Jul 31, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Upper 70s range; stretch headwind … MIGHTY STUFF left, yielded, moved off the first turn to the lead, yielded again and sat in the two-hole in fast fractions, outside headstretch and worked past MAGICAL JOURNEY. The latter got underway from fifth off the first turn, briefly had cover then proceeded on to the lead into turn two, fast ¾, very good but couldn’t withstand the winner. KEYSTONE THUNDER was four-wide leaving, tucked 3/16, out nearing the ¾, tucked third on the turn, loomed in the Pocono Pike but flattened late. LAZER JET took back early to tuck, had cover late backstretch, uncovered midturn, found better strides a little too late. CHARMING BANK was three-wide early to 3/16 command, saw two go by in quarter two, started to gap 11/16. ANDOVERS TOUCH gapped early and never factored. GREEK LEGEND broke to the 3/8, quickly righted but couldn’t enter contention. CHARLATAN HANOVER showed very little.
SECOND RACE – TERRY A HANOVER went on to the lead before the ¼, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, took over midstretch, then faced a leftside challenge from DIVISION BELL and just prevailed. The latter stayed in all the way, went to the deep Pocono Pike and just missed. SULLIVAN yielded, sat in and was shuffled to last, three-wide turn and four-wide headstretch, very good despite bad luck. WHATA TREASURE was underway into turn two and was second-over, three-wide midturn when cover faltered, kept on coming as the pace slowed. CAVIART STETSON was looped early, looked for a hole but found none so reengaged and went to the lead 3/8, turned back the first-over but was caught. LOVE THE ACTION moved outside from last but ducked back in, not prominent. CALL HIM ROCKY started uncovered before the pacesetter cleared to the top, then made a long challenge, flattened out ¾.
THIRD RACE – STRONGERTHANLINDY was content to sit fourth until late backstretch, when he gained rapidly, took the lead late turn but then had to be kept to hustling to hold on to the lead. HIGHGATE left, forced a tuck then strung a foe out to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, shuffled a bit on the turn, then to the Pocono Pike and almost had enough to get there. MATS PALEMA was out three-wide 3/16 then a like distance two-wide to get the front, yielded the lead but not the inside around the turn, fought on (in the 1:30 last 3/4s). ORIGINAL SMOKEY took the pocket past the 3/16, wound up third-in, backed out behind the winner on the turn but gapped a little, then went on evenly. PRECISE FASHION made a break early, made a huge recovery to catch the field by the backstretch, tried to thread between horses in very tight quarters approaching the wire, huge effort after the error. SOUTH FOR WINTER gapped at the 5/8. FAMOUS DAN broke early, made some recovery then broke again at the half.
FOURTH RACE –UTE BLUE CHIP was still gapping a bit when moved outside from fourth off the second turn, grinded up and kept on grinding to take the decision over BLANK CHEEK. The latter was in front before the 1/8, yielded in front of the stands for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, came up just shy. CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE moved off the first turn to the lead before the 3/8, slowed the half then picked up the pace, tired in the latter stages. UBIQUITOUS HANOVER gapped slightly second-over. C DIDDY’S GAL swung wide from last and got the last check. SOUTHWIND COCKTAIL got the early two-spot, faded from the 5/8. JUST SHOCKING did not get close.
FIFTH RACE – KELLY’S BABY went on to 3/16 command, had the field strung out behind her, ran away in the stretch. HONORABLE LADY gained early pocket positioning, stayed close to the winner until the stretch, then was a clear second. SAINT TRIXIE gapped a bit inside down the back and through the turn, to the Pocono Pike, just edged a bunch for the distant third. ARVA DE VIE moved uncovered 5/8 but couldn’t get close. PRAY AND HUSTLE was forwardly-placed but went loose in the three-hole 11/16. TSM LOYAL T was outside but far back, went between horses in the lane and may not have had full clearance to battle for a higher position at the wire. MADISON HANOVER gapped out late backstretch.
SIXTH RACE – COMBUSTION was out in the two-wide flow, left uncovered as a foe cleared on the turn, ducked inside that one and was just along. FULL SUPPORT started uncovered at the ½, got cover 5/8, lost it as the cover went inside after the breaker, went on to take the lead, just failed to last in a good last quarter. BARBOSSA HANOVER moved outside ¾, best of the others. BULLVILLE STEPHANO was last, had some belated gain. LUCKISONTHEWAY left and got the pocket, pulled out before the 5/8, briefly got the lead as the pacesetter broke 11/16 but was soon passed, faded. ALWAYS RUTHLESS tucked third at the 1/8, to the pocket before the 5/8, briefly checked after the leader ran, but had no more to give thereafter. LIFE IS A BET was far back. SWEET TIMBER went to the lead in a quick quarter, strung the field out in quarter two, had his rivals coming to him 11/16 when making a break and going to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – CHOCOLATE MATTERS sat in the pocket until the stretch, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually trotted away. FRAC was on top just past the 1/8, set the pace as he pleased, couldn’t stall the winner but was clear of the rest. O JONNIE tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, followed the winner at a short distance in the stretch to claim show. KEYSTONE SERGEANT went uncovered at the half, edged closer to get to the wheel of the leader on the turn, flattened a little. SCIROCCO PATRICK gapped second-over, evenly. CATELLO TOO didn’t have a great flow from which to operate from third-over, wide and had some trot late. BAZAAR BAZAAR never factored. PRAIRIE VIRTUE took back on the first turn to last, could see them all from there.
EIGHTH RACE – CHARLESTON was uncovered before the 5/8 and grinded up, won fairly easily. SOUTHWIND GUINESS backed out behind the winner on the turn, paused briefly early stretch in confusion, then regathered and finished well for second. ALEXA’S FANTASY made the pocket past the 1/8, was going to go to the Pocono Pike but the leader drifted down into it, so had to take back and go outside, came back OK. TWIN B HIGH TECH sat in, was committed to the deep Pike when there was trouble, couldn’t recover. VEGAN set the pace, hard to steer battling early stretch and went down into the Pocono Pike causing confusion, tired. MARY MARTHA was away slowly and was always far back, came back with “b.e.” SUNSHINE CHIP retucked around the gapper but then herself came up empty.
NINTH RACE – SCOTTISH was out most of the quarter taking back, gapped then closer ¾, had enough to trot past everybody in a 31 kicker. WEATHER VANES was in the pocket after an early breaker, started to edge out headstretch but then went to the Pocono Pike, outkicked to the far outside. SUNBERRY HANOVER was around the breaker to the lead, set a slow pace, still did not hold up. JOHNNY TRIX gapped then got closer and moved raw 5/8, got aflank of the pocket horse but no closer. STANDTHEPAIN AS sat third, loose midrace then closer, tried the deep Pike and may have been in tight quarters when breaking midstretch. OSVALDO HANOVER was far back, trying to make up ground when breaking early stretch. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP left and had a slight lead until breaking towards the first curve.
