Oct 15, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ASCARYONE HANOVER was three-wide leaving and two-wide to the 1/8, yielded 5/16 but was right back on the retake and strung the field out in fast time. GUNSLINGER HILL was four-wide leaving to three-wide to the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 5/16, yielded for the pocket, neither gained nor lost ground late. CATCH MY SHADOW got around the pole horse by the 1/8, sat third, just a bit off the top two from the 11/16, Pocono Pike, not enough. REDHOT ROMEO had dull cover, three-wide midturn from far back and outclosed the rest. AUTOTUNE HANOVER took back early, moved uncovered 5/8, one-paced. DEVISSER showed early speed, but little thereafter. RUFO never contended.
SECOND RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE PROUD started uncovered 3/8, went his own third quarter in 26.3, had the lead 5/8 but couldn’t clear to the inside until the ¾, drew off. XPERT BAYAMA left between horses and was out until off the first turn, got the lead and slowed the pace, then stepped it up when the challenger came, kept him out to the ¾, maintained a clear second. ALWAYS B MAGIC was three-wide past the 1/8 to a 3-tuck 3/16, appeared to consider coming first-over on the second turn but stayed in, moved outside midturn and was along for the distant third. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was three-wide from far back and did well to outclose the others. REGAL HOPE was quickly on top, pushed past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, started to gap ¾. STERLING ENSIGN and SIR JAKE’S Z TAM never entered the picture. POINTSMAN moved behind the winner 3/8 but was gapping before the half and faded.
THIRD RACE – MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE stayed in when the outer tier formed then backed out third-over towards the 11/16, three-wide midturn, along in the final three strides. EV’S GIRL was out with cover until tucking midpack 3/16, started uncovered to the half and went at it with the leader a long way, put a nose up for a step deep stretch before being overhauled. STOP RESISTIN was three-wide fully to almost the 5/16 and went on to 3/8 command, had the first-over reach him 11/16 and they battled the rest of the way, held the lead a long time in the stretch. VICKI ALL was between horses fighting and made the lead to the 5/16, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose on the far turn but perked up a little in the Pocono Pike. INNER PEACE pushed the three-way early duel and yielded to the 5/16, sat in, angled outside stretch but was behind a wall until very late, with some trot on the end. NOBLE PRIZE took back under a hold, tucked but broke 3/16 and fell w-a-y back, then trotted a last half in 55.3 in a gigantic recovery. ER BEN and SKEEZIX never factored. NEW IDENTITY had good cover but gapped it ¾.
FOURTH RACE – BIG CC’S ROCK did not get away well, followed cover and was left raw to the ¾, had a very big last quarter eating up the necessary ground for victory. SPECTACULAR ROCK gapped the second quarter then got it together and rushed to the lead 5/8, couldn’t hold off the winner but did complete the Flintstones exacta. NEEDLESS TO SAY yielded for the pocket, followed the brusher as the pacesetter collapsed and retucked in the pocket, out for more in the stretch but not quite enough. LUSTY DELIGHT moved out at the half, couldn’t go with the backstretch brusher, gradually got to retuck third late backstretch, not enough late. NEWS WATCH was always far back. BETTER BANGBANG made no moves; returned with “b.e.” QUICK ART was quick early to the lead past the 1/8, slowed quarter two, but fell further and further back after getting passed 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – 54.1, then 59.4 … A WISH FOR WINGS was a gapping eighth at the fast half, then joined the outside flow, four-wide coming off same entering the stretch, just up over SUN BELLE SLIPPERY. The latter was the first to move outside and reached the parked horse, benefited from that one’s great endurance, was left uncovered far turn, made the lead early stretch, just missed. SAPPHIRE HILL backed out to get in the flow ahead of the winner past the 5/8, three-wide late turn, outkicked. HOW ABOUT MURPH just had too much to overcome from last. DAWN SHOOTER was shuffled, then weaved through horses in the last quarter for the last check. ALWAYS B LUCY was three-wide to the 3/16, then briefly had cover, then was left raw 3/8 and battled in hot fractions, actually cleared the pacesetter far turn, held admirably considering her trip. THE BAND K tucked, then was caught in the inside shuffle. NORTHERN SWIFT made the top 3/16, yielded to the retaker, then had nowhere to go when that one folded. MARYMACISBACK set the pace with two moves, faded very badly from past the ¾.
SIXTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER was forwardly-placed, sat in then backed out behind DAFINATY 5/8, was left uncovered far turn when that one cleared, ducked inside of him in the stretch and took his measure easily. DAFINATY was four-wide leaving and took back, started raw to turn two, rushed up down the back and got the lead and the pegs just past the ¾, couldn’t handle the inside charge of the winner but far clear of the rest. ACHILLES BLUE CHIP pushed a fast quarter, yielded and retook and got a breather to the half, fought with the first-over and couldn’t keep that one from going by just past the ¾. HANDS OFF FRANK gapped down the back, outside on the turn, didn’t get close. SPORTY REDHOT was out past a 26.3 opener for the lead, yielded to the retaker, was already gapping before the 5/8. SOUTHERN ALLIE never factored. WORDSMITH tried to follow cover but had nothing.
SEVENTH RACE – BIGBOY ROSCO briefly settled fourth early then quarter-moved to command past the 3/8, went a fast mile for this class and won easily. DARTY darted away to instant command, yielded to the steady early move of the winner, gapped a bit down the back, still a clear second. MOOSE MADNESS started uncovered just before the half, didn’t reach and tucked third midturn, held that spot. MANDELA BLUE CHIP sat in then backed out to second-over but didn’t have much. BIG BILL BREEZE was looped but still got the early pocket pretty easily, in, gapped 11/16. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN couldn’t make up ground. THE LAST THREE were the last three throughout.
EIGHTH RACE – CARMENS BEST went right to the lead, kept a foe parked, went clear early in the backstretch and won in a laugher. MYSTERY ISLAND was three-wide under urging and kept out wide to the 3/16, then two-wide, couldn’t squeeze into the pocket 5/16 and spent life on the rim, very game to get second considering the bad journey. MAGIC TRICKS kept the pocket closed, in tight quarters 5/16 but quickly got straightened away, then started gapping early backstretch. JAMAICAN COWBOY tried to find room between horses in the lane but was blocked. JUSTIFIED stayed in, caught behind the tired pocketsitter, but didn’t gain once clear in the Pocono Pike. CHANCELLORCULLEN N went three-wide 11/16 but could make no impact. DELIGHTFUL FASHION moved outside to turn two, then ducked back in down the back, not a late factor. ASCOT ENCOUNTER A lost contact the last half.
NINTH RACE – HIGGS BOSON moved uncovered 5/8 and started to gain right away, grinded past the leader headstretch and drew away. BUTTER TOFFEE moved out down the back but gapped, then swung wide for the stretch and finished steadily. CELEBRITY MASERATI was looped leaving and got to the pocket 3/16, moved outside behind the winner late turn, evenly. KAFFIR KEMP went right to the lead and set a good pace, powerless at crunch time. HANOVERS BEST had some speed and was forwardly-placed, came out and then three-wide late turn, not enough. WHOUCALNCRAZY gapped. WALK THE FLOOR tried for more speed down the backstretch but couldn’t find it, did back out ¾ but gapped, then broke.
TENTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL was on the move past the 1/8 to the lead in front of the stands, under pressure a long way from the first-over, shook that one off then withstood the pocket rocket challenge of BILLY LINCOLN N. The latter took over at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the two-hole, had his shot in the Pocono Pike, good but not quite enough. TREVOR ONE stayed connected to the front ones, outside headstretch and up for third. LETS HAVE ANOTHER retucked around an early gapper, didn’t enter the main action. JAHAN HANOVER left and yielded, hit high gear quickly when moved uncovered at the half and argued with the winner, saw his bid stall on the turn. TAIL HOOK left a big gap throughout; he and STOP ACTION did not figure in this one.
ELEVENTH RACE – I GOT THE LOOKS moved outside behind cover, retucked in the pocket later backstretch as the pacesetter folded, backed out behind “the new first-over,” and caught that one very late. LAZER JET sat in at the half then backed out to follow the lively flow, kept on going raw ¾ and had the lead most of the stretch at 47-1, just caught. PEMBROKE YOYO gapped behind the early runaway, shuffled 5/8 then squeezed out late backstretch, made up a lot of ground in a bad-luck outing. ISLAND LILY tucked third at the 1/8, came with a rush early backstretch and sailed right past the leader, tired in the stretch. OLYMPIC GLORY never entered the picture. HAVANA OOH NANA broke before the ¼. WINNING GENE moved outside but couldn’t keep up. CUPID HANOVER was a runaway through the first half, then packed it in 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – SHOULDABEENATD left, took the pocket at the 1/8 and sat behind fast fractions, came out in the lane and paced right by JUSLIKEAQUEEN in a fast mile. The latter wanted to cut the pace and set fast fractions, couldn’t sustain in the lane. PERSISTENT BETTOR sat midpack, moved outside far turn and along for a no-factor third. SANTA CRUZA A stayed inside, did not offer a challenge. CASIE’S BELIEVER moved out down the back but couldn’t get close, fair late. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N moved uncovered 11/16 but did not gain before falling back. GLENFERRIE BRONTE N left but took back to sixth late in the first quarter, not heard from again. THE PARTY’S ROCKIN gapped at a couple of points. FAITHFUL DESIRE was last at every call.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WARRAWEE VELOCE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-deep to 3/16 command, rated the half then was flicked at to increase the tempo as the first-over put in a big challenge, disposed of that one, had SO MANY ROADS come up the Pocono Pike and actually take a short lead past midstretch, but fought back and got the nod. The latter left between horses to the lead at the 1/8 then yielded for the pocket, gapped a little near the ¾ but then tightened in, as noted to the Pike and got a small lead, but couldn’t maintain it. GOLD STAR YODER streaked up in 26.4 down the back to fight the leader from the 11/16 and around much of the turn, then faded while bearing out. DIVISION BELL was badly boxed well off the top three, finished nicely once clear in the Pike. REDDING HANOVER gapped outside 11/16; SAINT GEORGE Z, who had shown speed, gapped inside at that same point. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE didn’t have the speed to enter the main argument.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MR HOUDINI was looped early, attempted to settle in the pocket at the 1/8 but was headstrong, finally wrestled in, to the Pocono Pike and had enough. PERFECT STICK was uncovered from third-last 3/8, grinded very steadily. DOT DOT DOT DASH sat in, was blocked upper stretch then found room in very tight quarters late and finished with trot. DYNAMIC EDGE went right to the lead, set the pace as desired, still not enough. KEYSTONE SERGEANT advanced second-over then gapped far turn. GLIDE IN THE WIND was never prominent. SUPER MANNING gapped cover third-over.
Oct 15, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … JUST N ACE sat the two-hole, came out in the stretch and wore down SOMETIMESAWINNER. The latter was out strongly for the rail, picked up the pace down the backstretch to keep out a charging first-over, couldn’t handle the winner but did preserve second over ROYAL HEART. The latter sat third-in, to the Pocono Pike and found his best strides a bit too late. KEYSTONE STEAM backed out to third-over 5/8, three-wide late on the turn and best of the rest. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN came steadily up the inside for the last check. MAYFIELD DUKE pulled early to follow cover but gapped it. ROCKNROLL CHARM never settled in, went up and got cover but gapped it 5/8. POLAK A tucked early, moved uncovered to the half and sprinted up in 26.2 down the back to challenge hard, but tired midturn. RUNHAPPY TEN never factored.
SECOND RACE – MARION GONDOLIER took advantage of track geometry to get the lead and kept it throughout, well-clear at the end. WISENHEIMER was ahead between horses early but couldn’t clear to the lead and took back for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike. LINDSEY’S PRIDE was three-wide most of the 3/16 before tucking third, outside before late turn, wasn’t gaining late. JOEY PRO was second-over 3/8, moved three-wide to the ¾ well behind the top three and had a good last quarter. THE NEXT THREE never factored. MY LINDY WINNER broke at the 1/8, caught back on fairly quickly and went up uncovered, never headed the third-in horse before tiring.
THIRD RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT got underway early and fronted this field coast-to-coast, with no one able to stay with him in a 1:49.3 mile. DEALT A WINNER moved behind the parked horse to turn two, three-wide before the ¾, along for the distant second. IN SPADES backed off and rode in the pocket, started to gap at the half. BURNING MIDNIGHT passed tired horses. THE FIRST STEP was three-wide 3/16 then had to race two-wide through monstrous fractions, faded. I’M BENICIO A was underway early but could do little. MIGHTY MR SHARKEY N was outside leaving, went into his own hole at the ¼, was fading before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – IYQ YQR made the front and forced a tuck, pushed the favorite most of the length of the frontstretch before yielding and sitting the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and gradually got the upper hand in the two-horse battle to the wire. STICK WITH CRAMER tucked fourth, moved 5/16 and went his middle half in 55.2 in clearing to the lead into the wind and then rolling down the back, game but second-best today. DAVID THE SAINT got the two-hole early, stayed in, just third, well off the leaders, over SPANISH ART. The latter moved behind the brusher then was left raw at the half, couldn’t reach, fair late. BUSBOY HANOVER took an inner route to the last check. BEACH PRO did not have great cover, not all that much. INTERNET HANOVER and THORN IN YOUR SIDE were not prominent. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was away third, started gapping 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – SYLVESTERAMERICAIT was given his head by The Trot Man and set a very fast pace, tiring from early stretch but had opened too much of a lead to be overcome. ICINGON DE CUPCAKE tucked fifth 3/16, suffered “b.e.” after the ¼, came out in the stretch and kept gaining but couldn’t reach. CRAZYCAT inherited the pocket after the 3/4 breaker, Pocono Pike, OK. UNCLE LEO and ZOOMING had a little late from far off the pace. CASINO CUTIE IT was outside on turn two, three-wide early backstretch around the parked horse but didn’t factor. SQUEE HANOVER left, found no hole and drifted outside, no factor the last 3/8. BELLA AVA raced into the pocket, had cut an 8-length lead in half by the ¾, but went offstride just past that spot.
