Sep 12, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A few degrees either side of 80 for this card … No wind … Horses trying to advance wide from more than a couple lengths off the pace at the half had a bad day … BIZYS BEATLE moved uncovered before the second turn, hit a high gear off that bend and brushed to the lead nearing the 3/4, held off the late move of LITTLEBITASWAGGER. The latter was carried up perfectly by the winner and got to the pocket on the turn, tried him again late and made some inroads but not enough. CONCUR was fourth-over behind a gapper, advanced in a blindswitch, edged clear in tight quarters and won a three-way photo for the very distant third. BASS PLAYER sat in and was shuffled to last, wide stretch and finished with some pace. NEWBIE pushed the pace past a 26.3 opener, yielded, was shuffled and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, not a sharp burst when shown room. SOUTHPORT BEACH was in the dynamic outer flow but couldn’t stay with it, left uncovered far turn, faded. AIN’T IT FUN was between horses past the ¼, got in third, then was badly shuffled on the far turn. CURIOUS CORTEZ was three-wide to the ¼, then onward before getting the lead 3/8, had no defense against the winner late backstretch, tired.
SECOND RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP tucked third, sat in, moved outside ¾, angled wide of ARTACHE HANOVER early in the stretch and overhauled the one late. The latter got to second-over on the second turn, was carried up by surprisingly durable cover then went three-wide late turn, made the lead but was caught. DREAM OF LUCK was outside the mile, with cover to the ¼ then raw, kept advancing, didn’t have the late punch of the two closers but held on amazingly well. SHANGHAI BOBBY sat in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t have that much kick. HOPETOBEFIRST was in the outer flow, gapped it on the turn but showed some renewed energy the second half of the stretch. SCOTT ROCKS headed down the road, got pressure from early backstretch by the parked horse, tired. MEADOWBROOK RAIDER was away last from the rail and never a player here.
THIRD RACE – HUNDIE N left three-wide, got to the front before the 3/16, slowed the half, then came home in 55, drawing clear in the last 1/8. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO got to the top towards turn one, yielded for the pocket, stayed close until late on the turn, gave some ground late but held second. DRAGON STRIKES stayed inside, up the Pocono Pike for third. BLACKLIGHT sat third, outside stretch but had little to offer. ROUGH ODDS was fifth-inside with a moribund two- and three-wide tier far turn. GONNAHAVEONEMORE was second-over, three-wide 11/16 but did not gain while “paired” with the first-over THE MOONSHADOW N. The latter was about to be double-looped early and took back, uncovered past the 3/8, didn’t make much progress then just clogged the two-wide path.
FOURTH RACE – KAY SAGE was wide leaving, couldn’t clear to the top until the 5/16, got pressure from soon off the second turn, held together in a slowing pace. CATIE FAYE HANOVER gapped at several points at the mile, moved second-over but gapped that cover, steadily late into a diminishing pace. ODDS ON GAMMA was very wide early and tucked 3/16, came out raw heading towards turn two, challenged long and hard, held her ground well. BETTE TINA was last, moved up three-wide far turn, too much ground to make up against better-placed foes. SHE’S MAGICAL moved out third-over, was blindswitched, not that much. CAVIART CARMEL was six-wide before the first turn, four-wide to the 1/8, three-wide to the 3/16, then went behind cover until tucking before the 3/8, shuffled on the far turn, came out and had a little in recovery after a very brutal journey. MADELYNN SOPHIA was five-wide early and soon took back, never heard from again. IMAREALROCKINLADY cleared to the lead, pushed hard past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, struggled from the 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR pushed a foe to the 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike, then sailed right on by. KINGSTONS BAD BOY went up to challenge but needed urging to clear 3/8, held OK to be second. MINDTRIP was second-over behind a sluggish one, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide to the ¾, edged GIVENUPDREAMING for third. The latter gapped early, gained up the rail down the back, then angled out from midturn to four-wide headstretch, finished well. PURPLE POET followed the backstretch three-wide sweeper then was left three-wide uncovered, flattened out. ROLLINWITHAMBITION was three-wide leaving, took back to finally get a tuck, not heard from thereafter. STELLAR BB looked to want to quarter-move but retreated when there was a battle for the top, did come uncovered at the half, gained little then fell back a lot.
SIXTH RACE – MIDNIGHT DAY left, took over 3/16, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose on the turn, went to the Pocono Pike and had a surge that just carried him by FRAZZLEBERRY. The latter pushed the 1/8 and yielded, quarter-moved, set the pace, shook off righthand pressure, came home in 56 and still was caught to his left. SHORE OF HIMSELF left and was three-wide, tucked, sat third-in, blocked to early stretch, then moved outside, steadily, returned with “b.e.” THIRD POWER avoided the outer tiers. LATEST ERA was third-over, didn’t get much help from cover, four-wide headstretch, gaining at the end. MY WISH CAME TRUE started uncovered to the half, made up ground in quarter three to challenge, but then couldn’t respond to urging in the last ¼. COXCOMB was second-over, gapped 5/8, three-wide midturn, was already not gaining when he broke upper stretch.
SEVENTH RACE – INDIGO ART was in the outer flow as third-over before the ½, was taken three-wide before the 5/8 around the parked horse, got to first-over and then to the lead ¾, kept together to ward off the inside thrust of PUZZLING. The latter sat in all the way and advanced up the inside, to the Pocono Pike and gained quickly late. BELLOWS BINGE was three-wide to the first turn, then out until getting the lead at the quick quarter, had to deal with a parked-the-mile foe and then couldn’t resist the sweeper ¾, gave ground grudgingly in the last 1/8. SADIQ HANOVER went to the lead then yielded at the ¼, kept the pocket tight, moved outside midturn but didn’t gain much. A STUD NAMED SAM got away last, wide early stretch, couldn’t get into the main picture. STAR MESSENGER was three-wide to the 1/8, ducked behind cover, then was left out on the rim at the ¼, challenged but couldn’t clear, was circled late backstretch and faded. AMERICA’S GUEST showed early speed, came out behind the parked horse near the half, was blindswitched by the winner 5/8 then went wide but never made up any ground from there.
EIGHTH RACE – RICKYBOBBYNTHEHAUS got the front to turn one, yielded, quarter-moved to regain control at the ¾, left all but AMAZON in the dust to the ¾, then held that one off while drifting out a bit. The latter came uncovered at the half, went his own third quarter in 26.3 and got to retuck in the pocket before the ¾, challenged the winner late, went on well, well ahead of the others. OWEN was third-over but gapped, did circle the rest for the distant show. EFFRONTE A left and got command at the 3/16, saw two foes go by, badly blocked on the far turn, got room early stretch after the top two were long-gone. KILLER MARTINI was outside down the back but gapped cover (as did most of the field), a touch of pace widest late. I’M BURLINGTON N was three-wide to the first turn, briefly fell in behind cover then left raw 3/16 to command off the first turn, yielded to the winner, unplugged 5/8 and clogged the innermost tier. UNDERTAKER gapped second-over.
