Connors’ Comments for Saturday, June 10, 2023

Jun 14, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the mid-70s … JK OBJECTION was three-wide early, went on to the lead 3/16, parked a challenger while rolling on the front end, drew clear the last 3/16. CAPTAIN T HANOVER stayed up close, could clear to the outside early stretch, appeared to want to lug in a little but then straightened away and up for second. GONNAHAVEONEMORE sat in and was blocked, to the Pocono Pike and made it close for the deuce. TERRITORY went right to the lead, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have enough in the latter stages. BUSBOY HANOVER broke right at the start, reset quickly with his error costing him four lengths, stayed in last, passed tired horses in the wide tiers. WON LAST FEELING was out at the half, briefly had three-wide cover then three-wide raw, got back to two-wide but gapped. ARTIFACT HANOVER moved out early in the backstraight and soon went three-wide to clear the parked horse, got to two-wide 11/16 but could offer little late. ROLLINWITHAMBITION was double-looped and was left raw on the outside from the 3/16, dropped back.

SECOND RACE – BENJI’S BEST spotted third early, quarter-moved but was kept out the length of the frontstretch before clearing in a fast half, had enough to handle his collection. CONTROL HEAVEN looped everybody leaving, made the winner work hard to get the top, held his ground well in the stretch. MARINER SEELSTER moved uncovered just past the 5/8, challenged, was rebuffed, just did hold third over TERRY A HANOVER. The latter was looped, four-wide early, worked into the pocket past the 1/8, just missed in the battle for third. BULLVILLE TERROR came out at the 5/8 just as the first-over did, briefly three-wide before settling behind cover, but gapped cover before the ¾. SHVAIKO moved outside but made little progress. KATIE’S BET broke 3/16, returned with “b.e.”

THIRD RACE – A wild and wooly one … I’M BENICIO A left, yielded, shuffled in quarter two and outside before the half to follow the parked horse, three-wide approaching late turn, proved the best in a cavalry charge that saw the field separated by two lengths at the wire. DONTLIKEITLEAVE moved out before the ¼ in front of an advancing parked horse, went three-wide as a horse pulled off the first turn, finally could get back to two-wide 3/8 and rushed up to the lead, was in a fierce battle with the parked-the-mile horse, held nicely. SHORE OF HIMSELF went to the lead towards turn one, yielded, had some funky steps coming out of turn one and went two-wide, straightened away and went up to the lead 3/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, not quite enough. OUTWIT OUTRUN didn’t leave but went up towards the 3/16, got cover then followed that cover wide past the ¼, back to two-wide and then towards the second turn back to two-wide raw, fought the leader hard, held gamely after a hard-luck trip. MODERN ROCK was last, three-wide 11/16, four-wide nearing late turn, went on well. TUGGIN ON MY HEART was three-wide leaving, in front 3/16, shuffled badly in quarter two, to the deep Pike, OK. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was third-over, blindswitched far turn, never had a clear path. … There was a very long inquiry after the race concerning the action off the first turn, but no placings were made.

FOURTH RACE – SOUTHWIND ARTURO left well to take over before turn one, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, outside headstretch, just up over the pacesetting ILBENEEDINSTITCHES. The latter was briefly wide early, went on to take over 3/16, kept going at a good clip, caught in the shadow of the wire. FRANK THE ELDER stayed third-in, to the Pocono Pike, not far off but not quite enough. SAID AND DONE AS moved with cover late backstretch, ducked in, well off the top trio. AGGIORNAMENTO was uncovered before the 5/8 but couldn’t make a challenge before fading. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS was gapping by the half, broke far turn. HEART MATTERS was trying for early forward positioning when breaking before turn one.

