Jul 21, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm day; no wind to speak of at the start … BETTOR NOT TALK pushed away some then backed off, moved at the quarter, didn’t clear until nearing turn two though still slowing the pace, came under pressure from early backstretch, may have been a nose down mid-far turn, but held together gamely to win in a close finish. JIM BLUE made the lead into turn one and stretched out a foe before yielding near a 26.1 quarter, sat third-in, in tight quarters early stretch then found room between horses midstretch and gained rapidly to just miss. STONEBRIDGE DUET started uncovered on turn two and quickly went up to have a long battle with the leader, as noted may have had a brief short advantage far turn, may have lugged in a little early stretch, restraightened and fought hard to the wire. TRAY SURREAL had excellent cover second-over, just a bit shy of the top ones. OHARE HANOVER was third-over, ducked to the path behind the place horse in the stretch and gained, probably without full clearance. ARTIST BEST was out most of the quick opener, yielded for the two-hole, not too much in the lane. TERRY A HANOVER was last at every call.
SECOND RACE – Bombers (we’d see a couple more of those in the upcoming few days) … COXCOMB was fourth-over, accelerated quickly four-wide turn (really an optical illusion as the pace slowed down), finished most strongly. SEAL O’NEILL was third-over, three-wide midturn as cover started to falter, outkicked by the winner but steady as the pace slowed for second. BUTTER UP was caught in and badly blocked, probed the inside for a hole early stretch but found none, so had to angle wide midstretch and gained quickly once free. BARRYWHITE HANOVER was third-in, advanced to the pocket 5/8 as the two-holer pulled, Pocono Pike, outpaced. JET ACE was last, wide and got the last check and completing the five longest shots beating the top three choices. SEXY BLUE CHIP was between horses early then looped, found himself raw in wild fractions, got cover at the 5/8, tried hard but couldn’t sustain forward movement. WESTERN WALTZ was three-wide to the first turn and took over 3/16, set the fast pace with pressure the whole way, gave way. MAJOR BEAN came through to defend the pocket, pulled out 5/8 but didn’t have enough after being involved with the hot pace.
THIRD RACE – ROUGH ODDS tucked third, came out at the ¼, urged 3/8 but was left outside until the 5/8 before getting the lead, had horses coming from everywhere but managed to get his nose on the line first. KILLER MARTINI came out in a backstretch blindswitch and advanced two-wide, backed out three- and four-wide on the turn, moving well late to just miss. KINGSTONS BAD BOY had cover but went three-wide early in the backstretch when it appeared his cover was sluggish, finally cleared that foe to get to two-wide uncovered ¾, battled, held well after a tough last half. THE MOONSHADOW N went to the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, had to move out into a bad blindswitch when the leader tired, ducked to the deep Pocono Pike for the drive and gained. MAJOR DESIRE came out towards the half, hit a better gear and raced up to the pocket late backstretch, inside the winner in the Pike, outpaced. STATEMENT MADE A was in the three-wide flow, left three-wide uncovered on the turn, couldn’t sustain. PUZZLING chose to stay in, not that much. STELLAR BB was three-wide to bend one and on top 3/16, resisted the winner until being passed for good to the 5/8 and folded.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … ONE AFTER NINE was second early then moved to be on top off the first turn, had PRACTICAL CAT as his only threat and held off that one. The latter came from third 11/16, battled and acquitted himself well. THE IRISHMAN gapped down the back, came closer on the turn and along late for third. DAGON HANOVER went to the lead then relinquished for the two-hole, not much in the lane. BEYOND THE LENS moved uncovered to the half, was beyond the lens of the main picture but got the final check. MOON BRIDGE never advanced much. KASEVILLE was having difficulty staying close by the half. WORTHY OF HONOR first broke approaching the start.