SIXTH RACE – SHANE ADAM was third-over behind gapping cover, made a big move 11/16 to get into contention, found better strides past midstretch and was along in time. VORACITY pushed a foe then yielded but was quick on the retake, then kept another challenger out, opened a brief clear lead after resisting all challenges to midstretch in a fast tempo, couldn’t stave off the winner. MAJOR DECEPTION moved uncovered 3/8 but never could clear, fought with the winner, ducked inside headstretch as the pocket horse faded, kept at his task gamely. WAGON MASTER was out second-over but gapped and was blindswitched, then backed out behind the winner, gained a little late. REAL LUCKY N tucked fourth 3/16, sat in, was shuffled as the pocketsitter tired, moved two-wide but couldn’t gain late. JINS SHARK also was shuffled, moved three-wide, had a touch of pace at the end. SHADY CITY gapped in last. CLASS SIX was urged leaving, out most of a quick quarter for the lead, yielded and sat behind duelers, little left for the last panel.
SEVENTH RACE – HASHTAGMADEYALOOK tucked fourth at the 1/8, started raw just past the half, cleared by the ¾ and was an easy winner. P L ICABOD pushed a quick quarter and yielded for the two-hole, backed out behind the winner ¾ and soon was uncovered, steadily. MYSTICAL WYNN was three-deep to turn one then in sixth before the ¼, moved second-over behind the winner but gapped letting the place horse out, did better in the last stanza. O JONNIE gapped third-over, best of the rest. JACK RULES was last much of the way, didn’t have much chance. SMOOTH ACCELERATION challenged for the early lead and finally got it coming off the first bend, got pressure from the winner from early backstretch, yielded ¾ and faded. LIONBACKER KIDD and CHRISTOPHER CRAZO could not get into contention after inside trips. ANDOVERS TOUCH was near the back throughout.
EIGHTH RACE – MAC ANOVER used the rail to maximum effect, forcing tucks then letting a foe go at the ¼ to sit the pocket and keep it closed, appeared to start edging out midturn but went back in, to the Pocono Pike, quickly to the lead, had the wire come just in time. STAR COMMANDER N sat in until late on the turn, angled wide and came barreling home, a winner two steps past the wire. ITSONLYROCKNROLL A diagonaled behind the four early battlers and slid in fourth, deep in the Pike, not quite enough late. PHOTOBOMBR HANOVER was two-wide in the warring foursome early, made the lead at the ¼, got no pressure although going on at a good clip, not enough late. WILD BILL was four-wide to the 1/8, backed off and tucked fifth, outside late turn but couldn’t gain enough. URBAN RENEWAL was three-wide to the 3/16, then two-wide and soon uncovered, didn’t have enough to press the pacesetter before fading. THE LAST TWO were never close.
NINTH RACE – MR COOL SEAEYRE N was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to command near the ¼, yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got an advantage midstretch but didn’t extend it by much over a game VALLEY OF SIN. The latter made two speed moves, rated the half, held very stubbornly late. SPECTRE was blocked inside, came clear deep in the Pike late and finished strongly. CHUCKY DE VIE went to the early lead, pushed then yielded, sat third-in, not too much late. BILLIE BLUE gapped second-over, with SILVERMASS VOLO on his back; both gained some while wide late. ARCHIBALD was not heard from. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT moved uncovered towards turn two and trotted a strong third quarter to press the pace, but then gave way. TECH TITAN was a bit off the gate and never close.
TENTH RACE – MUSCLE M UP was forwardly-placed early, uncovered before the 5/8 and battled the leader from the 11/16 onward, got the lead ¾ but couldn’t clear inside, but then proceeded on and defeated these. SCIROCCO ROB stayed in, angled wide headstretch and was flying late to grab second over a pair. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was looped while three-wide, went on up and finally made the point 3/8, under intense pressure, tired a bit. ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL flew around everybody early, pushed the chalk then yielded 3/8 for the pocket, wasn’t keeping up the last ¼. ARABELLA’S CADET briefly steadied when a foe made a break 3/16, then third-over, not a major factor. NO DRAMA PLEASE caused none today. CROOKED CREEK broke midpack 3/16. RICH AND MISERABLE was second-over, gapped the winner’s cover then broke 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL was on the bit early, moved at the half and paced in 26.1 wind-aided down the back to clear at the ¾, went on to the wire to ensure the victory. JOESSTAR OF MIA A moved second-over but couldn’t stay with the winner’s brush, uncovered on the turn, never gave up the fight. PRINCE OF TIDES was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 5/16 to reach the top, didn’t have the speed to keep the winner out ¾ but kept on digging to the wire in the Pocono Pike. CROCKETS CULLEN N left hard from the rail and wouldn’t yield until the 5/16, pocket, backed out of same on the turn after the winner went by, so-so. LAKE CHARLES sat in, gapped, never prominent. J M MANDAMIN gapped third-over. THE OTHER PAIR could not reach contention.
TWELFTH RACE – TWIN B TUFFENUFF pushed a foe past a 26 opener, yielded but immediately retook, went on in fast splits, shook off the first-over headstretch then was able to hang on over RODEO ROCK. The latter was second-over but gapped until the far turn, wide and narrowing in with every step. AMERICAN ZEST A left, then was first-over 5/8, challenged very hard on the far turn, but couldn’t sustain that move. TALBOTCREEKWHISKEY was parked well past a 26 opener to get the lead, yielded to the retaking winner, couldn’t summon enough response late. BRANQUINHO backed off to tuck before the 1/8, not heard from thereafter. HEAVEN’S GAIT had too far to come. FATHER SARDUCCI was not a factor.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WINNING LEGENDS yielded for the pocket, popped out 11/16 and went right to the lead, had two lengths midstretch, then just had enough to avoid being caught by BROADWAY ATHENA. BROADWAY ATHENA came uncovered at the 5/8, briefly three-wide 11/16 to not lose momentum as the winner came out, uncovered on the turn, didn’t keep up early stretch, then was steadily shrinking the margin. TRUEMASS VOLO backed outside, gapped, distant third. TWO AM sat in, was shuffled but never recovered significant ground. MISS MCKEE was in front past the 1/8 and set the pace, all done when challenged ¾. GOES DOWN SMOOTH made a break nearing the 3/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WEONA SIZZLER A was away third, quarter-moved, went 26.4 down the back so that favored first-over couldn’t reach, stayed safe. MACHIATTO A left with high speed from the pole and forced tucks, yielded to the winner, kept close the rest of the way but couldn’t make up late ground. WHATS INTHE ESKY A tucked fifth 3/16, gapped down the back in the fast split, then found better steps, cleared between horses very late and finished well. MAJOR OFFENSE stayed connected, backed out late on the far turn, could not make an impact. SEMI TOUGH went in fourth 3/16, moved uncovered to the half, paced his own third quarter in 26.1 but still couldn’t reach the leader, faded some. LORD WILLOUGHBY gapped second-over. THE OTHERS couldn’t gain into a 55.2 back half.