TENTH RACE – BLACK HAWK DOWN was away third, moved outside 9/16 and grinded up, went right on by in the stretch. ROBERTSIN was looped early, in front off turn one, slowed the half then sped up, couldn’t shake the first-over in a quick third quarter then gave way, just photoing out two others for second. ARGENTO and AGGIORNAMENTO were both far back entering the stretch (the latter after breaking leaving), then both finished solidly wide. AMBERS CHAMPION looped rivals to the top, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, not enough in the latter stages. PADRE moved outside but gapped cover. MATTER OF TRUST never entered the main picture. BILL BAUER moved out to follow cover but broke before the 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – MIKI MINAJ was three-wide early then two-wide to the front 3/16, pushed a brusher then yielded and stayed connected, had the room to back out and then go wide early stretch, went past these easily. MCDREAMER tucked, then quarter-moved but was pushed to clear past the 3/8, had to fight the first-over late backstretch through the turn, powerless to stop the winner. DANCE PARTNER made the early lead, yielded, gapped in third at the half but then got in gear and went first-over before the 5/8, challenged late backstretch and around the bend, couldn’t sustain the move. HANDSOFFMYTITOS gapped down the backstretch, evenly late. JITTERBUG FLIP was behind a dull one third-over, beat out the rest. THE NEXT TWO were never prominent. WARRAWEE EXTREME moved uncovered into turn two and got cover before midbackstretch but gapped it despite urging.
TWELFTH RACE – EXAMINER HANOVER was three-wide early, got the lead by the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, moved out 5/8 and cleared to the lead easily, won safely. CLAYTONS BETTOR N made two speed moves then yielded for the pocket, outside when the winner went by late backstretch, left raw then quickly took the pocket, tried in the lane but second-best. BIG BOSS HILL sat in and was shuffled when the inner tier collapsed, out in a blindswitch midturn, found room between horses in the stretch and had a good late response. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL started the outer train on turn two, got cover but gapped it, evenly. LEVINE closed well from far back for the last check. JAHAN HANOVER was in the cover flow but didn’t have much late response. STARVIN MARVIN never factored. HITMAN HILL moved at the quarter and went on to the lead 3/8, packed it in when challenged late backstretch.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FIX-IT-UP avoided trouble and slow starters early, moved uncovered past the 5/8, had a small lead on the turn, an advantage he extended through the lane. MUSCLES JARED tried for the early lead but accepted the pocket 3/16, out behind the winner ¾, clearly second. TUIS SHADOW started slowly, found a path from far back and went wide on the turn, finished well. CUPID HANOVER set the pace, under pressure from the 11/16, not enough late. SUNDANCEDIAMOND also was away slowly, moved outside but never got close. TEDDY BROSEVELT tucked third after a foe broke, fell back. ONE MARGARITA misstepped 3/16 and went to the infield, made another break far turn.
Jul 30, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot and stretch headwind until midcard, when rain came in, got the track rerated to “sloppy +1,” and started a cooling process … ROCK KING DEO moved with good cover second-over, couldn’t stay with the first-over upper stretch as he took over but then surged at the end to be up in the last step. AMERICA’S GUEST pulled from third 5/8 and challenged, got a lead far turn and went clear early stretch, couldn’t quite hold on despite frantic urging. BNG’S EXPRESS was in control of a lineup once the outside two horses had trouble, rated the half, couldn’t handle pressure far turn, just lasted for third. AIN’T IT FUN stayed in, gapped, had some late pace. ARTACHE HANOVER had the pocket in the lineup, shuffled as the pacesetter tired far turn, finally got to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have much response. OWEN left and was between horses past the 1/8 when making a break, took out IT’SGOODTOBETHEKING dropping in behind him, placed behind that one.
SECOND RACE – BOARDWALK BET let the front end settle then was in gear before the 3/16 and cleared in front of the stands, slowed the half then picked up the pace to ward off the first-over, drew clear in the lane. STORMY HALL GB was wide early to the top, yielded for the pocket, got a bit loose an 1/8 out but maintained second over DIVINE RIGHT. The latter protected early position, was third-in, to the Pocono Pike and just missed place. MAJOR SHOW was carried up well second-over, gapped a little far turn, then had some pace on the end of it. DILLINGER wasn’t keeping up on the turn, inside, evenly. BAY CITY was third=over, three-wide late turn, couldn’t reach. ZEUS HANOVER started the outer tier early, challenged with a good move in Q3, but couldn’t sustain.
THIRD RACE – Three in, three out at the quarter … ABSOLUTE POWER was away second then was quarter-mover #1, yielded for the pocket, outside midturn and quickly in gear, drew clear past midstretch. GINGER TREE COCO was quarter-mover #2, cover to the 5/16 then uncovered to command just past the 3/8, set the pace, couldn’t stall the winner late. ULTIMATE LOULOU left well to the lead at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, started to struggle to keep up 11/16, still far ahead of the rest. ADULT SWIM never made a splash here. SUNNY PASADENA was uncovered off the second turn but never got close. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE looked at leaving but took back, never really settled against the pegs and tried moving up again past the 3/8, got cover but couldn’t impact much.
FOURTH RACE – CRAZY ABOUT PAT was limbed three-deep to the 3/16 then two-wide 5/16 before getting the lead, braced for the charge of favored pocketsitter JOEY PRO and withstood that one in a long drive. The latter left between horses, crossed over 3/16 and yielded 5/16, out towards midturn, good but not quite enough. TRUMP THIS was third-over in a nonflow, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide on the turn, next in line. STEEL RESERVE was buried inside, angled to widest headstretch and finished well. NATURAL KEMP was outside behind a going-nowhere horse and was blindswitched, cleared, evenly. WARRIOR WAY left but took all the way back to last, no factor thereafter. CAMPBELLINI pushed the early action, yielded, started to gap midturn. POSSESS THE STONE looked to be half-and-half down the back whether to come out or not, stayed in and was no factor.
FIFTH RACE – HELLO YES HI grinded up to the lead at the ¼, slowed the half yet still strung out the field, drew away with back fractions of 56 – 27.3. PROUD MARY defended the pocket and stayed tight most of the way, then had to settle for second. STRAWBERRY FIELDS came out of third ¾, ducked inside stretch, OK. GINGER TREE LENA couldn’t keep up far turn. THE LAST TWO could make no impact.
SIXTH RACE – The amateur drivers got into the recent Dead Heat For Win mania at Pocono – and appropriate that as rain increased, one of the horses involved was WALKINGINTHERAIN, who sat the pocket, backed out as the first-over brushed by, was left raw, cleared to the inside on the turn, outside headstretch and was up to tie BIG NUDGE. The latter came uncovered on the second turn and built up steam to go by to the ¾, lasted for the DH1. SILVERMASS VOLO stayed connected and also backed out, followed cover, wide in the lane and didn’t miss by much. TIDQUIST gradually took back, moved outside with cover then was three-wide 11/16 the duration, far back fourth. THE BIG MUSCLE gapped at points, moved outside but didn’t go anywhere. TAKE SHAPE set the pace, all one when challenged ¾. INNISFALLEN gapped, no factor.
SEVENTH RACE – Track changed to “sloppy +1,” and probably brought gradual cooling … MY LITTLE CAPTAIN spotted, came with a quick burst just past the 5/8 and challenged hard, proved the best in a three-way stretch fight. DOLE WHIM moved out behind the winner, went to the Pocono Pike, went on steadily and was second. HALLELUJAH HANOVER was looped, went on at the 1/8 to take over by the ¼, yielded to another early mover for the pocket, then pulled same early in the backstretch to regain command, fought with the winner, a little tired late. SQUARE DEAL was first to the top, saw many lead changes, not quite enough late. LITTLE LADY J moved out before the ¼, briefly with cover then on to the top 3/8, yielded 5/8 and faded. ESPERANZA HANOVER was not keeping up when breaking far turn.
