lead, rated quarter two then opened up enough to put the first-over behind him down the back, had enough when that one came again late. O JONNIE was underway before the 3/8 and had reached the leader by the half, challenged then saw he wasn’t going by and tucked in an open pocket, gave it another try in the lane, narrowed in some in a good outing. MANDELA BLUE CHIP was blocked badly in the back of the bus, got room in the Pocono Pike and closed well. ARUBA VACATION settled in third at the 1/8, gapped at the ¾. BUZZEN GARLAND left between horses and got the two-hole at the 1/8, gapped past the half but got tighter late in the backstretch, then ran out of gas. PENNIMAN had dull cover from CAN DO, went three-wide but couldn’t make much headway. APLOMB HANOVER offered little.
SEVENTH RACE – MYSTERY ISLAND went right to the front, rated the half, turned back the first-over then held off the inside move of JAMAICAN COWBOY. The latter had a good two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike, did OK. STONEBRIDGE PROUD was underway from last before the 3/8 and picked up cover heading towards turn two, three-wide midturn, couldn’t get there. STEUBEN GLADIATOR tucked fifth, then backed out to third-over, not bad at the end. SUCHASENSEOFHUMOR gapped inside down the back. NEWS WATCH never got a call. WHOSURPAPA came uncovered towards turn two, pressed the winner, tired.
EIGHTH RACE – REGAL HOPE went to the front and forced tucks, strung the favorite out the length of the frontstretch before taking the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, quickly to the lead midstretch, but had to stay good to hold off the comeback of CARMENS BEST. The latter moved from fourth nearing the ¼ and needed the length of the frontstretch to make the front, was soon passed when the winner had inside room, but was coming back a little at the end. SPORTY REDHOT left and made the early pocket to the 1/8, gapped the top two but way ahead of the others. URBANA BAYAMA was third-over in a dull flow, three-wide 5/8 and got to two-wide at the ¾, flattened out but still beat the others. MAGIC TRICKS didn’t offer very much. AWESUM ACE was three-wide early, in third at the 1/8, came out raw off the second turn but didn’t make a threatening inroad and was looped ¾. THREEHUNDRED WIRTH was not away well and gapped. DELIGHTFUL FASHION was second-over, blindswitched just past the 5/8, never entered the fight. DEVISSER was always in the back.
NINTH RACE – SPECTRE took back to get into the pocket 3/16, sat a great trip as the top two drew away, came out headstretch and easily went by in a good mile. DARTY headed right down the road, kept a foe parked in brisk fractions, second-best tonight. SPOILER ALERT was third-in, couldn’t keep up most of the last half, still a clear third. SCARLETT RAIDER, gapping early, passed tired horses. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was three-wide past the 1/8, briefly had cover then was left out in the air, challenged but couldn’t go by in a fast half, went inside later down the backstretch, salvaged the last check. TURVILLE HANOVER and KANDY KORN both offered very little. ANOTHER BREATH took a midpack tuck, came out at the half and was starting to circle the parked horse when he went offstride before the 5/8.
TENTH RACE – GOLD STAR YODER pushed a leaver early then sat the pocket, gapped in the fast third quarter then tightened in ¾, outside midturn, made the lead early stretch, held off the late charge of NOTWITHOUTAFIGHT. The latter raced third, was strung out like the rest of the field down the back then tighter, three-wide late turn, lost a bit of ground to the winner straightening away, but closed resolutely. SOUTHWIND DREDGE backed off to a 4-tuck 3/16, stayed in, just got third over the tiring JAHAN HANOVER. The latter worked for the lead before the 26.2 quarter, tried to throw a haymaker with a 26.3 third quarter but couldn’t sustain. DIVISION BELL got past the rest. TAIL HOOK moved outside at the half but never got close. CENTURY ENFORCER looked to leave but took back, little late. I’M NO PANSY couldn’t keep pace. EVCO LANE went two-wide but didn’t advance.
ELEVENTH RACE – PERFECT STICK went four-wide 11/16 around dull cover to get to two-wide on the far turn, still had a lot of work to do but finished strongly and went by as the pace slowed. TW LAUXMONT tucked then gapped in the speedy 26.3 opener, moved to the second turn and quickly made the top, opened a big lead until early stretch when others were coming to him, did well to hold off all but the winner. DYNAMIC EDGE made the lead past the 1/8 in a 26.3 opener, slowed the half then soon was passed and gapped the new leader, regained ground as the tempo slackened. BRUTAL STORM did not get away particularly well, stayed in, made up some late ground. DJOKOVIC N went between horses and pushed a horse then yielded in the fast quarter, went to the Pocono Pike and for a brief moment loomed, then appeared to hang. SHIVERED and ANDOVERS TOUCH were never close. ARCHIBALD vacated fourth but never gained a step. TROLLER spotted midpack, had cover then tried to go three-wide around it but could not, broke midturn.
TWELFTH RACE – TALK SHOW CHICA quickly made the front, yielded but retook, had a big fight with PEGGY J from the half, looked to have disposed of that one on the turn but saw her coming back late, held onto the lead. The latter was underway before the 3/8 and was left raw as the winner retook, pressed hard, fell back on the turn but courageously found a renewed life late. SWEET ACE was forwardly-placed, came outside on the turn and moved wide before midstretch, couldn’t quite reach the deuce. ROLL WITH ANGEL tucked, stayed in, a bit in the Pocono Pike late. WINNING WORDS was very wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, made the lead before the ¼, yielded and in the two-hole, struggled the last 3/16. MARTINIQUE BEACH was urged leaving but didn’t offer much speed and tucked in, went second-over but couldn’t stay tight on cover. COURTING MARIE was last, had traffic trouble weaving between horses with some horse. RHODATOLDME did not factor. MADDELLE couldn’t stay with struggling cover.
THIRTEENTH RACE – NEZBLANC inherited the pocket when the outside foe in an early duel broke, stayed close, seemed to have the option of using the Pocono Pike but awaited clearance between horses, got it midstretch and burst right through. PRESIDENT was under a good hold in the slow second quarter then moved uncovered into the backstretch, grinded, got a brief short lead to deep stretch but was caught. LAZER JET moved second-over, gapped a bit then was closer far turn and three-wide off of same, came on. WORTHY OF HONOR was in an early battle when the outside foe broke, backed off the second quarter then sped up again when challenged, not enough late. WINNING GENE stayed flat and got the last check. CELEBRITY MIRACLE was outside leaving and had a small advantage when running 3/16, caught the field, but broke again headstretch. SWEET HEART AS had some early foot but misbehaved before turn one.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ANNABETH was looped and took the pocket at the 1/8, sat the good trip then went to the Pocono Pike, surged late to get the decision. JUSLIKEAQUEEN was in front in short order, rested in quarter two, then came home in 55.4 – 27.4 and still was caught, good outing. PERSISTENT BETTOR finally came out before the 5/8, never pressed the leader but went on steadily. CASIE’S BELIEVER left some, sat third-in, some late. MISS IRISH ROSE A was third-over, widest in the stretch and had pace on the end. BRING ME DIAMONDS was second-over, not a brilliant finish. TRAFFIC JAM was never prominent.
