Mar 15, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature right at freezing, and the track again heavy after snow earlier in the day … Stretch tailwind … BRAVO TEX N went on to the lead 3/16, had an easy time of it. BOBBY K HILL left to command then yielded for the pocket, didn’t keep up on the far turn but narrowed back in some late. HOMESTRETCH WES sat in and was buried, to the deep Pocono Pike and finished well. LITTLE POWER sat third-in, inside the winner, so-so. BROTHER JAMES moved with cover at the ½ but soon lost it, never advanced enough to threaten. ARTIFACT HANOVER was no factor after not being helped by his cover. MINGO JOEL tucked midpack past the 1/8, started up raw at the half but soon was offstride.
SECOND RACE – EUROBOND was limbed three-high to the 3/16 then two-wide to command well past the ¼, under attack from the 5/8, but shrugged off that one, and the rest of the field, off through the stretch. CHIPLOSIVE was between horses early, made the pylons to the 3/16 then yielded before the 5/16 for the two-hole, urged to stay connected 11/16, distant second. MISS MCKEE made a bold uncovered move into the wind to challenge the winner, held her ground well. MISSION VOYAGE showed some speed, inside, so-so late. NEWSBOY gapped second-over, never a major danger. THE LAST TWO did not keep tight at the back.
THIRD RACE – SECRECY showed some speed from the rail, stayed in, buried on the far turn, then got room deep in the Pocono Pike and finished well to beat out SAMSON BLUE CHIP in a photo. The latter was three-wide before the 1/8 to the lead at that point, set the pace, held up under pressure very well but just nipped late. MODERN ROCK was in front before the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, dropped down to the Pike and had his chance but couldn’t quite make it. ODDS ON DELRAY got underway uncovered just before the ½, challenged, a step shy at crunch time. MEADOWBRANCH FLASH was third-over, came on well from a tough spot. JOHNNY CHIP was second-over, gapped cover on the far turn, not quite enough. AMERICA’S GUEST was never prominent.
FOURTH RACE – BOUNTY HUNTER left between horses to sit the two-hole trip, to the Pocono Pike and wore down AMERICAN CLASSIC gamely. The latter was on top at the 1/8, not under pressure until the winner came calling, gave ground only grudgingly. DRAGON CITY got an improved position early, uncovered off turn two, advanced to the three-hole late backstretch, outside headstretch, clear third. MAJOR SHOW gapped much of the way. BLUESVILLE followed cover, tucked in far turn, not that much late. PROMISE ME ART was not heard from; nor was C-BET HANOVER. DANCING JOE stayed connected with the top two to the 5/8 then dropped back.
FIFTH RACE – CAVIART VAL was hustled away, moved from third at the half and went by just past the ¾, ran off and hid. PLAY THE FIELD yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, was trapped in on the far turn, got to the Pocono Pike and was along for second over CENTURY FURY. The latter moved to the outside far turn and three-wide headstretch, OK. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO couldn’t stay with cover 5/8, left raw ¾ as the winner ran off, not that much. THE NEXT TWO never entered contention. JK OBJECTION was three-wide early then two-wide to the ¼ to get the top, folded when challenged ¾.
SIXTH RACE – STOP STARING left between horses, went on to the lead just past the 3/16, yielded for the two-hole just past the 5/16, waited for the Pocono Pike then utilized it, defeated BULLVILLE TERROR. The latter started on the grind 9/16 and kept going forward, held gamely against the “trip horse.” DASH OF DANGER was second-over but gapped a long way, did better in the stretch. PRINCE OF TIDES was three-wide almost to the 3/16, could’ve taken a 3-tuck but went on to get the front just past the 5/16, came under pressure, tired. VIVA LAS VEGAS N didn’t have great cover, wide and fair finishing. CRUNCH HANOVER went evenly after an inside trip. SHVAIKO left well, yielded, stayed in third, gapped out down the back, as did DO WORK SON, who was behind him.
SEVENTH RACE – MUDVILLE was sent up raw at the half, kept on grinding, got the lead headstretch, withstood the late-clearing DRAGON STRIKES. The latter had to make up a lot of ground circling a bad gapper early, advanced along the inside, blocked midturn and into the stretch, finally found room to go outside towards midstretch and finished very quickly in a hard-luck mile. CAVIART MAX was looped leaving, went on to get the lead 3/16, tired in the last 3/16. VIRGIN STORM spotted early, backed out to second-over past midbackstretch but gapped. LATE MAIL N left like a shot for command, yielded for the pocket, little to offer in the lane. GLOBAL CRUSH moved behind the winner but couldn’t keep up. STELLAR BB had broken equipment early and fell further and further back.
EIGHTH RACE – IDEAL STAR N sat in before the second turn, then backed out to third-over off that bend and got in the lively flow, three-wide late turn and quickly went to the lead in early stretch, a safe winner. DAVIDS COMING HOME moved out from last 11/16 and went three-wide ¾, couldn’t reach the cover of the winner on the turn, but finished as the best of the others. SOMBODYITREASURE had early speed, stayed in and was shuffled, got out in a blindswitch past the ¾ then ducked back in to the Pocono Pike, had some late step. BLACK CHEVRON N was uncovered 3/8, continued steadily first-up and cleared to the lead just past the ¾, not enough left late. TUXEDO BAY was second-over, left raw before midturn, fell back. RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS was three-wide to the 1/8, got in front past the 1/8, had pressure down the back and was finished ¾. ROCKET RUSSELL went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for a two-hole trip, was stuck behind the tired pacesetter on the turn but had nothing left to offer himself.
NINTH RACE – A ROCKNROLL STAR went to the lead into turn one, yielded past the 1/8 to sit in the pocket, vacated same nearing headstretch and gained in a 27.4 last quarter to catch a resilient BIG FRITZ. The latter hustled away well and set all the pace, gave only a little ground and that grudgingly late. DONTPASSME HANOVER didn’t leave but improved early position around slow-starting foes, outside 5/8, never near the top two but clearly third. MASTER MIKI had some speed, couldn’t go with the top two ¾, tired a bit more. JK STANDINGOVATION gapped most of the mile; IDEAL BEACH started slowly and gapped virtually the entire mile. MAC’S MARVEL was never close; nor was YS DO IT RIGHT.
TENTH RACE – HEMSWORTH N was out for early position and spotted fifth before the 3/16, uncovered off turn two and made a sharp move to go up to NICHOLAS BEACH, engaged that one on the turn and got the decision in a fine two-horse finish. The latter was outside behind the earliest mover then followed him to command, set the pace, held very well but didn’t have enough to withstand the winner. MR DS ROCK moved just before the ¼ to get control of the racetrack then yielded for the pocket, urged on the turn, fought on for a good third. TITO ROCKS left, forced a rival to tuck, then saw two go by in quarter two, stayed third-in, to the Pocono Pike, looked to get to almost-even-third midstretch but then flattened a bit. MIGHTY SANTANA N left, was put in a hole, stayed in, couldn’t go enough. MULLINAX would have had the winner’s cover had he been able to stay with it. THE LAST PAIR were away slowly and never entered into it.
ELEVENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was on the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼, then made a quick move to reclaim the top 3/8, absorbed pressure then paced away. ALWAYS BETTER gradually grinded up from turn two, rebuffed by the winner but a good second. AMP IT UP N was second-over, three-wide late on the turn, not quite enough. BARRAGE HANOVER was three-high to the 1/8 then two-high to the ¼, yielded to the winner’s brush 3/8, asked towards the ¾, didn’t have too much left to give in the lane. BROTHER DICK left well, sat third-in, out in a blindswitch far turn, was in tight quarters most of the way to the line with some pace. DECOY did not factor. HASH-TAG SWAG was third-over but never got into the main picture.