EIGHTH RACE – A CRAFTY LADY tucked fourth just past the 1/8, then was uncovered headed to turn two, grinded to the top before headstretch, enough to withstand the closers. THEREWASTHISGIRL was third-over, three-wide around a gapper far turn, steadily closed in. SLICK ARTIST A followed the place horse and finished with pace. BRONZE OVER N had an excess of cover, came between horses in tight quarters late and did well. FREE FLYIN TICKET made the front then yielded for the two-hole, shuffled far turn, but then didn’t have much late, came back with “b.e.” TRAFFIC JAM made two early moves to set the pace, tired in the last 3/16. BYGONE HANOVER was third-in, shuffled far turn, finally to the Pocono Pike, didn’t gain. CHIPPER DAISY kept up well second-over until the ¾, then gapped and was blindswitched.
NINTH RACE – FAST MACHINE went to the lead at the 1/8 and raced on an open-length lead throughout, came home in 55.2 in the slop all by herself. EAGER TO PLEASE yielded at the 1/8 and was loose in the two-hole all the way around, but still far clear of the rest. BARDMIRY couldn’t stay with the pocket horse, held on for third in the fast last half. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was being slowly-advancing cover but still gapped, a little better at the end. LIGHTNING LEIA went first-over into turn two but never got close, tired in the lane. DRAGON SPARKS had little inside. BROOKDALE JESSIE was near the rear throughout.
TENTH RACE – Wind had calmed after the storm came through … DRAMA ACT made the lead 3/16, slowed the half then picked it up to meet a stiff first-over challenge, drew away in the stretch. SHES PUKKA N pushed the early issue then yielded for the pocket and stayed connected, battled on to hold second over MILIEU HANOVER. The latter moved up sharply first-over with a 26.4 third quarter, kept fighting on the turn, then tired some. SLY ELEANOR N went up for an early tuck and got one third nearing the 3/16, inside, Pocono Pike, OK. TECHYS ANGEL A hustled to catch up with cover to the second turn, gapped then hustled again to catch up to it late backstretch, went three-wide but couldn’t improve. TEMPURA HANOVER sat in and gapped down the back.
ELEVENTH RACE – WESTBEACH was uncovered into the second turn, went 27 down the back to take a shot at the leader, finally worked to the front very late. SCARLETT HANOVER had a good trip second-over, swung wide but couldn’t quite get there. TALK SHOW CHICA went quickly to the lead, really slowed quarter two then picked it up as the challengers came on, held to near deep stretch. CRAZY CUTE tucked second to the 3/16, just a little loose much of the rest of the way. THE OTHER PAIR were not prominent.
TWELFTH RACE – ABBY ROSE was third-over, made a big three-wide move around the far turn and sustained the gain to get the decision. BRILLIANT BEAUTY came through at the start and controlled the throttle, fought with the first-over a long way and tied that one for second. IRON MISTRESS took on first-over duties off the second bend, grinded away all the way to the finish. JUXTA COWGIRL was second-over, gapped some ¾ and was blindswitched, a little better at the end. ABUELITA HANOVER stayed in, gapped, then angled wide in the lane and came on late. ROSE RUN VICTORIA left and was three-wide nearing turn one, took the pocket at the 1/8, tired. SUNRISE HANOVER gapped at the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DELISHKA N went right to the lead, got a rest to the half, then was in no danger of being caught. SOMTHNGABOUTMARY N was wide early, went up to tuck third at the 1/8, found room between horses before midstretch and came on well for second. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER left and yielded for the two-hole, was found wanting at crunch time. NIMAH FRANCO N started uncovered before the 3/8, never really threatened the leader, held OK. GREENHILLDEBATABLE slotted fourth, came out late on the turn, up for the last check. NARINA HANOVER moved with cover 3/8 but was already gapping coming off the second turn. TSM ARTEMIS T didn’t show enough. MADAME LEZA A got a slow start and gapped at the back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STRAIGHT UP COOL is probably best described as “two-wide the duration,” although he might have been half-and-half at points: left wide, followed a quarter-mover, may or may not have had the room to tuck in the pocket just past the 3/8 but went on raw, challenged, may have been one-and-a-half wide late on the turn, found on courageously and came home in 28 after all the usage to get the nod. TONY TOO TALL moved from second early in front of the winner, then had that one coming at him the entire way, just missed on the money. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA was third-over, followed cover three-wide late on the turn, narrowed in nicely. DEETZY was out behind the parked winner, three-wide 11/16 the duration, held his ground well to the finish. ROCK THREE TIMES got the last check. RYCROFT N gapped at the back. BELLOWS BINGE went away well to command, saw two go by quarter two, not much late, returned with “b.e.” GONNAHAVEONEMORE did not factor.
Jul 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Hot, with a stretch tailwind, and a good race to start the day … LETS ROLL lived up to his name past the half, pacing 26.3 down the back to engage the leader IMAGINARY LINE, had a short advantage most of the way from the 3/4, finally inched away from that tough rival very late. The latter got no rest whatsoever: three-wide early, he then went behind cover until past the 3/16, then was outside fighting against the wind for the next quarter mile to get the top, had the winner come at him at the 5/8, refused to let that one edge away until the very end. THE WALL was third-over behind dull cover, saw his cover duck in far turn and advanced, finished very well. GUINNESS PANIC from post two needed most of the quarter to get around the post one horse, then was challenged for the lead and yielded only approaching turn two, sat close behind the last half battle, went to the Pocono Pike, came up just a bit shy late. JK MUSICMAN was second-over, gapped and ducked inside far turn, held well. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was fourth-over, didn’t enter contention. LYONS NIGHT HAWK sat in behind DOUBLEORNOTHING N but was not blocked by that one as himself gapping. The latter forced the first quarter and yielded, started to gap 11/16.
SECOND RACE – BUTTER UP left well, yielded before the ¼ and sat the two-hole, loose through the backstretch and part of the turn then edged closer, kept edging closer and closer until getting by late. MAJOR BEAN made the front just before the ¼, had a clear lead from the half until late turn, almost held off the winner and far ahead of the rest. BIONIC was out with cover to the 5/8 then lost it, proved best of the rest. WESTERN WALTZ was outside, ducked in on the turn, next in line. JET ACE sat in and was badly shuffled down the back as the 3-holer came up empty, couldn’t recover enough. MY BOY JACK was outside, advanced raw from the ¼ until getting in the 3-hole before the 5/8, but thereafter gapped the top two. CODYS KNAPSACK was also caught in the backstretch shuffle, never a factor. SEAL O’NEILL tucked third, came out at the ¼ but quickly retreated, then couldn’t stay in contact from the half.
THIRD RACE – PRACTICAL CAT left strongly to clear the field before the first turn, hung a foe almost to the 3/8 before yielding for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, lead past midstretch, just edged out the game LUISELLA. The latter tucked fourth, started uncovered 5/8 and relentlessly inched up, fought very hard only to be beaten to the far inside by the pocket horse. AP HALL OF TRIX was looped early, needed until the 3/8 to clear, continued at a good clip with mounting pressure, held well to the line between horses. UPFRONT STONE maintained the early pocket, then left a slight gap from the half onward, outside far turn, not enough. MOON BRIDGE was blocked far turn, worked clear and finished nicely. GUMDROP HANOVER gapped inside. CHING CHING LUCKY never factored. TRICKY DICK gapped cover.