Oct 13, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind, with occasional gusts … FULL VIEW was in the outer flow two- and three-wide, went four-wide midturn and circled everybody to draw off easily. LOU’S SWEETREVENGE made the lead, kept an early challenger parked, kept a sweeper parked to the ¾ through the turn, held for second. FIND ONE MORE yielded for the pocket and kept it closed, stayed close for third. MOONLIGHT SHADOW was outside, followed the first sweeper then was left three-wide raw to the ¾ and through the turn, fair. DEO PICASSO stayed in and left a gap off the early fight, never in the main picture. SUPER MAC broke well before the start, caught the field but never contended. BOLTMAN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide with cover to a midpack tuck, came out at the half and was three-wide before the 5/8, to two-wide before the ¾, but the hard trip tired him late. BEACHMASTER TWO gapped. DOGFIGHT went up to challenge for the lead but got the cold shoulder, fought on until almost the ¾ before fading.
SECOND RACE – TRICKY DICK, prepping for a stake in three days’ time, got away fourth as there were four early breakers, made one move off the second turn and made the lead by the end of the backstretch, no problem. TRAIN was innermost of three horses behind the leader, yielded to the middle one after the wide one and the leader broke, shuffled a little far turn then to the Pocono Pike and had some trot. VINCENTI backed out to follow the winner ¾, lost that cover, so-so. DAGON HANOVER was between horses much of the ¼ after being looped, finally claimed the top, couldn’t resist the winner ¾ and tired. GRANT HALL was leaving when breaking, caught the field rather quickly but broke again at the half. CIRCUIT PARTY left and was looped, three-wide 1/8 then taking back for a hole but broke. MY SON TY HANOVER broke 3/16. BANKSTER jumped well before the start.
THIRD RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES got a great second-over trip, looked full of pace when tipped three-wide midturn, came home in 27.3 and ran down ABSOLUTE INTENT midpond at 22-1. The latter headed down the road, got a breather to the half, then had to pick up the pace, good but couldn’t keep the winner at bay. THEFREEDOMFIGHTERN took the pocket and stayed close, couldn’t gain in the Pocono Pike late (in a fast last quarter). IWILLMAKEYOUSAYWOW started uncovered to turn two and steadily gained until late turn. AUDACIOUS WARRIOR never entered the main mix. DULL ROAR got in third at the 3/16, looked about all-out to keep up from the half. THISBEACHRGHTHEREA broke going to the first turn, recovered and was third-over, gapped midturn. RACE ME VILLA fell back.
FOURTH RACE – NINETEEN CRIMES left, yielded, moved to the lead to the 3/8 as the horse yielding the lead broke, had ANNA BOLENA make a good challenge but left her behind with a 28.1 last quarter in a 2YO nw2 trot. The latter moved raw past the 5/8, reached the leader ¾ and gave her some competition while those two drew away, second-best. DIFFIDENT started raw at the half, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t go with it, ducked inside and was third. CHEESY HANOVER made the lead at the 1/8, yielded, went back up to the pocket as a rival broke, tired ¾. BELAIR BEAUTY was outside but never got close. MOODY BLUE was gapping by the half. PRAIRIE TRINKET broke early in the backstretch before the start. EVIL EMPRESS gradually ranged up to the lead off the first turn, broke yielding to the winner.
FIFTH RACE – KYUQUOT moved strongly at the half and challenged, fell back slightly into the stretch and saw the Pocono Pike horse get a stretch lead, but surged on by late under confident handling. MOVE THE LINE left, was battling with an outside challenger when that one broke past the 1/8, yielded to a 3/8 rusher for the pocket, as noted to the Pike and got a short lead, could not sustain. MASTERY left well and had a slight lead but wasn’t clear when breaking before the 3/16, quickly settled and went into a gaping pocket, then moved to the front 3/8, did well considering the break. SEXY BLUE CHIP had good cover second-over but didn’t have the needed late punch. ACUP O JOE HANOVER was not prominent; nor was NUTTIN BUT FINESSE. HARD ROCK HULK gapped at a couple of points, backed out ¾ and then three-wide but had little. LOST MY LIGHT was near the back throughout.
SIXTH RACE – GHOST PEPPER went uncovered towards turn two and went a big third quarter to get the lead, opened up an insurmountable advantage. BELIEVER circled everybody early to the top, yielded at the ¼, was locked in all the way around the final turn, finally got to the Pocono Pike and had steady late trot as clearly second-best. TUFF TO BE LINDY settled third early, stayed in, shuffled, then out two-wide midturn and three-wide late turn, beat out the others for the very distant third. CHURCH SOUT gapped early, didn’t really factor. NONPAREILCHECKMATE was looped and out to the quarter for the top, drastically slowed quarter two, then couldn’t keep the winner out to the ¾ and backed up the inner tier. BRITISH BULLDOG came out second-over but gapped. HIT THE BOARD came out third-over but had little and was soon back inside. HOSTILE looked as if he wanted to try for early position but broke right at the start. KUSCHEL HANOVER was off the gate and fell way back the last quarter.
SEVENTH RACE – SOCIETY JILL was three-wide to the top to the first turn, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside stretch, another who was briefly passed by a Pocono Pike horse but kept at it and got the win. IDEAL HANNAH was looped leaving, worked up to the pocket nearing the ¼, caught inside, clear as the winner pulled out, to the Pike and had a good burst to get a short lead but couldn’t sustain it to the wire. SNUF ENUF HANOVER moved at the ¼, in gear 5/16 to the lead 3/8, dealt with backstretch pressure continuing to midturn, didn’t come up shy by much but caught to both sides. LADYSINGSTHEBLUES was far back with cover, three-wide covered far turn, wider in the lane and had a big rush. FOOL’S MATE was outside, ducked in before the ¾ bothering HELLO TOMMY, stayed inside, evenly, placed for interference. EMORI HANOVER joined the outer flow and wound up second-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. CHILI PEPPER moved outside from seventh 3/16, had cover to the 3/8 then left raw, challenged, tired. HELLO TOMMY was forwardly-positioned early, gapped, then was bothered before the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – FOCUS POCUS tucked third, out in front of the stands and went by the first brusher after the 3/8, got a huge lead as the pocket horse stopped then saw the others catch up towards the fast 3/4, had a challenger on the far turn but held him safe late. HUNTING AS got going raw at the half, retucked in the pocket midbackstretch and tightened on the winner, outside far turn and got close, but had no more gain left in him. GERARD went right to the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, retucked around one of them late backstretch, steadily. THE NEXT THREE never really entered the picture. NOW LOOK AT HERE had the early pocket, brushed to the lead to the 3/8 then yielded, got to the half in 57.1 but then kept slowing. LOVING LIFE had very little.
