Oct 31, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Good +1” tracks races 1-5; “fast + 0” thereafter … Temperatures in low 50s … Stretch tailwind at the start … JUST N ACE was under tap urging early and maintained control of the pace, fought off the first-over, a good winner. LOUD SPLASH gapped in last much of the last half, then swung from one- to five-wide into the stretch, still seventh past the start of the pond but flew in the last 1/16. WHATS INTHE ESKY A tucked third, stayed in, went to the deep Pocono Pike and had some pace. BURNING MIDNIGHT moved second-over past the 3/8, three-wide ¾ through the turn, not quite enough. MAJOR DECEPTION finally settled in fourth at the ¼, didn’t stay in there very long before going uncovered before the 3/8, grinded, couldn’t sustain late. BETTOR NOTBITTER A was third-over into turn two, four-wide just past mid-far turn, couldn’t rally enough. VORACITY was away well and got the pocket, to the Pocono Pike but had no gain in the lane.
SECOND RACE – MAYFIELD DUKE was out and moving before the chalk cleared to the lead, went up and grabbed the racetrack into the second turn, opened daylight around the turn while being asked and held it until midstretch, then saw JOHNNY Q narrowing in but held together. The latter was looped leaving, proceeded up to command 5/16, yielded nearing turn two for the pocket, gapped around the turn but cut into the margin with tenacity late. POKERFACE BLUECHIP was third-over, four-wide past midturn as the two- and three-wide tiers were clogged, best of the others. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was in front at the 1/8, yielded 5/16, stayed third-in, evenly. TENACIOUS ONE A slid an early tuck, then went second-over, three-wide ¾ but failed to gain. DAVID THE SAINT was not heard from. FERNADO was too far back. SPANISH ART swung out to four-wide late turn but did not come on. BIG MACH yielded, ran up on the leader and briefly stumbled 3/16, came out behind the winner 3/8 and soon lost that cover, challenged raw, done on the far turn.
THIRD RACE – I GOT THE LOOKS started first-over nearing the 1/2 and grinded into the wind, took the lead headstretch and won nicely. INAPERFECTWORLD got early position but was then shuffled back, moved out third-over past the 5/8, found his best gear midturn and went wide, along for second. UNCLE HANOVER tucked fourth, then came out 5/16 and brushed to command into turn two, set the pace, couldn’t make it stand up the last 3/16. WHIMSICAL CHARACTER quickly got to the lead in a fast opener, yielded into turn two for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not enough response. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT worked up into the pocket, shuffled, surrounded by horses in the stretch while looking to have trot. BILLIE BLUE gapped second-over on the turn and was blindswitched. NATURAL KEMP never featured. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was looped and out three-high 3/16, got to two-wide just past there but then made a break.
FOURTH RACE – IYQ YQR was looped leaving, pressed on to command past the 5/16, continued at a solid clip and held off the field. KEYSTONE STORM started uncovered just before the 3/8, grinded, stayed very game, never closer to the winner than at the wire. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N left quickly to clear to command to the 1/8, pushed the winner a long way before relinquishing for the pocket, had his chance up the inside but couldn’t quite make it. ROCKNROLL CHARM sat in and was shuffled to last, swung widest headstretch and was flying through the last 1/16. OUR ZAK WHITBY A was third-over, three-wide 11/16 and remained in that lane to the wire, steadily but didn’t gain in the lane. POLAK A backed out to fourth-over, followed the three-wide cover, came through between horses late with even pace. BEN ROCKIN was second-over from second-last, blindswitched from the 11/16, didn’t have much response late. ROYAL HEART sat in, to the deep Pike but had little to offer.
FIFTH RACE – HATIKVAH got in the lively tier, three-wide late turn and caught WINE RACK HANOVER at the end. The latter was second-over, briefly uncovered past the 5/8 but had gone into the pocket 11/16, to the Pocono Pike, had a brief short lead but was caught by the closer. GRINDER was third-over in the flow, left uncovered 11/16, fought on well. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK started the outer train 3/8 and blasted right past 5/8, tired a bit. CRAZYCAT went outside as the inside collapsed, ducked back in, went evenly late. RIVER OTTER was between horses early, tucked third 3/16, lost all chance past the 5/8 while in the bad shuffle. GOLDEN SON was innermost of the three leavers, forced a hot quarter before surrendering the lead, then was jammed in the pocket as the main group passed the leader. WISENHEIMER was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide past the fast ¼, finally made the lead, but was out of trot when challenged to the 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – MR VICKTOR took the early pocket, pulled out 3/16 and was given the cold shoulder so retreated to the pocket and waited there snugly, outside headstretch and was the strong horse late. P L ICABOD went to the lead, denied the winner an easy move to the top, went on and set a quick pace, clearly second. MISS MUSCLE gapped down the back, stayed inside and came up the Pocono Pike with some late foot. SILVERMASS VOLO moved uncovered 3/8, never reached the leader in the fast ¾, gave way a bit. UNCLE LEO tucked third 3/16, kept tight until the far turn. KEYSTONE SERGEANT gapped second-over. THE OTHER THREE were always out of the main picture.
SEVENTH RACE – DA DELIGHTFUL was looped leaving, went up at the 1/8 to 3/16 command, put up two sharp fractions then backed off the third a bit as no one challenged hard, withstood ROCK THE TOWN in a “Nap-Nap” finish. The latter went right to the front, yielded for the two-hole, took his shot in the Pocono Pike and came oh-so-close. STONE HANOVER was first-over from sixth towards turn two, grinded up and never stopped trying in a big mile. CASUAL COOL spotted and was well-placed, but didn’t have enough in the last quarter. MACHEASY A stayed in and was blocked, finally clear midstretch and had some late pace. IMAROCNROLLEGEND N was wide early in traffic, finally inside well past the ¼, far back, angled wide, couldn’t gain enough. AFLAME HANOVER gapped second-over. MAJOR OFFENSE badly gapped third-over. WARRAWEE UNIQUE lost contact in the last quarter.
EIGHTH RACE – TWO AM put foes in behind early, then yielded for the pocket, all out in the Pocono Pike to get by MAX deep in the lane. The latter settled for an early tuck then quarter-moved, had to hold out a backstretch challenger and did so, almost lasted to the finish. MY LINDY WINNER was third-over, three-wide early on the far turn and trotted home very well. MR COOL SEAEYRE N was three-wide to the 1/8 and onward to the pocket 3/16, stayed in, had inside clearance but couldn’t make up much ground at crunch time. SQUEE HANOVER spotted, stayed in and was shuffled some, evenly inside late. GRAPPLE HANOVER was second-over, accepted a blindswitch early far turn, not all that much. THE LIONKING AS and MARION GONDOLIER were near the back throughout. BARLEY went uncovered towards the clubhouse bend, rushed up and got a short lead past the 5/8, but couldn’t clear and tired gradually from the ¾.