FOURTH RACE – HIGH BALLER moved from third 5/16 to the lead just past the 3/8 and set wind-appropriate fractions, had to be good to hold back JIM BLUE. The latter went right to the lead, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, used the Pocono Pike and had a good response that didn’t miss by much against a good winner. CAPTAIN SLEAZE sat well-placed throughout, best of the rest of the field. RIFLEMAN started grinding from far back at the half, was looped ¾ and had cover on the turn, had to go three-wide headstretch, performed well. TRAY SURREAL never was in the main picture. ELLIOT MOOSE tucked fourth, was no factor late. GOOD DEAL came out off the second turn and started a three-wide sweep past the 5/8 carrying him to two-wide ¾ and contention, but was empty headstretch.
FIFTH RACE – DEE’S RED DELICIOUS had to work most of the ¼ before taking over, rated the half, was under siege by MISS MCKEE the last 1/8 but just held off that one. The latter pushed hard to the ¼ then yielded to sit in the pocket, outside late turn, narrowed in steadily in the lane, just shy. NO DRAMA PLEASE was three-wide early to tuck third past the 1/8, stayed third, to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. SWEET HEART AS was uncovered 9/16, advanced, steadily in the latter stages. NIGHT FLYER K moved out on the turn and had some trot on the end. SAY YOU DO looked at leaving but took back, not heard from again. CHOCO CHARLIE moved outside with cover but couldn’t keep up. COCKTAILS N DREAMS was always far back.
SIXTH RACE – SADIQ HANOVER took over early, yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, outside in the stretch and worked past MINDTRIP. The latter cleared at the ¼, was not under pressure, couldn’t stall the winner. THE MOONSHADOW N stayed third the entire way. DRAGON STRIKES backed out behind the parked horse 11/16 then went looping ¾, three-wide through the turn, finished steadily. CAVIART MAX was outside the duration, not too bad for the last payday. FRANCO TOTEM N was outside early behind the parked horse but couldn’t do much. SEXY BLUE CHIP broke past the start. WRAPPERS DELIGHT A looked to start to have a problem before turn two, broke off that bend and was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING was in front at the 1/8, strung the field out early then left them behind late. BALDAQUIN advanced inside of two-wide horses down the back, finished well though not in the league of the winner. MARION GONDOLIER was making sure of preserving the pocket, left behind down the back and not quite enough to preserve second. SORTIE stayed in and was next in line. MYSTICAL WYNN was between horses early, took back to tuck third, moved out late backstretch even though well off the horse in front of him, couldn’t make an impact. BLENHEIM was second-over well off the front, three-wide ¾ but broke and ran home, placed behind THE OTHER TWO, who never were major dangers.
EIGHTH RACE – PARMESAN N had a good second-over trip, three-wide late turn, the strongest horse late. WESTERN TYRANT forced a fast quarter and yielded, moved raw ½ and grinded, never ahead but steadily for the deuce. INDIGO ART was third-over, didn’t tip wide but followed the path of the first-over and won third in a photo. SEVENTH SECRET was kept out to the 26.2 ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, moved between horses in the stretch, evenly. STELLAR YANKEE struggled at the back of the main field. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was four-wide to the 1/8, dropped down to two-wide cover after a breaker, left raw at the ¼ and pressed on to 3/8 command, set the pace, got pressure before the ¾, tired. DO WORK SON was three-wide leaving, suffered an “ex” just past the 1/8. MONTEFALCO N broke before the start.
NINTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was between horses in a spirited duel, tucked before the ¼ and maintained the pocket, pulled out to the 5/8 and went three-wide soon afterwards to sweep the fighters, opened a big lead, tiring some but too far ahead. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was far back, got to third-over then three-wide far turn, kept coming on and took second. RAPTORS FLIGHT N got around a gapper past the half and retucked, was shuffled ¾ and then out in a two-wide blindswitch, with steady pace once clear late. LEAR SEELSTER stayed connected with the embattled front end, slipped outside to the 11/16, fair late. UNDERTAKER was near the rear of the field throughout. WINNING IS SWEET was stuck out three-wide to past the 3/16, then two-wide raw the duration, was looped ¾ and faded. IC A FREE SPIRIT was hard-used to win the lead nearing the ¼, then kept a foe parked, gave way the last 5/16. ALWAYS THE SUN was always in the shade.
TENTH RACE – CATCH THE FIRE showed his class, going up wide early to challenge for the lead, not getting it until well past a 25.4 opener, then just humming along in fast fractions, drawing clear in the last quarter, tying for the fastest mile of the year at Pocono in 1:47.4, which is only 4/5 of a second off the all-time record for 5/8-mile tracks. J M MANDAMIN vacated fourth 5/8 and went up to get closer to the leader, couldn’t sustain that bid but was very good to maintain second over ULTIMAROCA. The latter left very hard and forced the winner to work quite hard to get the front, sat the pocket, started to get loose ¾ but fought on bravely to the line. DA DELIGHTFUL went even in the big mile. STONE HANOVER was out second-over past the 5/8 but gapped. SOUTHWIND OZZI never entered contention. CAPTAIN MULZAC gapped early and was in against a very tough bunch.
ELEVENTH RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION lived up to his name today, refusing to yield early, setting the pace, then drawing clear in the last 3/16. REGAL SON came uncovered down the back but never got closer than the place horse’s saddlepad until the stretch, where he showed grit in battling on for the distant deuce. PLAY THE FIELD was wide early, challenged hard for the front but had to settle for the pocket past the ¼, stayed in contact with the winner until the far turn, couldn’t hold second late. KINGSTONS BAD BOY sat in, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t improve his position. WHAT’S GOIN ON had to circle three-wide far turn to get around dull cover, did OK. CONCUR didn’t emerge as a major danger; nor did BLACKLIGHT. STELLAR BB left but was looped, in fourth 3/16, then moved second-over, but had nothing more to give ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – ROUGH ODDS moved uncovered before the half, went up raw in 26.3 with the wind to hound the leader, then showed grit in overcoming the rough trip and drawing away. CURIOUS CORTEZ was out most of a quick ¼ to make the lead, slowed the half then sprinted again as the winner came up, proved no match for that one but did retain second. UNION LEGEND N was away nicely from the pole, pushed the quarter and yielded to sit tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach place., ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP angled in for an early tuck, looked to come out near the half but gapped and tucked back in, went on OK. PURPLE POST found himself stuck behind a side-by-side pair of sluggish horses on the turn, moved wide and finished alertly. COOL BLUES MAN couldn’t offer much. KILLER MARTINI gapped outside. MAJOR DESIRE was 4-5 lengths off the gate and never got into the flow.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL worked to the lead 3/16, didn’t get a tough half, then scurried home in 27.2 and then 27.1 to defeat tough foes. CAPTAIN FANCY maintained third early, went to the pocket to the ¾ when the two-holer pulled, and the 70-1 shot went to the Pocono Pike and won a photo over the 11-10 shot for second. WESTERN JOE pushed the winner then yielded, stayed tight then came out to the ¾ to challenge, couldn’t go by and then couldn’t hold second, though a good race. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN looked at leaving but then took back to his own hole, outside 5/8, got cover ¾, OK late in the sprint home. VANILLA MALTED moved outside but gapped, ducked back in, got the last check. TOWN GOSSIP was wide looking at leaving but took back; he and THE OTHER TWO were in the back of the field thereafter.
FOURTEENTH RACE – JAGGED ROCKS pushed a foe to the 3/16, yielded but was quick on the retake, set a good pace with the top two drawing off in the last 1/8, and the pacesetter holding off COPPER TEEN. The latter was as noted in front 3/16 then yielded to sit in the two-hole, stayed there until the stretch, narrowed in well but was photoed out. CAPTIVATE HANOVER was last of the main bunch far off the top pair, circled the others with good late foot. NUI BA DEN N circled a straggler, outside midturn but outkicked for third in a picture. SHANE ADAM was never prominent. CAVIART STONE retucked third a long way off the top pair, no pace late. ARTIFACT HANOVER was having a problem to the 3/8 and was pulled up.