NINTH RACE – ARTIFACT HANOVER left well, defended the pocket when the leader chose to park a challenger, went into the Pocono Pike and was along over PLAY THE FIELD, perhaps a bit more easily than the margin may suggest. The latter left for command, kept a foe parked in hot early fractions, saw off the looping first-over as well, then couldn’t handle the threat from the inside although going on gamely. REGAL SON sat in, gapped, then angled wide, kicked into high gear a bit belatedly. BROTHER JAMES was stuck inside and shuffled to last, went to the Pocono Pike and made up some ground. JIMS PERFECT TEN tucked fifth 3/16, outside to the second turn, three-wide not long into the backstretch and swept up to first-over, but couldn’t sustain the gain. BRAVO TEX N was behind the sweeper but couldn’t stay with his backstretch move. WHAT THE LUCK was stuck raw from past the 1/8, really tried hard for the lead in the second quarter and a fast half but couldn’t go by, was looped and fell back.
TENTH RACE – BOARDWALK BET looked to leave but took back when he saw the two insiders burst through, grinded uncovered from early backstretch, got a brief rest in the pocket on the turn then came out headstretch, to the lead then withstood BULLVILLE FRANK. The latter swung three-wide on the far turn, kicked in just a little too late, very good at the end. PICK A GENRE came through at the start for the pocket then quarter-moved, faced gradually-tightening pressure from the winner when going quickly, didn’t have enough. MIKI MINAJ came out 5/8 and tightened on cover, left uncovered far turn, ducked inside in the lane, evenly. YS DO IT RIGHT had some pace midtrack finishing. THANOS came through at the start for the early lead, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t defend that position at the ¾. BUILDING BOOST never got going.
ELEVENTH RACE – PATERNITY SUIT A let but took back to third, uncovered at the half and rushed up in 26.2 down the back to go by ¾, had to stay good to hold off a resurgent ACTOR HANOVER. The latter crossed over easily from PP8 to the lead, had an open length lead before and after the 26.2 opener, saw the winner go by ¾, never gave up and was coming back on late in a good outing. LITERL LAD HANOVER maintained the early pocket, wasn’t keeping up 11/16, did a bit better as the pace slowed late. RIFLEMAN couldn’t stay with the winner’s cover in the fast third panel, uncovered on the turn, went on steadily. WHAT’S GOIN ON gapped most of the mile. HYPNOTICDREAM never entered the picture. HIGH ST CORRIDOR moved outside but never made the main radar. ROCK THREE TIMES was far back.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN CASH pushed a foe past the a fast ¼ before yielding but was quick on the retake, just kept rolling in crushing fractions and was much the best here. DO WORK SON went into the early pocket at the 1/8, caught in when the two-holer unplugged, got clear nearing headstretch and had a surge to be a clear second. SHANE ADAM was wide leaving but quickly backed off, inside, evenly late. CAPTAIN MALICIOUS gapped at the back, but avoided the outer tiers and got the last check. WESTERN TYRANT moved out first-over but had no gain. LYONS NIGHT HAWK was third-over, blindswitched and blocked. CAPTAIN MULZAC had dull cover, tried to sweep by it before the 5/8 but just became a laneclogger himself.
Sep 12, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Sloppy +1” throughout the day, with no wind … PRESIDENTE ZETTE was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked fourth, came outside at the ¾, moved wide late turn, along late. TRICKY DICK headed down the road, picked up the pace to meet the first-over challenger, almost lasted for the victory. SPRING IN PARIS inherited the pocket at the 3/8, gapped down the back as the tempo increased then tightened in on the far turn, Pocono Pike, not far off. NO NAME YANKEE wanted to leave but broke, recovered and settled inside at the back, wide in the stretch and made a good comeback. PHANTOM RUSTY stayed in, to deep in the Pike, couldn’t gain. BEYOND THE LENS broke at the start but quickly caught, started uncovered 3/8 and made a long move to go up and challenge the leader, couldn’t keep going forward in the stretch but OK after the misfortune. KEYSTONE SERGEANT got away in the pocket, broke just before the 3/8.
SECOND RACE – QUIXOTE moved uncovered to the second turn, speed-grinded his own last half in 55 putting pressure on the leader, going by late on the turn, then holding off SECRET CAPTAIN. The latter had great cover from the winner but was slightly off of it, found a better gear just past midstretch and narrowed in. JUST BET IT ALL went on to the lead to break up a possible “lineup”, slowed the half, got hard pressure from the winner, tiring in the last 1/8. SHIP SHIP HOORAY sat in and gapped a little, found a hole early stretch and came barreling home. TENNESSEE STRONG yielded for the pocket, shuffled a bit near headstretch and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, but didn’t have a sharp response once clear. MAYWEATHER HANOVER couldn’t enter the action from third-over. DEMPSEY HANOVER gapped at the back.
THIRD RACE – WHAT SHOULD I GOO was wide early then gunned up to the front in a 27.3 opener, set the pace, threatened late by CHAKE but showed gameness in defeating her while missing the stakes record by only a tick – the closest anybody came to an StS record over the off track. The latter horse was a little bit loose in the pocket for much of the last half, but went to the Pocono Pike and closed well to make a good race of it. HEART MATTERS got forward position, gapped at a couple of points, won a photo for third over I’LL HAVE A LINDY. The latter moved uncovered 5/8, made some progress but stalled out midturn. THE REST were never prominent and finished well back.
FOURTH RACE – NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was three-wide early to 3/16 command, yielded at the 3/8 for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, went by by a neck past midstretch, just did survive the comeback of LITTLE LADY J. The latter left and had cover to the 3/16, then made the top a like distance later, put up fast numbers with hard pressure, came back with tremendous courage late. BUTTERFINGERS was uncovered on the second turn and made a long move to challenge the leader, had what looked like a neck or more turning for home, held well but couldn’t make the advantage last to the wire. DUCHESS HILL stayed in and gapped, then angled widest headstretch and made up a ton of ground. STRAWBERRY FIELDS yielded, sat in, blocked late turn, then had room but could go only evenly. AMBUSHED had good cover second-over, not that much late. CALLIOPE HANOVER gapped inside midrace, moved out ¾ but couldn’t make up ground. GINGER TREE LENA was not involved.
FIFTH RACE – THEWALLOFLOVE AS came outside 5/8, three-wide around a parked horse before the ¾ to two-wide and got new cover, still two lengths back midstretch but handled confidently and was along. TAILWIND PAT was close-up, rethought a quarter-move when the leader hung a challenger and kept the pocket closed, vacated the pocket just past the ¾ and went to the lead into the stretch, briefly drew clear but couldn’t sustain the margin to the wire. WINE BAR was three-wide to the 1/8, cleared to the lead, was able to rate a 1:01 middle half despite a parked foe’s hounding, tired in the last 1/8. BEACH DREAMZZZ was last in the main pack, couldn’t keep up with the wide move of the winner, OK late. SWAN MASSIVE HALL gapped inside. SUMMERS LUCK spotted midpack, broke late turn while not in contention. NINA HANOVER was off the gate, broke to the first turn. MISCHIEVOUS G was two-wide leaving, was looped and had to stay out two-wide, challenged but couldn’t go by, faded down the back.
SIXTH RACE – AUSTRAL HANOVER left well enough to get the pocket, quarter-moved and slowed the second ¼, kept to mild urging in the stretch to stay clear. SIR FRANK tucked early, moved outside to the ¾ but ducked back in as cover went nowhere, out again in the stretch and just there for the distant second. TAILGATE BUZZ made the lead between horses past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, couldn’t stay with his stablemate and just missed second. DRAKE HANOVER was wide early, took back for third, outside before the ¾ but didn’t have much, retucked headstretch, showed some late vigor along the inside. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY gapped inside, did get the last check. ALONSO moved outside but gapped. OPEN BAR broke an 1/8 before the start. FASHION PRESIDENTE came from far back raw 3/8, didn’t take the second turn well before breaking at the half.