TWELFTH RACE – VEL MR NICE GUY moved at the 1/8 before being pinned in by the parked horse, made the top 3/8, fought off pressure then saw that one break midturn and had no further difficulty. DOUBLEORNOTHING N used the rail well, yielded just past the 3/8 for the pocket, couldn’t make a dent into the winner’s lead but was a clear second. THE WALL chose to ride outside early, got cover to the 3/8, dropped inside mid-far turn just as his cover broke, raced bravely to be third. TERRY A HANOVER left, took the pocket 3/16, backed up then slid out ¾, uncovered midturn, not bad. YUPPER stayed in and gapped down the back, was in tight quarters between horses nearing the wire. HIS BEATS HANOVER was third-over but couldn’t make a dent. CALYPSO ROCK N had little. UNSUNG HERO tucked fourth, came out to the 3/8 so as not to be pinned in, challenged hard, started to drop back slightly before breaking just past midturn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FRONTIER ROLLO was three-wide early, then two-wide to the lead at the 1/8, forced a tuck, yielded to the chalk just past the 3/8 for the pocket, moved outside headstretch and dashed away from these. I’LL TAKE THE BET sat in, was stuck inside through the entire far turn, finally angled out into the stretch and passed tired horses. DILLINGER gapped to the ¼ then went tightened in, uncovered before the half, never got close enough to threaten. CAPTAIN T HANOVER left, yielded, moved to the 5/16 to the lead past the 3/8, nothing left for the stretch. A FEARSOME HANOVER gapped at the back. ALI was four-wide leaving and three-wide at the 1/8, then two-wide to the pocket 3/16, gapped out. SEAL O’NEILL moved outside but couldn’t keep up.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DIVISION BELL got a perfect second-over trip from last, left uncovered late turn, paced right to the lead early stretch, and had enough to prevail. A BETTOR BEACH tucked third, stayed in and had horrible traffic problems far turn into the lane, came clear to midstretch angling out, made up ground but not quite enough. BARGAIN SHOPPER went uncovered at the 3/8 and kept on grinding up, made the lead late turn at 46-1, held very well. NOCH TEN sat in then came out to third-over at the half, edged three-wide late turn, one-geared in the lane. AMERICAN BOY N left well, yielded for the pocket, trapped as the pacesetter yielded, then out in a blindswitch late turn, back inside, couldn’t get into the main picture. SIMPLE KINDA MAN sat in and was shuffled to last, never entered contention. EAST BEACH left quickly and got the top, all done when challenged midturn.
FIFTEENTH RACE – COLLEGE TUITION moved raw from third just past the 5/8, challenged, took the lead nearing headstretch and won handily. TORRONE outleft everybody, yielded to the early brusher for the pocket, backed out behind the winner towards headstretch, steadily for second. HEART MATTERS sat in, got to the Pocono Pike, OK. BULLY BOY HILL pulled from second 3/16 to move to the lead, set a slow pace in the slow going, came up wanting the last 1/8. CIEL BLU was second-over, gapped cover, not that much. THE OTHERS were always near the back and no threat.
Mar 12, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 40s; stretch tailwind today, though diminished towards the end of the card … KILOWATT KID N left well, yielded at the 3/16 for the pocket, worked hard and got by IM A GIGOLO N in the last 100 feet. The latter left briskly to 3/16 command in a fast quarter, kept going at a good clip, just missed in a big outing. SHANE ADAM tucked third, sat third-inside, held that position in a photo over REGAL ESCAPE. The latter was third-over, three-wide midturn, came on solidly. SEND IT IN JEROME stayed in, was not prominent. BIG BOSS HILL was raw on turn two, raced up to get to the leader’s wheel 5/8, but then never got closer before fading. MAJOR SHOW gapped second-over. AFLAME HANOVER was last at every call.
SECOND RACE – ASKMELATER HANOVER left like a shot and had an open lead during fast fractions most of the way, drew off as the meet’s longest price at $74.00. TRUMAN JR HANOVER raced up to the pocket at the 1/8, struggled a little to keep up with the marauding front-ender, had enough to maintain second. CHIEF JUSTICE came outside midturn, was gaining nicely late. MY BOY CHRISTIAN moved out 5/8, circled the tiring first-over ¾ but couldn’t gain once back to two-wide. MISTER BOINGA moved second-over, ducked back in 5/8, little late. WILLIE B WORTHY and FASHION CANTAB never factored. NASEY was double-looped leaving and tucked third 3/16, moved out off the second turn but was soon going backwards.
THIRD RACE – REDHOT ROMEO settled in third at the 1/8, then gapped before tightening in, uncovered 5/8 and challenged, took command at headstretch, and – oh, brother! – held off POINTSMAN to his inside. The latter left well for the pocket, lost a little ground coming into the stretch, moved out behind the winner then ducked inside him towards midstretch, couldn’t quite make up enough ground. THOR raced second-over, three-wide headstretch, close at the finish. WHERES MY MONEY took the inner route until mid-far turn, angled wide and was gaining well at the end. NIGHT EXPLORER gapped inside, little late. FRITZIE PIC UP MAN streaked out to the lead before turn one, cut the pace, was challenged by the winner, had very little left in the drive.
FOURTH RACE – BAR COINS tucked third early, moved around the big gapper past the 5/8 and gradually ate into the leader’s margin, caught that one in time. THE BLACK ACE was all by himself most of the way in fast time for this kind in these conditions, was being coaxed home but couldn’t quite last to the line, tons ahead of the rest. DONATELLO HANOVER followed cover, wide headstretch, just got the very distant third. TOP TUXEDO came outside late backstretch but couldn’t catch up. MEGA POINT left for the pocket, got bottomed out chasing the wicked tempo. SANTA MONICA AS jumped approaching turn one. GATSBY was last in the main pack when going offstride before the ½. QUINNPATRICKSHEA broke entering the first curve.
FIFTH RACE – Another two-horse stretch duel … SCRAPPIN GOLD left enough to defend the pocket, stayed in the hole until well into the lane, then outkicked PANTHEON HANOVER to the line in a good time in this situation. The latter was urged leaving, set the pace, oceans ahead of the others. HEAVEN’S SUPERSTAR was looped early and tucked third before the 3/16, then kept close until the last 3/16. ON THE TAKE stayed on the rail, came back with “b.e.” IMIDEAL HANOVER came out from last 11/16 but didn’t make any inroads.
SIXTH RACE – SAY YOU DO had the early pocket, inherited the lead just before the half as the pacesetter “ex”d, saw REDWHITE N GOO come out on the turn and get to even terms late turn, but stayed steady to the line and got the job done. The latter sat third then moved up to second with the breaker, looked menacing coming out on the two-hole midturn, but drifted wide in the lane and couldn’t quite reach. RUFFLES N LACE stayed out of trouble. REAL MC COY also stayed flat. CELEBRITY SERENA was not a factor when breaking headstretch. JUSTIFY went offstride coming off the second turn. MASSIVE OPULENCE left sharply for the lead, had a strap visibly dislodged coming out of the first turn, then made an “ex” entering turn two, was taken to the infield, and was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – CALVERY HILL followed cover outside on the turn, was briefly blindswitched, then found room early stretch and had the most late for Team DiBenedetto. CAVIART SKIPPER moved out of third at the ¾, battled, may never have been ahead but went on with determination. WESTERN THUNDER looked at leaving but then took back to last in the short field, outside on the turn and wide towards midstretch, narrowed in. I SOAR HIM FIRST went to the lead just past the 3/16, set the pace without pressure, couldn’t hold the advantage to the line. CASINO BAGS ANSO left from the rail then yielded for the pocket, a bit loose most of the way, to the Pocono Pike, no gain.
EIGHTH RACE – MONTEVERDI settled in third past the 1/8, waited until midturn then came out, just caught BLOGMASTER late. The latter was three-wide to turn one, in front past the 1/8, set the pace without challenge, just missed in the last steps. CREATE MYSTIQUE was away for the pocket, had a great trip, no excuse in the Pocono Pike. STEEL SCHOONER came from far back uncovered, tucked in on the far turn, a better mile than it may appear on paper. SUNDAE FUNDAY started gapping at the 3/8. GLIDE IN THE WIND was trapped inside, but didn’t have quickstep once clear. GAAREAT GAAZOO couldn’t go with cover; KEYSTONE SERGEANT tried to circle poor cover ¾ but could not.
NINTH RACE – BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT was uncovered to the second turn, went 28 down the back to clear 3/4 and then draw away. PHILOSOPHIZER left and got the pocket, was locked in on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and had some decent rally for second. DISMISSAL SLIP sat in then backed out to third-over 9/16, wide far turn, OK for third. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was inside and shuffled to last, angled to four-wide headstretch but couldn’t get too much closer. BRIGADOON was four-wide early, then to two-wide to the lead to the 3/16, rated the half, couldn’t handle the winner to the ¾ and faded – the seventeenth straight Game Of Claims favorite to lose. SKYWAY BILLY had excellent cover but failed to continue to gain once left uncovered ¾.