Jul 26, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid to high 80s; stretch headwind … MUSCLES JARED moved 5/8 and quickly went by ¾, won by a ton. CHOCOLATE MATTERS stayed semiconnected, wide into the stretch and a clear distant second. PHANTOM RUSTY had the pocket, backed out behind the winner ¾, not too much. PADRE set the pace, had no answer for the winner ¾ and tired. GREEK LEGEND was away slowly and was never a factor. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke before the first turn.
SECOND RACE – HORSE was innermost of three leavers, maintained the pocket and stayed close, outside late turn, paced away easily from the pacesetting BRACKLEY BEACH. The latter was three-wide early to the lead at the 1/8, kept the field strung out, clearly second-best. BIG BAD BILL left between horses and tucked third to the 1/8, held that position to the line. JUST A WRANGLER moved outside from way back 5/8, never a major danger. THE OTHER TWO never presented a threat.
THIRD RACE – PURE HOPE S inherited the pocket after the first turn breaker, a bit loose in the pocket, up the Pocono Pike and trotted by late. HALEY HILL was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide to 1/8 command, was clear on the lead until the stretch, outtrotted near the line. OLD MAGIC struggled a little in third near the ¾, evenly late while well ahead of the rest. VALLORA KEMP made the early pocket, broke 3/16, recovered enough to be a very distant fourth. ARDELLA stayed fairly close until the stretch, then fell way back. MOMMAS A DIVA broke early.
FOURTH RACE – HOW THE HELL moved uncovered 5/8 and gradually advanced, had the most in the second half of the stretch. ROJO MAN was away second then quarter-moved, set the pace, held the lead to midstretch. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP, a little off the gate, tried to follow the winner but couldn’t quite keep up, some late. STANDTHEPAIN AS looked to be leaving but broke early, made a big recovery but did finish ahead of tiring horses. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was quickly on the lead, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed close until the stretch then had nothing left to give. WINE BAR was not away quickly, stayed out of the way of the first turn breaker, never got into the main battle. ROWDER gave way very badly heading to the ¾.
FIFTH RACE – GOTTA GET CRACKIN took control from the pole and fronted these throughout, saw off a brief challenge on the far turn and won in hand. PARTNER DOLAN was three-wide to the 1/8, fit into third near the ¼, came out raw 5/8 to advance and look menacing ¾, flattened a little late turn, bore out in the stretch but continued to pursue. CIVIL UNION made the pocket at the 1/8, a bit loose from the 5/8, fell back inside in the lane. BATTLESHIP LANDING stayed in until the stretch, couldn’t gain. FOX HOLE moved into turn two, wound up third-over but was behind a dull second-over, avoided that one when he broke on the turn, got the final payday. SCOTTY DEO came uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t reach it, broke early far turn. EVER HOPEFUL G was struggling near the back when breaking far turn. BT BABE misbehaved at the start.
SIXTH RACE — FRAZZLEBERRY made two speed moves in a fast-slow-fast pattern, the second “fast” because FULSOME reached him at the 5/8 and would not go away to the wire, just held on as the tempo moderated. The latter came with a rush at the half and was out raw fighting the winner from midbackstretch onward, unlucky to lose. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH lagged in the fast third fraction then was in gear on the turn, wide and gaining steadily. WIN PLACE’N SHOW was second-over but gapped, tucked in on the far turn, wedged between horses in what appeared very tight quarters, gained through the lane. AMAZON left well and made the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner and never was far behind the big second half duel, just a bit shy late. LATEST ATTRACTION had too much ground to make up. I’LL TAKE THE BET never featured. RENO DINERO gapped the front two in the first split, then faded from third starting at the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – POSSESS THE STONE was three-wide to the first turn and onward to the lead, really wasn’t tested until the stretch and had enough to win against this group. SPRING IN PARIS left between horses and wound up in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, close but had to settle for a DH2. JUSTIFY tucked fourth while slightly rough, uncovered near the 5/8, bore out in the stretch but still trotted home evenly for his 18.5% reward. CRITICAL MASS left some from the rail, backed out to second-over, even finish. SCIROCCO PATRICK was out second-over 5/8 but gapped, ducked in far turn, evenly. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY gapped, then had too far to come even in a slowing pace. IDEAL SCHOONER went wide late turn but couldn’t reach. FRAC never f(r)actored.
EIGHTH RACE – CAPTAIN’S STAR took immediate control from the pole, walked to the half, rebuffed the first-over then held off favored TWO PROUD with solid 55.1 – 27.1 speed. The left protected the pocket, had his shot in the stretch and did well but lacked the needed quickstep. IMAREALROCKINLADY tucked third, seemed to be fighting to be given her head much of the way, did move outside 11/16 and quickly moved to the flank of the winner, but then backed off and didn’t hold third by much. JAGGED LITTLE PILL and LET ME BE ME gapped midrace, evenly late. HELLRUNNER HANOVER was not prominent. SWEETBEEDO went frontward belatedly, midpack when breaking 3/16.
NINTH RACE – MYREANNA gapped midpack down the back, closer and then up the Pocono Pike to get the victory. SOUTHERN AUTUMN was three-wide leaving then onward to the lead 3/16, went a slow Q2, picked it up when challenged, couldn’t hold on to the lead to the wire. PLUM WINE went to the front going to turn one, yielded, tightened in the pocket down the back, outside past midturn after the first-over broke, but drifted wide and lost ground. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL gapped cover the second half. WILD KAT G went uncovered 3/8, made a nice long challenge, but went offstride midturn. QUINNPATRICKSHEA broke right past the start. GOO GOO LU LU made a delayed forward move early, had about reached third on the outside when miscuing 3/16.
TENTH RACE – TOP ME OFF let the early scene resolve itself then moved up, made the lead 3/8, was in no danger the rest of the way. LADY’S IMAGE was three-wide early, moved to the point 3/16, yielded a like distance later for the pocket, went loose in the stretch but still held second. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY moved out behind dull cover on the turn, had some trot on the end. THE LAST CHAPTER left and had the early pocket, vacated third ¾ but did not gain at all. VIC’S WINNER moved outside but didn’t enter contention. ZLATAN was struggling to keep up the last 5/16. TEDDY BROSEVELT never entered the main picture. KEEGAN HO was trying for early positioning when making a break nearing turn one.
ELEVENTH RACE – ABRUZZO trotted to command 3/16, rated the pace as he pleased then drew away with a last quarter of 28.4. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT yielded for the pocket, unplugged mid-far turn but still a clear second. THE WORLD OWES ME was locked in from the 5/8, finally clear in the Pocono Pike and was along for third. FAMOUS DAN moved uncovered with little effect. PRIMO VOLO was outside near the rearward half of the field until midrace then got cover, three-wide headstretch but didn’t gain. U BAKE THE CAKE was wide early, behind cover then spotted third 3/16, left a widening gap in third from the 5/8. NORTHERN BLIZZARD never got close; nor did MOJAVE HANOVER.
TWELFTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO used track geometry to maximum advantage in setting the pace, drew off in the last quarter. CHUCKY DE VIE went into the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close to the ¾, then unplugged but still retained second. GRAPPLE HANOVER spotted third at the 1/8, was semiloose from the pocket horse down the back, retained third. WILLIE B WORTHY moved outside before the ¾ but couldn’t get close for even second. CELEBRITY ROLEX didn’t have much inside. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT showed little. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY made a break while midpack 3/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – REDBANK BLAZE A forced a 25.4 quarter in a hot battle, yielded but retook 3/8, kept right on rolling and took a new mark of 1:50.2 at age nine in the second-bottom class. LEVINE was wide early, got in third at the ¼, gapped down the back, then outside far turn as the pocketsitter gave way, a clear if distant second. HEARTBEAT HILL came on for third edging out A STUD NAMED SAM, who came on from far back. DRAGON ROARS AGAIN was four-wide past the 1/8, two-wide to the lead in a 25.4 opener, yielded, stayed close to the 11/16 then packed it in. BAY MEADOWS left, was three-wide and about to be looped so took a midpack tuck, uncovered off turn two but never got close. BLUEJEANSNREDWINGS got away last from the rail, little. MISSISSIPPI RABBIT was gapping by the half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CUPID HANOVER left and got the early pocket behind the fast pace, started to ease out late turn then chose to go inside, along in the Pocono Pike; an inquiry was launched to check on possible interference headstretch, which was disallowed, but then the inquiry expanded to include a possible pylon violation, and it was found that CUPID HANOVER did go inside a pylon, for which he was placed fourth, behind the three horses lapped on him at the wire. DICENTRA tucked third, came clear early stretch and was making up ground in the 31 kicker; placed first. PREACHER MAN was out with cover but gapped it, then gained in the slowing tempo late. MAGICAL JOURNEY went huge fractions on the front end, held the lead a long way before tiring. SUNDANCEDIAMOND broke before the first turn, recovered but gapped, narrowed in as the pace slowed. SPIT AND VINEGAR gapped down the back. LAZER JET moved uncovered 5/8, challenged, made a break turning for home. ARCHIBALD was looped, went offstride 3/16.
Jul 24, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … PRAIRIE HANDSOME got tighter in the strung-out field nearing the 5/8 then moved uncovered, went by past the ¾ and was briefly clear, then extended to hold off the closers. PLAY THE ACE was loose in the pocket the first 3/8 then snug, was stuck when the lead changed hands ¾ and had to back out, in gear in the stretch and just failed to recover the lost ground. BEACH CHIEF moved out with cover 11/16, gapped it and was left raw when it cleared just past the ¾, then narrowed in, held pretty well. FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX took a long time to get around a gapper and was off the leaders to nearing the stretch, went between horses with steady pace. WAR OF WILL strung the whole field out to the 3/8 then most of them until past the 5/8, but surrendered readily when challenged. WEST IS BEST left an ever-increasing gap.
SECOND RACE – BARNABAS was third-over behind gapping cover, stacked four-wide late turn and zoomed past everybody at crunch time. HOPETOBEFIRST was loose in the pocket most of the way, went to the Pocono Pike and got a brief lead midstretch before being outpaced by the winner, held second in a big photo. TIN ROOF RAIDER A was second-over but wasn’t staying with cover late backstretch, three-wide late turn, did OK late. TUGGIN ON MY HEART looped the field quickly, maintained a sizable advantage despite a slow second quarter, had the others catch up by the 5/8, still was ahead well into the stretch, only to tire. OHIO VINTAGE stayed in, came on some in the deep Pike. BENSON BOYS N was looped early and tucked third, came uncovered off turn two, gained in the third quarter and for some of the turn, but couldn’t keep going. PERSEVERANT lost contact down the back and was pulled up.
THIRD RACE – VANESSA J left, yielded at the ¼ but was quick on the retake, in command thereafter. LADY LIRA moved out from third before the ¾, went around the fading pocketsitter, clearly second-best. ULURU stayed flat and passed tired horses for the distant third. WISTERIA HANOVER was wide early, went up two-wide to take the lead at the ¼, soon yielded for the pocket, unplugged from the 5/8. RISK ON stayed fairly close until the ¾. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA was leaving when making a break, quickly caught the back of the field, came out uncovered off the second turn but made another misstep before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – KILEE ROCKS went right to the front in a largely strung-out field, had the pocket horse to deal with late turn, but opened a clear margin when that one lost ground coming off the bend, enough to hold off her recovery. CHANCES ARE IDEAL tightened in to the pocket, came out to challenge and gained, but then lost her momentum straightening away, gained ground late but had lost her chance. SWEET GADGETS tucked fourth, passed a tired foe for third in the stretch; said foe was LIZZIANA, who had stayed semiconnected in third until the far turn. BEST DIVA broke coming off turn two. WORKINGONATAN was already leaving a big gap before the half. C DIDDY’S GAL was well off the gate, another who fell further and further back.
FIFTH RACE – The beginning of some wild longshot action; here a $108.80 horse heads the least-bet three finishing ahead of the most-bet three … BROADWAY SENSATION stayed flat and connected, outside ¾, three-wide late turn and a bit wider than that towards headstretch as her lefthand rival went offstride, trotted on to the top in a slowing tempo. GUCCI GIRL was looped, going up towards the lead 3/16 and grabbed it as the leader broke, set the pace to her liking, couldn’t stall the winner. GINA’S ON FIRE was in tight quarters yielding past the 1/8, then avoided the breaker and sat in the pocket, evenly late and far ahead of the misbehavers. PIANO BAR was three-wide early, cleared while close to the rail horse, then ran 3/16 and went to the infield, caught the field but then had nothing left late. BABY TAKE A VOW wound up third after early confusion, moved uncovered 11/16 and advanced, appeared to be looking to sustain her rally but broke before headstretch. JULIETTE broke before the start.
SIXTH RACE (a semi island of normalcy) – BROTHER JAMES was fourth at the START point but gradually built speed from the rail and with track geometry got everybody in behind him by the ¼, then was sent on a lungclearing with wild middle numbers stretching the field, decelerated (understandably after a 1:20.4 ¾) but was far gone. BULLVILLE TERROR was the only horse tight on his cover off the second turn and 5/8 was moved out to grind up, did well in being the closest to the runaway. BLACKLIGHT was behind the unplugging pocketsitter and shuffled late turn, found room, between horses early stretch and was third. LITERL LAD HANOVER was very wide early, three-wide much of the 3/16, then found the two-hole at the ¼, gradually gapped out the second half. FIXED IDEA was inside, moved out in a blindswitch late turn but didn’t advance. AMERICA’S GUEST moved outside to try to gain but could not. LUZIANA was always far behind.
SEVENTH RACE – First four finishers were 16-1, 26-1, 10-1, and 99-1 … PEMBROKE MONEY pulled from third ¾ to challenge, was in a three-way battle most of the stretch but asserted herself late in a diminishing tempo. STICK WITH ME stuck with the leader in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and took a short lead past midstretch, but tired late. FINE WINE FASHION had just yielded when finding herself back on top after a breaker, faster in Q2 than Q1, tired midstretch. KT DOUBLE DEUCE stayed flat, gapped from before the ¼, a little tighter far turn but then faded. ANGELPEDIA had just made the top at the 1/8 when running. TIPSY MONI broke leaving shortly past the start. VALENTINE BLESSING broke w-a-y before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – The short longshot period concludes with a $132.60 winner … TSM BATMAN was fourth-in, was able to duck to the deep Pocono Pike and came through to be up in a blanket finish. DILLINGER tucked fourth past the 1/8, moved uncovered into turn two and grinded into a fast third split to be in major contention, held gamely to the line. BAY BRUTE took the early pocket then seemed a handful, helmetbumping down the back, had a golden trip but when taken to the Pocono Pike but seemed to resist the move leftward, finally got going but was photoed out. MAJOR SHOW set the pace, sped up down the back as challengers came on, didn’t miss by too much. DIVINE RIGHTS was second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. JM’S ROLLIN was third-in, out into a blindswitch late turn, never found a clear path. ZEUS HANOVER gained late as the pace slowed. SPORTS SECTION gapped third-over, followed three-wide cover but couldn’t gain.
