Oct 5, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2020
FIRST RACE – ALEXIS FAITH insisted on the early lead in 26.2, set the pace, resisted the first-over, then held off JUSLIKEAQUEEN trying her up the Pocono Pike. The latter reluctantly took back to the two-hole approaching the ¼, came up the inside in the lane, didn’t miss by much. PERSISTENT BETTOR gapped a gapper down the back then moved out on the turn, moved wide in the lane and was along for third. DISTURBED HANOVER improved position early then gapped the top two from the 1/8 to the 9/16, got in gear and attacked raw, drifted out through the last 1/8 while losing ground. AMATEUR HANOVER had trouble keeping up the last half. ASHTINI was wide trying to go around nonadvancing horses but didn’t go much herself. YES DOUBLE DOWN was outside with little. NORTHERN SWIFT was far back.
SECOND RACE – JOEY PRO started his grind at the half, went 28 with a newly-developed wind aiding him, kept to his task and caught ZOOMING. The latter came quickly from fourth off the first turn, made the lead, held very gamely. TRIXAR backed off to take the pocket at the ¼, backed out to second-over 11/16, shifted back inside for the stretch, did well but was a step behind the top two. MIGHTY SURF was looped and three-wide to the 1/8 to a 3-tuck 3/16, stayed semi-connected down the back, outside on the turn, a bit of kick late. ALEXANDRIA HANOVER had to go three-wide around dull cover ¾, finished well. DYNAMIC EDGE left from the rail and forced a tuck, yielded to the frontstretch brusher, unplugged gradually in the last ¼. BRUTAL STORM was not heard from. SHOW ME THE MAGIC was outside 3/8 looking for cover, found it at the half but then couldn’t keep up with it. CRITICAL MASS trailed.
THIRD RACE – BRING ME DIAMONDS let a horse go early then quarter-moved, was in charge thereafter. ISLAY N outleft everybody to early command, yielded for the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike, held evenly. TRAFFIC JAM sat in, outside in the lane but little gain. RHYME N ROLL sat in and was shuffled, had to go four-wide midturn, had steady kick on the end of it. INDY ROSE was second-over, three-wide past the 5/8 but went at one speed, far ahead of the other two – ROCK N ROLL BABE, who was uncovered 3/8 but never got very close, and SWEET MARTHA LOU, who really fell back in the last quarter.
FOURTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE angled down to fifth past the 1/8, then started uncovered 3/8, came her last half in 55.2 raw, challenged the leader, drifted slightly wide nearing headstretch but still drew away, big mile. SOLAR went on to 3/16 command, under attack by the winner, yielded and just did save second. CELEBRITY MIRACLE was the first to show, yielded 3/16 for the pocket and stayed fairly tight behind the two battlers, to the Pocono Pike and made up ground. SWIPE RIGHT was a distant best of the rest. WINNING GENE got the last check. KRENTLER HANOVER looked to be having trouble keeping up most of the way. DEW CAN DEW moved outside nearing turn two but broke. BABY MAKER HANOVER tried to come on on the far turn but also misbehaved.
FIFTH RACE – SOMETIMESAWINNER set the pace and had too much speed for these, taking an open lead 5/8 and remaining unthreatened to the wire. TRENTE DEO slid in fourth at the 1/8, only got going again late backstretch, three-wide on the turn, clear second here. VODKA ON THE BEACH spotted then left a big hole on the first turn, closed it, moved out far turn, along late for a very distant third. GARRETT’S GUIDE came out of the three-hole ¾ but didn’t gain, came back with “b.e.” WEEKEND ATNANNIES stayed inside, got the last check. CLASSIC GENT got bottomed out trying to stay close to the leader, faded 5/8. DULL ROAR and ARTOFFICIAL FLAVOR never factored. FIREWATER JAKE broke early.
SIXTH RACE – ANDOVERS TOUCH made the lead at the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket and stayed close, came out headstretch and had by far the most late. HANOVERS BEST was looped and three-wide, decided to press on and went up two-wide to the front 5/16, no match for the winner. ARUBA VACATION was forwardly-placed, gapped on the far turn, held evenly. BIG BILL BREEZE came out going to turn two, got cover but was soon gapping it. CAN DO took back early and was never again heard from. BOB N TONY never surfaced. HOLY KOLY gapped. CHAPTER FASHION moved raw at the half and made a solid third quarter bid, started to tire ¾ and then jumped it off.
SEVENTH RACE – VH PRINCESS BREA was looped early, went on to get the lead past the 5/16 then slowed down the tempo in quarter two, met a stiff first-over challenge, came out of the far turn a bit wide, but held off the inside thrust of MOVE OVER SIS. The latter was second-over, ducked in, almost got to the winner via the inner route. CASIE’S BELIEVER left and yielded early, came back raw past the 3/8 and grinded very hard, tried nicely to the line. WOODMERE OLEKSIAK was in the good outer flow, not quite in the company of the top three. ASK QUEENIE was shuffled when the pocketsitter backed up far turn then moved out but didn’t make much progress. GOLDSTAR ROCKETTE went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, then was badly backed up behind the fading two-holer. ELLA IS AWESOME made no impact. ROCK N ROLL ROSIE went out to command at the 26.3 quarter, yielded to the winner, ran out of gas to the ¾ and gummed up the inner tier.
EIGHTH RACE – FASHIONWOODCHOPPER was quarter-mover #2 to the lead past the 3/8, ran away and hid from these in the last ¼ in fast time for bottom-level trotters. KAREN HANOVER made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, not in his league the last quarter but good for second. FREDDIE MAC spotted, moved raw 5/8, gained a little into the turn, did take a four-way photo for third. CELEBRITY SERENA was second-over but gapped, went along evenly. CELEBRITY LOVER had trouble keeping tight at several points in the mile. KREDIT KARMA made the lead nearing the 1/8, yielded to two in front of the stands, nothing left for the last ¼. THE THREE OTHERS couldn’t make a dent in this very fast mile.