FIFTH RACE – WHAT’S GOIN ON was looped three-wide early, to two-wide to the front off turn one, drew away in a fast third quarter and just kept going to win by a country mile. HEREITIZ had nonadvancing cover second-over, three-wide midturn, got second ahead of NOAHS MILL; the latter followed the place horse’s three-wide cover, went even wider and was gaining late. ALWAYS THE SUN was looped, tucked, sat in, gapped a gapper down the back, Pocono Pike, not a sharp response. WINNING IS SWEET was fast early four-wide to clear the field, yielded, started unplugging in the pocket from the 5/8. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO sat in, was shuffled and lost all chance at a major minor award. SPORTSMANSHIP was meekly uncovered down the back, ineffective. PREMIER ROCKSTAR trailed.
SIXTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was quickly in front, kept a foe parked, then left that one and the rest of the field behind from the 5/8. SWEET HEART AS was behind the unplugging pocket horse, outside midturn and along for the distant second; NIGHT FLYER K followed the place horse and got third. BEYOND ORDINARY maintained the pocket early, couldn’t keep up 5/8, very tired late. SILVERMASS VOLO stayed in and got the last check. COCKTAILS N DREAMS was four-wide early, to two-wide but did not have the needed speed to reach the front and remained two-wide, gave way. SMART AS HILL moved behind the parked horse to the half, tried three-wide 11/16 but came up empty. EXPLOSIVE DRAMA provided neither.
SEVENTH RACE – REGAL SON was very fast early, three-wide to the first turn to the lead just past the 1/8, had no anxious moments. IT’SGOODTOBEDAKING made the top towards turn one then yielded for the pocket, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, second-best. CONCUR came uncovered at the half, never really menaced but held on pretty well. OWEN sat third, not too much late. DARTH FADER gapped inside. RAPTORS FLIGHT N was first outside then got cover, but could do nothing off it. UNDERTAKER was in an impossible spot. IC A FREE SPIRIT gapped third-over.
EIGHTH RACE – BEE FOREVER was handled cautiously early while three-wide, made a small bobble while out wide but quickly righted, motored on up to the lead just past the ¾, used his superior capacity to take a new lifetime mark. CHAPOLIER went to the lead, then yielded to sit the pocket behind the heavy chalk, stayed with him very nicely. NYLANDER stayed in good contact for 7/8, then backed off some but was still clearly third. ALTUS HANOVER followed nonadvancing cover, three-wide through the far turn, good from where he was. LEVITATION gapped inside. BULLY BOY started uncovered into turn two but never got closet o the front. FOUR UNDER PAR backed out to get into a moribund cover flow, far back. TEQUILA N ROSES broke as the gate sprang while looking to want to leave, caught the field but broke in the stretch.
NINTH RACE – PLAY THE FIELD burst out to instant command, rolled on the front end, was challenged by CURIOUS CORTEZ down the back and surrendered the lead on the far turn, but stayed up on the bit and came back on in the Pocono Pike to win easily. The latter worked up into the pocket, came out 5/8 and powered by past the ¾, but couldn’t sustain the lead to the end. ROLLINWITHAMBITION moved uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, lost it when it cleared to the lead past the ¾, battled and just missed place. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP spotted past the 1/8, then was third-over, blindswitched, ducked inside in early stretch, OK to the line. INDIGO ART tried to sweep up from last, flattened a bit but not a bad mile overall. COOL BLUES MAN advanced up the inside down the backside, blocked through the stretch. MY WISH CAME TRUE was shuffled to last, ended pacing OK on the extreme outside. PARK OFFICIAL was forwardly-placed, advanced to the pocket late backstretch, but didn’t have too much late.
TENTH RACE – CASUAL COOL was four-wide early determined to get the top, made the front before the 3/16, sailed right along and made casual work of a tough field in a fast time. BETTORROCK was innermost of the leavers and defended the pocket, raced very hard but could make no gain on the winner late. WESTERN JOE, three-wide early then taking back to tuck, was uncovered at the half but soon afterwards got cover, gapped on the turn then found better strides late and was moving very well at the finish. MR DS ROCK was two-wide early and tucked, came uncovered into the backstretch, almost got to the winner’s wheel but no closer, held OK. CHATELROLL was outside at the half, ducked in in front of a gapper, then gapped himself in the last panel. KING JAMES EXPRESS didn’t keep up the last 3/8. THE LAST TWO were not contenders here.