FIFTH RACE – CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was three-wide early then two-wide to the lead nearing the ¼, yielded then was quick on the retake, was clear 5/8 and extended his margin to the wire. COWBOY COOL made the top inside into turn one, saw two go by, badly blocked as the pocket horse gapped out, to the Pocono Pike and recovered for the distant second. BLOW A CLOUD N was uncovered from the half, couldn’t reach the winner and formed a “wedge” with the fading pocket horse then clogged those tiers, evenly. LADYFORD DOLLAR GB was second-over, blindswitched from near the 3/4 well into the stretch, had some pace when finding room inside. SOUTHPORT BEACH went three-wide from last ¾ but couldn’t enter the picture. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was never in the main action. DING DING DINGER was four-wide early and three-wide until before the 3/16, then onward two-wide to the lead past the ¼, yielded to the winner for the two-hole, went loose 5/8.

SIXTH RACE – DELICIOUSSTONE DK left, had the lead when a rival broke to the 3/16, set the pace, maintained a secure advantage to the line under confident handling. LEXUS RANGER came through with the early pocket, moved out past midturn to take his shot, held well in finishing second. BRIGHT SIDE UP was forwardly-placed, inside stretch, not bad. ZETTE FLAME moved uncovered at the half but never really challenged. AP HALL OF TRIX was outside with cover early, took back to fourth when cover broke, not heard from again. ARCHERY SEELSTER had nonadvancing cover, not a factor. COLLEGE TUITION gapped. CANTSTOP YANKEE left and was ahead although still outside when he jumped 3/16.

SEVENTH RACE – URBAN RENEWAL was uncovered 5/8 but never got close enough so that the pocketsitter couldn’t move out late, then went wide of that one and had the most pace late. THE DARK SHADOW was between horses early, had the pocket 3/16, outside late turn, got the lead midstretch but was outkicked. ODDS ON DELRAY was second-over, four-wide late turn with the pocketsitter having room to pull, finished steadily. HOT DEUCE was forwardly-placed after a good start, went to the Pocono Pike, not all that much late. ELWELL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 3/16, set a quick tempo while under no pressure, then was engulfed nearing midstretch. PARK OFFICIAL broke early, caught the field but could not otherwise recover much. SHANE ADAM gapped inside.

EIGHTH RACE –Stretch headwind starting up – would grow stronger near the end of the card … YANKS DUGOUT was three-wide to the first turn then had cover to the ¼, then uncovered to the lead near the 3/8, opened up a good margin while going very fast, held off P L NOTSONICE in 1:51.2, equal-fastest trot mile of the year here. The latter one-geared uncovered from the 5/8, kept going closer and closer, big effort. MISS MCKEE pushed a fast quarter and yielded, sat in, blocked far turn, to the Pocono Pike and a distant third. SHARE THE WEALTH was second-over but couldn’t stay with his cover. ROBBIE PEV was parked to a 26.4 opener, yielded near the 3/8 for the pocket, went loose 5/8. SAY YOU DO gapped throughout. FOCUS POCUS wasn’t close when making a break far turn.

NINTH RACE – DEALT A WINNER was uncovered towards turn two, grinded up to challenge and went clear late backstretch, opened up an insurmountable lead. PLAY THE FIELD left well, was shuffled all the way back to last, stacked widest early stretch and came on with a furious charge. MAKE SOME WAVES followed cover, left uncovered to the ¾, held OK. LOUKES PERRY was behind nonadvancing cover, stayed two-wide on the turn then ducked into the Pocono Pike and had late gain. INDIGO ART was in the outer flow, went wide far turn, not enough. STONEBRIDGE DUEL left, took until the 3/8 to clear in a fast pace, couldn’t resist the winner late on the backstretch. SIMPLE KINDA MAN was in front towards turn one, pushed a foe hard before yielding, tired significantly.

TENTH RACE – RIP WHEELER took over before the 3/16, “slowed” the second quarter to 28 then ripped home in 54 – 26.4 drawing clear in the last quarter in the quickest mile of the year at Pocono, 1:48.1. CASUAL COOL left well then let the winner go, kept up close to the ¾, held second in a three-way picture. BETTORS DONTTELL spotted third, was a bit loose much of the way around, Pocono Pike, OK. PAT MCGARRY A had fading cover on the turn and was back to last, wide in the lane and closed well. LUCKBEWITHALEX was uncovered before the 5/8, gained a little going his own third split in 26.4 but then gave way. JOESSTAR OF MIA A was not prominent today.