NINTH RACE – LOOKATMYART started uncovered early on turn two and reached the leader by the 5/8, gradually edged up on that one putting pressure on her, continued her grind and got the nod in a blanket finish. MADDELLE quarter-moved, rated the pace then picked it up, was in a big battle with the winner before the ¾ through the turn and all the way to the line, when others joined them, just missed. WINNING WORDS was looped early and went up two-wide to 5/16 command, yielded to sit in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, not far away at all. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD was second-over, gapped her cover a bit, then found her best strides 50 yards out. TALK SHOW CHICA quickly looped the field, yielded, stayed third-in, to the deep Pike, likely never to have had full clearance the way she was handled. DEE DEE KAY backed out to third-over, not far off after going widest in the lane. ROCK STAR MELINDA was outleft and four-wide heading to turn one when making a break.
TENTH RACE – Another bunched field at the wire, and another upsetter … VORST gapped slightly second-over all the way to the stretch, went wide, still fifth past midstretch but went on doggedly and was most photogenic. ECLIPSE ME N improved early position, then was first-up and fought with the winner with her own third quarter in 26.4, never appeared to be ahead but never stopped trying to the line. CAVIART CHERIE made the lead 3/16 then yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, looked to gain a slight advantage midstretch, couldn’t sustain it to the wire. PAMMY JO was third-over slightly off cover, four-wide stretch and narrowed in belatedly. JUXTA COWGIRL stayed in third, to the deep Pike and also may have been in very tight quarters nearing the line. ITS MESMERISE N made two speed moves, fought with the first-over in a hard third quarter, held the lead to midstretch, missed a length – and earned $0. FIRSTUP didn’t have quite enough from far back. SHECANDANCE N looked to take a bad step at the 1/8 and broke, was eventually pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – NICHOLAS BEACH dashed right to the lead and was all alone much of the first turn, set reasonable fractions based on his form, drew clear on the turn, then gave ground to TITO ROCKS late and just held on – not under frantic urging, but not as impressive in his last two as before. The latter defended the pocket, closed the early gap, got in gear nearing headstretch and came home strongly to scare the backers of the 1-20 winner. BILLY LINCOLN N stayed in, clear distant third. JAHAN HANOVER and HURRIKANEKINGJAMES got checks after staying in. KEYSTONE DASH took back to third early, moved out 5/8, really fell back the last quarter, as did the second-over horse AMERIORE.
TWELFTH RACE – THE LIONKING AS made the lead into turn one, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and quickly overhauled the pacesetter, then held off the late thrust of KATKIN AND COKE. The latter stayed in and closed a small gap down the back, inside, didn’t come clear until just past midstretch then made up ground quickly. LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND got the pocket early, stayed on until sharply angling three-wide late on the turn, looked a little hard to steer early stretch then commenced to drift out but kept gaining. HASHTAGMADEYALOOK was looped early, tucked third 3/16, then brushed to the lead in front of the stands, couldn’t hang on to the advantage. MORAIRTIME came first-up on turn two, never seemed to pose a major threat but kept at her job. UNCLE HANOVER never entered the main picture. SPECTRE gapped second-over. I GOT THE LOOKS started on the move near the half but broke.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE pushed out early and retained the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and along nicely. GRANT ME THIS was three-wide to the 1/8, went on to the front 3/16 and set all the pace, held well for a 27-1 shot. BLACKWELL RUBY IR sat in in last and advanced up the inside down the back, not enough kick in the latter stages. SOMETHINGABOUTMARY N came out at the half and got cover, was blindswitched ¾ and ducked in headstretch, not all that much late. ATTENTION HANOVER went third-over, tired to make a circling move ¾ but didn’t gain. WESTERN SECRET A backed off early, had her hand forced past the half and went first-up, tired ¾.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TREVOR ONE went up between horses to get the lead past mid-first turn, yielded off the first bend for the pocket, elected to wait for outside room in the lane, got the room past early stretch, and quickly built up enough steam to catch WARRAWEE VELOCE late. The latter was three-wide 3/16 then on to get the lead coming off the first bend, just failed to hold in the sprint home. DIVISION BELL left well, pushed early and yielded, stayed connected, came clear when the winner moved out and finished solidly. LIVE LUCKY finished well widest. BEN ROCKIN was in a blindswitch from before the ¾ until past early stretch, couldn’t build up momentum quickly enough once clear. A BETTOR BEACH went first-over going to turn two, was moving up to challenge 5/8 when making a break, caught quickly but was left out three-wide, couldn’t reenter contention. GOLD STAR YODER found an early spot, then did not factor. STOP ACTION was second-over, left first-over when his cover broke 5/8, went up, but then had little in the stretch.
Oct 1, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020
FIRST RACE – Some rain before the card on an overcast day but the track was officially called “fast” throughout the card even though a mist developed midcard. … MY LINDY WINNER finally went outside 5/8 and finally got wanted cover 11/16, but lost it to a break midturn, found better strides midstretch and was along late. FILLED DONUT made the front quickly and rolled right along, just failed to hold late. MARION GONDOLIER left and got the two-hole, outside headstretch, evenly. CONSUS VICTORY sat in, gained some between horses late. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT also stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, not enough. CRAZYCAT broke early, caught the field, but didn’t do more. LORD CROMWELL gapped early, was waited on by the winner and finally came out 11/16, gained some before making a break midturn.