ELEVENTH RACE – PRIMARY COLORS quarter-moved and was pushed well past the 3/8 before clearing, opened a big lead late turn into the stretch, much the best. HIGH BALLER came through for good early position, sat in, got out headstretch and gained pretty well in the stretch but not catching the winner. RIFLEMAN moved second-over, three-wide mid-far turn, next to the wire. GOOD DEAL sat in, was no factor. CERTIFIABLE made the top at the 1/8, pushed the winner in the frontstretch then yielded, went loose 11/16 and to unplug mode in the stretch. LONG WEEKEND A tucked fourth, came out 9/16 but was not much of a threat before fading badly. DONTPASSME HANOVER was a little off the gate, made a nasty break before the first turn.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN FANCY made sure of the pocket trip, went to the Pocono Pike and gradually worked by GRAND CAYMAN. The latter took control from the pole, slowed the half then sped up to keep the first-over outside, had shaken that one off, outpaced to the inside, failing as the heavy favorite. THE WILD CARD stayed in, then angled sharply to widest late turn into the stretch, finished with solid pace. AFLAME HANOVER shut a hole 3/16, uncovered at the half and paced his third quarter in 26.3 to challenge the leader, held pretty well. GET LIT was wide early, found no tuck so took back to fourth, inside, didn’t have the needed steps late. GUINNESS PANIC gapped early, started uncovered into turn two then got cover, evenly. CAPTAIN ROMANCE never was a major player. JK MUSICMAN started the outer flow 3/8, was third-over but gapped.
THIRTEENTH RACE – OLLIE’S ZTAM headed right down the road, got a big breather in the second quarter then sped up, won easily. DO WORK SON stayed in, gapped midbackstretch, then closer and angled to a wide position stretch, finished well to win a photo for second over MONTEFALCO N. The latter was away in good order and retained the pocket, gapped a little most of the last half, just failed to hold place. MACH WEST had to take back early, came uncovered at the half, went a good third quarter but couldn’t pressure the leader, held OK. ROCK THREE TIMES kept a hole closed on the first turn, not a late threat. CAVIART SAGE was three-wide around dull cover ¾, got wide cover past midturn but couldn’t go with it. NUI BA DEN N (Vietnamese for “Black Virgin Mountain,” an actual place) had too big a mountain to overcome from post eight. BETTER THAN SOME gapped cover and didn’t live up to his name at all here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – VANILLA MALTED forced all challengers to retreat under his determination to maintain the lead with fast odd-numbered quarters, and the plan worked. IMAGINARY LINE came uncovered 3/8, wanted to clear at the half but was left outside, eventually got into the pocket late in the backstretch, Pocono Pike, stayed close. THE WALL was out with cover, feathered three-wide at the half to keep up momentum “as the lead changed hands,” but it didn’t and he dropped back to second-over 5/8, left uncovered when his cover tucked in the pocket, stayed on well. SEVENTH SECRET had good cover but couldn’t quite go with it. PARMESAN N ducked in early stretch after excess cover, evenly. STRAIGHT UP COOL went wide but was too far back. IDEAL FEELING was three-wide early, then with cover until taking a three-spot at the ¼, not heard from thereafter. GO WEST GO FAST had to accept the pocket at the ¼, unplugged down the back.
Jul 18, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A warm day with a stretch headwind … Track “fast +0” for the first ten races; rain then came through, and the surface was rerated to “sloppy +1” for the rest of the card … REYS N A RUCKUS left between horses to the lead at the 1/8, seated a rival, then drew away in the last 5/16. NEWBIE spotted, then was second-over 5/8, uncovered late far turn, continued on to be the distant second. NATHAN FEELSGOOD came uncovered 9/16 but could make little impact, ducked in late turn and to the Pocono Pike, the distant third. MICHAEL’S MONSTER gapped at a couple of points then did better in the stretch. CALL HIM ROCKY was three-wide to the 1/8, took the pocket towards the ¼, unplugged ¾. VAN DIESEL gapped, never entered the picture. LYONS JOHNNY sat third, empty not long past the 5/8. CONSTNTLYSIDEWYS A was far back throughout.