ELEVENTH RACE – SONNY WEAVER N was wide early, pressed on to the front 3/16, rated the half then picked up the pace, got a late scare from FRISKIE ALL NITE but held that one off. The latter left and yielded to sit in the golden chair, found good stretch pace up the inside and did very well at 34-1. CAPTAIN ROMANCE left some, sat third, slightly loose down the back then did not keep up in the stretch. DIRT ON MY BOOTS was third-over, wide in the lane and closed well. COMET CRUSADER N looked at leaving but took back, went uncovered before the ½, paced in 26.2 down the back to get close, then backed off. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A never contended. TASTE OF HONEY was second-over, three-wide ¾, made some rough steps then broke past midturn.

TWELFTH RACE – DONATO PATRIOT K started uncovered on the second turn, blazed up in 26.3 challenging the favorite from the 9/16 onward head-to-head, then just pulled away from that one in a superior mile.  KENZIESKY HANOVER quarter-moved from second, backed off the half, then was under all-out attack from the winner from early backstretch, gave way in the stretch, lasted for second. BRECKENRIDGE gapped third-over, then did better in the last ¼ to be along for third. JOEY was on top at the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, stayed near to the big third quarter battle, couldn’t quite keep going late. SEVENTIER spotted third, stayed in, had stretch room inside but couldn’t gain. DAGON HANOVER gapped second-over, faded further near the end. KINDA LUCKY LINDY did not factor in this contest.

Connors’ Comments for Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Jun 12, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – “The hazy day” … Warm, with a strong stretch tailwind (look at the fractions of the races) … Take the fractions of the opener as an example … NOPEWASNTME sat outside much of the first turn, went 26.3 to go to the lead 5/16 and then pushed the favorite until past the half, went to the Pocono Pike from the pocket and barely got there, big race. PACINO HANOVER moved at the ¼ and also went his second split in 26.3 making the top nearing the backstretch, just failed to hold the advantage. HURRIKANE CHUCK was right to the lead, saw two go by in a contested quarter two, outside stretch, did OK in a quick mile.  VARNEY gapped most of the way to the 5/8, then got cover, three-wide around it late turn and made up good ground. TO THE HUNT sat in, evenly. DEMON BOY moved out raw 11/16 but didn’t gain. ARMED BANDIT gapped in last most of the race.

SECOND RACE – GLOBALDOMINATION N led from the first step to the last, repulsed an early bid and was clear the last 3/8 (despite each quarter being slower than the one before it, a statement ignoring the wind). ER VEGAS stayed connected, outside ¾, just along for second over SOUTHWIND DREDGE. The latter gapped a little near midrace then got in gear, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide ¾, couldn’t get closer. SELECT FRIDAY left and made the pocket at the ¼, loose of the winner most of the last half. THE NEXT TWO were not in the hunt. CHEYENNE REIJANE left, saw a horse take the pocket to the ¼ and moved into the frontstretch, tried to brush by but couldn’t, done to the 5/8.

THIRD RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY moved raw 5/8 and kept gradually gaining, bore out in the stretch but still hauled in DEVIOUS PROMISES. The latter kept the pocket closed early and was the only one staying with the runaway leader, to the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch but couldn’t quite hold that advantage. BY A HOFF HANOVER was sent down the road in blazing numbers even on a speed day, got a bit tired midstretch. FAMOUS DAN stayed in until moving out in the stretch, next. WILLIE B WORTHY was between horses early, tucked third 3/16, disconnecting from the ½. SON OF LIBERTY was very wide leaving and three-wide most of the ¼, took back to tuck fifth past that station, moved out again but had no gain. FRAC offered little. NO NAME YANKEE was disconnecting before the half.