TENTH RACE – RACER DAN was second-over, gapped during the third quarter, but got closer on the turn, went wide in the stretch, and outtrotted these to the line. THE AMERICAN EAGLE gapped a bit from the 3/16 to the half, then came uncovered, challenged, steadily although outkicked for the win. U BAKE THE CAKE looked at leaving but took back, stayed inside, to the deep Pocono Pike and was going well late. DIEHARD SEELSTER was three-wide to the first turn to the lead 3/16, didn’t surrender the lead until deep stretch but then tired. WAVELIKEAQUEEN left and sat in the two-hole from the 3/16, inside the pacesetter in the stretch but not a great response. COUNT JOGGING was gapping in last when breaking.
ELEVENTH RACE – CONGRESSIONAL was four-wide early and three-wide to the first curve, then two-wide to the lead 3/16, was not challenged until the far turn, then left these behind with a powerful 28 finish. RUSTY BEACH took back early and spotted, stayed connected, got to the pocket as the 2-3 horses went outside, did well in the Pocono Pike to photo COALFORD BET ALINE for second. The latter was three-wide early then two-wide to make the front at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, came outside midturn but couldn’t cut into the winner’s margin. MIDTEEN sat third, came out with cover on the turn, didn’t find best strides until late. PARK STREET BLUES was behind dull cover as the back four were well off the top four ¾, swung wide and got the last check. RAYRAY moved out off turn two but had little. THE OTHER TWO gapped.
TWELFTH RACE – NICE STUFF came out raw at the ¾ and made her way forward, able to outtrot this field to the line. TRICKY DICK moved outside 11/16 and caught cover ¾, closed steadily and just gained second over ARCH CREDIT. The latter was three-wide leaving to the front at the 1/8, yielded off the first turn for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got a brief lead, not quite enough. KEEGAN HO angled out on the far turn, stacked widest and had finishing trot. TEDDY BROSEVELT and SUM FOR ALL both stayed in and couldn’t make their presence felt. AWSOME PAUL was looped, bypassed a two-hole tuck to get the top off the first turn, had no pressure on the lead until the far turn, but came up empty. KEYSTONE THUNDER was last at every call.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SUPER GIRL was very wide early then got to two-wide at the 1/8, rushed up to take over off the first turn, sprinted home in 56.1 – 27.4 to hold off a foe to either side. ALWAYS B NAUGHTY hit the front at the 1/8 then yielded for the two-hole and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike and appeared to flounder a little, then found a high gear and was narrowing in well late. MARGOT HANOVER spotted fourth, uncovered ¾ and made up ground, may have gotten to second briefly towards deep stretch, held well. HAILEY’S SISTER left and yielded, stayed connected until around the far turn. MOLLY MCARDLE gapped early, along for the last check. KALYPSO came out 5/8 but couldn’t reach the main action in the sprint home. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE offered little. RELENTLESS JULIE had just moved uncovered going into the second curve when she broke.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MUSHANA left amidst a bunch, went right to the lead and didn’t want to give it up, was pressed by the parked horse, but disposed of that one and the rest of the field from past the ¾. PRIMO PADRE moved to second-over behind the parked horse, three-wide nearing midturn, clearly second. CHOCO CHARLIE was buried inside then got some room when a foe broke on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and was doing OK finishing. LADY’S IMAGE left and took the pocket, no response in the last 5/16. SPREE was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide, could find no hole so had to stay on the rim, fell back towards the ¾ after the hard trip. ARGENTO gapped outside. LIFEINTHESLAMMER slid into a three-tuck at the 1/8, was under a hold, shuffled from the ¾ and finally made a break nearing the top of the stretch, being taken to the infield. SECRET OR NOT broke as the gate sprang.
FIFTEENTH RACE – WAIMAC ATTACK N was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to get the lead past that point, rated the half then charged home enough to not be threatened. IC A FREE SPIRIT spotted third, kept close throughout, moved to the Pocono Pike and was an OK second. A STUD NAMED SAM left well, then yielded for a two-hole ride, outside headstretch but didn’t have the needed late steps. LOVE YOURSELF gapped at a couple of points, evenly late. SKY CAPTAIN had to swing wide from last, some late speed. BUTTER UP went out to second-over just past the 5/8, three-wide late turn but had little to offer. COLLEGE HANOVER was uncovered into the second bend, paced in 27.1 down the back to get close to the leader, but then his bid ended.
Mar 7, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – About 40 degrees, shifting winds (frequently a stretch tailwind later) and a heavy racetrack that noticeably negatively impacted the times registered (and, especially later in the card, did not help speed horses) … YS DO IT RIGHT was three-wide to the 1/8 to the front past the 3/16, set the pace, under mild encouragement to withstand BOUNTY HUNTER. The latter was wide early then took back to tuck fifth at the 1/8, moved second-over, lost cover ¾, dug in gamely the last quarter and advanced. DANCING JOE used the pole to advantage and sat the pocket trip close-up, to the Pocono Pike but not much stretch kick. ALWAYS BETTER moved uncovered 5/8, tucked back in third ¾, not too much late. CURBSIDE PICKUP went evenly from third-over. COWBOY COOL was forwardly-placed early but was already gapping and a bit rough going by the stands the first time. PHANTOM SHADOW gapped at the back.
SECOND RACE – PARK OFFICIAL came on the grind at the half, kept applying pressure, proved the best late. PLAY THE FIELD was four-wide to the first turn, gradually went on to gain control past the 1/8, moderated the pace, just did hold second from HOMESTRETCH WES. The latter moved third-over, three-wide ¾ as his cover gapped, finished very steadily. NOCH TEN left but took back for a hole, then moved second-over, couldn’t stay with the cover, ducked in, Pocono Pike, not much late. HASH-TAG SWAG left and got the top before the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, wasn’t keeping the hole filled from past the 5/8. LITTLE POWER never entered the main picture; HITMAN HILL was also no factor from far back.
THIRD RACE – BRAVO TEX N was looped early, worked up to the front just past the ¼, gradually widened his margin from midturn. BOBBY K HILL left like a shot, yielded past the ¼ for the pocket, kept up OK to midturn, tired but preserved second. A FEARSOME HANOVER struggled at the back from past the 3/8 until the ¾, then found his best strides and passed many horses. BLACK CHEVRON N sat in, not too much the last ¼. LATE MAIL N was hard to take back and raced on the outside throughout, didn’t get close and ducked in far turn. COCOSFELLA A couldn’t go with these. RESTAURANT BULLY took back early, was flushed out early and gained on the grind, then fell back far turn, broke midstretch while still in contention for minor honors.
FOURTH RACE – CAVEMAN A got early forward position, then quarter-moved but was under encouragement and needed the length of the frontstretch to clear to the top, then had to do battle from the 11/16 with BULLVILLE TERROR, held together gamely. The latter was out third-over, three-wide before the 5/8 to two-wide and gained a short lead 11/16 through the turn, lost a little ground early stretch but went on very courageously. TERRY A HANOVER was second-over, blindswitched by two different horses and shuffled to last, finally escaped and went three-wide, very good late. DOUBLEORNOTHING N battled hard to gain command 3/16, then pushed the winner all the way to the second turn before yielding, backed out two-wide headstretch, OK. CALYPSO ROCK N moved out to the place horse’s path late backstretch but couldn’t go with him, to two-wide turn, had no more gain. ROCKIN MARTY A was very wide early and made a break, caught the pack but couldn’t reenter contention. STILL THIRSTY left hard for the early lead, yielded 3/16, came back out at the half, was looped late backstretch and tired through the last ¼.
FIFTH RACE – Track getting deeper … A BETTOR BEACH gapped inside in quarter two then gapped outside in quarter three, got into gear midturn and three-wide mid-far turn, just enough over DAVIDS COMING HOME. The latter sat in and advanced up the inside, found room between horses headstretch and came on steadily. ASTON HILL DAVE was urged off the gate, moved from the pocket before the ¼ to the lead after that point, set the pace, held until midstretch. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN left three-wide to gain early control, relinquished for the two-hole, couldn’t summon much late. BARGAIN SHOPPER left between horses then took all the way back to last, was gaining late as the tempo slowed. RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS moved raw 5/8 but didn’t have much horsepower.