NINTH RACE – LYONS NIGHT HAWK went on early between horses to the top, had a clear lead the second half of turn one, kept on going at a good clip to keep BUSBOY HANOVER at bay, saw that one tuck at the ½ then got a fresh challenge from IN ROCK WE TRUST, got that one to take the pocket late turn, drew away as much the best. IN ROCK WE TRUST hustled to keep a parked horse outside but finally did concede the pocket at the half, outside raw 5/8, couldn’t keep up his challenge and tucked in the pocket late turn, held on for second over FABRICE HANOVER. The latter was third-over behind a gapper, wide late on the turn and finished very well. RANGERS SURESHOT was wide early, tucked kept an early hole closed, moved out second-over but gapped before the ¾. CALIFORNIA CRUISIN was last much of the way, finished with some jet on the outside. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A was very wide leaving, made a stumblestep into turn one (the kind associated with perhaps running up on a wheel) and took back to tuck, not heard from thereafter. BUSBOY HANOVER left but was out on the limb until finally getting a pocket tuck near the 54.1 half, faded. BRAVO TEX N and IDEAL WHEEL were never prominent.
TENTH RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE showed some speed, moved raw from third near the half and made a successful challenge of the leader to go by to the ¾, won in fast time. VIC’S WINNER headed right down the road, made the winner work to get by him just before a quick ¾, tired but did hold on to the distant second. SOUTHWIND AVENGER had sluggish cover 11/16, three-wide before the ¾ to two-wide past midturn, photoed WARRIOR ONE for third. The latter settled into the pocket 3/16 while off the leader, got closer, then slowly disconnected from the 5/8. NEXTROUNDSONME was never prominent. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT moved out second-over to the half but started gapping 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A had the pocket leaving, slipped out in front of gapping cover as a brusher cleared 5/8, kept grinding and made his way to the lead midstretch. MAC ANOVER went right to the top, set the pace, yielded to a brusher 5/8 but stayed tight, then fought back in the Pocono Pike to get second at 41-1. TREVOR ONE slipped outside past midturn, closed some. THE FIRST STEP was uncovered nearing turn two and soon had the earplugs pulled and was in high gear, went right by the leader 5/8, but could not sustain. KJ LEO was out behind gapping cover, three-wide ¾, couldn’t rally enough. ROCK THREE TIMES moved second-over but was already gapping off turn two.
TWELFTH RACE – DREAMS BEACHBOY was wide early then two-wide just past the ¼ for the top, got pressure from a sweeper who dropped down to two-wide on the turn, was in control of this through the lane. AMERICAN ZEST A was very wide early and soon was taking back for a tuck, moved behind the parked horse at the half and then went three-wide just past the 5/8 to get to two-wide raw just before the ¾, pressured the winner, couldn’t sustain but held very nicely to be second. WAR-N-MUNN defended from the rail and yielded for the pocket past the ¼, Pocono Pike, no gain in the lane. WEONA SIZZLER A was caught inside, did make up some ground. CENTURY CHURCHILL took an early tuck, gapped on the far turn. ALWAYS THE SUN was never in the spotlight. VIRGIN STORM was wide past the 1/8, then took back to follow cover, then was left coverless just past the ¼ and never got past midpack before tiring. JEREMES GENERAL backed outside 11/16 but had nothing to offer. JK MUSICMAN never made a sound.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TWIN B TUFFENUFF made the lead at the 1/8, strung the chalk out some while well in front of the others before yielding for the pocket, sat fairly tight in the third quarter duel, to the Pocono Pike and easily went by. BLOOD LINE got early command, yielded at the 1/8 but came out 3/16 to challenge for and get the lead 5/16, had the first-over join him head-to-head towards the 5/8, shook that one off on the turn, couldn’t stall the winner but a clear second. DEALT A WINNER was second-over, gapped a bit in the fast backside, three-wide far turn and OK for third. REDBANK BLAZE A was uncovered at the half, went his own third split in 26.4 to go head-to-head with the leader for more than half the backstretch, gave way on the turn. MACHIATTO A gapped off the top two before and after the quarter, not much inside late. BAY MEADOWS gapped third-over. STORMONT CZAR A fell back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BETTER B ROLLING got rolling raw 5/8, cleared midturn and drew off. HERE COMES SWIFTY took a forward spot towards turn one, gapped before the ¾ through the turn, then got room in the Pocono Pike and had a good late response for the distant second. LORD WILLOUGHBY N was outside before the 5/8 but was stuck behind dull cover, three-wide midturn and did well in the latter stages. NEWBIE sat the pace with two moves, gave way midturn, faded further in the lane. DAKOTA JACK left well to be on top at the 1/8, yielded and sat the pocket, moved out behind the winner but had little more to give. FOREVER WORTH IT got in gear raw just before the half, would have had good cover second-over if he could have reached it. THE OTHERS never were prominent.
Oct 27, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – CROSSFIT got forward position, then moved just past the quarter to the lead 3/8 and backed off the half, didn’t have much pressure and won easily. MR HOUDINI wanted the early lead, yielded to the brushing favorite for the pocket, held position OK late. MIGHTY SURF was three-wide to the 1/8, then to the early pocket past the 3/16, stayed in, outside late turn but couldn’t go forward. NICE STUFF stayed in and used the Pocono Pike to edge STRIKING ENCORE for fourth. The latter tucked, started to gap ¾. WINNERESS moved raw at the half but never made much progress; nor did MAYFAIR WELL behind him. SORTIE HANOVER was last when making a break before the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was three-wide to the 3/16 to two-wide to the lead soon off turn one, set the pace, showed his superiority in the last quarter. P L MUNSON got away last and joined an outer flow very early, three-wide from third-over just before the 5/8 to uncovered two-wide, photoed out QUAKE BLUE CHIP. The latter pushed the early pace and yielded, looked about all-out the last quarter. DULL ROAR was caught inside, angled wide headstretch and had a bit on the end. LYONS AMUSEMENTS was between horses 3/16 for the lead, yielded, got loose in the pocket ¾. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was not heard from. RISE UP NOW was four-wide early and took back, raced most of the mile uncovered, looped past the 5/8 and faded. IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW had cover from the parked horse, gapped that one down the back. RACE ME VILLA showed very little.
THIRD RACE – BUZZEN GARLAND yielded to the favorite 3/16 and sat the pocket, responded readily when taken to the Pocono Pike and got past the chalk. PHANTOM RUSTY proceeded to command 3/16, set the pace as he pleased, couldn’t finish it out. TROTTING Z TAM left and tucked third at the 1/8, came outside on the turn, was gaining some very late. PERSEVERANCE made up a lot of ground from last in a good outing. HOLY KOLY and SWISS PLATINUM had little to offer. SOUTHWIND STORM gapped out before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – SWISS HOUSE ONFIRE was three-wide just past the 1/8, to two-wide after a breaker, to the lead 3/16, absolutely in control coming home in 56.3. GERARD was innermost of three leavers, got himself a pocket trip, unplugged a bit from past the 5/8, clear second. KEYSTONE THUNDER sat third, couldn’t stay with the pocket horse ¾, well ahead of the others. MR BLUMETTI stayed in well off the top three and was next. S CLASS came out ¾, never reached. TRICKY DICK went uncovered 5/8 but never got in the main picture. JIVE NINETY FIVE left between horses, broke just past the 1/8.