FOURTH RACE – FULL SUPPORT drifted out early then in gear to take over early in the frontstretch, under pressure down the back, appeared to have dealt with that one, then saw a bunch coming at him late despite his pacing in 27.4 (wind-aided), held on. HURRIKANE JOHNYBOY went to the lead before the first bend, yielded to the winner and stayed close, found room to go outside before midstretch, narrowed in menacingly. BULLVILLE STEPHANO came on the grind off turn two and fought with the leader, fell back some off the far turn but then redoubled his efforts and was right there. ZEUS HANOVER was second-over, three-wide nearing headstretch, steadily; SIMPLY FAST was third-over, four-wide near headstretch, steadily. DONT GET SHOCKED left, stayed in third, had to wait until past early stretch to get to the Pocono Pike, had some gain. BEACH VIBES was last but fairly close when breaking far turn.

FIFTH RACE – DIVINE SPIRIT bounced out straight to command, cut fast fractions appropriate with the wind, then blasted home in 27.4 to win all by himself. VALENTINE EXPRESS came raw from third 5/8, advanced some, couldn’t sustain any gain but stayed clear for the deuce. CRAZYCAT raced into the pocket, went loose on the far turn. SMART AS HILL took back to tuck fourth, not heard from again. SIMON GOT LUCKY came out uncovered then got cover, but then gapped it before the far turn. LOUS LIVIA was last, dropped far back.

SIXTH RACE — HOLY BEING was outside early, got in gear at the 1/8 to make the lead at the ¼, went along steadily. ALDEBARAN ACRUX moved out of third ¾ and advanced, made a break midstretch but recovered and was second; no reason for placing was found. GINA’S ON FIRE left quickly and got the lead, yielded at the ¼, pocket, not quite enough late. MISSILE stayed close to the 3/4. LONESTAR FASHION and U BAKE THE CAKE were behind a gapper early and never entered in contention; the same is true of FIGHT SONG, who broke way before the start, caught the field at the ¼, but never got close. GHIBLI started leaving a gap at the 3/8.

SEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN WHO left wide but easily crossed over to the lead before the 1/8, was clear from the half and even more clear when the “new” pocket horse broke ¾, giving ground late but way too far ahead. UNSETTLED BUSINESS was outside to the ¾ then was soon pushed wide after a foe broke, to two-wide uncovered, steadily made up stretch ground. BARNEY HANOVER left OK from the rail and was in the pocket, gapping from before the 5/8, not bothered too much by the breaker, next. THE NEXT THREE were well off the front end the last half. CRÈME DU LOU CRÈME went outside off turn two and got around the gapping pocket horse to retuck second to the ¾, but soon went offstride and to the infield.

EIGHTH RACE – NASEY left well, yielded and sat in the hole patiently, went to the Pocono Pike and got the better of JUSTLIKEHIM. The latter went up to take over 3/16, set the pace without much pressure, fought very hard to the line. DART GUY gapped much of midrace, some along the inside in the stretch. NICALO HANOVER left some, moved uncovered from third 11/16 but didn’t make serious inroads. ITS A HORSE backed off to tuck early, not heard from again. PATRICK HANOVER was never prominent. LEVITATION moved uncovered from last at the ½, broke to the 5/8.

NINTH RACE – PRAIRIE NUGGET tucked third at the 1/8, then went around a breaker 3/16 and enjoyed a pocket trip, outside headstretch and slowly wore down TO MY CREDIT. The latter went right to the front, slowed the half, grudgingly yielded late. THE NEXT THREE held their 3-4-5 positions trotting along evenly. A GREAT CHAPTER couldn’t keep up. UNCLE NINO left, took the two-hole at the 1/8 but then broke 3/16 and went inside the pylons, recovered and caught the field but broke again into turn two. DEVITO HANOVER broke past the start.