SEVENTH RACE – ULTIMATE LOULOU tucked, was quarter-mover #2, tucked in the pocket past the 3/8, gapped a bit on the turn, moved out early stretch and gained steadily to catch TEAM COLORS. The latter was quarter-mover #1, didn’t want to surrender the lead and got the winner to go in behind her, fought bravely but was outpaced late. COBBLER had the early pocket, started uncovered 9/16, grinded, got to the leader’s wheel but no closer, backed off. BLANK CHEEK outleft everybody for a quick lead, yielded, gave the pocket past the 3/8, outside late turn but didn’t gain. THE NEXT THREE did not make their presence felt. ROLLAWAYBETH was gapping by the ¼ and lost contact past the half.
EIGHTH RACE – MRMAYOR HANOVER came with a quarter-move and controlled the pace, drew away through the stretch. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS yielded the lead before the ¼, moved first-over to challenge, not the winner’s equal but held off BIGLY for second. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 then backed off to tuck fourth 3/16, briefly out with cover down the back then back inside late backstretch, up the inside in the lane, tried hard. SOUTHWIND CAINE moved outside down the back, couldn’t quite go up to reach cover when the second-over ducked back in. THE NEXT TRIO couldn’t get into the action. EMERALD’S LEGACY worked to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the two-hole, got a little loose on the far turn and then broke headstretch, being taken to the inside.
NINTH RACE – SOUTH FOR WINTER tucked third, quarter-moved, had all but the place horse well behind him, then drew away from that one as well in the lane. KOLB HANOVER rushed out to a big early lead, yielded to the winner, as noted was the only one who stayed close to that one, outside midstretch, didn’t gain but retained place. JOHNNY TRIX got early position, gapped most of the way, got a little closer in the last quarter. HALE-BOPP couldn’t go enough. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP made a break before the start, caught the field, tired. DIG THAT CURVE made a run going to the 3/8. DANCEHALL KING broke past the start, suffered “b.e.” and was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – JO PA’S WARRIOR was three-wide to just before the 1/8, made the lead just before the fast ¼, had a clear lead much of the way, then had Tetrick’s head on a swivel late judging to see if he could withstand chargers from both sides, and he did. CODE CRACKER left between horses, tucked third, waited for deep Pocono Pike clearance, was gaining rapidly at the end to just miss. ATLAS HANOVER maximized the rail and protected the pocket, a bit loose in same much of the way, to the Pike just inside the winner, good but came up a step shy. GOOD DEAL sat in and was last, found room past early stretch as the outer tiers melted off, swung wide and was flying late. HECANDANCENCRUISE was first-up at the half, challenged, held OK. ROCKNROLL GOLD went three-wide on the far turn from third-over, couldn’t gain enough. RULE OF LAW gapped second-over.
ELEVENTH RACE – HEAVEN HANOVER was out strongly to control the tempo, slowed quarter two then picked it up as a backstretch challenger came, left that one behind but then had to be game to hold off LINDYS IRISHCREAM up the inside by the barest of margins. The latter took the pocket before the ¼, went to the Pocono Pike and lost by a whisker. GUCCI GIRL stayed in, went decently to be a clear third. JAMESON N LIME moved uncovered 5/8 and made a good pass at the leader, but couldn’t sustain it. WIND N WATER was not prominent. SWEET ON HER gapped second-over, wasn’t gaining when breaking near the wire. FORTUNE FORECAST was three-deep to the 1/8, fell in behind cover but broke 3/16. TOTALLY RELENTLESS broke leaving past the start, made a good recovery to reach the back of the main field, but broke again midturn.
TWELFTH RACE – HEARTBREAK HOTEL moved uncovered 5/8 and gained, saw the pocket horse pull past midturn, ducked inside, then utilized the Pocono Puke and with determination got home first. HOOD PARTY made the top to the first turn, yielded past the ¼, under a hold at the half, came out of the two-hole past midturn, did get the lead in the lane but was just outpaced by her stablemate late. GALLERIA HANOVER was out to the lead coming off the first curve, rolled on, held her ground well late. MADEIRA HANOVER came out far turn but couldn’t go with the top three. SOUTHWIND JAVA fell back in the last ¼. SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE gapped at the back throughout.
THIRTEENTH RACE – GINO SNIPER made the lead before the first turn, rated quarter two while still having a strung-out field behind him, tested late by HOUND ON THE BEACH but proved equal to the challenge. The latter left well for the pocket, came out headstretch, looked to lug in a little but was quickly righted, couldn’t catch the winner. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC came outside before the ¾, proved next-best. GOOD WILL LINDY raced forwardly-placed, not enough in the latter stages. GATOR HANOVER was outside early backstretch and went around a troubled horse, moved out far turn but didn’t get closer. BINGE ON YANKEE made a fumble an 1/8 before the start and was well off the gate, never could get back into it. HURRIKANE CHEYENNE was always well back, broke late turn. RUSTY BEACH developed a problem off the second turn and was taken to the inside of the main course.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MY BOY CHRISTIAN gapped much of the first half, got going raw towards midbackstretch and grinded up, took over early stretch and withstood VIC’S WINNER. The latter was on the move early down the back, picked up cover 5/8 but never got to be tight on it, steadily late to be as close as he was. DYLAN THE GREAT was three-wide early, then two-wide to the two-hole 3/16, shuffled late on the turn, had to back out early stretch and swing wide, had some trot belatedly. STICK WITH ME KID took over early, yielded for the pocket, slightly shuffled as the two-wide tier had the momentum swinging for home, Pocono Pike, not too much. NEVER MIND N came with the quarter-move, under pressure from the winner from before the ¾, nothing left for the stretch. CELEBRITY SERENA gapped most of the way. THE LAST TWO were in the back throughout.
Sep 9, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … LYONS KING was parked with cover until the 3/8, then was left uncovered, grabbed a small advantage 5/8 but never could cross over to the pegs, stayed on remarkably to win after a rough journey. MAJOR SHOW had cover behind the winner, moved three-wide before the ¾ and was wide the duration, closed steadily to just miss. FRISKIE ALL NITE was outside in a blindswitch behind the winner, in tight quarters between horses through the lane while pacing well. BIG BOSS HILL kept the pocket, was shuffled far turn, had to weave a couple of times in the stretch while having pace on the end. SEAL O’NEILL was third-over, followed cover wide far turn, couldn’t gain enough. TREY SURREAL left four-wide and circled to the lead before the 1/8, hung a foe to the 3/8 then yielded, had to wait on the Pocono Pike but didn’t show too much once free. BELL FAMILY was looped early and was parked until the 3/8 to clear, under pressure from the 5/8, didn’t let the winner cross over, but the effort saw him tiring the last 1/8.