FIFTH RACE – UNDERTAKER got out into third-over, ducked back in on the far turn, went to the deep Pocono Pike and responded alertly to be along in time. MOTIVE HANOVER moved out behind cover later in the backstretch, three-wide late on the turn, did well. MCBOOGITTY yielded for the pocket, then moved to the lead just past the 3/8, set the pace, came up shy late. BRUCE’S MAGIC was forwardly-placed, started uncovered 5/8, never closer to the lead than at the wire. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS went to the early lead, yielded just past the 3/8 for the pocket, to the Pike inside the pacesetter, came up slightly shy, came back with “b.e.” KHUN RATHA A gapped far turn, evenly late. THORN IN YOUR SIDE suffered “b.e.” past the half, never got close. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN made a break w-a-y before the start, had caught the field by the ¼ but never entered the main action.
SIXTH RACE – MEADOWBRANCH RICKY secured the early pocket and rode the golden journey, to the Pocono Pike and worked by DARTY. The latter was quickly on the lead and sat the pace without much pressure, caught only by the pocket rocket. ADAGIO DE LA TOUR was three-wide early but soon backed off into third, came outside 11/16, made up a little ground late. SHOW EM ALL LINDY moved out second-over 11/16 but quickly started to gap, a little better late. ROSE RUN RUDI was behind a gapper on the turn, got the last check. LEAP YEAR LUCKY sat in, couldn’t get into it. COURT’S N SESSION was outside 5/8 but never in the main fight. MUSCLE STAR went up to tuck fourth before the 3/16, broke 5/16.
SEVENTH RACE – RT DON’T SPEAK came out second-over under the wire the first time, wasn’t exactly tight on cover most of the way, but went three-wide past midturn and proved to have the most late. LADYSINGSTHEBLUES tucked just past the 1/8, sat in and was shuffled, swung into the path behind the winner, finished steadily. SNUF ENUF HANOVER moved out of fourth to the ¼ and right to the top, slowed the half, had pressure, caught for second right on the money. SEARCH LIGHT took command early, yielded for the two-hole, not much response late. LOUD BRAZILIAN was behind the winner, four-wide late turn, didn’t generate much gain. AMERICAN CHANCE raced far out of it most of the way, had a bit of pace on the end. HELLO TOMMY left and got the early pocket, inside, struggled at a couple of points. KISSIMMEE BEACH moved raw from midpack near the 3/8, went steadily up to challenge the pacesetter, empty in the later stages. PINEBUSH SWEETIE did not factor in here.
EIGHTH RACE – CELEBRITY ROLEX was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide until getting the lead off turn one, slowed the half then picked it up, then turned in a 28.1 last quarter to defeat these easily. MANHATTANUP NO ICE left, pushed the winner then yielded, stayed close until the ¾, held on to second. ASTEROID showed a touch of speed, outside stretch and edged TUFF TO BE LINDY for third. The latter was between horses then looped and tucked third, little late. HOSTILE never featured. SHIPSHAPE HANOVER was on the move from far back 3/8, never got cover and never really contended. MAJESTIC DEO was already gapping before the ¼. BARCIA HANOVER moved out on turn two, couldn’t reach cover, then broke before midturn.
NINTH RACE – WATER SPORTS TEEN went right to the lead, kept a foe outside to almost the 3/8, yielded but immediately retook, had a two-horse breakaway with the first-over in a fast third quarter, then had MOVE THE LINE charging late but held them both off. The latter was last, rapidly progressed while pacing his last half in the mid-54s, very impressive. YER SO BAD kept the pocket closed early, moved uncovered into the backstretch and pressed the winner very hard, stayed right with him in the lane. ALWAYS HOTSPEED was outside down the back but gapped badly, then found some late pace. MASTERY found no hole on the first turn and needed almost to the 3/8 to clear, yielded right back, started falling back towards the ¾. A B COLLINS was off the gate and never close. PERFECTLY SAID started to lose contact with these before the 5/8.
TENTH RACE – WHO’S NEGAN was underway from third 3/16 to the lead past the 5/16, rolled on at a good clip, opened some space to the ¾ but then saw the contenders come back, resisted SUPER MAC up the inside. The latter took command right away, stretched the winner a bit before yielding, gapped ¾ but got closer on the turn and closer still in the Pocono Pike, good outing. NOME HANOVER tucked second leaving, stayed third-in, slow to come fully clear between horses deep stretch, finished alertly. SURFER BEACH moved 5/8, did well to be not far off some good stock. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN stayed in, was not a major player. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE gapped 5/8, out into the stretch but couldn’t gain enough.
ELEVENTH RACE – REALLY A VIRGIN was three-wide to the first turn then up two-wide, bypassed a 3/16 pocket tuck to go on to 5/16 command, was in control of this one the last 3/8 with a 55.4 last half. SWEETONTHEBEACH was right on top, finally yielded to the winner, wasn’t very tight on him the last 3/8. BREAK THE DEAL was hard to put inside on the first turn, on the move again 3/8 but could only get to side-by-side of the pocket horse, bore out in the lane but tried hard. DOUBLEOFFTHEWALL gapped inside, showed a bit late. DESTINYS CHILD was connected in third, not too much on the end. MOSSDALE LOTTEE N moved second-over at the half, gapped then drifted wide early far turn. IDEAL DANCER never got a call. PRIMROSE was outside but not heard from. SWEETEST IDEAL was caught wide in first turn traffic, never got back into the main action.
TWELFTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN came uncovered at the half and trotted the third panel in 27 to turn up the heat on the leader, beat that one more decisively than the margin may suggest. BELLA AVA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide until making the top past a fast quarter, had the winner range up to challenge her, held very well. CONSUS VICTORY pushed a foe to the ¼ and yielded, stayed connected, not enough late. LIONBACKER KIDD was between horses, took back for the early pocket, struggled the last quarter. CHRISTOPHER CRAZO was second-over at the half, gapped most of the second half. FRAC, not away well, had little to offer. DJOKOVIC N broke briefly after the start, recovered, moved outside but couldn’t gain and retreated back inside.
THIRTEENTH RACE – TRAY SURREAL was three-wide to command just past the 1/8, set the pace, had the first-over get to his wheel but no closer, finished out in 56.3 – 28.1 to hold off LOU ED ZEPPELIN. The latter left between horses and got the pocket, tried the winner up the inside and didn’t come up too far short. BEACH FIRE K tucked, gapped inside down the back, then flashed pace after the decision had come down to the first two. HOLY MOMENT did not feature. BAYONET was underway from last before the quarter, was gaining when a foe came out 3/8 and went on three-wide to not lose momentum, had to go three-wide around turn two and almost to the 5/8 to loop that foe, then went up to the winner, then understandably tired. CHAMP CHARBEL could offer little. BEACHMASTER TWO came out uncovered 3/8, was looped to the 5/8 and was left behind.