TENTH RACE – DIEHARD SEELSTER went in front at the 1/8, yielded in front of the stands for the two-hole, outside into the stretch and was moving well late to overhaul the pacesetter. SHADOWFAX moved just before the 1/8 and went a 27 second quarter with the wind to reach the top in a very fast half, strung the field out, was caught late. LADY’S IMAGE left and went to the early pocket, evenly well off the top two. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT never entered the main fight. MUSHANA gapped. TOWN VICTOR was rough both taking back early and at a couple of other points, far back. NICE STUFF made a bad break coming off the turn before the start.

ELEVENTH RACE – KAY SAGE moved 3/16 to the lead before the 3/8 and kept going at a steady pace (her individual fractions were 28.1, 27.4, 28, 28) en route to an easy victory. BLAZING RAMONA made the top, got a challenger to go in behind, yielded to the winner, did well late but second-best. ON THE MONEY GB left well, got the early pocket at the 1/8, evenly in maintaining third. YOUNONOTHINJON was second-over, gapped cover late backstretch, ducked in on the turn, fair. BENICIO went her middle half in 54.3 raw in advancing a long way, had to right to fail to sustain her gain. BLANK CHEEK was in the outer flow but was not a threat. MO’S BEST ERA EVA was far back. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was gapping by the 3/8.

TWELFTH RACE – ANDOVER CONTESSA was between horses early, made the front at the ¼, could back down Q3 into the wind, still could draw off. GRAPPLE HANOVER was the innermost of three leavers, pushed to the ¼ and yielded for the pocket, no match but a clear second. MAGICAL JOURNEY moved out from midpack past mid-far turn, along for third over MISTER BOINGA. The latter was three-wide past the 1/8 then tucked in third, not too much late. KASEVILLE never factored. ALLINDOTIME backed out behind cover, took the last check. MISS MUSCLE moved uncovered 9/16 from last, almost made it to midpack before tiring ¾. GET TO THE POINTE broke going into turn two.

Connors’ Comments for Monday, June 5, 2023

Jun 11, 2023 | Connors’ Comments

FIRST RACE – Warm; stretch tailwind … JOHNNY SACK pressed on early to the lead then yielded off the first turn, stayed close in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and along nicely. CABOT BEACH was three-wide early, then two-wide to take command off the first turn, couldn’t hold on to the advantage. HESTONATOR left from the rail, wound up third-in, came between horses in tight quarters with some late pace. BET ON BUTER settled n fourth near the 1/8, broke after the ¼, went up and got into his previous hole before the second turn, then moved uncovered before the 5/8, made another challenge then fell back. BE THE CAPTAIN was second-over, wide in the lane and moving well late. MIKI DE VIE never factored.

SECOND RACE – CHAPOLIER was far back early, gained three-wide from the 5/8, veered wide late turn but got straightened away, closed best into a slowing pace. CHUCKY DE VIE made the top at the 1/8 and then hung a foe in fast fractions, stayed on to get second just on the line. CREEMORE spotted fifth, moved second-over, blindswitched then to the pocket as the pocketsitter faded, just edged for place. LOUS LANCELOT spotted, was shuffled behind the tired pocketsitter much of the far turn then out into a blindswitch, back inside and did OK. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was out behind the parked horse, blindswitched past the 5/8, never a major factor. NANCY BAR was three-wide to the 1/8, then as left out in no man’s land during fast fractions, held pretty well a long way. KEYSTONE SERGEANT couldn’t rally enough. TEDDY BROSEVELT kept the pocket closed, then steadily fell back from the 5/8.

THIRD RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP made the lead and yielded, backed out behind the parked horse 5/8, three-wide late turn, was moving best of all as the pace slowed down. TODDLER TANTRUM left, was behind cover then uncovered before the 3/16 to the front off turn one, rebuffed the early move of the favorite while going a very fast half, couldn’t quite hold to the wire. PANTHEON HANOVER stayed in, sharply angled wide headstretch and gained as the tempo declined. ARTACHE HANOVER was behind a two-wide gapper and was three-wide from nearing the 5/8 but never really entered contention. RUNHAPPY TEN took command before the 3/16 and yielded just into the frontstretch, gapped out late turn. AWESOMENESS slid in fifth 3/16, out behind cover on turn two but gapped the last half. RIOT tried to get to the top in the frontstretch but was left out in the air in a very fast half, pressured the leader before giving way. SPORTS BOX had all kinds of dull traffic ahead of him, had little chance trying to circle up four-wide from before the ¾.