SECOND RACE – CERTIFIABLE pulled behind a horse going nowhere, moved three-wide before the 5/8 and was left three-wide late backstretch when a foe pulled, dropped down to two-wide, briefly to the rail, then two-wide again, then three-wide for the stretch and closed after the hot pace to be just along. OLLIE’S ZTAM took the pocket 3/16, a bit loose early backstretch then closer, to the Pocono Pike and to the lead midstretch, just failed to hold on. VANILLA MALTED was in the two-wide lane then ducked in, came between horses as the pace slowed down. CAVIART ROCKLAND went on a speed mission with hot odd-numbered quarters, couldn’t hold on midstretch. TONY TOO TALL moved off the rail past the 5/8 before the winner could get to that spot, evenly. TAM MAJOR A sat in, had some pace on the end. AFLAME HANOVER didn’t reach contention. CARLAS MACH A rode half and half in a “tuck” on turn one, moved out uncovered before the 3/8, but developed a problem past the half, was way back.
THIRD RACE — GANGSTER HANOVER left from the first step to the last, cleared to the inside at the 1/8, seemed to have a lot left in the tank. BLENHEIM was second-over, three-wide late turn after the winner had gotten away, won a three-way picture for second. BALDAQUIN followed wide cover and swung wider, steadily to the line. P L NOTSONICE tucked, came uncovered 5/8 but never threatened in this fast race. MISS MCKEE never entered the picture. RICH AND MISERABLE yielded at the 1/8 for the two-hole, looked all-out to stay close most of the last half, then fell back.
FOURTH RACE – JIVE DANCING A was on an open lead virtually the whole way, lengthening it most of the last half. BROOKDALE JESSIE moved off the rail from third at the ¾, held off CULINARY ARTIST for second; the latter followed the place horse and almost caught her. TIGERS WATCHING N left enough to protect the pocket but then had difficulty keeping up from the ¼. NONE OF THE OTHERS was in the main picture.
FIFTH RACE – SPEED AWAY left behind cover, uncovered at the 1/8 to the lead nearing the ¼, yielded 3/8 but moved right back out and retook command at the half, continued at a very fast clip and held off ESPLOSIONE confidently. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8 then behind cover to the ¼, went up and took over 3/8 only to yield at the half, stayed tight in the pocket and gained in latter stretch but didn’t go by. DAGON HANOVER got the front at the 1/8 and surrendered it at the ¼, couldn’t keep tight from late backstretch, maintained third. HURRIKANE WILLIE G went evenly in the fast mile. THE OTHERS trailed in the strung-out mile, not a threat.
SIXTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV tucked third then was quarter-mover #2 to the lead just past the 3/8, rolled along, won easily. CHAPOLIER was uncovered before the 5/8 and trotted a third panel of 27.2 to reach the leader, couldn’t get to that one but was second-best. The others dueled for the minor spoils: KINDA LUCKY LINDY was on top and yielded, was a “hidden” quarter-mover #1 and yielded again, a bit loose in the two-hole in the last half, still held third. ONE AFTER NINE was on top to the 3/16 then soon saw two brush past, inside and blocked in late far turn, then Pocono Pike but not a big response. MUSHANA gapped cover. TOKYO SEELSTER was a little off the gate and trailed, fair late while wide.
SEVENTH RACE – BETTORS HEART N left and secured the pocket, shuffled slightly headstretch then outside behind the new leader, then ducked inside that one midstretch and had enough pace to go by. THEREWASTHISGIRL had early speed, pulled from third past the 5/8 to challenge, went by into the stretch, caught to her inside. A CRAFTY LADY moved late backstretch, finished well. CRUSH ME sat in in the strong-out field then moved out far turn, not enough to contend. ANOTHER BEACH DAY gapped. SHES A SASSY BEACH made the lead without paying too high a price then was in control to the ¾, was challenged far turn, nothing left for the drive. THE OTHER PAIR were always near the back.
EIGHTH RACE – NUTTINBUTHEBEST was three-wide leaving then two-wide to 3/16 command, yielded before the 3/8, waited in the pocket then used the Pocono Pike, gradually worked by A GIRL THAT TWIRLS. The latter went frontward a bit belatedly, had cover to the 3/16 then progressed to the front 5/16, could handle all but the winner. HEAVENISSOFARAWAY must have thought the front was so far away when uncovered into the second turn, but never got cover and moved on up, held her ground well late. TALK SHOW CHICA yielded 3/16, stayed in, was in between horses finishing in what looked like tight quarters. MILIEU HANOVER was third-over, three-wide midturn and was doing well late. HP XANADU stayed in, gapped, not too much late. SLY ELEANOR N got rank in the hole at the ¼ and didn’t look comfortable thereafter, backed out to second-over but could make no late impression.
NINTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER moved uncovered at the half and grinded against the wind, had a small edge on the far turn, moved off in the slowing last quarter. THE LIONKING AS would not yield in a 27 opener, then did so to a persistent sort 3/8 for the pocket, a bit loose far turn, but went on steadily in the Pocono Pike and claimed second very late. MAJOR BOINGA sat in, nowhere to go far turn, angled out early stretch and finished OK. DELTASUN A was rebuffed in his first try for the lead but was successful in his second, came under pressure, tired gradually in the last 3/16. SWEET HEART AS gained some late as the pace slowed. SORTIE was on the move early, got cover but gapped it 5/8. NEWSBOY miscued 5/16.
TENTH RACE – BETTORS DONTTELL tucked in third at the 3/16, started grinding at the 5/8, went to the lead midstretch and had enough to keep the closers at bay. CHATELROLL tucked early, then had great cover second-over, wide in the lane, did well but couldn’t get by the winner. TOWN GOSSIP gapped some midrace, angled out in the stretch then wider, finished with a very fast charge. HICKFROMFRENCHLICK put everybody in behind early, then yielded for the pocket, out behind the winner early stretch, evenly. PARMESAN N set the pace with two moves and got a slowed second split, had hard pressure to deal with and couldn’t sustain the lead. INDICTABLE HANOVER was outside with little; STRAIGHT UP COOL was inside with little. I’M A BIG DEAL was way off the gate and never showed much.
ELEVENTH RACE – VILLAGE JADE moved from third before the ¼ and was quickly on top, got a helpful breather in the second panel, under grinding pressure, stole back clear early stretch and proved best. NEED UR OPINION went on to take the front early, forced a tuck, then yielded to sit behind the winner, stayed on evenly. THE STUNNING NUN N and FAST MACHINE were second- and third-over, three- and four-wide turn, did their best into a fast last quarter. BEACH CRAZY was four-wide nearing the first turn, onward to two-wide and the early pocket 3/16, stayed in, so-so late. WHO’S SMOKIN N was not a major danger. TALL POPPY N moved from midpack raw toward turn two, challenged well in the third quarter, but expended all of her energy there. JUXTA COWGIRL was never a presence.
TWELFTH RACE – BULLVILLE TERROR moved sharply nearing the ¾ after the hot pace and quickly went to the lead far turn, held off a pair of good closing threats. BRONX SEELSTER was outside but gapped, didn’t get underway until midturn then three-wide, making up ground rapidly late. MAXIMUM RED A stayed in then followed the place horse and swung four-wide into the lane, moving very nicely if a bit too belatedly. THE DARK SHADOW left well, yielded 3/16 for the pocket, moved outside late turn when the leader started to give way, didn’t refire up too much. DINA BOLT N was wide early, didn’t have enough speed to go frontward and found no hole until past the half, actually had a bit of pace on the end. THE WALL stayed in, had room in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. IDEAL STAR N headed down the road and set a fast pace, empty the last 1/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JUST DIVINE grinded up from the second turn, got a small advantage approaching headstretch, held on to it for the decision although perhaps not as easily as a classic 1-20 horse “should.” DELISHKA N was three-wide to the 1/8, outside just past the 25.4 opener then tucked third, came out in a blindswitch behind the winner nearing the stretch, angled inside that one midstretch, not quite enough but a deceptively good mile. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME had excellent cover, three-wide midturn, flattened slightly late. STELLENBOSCH defended the pocket in the wild quarter, stayed in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, didn’t have too much on the rerally. JACANA was third-over, wide with cover on the turn, tough spot. BRING ME DIAMONDS sat in and was shuffled to last, had late pace (in a slowing quarter) on the extreme outside. FREE FLYIN TICKET paid 25.4 for her ticket to the lead at the ¼, moderated the half then had to pick it up as a strong outer tier came on, gave way in the stretch.