FOURTEENTH RACE – VIRGIN STORM was two-wide among four leavers, got the pocket past the 1/8, waited, to the Pocono Pike, got the lead midstretch, just held off TRENTE DEO to his left. The latter was away well, third-in, to the deep Pike, surged at the end and almost made it. MY DELIGHT was second-over, three-wide late turn, raced well to come up just a little short. CENTURY CHURCHILL was three-wide early but took back to tuck, started first-over 3/8 and put a lot of pressure on the leader in a fast third quarter and continuing through the turn, not very far off. AUDACIOUS WARRIOR was third-over, four-wide late turn, a bit too far to come. WARRAWEE IDEAL tried to come between horses in the stretch but didn’t have a clear path. WAR-N-MUNN was four-wide to the first turn to clear to the lead, kept up fast numbers, succumbed late. MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N tried to gain up the inside but was shut off midstretch.
Oct 23, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – REDHOT ROMEO moved into turn two and had excellent cover from the parked horse, left uncovered midturn when that one did clear to the lead, drew safely clear. XPERT BAYAMA was fourth-over, wide headstretch and gained a lot of ground to be a clear second. ASCARYONE HANOVER left and ducked in then kept a hole closed, caught in when the leader tired and was shuffled, to the two-path but didn’t clear, then in midstretch had room to go wider and responded once free. GUNSLINGER HILL wouldn’t yield in the burning first quarter, finally did to the looper 3/8, shuffled when that one tired, quickly went around him and then back in, Pocono Pike, not all that much. ALWAYS B MAGIC was between horses leaving, was denied a hole and then looped to the 3/8 so coverless all the way, actually went to the lead and the inside before midturn, understandably tired after a huge effort. GARRETT’S GUIDE was third-over but couldn’t do much. SWEET TALKIN SATIN was shuffled to last, widest in the lane and had a little on the end. FERNADO was three-wide leaving and in the three-path until finally clearing 3/8 in a scorching early pace, tired ¾ and appeared to be half in the safety lane past midturn to not “stack” those behind him.
SECOND RACE – GATORS BEN WINNING left and defended the pocket, out in a blindswitch ¾ and inside late turn, to the Pocono Pike and responded readily. A WISH FOR WINGS was last, advanced in a two-wide blindswitch on the turn, blocked between horses until just past midstretch, then found a seam and was closing well (into the 1:00 back half). HOW ABOUT MURPH was outside, followed the 5/8 sweeper and stayed out three-wide far turn, just a bit shy. JUSTABITOFCHARM followed three-wide cover, too many to pass late. SUN BELLE SLIPPERY closed a hole past the rapid half, moved two- and then immediately three-wide 5/8, to two-wide past the ¾, flattened a bit. SAPPHIRE HILL gapped early, never entered the fight. ALWAYS B LUCY was stuck raw on the outside in torrid fractions, with the unlucky Buter again parked over 4000 feet and then clearing to the lead early on the turn, again understandably tired. NORTHERN SWIFT kept the lead in hot fractions, tired ¾.
THIRD RACE – DYNAMIC EDGE had the pocket as a leaver broke, quarter-moved, seemed to have this situation well under control. SPOILER ALERT got quickly to the top, yielded for the two-hole, a little loose latter backstretch, held second over PRINCE OF MINTO. The latter was the first to the outer tier and wound up third-over, three-wide far turn, big mile. YUGE went uncovered nearing the half, one-geared it along, OK. O JONNIE was second-over, blindswitched on the far turn, a bit of trot belatedly. WHOUCALNCRAZY did not factor. KANDY KORN sat third, had very little late. TW LAUXMONT was leaving but broke a few steps into the race.
FOURTH RACE – JAMAICAN COWBOY one-geared it up first-over, kept grinding and scored at $51.20 for the first Pocono victory for McGwire Sowers, who was born in the 21st century. MYSTERY ISLAND was out between horses to past the 3/16 to get the lead, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, had his chance but couldn’t quite make it. NEEDLESS TO SAY pushed the pace most of the quarter and yielded, stayed third-in, was weaving for a clear path half of the stretch, then found room inside the winner and closed well. JOE LARRY N CURLY moved out on the far turn and three-wide headstretch, couldn’t quite reach. CARMENS BEST was three-wide most of the ¼ then on top before the 3/8, didn’t have pressure until the far turn, but the early hard trip caught up to him. QUICK ART did not factor. WORDSMITH was off the gate, lost contact the last half, returned with “b.e.”
FIFTH RACE – STOP RESISTIN made the pocket before the 1/8, waited until past the ¾ then moved to challenge, got by CASH FOR GOLD late. The latter had the top fairly easily, rated the second split then picked up the pace, got tired very late. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE was out in the cover flow before the half, three-wide late on the turn and finished steadily. LE REVEUR N moved second-over then was left raw just past the 5/8, stopped gaining far turn. EV’S GIRL was three-wide before turn one, made the 3-hole past the 1/8, came uncovered at the half but had ducked back in the 3-hole 5/8, not much left. MYSTICAL MOTOR was outside and bothered by the breaker off turn one, never got into the main fight. APLOMB HANOVER and NEW IDENTITY never factored. NOBLE PRIZE gapped before breaking off the first turn.
SIXTH RACE – DAFINATY quickly was in front as the only strong leaver, rated the half then may’ve bottomed out all but one with a big third panel, lost ground in the face of the stretch charge of URBANA BAYAMA, but the wire came just in time. The latter defended the pocket to the 3/16, then waited until moving out headstretch, gained inch by inch but needed a few more yards at the end. SIR JAKE’S Z TAM moved second-over, three-wide past midturn, just up for the distant third. DOCBETTS’ SHAMROCK stayed in, gapped a bit, moved into the Pocono Pike but could not quite get to third. BETTER BANGBANG stayed in, little. BIG CC’S ROCK was behind not-so-progressive cover, didn’t fire here. REGAL HOPE was looped, hoped to make the pocket but took back for the 3-spot 3/16, on the move again past the 3/8, gained a little bit raw then fell back.
SEVENTH RACE – WINNING PRINCESS came through early and got the lead, set good fractions for this type and drew off in fast time for the bottom-level trotters. CASA PALMERA gapped at the back of the main field down the back, found room between horses in the stretch and just edged SHIVERED for second. The latter moved out ¾, had to go three-wide when his cover broke towards midturn, OK finish. MANDELA BLUE CHIP was the first horse away but couldn’t go around the winner and accepted the pocket, may’ve been bottomed a bit chasing the fast pace. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN jumped early. WALK THE FLOOR had some gate foot, moved outside ¾ but broke midturn.