SECOND RACE – JOHNNY Q was three-wide before the 3/16 then followed cover all the way until it cleared to the lead far turn, then raw, kept on going in an amazing victory. WHATS INTHE ESKY A is one of a handful of horses that in the last 50 years this correspondent has seen getting a “1o 1o 1o” call while battling with the inside leader (and the pace was hot), actually crossed over mid-far turn, held for second in an equally-amazing race. KEYSTONE STEAM joined the parked horses 5/8, three-wide midturn, good to be third. MAYFIELD DUKE dove inside past the 1/8 and wound up defending the pocket, outside in a blindswitch later on the turn behind the winner, had some late pace. LOUD SPLASH left a gap behind the battling four almost to the 11/16, Pocono Pike, so-so. RAZOR’S EDGE was in the outside flow, four-wide late turn, couldn’t reach. DOJEA SOLO and BEACH PRO were always in the back. WISE IMAGE left from the rail and kept the challenger parked, was the one who caved in midturn.
THIRD RACE – OUR CORELLI N left and got the top right away, forced a tuck, rated the half, then came home in 54.2 to hold safe his only challenger, VIRGIN STORM. The latter wanted the lead but accepted the pocket past the 1/8, tried the winner up the inside and did well but was second-best today. JEREMES GENERAL sat in, had to wait for the Pike as trapped in, but only had a mild response once clear and just did get third. REDBANK BLAZE A gapped at points the first half then gapped the top two the rest of the mile by a bigger margin. MAJOR OFFENSE moved uncovered before turn two, couldn’t get by the gapping 3-holer. HIGHRTHANANEAGLE A and TULLOW N had dull cover; GINGER TREE MARTY and DAKOTA JACK stayed inside and never entered the picture.
FOURTH RACE – SPANISH ART got in the cover flow early and was third-over, stayed in the two-wide/blindswitched lane on the turn then angled wide when the sweeper flattened, had good pace late to explode the board at $191.40. ALEX TYE was flushed outside 5/16 as horses came up on him, reached the leader by the half and battled with that one the rest of the way, finally took the outright lead midstretch but was caught by the horse who wound up on his back. XPERT BAYAMA was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the quarter for the lead, set the pace with solid pressure, held decently. IYQ YQR maintained the pocket early, gapped slightly as the pace picked up down the back, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, OK+ once clear. TODDLER TANTRUM backed out to fourth-over, had to go four-wide midturn as the three-wide flattened, not bad. FERNADO moved at the ¼ and soon secured second-over, three-wide from the 11/16 but really only served to clog that tier. POKERFACE BLUECHIP was blocked inside but didn’t seem to have much late. BETTER B ROLLING was shuffled, moved wide but showed little.
FIFTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE was pushed to the 3/16 in a 26 quarter for the lead, yielded and sat the pocket, came out early stretch and caught DAAMERICANSKY. The latter was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the fast quarter, slowed the half then took off again, couldn’t stall the pocket rocket. BARBADOS sat in, looked to be edging out midturn but ducked back inside, OK late. LACHIE MAGUIRE N kept the top two out a long way in the lightning opener before yielding, moved raw 11/16, couldn’t gain but didn’t lose too much. BELL I NO took back to last, moved out 5/8 but looked rough and fell back.
SIXTH RACE – OUR ZAK WHITBY A moved around dull cover from far back ¾ and gained three-wide through the turn, kept on coming and did make it past MY DELIGHT at the end. The latter tucked fifth 1/8, moved outside into turn two and came boiling off that curve, pacing a 26.4 third quarter while easily going by 5/8, couldn’t quite make the lead last. SUMMER SIDE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the pocket 3/16, backed out to two-wide 5/8 as that was the lively tier, couldn’t go with the speed of that path but kept on coming steadily, flattening only in deep stretch. BRUCE’S MAGIC tucked at the 1/8, was badly shuffled, out in a blindswitch far turn but still blindswitched, finally found room wide upper stretch and passed quite a few horses. THISBEACHRGHTHEREA moved behind the place horse and had the speed to race up into the pocket behind him ¾, but then faded. ROCK ON PRECIOUS never surfaced on the major radar. DOO WOP HANOVER moved out but gapped and was blindswitched by the winner. MCBOOGITTY was sent to the top in 26.2, pushed the quarter-mover before yielding past the 3/8, then was badly shuffled after that one was passed. JOE MCDUDE quarter-moved but was out almost the length of the frontstretch to clear, gave way when challenged 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – A misty rain began to fall, but the track as noted would stay “fast” the rest of the card … TRUEMASS VOLO quarter-moved and easily made the lead, rated the half then stepped it up to meet the hard challenge of the first-over, maintained the advantage to the wire despite drifting slightly, with many having him in their sights. OPTIMIST BLUE CHIP was looped and three-wide to the 1/8 onward to command before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, backed out ¾ when the first-up put a head up, swung wide into the stretch and even wider through the stretch but kept gaining. MYSTICAL WYNN stayed in and advanced inside on the turn, found a seam upper stretch and finished willingly. INAPERFECTWORLD started raw past the 3/8, went a 27.1 individual third split to bitterly contest the lead, held gamely. ABBIE’S CELTICLASS circled the field early, yielded, to the pocket before the ¾, into the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. VALLEY OF SIN had nonproductive cover, blindswitched and ducked in, to the deep Pike, may have been in tight. CR BLAZIN BEAUTY tried to circle around nonproductive cover, did gain some from a hard spot. SILVERMASS VOLO was second-over but struggled.
EIGHTH RACE – CHEYENNE JEFFREY left between horses and went to the front just before the 5/16, didn’t get much outside pressure, then dealt with CLASS SIX and won the win photo. The latter was quickly away, yielded for the two-hole, outside in the stretch and another who drifted out but gained while doing so to just fail. WAGON MASTER sat in, went wide in the lane, steadily although not reaching the top two. BRANDON HANOVER and ALWAYS THE SUN parlayed ground saving journeys into the final checks. A REAL MIRACLE was three-wide around a gapper 5/8, flattened in the three-deep tier the last quarter. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N took an early tuck, moved raw to challenge but was ineffective. NEWBIE had an big excess of stale cover. JINS SHARK spotted midpack, then was second-over but had nothing.