NINTH RACE – FLIRTY FORTY was three-wide 3/16 to the lead off the first bend, rated the half, sped up, then left these behind in the last quarter. PEGGY J was uncovered from second-last just past the 3/8, passed many horses when pacing her third quarter in 27 raw, couldn’t go with the winner but an impressive second. SPIRIT’S DELIGHT backed out to follow great cover, gapped it a little down the back, three-wide late turn, drifted very wide in the stretch but gained some. SPECIAL ACHIEVER was shuffled, found clearance between horses late and was the distant fourth ahead of a bunch. KENDALL’S COUSIN left between horses and tucked third, struggled the last half. SWEETONTHEBEACH and AVAYA HANOVER were too far back in the two-wide tier. IDEAL DANCER pushed the early action from the rail and yielded to sit the pocket, came up empty late.
TENTH RACE – PILGRIMS TIDE forced an early challenger to tuck then went on to keep an outside challenger parked, drew clear at the half and was never in any danger. STRIKING ENCORE actually showed ahead of the winner for a couple of early steps but then submitted to track geometry and took the pocket, disconnected at the half but still went on enough to be the distant second. MAYFAIR WELL sat in, outside in the stretch but couldn’t gain enough for place. INAPERFECTWORLD was in a different time zone as last at the ¾, but followed three-wide cover on the turn, went wider in the stretch, then missed second by only a length – better mile than it may look. MYSTICAL MOTOR was outside behind the two fading parked horses and was three-wide without cover on the turn, OK but outkicked for fourth. SORTIE HANOVER (gapping much of the way) and CRITICAL MASS were never prominent. CROSSFIT had early cover then went frontward raw but didn’t have enough speed and was left outside, broke headstretch. MAGIC VACATION slid an 1/8 tuck, then moved out with cover into turn two, faded before the parked-the-mile horse did, broke in the stretch, returned with “b.e.”
ELEVENTH RACE – MISTER DAYTONA N was three-wide before the 1/8 to the lead before the ¼, rated quarter two then accelerated to meet the first-over, with those two joined by a Pocono Piker, stayed in front in a good effort. CLOUSEAU HANOVER tucked fourth at the 1/8, revved up uncovered on turn two and paced a third split in 26.3 (those “gusting winds” picked up for this race) to challenge, kept up trying very hard, big mile. TRENTE DEO went away strongly, yielded to the ¼, waited for the Pike, a step shy. WARRAWEE IDEAL was second-over, fell back a bit the last quarter. DRAGON STRIKES swung wide headstretch, too far to come to contend. HOW ARE YEE JOHN was between horses early then tucked in, looked to be all-out most of the last half. SAINT GEORGE P gapped at the back throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – A wild and woolly affair – with a 32.1 last quarter, conducive to 48-1 shots beating 77-1 shots … FRAC took back early and was shuffled to last, was out with cover far turn all the way to four-wide late turn, went wider and caught tired stock in the shadow of the wire. KANDY KORN joined the outside tier, four-wide midturn, never had the lead but won a three-way photo for second in the late slowdown. BIGBOY ROSCO moved outside then was soon three-wide 9/16, in the three-path the duration, right with the top ones. TW LAUXMONT had cover early, lost it then got new cover, three-wide 5/16 to try to clear, back to two-wide and finally made the lead and the inside 5/8 after tremendously-hard usage, to his credit stayed as close as he did to the wire. PRETTY EDGY was in the outer tiers, came inside in the stretch, blocked upper stretch then ducked further inside, fair. ALEXANDER HANOVER sat in, was blocked in the stretch. DJOKOVIC N was three-wide 3/16 when taking bad steps and bearing wide, briefly four-wide past the 1/8 then two–wide off cover, left uncovered down the back, didn’t get close again but kept the wide horses wide. KAFFIR KEMP tucked from between horses, moved at the ¼ but was denied the lead and retreated to the pocket past the 3/8, shuffled behind the tired pocketsitter, inside but not much late. BUZZEN GARLAND was the innermost leaver, denied a quarter-mover then kept another challenger out to the 5/8, yielded and gapped from there.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A looked at leaving but took back, came uncovered nearing turn two and had the lead soon off that bend, threw a 27 knockout punch down the back and won easily. STENDAHL HANOVER was behind so-so cover, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide raw ¾, just held for second, with five horses within a half-length. MCBOOGITTY pushed foes early, yielded 5/16, sat in, gapped far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and made a bit of a recovery. GINGER TREE MARTY gapped cover down the back, three-wide late turn, finished nicely. ARTMAGIC was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide 5/16 to get the lead, yielded past the half and immediately began to gradually lose ground. RISE UP NOW moved behind the winner but then was left raw, one-paced. VODKA ON THE BEACH never factored. WILDCAT HILTON left but took back, no factor. JAGGER ROCKS was last at every call.
FOURTEENTH RACE – GOLDEN SON was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead past the 3/16, got a breather in quarter two, continued on and stayed good to the wire. RIVER OTTER was between horses to the 1/8, then yielded for the pocket, outside stretch, gained a little bit. PHANTOM RUSTY pushed the 1/8 and yielded, sat in, Pocono Pike, fair. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY got in fourth to the 3/16, moved uncovered at the half, got to almost the leader’s wheel midturn then tired some. ALEXANDRIA HANOVER was third-over, four-wide headstretch and closed well belatedly. SHIVERED stayed inside, gapped. CRESURREY was second-over, three-wide past midturn, no gain late. THE LAST TWO gapped at the back.
Oct 8, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – FERNADO was the first to show and had crossed over before the first turn, went coast-to-coast and spurted clear late. ALWAYS B MAGIC was four-wide early, to two-wide to the pocket before the ¼, gained a little in the Pocono Pike towards midstretch then flattened slightly. REGAL HOPE sat third, started gapping a bit before the 5/8, still held the distant third. QUAKE BLUE CHIP advanced inside, fair late. BIG MACH came out down the back then was soon three-deep around stalling cover, to two-wide far turn but could make no further headway. SKYWAY BILLY never factored. AMERICA FIRST was outside midpack, with cover to the ¼ then raw, tiring to the ¾. THE OTHERS were never in the picture.
SECOND RACE – SHES SPORTY A left strongly and had looped her quick starting opposition by the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket and up on the bit, outside midturn and sailed right by. ALWAYS B LUCY was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-deep just past the 5/16 for the front, could do nothing about the winner but took second inside of the inside-rallying SUN BELLE SLIPPERY. The latter sat forwardly-placed, went to the Pocono Pike, not far off place. SAPPHIRE HILL and DAWN SHOOTER gained checks after inside journeys. HOW ABOUT MURPH got to the early pocket, stayed connected in third until the stretch, moved outside but came up empty. THE NEXT TWO were always far back. LIVE ODDS was uncovered just before the half but didn’t gain, then fell back.