SECOND RACE – CIRCLE OF LIFE AS was out until just before the fast ¼ then made the lead, had things her own way from there. PHANTOM RUSTY went to the top then yielded at the ¼ for the two-hole, lost ground the last quarter but still far ahead of the rest. ROUNDTOWN ROCKER backed out to follow cover from before the 5/8, gapped on the turn but was better while wide in the stretch to take third. PRAIRIE VIRTUE started uncovered not long into the backstraight, never reached the leaders. FRAC was well-placed in third, but gapped in the last quarter. ALEXANDER HANOVER spotted fourth, had trouble keeping up most of the last half. CRAZY FOR CJ broke at the start. GOLDEN GLIDER sat inside, had very little to offer.
THIRD RACE – SIR FRANK went right to the lead, got an easy half, and was the easiest of winners. ONION GUM moved out from third 5/8, gained a little but then had to steady early on the turn, was doing better in the latter stages to pass CHEVAL NOIR for second. The latter rode a loose pocket throughout, not enough late. PRAIRIE NUGGET gapped the other three flat horses from the 9/16. BUDDY EARL looked to be trying to gain forward position when breaking before the first turn. ROWDER miscued an 1/8 before the start.
FOURTH RACE – GINA’S ON FIRE went to early command, yielded to EMIRA MIL IT and was content sitting the pocket behind her, outside in the stretch and just got there for the DH1. The latter took over the racetrack past the 1/8 and set the pace, tiring a little late but lasted for the tie. AVE MARIE came out far turn then went back inside when the horses she was circling made breaks, up the Pocono Pike, with sharp late trot to just miss. RHIANNON HANOVER avoided trouble. ULURU broke coming off the turn before the start but quickly caught the field, outside down the back but never got close. KT DOUBLE DEUCE jumped it off past the start. RISK ON was gapping inside when breaking past midturn and going to the infield. SEVEN LICK WAVE stayed with the top two, moved outside ¾ to challenge, made a break nearing headstretch.
FIFTH RACE – A STUD NAMED SAM tucked third, moved out 5/8 and got to the pocket around the gapper ¾, steadily made up a lot of ground and overhauled the tiring leader. FRISKIE ALL NITE took over the pacesetting duties early, rated the half then tried to steal away with a giant third quarter, but got tired in the last 3/16, battled on but could not hold on. THE ROOF RAIDER A gapped cover then got closer as the pace slowed down. JUST A WRANGLER gapped inside, then got briefly stuck behind the fading pocketsitter mid-far turn, followed gaining cover and did OK himself late. DOCTOR BUTCH took the pocket, saw the leader go off to a big lead in the fast third quarter, never a late factor. LOVE THE ACTION was never close. AINTNOSUNSHINE lost contact the last half. FOUR-STAR FLASH broke w-a-y before the start, was pulled up.
SIXTH RACE – JAKARTA PARTYGIRL, the pinto filly, was moving to follow cover at the half when that one broke, went back in then came out 11/16 to challenge, didn’t show high speed but plugged along to hold on for the decision over CHASE MY LINDY. The latter came out ¾, gapped some, then narrowed in with every stride late. SOUTHERN AUTUMN set all the pace, lasted a long way in the stretch. MYREANNA sat in the pocket, fell back on the far turn but then came on again late. PURE WOW broke just before the start, recovered enough to get a payday. LUCKY LIMERICK started outside at the half but soon was on the run. FASHION PRINCESS broke at the ¼. ROMANTIC TILE S followed cover early, then broke trying to go up to challenge after her cover went to the lead.