Sep 6, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – “Sloppy +1” surface all day … BULLVILLE STEPHANO left and sat a pocket trip, outside past midturn and gradually along in the sprint home. BEST BETTOR was three-wide early, took command at the 1/8, got no pressure until challenged by the winner, couldn’t hold on to the lead. QUARANTINI retucked around a backstretch gapper then stayed inside and gained in a quick last quarter. DOUBLE DOUBLE took back early, gapped in quarter two, went around a gapper down the back and retucked, outside far turn and wide into the lane, faded just a little. ONEOFTHEGOODGUYS never got going. BADLANDS SUN was away slowly, was last by the quarter and lost contact afterwards. CREME DE LOU CREME was sitting third, developed a problem at the half and went inside the pylons while stopping to a walk.
SECOND RACE – REYS N A RUCKUS went on to the lead 3/16, strung out the field a long way, dug down and with a good last split fended off GREYSTONE WATCHMAN. The latter was first to the point, yielded for the pocket and stayed close, outside stretch and was gaining late in a good showing. ARI ALLSTAR sat third, unplugged from the top two at the ¾. SWEET PINK sat in and made no threatening noises. BEACHESBECKONME moved out 5/8, briefly gained then fell back. THE OTHERS were in the last three positions throughout and had no impact.
THIRD RACE – TIMES LIKE THESE left well to get command, moderated quarter two then sped up, held together against the big late charge of KINGPIN HANOVER. The latter started up uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, fanned out for the stretch and gained solidly late. HESPOOKSHESCORES landed the two-hole at the 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, neither gained nor lost ground. IRISH COFFEE was uncovered 5/8, never breathing down the winner’s neck but finished steadily. YOUCOMEHEREOFTEN was last at the ¼ from the rail, never part of the action. CASHIER spotted midpack, little late response. PRAIRIE NUGGET sat in, made a break headstretch.
FOURTH RACE – Some stretch tailwind noticed … TEAM MAC gapped the top two in the quick initial quarter then narrowed in, uncovered 5/8, grinded nicely and got the decision. MISTER DAVID C stayed close in the fast first quarter, then moved to the lead 3/8, fought hard but couldn’t hold on to the advantage. LATEST ATTRACTION blasted out to command before the first turn in a fast opener, yielded, Pocono Pike, came up a bit short. JET ACE had good positioning second-over but didn’t do much with it. BOLTMAN gapped early, tightened in, then had little to offer in the last ½. THE OTHERS were at the back throughout with no effect on the outcome.
FIFTH RACE – ON THE HOUSE went to the lead, kept a rival parked through a 1:00 middle half, then drew away in the last quarter, giving trainer Åke Svanstedt wins with catch-drivers who have 11,445 wins (George Nap) and 13 wins (Emanuel Miller). FRESHGROUNDPEPPER backed off to take a tuck, inside then outside headstretch and finished strongly. NAJAH kept the pocket shut, then couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. MOMMAS A DIVA moved outside behind the parked horse 11/16, three-wide far turn, had a bit of late kick. FAWN DE DON’T didn’t. NETWORK EXTENDER was three-wide leaving, broke between horses to the 1/8. GOTTA GET CRACKIN was four-wide early, dropped down to two-wide but didn’t have the speed to clear or the luck to find a hole, on the rim until fading significantly (if understandably) in the last ¼. KABRINA ran just past the start.
SIXTH RACE – DOC’S FAITH pressed towards the top today and made the lead not long past the ¼, drew away from these. JAGGED LITTLE PILL stayed in third, to the Pocono Pike and was along for the distant second. AMERICAN BEACHBABE claimed command past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole past the ¼, loose in the pocket before the 11/16, so-so. SPLIT POT sat in and was shuffled to last, had late gain up the inside. PJS FANCY DANCER was trying to leave some but made a brief break, quickly recovered though still rough-gaited, moved raw 9/16, got as far as the pocket horse before fading. ICARUS FALLS N moved past the 3/8 and got cover into the backstretch, three-wide headstretch but flattened. AMARETTO HANOVER was never in it.
SEVENTH RACE – MUSCLE DYNASTY had a big gap off the top three at the ¼ after breakers but narrowed in during quarter two and then started raw, went up to challenge the pacesetting TRUEMASS VOLO, had quite a long battle with that one before finally getting the victory very late. The latter blasted away four-wide for the lead before the turn and went on to a 26.2 initial clocking, backed the pace off, looked beaten when the winner challenged but fought resiliently to the line. KEYSTONE THUNDER emerged from an early scramble with the pocket, moved out midturn and wide in the lane, OK. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was last of the main bunch at the ¾, made up good ground wide in the lane. CHING CHING LUCKY was second-over but gapped. TUIS SHADOW left, settled third, faded 11/16. ARCHIBALD broke at the ¼. GUMDROP HANOVER had tucked midpack early and was gapping when misbehaving before the ¼.
EIGHTH RACE – As rain started … STONEBRIDGE KARIS had the top in three steps and stayed clear of the field, widening his margin with a 55.2 back half (“sy” track) in an eye-opening performance. BET EIGHTTHIRTYONE defended the pocket, was unplugging from the winner before the 5/8 but still held second in a three-way photo. WARRAWEE XTREME was uncovered 3/8, never got close to the winner but was right there to the line against the rest. DOCTOR BB spotted, then gapped. ALWAYS A LOOK had awful cover, three-wide ¾ and salvaged the last check. I’LL TAKE THE BET gapped early and late. ERINWOOD YVES moved second-over but was empty not long into the backstretch and fell way back.
NINTH RACE – ROSE RUN XTREME was on top quickly, had an open lead in the middle half then had two narrow in, fought off challenges to either side to maintain the slim victory. TNT BLUE CHIP came on the grind at the half and gradually made up good ground, pressured the winner throughout the stretch and was unlucky to lose. FRANKIE HILL was three-wide leaving then made the pocket past the 1/8, very loose in the two-hole until the far turn, then to the Pocono Pike and didn’t miss taking it all by very much. U BAKE THE CAKE moved outside in the stretch, evenly. STAGHOUSE gapped midpack. ROSE ABOVE IT could not stay with cover. THE REMAINING DUO never entered the main radar.