NINTH RACE – KEYSTONE SERGEANT went into the pocket 3/16 and had a fine trip, made use of the Pocono Pike and caught FRONT STREET. The latter was the Front Street for this field without too much pressure, couldn’t hold off the winner. UP THE ALLEY protected third early, could wait until near the 11/16 to go uncovered, tired a bit late. PRETTY EDGY was blocked inside, got clearance inside and was next. CATCH THE BOUQUET took back and tucked early, little response in the lane. PENNIMAN started uncovered off the second turn but didn’t get cover until almost the other end of the backstretch, then gapped it. THE OTHERS did not make their presence felt.
TENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES showed gate speed then yielded, was forced out 5/8 by an impatient horse looking for cover, came home in 54.2-27.1 raw to be an impressive winner. ROCKAPELO set the pace with two moves, held on to the lead a long way, just photoed JOESSTAR OF MIA A for place. The latter was three-deep to turn one, briefly had cover then pressed on to the point 5/16, yielded to the retaker, into the Pocono Pike and went on gamely. WESTERN FAME sat in, had no clear path through the stretch. HEAVEN’S GAIT wanted out early backstretch but waited for the winner’s cover, got it 5/8, moved wide for the drive but flattened. BRANQUINHO gapped at the back the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – MUSCLE M UP was kept out three-wide to the 3/8 and cleared shortly thereafter, but that rough early journey proved no detriment as he won under a hold. NO DRAMA PLEASE was actually the first to show but then saw others march forward, moved outside midturn and just took place. GOES DOWN SMOOTH had cover in the two-wide lane very early then went up between horses, got in behind the winner 3/8, photoed for second. CROSSFIT made the lead at the 1/8, kept the wide challengers out most of the next quarter-mile before yielding, stayed connected, was in tight quarters in the stretch and might have been second with more room. NEED LUCK N offered little. JESSIEJESORJESSICA was behind the dull cover of MAGIC VACATION, tried to go three-wide around that one, but neither horse went anywhere.
TWELFTH RACE – STONE HANOVER vacated fourth to the ¾ and immediately went three-wide when the pocketsitter came out after that spot, swept to the lead and was home safely. REPEAL OR REPLACE came out 11/16, followed the winner from the ¾, finished steadily. FABRICE HANOVER was three-wide to turn one then two-wide to the top nearing the ¼, saw two go by in quarter two, raced behind the gapping pocketsitter and was caught in on the far turn, out into a blindswitch, got going after the top two were gone and salvaged third. J M MANDARIN made two speed moves then sat a very loose pocket as the pacesetter sped away, popped out midturn but didn’t have much left. BAY MEADOWS moved 5/16 and went to the top, was clear on the lead from before the half to nearing the ¾ while pacing a 54.1 middle half, was tired when challenged. NUTCRACKER SWEET was no factor; CAPTAIN MALICIOUS was far back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALLUNEEDISFAITH left, gradually worked into the pocket before the ¼, sat a trip, came out late turn and was strong enough to gradually wear down BENSON BOYS N. The latter quickly made the lead and set the pace, came home in 55.1 and still got caught. DECLAN SEELSTER got early position, eventually did give up the pocket at the ¼ and stayed in, to the Pocono Pike but was outkicked by the top two. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was second-over at the half, three-wide just past the ¾ but couldn’t gain enough. OLLIE’S ZTAM and WEONA SIZZLER A were near the back and were not contenders. STORMONT CZAR A came raw at the half, got a nose up on the pocket horse 5/8 but never any closer, faded the last quarter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DEALT A WINNER moved in front of the stands and cleared at the half, went clear ¾ and wasn’t threatened late for a six-bagger, by George. LETS ROLL was two-wide almost to the ¼ before working into the early pocket, stayed in, shuffled on the turn then to the Pocono Pike and had a good late response. WARRAWEE UNIQUE tucked early, didn’t hold the early pocket, stayed in and also was blocked, started to edge outside headstretch but found no path so ducked back to the Pike and was along for third. DREAMS BEACHBOY was three-wide past the 1/8, raced into the 4-hole before the ¼, came again raw early backstretch, didn’t reach the leader but held well. WAR-N-MUNN forced everybody in behind with a 26 opener, pushed the winner when he came then yielded at the half, unplugged ¾. THE OTHERS could not enter the main picture.
Sep 29, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
FIRST RACE – FASHIONWOODCHOPPER, the 2017 Sire Stakes champion over this track, was three-wide early to command at the 1/8, yielded but quickly retook, drew clear in the latter stages in fast time for this class. ANOTHER BREATH was looped and pressed on to the lead off turn one, yielded for the pocket, held on to the distant deuce over TURVILLE HANOVER. The latter was out on the second turn but quickly lost cover to a break, advanced in quarter three but could not threaten severely, just edged for place. CELEBRITY SERENA sat in, went wide in the lane and trotted past the others. GLOIRE DREAM yielded for good positioning, empty ¾. DOWNUNDERMATTER was never prominent. LEAP YEAR LUCKY was uncovered into turn two but soon was offstride. SCIROCCO JACOB was starting to lose contact by the ¼.