THIRD RACE – GALLERIA GAL came out third-over, three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide, confidently wore down SHOULDABEENATD. The latter got early position then moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8 in a fast half, not quite enough left late. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD had a bit of speed off the gate, then was second-over, blindswitched by the winner before the ¾ then edged out three-wide towards midturn, ducked in for the stretch and had some late pace. TALK SHOW CHICA refused a pocket tuck and went on to the point past the ¼, yielded 3/8, didn’t have too much left late. WINNING WORDS was three-wide to the ¾ then four-wide, couldn’t gain enough. THE NEXT PAIR gapped at the back. PRINCESS SHARKTANK spotted, started uncovered 5/8 but offered little. MRS MAJOR HILL made the top past the 1/8, pushed another 1/8 and yielded, struggled the last 3/8.
FOURTH RACE – EV’S GIRL left three-wide to the top, slowed quarter two, looked to have things in control but tired a bit late and the margin diminished, but still successful. MEETMEINTHEMIDDLE raced third-in, to the Pocono Pike and made up some ground late. KINETIC KING defended the pocket, looked to be struggling a bit on the turn, but went on steadily late. WHAT A HUNK moved out at the ¼ and got cover just past the 3/8, gapped down the back, then went inside the first-over headstretch and tried hard to the finish. SHADY MCCOY did not have great cover, earned the last check. STOP RESISTIN found a spot fifth, then started raw into turn two, not a serious threat at any point but went on evenly. NEW IDENTITY was never a presence. NOBLE PRIZE gapped inside.
FIFTH RACE – GUNSLINGER HILL yielded near the 1/8 but was soon on a regaining move, didn’t have great outside pressure until the stretch, then withstood CATCH MY SUNSHINE. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, kept on to get the lead nearing the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside stretch, good but second. AUTOTUNE HANOVER shook loose to midstretch and had good pace under the wire. ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR was never a factor. ASCARYONE HANOVER came out behind the parked horse 3/8, sent three-wide 11/16, gained then had little in the last 1/8. STONEBRIDGE PROUD had “cover” midpack during the early lead exchanges, then was left uncovered, held halfway decently. SIR JAKE’S Z TAM got in the wide tier but could not get close. DEVISSER moved out but didn’t show much.
SIXTH RACE – COLE PORTER N made a big uncovered move 5/8 and was singing “You’re The Top” early into the final turn, ran away in a laugher. SPECTACULAR ROCK got early position, moved outside behind the winner, couldn’t go with that one but avoided being trapped behind the tiring pacesetter, a distant second. NEWS WATCH came through on the inside to hit Trifectas. ALASKAN SEELSTER had all kinds of traffic trouble early stretch, good between horses once free. DAFINATY was three-wide after being looped then two-wide, tucked fourth 5/16, backed outside as the inner tier crumbled, so-so. SOUTHERN ALLIE got around everybody with a sharp start, yielded for the two-hole, stuck behind the leader as the winner zipped past, got out behind the first two finishers but had little left to offer. MAGIC TRICKS showed little magic here. WESTERN ALUMNI was looped and went on to gain command off the first turn, nothing when challenged ¾. BIG CC’S ROCK was out behind the cover of the winner but had very little.
SEVENTH RACE – GLIDE IN THE WIND was looped, went on to 5/16 command and rolled on, a good winner. HIGGS BOSON was third-over, three-wide late turn and passed a lot of horses to be a hard-charging second. DARTY was the fastest and was quickly in front, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, little stretch response. O JONNIE stayed inside and was fair late. MANDELA BLUE CHIP was up close to the action, came up empty at crunch time. WINNING PRINCESS was second-over, accepted a blindswitch late turn, then had some solid trot once free. HANOVERS BEST gradually got in gear at the half and went first-over, couldn’t sustain the bid. TURVILLE HANOVER broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field but never entered contention. MUSCLE STAR was looped and three-wide almost to the 3/16, tucked fourth but then broke 5/16.
EIGHTH RACE – R GAUWITZ HANOVER was last for almost 7/8 of the mile, moved three-wide midturn, overpaced everybody as the tempo diminished. TANGLED MIND had pretty good cover, three-wide ¾ through the turn, made the lead deep stretch only to be caught by the late flyer. REDHOT ROMEO utilized the rail well, yielded and retook before the parked horse pinned him, yielded to that one at the half, went to the Pocono Pike and had an advantage from early stretch to deep stretch, tired a bit. MYSTERY ISLAND came on the first-over grind, held his ground pretty well. CHANCELLORCULLEN N backed out to follow cover, was blindswitched midturn, didn’t come clear quickly, hard to tell how much he had left. CARMENS BEST was looped, had cover to almost the 3/8 then rushed on to the front at the half, couldn’t carry his speed to the line. BETTER BANGBANG gapped. ACHILLES BLUE CHIP was three-wide to the 3/16 to the lead off the first turn, yielded, all done 5/8.
NINTH RACE – WOODMERE OLEKSIAK was between horses early and went on to the lead 3/16, rated the half, then came home in 55.4 – 27.4 in control. TRAFFIC JAM was three-deep to early command, yielded for the pocket, managed to hold second. ROCK N ROLL BABE spotted to the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, OK gain. TSM ARTEMIS T sat in, went inside the drifting first-over and had pace on the end. SUNSHINE INN was forwardly-placed, uncovered 5/8, tired and looked to drift out a bit. ELENIARK A was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t gain much. RHYME N ROLL was not prominent. SWEET CAMILLE moved second-over but gapped. SECURE THE BORDER lost contact in the second quarter.
TENTH RACE – BILLY LINCOLN N was three-wide most of the ¼ to get the lead, slowed the half, looked to have shaken off his nearest pursuers late on the far turn, but saw them resurgent late, held on in back fractions of 55 – 27.2. SCOOTNROLL started uncovered at the half and went right up to challenge the leader, fell back a bit on the far turn but had renewed overdrive in the stretch and almost made it in a game performance (54.1 own back half raw). SWEET TRUTH defended the pocket and was well-placed, Pocono Pike, very good but a step shy of the top two. ROLLING WITH SAM was second-over but gapped a bit, best of the rest. TAIL HOOK was between horses until going in third at the ¼, also gapped a little when the speed sharpened down the back, OK. TREVOR ONE was third-over, moved three-wide but couldn’t gain enough in the fast back half. THE OTHER TWO were never factors.