EIGHTH RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD was second-over, accelerated when his cover tucked in the pocket ¾, bore out through the stretch to six-wide but still finished in 54.4 to save his backers at 1-20*. SPECTACULAR ROCK made the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half then sprinted home in 55.2 in a bottom claimer, raced very well. ACHILLES BLUE CHIP sat the pocket, loosened from midbackstretch and gave the pocket up 3/4, outside stretch and came back for the very distant third. CHANCELLORCULLEN N started uncovered towards turn two, challenged the leader and got into the pocket ¾, but soon backed off. LITTLE ADMIRAL gapped third-over. HANDS OFF FRANK could offer little. DELIGHTFUL FASHION was very hard to take back on turn one, continued headstrong then broke past the ¼.
NINTH RACE – DOT DOT DOT DASH left, yielded, moved from third off turn two and went by 11/16, all-out to withstand the late inside move of HOT SUMMER KNIGHT. The latter tucked early, then was second-over, retucked in the pocket ¾, to the Pocono Pike, came up just a little short. KEYSTONE SERGEANT gapped in the outer tier, then had some on the end to take third. P L ICABOD was three-wide to the front before the 1/8, strung a foe out almost to the 3/8 before yielding, slipped out after the top two went by down the back, in third on the turn, far late. ANDOVERS TOUCH sat in and was shuffled when the pacesetter gave way before the ¾. ABBIE’S CELTICLASS was three-wide with cover early then two-wide and out in a fast tempo before gaining the lead 3/8, powerless when challenged 11/16. PERFECT STICK was far back when breaking to the 11/16. ARCHIBALD ran 3/16.
TENTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL bypassed a pocket opportunity to press on and get command 5/16, held off the first-over then proved himself the best in this group. SWEET TRUTH sat in third, slow to clear between horses in tight quarters then finished powerfully. DIAMOND HEAD went uncovered off turn two and paced in 27 to put pressure on the leader, held his ground OK. BILLY LINCOLN N went right to the lead, made the winner work until the 5/16 before yielding, well-placed, couldn’t gain late. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was outside on turn two and got cover off that bend, did OK in a 27.1 last quarter. SO MANY ROADS stayed in and was shuffled to last, finished with pace belatedly. LETS HAVE ANOTHER gapped third-over.
ELEVENTH RACE – THE BAND K had the early pocket, stayed third-in, to the pocket again ¾ and then got access to the Pocono Pike, along in plenty of time. LAUGHING EMOJI N was looped and worked up to the front 5/16, had plenty of pressure, couldn’t quite sustain to the finish. ELENIARK A came from far back far turn first with cover then very wide, finished strongly. MELANIE’S FILLY made the lead at the 1/8, yielded 5/16, moved back out 11/16 to fight with the leader, held pretty well. RHYME N ROLL was buried inside, weaved through heavy stretch traffic and gained strongly. ROCK N ROLL BABE was not prominent. MARYMACISBACK had to go three-wide around a dull one past the 5/8 to two-wide 11/16, three-wide midturn, flattened. LOTUS SEELSTER was uncovered going to turn two but showed little.
TWELFTH RACE – CELEBRITY MIRACLE went out in 26.4 to make sure he led, slowed the half, then held together nicely. PEMBROKE YOYO went into the pocket 3/16, tipped into the Pocono Pike but soon went on the run and galloped home, placed last for being in violation of the breaking rules. MAGNIFICENT SEVEN started uncovered 3/8 and grinded steadily, big mile. LAZER JET was behind dull cover, three-wide late turn and finished well. BEERTHIRTY K and STORM PARTY were not major factors. WINNING GENE backed out to be second-over going to the half, gapped cover ¾. HAVANA OOH NANA was out with cover past the 1/8 the first time she went offstride.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SCRAPPIN GOLD was on top going to turn one, turned loose the favorite 3/16 to sit the pocket, outside early stretch and had a very strong last 1/8 to be along in time. JAHAN HANOVER was three-wide to the first curve, on the lead 3/16, slowed at the half, raced strongly but was chased down by the pocket rocket. GOLD STAR YODER was uncovered at the half and paced in 27 down the back to challenge, was rebuffed late turn but still far ahead of the rest. DIVISION BELL gapped at the back down the back, passed tired foes. I’M NO PANSY was second-over but couldn’t keep up ¾. CENTURY ENFORCER had some gate speed, stayed in, empty ¾.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TALK SHOW CHICA yielded and sat just off the early fireworks, then moved 5/16 to the lead past the 3/8, drew clear towards the ¾ and won in a laugher. MARTINIQUE BEACH initially moved second-over on turn two but then went back in, was blocked around the far turn as the pocketsitter fell back and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, just did get second via that path. SOMEBEACHSOMEFRA followed cover from third-over, wide and not bad late. PAIGE’S GIRL was second-over, got tighter then went three-wide ¾ to two-wide on the turn, third in a three-way picture for second. MADDELLE was not in the picture. SWEET ACE made the front then went on to seat a rival in a 26 opener, yielded for the pocket in front of the stands, started getting loose going to the ¾. ENDURING HOPE was never close. STOWAWAY HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8, hung past the 26 opener before tucking, out uncovered before the half, empty before the ¾.
Oct 20, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Low to mid 50s … JUST N ACE made the top early, fought off two separate challenges down the back and through the turn, then held off POLAK A up the inside late. The latter defended the pocket, had his shot up the inside in the stretch, good but second-best. KEYSTONE STEAM was three-wide leaving then to two-wide, backed off and settled third off the first turn, stayed in, evenly late. ROCKNROLL CHARM also hugged the inside, found room between horses midstretch and had a good closing kick. SOMETIMESAWINNER was four-wide towards turn one, then with cover until tucking fifth at the ¼, moved second-over, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide ¾ to challenge, couldn’t sustain. MAYFIELD DUKE was third-over but gapped. ROYAL HEART started uncovered going to the 3/8 and went up to challenge, was swept around at the ¾, struggled thereafter. OUR ZAK WHITBY A tried to go three-wide from a far back fourth-over but couldn’t reach. CENTURY FERRARI took back early, not heard from thereafter.
SECOND RACE – IYQ YQR went right to the lead, kept a challenger parked, then drew away from these in the last quarter in the fast time of 1:50.2. DAVID THE SAINT left between horses and tucked third at the 3/16, sat in, blocked through the turn as the pocket horse faded, to the Pocono Pike and a distant second. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR hustled up early to defend the two-hole, unplugged ¾, just saved third over SPANISH ART. The latter was last inside, gained in the Pike with decent late pace. POKERFACE BLUECHIP moved out behind the parked horse towards turn two, three-wide 11/16 but didn’t gain. INTERNET HANOVER stayed in then angled wide headstretch but didn’t enter the picture even for major minor awards. RUFFLE UP bypassed a 4-hole tuck 3/16 and went up, was one-paced in a gear not fast enough, faded 11/16. STOLEN CAR never factored.