TENTH RACE – Hard rain … MY BOY JACK made the front into turn one, yielded off that bend but was soon moving to retake, endured pressure to the line but stood up admirably. PLAY THE ACE was three-wide to the first bend, then two-wide to command at the ¼, let the winner go, loose in the two-hole a couple of times, but was still scrapping through the stretch. CAPTAIN COOK had gate speed, yielded, sat in, to the deep Pocono Pike and was doing well late. ALVIN BRICKROCK started uncovered well before the half, put in a solid challenge, faded only a little. WIN PLACE’N SHOW was second-over, wide in the lane but couldn’t muster a solid rally. ALWAYS BETTER sat in, behind a wall late but not running over the top of them. BETTOR WAY TO ROCK was third-over, very wide in the stretch, had too far to come.
ELEVENTH RACE – … And it had stopped raining by this race … LAZER JET was uncovered into the second turn, challenged the leader then dropped into the pocket 5/8, came out early stretch and caught the tiring pacesetter. SPIT AND VINEGAR went a fast quarter in getting the lead, slowed the second drastically, then sped up again, got weary midstretch but almost held. GREEK LEGEND moved outside 5/8, gained on the turn then swung wide off of it, came on well. TRENTS A LOCK got into the two-hole late first turn, allowed a tuck in same 5/8, stayed fairly close thereafter. BAZAAR BAZAAR moved with cover, lost it 5/8 and fell back. CRITICAL MASS got forward positioning early, but gradually tired the last half. WHAT A DAME broke entering the backstretch before the start.
TWELFTH RACE – BEVANS CULLEN N made two speed moves to control the throttle, set the pace as he pleased, drew away easily. SPORTSMANSHIP left very well from post eight, made the lead then yielded to sit the pocket, not enough in the last1/8, held off LUZIANA for second. The latter sat in third, went to the Pocono Pike and wasn’t far off second. WHATA TREASURE was four-wide early, took back to tuck fifth, then started first-over 3/8, never got any closer than the flank of the third-in horse, fair. GIVEN UP TERROR was out every call, got cover 3/8, three-wide late turn, flattened a bit. LEAR SEELSTER had an excess of cover, had speed late. MCKEE CREEK gapped inside. BLOW A CLOUD N showed little; returned with “b.e.”
THIRTEENTH RACE – CREDIT CON was well-placed, moved uncovered at the half and went by past the 5/8 trotting a third quarter of 27.4, opened a giant lead. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY did not have great cover, went three-wide past midturn, did well late for second. MUFASA AS was last, swung very wide in the lane and showing good trot on the end. SUNDANCEDIAMOND came out behind the winner, left raw past the 5/8 and didn’t advance much before backing off. BEABOB’S BOSS did not start quickly and was three-wide to the 1/8, had cover then left raw and went on to the front 3/8, yielded to the winner 5/8 and tired. KEEGAN HO left well for the front, yielded 3/8, was shuffled behind a tired horse on the turn but didn’t show much himself late.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TUGGIN ON MY HEART forced tucks early, yielded to a challenger in front of the stands and stayed close in the pocket behind a duel, Pocono Pike, worked by steadily. A BETTOR BEACH came out of fourth off the first turn to the lead 3/8, was soon met by pressure which he kept outside, encountered a new pressure on the turn, dealt with what was on his right but not so much with what was to his left. SHORE OF HIMSELF took the pocket 3/16, moved behind cover then three-wide 11/16 to two-wide raw ¾, held well to the line while far ahead of the rest. WESTERN TRUST gapped, was next. JK MUSICMAN tucked on the first turn, had cover to the 3/8 which he soon lost, tried to get the lead but was left outside in a fast third split, was looped ¾ and fell back. THE LAST TWO never reached contention.
Sep 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A hot and dry day; stretch headwind … BONNIE BEN ROCKIN settled into the pocket early, waited until getting room early stretch, then moved outside and worked past AMP IT UP N. The latter headed right down the road, just a bit shy in his first U.S. start. DS IT’SNOWORNEVER tucked fifth, stayed in, a clear if distant third. MY FIRST TIME stayed inside, not too much. HANDSOFFMYTITOS tucked third at the 1/8, came out 5/8, gained a little then faded a lot. HURRIKANE MON AMI spotted, moved out on the turn and wide headstretch, couldn’t gain. BRYCE never got close. JAM THAT GUITAR was already gapping before the ¼.
SECOND RACE – NEVER MIND N, adjusting to his new surroundings quickly, was on top 3/16, drew more and more clear through the last half in a fast pace and time for this class. TRICKY DICK left and had the pocket, unplugged past the half but maintained the distant deuce. ANDOVERS TOUCH had dull cover past the 5/8, came on some late. NO NAME YANKEE stayed on the rail until angling out headstretch, next. SPRING IN PARIS gapped at the back early, rode the inside to the last check. CRUSHWORTHY spotted third, really unplugged the last half. FLANAGAN FANTASY moved outside but was never a major danger. PRINCESS ALLIE went offstride past the ½.
THIRD RACE – ANNA’S WISH was fifth inside, suddenly had enough room to gain to the pocket as the three in front of her pulled past the 5/8, outside midstretch and just along over SWEET HOME. The latter was quickly on top, rated the half, fought off a challenger on the turn, then just couldn’t hang on to the advantage. BLOW POP came out just past the 5/8 but immediately was behind cover, gapped slightly on the turn then swung three-wide, finished OK. FASHIONATTIFFANYS was third-over, back in on the turn as the two-wide tier stopped making progress, evenly. COOL CUTE COOKIE was away for the pocket, came out approaching the 11/16 and challenged, but was tired by headstretch. UBIQUITOUS HANOVER fell further behind throughout the last half.
FOURTH RACE – STORYBOOK ENDING circled a gapper 5/8 and kept advancing inside, to the Pocono Pike and caught KELLY’S BABY. The latter was very wide early then dropped down behind cover, lost cover at the ¼ and made the top before the 3/8, was visibly tired late but still almost held. CHAMPAGNE HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, yielded for the pocket, outside midturn, bore out a little early stretch, not quite enough although far ahead of the rest. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL was between horses to 1/8 command, yielded, was gapping more and more from the 3/8 on. WILD KAT G was never a factor. FREE DRINKS moved outside but couldn’t enter the action. QUINNPATRICKSHEA broke just after the start; COOL MISS WENDY broke coming off the turn before the start.
FIFTH RACE – BET ON BUTER was pinned in by parked horse, finally could get out 5/8 and challenged uncovered, looked to fade a bit midturn but then found more and paced strongly to the wire. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC slinkied outside at the half, inside dead cover, outside behind live cover past the 5/8, and three-wide headstretch, good but second-best. BETTORUPTHEANTE would not yield to a parked and challenging rival, tired in the stretch. MORE THAN YA KNOW kept the pocket tight and stayed close to headstretch, then came up devoid of gain. SOLAR EVENT gapped early, avoided congestion and got a check. CLEARCHOICE DE VIE left but could not summon enough speed to clear even though having a short advantage at at least one point, left behind midbackstretch. GINO SNIPER was very wide early, then followed cover, three-wide at the 5/8 but didn’t gain. TICTOCMOE didn’t enter the main picture.
SIXTH RACE – EMBRACE THE STONE was on top at the 1/8, pushed a foe then yielded 5/16 under a good hold, outside not long into the backstretch to the lead before the 11/16, stayed safe. TAILWIND PAT moved behind cover 11/16 after the winner cleared, three-wide in the stretch and finished steadily. ROJO MAN had cover early then uncovered at the 1/8 and on to the lead 5/16, rated the half, powerless to keep out the winner 11/16, not too much late. STANDTHEPAIN AS had to check behind a breaker first turn, circled a slow foe then kept gaining up the inside. SWAN MASSIVE HALL was well-placed, outside 11/16 after the change on the lead, but didn’t have much late. COMELETUSADOREHIM didn’t show very much. BELLAS TITAN broke 3/16 and went inside the pegs.