ELEVENTH RACE – ATTENTION HANOVER went out quickly and got in front, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and gradually got by GRANT ME THIS. The latter was looped and went to the top at the ¼, set the pace with hard pressure, didn’t miss by much. ALEXIS FAITH got a good forward spot, then went first-over 3/8 to avoid being trapped by parked horses, grinded right up and battled bitterly with the pacesetter, held her ground very gamely. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N pulled at the quarter and was third-over, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide with cover, was still going nicely at the end. A CRAFTY LADY and CLEAR IDEA stayed in, and both had pace once clear. JUSLIKEAQUEEN couldn’t get into the action. NORTHERN SWIFT fell back. JEWELS FORREAL was four-wide to the 1/8 and three-wide much of the ¼ before taking back, got cover 3/8 but was starting to gap before the 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – BEN ROCKIN yielded for the two-hole, outbrushed the favorite into the 28 final quarter, another 5-bagger for Anthony Nap. WARRAWEE VELOCE went right to the top, rated the half, didn’t get much pressure, just barely held second. STOP ACTION was tight on cover second-over, wide headstretch, finished very nicely to almost get the deuce. CENTURY ENFORCER sat in, evenly. GOLD STAR YODER was third-over, gapped down the back, never prominent. REDDING HANOVER spotted, then started first-over just before the half, might have gotten even to the leader’s wheel on the turn before fading some. LIVE LUCKY gapped a bit inside down the back, then was in tight in the drive to the wire. DIVISION BELL never surfaced.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PEMBROKE YOYO made the lead, had a big edge after the horse he was putting in the pocket broke, rated quarter two, had a foe on both sides through the lane and held gamely. CELEBRITY MIRACLE may have had to check slightly 3/16 as the horse taking the pocket right in front of him broke, gradually tightened in, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by much. KYRIE DEO moved out 11/16 and went up to challenge, fell back a little early stretch but then was resurgent. STORM PARTY gapped ¾. LAZER JET stayed in, showed some trot near the line. WINNING GENE was the first to move but never gained very much. KRENTLER HANOVER gapped at a couple of points, broke headstretch. SIR CROMWELL was three-wide to the 1/8, was settling in second 3/16 but broke.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CASIE’S BELIEVER was urged leaving, got a forward spot, came again 3/8, had the lead before the 5/8 but couldn’t clear despite encouragement until the ¾, then was home safely. YES DOUBLE DOWN had a good second-over trip the third quarter, then was left raw, stayed on for second. FAITHFUL DESIRE was fourth-over behind gapping cover, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide ¾, did well. MOVE OVER SIS made two speed moves then came under immediate attack by the winner, surrendered ¾ but didn’t fade badly. DEUCES FOR CHARITY made up some ground for the last check. GALARINA did not factor. PASSPORT HANOVER was three-wide to the lead, had brief cover then went up to the lead off the first turn, yielded, struggling later in the backstretch. CHECK MACH didn’t surface. ASK QUEENIE gapped badly third-over.
Oct 8, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ROYAL HEART was three-wide well past the 1/8, tucked fourth, out behind cover to the half, three-wide 5/8 to uncovered before the ¾, kept grinding, proved the best in the opener. KEYSTONE STEAM was able to advance up the inside, used the Pocono Pike to procure second. JUST N ACE left well from the rail and pushed a foe past the 3/8 before surrendering the lead, backed out behind the winner on the far turn, did OK. JEREMES GENERAL was between horses early, needed to the 3/8 to obtain command, then had no rest at all from two different opponents, tired after a hard mile. BLUEBERRY HEAVEN swung wide and finished well to get the last check. SPANISH ART was three-wide with cover on the turn when his cover broke, never got into the late picture. MAYFIELD DUKE was behind the winner but couldn’t match his three-wide move and was left three-deep, broke far turn. WORD BLAST stayed close during the early battle, moved out before the half but couldn’t go by, was looped late on the backstretch and fell way back.
SECOND RACE – LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND made the top past the 1/8, saw two coming at the ¼ and pushed the first one before yielding, edged out of third midturn then went back in as the pocketsitter pulled, gradually wore down the pacesetter HASHTAGMADEYALOOK. The latter came out at the ¼ with cover, left uncovered past the 3/8 and made the point by the half, just failed to hold in a good outing. BELLA AVA spotted third then was quarter-mover #1 but was kept out past the 3/8, yielded at the half for the two-hole, pulled from same towards late turn, not enough. MYSTICAL WYNN pulled out raw from sixth down the back, gained little by little, ducked inside the show horse in the lane and finished well. MIGHTY SURF yielded, sat in, not a late factor. TOUR DE LINDY was second-over in a nonadvancing “flow,” fair late. THE OTHER THREE did not make their presence felt.
THIRD RACE – CLOSING STATEMENT started uncovered at the half and relentlessly grinded up, got by pacesetter MACHEASY A within the last 30 yards, impressive. The latter tucked third past the 1/8 then came again 3/8 and made the lead before a fast half, had the winner pace up to him to the ¾, just missed keeping that one at bay in a fast mile. DREAMS BEACHBOY made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket towards turn two, stayed connected, but could not gain in the Pocono Pike late. WAR-N-MUNN was in front at the 1/8 in a fast opener, saw two go by in quarter two, not enough late. GLENGARRY KNIGHT N stayed in, had a little in the Pike late well off the front ones. MY DELIGHT was hampered by dull cover. RANGERS SURESHOT was also near the back the whole way. VORACITY would have had good cover if he could have kept with it past the 9/16.
FOURTH RACE – LETS ROLL got into the outside flow, left uncovered ¾, worked his way past a tough FATHER SARDUCCI. The latter was three-wide towards the 1/8 to the lead, yielded to a quarter-mover, moved again raw at the half and worked to get past the new pacesetter ¾, hung in there very gamely. OUR ZAK WHITBY A joined the two-wide tier, gapped slightly on the far turn, finished OK. IN SPADES was shuffled to last, went four-wide and stormed home. THE FIRST STEP was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide, briefly had cover then raw again and persisted up to get the front going to the half, was pressured down the backstretch and let a foe go, tried yet again in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain after very hard usage. ROCKNTOUCH was in the two-wide flow but far back, wide, OK. DECLAN SEELSTER left between horses and took third 3/16, stayed in, never had a clear path through the stretch. CLASS SIX made the front, yielded, made a quarter-move but was strung out until past the 3/8 to get on top, yielded at the half, couldn’t return to the main picture.
FIFTH RACE – LACHIE MAGUIRE N was hustled away for early command and yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp response to overhaul DAAMERICANSKY. The latter was between horses early and on to the lead past the 1/8, set the pace pretty much as he liked, couldn’t hold off the pocket rocket but beat out the others. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide early then took back to tuck third, went to the deep Pike and came home nicely. BARBADOS started on the grind early second turn, never was closer to the lead than at the finish. REAL LUCKY N sat in, angled wide early stretch but had a little bit too much ground to make up. WESTERN TYRANT was never prominent. BELL I NO moved early and got cover, but got rough 5/8 and gapped out.
SIXTH RACE – ARCHIBALD dove in early behind the pacesetter and followed him throughout, another Pocono Pike pocket rocket. DYNAMIC EDGE left dynamically and was quickly on top, slowed the middle half with no challengers until approaching the ¾, did well but had to settle for second. WINNERESS moved outside from fourth midturn, wide in the lane, found his best gear a trifle too late. SMOOTH ACCELERATION avoided the stagnant outer non-flow, came on OK up the inside in the lane. KEYSTONE SERGEANT tucked third, edged out 3/16 but decided to stay where he was, came out raw11/16, OK. ANDOVERS TOUCH was no factor. I GOT THE LOOKS was behind the cover of ROSE RUN RUDI, which never advanced beyond midpack, went three-wide past the 11/16 but couldn’t circle up. LAKEVIEW TAMMY was not heard from.