NINTH RACE – PEPPERMINT MAN had the early pocket, moved 5/16 to the lead 3/8, drew clear throughout the last half. MIKI DE VIE made the front easily, yielded for the two-hole, got gradually looser from the leader, held second over RUSTY BEACH. The latter came outside from fourth just past the ¾ and finished well. CHARLEY DUPONT gapped down the back, best of the rest. LIFE IS A BET and TICTOCMOE were never in the picture. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC tucked third at the 1/8, looked a contender for major minor awards as late as headstretch but came up empty late. CRUISE HANOVER was well off the gate, then broke 3/16 and went to the infield.
TENTH RACE – PORTULACA was very wide early, three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the ¼ to get the lead, slowed quarter two then picked it up, had FASHION ANNIE bearing down on her late, but in the battle of the two first round PaSS winners, the 14-1 shot held off the 1-5 shot. The later moved second-over and wide in the lane, came her own last half in 56.2 but couldn’t get by the winner. WILD RUDY S tucked third, came out down the back to challenge, fell back a little late but did OK. PLANTER’S PUNCH defended the pocket, Pocono Pike but lost some ground. THE OTHER THREE all gapped at various points, with AVA MARIE breaking far turn trying to get closer.
ELEVENTH RACE – LIFETIME EXPERIENCE controlled the throttle throughout, held off a group of late contenders. PINK FLOYD HANOVER made a delayed leave and raced up into the two-hole 3/16, sent to the Pocono Pike, just failed to take it all. LENDA HAND MAN speed-grinded in 27.2 to battle the leader, lost a little ground straightening away but came back on late. BULLVILLE FRANK was second-over, gapped ¾, found better strides very late. LUCKISONTHEWAY stayed in third, gapped a bit as the pace picked up down the back, to the deep Pike, didn’t get there, might have been in tight quarters. THE OTHER DUO were in the back and didn’t make their presence felt.
TWELFTH RACE – SPEED AWAY moved quickly in front of the stands to the lead, was four lengths clear at the 5/8 and just expanded that margin in fast time for this class. SEVENSHOTSOBOURBON had early control from the pole, yielded to the winner, gapped from the half but stayed flat and was well ahead of the rest. ARGENTO was up for third over HODA HANOVER, who was gapping from the 3/8. AMBERS CHAMPION stayed flat and was rewarded with a check. ONE MARGARITA left, was finding no holes when breaking 3/16, couldn’t recover. CHARMING BANK stayed fairly close to the gapping pocket horse until the turn, where she misbehaved. MATTER OF TRUST broke heading towards turn one.
THIRTEENTH RACE – FRISKIE ALL NITE left to defend the pocket, moved outside into the stretch and caught BIG BOSS HILL. The latter left between horses and struck the front at the 3/16, rated the half then came home in 55.3 and still was caught, good outing. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA was second-over, three-wide late turn, edged MEADOWBROOK FLASH for show. The latter was uncovered going into the clubhouse turn, moved up some then flattened out. STARVIN MARVIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked third, in contention for a board spot until tiring late. SPINNAKER HANOVER was not prominent. SHAMMA LAMMA had a slow start then gapped. TOATSMYGOATS struggled throughout the last half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MISS MUSCLE was the innermost of the hard leavers and put everybody behind in a fast quarter, slowed the half, drew clear through the stretch. TUIS SHADOW sat inside, angled out early stretch and hit a higher gear midstretch, overhauled the rest. KEYSTONE THUNDER was looped leaving, with cover until tucking fifth, then uncovered into turn two, reached the wheel of the pocket horse but didn’t get closer until the stretch, one-geared home. HURRIKANE WILLIE G took the early pocket then gave it up near the ¼, sat in third, gapped a little down the back, Pocono Pike, not much. TRAIN was three-wide to the 1/8 then raced on to get in the two-hole, actually stayed close to the winenr until nearing headstretch, then tired. THE OTHERS never made their presence felt.
Jul 23, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A card of all females on a typically seasonal-warm twilight … Stretch headwind … NUTTINBUTHEBEST was parked 3/16 for the top, in turn yielded to sit the pocket, behind a three-wide wall on the turn, but went to the Pocono Pike and easily got the job done. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME was second-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, enough to hold off SOUTHWIND JAVA for second. The latter left and yielded, sat in, then backed out to get behind the place horse three-wide on the turn, got in high gear a little too late to catch that one. MIKI ROSE had cover to the 3/16, then was raw past the 26.2 opener to clear, set the pace, had hard pressure in the third quarter, paid a price for the odd-numbered quarters’ exertions. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD sat in, found room between horses in the stretch and was gaining. SHES A SASSY BEACH was underway raw on turn two, went her own third split in 26.3 and did have a brief short advantage late backstretch, but couldn’t sustain. OOH REAL GOOD stayed in with little. SILENT CROSSING made no impact.
SECOND RACE – NEVERTELLMETHEODDS was looped and out most of the ¼ for command, yielded for the pocket, initially lost a little ground when the sprint home started far turn, but found a higher gear and sailed by for Pocket Rocket Kakaley. CALLIOPE HANOVER quarter-moved and had a very soft middle half, just outsprinted to the wire. STRAWBERRY FIELDS came out raw from fifth 5/8 and gained quickly in the slow third split, held on very well. TO ALL A GOODNIGHT gapped in front of the stands, sat in then backed out third-over, four-wide in the stretch and flying late. MARGOT HANOVER worked out a second-over trip from seventh but didn’t have enough late. CAPTAIN VIOLET J left well to take over early then yielded, stayed in, not enough response when the tempo increased. HUNGRY FOR MONEY stayed in, not prominent. SLIM FAST broke shortly before the start.
THIRD RACE – FREE FLYIN TICKET was on top quickly looping horses, went a quick (for these) third quarter to draw clear, then drifted out in the stretch but still held together. NIMAH FRANCO N was out behind nonadvancing cover and was three-wide 11/16 the duration, steadily narrowed in. GREENHILLDEBATABLE was looped, got the pocket, gapped down the back, came out in the stretch, had to alert course to go inside the drifting winner, tired a little late. LADY ELECTRA was four-wide out of the far turn and had a bit pf pace on the grandstand side as the tempo slowed. RELLA TIVITY closed a hole on turn one, inside, not enough late. ELLEOFADELI was looped and three-wide early, took back to fourth late first turn, came out raw down the backstretch but went nowhere. WESTERN SHOWGIRL made no impact.
FOURTH RACE – BEACH COWGIRL left, took a tuck third early, moved 5/8 and stepped right to the lead in a very fast ¾, kept eating up the track under a mild urge and stopped the timer in 1:50.2, within a fifth of a second of the 5/8-mile track’s world record for baby fillies – in her second lifetime start. HELLO YES HI was able to get outside to the ¾ and closed very well to just catch HALLELUJAH HANOVER, who had followed the winner and got to tuck in the pocket late turn (and both of those fillies were timed within 3/5 of a second of the world record). GINGER TREE COCO did not want to go into the hole and pressed on to take over before the 3/8 in wicked fractions for these, couldn’t keep the winner out ¾, held OK. PROUD MARY set sail early, did yield to sit the two-hole, was behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn but herself had little more to offer. THE OTHER DUO could not make their mark here.