SEVENTH RACE – UNRESOLVED DEBT went to the lead and had a big advantage at the fast ¼ as the pocket horse broke, really slowed the second quarter, then picked up the pace and had no one get close to him. DIG THAT CURVE was outside down the backstretch but was very slow to show a faster gear, did pick it up on the turn and through the stretch but could not reach. SOUTH FOR WINTER was away third then inherited second after a breaker, closed a hole in the slow second panel, gave the pocket far turn but then rerallied in the Pocono Pike for show. FOX HOLE came out 5/8, retucked in the pocket on the turn, but came up empty late. KOLB HANOVER got a check. JOHNNY TRIX was off the gate and fell far back. DONATELLO HANOVER left and got the pocket at the 1/8, but soon thereafter went offstride as they were going quickly.
EIGHTH RACE – LIGHT AND TIGHT was on the lead just before the 3/16, slowed the second quarter, then sprinted home nicely in 56 – 27.3. STRESS FREE sat third until the 11/16, passed the pocketsitter than ducked in for the stretch drive, finished well. BLANK CHEEK immediately showed on top, yielded, a bit loose in the pocket at several points, held for third. HULA GIRL Z TAM passed tired foes AUTUMN MOON and ADULT SWIM.
NINTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE moved from third at the ¼, soon uncovered and needed until well past the 3/8 to clear (in a 30 quarter, though against the wind), held off the first-over, tiring late but kept it together for the tally. NICE STUFF was out 3/16 for command, saw two go by in quarter two, could advance to the pocket far turn, found a better gear in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get there. FOUR UNDER PAR, briefly wide early, had cover most of the ¼ then raw to get the lead 5/16, pushed the winner a little then yielded for the pocket, outside midturn before the sweeper could pin her in, went OK late. CELEBRITY ROLEX came up the inside OK from far back. CREEMORE made a brief break past the start but recovered quickly, got to second-over, three-wide before the ¾ and left three-wide midturn as the pocketsitter came out, flattened a bit but a good recovery overall. AFTER ALL PAUL was a bit hard to settle inside, joined the outer flow but never reached. TEDDY BROSEVELT tried to follow the sweeper but could not keep up. PREACHER MAN was uncovered into turn two, didn’t gain much on the leader then was looped and fell back.
TENTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH was away third then was second after the two-holer broke, out before the 3/8 to get the lead beyond the 3/8, drew away in the stretch. TRANQUILITY K left very well and went right to the top, was challenged 3/8 and let the winner go by to sit the pocket, stayed close to headstretch then backed off but did hold second. BY A HOFF HANOVER was uncovered 5/8, gained a bit but couldn’t sustain the move. ARGENTO gapped much of the way, then found better steps through the lane. SCOTTISH was way off the gate and never prominent. MUSCLE HALL had little from before the ¾. BILL BAUER left and reached the pocket at the 1/8, but then took a bad step and ran 3/16. PADRE was in a decent position second-over when losing his stride mid-far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – VEGAS ROCKS made the front to the 3/16, yielded to the retaking TWIN B EDGE and stayed on his back well into the stretch, edged out and went by the leader late. The latter left, pushed a bit, let the winner go, retook at the ¼, lost all but that one during a 27.4 third quarter, then just got edged out late. In the distant battle for third, CHANCELLORCULLEN N, who sat third but had started to gap before the ½, did hold for the show. BIG N BAD came out to the half but never got to third. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was gapping from early in the race. AN THE THUNDEROLLS swung wide from last but could have no impact. BEAST MODE was outside to little effect.
TWELFTH RACE – WEATHER VANES left, took the pocket, then quarter-moved, rated the second quarter, looked about to be passed by LADYBUGS N BOURBON ¾ when that one bore way out and interfered with another, left with a clear lead, held onto it in a 30.4 kicker to pay $116.40. BEER CHEESE tucked at the 1/8, avoided the trouble on the far turn and continued to gain up the inside to be close at the wire. FIGHT SONG also gained on the far turn, outside late turn, made up some ground. DIMANTE VIC and BRAVO ROMEO gapped most of the way yet still got checks. LADYBUGS N BOURBON closed an early gap, moved before the 5/8 and quickly advanced, had about a length lead at the ¾ but suddenly bore way wide bothering a foe, was placed. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT grabbed the racetrack early, yielded to the winner, moved out behind the first-over before the 3/4, ran up on that one when she misbehaved and suffered an “ix.” SNOWMAN HANOVER broke on the straightaway before the start.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Stretch headwind strong … ATTA BOY DAN was hustled away, moved from third to the lead in front of the stands while getting a slower second split into the wind, sprinted off a bit down the back then had horses coming after him, with the most persistent challenger, CONCUR, battling him to the wire but getting by. The latter was raw by the 3/8, one-geared along right to the end. MCNEIL Z TAM was second-over 3/8 then three-wide 5/8 the duration, got to second on the turn but flattened out some. STARVIN MARVIN swung wide after an inner trip and had some late pace. TELL THEM LOU left and got the front before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose the last half, faded further in the last 1/8. DIVISION BELL didn’t show too much between horses in the lane. RYCROFT N had the early led, relinquished at the ¼, not too much late. WINNING IS SWEET gapped third-over.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SMART AS HILL was looped and ranged up early, then was urged to clear just past the 5/16, parked the foe behind him, drew away to win for fun in a fast time for this type. AWSOME PAUL left three-wide to take over at the 1/8, pushed the winner then yielded then defended the pocket, was loose past the 5/8 but still preserved the distant second. DEWTIFUL’S GRACE protected her early pocket, yielded, gapped along the backstretch, outside on the turn, couldn’t get closer. PRESIDENTE ZETTE gapped early, stayed in, evenly. MATTER OF TRUST was outside behind dull cover, blocked upper stretch, then dove down to the Pocono Pike and salvaged the last check. IT’S SO FLUFFY was behind cover early, briefly three-wide 5/16 then back to two-wide when the winner finally cleared, left out in the air, tired. SVF CASH DEPOSIT was outside before the 5/8, went three-wide before midturn but only clogged that tier. PHANTOM RUSTY never contended.
Sep 3, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High 80s; mild stretch headwind to start … PICK A GENRE dashed right to command in a fast quarter, backed off the half then sped up again, coming home in 55.3 – 27.3 impressively. LIFETIMEEXPERIENCE got the pocket, a little loose late on the turn then outside stretch and was gaining some at the end of the sprint home. CODYS KNAPSACK came out of third 11/16 to challenge, bore wide coming out of the turn, resteadied and had some finishing kick. BULLVILLE FRANK moved outside 5/8 and got cover 11/16, came through two-wide headstretch as the first-over bore out, finished OK. LATEST ERA stayed in, gapped before the ¾, Pocono Pike, not that much. DIVINE RIGHT could not make up ground. THANOS wanted to leave but broke as the gate sprung, quickly rebalanced but never entered the main picture.