THIRD RACE – GOES DOWN SMOOTH did not want a 3-tuck 3/16 and went on to the lead 3/8, went a 55.4 middle half to open a good-sized lead, then had enough to withstand the late thrust of SYLVESTERAMERICANIT. The latter protected the early pocket, came out 5/8 and went right around the gapping pocketsitter to become a gapping pocketsitter, then in gear in the stretch and tried hard but came up just shy. MY LINDY WINNER was in a dull outer tier, three-wide much of the far turn and made a pretty good rally although far back in third. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE tucked fourth, gapped in quarter two, moved outside 11/16 but never was a major player. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was outside, blindswitched, evenly late. ZOOMING never appeared on the radar. MR COOL SEAEYRE N went right to the top, yielded 3/8 and appeared to get bottomed chasing the fast pace. WISENHEIMER was no factor; neither was GRAPPLE HANOVER, and the latter broke late.
FOURTH RACE – LOUD SPLASH was second-over, gapped from the half until early far turn, moved three-wide midturn but it didn’t look like it’d be his day as VORACITY opened up a big lead, but found a higher gear before midstretch and caught the leader. The latter was parked with cover early then went up 3/16 to 3/8 command, resisted the first-over and opened up some distance late turn, almost held together at 16-1. WHATS INTHE ESKY A was far back, got into the three-wide path behind the winner while blindswitched, gained steadily in his wake. JOHNNY Q wound up third-over, three-wide with cover on the turn, didn’t have the winner’s acceleration early stretch but closed determinedly. BRANDON HANOVER was the first to show, raced inside, shuffled as the pocketsitter gave way, then got to the Pocono Pike, so-so. REAL LUCKY N was not real lucky being blocked inside, clear between horses midstretch and finished with pace. VEGA STAR N was three-deep to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, pushed a foe a like distance before surrendering the lead, started getting loose 5/8. WAGON MASTER stayed close early, uncovered towards turn two and made a good third quarter bid, but then tired.
FIFTH RACE – CROCKETS CULLEN N left innermost of a bunch, emerged with the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and got the nod in a race where the top five were separated by less than a length. PYRO left very wide and took back quickly, then was second-over to the 5/8, wide in the lane and grabbed second in the last step over RODEO ROCK. The latter went into the three-hole past the 1/8, back out raw 5/8 and put hard pressure on the leader, held very nicely fighting to the end. BLOOD LINE was three-wide to the 1/8 en route to quarter command, got a breather in quarter two then sped up, didn’t miss by much. DECLAN SEELSTER was third-over, widest in the stretch and closed well. BRANQUINHO stayed in, appeared to have room deep in the Pike but couldn’t summon enough late. FATHER SARDUCCI disconnected the last half.
SIXTH RACE – GRINDER was three-wide early and looped, briefly had cover then ducked in 3/16, uncovered towards the half and made a big third quarter push to get the lead 11/16, safe from there. SILVERMASS VOLO was third-over behind a so-so second-over, uncovered on the far turn and came home steadily. RIVER OTTER was looped and between horses until getting the pocket 3/16, could vacate same late backstretch and retuck in the new pocket behind the new leader, not enough late. HIGGS BOSON went evenly. SPECTRE was out second-over but gapped his high-speed cover, left raw late backstretch and tucked in third far turn, not much left. UNCLE LEO was inside and gapped at a couple of points, then lost all chance when backed up by the tiring pacesetter. VALLEY OF SIN broke right at the start. CHUCKY DE VIE left four-wide looping opposition to 3/16 command, went to the half in fast time, had no answer when challenged down the back.
SEVENTH RACE – Stretch headwind now in play … MAJOR DECEPTION came on a steady grind from approaching turn two, made the lead midstretch and gamely held off BURNING MIDNIGHT in a “Nap-Nap” finish. The latter tailed his cover very nicely, strong in the lane, just missed. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide to the 1/8, wanted to set the pace but reluctantly took the two-hole near the 26.1 opener, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough rally but edged two closers for third. LACHIE MAGUIRE N was fourth-over, ducked in near headstretch and found a seam through which he gained. SHANE ADAM sat in, moved outside early stretch and also came through a small hole to be moving well late. BRING THE THUNDER was third-over but couldn’t make the main picture. DAAMERICANSKY made the top between horses, refused to surrender before the ¼, set a fast pace, paid the price late. BETTOR NOTBITTER A gapped at the back.
EIGHTH RACE – SQUEE HANOVER was the first on top, shuffled during the lead changes, advanced up the inside as the two-in and three-in both moved outside, got the victory in the Pocono Pike late. SKY CASTLES left and had cover until coming off the first turn, then onward to the lead approaching the next curve, held with gameness. UNCLE HANOVER made the front at the 1/8, yielded, could back out 11/16, gapped on the far turn, then ducked between horses in the stretch and gained in a very tight path. SIMPLY VOLO was uncovered on turn two and trotted a big third panel to pressure the leader, held well. MR VICKTOR was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-high to the front coming off turn one, yielded past the 3/8, angled off the rail and quickly to three-wide headstretch, didn’t have a sharp response. BILLIE BLUE was buried inside, gained some inside as the pace slackened. I GOT THE LOOKS didn’t have good cover, went three-wide ¾, never reached. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP moved outside but gapped. BIG MONEY HONEY trailed.
NINTH RACE – MACHNEASY A was away enough to protect the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and got the lead midstretch, mustered just enough to hold off AFLAME HANOVER. The latter squeezed in third past the 1/8, outside in the stretch, took a couple of crucial seconds for him to find his highest gear then narrowed in rapidly. DREAMS BEACHBOY continued on at a good clip without much serious pressure, couldn’t last the last 1/16. BENSON BOYS N stayed in, found late room in the Pike and did pretty well to be next. FABRICE HANOVER came out second-over, gapped early backstretch then tightened, three-wide midturn, some on the end. BEN ROCKIN stayed in, had little. MAC ANOVER moved outside but never got into the picture. AMERICAN ZEST A lost cover past the 1/8 and was out in the air without threatening the leader before tiring ¾. JK MUSICMAN was no factor here.
TENTH RACE – EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was second-over in a good flow, three-wide swinging for home, finished determinedly and got the nod. ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL went right to the top, saw off the first-over, appeared to have WARRIOR ONE get to even terms inside him midstretch, outtrotted the rival to his left but not to his right. WARRIOR ONE was away well and took the pocket 3/16, as noted went to the Pocono Pike and appeared to rally to even terms midstretch, gave way only fractionally. SCIROCCO ROB started uncovered at the half, challenged, couldn’t quite keep it going. PAPPY GO GO was far back, made up some ground. SAY YOU DO didn’t quite have enough off cover. CROOKED CREEK gapped then broke before the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – THE FIRST STEP drifted out then made the “shake-n-bake” move to the lead at the ¼, looked in total control. CLOUSEAU HANOVER moved first-over towards turn two and paced up sharply early in the backstretch, went 26.4 the third split but never got closer than the leader’s flank, still did well to hold onto second. ANYTHINGFORLOVE A went to the top past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose in the pocket the last 3/8 but OK. DAKOTA JACK got the first call, yielded, moved out with cover midturn, OK. WILD BILL stayed in, went evenly deep in the Pocono Pike. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A never surfaced. PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER moved second-over but immediately started gapping; COLE PORTER N and LINDYTHEFOURTEENTH were outside behind him in the nonflow.