SECOND RACE – VALRHONA went right to the lead, never had big pressure from the parked horses, had enough to hold off RUNHAPPY TEN to the tune of $101.60. The latter was buried inside, angled to widest past headstretch and just ran out of racetrack. RACE ME VILLA was able to go up to the pocket late backstretch though gapping slightly, evenly late. ALTA SHELBY N was away in the pocket, came out 11/16 and challenged the winner but was rebuffed. ROLL WITH JEFF was three-wide to the 1/8 then behind the uncovered parked horse, went three-wide to the 5/8 and was left out three-wide until just before midturn, couldn’t sustain the gain. DULL ROAR was left out in the air, started falling back just past the half. ROCK THREE TIMES went to the sweeping tier but couldn’t make an impact. THE OTHER PAIR were wide early, tucked back, and did not figure in the outcome.
THIRD RACE – Stretch tailwind has started to get going … HALLS OF VALOR made the lead at the 3/16, rated the pace and had no anxious moments. CIRCUIT PARTY stayed connected in third, to the Pocono Pike and finished with some trot. KEEPTHETAB HANOVER pushed away well from the rail and yielded for the two-hole, so-so late response. BANKSTER, who gapped at times, stayed in and got fourth over THE IRISHMAN. The latter moved uncovered 5/8 but never made much of a dent. MY SON TY HANOVER never was prominent. PECANSANDY HANOVER was last in the main pack, nothing in the last quarter. TRICKY DICK was wide leaving, out with cover when breaking towards the 3/16.
FOURTH RACE – RHODATOLDME moved outside on turn two while far back, quickly made up ground down the back then went three-wide around the parked horse to get to two-wide raw, got in the pocket on the turn then came out again in the stretch, wore down SPECIAL ACHIEVER. The latter was in front just past the ¼, parked a foe, tried to meet the challenge of the winner but came up just shy. SWEETONTHEBEACH left a big gap in quarter two behind the duelers and pocket horse, tightened, came out midturn and won a three-way photo for third. STREAK THE LAWN was rough before the start and not away well, followed cover, uncovered past the ¾, fair late. DESTINYS CHILD stacked widest in the lane and finished with some pace. MISS SURREAL left, yielded after the ¼ and kept the hole closed, started to unplug ¾. LOOKING SANTASTIC never got a call. WYOMING WIND had cover to the ¼ then was left uncovered, tried for the lead but couldn’t go by, gave way significantly.
FIFTH RACE – LEXA HANOVER made two speed moves, got a breather against the wind down the backstretch, then had enough to go on to victory. TITANS HOPE was three-deep leaving, in front past the 1/8, yielded to the winner for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and gained some but couldn’t reach. THE NUN got a forward spot and stayed in, in the deep Pike and was gaining some when breaking deep stretch, placed for LOB. MOODY BLUE angled into an early 4-tuck, moved outside going to the 11/16, couldn’t pose a big threat. MS ARTOIS gapped midpack. PRAIRIE VIRTUE and NANCY BAR were off the main pack after two horses broke on the second turn: BLESS YOUR HEART jumped at the ½ and went inside the pylons, while MISTY KRISTY miscued heading into that turn.
SIXTH RACE – VORACITY was three-wide past the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, uncoiled one move 11/16 that carried him to the lead past the ¾ and let him leave these behind in the red dust. WILD BILL took the pocket before the 3/16, gapped off the runaway leader, in the Pocono Pike and a very distant second in a photo. THORN IN YOUR SIDE got in gear early and rolled on to fractions of 26.3, 54, and 1:22,4, couldn’t resist the winner but almost held second. DAVID THE SAINT got in fifth past the ¼, out in the lane and had a bit of pace. JAGGER ROCKS went evenly inside. DASHBOARD tucked fourth, gapped the top three midrace and never was a factor. MOUNT ROYAL and PARTY BOY were always far back, as was RED DIRT ROCKNROLL, who was outside the mile while not prominent.
SEVENTH RACE – SIR CROMWELL went to the front, had just yielded the lead past the 3/8 when the brusher broke and so resumed pacesetting duties, had some pressure that was easily shook off and won handily. WORTHY OF HONOR maintained the two-hole, raced well. MINEFIELD HANOVER made a big uncovered move down the backstretch and through the turn, but he could not sustain it in the last 1/8. SAINT SEBASTIAN was wide on the final turn from far back, so-so. MISTER WALKER moved outside 3/16 and went frontward, had just cleared to the lead approaching turn two when making a break, made a good recovery. KEYSTONE THUNDER showed little. LOVING LIFE was gapping early. I HAVE A DREAM moved outside but gapped advancing cover.
EIGHTH RACE – REDDING HANOVER was in the outer flow, couldn’t stay with TRAY SURREAL as that one cleared to the lead and opened a bit of distance, but caught him 50 feet out then held off NOTAWORD N. The latter came out behind the early mover, ducked back in off the second turn when that one did not advance, had to wait then backed out behind the winner mid-far turn, closed well. TRAY SURREAL moved out, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw 11/16 and got a clear lead past midturn, just succumbed late. DOGFIGHT went wide in the stretch and was next in line. FRISKY PEDRO was between horses early to the pocket at the 1/8, shuffled far turn as the leader tired, outside in the stretch, fair. FIND ONE MORE pushed the 1/8 and yielded, also caught in, but showed little once clear. QUAGMIRE BLUECHIP did not feature. WAGS pulled out 5/16, gained for a little while then was all done and looped past the 5/8. BEACH FIRE K was three-wide past the 1/8 for command, set the pace, nothing the last ¼.
NINTH RACE – PRACTICAL CAT moved out third-over, couldn’t stay with the first sweeper but gradually got to two-wide and proved the only challenger, caught that one late. BUTTER TOFFEE went two-wide on turn two, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw 11/16 and took over the lead and the inside midturn, just failed to last at 47-1. WAYWARD MAN was four-wide to the 1/8, then basically three-wide to the 3/8, then went up to clear near the half, couldn’t keep the place horse out on the turn, bore out some in the lane but was very game considering the horrible trip. ANDOVERS TOUCH was three-wide early, decided to go up between horses, grabbed the lead 3/8 and yielded to the ½, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t get show. KANDY KORN parlayed an inside trip into the last check. BUZZEN GARLAND took 3/16 to clear the pole horse, kept foes out a like distance before yielding, moved outside to avoid what looked to be a shuffle developing, but had little to offer. C-O-TO BLUEGRASS left from the rail and yielded 3/16, followed the last horse to the lead and was left raw at the half, faded. THE OTHER PAIR were not prominent.