SECOND RACE – MILLENIUMS GIRL yielded near the quick ¼, sat the two-hole, backed out 11/16 when the first-over gained an advantage, swung wide off that cover headstretch and proved to have the most to the line. BROOKDALE JESSIE was uncovered on the second turn, quickly in gear pacing a third split in 27.1 to get a lead but never could cross over to the rail, held very gamely. CULINARY ARTIST gapped off the third quarter duel then tightened in on the turn, Pocono Pike, just missed second. FIRSTUP was out most of the quick quarter to get command, got a soft second split but then was under hard pressure in trying to not let the first-over clear, tired. DREAMING IMAGE wasn’t heard from. NARINA HANOVER tried to follow the cover of the first-over but couldn’t. TIGERS WATCHING N left and had tucked third before breaking nearing the ¼.
THIRD RACE – There was an inquiry into the overall conduct of the race, with a placing … ALL RISE was parked to the lead in another fast opener, set the pace, saw a short lead suddenly become a huge lead as the pocket and first-over horses locked up to the ¾ scattering the others, a bit tired late but way far ahead. FAIR GLIDER pushed the fast ¼ then yielded for the pocket, had his right wheel become entangled with the left wheel of the first-over and lost considerable ground, untangled and stayed second. SHOEMAKER HANOVER gained position behind the three early fighters, wound up third, came out 11/16 but didn’t get a wheel clear of the pocket horse and got tangled up causing massive interference, recovered for third but was placed. RIVER OTTER was three-wide past the 1/8 then took back to two-wide covered, outside 5/16 when appearing to clip a rival’s wheel and going on a break, fell back to last, came along the inside through the traffic far turn and finished with trot. TSM PHOTO BUGGER went wide around the trouble. CHIEF JUSTICE was shoved extremely wide avoiding the trouble and made an “ix.” SERRANO VOLO was inside and had no way to avoid the stackup, also made an “ix.”
FOURTH RACE – Wind has picked up, and would continue to affect the races though not that hard of a wind … TEMPURA HANOVER kept close to the leading JUXTA COWGIRL from the pocket, moved out headstretch, was just up on the money in an exciting Nap-Nap finish. The latter cleared at the 1/8, showed the drastic second panel slowdown that has been used all card, picked it up, just missed in the shadow of the wire. ANOTHER BEACH DAY sat third, couldn’t gain late but well clear of the rest. JB’S STAR DANCER was first to pull, got cover but it was no good, three-wide headstretch and had enough rally to be next. DELISHKA N sat in and couldn’t make an impact. ABUELITA HANOVER was hurt by no outside flow. THE FUN MARSHALL was gapping early and never was on the main radar. CRUSH ME got in fourth 3/16, came raw at the half but gained little, clogging up the two-wide path.
FIFTH RACE – INNISFALLEN got the early lead, was clear from early on then opened a double-digit-length lead down the back, had SILVERMASS VOLO make a big recovery but it came up short. The latter pulled behind the parked horse on the second turn, three-wide to circle that one before the 5/8, got to the “pocket” before the ¾, finished in 27.4 gaining sharply but was too far back. WARRIOR WAY closed a hole early, was stuck in by the “wedge” forming midbackstretch, finally got to the Pocono Pike and was the very very distant third. CAMPBELLINI was last and in another area code down the back, swung wide and passed some rivals. WINNERESS tried to go three-wide around the traffic but then herself caused more traffic. MY BIG KADILLAC was loose in the pocket from the ¼, a situation which got worse as the race progressed. THE BIG MUSCLE was stuck outside midpack throughout, never in the main hunt.
SIXTH RACE – CONTINUALOU moved uncovered 9/16 and went 26.4 the third quarter speed-grinding, made the lead early stretch and did not surrender it. JACANA was away third, was behind a gapper then backed out before the 11/16, found a better gear in the stretch and narrowed in late. BRING ME DIAMONDS got the lead easily, on her own until the winner challenged 11/16, kept her out on the turn but then gave way. TALL POPPY N gapped all the way around in the pocket. FREE FLYIN TICKET was two-wide but had little to offer. STELLENBOSCH was not prominent.
SEVENTH RACE – HEARTBREAK HOTEL started walking the lonely street of first-over at the 9/16, grinded into contention, had sharp late pace to get this decision. PATSVILLE was in charge early, yielded to the brushing favorite for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, didn’t miss by much and edged FREE TO BE ME for second. The latter spotted fourth, then moved out past the ¼ and had the racetrack going into turn two, held well but couldn’t hold the lead to the wire. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME got towed up in fine fashion by the winner, but didn’t have the stretch steps. WHO’S SMOKIN N left well and yielded, inside, gapped from the 3/8 on. SOME KINDA ANGEL was never close. FAST MACHINE was inside behind a gapper from the 3/8 but showed little once clear.
EIGHTH RACE – TECHYS ANGEL A was away second, well off the leader early then reeled her in to the 3/8, half-and-half from the pocket on the turn to see which stretch path would be better, swung wide and finished strongly. ANDRA DAY moved out raw past the 5/8 and challenged the leader, couldn’t stall the winner. GOLDEN QUEST N moved outside, gapped cover, then was doing better late. SLY ELEANOR N blasted out to a large early lead, rated the half, had pressure come to her on the turn, couldn’t sustain the advantage. SARAH’S LILLY gapped inside; THE OTHER TWO were also near the back and could offer little.
NINTH RACE – LIGHTNING LEIA came uncovered at the half and grinded relentlessly, came her own last ¼ in 27.2 to catch CAPTAIN’S STAR. The latter tucked, moved from third at the quarter, really slowed the half then took off again, couldn’t ward off the tough winner. KAY SAGE was second-over, was abreast of the inside horse when she broke so not affected, gapped a bit into the lane and ducked inside, OK in the Pocono Pike. REENACTMENT was third-over, had just started to tip three-wide midturn when perhaps pushed a bit wider by the inside confusion, next in line. BETTE TINA was three-wide leaving, made the pocket at the 1/8, inside, bothered some by the breaker but bounced back to get the last payday. CAVIART CARMEL was far back, shoved very wide by the far turn confusion. SUGAR BOWL was inside in the back, bothered. ODDS ON GAMMA was four-wide to the first turn to be on top at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, was still very much in contention when failed equipment caused her to make a break and go inside the pylons.
TENTH RACE – FIRE START HANOVER left, moved from third 5/16 and cleared the new leader into the second turn, strong through the lane. MAJORCA N was three-wide early, got the front, yielded at the ¼ then made a “hidden” early move to retake after which she relinquished to the winner for the pocket, Pocono Pike, good but second-best. EASY TO PLEASE was uncovered from off the second turn and grinded up, did well. DRAMA ACT was three-wide past the 1/8, went on to the lead at the ¼ only to see two brush past her in quarter two, stayed in, angled wide early stretch but couldn’t gain much though giving a good effort. WESTBEACH left but took back, not heard from thereafter. NUTTINBUTHEBEST moved second-over but was gapping at the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAXIMUS RED A got the early pocket, quarter-moved and backed off the half, then added a pair of 27.4 quarters to win handily. SHOREVIEW made the lead with relative ease, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, neither gained nor lost ground. GONNAHAVESOMEMORE moved behind stale cover, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide raw while pacing a 27 third quarter, tried hard to the wire. BABES DIG ME offered little inside; same story for EFFRONTE A. DO WORK SON tried to travel the same path as the show horse but couldn’t go enough. DOCTOR BUTCH stepped out first-over but then backed up badly.