SEVENTH RACE – CHALLENGER (with Svanstedt in Diamond Creek colors) sat patiently in the two-hole, came out in the lane and went by easily. PARTNER DOLAN tucked third towards the first curve, angled wide in the stretch and finished steadily. NO MORE SWEETS was away alertly, got a breather in quarter two, still gave way some through the lane. BATTLESHIP LANDING gapped but stayed flat. DANCEHALL KING spotted fourth 3/16, came up uncovered, was looking for more when breaking past the ¾. OPTRIX gapped 5/8, bore out and eventually broke.
EIGHTH RACE – FLYINGDRUMSTICKS S went in third at the eighth and sat there, came out headstretch, didn’t find a higher gear until a 1/16 out but when she did she trotted right over these. KEYSTONE SWEETPEA set all the pace at 43-1, just outkicked at the end. TIPSY MONI sat in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, a step shy. LADY LIRA stayed flat but was far back. LOHAN’S LINDY disconnected from the top three to the 5/8. ISLAND DIVA broke off the turn before the start. PEMBROKE MONI jumped at the ¼. SAINT TRIXIE got a slow start and broke while far back past the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – Start of the drizzle … WIN PLACE’N SHOW moved uncovered to the 5/8, had to go three-wide around the late backstretch problem and emerged with the lead, maintained the advantage to the wire. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH was uncovered at the half and worked up to follow cover, also went wide around the incident and then challenged the winner on the turn, couldn’t sustain but a clear second. RENO DINERO was able to swing out wide around the trouble, just third at the wire. AQUAMAN HANOVER quarter-moved to the lead, despite elaborate headrigging saw debris on the track 11/16 and jumped over it, causing massive confusion, recovered and was just passed for third at the wire, but was placed eighth for causing the problem. FULSOME left and was forwardly-placed, checked severely going inside the trouble to the ¾, couldn’t recover. LATEST ATTRACTION sat in, had to go into the infield to avoid the trouble. AMAZON left, yielded, sat in the pocket, tried to get around the breaker 11/16 but himself made an “ix.” ALL CHEDDAR was gapping at the half, made an “ix” with the trouble ahead of him.
TENTH RACE – CRAZYCAT was innermost of four-across leavers behind the pole horse to the first turn, maintained the pocket, then gave same up 3/8, pulled out behind the parked horse 5/8 and was quickly three-wide to two-wide to challenge, made the lead coming off the turn while looking on a line, but had enough to hold on as the pace slowed after the fast fractions. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY backed off from two-wide, stayed in until following LADY’S IMAGE outside midturn, went wider and closed well to be second. The latter was four-wide early, took back to follow cover then was able to get into the pocket 3/8 and stayed tight, outside behind the winner midturn, not quite enough late after a hard route. CUPID HANOVER parked everybody as long as he could in the quick numbers, fell back the last 1/8. ARCHIBALD was three-wide early, went to two-wide and pressed on but was left hung out to dry, looped before the ¾. BANZAI AS was away last then broke 3/16.
ELEVENTH RACE – Track now “sloppy +1” … PEPPERMINT MAN was away second then moved in front of the stands to the lead, saw his two closest pursuers get closer to him on the turn, then drew away late. BOSTON BOUND was away well from the rail, then yielded for the pocket, gapped midrace, got closer to the ¾, then couldn’t match the winner. BULLVILLE STEPHANO came up uncovered 5/8, challenged, went wide coming out of the turn and flattened. JERSEY JUSTICE moved outside far turn and had belated pace. SEASIDE MEDITATION got in third at the 3/16, gapped much of the last half. ABEL DE VIE was never close. QUARANTINI was outside near the back to the ¼, moved again to go around a gapper, then was out with cover but made a break ¾. BET THE BULL gapped before breaking down the back.