TENTH RACE – CLAYTONS BETTOR N left well to clear by the 1/8, yielded off turn one but was quick to reclaim command, withstood the challenge of TERRITORY. The latter defended early position, flushed out to the 11/16 and went right up to challenge, raced well in a 28 kicker. PARTY WHIP was looped and was two-wide just past the quarter for the top, yielded, gave a little ground late. WHO’S NEGAN moved out behind not-great cover, ducked in on the turn and had some traffic issues headstretch, distant next. LIKE LIGHTNING LOU moved raw off turn two, got cover to the 11/16 but couldn’t go with it. ROCKIN ROCKO was last, went three-wide later on the backstretch, gained then flattened out mid-far turn. ODDS ON OCALA was already gapping by the 3/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – SWEET TALKER moved outside 3/16 to not get trapped in by parked horses, went on to get the lead 3/8, fought off the first-over and won comfortably. LIBSPEAK went to the early lead, saw an early challenger break, yielded to the winner 3/8, kept up pretty well in a 56.2 back half. FLIRTY FORTY was forwardly-placed, came raw on turn two and challenged, tired before the stretch. PRIMROSE was outside 3/8, gradually ranged closer to cover, almost made third. SUNRISE HANOVER tucked in third, no more forward gear at the ¾. LADY SOPHIA took a while to settle inside, not heard from thereafter. PEPPERMINT MOCHA had little to offer; SPRECKLES also was no factor. ROLL WITH AMY was going up to challenge for the lead 3/16 when making a break, recovered but made another break and suffered “b.e.,” was pulled up.
TWELFTH RACE – SCOOTNROLL moved behind the quarter-mover and took the lead into turn two, paced his back ¾ in 1:23.4 as much the best. P-DRIVE HANOVER made two speed moves the yielded for the two-hole, kept pretty close until an 1/8 out, bettered ROLL WITH DOM for second. The latter was on top early, saw two go by in quarter two, also stayed close in a fast mile. BRAZEN BRAZILIAN came uncovered from far back 5/8 and made a good showing. BOLT OF LUCK gapped at a couple of points. SALT LIFE wasn’t a factor. LAGUNA BEACH BOY disconnected down the back. BEACHMASTER TWO broke as the field entered the backstretch before the start.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SIR JOHN F came uncovered nearing turn two and one-geared it all the way home, going past the leader headstretch and then withstanding all other challenges. SQUEE HANOVER was three-wide early while looped, got in fourth 3/16, used the Pocono Pike to get second. MOSCONI HANOVER cleared the field from the outer post rather easily, yielded for the two-hole, out behind the winner headstretch after keeping up in good fractions, evenly. CELEBRITY MASERATI was looped and between horses, went up to the lead past the ¼ and kept up a good clip while being pressed, tired headstretch. TOTAL DIVA had some gate speed, backed out to follow the winner ¾ but couldn’t keep up. PRESIDENT gapped at a couple of points including when he gave up second-over positioning, was blindswitched late on the turn, was behind a wall of horses late. WHOUCALNCRAZY and PHANTOM RUSTY were never in the main frame. TT CONWAY tried to gain wide late turn but flattened.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Wind had calmed … HORSING AROUND wasn’t horsing around here, going straight to the lead, continuing at a fast clip, then finishing out in 55.1, which he needed to to defeat MACHEASY A. The latter, in his U.S. bow, was wide early and backed off into a 4-tuck past the 1/8, came uncovered 5/8 and gained until ducking in behind the winner late turn for some strengthening, then came out again early stretch, only to have the wire come just a bit early for him. JIMI WIND RICKS was three-wide early and backed off to tuck third, outside late turn and a distant third. YACHT WEEK defended the pocket, may’ve been bottomed chasing a good pace and unplugged ¾. THE OTHERS couldn’t get into a fast race for this class.
Sep 14, 2020 | Connors’ Comments
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … SPECTRE was three-wide to the 1/8 then in third 3/16, right up the Pocono Pike and had the most late. P L ICABOD yielded before the 3/16 to sit a two-hole, outside late turn, never had the lead but steadily for second. PUERTO RICO was out almost to the 3/16 in the 26.4 opener, rated the second quarter but the early energy use caught up to him. O JONNIE was last, had strong trot up the Pike late. CHAPTER FASHION gapped at several points along the way, not that much late. MISS MUSCLE was three-wide to try to circle dull cover late turn, not much. PRETTY EDGY was second-over, blindswitched, didn’t seem to have much in tight quarters much of the stretch. DJOKOVIC N moved raw towards turn two, didn’t gain much before backing off. ANDOVERS TOUCH was never in the hunt.
SECOND RACE – DAFINATY was the only strong leaver, set the pace to his liking, not threatened. FOOL OF IDEAS used the rail to get the pocket, came outside, drifted a little wide in the lane but still clearly second. BETTER BANGBANG was briefly outside to the ¾ but went back in with not a lot to give. SEE YOU FRIDAY got around two gappers down the backstretch, could get no closer. PROM KING and ALL PIPED UP were both gapping at several points.