FOURTH RACE – HESPOOKSHESCORES looped rivals to the first turn to take the lead, yielded past the 3/16 for the pocket, came out headstretch and went by easily. PRAIRIE FAMOUS was looped and three-wide to the 1/8, got to the front past the 3/16, se a slow pace, still had little in the last 1/16, did hold second. CASHIER came out ¾, wide headstretch and bore wide in the lane, narrowed in. STRONG BREW inherited third, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16. FAWN DE SIGN moved outside 11/16 but never did much. STAR HOPPING broke just before the start. SWEDISH HAT left from the pole, was in the early battle for second when breaking before the 3/16 and went inside. SOUTHWIND FIREBALL broke w-a-y before the start.

FIFTH RACE – ADULT SWIM went out well to the lead, forced a tuck, then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went right by. NO CIGAR TONY got an early spot, moved before the ¼ to take command, could offer little resistance late; reported back with “b.e.” DOWNBYTHEBANKS went uncovered from midpack 11/16, did OK in the fast last ¼. PARTY LOUNGE left well, took a tuck 3/16, began to fade midturn. CAVIART SABRINA gapped, never entered the picture but did get a check. ALL YOU CAN EAT was far back behind nonadvancing cover. TRULY was outside before the half, made up ground until the 11/16, where she got cover and immediately started to gap it. HALLELUJAH CHORUS gapped, then fell further behind.

SIXTH RACE – CUTIECUMBER left between horses and sat the pocket journey, outside headstretch and proved to have the most late. RAVIOLI was three-wide leaving, had the top by the 1/8, set the pace as she pleased, not enough to withstand the winner. MISS HALL sat third, not in the league of the top two late but far ahead of the others. QUEEN CAMILLE gapped at several points. EVER HOPEFUL G broke coming off the turn before the start, caught the field by the 3/8, made up some ground down the backstretch but flattened in the last 3/16. MERCURY LANE never featured. NINA HANOVER was wide early, took back but broke nearing the first curve.

SEVENTH RACE – SCOTTY DEO was four-wide early, worked to two-wide with cover to the 3/16, then left raw and went right on to get the lead 3/8, never let up on the speed while stringing this field out and won impressively. P CHICO was three-wide leaving, then two-high to 3/16 command, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, well ahead of the rest. PAUC HANOVER went right to the lead, yielded 3/16, wasn’t keeping up in the 3-hole from down the backstretch, just third over OPTRIX. The latter moved out with cover, ducked in far turn when cover stalled, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. JOLLY RANCHER moved uncovered 5/8 but never threatened. FOX HOLE gapped third-over. YO CARTER never entered the picture. BATTLESHIP LANDING gapped from the 5/8, broke in the stretch.

EIGHTH RACE – APPLE VALLEY ART found enough at the 1/8 to put the first challenger in behind, then kept another challenger parked, went clear headstretch and won handily. STELLAR BLUE CHIP was third-over and steadily advanced in that wide lane, enough to take second at the wire over IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING. The latter was actually ahead of the winner early but track geometry forced him to back off to the pocket 3/16, didn’t gain the last 1/8 and lost second very late. LACHIE MAGUIRE N was out behind cover early, tucked at the ¼ but was back out behind the cover 3/8, blindswitched 5/8, backed out to follow the three-wide cover far turn, steadily. SHARKY BEAR was buried inside, out in a blindswitch past midturn, angled wide and was OK late. LENWOODS REAL DEAL had cover to the 3/16 then was stuck raw on the rim, challenged a long way, was passed by several horses but still showed good energy in the luckless trip. BLAKEMORE couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. PERKINS was behind cover but didn’t enter contention.