TWELFTH RACE – CREDIT CON moved from the pocket at the ¼ and took over, got pressure from the first-over late backstretch, but his bitterest fight was with CELEBRITY ROLEX inside, whom he photoed out. The latter made the early lead, yielded for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, may’ve gotten a nose up midstretch, just missed. ANDOVER CONTESSA came uncovered down the back and challenged hard, held right there well ahead of the rest. MUSCLES JARED stayed in and was next in line. SPIT AND VINEGAR was inside, gapped off the top three much of the last half. DICENTRA was off the gate, never in the picture. WHAT A DAME was uncovered at the half, couldn’t reach eventual cover. SUNDANCE DIAMOND broke past the start, caught the field and was third-over but gapped.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTIVATE HANOVER was three-high to the 1/8 and onward to command 3/16, went on at a good clip, held off REDBANK BLAZE A to his left. The latter defended the pocket, waited, came up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite reach. HORSE sat in, only came clear just before midstretch, quickly angled wide and quickly made up ground. SEE YA WRITE N tucked, came out down the backstretch but couldn’t sustain his bid. BARNABAS was fifth when taking a bad knucklestep 3/8 and wiping out THE REST OF THE FIELD; he was kept wide the remainder of the way and fell back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – UPFRONT STONE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, set the pace as he pleased, held everybody safe to the finish even if the last quarter was only 30. WILLIE B WORTHY spotted, went uncovered before the 5/8 and gradually ranged up, fought on hard to be second. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT made the top at the 1/8, yielded 3/16 for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, didn’t gain. TEDDY BROSEVELT sat third-in, appeared to be handled cautiously late while between horses and maybe in tight quarters. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved off turn two to circle a gapper, again outside far turn, couldn’t quite reach. CELEBRITY SERENA stayed in then eventually backed out to circle a gapper, not a contender. LAZER JET got a slow start and was never close. CHOCOTURE gapped out.
Jul 18, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm, with a stretch headwind … PLAY THE ACE wound up third early, moved out into a blindswitch 11/16, finally cleared the blindswitch by ducking inside after the pocket horse backed off, had a big burst to easily catch Y S MATHIS BRO. The latter was outleft, bypassed a 3-tuck and continued on to the lead 3/8, was clear on the lead much of the last half but couldn’t sustain the advantage to the finish. BLUE LABEL started uncovered 5/8, step-and-a-half shy. BUCKEYE MEMORY moved out before the 5/8, went three-wide when another foe came out and remained three-deep the rest of the way, good. HEAVENS SECRET never entered the picture. MELANIE’S NICK was away quickly top the front, yielded for the pocket 3/8, gave way in the last 1/8. JAM THAT GUITAR gapped at the back.
SECOND RACE – CAN’T SAY NO was looped and tucked third past the 1/8, came out of third 11/16 and moved up, grinded past a tired leader and drew away through the last 1/8. DELTASUN A was second leaving, quarter-moved, kept up a quick pace for this class, had no answer for the winner, did hold second. MISS MUSCLE was very far back, circled some tired foes in finishing third. JUSTIFY was leaving a gap before the ¼. KEYSTONE SERGEANT tried to advance three-wide from last to the ¾, got a check. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY was in front at the 1/8, yielded to the favorite, kept fairly close in the pocket until the ¾. O JONNIE was never a factor. BRIGITTE BI gapped a gapper from the 3/8.
THIRD RACE – DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS was out behind cover early, got in gear 3/16 after his cover tucked and went on to take the lead 5/16, clear of these in the last half. LITE N SWEET came out to the ¾, started to go back inside midturn but then stayed two-wide as the horse in front of him bore out, finished well. SWEET TIMBER left, put a foe in behind, yielded to the winner to sit in the pocket, slightly off that one the rest of the way, evenly late. BULLVILLESPANDEMIC was outside early, took the pocket 3/16, stayed in, Pocono Pike, not that much late. MIKI DE VIE never was a threat. TICTOCMOE moved off the second turn, found better strides 5/8 and advanced, but then stopped advancing and bore out on the far turn. DELESTON gapped. ROCKWELL broke coming off the turn before the start, caught the field but had little more to give.