SIXTH RACE – CANTSTOP YANKEE was four-wide early, dropped behind cover, uncovered 3/16 and on to the lead past the ¼, impressive although the time was not fast. BULLY BOY HILL fought for the early lead, accepted a tuck 3/16, moved out 11/16 behind the parked horse then had to go three-wide as that one faded on the turn, kept at his task steadily. TORRONE was very aggressive early, finally yielded past the ¼ and stayed close in the pocket, fair late. HEART MATTERS was far back, came out 5/8, followed cover two- and three-wide, widest stretch, good late. AP HALL OF TRIX stayed inside, evenly late. HOOFBEATS DE VIE changed his mind and went up before the first turn, had cover to the ¼ then was left raw, pressed on, finally tired far turn. THE OTHER PAIR never achieved prominence.
SEVENTH RACE – CENTURY FURY moved out third-over on the second turn, started a three-wide move to the 11/16 and completed a sweep early on the turn, the easiest kind of winner. ODDS ON DELRAY was three-wide to the first turn, grabbed a midpack tuck, uncovered towards the half, one-geared steadily for the distant second. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was second-over, gapped and was blindswitched late backstretch, continued two-wide for a very distant third. MINDTRIP was looped leaving, took the pocket 3/16, struggled down the back, little in the stretch. DECOY rocketed to a quick lead, forced a tuck, was looped by the winner early on the turn and fell back. I GET THAT never got into it here. FORREST BLU had some early speed, then very little late speed.
EIGHTH RACE – A ROCKNROLL STAR stayed in, got to the deep Pocono Pike and just outpaced STONEBRIDGE REEF. The latter raced into the pocket leaving, waited on the far turn then to the Pike, got a brief lead after the first-over swerved, couldn’t hold off the winenr. DRAGON CITY was very wide early and broke but caught back on quickly, into the flow third-over, widest in the midstretch then briefly forced wider, photoed C-BET HANOVER for third after a good recovery. The latter was second-over, couldn’t stay tight on cover on the turn, then was pushed out a little wide midstretch. MAC’S MARVEL gapped much of the way, then was angling behind a wall when being bothered the most by the midstretch swerving horse. AMERICAN CLASSIC came uncovered off the second turn, grinded, got the lead into the lane, then slinkied first inside then outside in the lane and ruined his own chances. MIND HUNTER burst out five-wide to the lead, set the pace, pressured, was giving way when the first-over started changing course early stretch.
NINTH RACE – CAPTAIN T HANOVER went uncovered off the second turn, tucked in the pocket ¾, out again before midstretch and went right on by. SAMSON BLUE CHIP was quarter-mover #2 and went to the lead just past the 3/8, put up a fast time for the ½ and ¾ on this day, couldn’t hold off the winner. AMERICAN BOY N was second-over, left uncovered ¾, steadily for a good share. LATEST ERA was far back down the backstretch but finished well (n the slowing kicker). TUXEDO BAY led early, let a horse go, was quarter-mover #1, let a horse go to sit the pocket, then couldn’t keep up from just before the ¾. WON LAST FEELING took the lead past the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, had little to offer before the ¾. ROCKIN THE BLAZE was far back throughout.
TENTH RACE – DRAGON STRIKES was three-wide leaving, took fourth at the 1/8, was second-over, gapped cover a bit on the turn and was blindswitched, ducked inside the first-over to a brief lead deep stretch, lasted for the DH with CAVIART VAL. The latter was third-over, three-wide through the far turn, kept coming and got up for the win tie. DILLINGER took back early, proceeded first-over off the second turn, was resisted by the pacesetter, finally got a short lead, just missed holding off the closers. BROTHER JAMES was last most of the way, wide and went past the others. STELLAR BB came through at the start for the lead, had his mind kept to business at several points, fought with the first-over, submitted in the stretch. FRONTIER ROLLO stayed in, outside in a blindswitch far turn, not much punch late. MY MIND IS MADEUP defended the pocket, was struggling to stay close starting at the 11/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – INDIGO ART left well and maintained the pocket, went to the left of the pacesetter in the stretch, got the lead, then held off KEYSTONE STORM to his left. The latter kept a hole closed early, stayed in, to the deep Pike, finished well. WHITECOOKIE took over past the 1/8, never had a righthand opponent get closer than his wheel, but couldn’t stall the two to his left. I’M SOME GRADUATE was second-over, crucially blindswitched midturn and did not escape that box until going free in tight quarters past midstretch, finished with a big burst. CARLISIMO spotted, then went first-over nearing turn two, never got closer than to the leader’s wheel but held on very gamely. STOP STARING was third-over, three-wide mid-far turn, steadily late. DANCE IT OUT left but decided to take back to fourth by the ¼, not heard from in the last stanza.
TWELFTH RACE – First half 55.2, last half 1:01 … DIVISION BELL sat off of the bigtime fractions, kept circling wider until four-wide late turn, shot right by everybody coming into the stretch and drew clear. JK OBJECTION played hardball from the rail until the ¼, then kept the hole closed in the fast midrace battle, cleared in the Pocono Pike, the best of the others. MUDVILLE followed the winner and then moved even wider into the lane, did not have that one’s early stretch burst but closed steadily to just be third. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO originally took back, moved out at the ¼ but was left out in no-man’s land in a wicked half and beyond, actually held together OK given his hard route. MY WISH CAME TRUE sat in, out in a blindswitch late turn, came clear between horses just past midstretch, a bit of pace (in a 1:01 back half). VIRGIN STORM tucked fourth then left a gap off the duel for a long time, got closer and moved out 11/16, three-wide turn but didn’t gain. JOHNNY CHIP was three-wide early then two-wide to a very quick quarter, finally got the lead, then under severe pressure in the wicked half but would not yield, paid the price for his exertions.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JULA MUSCLE PACK made a quick uncovered move at the half, went 27.3 against the wind down the back to have the lead at the 5/8 but could never clear, saw the pacesetter regain equal terms on the turn, but just outfought a determined crew in a big showing. SHARE THE WEALTH left sharply and cleared at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket and kept up well, to the Pocono Pike, had his shot, just missed. DANDY had dull cover, got in gear after that cover ducked inside, flying through the stretch. DOUBLE ACCOUNT made two pace-controlling moves and slowed the half, did manage to keep the winner outside from before the 5/8, fought hard but came up a trifle shy. P L NOTSONICE sat in and was shuffled to last, found good strides belatedly. MISS MCKEE stayed in, avoided trouble from the breaker but didn’t offer much late. BLENHEIM gapped second-over almost immediately, ducked in on the turn, made a break just past midturn and went to the infield.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MR DS ROCK was looped early and settled fourth, uncovered 5/8 and cut into the leader’s advantage on the far turn, strong enough to catch PRINCE OF TIDES. The latter pulled from the pocket before the ¼ to the lead 5/16, went on to a clear lead late backstretch and through the turn, tried hard but was gradually reeled in. DO WORK SON had great cover but he couldn’t stay with it, just along for third in a picture. THE WALL tucked third, sat in, locked in on the far turn, then to the Pocono Pike, OK. CAVIART LUCA left very quickly looping horses, yielded for the two-hole, could not keep that hole filled ¾. RIFLEMAN moved out on the second turn, gapped, then came between horses in tight quarters late with some pace. SOMBODYITREASURE stayed in and gapped. DASH OF DANGER never posed a threat.
Mar 2, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid to high 40s, with a stretch headwind … BULLVILLE TERROR came out raw to the 5/8, never let up and wore down WESTERN BEACHBOY right on the money. The latter left strongly and put up big numbers, still had a clear lead before late stretch but couldn’t hold on to the finish. FULSOME followed great cover and was far ahead of the rest in third. WAIMAC ATTACK N left, had to take back to tuck third 3/16, stayed in, proved to be best of the rest. SEAL O’NEILL left, dropped in the pocket before the 3/16, started to go loose 5/8. THE OTHERS couldn’t keep up with the fast fractions from down the back.