SEVENTH RACE – BURNING MIDNIGHT was away second, quarter-moved in front of the grinding parked horse and set the pace, able to draw off late. WILD BILL sat in, blocked midturn then scooted up the inside with clearance and just did get second over WHATS INTHE ESKY A. The latter won another “Courage After A Bad Trip” prize: four-wide early, then to two-wide, briefly had the winner’s cover then out in the air the duration, fought on and just missed the deuce. SHOREVIEW scampered to the top, yielded to the winner, came up empty late. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N sat in, angled out and wide late turn, didn’t make up ground. THE NEXT TWO never entered the picture. DOO WOP HANOVER had grinding cover, gapped ¾; BLAYDE HANOVER gapped that one’s cover.
EIGHTH RACE – BROADWAY ATHENA didn’t go outside from midpack until past the 5/8, got cover to the far turn, had a tough task to collar a loose leader but finished strongly and got the job done. PAT MATTERS was away third then quarter-moved, opened up distance ¾ which she retained to near midstretch, but then tired and couldn’t resist the winner. THE LIONKING AS was on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t keep up on the turn, but gained back some inside late. JOEY PRO was outside, finished with high-energy trot after kicking in far too late. CRAZYCAT was not prominent. FILLED DONUT was the first to show, relinquished, moved out of third early on the turn but came up very vanilla in the stretch. THE OTHER TWO did not enter the race dynamic.
NINTH RACE – After being away 30 days, EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was between horses to an early tuck, was flushed out 3/8 and started on the grind, had a semi-breakaway with the pacesetter far turn, then stayed at it powerfully (last quarter 27.3) in a big race. GOES DOWN SMOOTH was already underway from last just past the ¼ and got the winner’s cover, followed it but then gapped it far turn, refound a higher gear and was a good second. MY LINDY WINNER was sixth when decided to go frontward past the 1/8 as holes were shutting, pressed on to the front near the 3/8, got a soft middle half then raced head-to-head with the winner around the far turn, couldn’t sprint enough. NO DRAMA PLEASE was three-wide to the 1/8 to two-high to the ¼ to the lead, yielded to the 3/8, had trouble at times keeping the pocket tight, Pocono Pike, OK. MARION GONDOLIER backed out to race third-over, didn’t enter the main picture; nor did TRUEMASS VOLO behind him. CONSUS VICTORY left well, yielded at the ¼, not heard from thereafter. NEED LUCK N was not in the picture.
TENTH RACE – No one not named “Napolitano” won in the last five races … JOESSTAR OF MIA A went out between horses and got in third, came uncovered off turn two but couldn’t reach the leader in the fast third quarter, but kept digging resolutely and took the top prize very late. ROCK THE DEVIL was fifth outside past the 1/8 when, with no holes, he decided to press on, cover to the ¼ then to the lead before the 3/8, opened some daylight with a 27.1 third quarter, but couldn’t make the lead last. WESTERN FAME gapped his cover down the back in a fast split, then was gaining late. CASUAL COOL left and yielded 3/16, inside, narrowed in some in the Pocono Pike. HEAVEN’S GAIT was far back inside, angled out a notch early stretch, never did find a clear path. ROCK CANDY came wide off of cover with good late speed. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the top 3/16, yielded to the 3/8, couldn’t stay with the pacesetter but still went on and lost by only two lengths. ROCKAPELO raced last in a tight field, finished last but by less than three lengths.
ELEVENTH RACE – STICK WITH CRAMER spotted fourth well behind the early duelers, came out in tight quarters 5/8 then moved three-wide ¾ and circled the field, drew away. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N was parked most of that 25.4 hot opener before taking the two-hole, then was blocked on the far turn as the pacesetter tired, got clear in the Pocono Pike and had a very good response late to grab second from BEACH PRO. The latter grinded up first-over, no match for the winner, almost held place. TODDLER TANTRUM was second-over but wasn’t right on his cover, three-wide past the 5/8 then wider on the far turn to three-wide late turn, flattened a little. A J MORELLI was not away well and didn’t get in the hunt. NORTHERN SPORTSMAN was near the back throughout. XPERT BAYAMA did not want anything but to cut the pace, went 25.4 to the ¼ to force a tuck, had the field come to him on the turn and tired the last 3/16. POKERFACE BLUECHIP was in a blindswitch on the turn, got in tight quarters and made a break.
TWELFTH RACE – ROCK THE TOWN used the pole to maximum advantage early, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and gradually wore down BLOOD LINE for ANap’s fifth. The latter quarter-moved, set the pace including a 27 third quarter, fought hard but could not hold off the winner. K RYAN BLUECHIP sat behind the top two from the half and did well late. BRANQUINHO originally was third-over but ducked back in, evenly late. BENSON BOYS N took the pocket 3/16, then came raw at the half and attacked, pacing his own third split in 26.3, couldn’t sustain his move. TWIN B TUFFENUFF was second-over, three-wide past midturn, didn’t reach. DEALT A WINNER didn’t get a good start, sat last, had to fan widest, had an impossible task from where he was.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JOHNNY Q left and yielded, soon retook, set the pace with pressure, got some separation early stretch and was again impressive, giving trainer Darren Taneyhill four wins on the day. MAJOR DECEPTION was second-over 3/8, gapped some behind the front battlers down the back, then closer and three-wide far turn, came home well. LUCAN HANOVER sat in, to the deep Pocono Pike and with pace late. ALWAYS THE SUN was three-wide to the 3/16 and then on by to command, yielded to the winner for the pocket, didn’t have enough to be a danger late. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was third-over and three-wide with cover on the turn, not bad. WAGON MASTER raced inside, did not appear to have stretch clearance. BRANDON HANOVER was last much of the way, also may have been in tight quarters approaching the line. SOMETIMESAWINNER left between horses, reluctantly settled in third, then came raw 3/8 and fought with the leader, couldn’t sustain the last 3/16. CHEYENNE JEFFREY was near the back throughout.
FOURTEENTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN quarter-moved from third, came home in 54.3 – 27.1 and no one could match that speed and gain enough, giving George five wins. OUR CORELLI N left very alertly to get early command, yielded, outside in the stretch, didn’t gain but only lost a little. STONE HANOVER was second-over 3/8, three-wide past the 5/8 when cover stalled, back to two-wide and did very well in the stretch (his own last half in 54). LAKE CHARLES was four-wide early, circled up and got into the pocket 3/16, not enough along the inside. FABRICE HANOVER was far back, worked clear in the stretch and finished well belatedly. LYING IN CASH and I’M BENICIO A (who didn’t get inside until the 3/16) never factored. STORMONT CZAR A moved raw 3/8 but had stopped gaining by the 5/8. BAY MEADOWS tried to follow the backstretch sweeper but didn’t keep up.