THIRD RACE – FOCUS POCUS moved towards the ½ and cleared just past the 5/8 while going his own third quarter in 27.3, looked safe against the threat of CELEBRITY ROLEX. The latter left quickly from the rail, yielded in the front of the stands, came out as the winner was going by and retucked in the pocket, stayed close but wasn’t getting to the winner. DRAIN THE SWAMP outclosed the rest for the distant third. APOCALYPSE came out late backstretch, left behind while two-wide on the turn. TUFF TO BE LINDY tucked, moved to the lead in front of the grandstand, had no answer when the winner challenged past the 5/8. BETTA MUSCLES fell way back. HOLLOW TALK was already gapping past the 1/8.
FOURTH RACE – BIG CC’S ROCK was content in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and drew off as much the best. LYONS JOHNNY moved out of third 11/16, gained some, couldn’t step with the winner but edged SPECTACULAR ROCK in the last step for second. The latter was very fast away, got his own half, couldn’t complete this mission. REDONKULOUS struggled from later in the backstretch. DELIGHTFUL FASHION gapped at points, out late turn, couldn’t reach fourth. WE NEVER GETACOLT got around a struggling BOOK BINGE.
FIFTH RACE – TRAVEL WINNER went up between horses to command at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼ then moved to reclaim the lead just past the 3/8, in control the rest of the way. CASH FOR REAL was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead just before the ¼, yielded just past the 3/8 for the two-hole, couldn’t gain but held ground well. EV’S GIRL moved out from next-to-last 9/16 and gradually tightened in on cover, ducked inside late turn, then out in the stretch and showed late gain for third. KINETIC KING went out raw early on turn two, never reached the leader, next–best. SMART AS A WHIP was shuffled, evenly in the stretch. RAP SHEET was too far back. KAFFIR KEMP showed speed and relinquished, struggled from the 5/8. NEW IDENTITY was never prominent.
SIXTH RACE – WHO’S NEGAN quarter-moved and had a nice stroll in the sunshine thereafter. DON’T BLAME LOU was three-wide most of the way to the front at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, outpaced late. TSM BATMAN came up between horses to get the early pocket, left the rail midturn but didn’t gain. BEACH CHIEF closed a gap at the half then moved out 11/16 but didn’t have much to offer. THE NEXT THREE never achieved prominence; nor did BIG LUCIANO, who was already leaving a gap in front of the stands.
SEVENTH RACE – I’M WININ HANOVER was briefly wide then followed cover, uncovered 1/8 to the lead 3/16, got third quarter pressure from her main rival as that one tried to recover from a break, left her foe far behind with a good 57.3 last half for maiden trotters. BELLA BELLINI was out between horses and got the lead at the 1/8, made a break near the ¼ but caught back on and went up to challenge in a fast third quarter, understandably tired but way ahead of the others – has talent. MOUSE CIRCUS was forwardly-placed then got the pocket when a rival broke, gave way ¾. CAITLEE HALL was well off the action, moved out far turn but couldn’t reach third. RHYTHMOFTHENIGHT barged offstride just past the start. GHIBLI left a big gap past the ¼ then eventually broke. MISTY KRISTY was reasonably close when going offstride 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – SO SUPREME made the point at the 1/8, yielded then retook, aided when the outer tiers stalled midturn, drew away. EMORI HANOVER took command at the 1/8 then ceded it for the pocket, no match for the winner but held second ahead of SENDMETOTHESTARS. The latter was four-wide towards turn one, then two-wide to a 3/16 3-tuck, moved out midturn but quickly ducked back inside, OK. HELLO TOMMY was three-wide early then took a tuck fourth, not much late. BORNWESTERN was blocked headstretch, but couldn’t rally for fourth in the Pocono Pike. LAST LUXURY was away slowly, moved outside but gapped, three-wide late turn as the first-over tired, not a factor; ADELIA HANOVER followed LAST LUXURY then wax four-wide into the lane, not enough. GIRL HAS GAME didn’t have the necessary game for these. KISSIMMEE BEACH was first-over 3/8, made a good bid down the back then slowed suddenly past midturn.
NINTH RACE – BILLIE BLUE left well to have the lead by the 1/8 in a fast quarter, kept rolling on the lead, drew clear on the turn, kept to business late (the last quarter was 31). TOTAL DIVA followed cover early on the backstretch then lost it 11/16, kept on gaining one-paced. FRAC was away alertly and sat the pocket, loose of the leader far turn, kept trying to the line in the slowing tempo. SCARLETT RAIDER moved raw early backstretch and retucked around a fader, next in line. NATALIE HANOVER went evenly. C-O-TO BLUEGRASS had some speed, backed up in the last ¼. BIGBOY ROSCO never featured. GLOIRE DREAM was looped, tucked fourth 3/16 as SMOKIN ON BY broke; both of those were far back.
TENTH RACE – AN THE THUNDEROLLS came out off turn two, uncovered at a distance behind the fast third quarter mover, finally got to that one in a 30.2 kicker. LOOKINFORADVENTURE was last, four-wide late on the far turn and stormed through the stretch, just up for second. CANBEC KINGKAZIMIR was looped and pressed on to 3/16 command, shuffled when the lead changed hands later on the backstretch, made up ground quickly once getting to the Pocono Pike. NEEDLESS TO SAY was uncovered going to the second turn and paced down the back in 26.4 to open up a giant lead in a fast ¾, but had to pay the price late. FINAL JUSTICE gapped inside, then was also blocked late far turn, good in the Pike behind the winner. WILD WEST wasn’t in the main picture. RUTHLESS DUDE got the top from PP9, yielded, backed out to the ¾ but gapped on the turn. MATT MAJOR got forward position then quarter-moved, could do nothing about the brusher past the 5/8 and folded. DONAU was way back.