SECOND RACE – TODDLER TANTRUM went right to the lead, was in control, holding off a challenger to either side late. PANTHEON HANOVER left enough to protect the pocket and had a perfect trip, outside headstretch, bore out while gaining some. BETTOR’S WESTERN was second-over, circled dull cover 11/16 back to two-wide on the turn, then ducked in and went to the Pocono Pike, finished with consistent speed. CALVERY HILL was shuffled some, then got out, best of the others. DISMISSAL SLIP never got into the main action. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N went first-over into turn two, never got close, then bore way wide nearing headstretch. I SOAR HIM FIRST settled in third past the 1/8, gapping out before the 5/8. ARTACUS was no factor.
THIRD RACE — BULLVILLEKARLA had great cover that took her from last to second-over, left uncovered ¾, paced on nicely to score the triumph. FOR CHIPS SAKE was out 3/16 to get the top and kept a rival outside a like distance before yielding for the pocket, shuffled crucially on the turn, found room and closed very well up the inside. JOES BEAUTY made a steady raw move from past the 3/8 that carried her all the way to the lead to the ¾, a little tired late. BETTE TINA was three-wide to the 1/8, then had cover to the 3/16, then worked up to the lead 3/8, couldn’t keep the brusher out ¾, continued on determinedly. RHYME N ROLL left, pushed, yielded, was shuffled, a bit along the inside. RAINBOW RISING joined a lively flow but couldn’t go with it ¾. PLEASURE SEEKER was three-wide then two-wide with cover much of the first turn, tucked in, moved out again but couldn’t gain. SQ ALEXIA never surfaced.
FOURTH RACE – NASEY broke coming off the turn before the start and was on the dead run the entire mile while out wide, tripped the beam first but was placed for running the whole way. CHUCKY DE VIE went to the lead at the 1/8, kept a foe parked in fast fractions for these, was well clear of those trotting the last ¼. LADY’S IMAGE raced inside, to the Pocono Pike and had some late foot. TRICKY DICK was the last flat horse most of the way, wide stretch and gained as the tempo slowed. HAMMER CREEK was left uncovered two-wide the duration, not too bad finishing. AWSOME PAUL could muster little. ARCH CREDIT left, yielded, kept the pocket closed until past the ¾, tired. KEYSTONE THUNDER was off the gate, caught it, but then went to a break towards the start, ran the mile at the back of the pack.
FIFTH RACE – C-BET HANOVER left three-wide to the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half then came home in 55 far clear of these. SLICK RICHARD defended the pocket, lost a little ground in the big third quarter, narrowed back in a little, then fell a little further back but far clear for place. SWEET SHUNEY MOON went around a gapper before the 5/8, up the inside to win third over ALADDIN HANOVER. The latter was looped leaving, tucked third past the 1/8, came out far turn, didn’t gain while drifting out some. PLAY THE ACE got the last check. SPORTS BOX was behind a breaker at the ¼, never recovered. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH got a slow start, ran up on a horse at the ¼ and went offstride.
SIXTH RACE – PERKINS never saw the rail, advanced from last before the ¼, got cover to the 3/8, three-wide to the 11/16 to two-wide to the ¾, just kept digging in and took an impressive triumph. SAFENSOUND HANOVER left, finally accepted the pocket 3/16, stayed there then inside in the stretch, good but second-best. BLOW A CLOUD N was not interested in yielding, got pressure from the winner on the far turn, not quite enough pace to the line. PHILOSOPHIZER went in third early, kept up to the far turn. IC A FREE SPIRIT raced inside, gapped down the back, evenly late. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT tried to circle the fading first-over horse but didn’t gain much at all. LEAVE AND ROLL gapped at the back. JAFFA JOSH N didn’t get away well and was on a line early, flushed out raw 3/8, gained to the 5/8 then started to retreat.
SEVENTH RACE – MUSHANA came uncovered before turn two, pressured the leader down the back and had an advantage before the ¾ but couldn’t clear until the pacesetter broke far turn, then opened a clear margin, but was all-out to ward off ARGENTO. The latter sat in then backed out to be third-over in a good flow, shoved wide late turn, really eating up the ground through the lane to just miss. BROOKROAD MASTER was carried up very nicely by the winner, briefly wide around the breaker past midturn then down to the pylons, clearly third. BANG BANG BOINGA was five-wide early and three-wide to before the 3/16, got to the pocket before the ¼, struggling from the 5/8. BLOGMASTER was three-wide to the first turn to the front past the 1/8, put a rival in behind him, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, was in decent position far turn when the pacesetter broke, suffering “ix” and going to the infield. HALL IT OFF got early position, moved off the first turn to the top before the second, was under hard pressure from the 5/8 but kept the challenger outside until he went offstride mid-far turn. PAULIE WALNUTS left but was a bit rough four-wide, was two-wide just off of cover when breaking 3/16.
EIGHTH RACE – SPEAK YOUR MIND left some and dropped down third early, then quarter-moved to the lead 3/8, resisted the first-over then drew clear. SHES A BULLVILLE was inside and blocked, found room between rivals midstretch and did well to be second. FEAR HER TOUCH took 3/16 to get around the pole horse, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not too much punch late. FOX VALLEY CACHET rode the inside and passed the tired outer tier. JAGGED LITTLE PILL pushed the 3/16, yielded, back out again raw off turn two, challenged, faded from midturn. DIFFERENTFORGIRLS was second-over but gapped 5/8. MS TREACHEROUS posed no danger from third-over. ICARUS FALLS N was already gapping by the ¼, never in it.
NINTH RACE – CENTURY ENFORCER left well to be in front at the 1/8, rated the half, stayed clear of pressure until late, then needed reminding to keep going on to the wire. BLACKLIGHT was uncovered from just past the 3/8, grinded, kept on coming through the lane but couldn’t reach the winner. IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING was three-wide before the 1/8, took the pocket 3/16, followed nicely, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t find a little bit more late. TOPVILLE OLYMPIAN, away last, gained up the inside, outside ¾, found his best strides late. WHATA TREASURE moved second-over 11/16, gained some, then flattened late. LUZIANA was outside early but went way wide on turn two, settled down but didn’t contend. HOLY MOMENT was never a major danger. WILSONS VINNER gapped out 5/8.
TENTH RACE – PURE SILKY intimidated this field. SOUTHWIND JAVA maintained the pocket in the lineup, a distant second over NADINA HANOVER. The latter came raw 5/8, paced her own back half in 55 to threaten for second. FRANTASY HANOVER sat last, waited for the Pocono Pike and had a pretty good response from an impossible spot. BETTOR B SAWYER was not prominent. FLIP THE SCRIPT sat third, out behind cover on the turn but had little to offer. SOME KINDA ANGEL was second-over 5/8 but couldn’t enter the main picture.
ELEVENTH RACE – HURRIKANE CHUCK was away well and took over at the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, withstood the late bid of pocketsitting THIRD PILLAR. The latter left to defend the two-hole, took his shot in the lane, good. COALFORD BET ALINE was briefly between horses early before tucking third, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, not as much as the top two but far ahead of the rest. WOODMERE ANDROLLI was uncovered at the 5/8 and gained, flattened out some. VARNEY was way back nearing the ¾, showed good last quarter speed. CROWN OF THORNS retucked around a gapper early backstretch, not a contender. LYONS SWIFT never factored. BLUE ASHES was gapping early and started losing contact just past the half.
TWELFTH RACE – AMBERS CHAMPION was uncovered before the 5/8, one-geared, wore down MANWILLING in a 31.1 last quarter. The latter moved from third and needed the length of the frontstretch to clear, couldn’t hold on. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was second-over, fair. PISTOLS ASPIRATION made the lead to the first turn, forced a tuck, pushed the parked horse then yielded into turn two for the pocket, couldn’t gain in the stretch. GLIDE IN THE WIND sat in than moved out late turn, gained a little ground in the slowing pace. PHANNYS MATTER was hard to take back early, gapped near the half, stayed inside, a little in the Pocono Pike late. MARQUIS VOLO left, went into the pocket at the 1/8, sat in third, no forward gear late. GREEK LEGEND couldn’t get into contention.