TWELFTH RACE – BROADWAY ATHENA got great cover second-over behind a fast pace, three-wide late turn, strong-closing mare was the best late. SOUTHWIND AVENGER yielded for the early pocket, pulled again raw 9/16 and got to the leader past the 5/8, appeared to have a ½ to ¾ length lead at the ¾ but couldn’t clear on the turn, did forge to the clear lead early stretch, held on very well. TWO AM moved out to fourth-over then three-wide 11/16, couldn’t keep up with the top two but was next in line. MARION GONDOLIER was forwardly-placed early, slipped out third-over 11/16 and was blindswitched, ducked inside then to the Pocono Pike, caught for third. NEXTROUNDSONME was outside midpack until hitting a higher gear 3/16, went up and got the lead past the 3/8, was pressed hard by the first-over from past the 5/8,did well not to let that one cross over far turn, then understandably tired. VIC’S WINNER was off the gate and never factored. MAX was three-wide to the first turn then two-wide past the 1/8 to the lead, yielded past the 3/8, tired in the last ¼. TRUEMASS VOLO broke 50 yards before the start. MAGICAL WINNER K was third-over, couldn’t stay with cover and broke early backstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MAJOR OFFENSE settled in the pocket past the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike and quickly went by the pacesetter, didn’t extend his lead late but did hold on to it. I’M BENICIO A forced tucks and set the pace, rated the half, held off the outer ones but caught by the pocket rocket. SEEING EYE SINGLE finally tucked to the ¼, wasn’t in very long and wound up second-over, gapped to midbackstretch as the pace intensified then narrowed in, three-wide late turn, came on steadily. URBAN RENEWAL was three-wide leaving then tucked third past the 1/8, out raw towards turn two, never looked the leader in the eye but kept his place with courage. BRAVO TEX N sat in, not too much late. BUSBOY HANOVER came between horses with some pace late. LORD WILLOUGHBY A never had a clear path in the stretch but wasn’t climbing up the back of those in front of him. ABSOLUTE INTENT offered little from third-over.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Wind had died down by the finale … STAR COMMANDER N stayed in then backed out fourth-over 5/8, three-wide late turn and four-wide headstretch, still seventh at the start of the pond but finished strongly to win in a blanket finish. JEREMES GENERAL moved from last 5/16 and got to second-over, three-wide turning for home, was never ahead but came home well. NEWBIE put others in behind early, yielded to the quarter-mover for the pocket, Pocono Pike, had the lead midstretch but not quite enough. TRUMP THAT went uncovered going to turn two, challenged hard, made the lead into the stretch, stayed in the fight to the wire. KHUN RATHA A was third-over, blindswitched by the winner late turn, came between horses in tight quarters with pace. ROCK THE NITE quarter-moved and kept rolling along, tired. SOMEBEACH BARON had the early pocket, little late. STIRLING ENSIGN, inside, struggled from the 11/16.
Oct 18, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature in the high 50s and a “good +1” track … MIGHTY SURF drifted outside early then took the three-hole 3/16, moved uncovered 5/8 and went right by the pacesetter early on the turn, drew away. WINNERESS moved with cover, lost it on the turn, just held onto second over MAYFAIR WELL. The latter was third-over, had some belated trot. STRIKING ENCORE sat the pocket, was stuck in when the pacesetter tired, backed out into a blindswitch then recovered a little. NICE STUFF sprinted right out to the lead, got a soft middle half, but still packed it in when challenged ¾. SORTIE HANOVER sat in and was shuffled, moved up past midturn but broke headstretch.
SECOND RACE – WAR-N-MUNN went right to the lead, didn’t get much pressure to the ¾, then gave the backers of him at 1-20* a scare before just holding off 40-1 AUDACIOUS WARRIOR. The latter went second-over off the second turn, three-wide to headstretch and was eating into the winner’s margin with every step. DULL ROAR grinded uncovered from off turn two and gave a good accounting of himself. KG ROCKS got to the pocket at the 1/8, empty in the last 1/8. ADIOS MUCHACHOS got the last check. QUAKE BLUE CHIP was third-over, gapped cover far turn. LOVE YOURSELF tucked third just past the 1/8, started to leave a gap past the 5/8. REUBEN TUNE UPS was away last and never heard from.
THIRD RACE – HUNTING AS started uncovered to the second turn, had “cover” well ahead of her as S CLASS went to the lead late backstretch, steadily progressed before and after being left uncovered again, just up in the last steps for Jenny Melander’s first sulky victory. S CLASS worked up to fourth before the 3/16, uncovered at the half and went by 11/16, held the lead almost to the finish. GERARD was away in the pocket, yielded but immediately retook, didn’t fight the first-over’s move but stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, not far off. KEYSTONE THUNDER kept a hole closed early, shuffled a bit then out behind the winner, OK late. MINEFIELD HANOVER never entered the main picture. I HAVE A DREAM was already gapping by the 3/8. MONTEVIDEO was outside until just off the first curve to make the lead, yielded, struggled the last half.
FOURTH RACE – RANGERS SURESHOT was uncovered towards turn two and went up after the fast half, appeared to duck in the pocket 11/16 for about three steps then went back out and battled the leader, got the lead headstretch and drew away. CAPTAIN NASH had good cover, had to settle for second here ahead of MCBOOGITTY. The latter was also in the advancing flow, went wide and just missed second. P L MUNSON was away last, sat in, then got in gear midturn and swung four-wide, making up stretch ground. RISE UP NOW tucked and kept a hole closed on the first turn, then was shuffled as the pocketsitter backed off 5/8, got out to two-wide then ducked back in, not enough late. MR D’S DRAGON moved outside but never entered the main battle. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS went right to the lead, parked a foe past a 26 quarter, yielded but immediately retook, kept up a fast pace but then could not deal with the closers. NY WHITESOX left, was kept out a very fast 5/16 before making the lead, yielded, tired in the two-hole towards the 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – DE CHIRICO remained outside after being looped early and got in gear past the 3/16 to 3/8 command, kept the first-over at bay then had enough to not let MASTERY get by late. The latter made the front going to the 1/8, pushed the winner a bit before yielding for the pocket and stayed close, found his best steps only after the winner had too large a margin to be overcome. MOVE THE LINE sat well-placed, not enough to go with the top pair but far ahead of the rest. TRICK CARD backed out to third-over 9/16, was behind a gapper and went three-wide mid-far turn, OK. PINEBUSH LIFESAVER moved second-over but was gapping before the ¾. ACUP O JOE HANOVER offered little. NUTTIN BUT PRAISE started uncovered to turn two, paced a fine third quarter of 27 in the off going to reach the leader, but started to back off mid-far turn.