FOURTH RACE – PRECISE FASHION got the top before the 1/8, yielded to the early brusher to sit the pocket, Pocono Pike, found a higher gear nearing midstretch and trotted away. YOU’RE DEAD TO ME came through to protect the early pocket, then pulled out before the ¼ and went to the lead, rated the half, couldn’t stall the winner. RHEIA ROSE moved out from third ¾, not bad. PLUM WINE was second-over towards the ¾, three-wide into the stretch, gave ground. FAMOUS DAN moved out on the second turn but never got close. MOJAVE HANOVER gapped. CHELIOS broke early. MATS PALEMA broke before the start, recovered but broke again at the half.
FIFTH RACE – PEMBROKE SOUTHIE tucked second early, then quarter-moved, had a clear lead most of the back half. CHERRY VALLEY moved outside into the backstretch and retucked in a distant 3-hole past the 5/8, gained on the turn then went up the Pocono Pike, won a photo for second over RAVENOUS. The latter moved out from far back ¾ and gained uncovered, finished steadily (the pace was slowing). BLANK CHECK crossed over easily to command before the first bend, yielded to the winner for the pocket, was loose from the half though the only one still in contact the third split, gradually tired some. CLOCKSTRIKESTWELVE followed cover far turn, ducked in for the stretch, evenly. IVY HANOVER was loose in third past the half, then started getting passed. PRAISE HANOVER was already gapping by the ¼. HAILEY’S SISTER broke at the start.
SIXTH RACE – NICE STUFF made the front into bend one, rated the half, maintained control of this field. TRAIN left and stayed connected into the two-hole until past headstretch, still clearly second. TUIS SHADOW stayed third-in, also couldn’t muster too much late. ZSA ZSA DABOR was wide headstretch and got into the photo for third. CHOCOLATE MATTERS left a gap. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY didn’t pass any horses. SPIRIT OF DEO came up on a delayed move and settled fifth early, uncovered on the second turn, gained but then lost gait before the 5/8. TAKE SHAPE was away third, broke coming off turn one.
SEVENTH RACE – JAGGED LITTLE PILL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead to the 3/16 in by far the fastest quarter of the race, yielded to the favorite to sit the pocket, came out in the stretch, easily went to the front, then withstood RUMORED. The latter was between horses early then tucked third, followed the winner outside into the stretch then tipped wider, gained but not quite enough. INTO THE UNKNOWN pushed the relatively quick ¼, yielded but was immediately on the retake, had things her own way upfront, tired. SWEET GADGETS was a bit loose the last 3/8, Pocono Pike but no response. LIZZIANA moved out off the second turn, under urging but didn’t gain. WORKINGONATAN was gapping by the 3/8.
EIGHTH RACE – PRIMO VOMO tucked third 3/16, went uncovered into the second turn, grinded, needed only a 59.4 last half on the clock to get the job done here. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was second-over, three-wide ¾ then got wide cover late turn, ducked between horses and finished with trot. ROJO MAN tucked fifth 3/16, was second-over, moved three-wide late turn, caught to the inside for second. STANDTHEPAIN AS had the pocket, moved out behind the winner headstretch, didn’t have enough late response. KOLB HANOVER went a relatively quick quarter to control the pace, slowed the half, got a challenge, fell far back late. IVEGOTTHETAB stayed in, was gapping before the half and gradually lost contact. SUNBERRY HANOVER was third-over, was blindswitched then broke midturn.
NINTH RACE – ARMED BANDIT was three-deep into turn one, tucked third and stayed in, was moving out headstretch when the pocketsitter pulled so ducked in to the Pocono Pike, strong finish. FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX moved second-over but gapped in a fast third quarter, found a higher gear in the last 1/8 and narrowed in but couldn’t quite take it all. MIKI MINAJ went into the two-hole before turn one, stayed there, outside stretch, not quite enough. DANCE PARTNER was another using the pole to control the throttle in a fast 1/4, rated the half then sped up down the back with a challenger looming, came up shy in the drive to the wire. STEWARDOFTHELAND avoided trouble. HURRYMIKI HANOVER was uncovered into the second turn, advanced in the quick third quarter but was soon all done beyond that point. WARRAWEE EXTREME suffered an “ix” following WYOMING COWBOY, who broke behind a gapper early in the backstretch.