THIRTEENTH RACE – IM A GIGOLO N left, had cover, briefly tucked third but then quarter-moved, had to work to clear before the second turn, was head-to-head with TRAY SURREAL the last 3/8, game to claim the victory. The latter came with a rush soon often the second turn, and fought very hard with the winner, gallant showing. ALWAYS A LOOK left well to early command, pushed the winner before yielding for the pocket, stayed close to the top two until the stretch, a clear third. LINCOLNJAMES gapped inside, doing slightly better late. BUTTER UP never achieved prominence. SNAP CALL was out behind bad cover, three-wide past the 5/8 back to two-wide but well off the lead, finished with “b.e.” ALL CHEDDAR was out at the ¼, stopped gaining early in the backstretch. SIR MACHALOT gapped at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SO IRRESISTIBLE left but took back, proceeded uncovered at the half, went hoof-to-hoof with BRILLIANT BEAUTY the last 5/16 and just got in front in the shadow of the wire. The latter left hard, yielded, came again and set a very fast pace, had bigtime pressure from the winner, led to within the last pylon before the finish. GEORGIE MARTIN N was four-wide early and circled foes to get the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, started gapping 5/8 but still maintained the very distant third over a tightly-packed rest of the field. A CRAFTY LADY was behind gapping cover, wide late far turn, some at the end. MONEYMAKEHERSMILE went uncovered on turn two, soon gained cover but couldn’t stay with it. FIGHTING EVIL was briefly three-wide early, then between horses and looped, found a tuck off the first turn, inside, not heard from again. LIGHTNING LEIA was caught inside, swung widest headstretch and had some late pace on the extreme outside.
FIFTEENTH RACE – HEART MATTERS left to early command, yielded for the pocket at the ¼ and was a little loose at times in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got the nod over SAULSGOOD. The latter was uncovered 5/8 and gradually went up to challenge, game to the finish. ZETTE FLAME was third-over, widest with good late trot. PRETTY INTERESTING was looped early, drove on to the lead at the ¼ and rated the half, came up short at crunch time. WAVELIKEAQUEEN sat in, stayed with the pack without clearance in the stretch. U BAKE THE CAKE ducked to the far inside stretch, didn’t factor. MISS PRINCIPLE moved outside 9/16 and got cover 5/8, not enough.
Feb 28, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures just under freezing the entire day … Stretch headwind at the start … BUSBOY HANOVER left well, yielded, rethought a quarter move, stayed close to the leader through quick fractions, outside stretch and got a small advantage midstretch, but then got resistance from ODDS ON DELRAY and just prevailed. The latter went to command before the 3/16 and kept up a good pace, fought bravely through the stretch. P L LEEROY stayed in, outside for the drive and closed well to nip DRAGON STRIKES for third. The latter came uncovered to the 5/8, gained some, then held well. REYS N A RUCKUS was three-wide early, slotted third 3/16, gapped from the ¾. ARTACHE HANOVER backed out to second-over but couldn’t keep up. THE OTHER TWO were always far behind.
SECOND RACE – DO WORK SON went right to the lead, yielded to the early brusher to sit the pocket, outside ¾, gradually grinded to the top then held off the inside threat. GLOBALDOMINATION N took back at the start, stayed in, gapped a little on the turn while looking a little on a line, steadily in the Pocono Pike. CURBSIDE PICKUP defended the pocket early then came outside 3/16 to take over 5/16, set the pace, not enough to last to the wire. SIMPLE KINDA MAN sat in and was locked in far turn, cleared headstretch, found a good late gear. PARK OFFICIAL started uncovered from last into turn two, never got near the front. CAPTAIN COOK backed out to second-over but also never factored.
THIRD RACE – CAVIART MAX was between horses early and made the top just past a fast opener, continued quickly in keeping a foe parked, kept on going on the lead, a little tired nearing the wire but still safe. JK OBJECTION used the rail to great advantage and worked out the pocket trip, couldn’t go with the winner but defeated the rest. SAMSON BLUE CHIP was among a host of prospective early leavers, tucked midpack 3/16, stayed in, room in the stretch, fair. IDEAL STAR N was outside early, wound up third-over, followed cover three-wide then had to go four-wide late turn, closed very well after a hard trip. URBAN RENEWAL was three-wide much of the ¼ before going behind the cover of the winenr, soon lost that and was let out on the rim, held his ground pretty well considering the rough trip. SHORE OF HIMSELF came outside at the half, three-wide 11/16, but couldn’t gain. LITTLE POWER stayed in, was blocked far turn, but then cleared inside and couldn’t muster much. CAPOZZO never got close.
FOURTH RACE – AMERICAN CLASSIC left, took a 3-tuck 3/16, uncovered 9/16, grinded, showed grittiness to outpace a bunch of foes. SOMETHING BETTOR A used the rail well to maintain the pocket, Pocono Pike, may have gotten to even terms midstretch, proved best in a tight group contending second. DANCING JOE moved second-over in a good flow, three-wide approaching late turn, OK. COWBOY COOL was third-over, four-wide in the lane, finished well. LATEST ERA was last and behind a dull one far turn, moved out a lane headstretch, had solid pace while quite possibly never being fully clear. BLUESVILLE was four-wide to the 1/8 to clear just beyond that point, backed off the second quarter, then under pressure, not enough late. PHANTOM SHADOW gapped inside. HELTER SKELTER fell far back in the stretch.
FIFTH RACE – ELWELL tucked early then quarter-moved, had a pair of 28 back quarters in him and needed all of that to prevail in a three-way late duel. BELLOWS BINGE left sharply to 1/8 command, yielded to the winner, came outside late turn and wide in the stretch, steadily gained on the top two. INDIGO ART took an early spot, launched uncovered 5/8 and went ding-dong with the winner throughout the last quarter, holding nicely. ASTON HILL DAVE was urged hard leaving and did have the early pocket, stayed in, not enough at crunch time. PLAY THE FIELD did not surface. DARK ENERGY N moved outside but immediately gapped; MINDTRIP moved out behind that gapper, tried to circle up three-wide but could not.
SIXTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH moved from third at the ¼, needed the length of the frontstretch to clear to the lead, but had no problem thereafter. TORRONE left smartly to make the lead in a quick quarter, pushed the winner some before yielding for the pocket, held on to that position. BULLY BOY HILL came out 5/8 and made up a lot of ground quickly, held his position well nearing the line. CRESCENT BEAUTY sat in, outside around a gapper past midturn, finished steadily. CHAMPAGNE HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 to the pocket just beyond that point, inside, gapped some on the turn, then found a bit of renewed vigor inside late. AP HALL OF TRIX and DIEHARD SEELSTER never made their presence felt. MASSIVE MATTER backed out to second-over 5/8 and gained behind cover, but broke ¾.
SEVENTH RACE – CRUNCH HANOVER was looped leaving, tucked fourth 3/16, outside down the back and gained, three-wide late turn, just along late in the slowing last quarter after the hot pace. REDBANK BLAZE A was urged leaving, settled into the pocket, followed cover past the 5/8, left uncovered to the far turn, may have had the lead for a step or two deep stretch, just caught. SUNDOWN KID outleft everybody from post eight, was hard to take back enough to let the brusher go at the ½, right back out to the 5/8 and by at the very quick ¾, held to late in the mile in a big display of energy. PATERNITY SUIT A sat in, got clear in the deep Pocono Pike past early stretch, OK. I DRAINTHESWAMP A moved at the quarter but was driven and hard-pressed to clear by the fast half, yielded into the far turn, tried to rally back in the Pike but couldn’t. SKIP TO MY LOU never entered the main picture. CAPTAIN T HANOVER was in the outer tier, four-wide approaching headstretch, couldn’t reach. TELL THEM LOU lost contact just past the half.
EIGHTH RACE – STELLAR BB charged through at the start right to the lead, had no problems at all. DON’T JUDGE A BOOK defended the pocket from the rail, came outside headstretch but did not make up ground. DRAGONOLOGY moved second-over, three-wide around tiring cover, best of the others. A STUD NAMED SAM sat in, gapped a little, some late pace in the Pocono Pike. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL vacated third at the 5/8, moved up some but could not sustain that bid midturn. THE NEXT TWO never entered the picture. COCOSFELLA came out off turn two but went backwards.