ELEVENTH RACE – NEAT was urged leaving, three-wide just past the 1/8 to the top just before the 5/16, set the pace, held off the relentless charge of SWEET TALKIN SATIN. The latter was third-over from far back, three-wide 11/16 and swept horses to get to two-wide midturn, kept narrowing in but couldn’t quite reach by the line. HERE COMES SWIFTY couldn’t stay with the place horse’s big three-wide move, very wide off the turn and passed many horses late for the distant third. APP HANOVER was shuffled, out in a blindswitch late turn, angled a lane to his right and had a little response. ACHILLES BLUE CHIP spotted midpack, then moved raw 3/8, couldn’t get close but kept going. R GAUWITZ HANOVER tucked third, didn’t reenter the picture. ASCARYONE HANOVER raced outside in the second half of the field, never a major danger. GRANDPA DON got the top, yielded to the winner before the 5/16, struggled from the 5/8. MAGIC TRICKS fell back.
TWELFTH RACE – GATORS BEN WINNING was three-deep to turn one and onward to the lead at the ¼, slowed the second quarter then picked up the pace to deal with the first-over challenger, drew away in the last ¼. ALWAYS BE LUCY raced out to command then yielded for the pocket, gave ground through the last ¼ but retained the distant second. SUN BELLE SLIPPERY was trapped inside, made up a fair amount of stretch ground. HOW ABOUT MURPH had some speed, stayed in, had to pause late turn as the pocketsitter backed up, then came clear but had little. TOPVILLE OLIVIA had to stack four-wide from third-over, got the last check. WOODMERE TANGO looked to leave but took back, then uncovered from the second turn, paced a big 26.4 backside to reach the leader while getting to second, but then backed off the last 3/16. HYPO FLIP was in good second-over position but started struggling 11/16. THE OTHER TWO gapped down the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SHOW ME THE MAGIC went a big first quarter to put everybody in behind, then went a big third quarter, a bit tired late but so were the rest trying to keep up. STOP RESISTIN tucked third, backed outside then was left raw when the first-over took over the pocket, advanced around the turn, held well in the stretch. J S PEYTON left a gap early until underway and uncovered towards turn two, got into the pocket past the 5/8, gave some ground late. LEAP YEAR LUCKY came up the inside and went on evenly. ER BEN left, took a tuck second 3/16, couldn’t keep the pocket filled early backstretch, then moved out on the final turn as the pace slowed and went on evenly for the last check. GUILTYWITHANEXCUSE gapped down the backstretch. THE REST did not achieve a contending position.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SKIP TO MY LOU tucked third, came uncovered at the half and paced his own third split in 26 flat to clear to the lead, drew away from these. ROCK LIGHTS was going to go third-over but then ducked back in near the half, went inside a gapper, outside headstretch, the only other one to be going “forward” late. OLLIE’S Z TAM took the pocket at the 1/8, backed out as the leader went by late backstretch and soon was left uncovered, couldn’t hold second late. WILD BILL went a good quarter to ensure command, slowed the half then stepped it up again but was unable to keep the winner outside, tired. LIMA RAIDER was along for the last check. BETTOR SPIRITS N was well-placed second-over at the half but flailed in the fast backstretch. THE REST OF THE FIELD was far back in this fast mile.
Jun 15, 2020 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Employment, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Gaming, General News, MGE, Travel & Leisure
WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 15, 2020) – News that Luzerne County, PA will be entering the green phase was recently made and with that, Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) is excited to announce a public reopening at 10:00am on Monday, June 22nd. This reopening will include comprehensive safety and social distancing protocols, some of which include thermal temperature scans at all points of entry, protective mask requirements and limited guest capacity.
“Over the past few months Mohegan Sun Pocono has been laser-focused on preparing our property for a safe reopen and we’re really excited to welcome back both our valued guests and more of our incredible team members on June 22nd.” said Anthony Carlucci, President & General Manager of MSP. “With the guidance of industry experts, regulatory agencies, and in closely mirroring the comprehensive protocols put in place by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s (MGE) flagship property in Connecticut, we feel we are well-prepared for our doors to open and can’t wait to welcome guests to a clean, safe and fun environment.”
Mohegan Sun Pocono temporarily closed all casino and resort operations on the evening of Monday, March 16th, due to necessary precautions related to COVID-19. In the past few months, comprehensive safety protocols and technology have been implemented across MSP for the safety of all guests, team members and the surrounding community. All of these new safety features can be found at Mohegansunpocono.com as well, though key measures and information include:
- Non-invasive thermal cameras for both team member and guest entrances. (Any guest or team member that registers a temperature of 100.2 or higher will be rechecked, and if the reading is still high, they will be asked politely to return when they feel healthy and contact their healthcare provider)
- Protective face masks will be required for all team members and guests
- Various slot machines will be turned off and table game seating will be reduced to implement and promote social distancing
- Significant increases in hand sanitizer dispensers and disinfecting wipes will be present across all sections of MSP
- Highly frequent cleaning and disinfecting throughout all of Mohegan Sun Pocono will occur, including but not limited to all gaming positions, public seating areas and restrooms
- All restaurants and bars will have reduced seating to allow for physical distancing and VIP Lounges will have full service stations only
- Additional safety signage and floor decals have been installed throughout the property to promote and reinforce social distancing
- Plexiglass dividers at transactional locations have been installed
- All Mohegan Sun Pocono team members will take part in a COVID-19 training program upon returning for work
*For Mohegan Sun Pocono’s initial reopening, there will only be two guest entries: the main valet entrance and hotel valet entrance. The racing entrance will open in the near future.
Areas of Mohegan Sun Pocono that will remain closed for the initial reopening will include Valet Parking, Seasons Buffet, the Poker Room, pools and gyms.
The Hotel at Mohegan Sun Pocono will resume operations on Sunday, June 28th and will begin accepting reservations on Monday, June 22nd.
Additional information on safety measures and all other developments are available at mohegansunpocono.com/updates.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, over 1,900 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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