NINTH RACE – SILENT NIGHT turned out to be quarter-mover #2, briefly three-wide before the 3/8 then going to two-wide when making a break, reset before turn two and rushed up, took the lead ¾, was handled cautiously late when others came back on her but seemed in control very late. CHEROKEE JOY was three-wide early to the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/8, moved outside on the far turn after the lead changed hands, just nipped WAL STREET LADY for second. The latter pulled the pocket as QM#1, got the top 3/8, couldn’t not resist the winner ¾, kept on going late. FRESHGROUNDPEPPER moved out far turn, best of the others. SANTA MONICA AS went evenly. GADOT HANOVER gapped out in the last half. I CANT REFUSE broke at the start.

TENTH RACE – CERULEAN HANOVER made the lead 3/16, yielded to a brusher to the second turn and stayed tight during the backstretch duel, outside midturn, saw LOUSAIN BOLT get away upper stretch but kept digging gamely and got the decision very late. The latter came with a roar before the half and went up in 27 against the wind to go head-to-head with the leader, finally cleared that one far turn, just failed to hold the lead to the wire. FOUT left well, yielded, gave a tuck to a foe past the ¼ so he could brush to the lead before turn two, dueled with a tough rival from the 5/8, weakened a bit in the last 1/8. KID FROM THE BRONX was wide to the first turn then behind cover, raw 3/16, got a hole 5/16 to clear the way for a brusher and was under a hold in the hole 3/8, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t make a comeback. CAPTAIN UP stayed in, shuffled some, wedged between horses in extremely tight quarters with pace late. LOOTABLE gapped the backstretch duel, couldn’t enter into the main battle.

ELEVENTH RACE – HAMMER CREEK strung the field out early in a lineup minus the breaker, had only MUSCLES JARED stay with him most of the last half, held off that rival. The latter stayed close in the pocket, outside late turn, bore out through the stretch but still gained. QUINCY MARKET was last of the main pack ¾, three-wide circling the rest to be clearly third. CRITICAL MASS had trouble staying close throughout, separated from the top two in the third quarter. BOASTER COASTER tried to go around a gapper down the back but could not, inside far turn, far back. CELEBRITY SERENA never got going. MATTER OF TRUST showed in front as the gate sprang then made a break a few strides into the race.

TWELFTH RACE – HES REALLY KEEN was three-deep early, in front just past the 1/8, never got much pressure after a slow second quarter, came home in 55.2. MISTER DAYTONA N was away between horses and got the two-hole, loose of the leader on the turn but preserved the deuce. ASTON HILL DAVE was third-over, three-wide 5/8, urged 11/16, got to two-wide far turn, good race. MUSICAL BOX pushed the 1/8, yielded, not enough in the last stanza. BOLTMAN was second-over behind the parked horse, blindswitched then himself tried to go up three-wide, got the final payday. SUNSETBOOZECRUISE struggled to stay tight inside, briefly blocked late far turn, but little once clear. DILLINGER was three-wide early outside of “slow tuckers” then rode uncovered midpack, advanced some off the second turn but then faded. HOOSIER SHARK was last at every call.

THIRTEENTH RACE – EXCHEQUER, benefitting from the pace, sat third-in, angled wide past early stretch and got in high enough gear quickly enough to just catch HOT SUMMER KNIGHT. The latter went to the lead at the 1/8 then yielded for the two-hole, sat right behind the protracted duel, outside late turn, went to the lead midstretch, just missed. PADRE was three-wide to the 3/16, circled a foe then got in front just before the ¼, under a lot of pressure from the foe he looped, couldn’t keep the lead. ARCHIBALD was last, four-wide late turn, in close quarters early stretch, outfinished the others. FORREST sat in and was shuffled, not too much late. SORTIE didn’t get in gear until well past the 5/8, three-wide with cover far turn, not much response. FREDDIE MAC gapped early, then moved out down the back, three-wide ¾ but with little. TUIS SHADOW stayed outside in the first turn, went up to challenge but was left two-wide raw, contested the pace until the far turn then tired.