NINTH RACE – KEYSTONE STEAM was three-wide 3/16 then parked the rest of the way without cover, grinded in fast fractions, went by the leader headstretch and drew off in a fast mile like it was nothing. DILLINGER sat in then moved out at the half, had dull cover, three-wide then four-wide headstretch, finished very well. DASH OF DANGER was buried inside, out in a blindswitch late turn, then angled inside for clearance early stretch, did get to second past midstretch but was outpaced late for the deuce. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN went away rapidly (25.4 to the ¼), rated the half then was pressured by the parked winner, had no answer for him in the stretch. MEADOWBROOK FLASH moved 3/8 to be second-over, three-wide late on the turn but little response. THANOS was looped leaving and was rough, made the pocket 3/16 and stayed close, came out behind the winner late turn, little left in the last 1/8. I’LL TAKE THE BET gapped at the back. DERECHO was inside, started to gap out 5/8.
TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL went to the lead, saw two go by then moved out at the ¼, reclaimed the lead before the 3/8, opened some space early stretch then was hustled to keep the advantage – welcome back, Eric Goodell. HEMSWORTH N was last, third-over, four-wide headstretch, still sixth nearing midstretch, went a gigantic last 1/16 to jut miss. CARLISIMO was second-over, three-wide late turn, took third in a photo. DELIGHTFUL DUDE N started raw at the half, never reached the leader, held OK. WHITECOOKIE was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to the ¼, yielded for the pocket, came up a bit shy in the lane. SHVAIKO was looped and between horses until crossing over 3/16, yielded, third-in, so-so in the Pocono Pike. DANCE IT OUT was not a factor.
ELEVENTH RACE – STONEBRIDGE REEF worked to the lead to the 1/8, slowed the half, then came home in 54.4 in the cold to withstand an opponent to both sides. PHOENIX OF FLUZZY yielded into turn one to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, gamely but couldn’t quite work by. DRAGON CITY tucked third early, moved outside headstretch, was doing very well late. BOUNTY HUNTER stayed in, distant best of the rest. IDEAL BEACH moved uncovered into turn two but didn’t make up ground in the very swift back half. THE NEXT DUO never factored. GROOVY MAN was second-over, tried to circle non-advancing cover 11/16 but could not.
TWELFTH RACE – LIVINTHEBEACHLIFE made two speed moves to 3/8 command, rated the half, drew off through the stretch. MIGHTY SANTANA N was three-wide to the 1/8, cleared with taps at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t go with the winner in speedy time through the stretch, won a three-horse photo for second. RIFLEMAN went around a gapper down the back, two- and three-wide nearing headstretch, found his best steps a trifle too late. ROCKIN MARTY A stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, looked to be third and maybe second but flattened slightly late. LETS ROLL started 9/16 and made a good charge in a fast third split, but couldn’t sustain the move. THE NEXT TWO were not on the main radar. RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS lost contact early backstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – EUROBOND, on his own early off the top ones, sat in towards turn two and was badly shuffled, could back out only at headstretch, swung four-wide in the drive but was still seventh nearing midstretch, relied on back class and a 30.1 last quarter to just be up on the money. SKYWAY KON MAN moved second-over, gapped cover, left uncovered midturn, went steadily, unfortunate to lose in the last step. SWEET HEART AS joined the outer flow 11/16, gained in the slowing tempo. ANDOVER CONTESSA stayed in and was shuffled back, swung out far turn and wide in the lane, not quite enough. CAN’T SAY NO got early forward position, launched raw 5/16 and grinded away, made the lead midturn, had the trip catch up with him very late. LUCKY WEEKEND left between horses for the pocket, shuffled very badly when the pacesetter stopped, couldn’t move out until headstretch, then ducked inside the stretch leader and finished steadily. R HERBIE BLUE CHIP was not prominent. SAYLOR sailed three-wide to the lead early, under pressure a long way, passed midturn and faded.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HEARTBEAT HILL got a great trip second-over, but didn’t look like a $71.20 shot swinging wide and drawing away. BOBBY K HILL tailed the winner, second in the last steps to complete a $859.80 “Hill” exacta. LORD OF MISRULE had early speed, stayed in, blocked, angled out midstretch, responded well once clear. BRAVO TEX N left between horses to get the pocket past the 1/8, Pocono Pike, didn’t have any rally. BROTHER JAMES was buried inside, tried the deep Pike but may have been in tight quarters. ONTO EL DORADO N got in gear past the 3/8 and grinded up a long way uncovered, head-to-head on the far turn, overwhelmed by the late speed. SPORTY DRAGON did not feature. CAPTAIN CASH was three-deep just past the 1/8 to clear in a quick opener, rated the half, had opposition come creeping up on him, tired in the last 1/8.
FIFTEENTH RACE – CAVIART LUCA was away between horses to secure the pocket past the 1/8, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t have a sharp late response but had enough to defeat this field. SOMEBODYITREASURE was three-wide past the 1/8 and onward to the lead, rated the half, had hounding pressure, second-best. TERRY A HANOVER made the two to his right work to clear early, third-in, deep Pocono Pike, not quite enough. BIG BOSS HILL moved third-over at the half, stayed on cover until tipping wide nearing midstretch, OK late. DOUBLEORNOTHING N had a great trip second-over, three-wide late turn, outkicked. REGAL ESCAPE sat in, blocked through the stretch but was gaining. WARDAN EXPRESS A slid in fourth early, came first-up on the second turn, made progress until just past midturn. CALYPSO ROCK N trailed at every call.
Feb 27, 2023 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Around 50 degrees all day … Stretch headwind … PERKINS took a long time before settling first turn, then was out first-over from seventh 3/8, grinded including a 26.4 third quarter to get the lead but not the rail near the ¾ and through the turn, kept on going in remarkable fashion. THREE WAYS N had control before the 1/8, yielded off the first turn for the pocket, backed out behind the winner headstretch, not enough, just second over BLOW A CLOUD N. The latter was close to the main action, to the Pocono Pike and gained. JAFFA JOSH N was three-wide early, in gear at the 1/8, made the lead just past the ¼ and slowed the half, then had to speed up when the winner challenged, not quite enough late. PAPIAMENTO stayed in, struggled from the 5/8. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT backed out to second-over but gapped most of the last half. SKYWAY BILLY never factored. SETONCRUISECONTROL got a slow start, never a major danger.
SECOND RACE – SPEAK YOUR MIND dashed right to the front, yielded to sit in the two-hole, vacated same early stretch and paced right on by. FEAR HER TOUCH was looped early, in gear at the 1/8 while a trifle rough, took over the front off turn one, rated the pace then sped up, couldn’t handle the winner but was far ahead of the rest. SHES A BULLVILLE was second-over, three-wide when her cover stalled midturn, just along for third over DIFFERENTFORGIRLS. The latter gapped in last, came up the inside in the stretch and passed tired foes. MS TREACHEROUS had a forward spot but didn’t have too much in the last 3/16. RAINBOW RISING went raw 9/16 and gained steadily until tiring mid-far turn.
THIRD RACE – GINGERTREE STAKIAS was well-placed second-over behind a fast pace, wide headstretch, kept digging in the latter stages and got the job done late. NASEY was three-deep to turn one, made the lead at the 1/8 in a fast quarter and continued quickly, just caught in the last strides. COMMON PARLANCE was directly on top, yielded to sit the pocket behind fast fractions, Pocono Pike, may have been bottomed a bit chasing the fast pace. BANG BANG BOINGA looked all-out to stay connected most of the way. HAMMER CREEK offered very little; same case with SUNDAE FUNDAY.
FOURTH RACE – BAD MS JOHNSON was looped leaving, in front 3/16, yielded to an early brusher, came out of the two-hole past midturn, didn’t have a quick burst but went on steadily and won a blanket finish. HURRIKANEMYSHANNON was the first to the lead, yielded, sat third-in, got to the pocket midturn, Pocono Pike, brief lead deep stretch, photoed out. ODDS ON GAMMA quarter-moved and set the pace, came up just a bit shy.TSM WESTERN SOUL stayed in, got room deep in the Pocono Pike, not very far off. BULLVILLE KARLA moved behind the parked horse, circled three-wide 5/8 and was left out wide much of the rest of the way, closed determinedly. FOR CHIPS SAKE came out from fourth 11/16, got cover midturn, not enough. RHYME N ROLL took all the way back to last, never factored. BETTE TINA was stuck out three-deep to the ¼ in traffic, then was two-wide raw, couldn’t gain from the 5/8 on.