FIFTH RACE – GINGER TREE LENA went on to take over at the ¼, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, outside midturn, gradually wore down LOVE YOU SO. The latter moved outside with cover from fourth before the ¼, left raw off the first turn and took over 3/8, rated the half then sped up and stretched the field in the third split, had the lead for a long way in the stretch. DONTLETJULIAFOOLYA was first on top but was shuffled back to midpack, outside 11/16 then getting cover far turn, just third over EXTREME Z TAM. The latter gapped much of the way until early stretch, then found a much better gear along the inside. ADULT SWIM got the early lead, yielded near the ¼, inside, couldn’t gain late. ASHEVILLE gapped inside. BLANK CHEEK was last throughout but missed only a bit more than four lengths.
SIXTH RACE – LITTLE LADY J quarter-moved, set comfortable fractions, came home in control. SUMMER FLAME worked to command 3/16, yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, couldn’t gain but held her positioning. LOVE THAT JOURNEY sat third, found room between horses midstretch and finished with pace. STAY HAPPY tucked at the 1/8, came out raw just past the 5/8, gained some but then couldn’t sustain that gain. HUNGRY FOR KISSES went evenly. HOLY HILL was second-over, gapped on the turn, wide stretch, not too much. LULU ROCKS never entered the picture. KISS EM KATE was gapping before the half.
SEVENTH RACE – SLY ELEANOR N left, yielded, came out off turn one to brush to the point, withstood a righthand challenge from the first-over, then just beat out Pocono Pikeshooting NO WIN NO FEED A by a flared nostril. The latter was three-wide to the first bend, two-wide to the top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike then went there, lost a heartbreaker. BEACH CRAZY left between horses, made the lead and yielded, sat third until going uncovered 5/8, was in the thick of the action throughout the last ¼. TECHYS ANGEL A came outside 11/16 and quickly tightened on cover, three-wide near headstretch, good. MILIEU HANOVER sat last and was still last midstretch, put in an amazing last 1/16 on the far outside. TEMPURA HANOVER did not get into contention here.
EIGHTH RACE – FRONDEUR yielded past the 1/8 for the pocket, stayed tight, moved outside in the lane and paced right on by. ALEJANDRA HANOVER was in front past the 1/8, rated the half and strung out the field, asked for more early stretch but did not respond well to that question, did hold together for second. ILUVLOUCY gapped slightly in third, to the Pocono Pike and was close to second. RAGS TO RICHES moved outside towards late turn, couldn’t quite summon enough speed. THE OTHER TWO never achieved prominence, with SWEET PHENOMENA dropping back sharply.
NINTH RACE – AMBUSHED was in front before the 3/16, reluctantly yielded into the second turn, stayed tight in the pocket, moved outside late turn, and went to the top easily. CONSTELLATION was looped and briefly tucked, moved towards the 5/16 into the wind and went a 28.1 second quarter to clear, couldn’t make her advantage stand to the line. SANDERS HANOVER defended the early pocket, then was a bit loose in third through the last half, gave ground but still clearly third. DUCHESS HILL was far back in last, swung widest and finished well. RAVENOUS gapped. TAHINI HANOVER couldn’t keep up at the 5/8. SUNNY PASADENA moved uncovered down the back, didn’t gain. ULTIMATE LOULOU did not have good cover, made an “ex” in the stretch.
TENTH RACE – RACIN HUNGRY went uncovered 5/8, grinded up to give the leader a hard time, worked by her late. DOLE WHIP went to command just past the ¼, set the pace, held on for most of the stretch. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE moved to second-over just past the 5/8, finished with some pace. BUTTERFINGERS was third in, had to wait for the Pocono Pike, some rally. ESPERANZA HANOVER was shuffled inside, found a stretch seam and gained willingly. MISS BRICKLEY was away last from the rail, gapped third-over on the turn, fair late. COOCOOFORCOCO yielded at the ¼, sat in the pocket, came up empty late.
ELEVENTH RACE – MY LITTLE CAPTAIN was first on top, yielded, moved out behind ABSOLUTE POWER midturn as that one was going to the lead, caught her in the latter stages. The latter left between horses, tucked third past the 1/8, came uncovered 5/8 to pressure the leader, took control headstretch, not quite enough sprint late. URSULA BLUE CHIP gapped at a couple of points, along for a distant third. TALLCHIEF HANOVER did not factor. ZANATTA was three-wide just past the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, rated the half, was challenged around the far turn and had no answer. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE had little to offer. STRONG POISON was last, made a strong move to gain two-wide later in the backstretch, then broke midturn trying to continue to advance.
TWELFTH RACE – TALL POPPY N moved out with cover midbackstretch, initially gapped a bit then got tighter, wide in the lane, up in the final step. SO IRRESISTIBLE moved out raw from third 5/8 and went right up to challenge, got a brief lead midstretch that she just failed to hold. THE STUNNING NUN N was fourth-over, widest in the lane and found very fast steps nearing the line. JODY left very well and set the pace, came under pressure, stayed right there to the line. BRILLIANT BEAUTY left well for the pocket, Pocono Pike, came up shy in the last few steps. JUXTA COWGIRL stayed in, had no clear path in the lane. PRAIRIE SWEETNESS was third-over, came between horses in the stretch, not enough. SUNRISE HANOVER sat in last, to the deep Pike but looked to lack late room.
THIRTEENTH RACE — SHES PUKKA N was between horses, worked to the lead and refused to surrender to the parked horse in a fast ¼, had that one outside her most of the rest of the way (slow Q2, faster Q3), then held off SCARLETT HANOVER to her inside. The latter left well from the rail and kept the hole closed, sat a tight pocket, Pocono Pike, couldn’t overhaul the tough winner in a 55.1 back half. GOLDEN QUEST N was outside 3/8 following a parked horse who carried her a long way, wide and closing well late. TALK SHOW CHICA was three-wide to the 1/8 and kept going frontward, found no tuck and was left out the duration, “just rode” in the second quarter then turned up the speed in quarter three, actually a bit ahead at times the first part of the far turn, held extremely well. CRAZY CUTE backed off early, kept a hole closed near the ¼, had traffic trouble in the stretch but wasn’t running over the ones in front of her. DRESDEN was third-over, didn’t reach. CASIE’S BELIEVER was always far back. A BETTER GAME was fourth-over, broke trying to go between horses before midstretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – WESTBEACH quarter-moved, withstood pressure front the first-over and the others with twin 27.2s coming home. NEED UR OPINION got on top 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, unplugged mid-far turn but persevered to hold second from MAJOR BATTLE. The latter tucked early, was third-in, to the Pocono Pike, OK. THEREWASTHISGIRL gapped third-over, briefly blindswitched but cleared that, found a much better gear late. ABUELITA HANOVER moved into the second turn and got cover, but couldn’t do much off of it. LA ALWAYS A MARTINI made the top, yielded, pulled raw from third nearing the half and pressed the leader, faded in the last 1/8. BYE BYE MICHELLE gapped inside. BRONZE OVER N was fourth-over, briefly three-wide ¾ but couldn’t sweep so went back to two-wide, not much.