SIXTH RACE – SHIVERED had the pocket and narrowed in on the early runaway before the half, moved out headstretch and trotted away. TURVILLE HANOVER was looped and found no hole so took back to fifth, came out raw just past the 5/8, went on steadily to decision CAPTAIN KRUPNIK for second. The latter was away very quickly and put up early fractions of :27.3 and :56.1 while stringing out most of the field, but then could only come home in 1:02.2, just missing second. PERSEVERANCE got an early spot, gapped from before the half, best of the distant rest. TROTTING Z TAM never reached contention; nor did SWISS PLATINUM. WHAT DA MATTER U was leaving a big hole by the 3/8. HOLY KOLY trailed.
SEVENTH RACE – SURFER BEACH tucked third at the 1/8, followed SUPER MAC out ¾ and was uncovered on the turn, may have won a bit more easily than the margin suggests. The latter came through to sit the pocket, loosely to the 5/8, then in gear nearing the far turn, outside to go around the leader midturn, held gamely. BEACH FIRE K was outside from far back down the backstretch and retucked around sluggish horses, outside far turn, ducked inside in the stretch, good, finished with “b.e.” BAYONET went right to the point, couldn’t hold off the challenger early on the turn, best of the rest. BEACHMASTER TWO moved outside but couldn’t reach. PROM KING stayed connected until the ¾. DOGFIGHT and HOLY MOMENT never entered in the picture. DEO PICASSO spotted 1/8, then was leaving a large hole from not much past the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – DJOKOVIC N was sixth at the START but hustled through to defend the pocket to the 1/8, moved 3/8 to command and continued a quick (for these) pace in the off going, may’ve bottomed out the field, just held on. LEAP YEAR LUCKY slid in fourth behind the early fighters, uncovered 5/8 and grinded, never closer than at the wire. ALEXANDER HANOVER was the first to show but track geometry dictated that he take back to third, to the deep Pocono Pike, evenly in the 31.3 kicker. PRETTY EDGY was between horses to reach the front 3/16, yielded past the 3/8, couldn’t gain in the Pike. THE NEXT THREE were not factors until the far turn, then narrowed in as the tempo slackened considerably. SCIROCCO JAKOB was losing contact by the 3/8.
NINTH RACE – PEGGY J gave a tuck so she could pull late on the first turn, went to the lead to the 3/8, was challenged hard by ROLL WITH AMY later backstretch and through the turn, had more than that foe to the wire. The latter came with a big :27.2 in the third split to argue with the leader, couldn’t quite sustain the move but a good outing nonetheless. SWEETONTHEBEACH yielded, had to check behind the breaker past midturn, recovered to be best of the rest. MISS SURREAL moved out down the back but gapped, around the breaker, evenly. DESTINYS CHILD finally went in a hole 3/16, had to go wide late on the turn around the confusion, couldn’t get closer. PRIMROSE made the lead, yielded to the winner, gapped in the pocket down the back, broke looking for more midturn and was taken to the infield.
TENTH RACE – FULL VIEW gapped off the early three-way battle, in gear towards turn two and uncovered, fought head-to-head with WHO’S NEGAN from just past the 5/8 until just past midstretch, when he finally took a clear lead after pacing a back half in 56 while raw in the off going. The latter left between horses and took the early pocket, then quarter-moved, had heat from the winner from just past midbackstretch, held very gamely until very late. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN had a great trip second-over, took third as not quite enough against the top two. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE was three-wide to the 1/8 then eased back into third, blocked midturn then outside, split horses with some pace. FIND ONE MORE was in a good flow three-wide, not enough at crunch time. BOLTMAN put two outside leavers in behind past the 1/8 then yielded to the winner, unplugged a bit during much of the last ¼. TRAY SURREAL never entered the main picture from fourth-over. MOONLIGHT SHADOW was gapping by the 3/8 and lost touch.
ELEVENTH RACE – TW LAUXMONT was loose on the lead most of the way, had a foe come to each side late but prevailed. YUGE was three-wide to the 1/8 then to the pocket after a foe broke, gapped at varying distances to headstretch, then was gaining very late. PRINCE OF MINTO was buried inside, got to the Pocono Pike and made up a huge amount of ground very quickly. KANDY KORN was forwardly-placed, couldn’t gain late. SHOW EM ALL LINDY moved outside 5/8, evenly as the pace slowed. WAYWARD MAN was looped and between horses going for forward position when breaking nearing the first turn. SCARLETT RAIDER offered little.
TWELFTH RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES maintained the pocket and was tight on the leader, was aided greatly when the first-over couldn’t clear far turn, to the Pocono Pike and finished well to edge STENDAHL HANOVER. The latter came raw out of fifth just past the 3/8, charged up and fought the leader, could get a ¾ length lead ¾ but couldn’t clear around the turn, which gave the winner a chance, just missed. BRUCE’S MAGIC bolted away to 1/8 command, under pressure 5/8 and wouldn’t let the first-over get by him, held well. MOTIVE HANOVER had great second-over cover, wide for the drive, a step shy. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was third-over but couldn’t get into the mix. DRAGON STRIKES raced inside, little late. IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW was last most of the way. HEARTBREAK HILL was looped, took a 4-tuck before the 1/8, not heard from again.
THIRTEENTH RACE – INAPERFECTWORLD beat everyone away, yielded for the pocket, came out in the stretch and had little problem going by RIVER OTTER. The latter quarter-moved from the pocket and set an unpressured pace, clearly second-best. FRAC sat third and just held that spot to the line over MEADOWBRANCH RICKY. The latter moved third-over into the backstretch, went inside on the turn rather than having to try three- or four-wide, finished well. TYMAL TULLO got little help from his cover, went three-deep early on the turn but did not factor. ANOTHER BREATH gapped inside. PHANTOM RUSTY was last most of the way. CRESURREY moved uncovered nearing the second bend, gained a little for a quarter mile and then faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BILBO HANOVER made two moves then yielded for the pocket, looked to be struggling to keep up from midbackstretch into the homestretch, but then came out and caught HIGHRTHANANEAGLE late. The latter was quarter-mover #2, looked to be moving like a winner until near midstretch, then didn’t have enough late brush. GOLDEN GUN was three-wide to the first turn to the lead to the 3/16, saw two go by, looked about all-out the last 5/16. WARRAWEE TOTAL stayed in and was next. CLOUSEAU HANOVER got no help from cover, fanned four-wide in the lane and finished with speed. COLE PORTER N left a bad gap in the early stages, never entered into it. HEREHECOMESAROCKIN was second-over, three-wide when the first-over didn’t gain more but himself soon flattened out. RED DIRT BOOMER moved raw before the 5/8, got closer late backstretch but soon stopped gaining.