FIFTH RACE – SAY YOU DO went to the front at the 1/8 and had a very easy time of it. ARGENTO made a strong brush out of fifth just before the 5/8, dropped into the pocket midturn, a clear second. TRICKY DICK backed out ¾, uncovered midturn, along for the no-factor third. AMBERS CHAMPION yielded early for the pocket, started to gap before the ¾. PHOTO BOMBER was shuffled some but didn’t recover ground. GREEK LEGEND was away slowly and was never close. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke just past the 5/16.
SIXTH RACE – CHUMLEY N, a little rough-gaited, was parked to the ¼ for the lead, slowed the half, drew clear far turn, then was giving way a little late but had opened enough of a lead to hold on. PANTHEON HANOVER was three-wide well past the 1/8, tucked third late first turn, moved out midturn then wide, was narrowing in on the winner well late. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N used the rail to great advantage and secured the pocket trip, started to struggle a little before the ¾, evenly late. BETTOR’S WESTERN was three-wide with cover to the 1/8, tucked fourth, uncovered before the half, gained down the back but couldn’t sustain that gain although holding decently late. TODDLER TANTRUM didn’t show much inside. DISMISSAL SLIP was never close. NIGHT EXPLORER moved second-over but soon was going backwards.
SEVENTH RACE – After a recall caused by #s2-3 getting entwined before the start … CANTSTOP YANKEE was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the front 3/16, went clear 5/8, had five lengths when the trouble occurred on the turn, way ahead in a very fast and impressive mile. RACER DAN moved out ¾, went back in, then wide around trouble late turn, finished well to get second. COUNT JOGGING left well, pulled from third 11/16, was bothered by the breaker far turn but stayed onstride, couldn’t hang on to second late. MISS PRINCIPLE followed cover, suffered an “ix” in the late incident. SAULSGOOD was third on the rail far turn when the horse in front him made a break, made an “ix” and went to the infield. DON’T I WISH had speed to get the lead, yielded, started to gap 5/8, made a break just past midturn scattering many horses. There was an inquiry but it revealed that the horse affected finished ahead of the one causing the trouble. WAVELIKEAQUEEN wasn’t close when making a break far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – PURE SILKY quarter-moved, took the length of the frontstretch to get the front, drew off in the last quarter in a big mile. FIGHTING EVIL was out to the 3/16 to hit the front, pushed the winner in front of the stands then yielded, couldn’t keep up far turn, but did hold on for the distant second. GEORGIE MARTIN N grabbed the front right away, yielded 3/16, third-in and with nowhere to go far turn, then to the Pocono Pike, had a shot at place but couldn’t quite get there. LIGHTNING LEIA came out 5/8, made mild progress but couldn’t sustain the gain. NADINA HANOVER and A CRAFTY LADY were near the rear throughout. MONEYMAKEHERSMILE came out to the half, finally got cover 5/8, but then couldn’t stay with it.
NINTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER went out for early position, maintained the lead when a challenger broke and parked another foe, drew clear late backstretch and through the turn, tired some late but had enough of a cushion. CAN’T SAY NO left behind a wall and got a spot, inside until midturn then popped out, ate into the winner’s margin with a good showing. SECRET OR NOT had speed, was able to maintain the pocket but struggled to keep tight in it much of the last half, evenly in the Pocono Pike. THE NEXT TWO HORSES avoided the outer tier and the breaker for the last checks. SCIROCCO PATRICK moved with cover but couldn’t gain contention. ELEGANT DULUPIN FR was four-wide early, then was left two-wide raw from just before the ¼, tired. REDWHITE N GOO was three-wide early, was challenging for the lead when running 3/16.
TENTH RACE – ALWAYS BETTER left between horses and got the pocket, moved at the ¼ in front of LUCKBEWITHALEX but retreated when the pacesetter showed no inclination to yield, sat the pocket, up the inside and best late. C-BET HANOVER was winging when the gate sprung and cleared by the 1/8, showed he did not want to yield, went a big third quarter, drifted out in the stretch and couldn’t stall the winner although holding on to the deuce. LUCKBEWITHALEX left, was outsped and settled third, came just before the ¼ only to see the pocket horse pull and then see the pacesetter put them all back in, a bit headstrong inside, moved out headstretch, inside of the drifting winner in the lane, good but not quite second. VEL LETSROLL SOUTH got around a gapper early backstretch, far the best of the rest. CRACK A SMILE started uncovered towards turn two, did pace 26.3 down the back but didn’t threaten before fading. BULLVILLE FRANK never entered into it. SPORTS BOX got jammed up a bit on turn two and steadied losing a position, outside past the 5/8, didn’t gain, then broke far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – RABLE came outside raw 3/8 and was constantly asked in grinding up, drew away from these easily late. STELLENBOSCH left, finally went into the 3-hole to the 3/16, sat in, blocked on the turn, to the deep Pocono Pike and did well to be a distant second to a good winner. SHADOW ONE was second-over, couldn’t quite stay with cover from just before the ¾, had to correct course early stretch as the pacesetter drifted, just edged for second. FIRSTUP was third-up but couldn’t stay with cover, wide stretch and OK. VEL DONNA left hard then yielded, sat second, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a sharp late response. SPEAKING OF COFFEE percolated away to 1/8 command in a 26.3 opener, rated the half then came under relentless attack by the winner, tired and drifted out a little upper stretch. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD fell way back.
TWELFTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN yielded for the pocket at the 1/8, quarter-moved and set the pace, looked like he had gotten away headstretch but between tiring some and the pursuit of BRAVO TEX N the margin shrunk through the lane. The latter eased into a good 4-tuck, uncovered before the 5/8, kept on coming determinedly but unable to catch the winner. HOOSIER SHARK was forwardly-placed, stayed in, outfooted BLUE OCEAN for third. The latter made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have all that much late. PHILOSOPHIZER was uncovered from seventh, got cover before the 5/8 but couldn’t go with it. LOVE YOURSELF left a gap most of the way, MCNULTY Z TAM tried to circle dull cover but could not. WHATA TREASURE stayed in, then had bad traffic difficulty from late backstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ZETTE FLAME came through at the start, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose off the leader down the back, but got closer, came out late turn, and won the battle to the wire. KNIGHTS GUARD left very nicely, set the pace, overhauled by the pocket horse. HEIST spotted fourth, gapped at the half and never hit a high gear until early stretch, then angled outside and finished with solid trot. BAR COINS was three-wide to the 1/8, backed off to tuck third by the 5/16, urged but couldn’t produce any more in the latter stages. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY and UNRESOLVED DEBT couldn’t go enough here. QUINNPATRICKSHEA looked to leave but took a bad step right at the start and broke. TEST MY WILL jumped before the ¼.
FOURTEENTH RACE — CRAZY CUTE was in front at the 1/8, yielded, pulled from third at the half and went a back half of 55 raw, cleared far turn, very game to garner the triumph. SO IRRESISTIBLE went to the fore at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, moved out when the winenr cleared, pursued gamely to the line in a very big race of her own. THE STUNNING NUN N pushed the 1/8, yielded, quarter-moved to 3/8 command, was challenged hard by the winner and couldn’t hold that one out midturn, maybe not the speed of the top two but game. BRILLIANT BEAUTY gapped the winner’s cover, OK. SOUTHWIND JAVA was last, blocked on the far turn, a bit of belated pace. BETTOR B SAWYER gapped down the back. FLIP THE SCRIPT left behind cover, tucked 3/16, outside but couldn’t keep up the last 3/8.
FIFTEENTH RACE – VIVA LAS VEGAS sat in third, found room to angle out headstretch and went by very easily. ONTO EL DORADO N went up grinding on the second turn, one-geared home steadily and just up for second. LADYFORD BUCK GB grabbed the early lead and set the pace, came up short in his U.S. bow. WESTERN WALTZ left, backed off to tuck before the 3/16, wound up in the pocket, slightly gapped in same the last 3/8. FULSOME never factored. BAY BRUTE moved second-over but didn’t enter the main battle. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH got a slow start and never featured. CODYS KNAPSACK left well three-wide, two-wide and challenging for the lead 3/16 when making a break.