TENTH RACE – CREATARMA was out at the half and quickly was a tight second-over, only wide headstretch, closed and was along just in time. ARGENTO took back to tuck past the 1/8, came uncovered 9/16 and grinded into the wind, steadily and although never ahead tried hard to the wire. MATTER OF TRUST was yielding when an outside foe broke past the 1/8 so became the pacesetter, set wind-appropriate fractions, held OK. CHARMING BANK wound up in the pocket, Pocono Pike, fair. DON’T I WISH stayed in, to the deep Pike, evenly. BLACK HAWK DOWN was clearing to the lead just past the 1/8 when breaking, caught the field and moved outside but could do no more. GLASS NICKEL couldn’t keep up. PHANNYS MATTER broke at the start.
ELEVENTH RACE – ARTIFACT HANOVER rocketed out to the lead in a fast opener, strung out the field past the half, stayed well in control of these throughout. BAY MEADOWS left enough to defend the pocket, clearly second although no threat. DECLAN SEELSTER moved uncovered off the second turn, never got near the winner, ducked inside the pulling pocketsitter in the stretch, just held third over I’VE GOT HOOTSPA. The latter gapped early, moved out 5/8 but gapped that cover then got better, three-wide midturn but didn’t have enough. NERVE OF STEEL N was well-positioned but came up empty in the drive. THE LAST THREE were the last three throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – COUNTER OFFER moved uncovered 5/8 and went right up to challenge the leader, grinded home and got the decision over the closers to his left. HUNTSVILLE PLACE was three-wide to the initial curve to the top past the 1/8, yielded off the first turn for the two-hole, Pocono Pike and had his chance, just a little bit shy. PRAIRIE HANDSOME was in the early mix and wound up third, to the deep Pike and made stretch progress. TRUTHBTOLDBLUECHIP moved out from next-to-last 9/16 under urging, initially gapped cover then went tighter on it, did OK. DRAGON CITY was four-wide early, went behind cover until losing it past the 1/8, pressed onward to the lead off the first turn, strung the field for a while, was challenged, gave in. WAR OF WILL left some, stayed in, spent most of upper stretch angling very wide, had some finishing strides. IVY STUD did not factor. AMERICAN ZESTAR was having trouble keeping up by the 3/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SADIQ HANOVER commanded the race, slowed the half, then sprinted home in 54.1 to draw clear easily. JAGGER ROCKS wanted the early lead but settled into the pocket just past the 3/16, couldn’t keep up late although clearly ahead of the others. BLACKLIGHT, who was fourth, passed FIXED IDEAL, who was third. AMERICA’S GUEST got very bad cover and had to circle three-deep to go around it, just along for the last payday. MUSCLE Z TAM was inside, blocked far turn, little to offer once clear. LUZIANA moved out into turn two but had very little to offer. SUMMER SIDE was never on the main radar.
FOURTEENTH RACE – MISTER DAYTONA N made two speed moves, slowed the half, then went clear much of the rest of the mile. BIG BOSS HILL was second-over on the second turn, three-wide midturn, ducked back inside stretch and made up solid ground. OHIO VINTAGE angled wide from last and came on nicely. BENSON BOYS N went uncovered into turn two, got to the winner’s wheel but no closer before fading. CLASSY HILL was stuck inside, little once clear. TOLLY-HO never factored from third-over. LEGAL POWER rushed through at the start, was out most of the ¼ to get in front, yielded for the pocket, gradually unplugged from the 5/8.
Jul 16, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Warm twilight, with no wind to start … FLIP MY CHIP moved from third past the 3/16 to the lead 5/16, set an evenly-quick pace, drew away. FRAZZLEBERRY tucked past the 1/8, was third-in, came up the Pocono Pike and edged a few for second. DILLINGER went uncovered heading to the lower bend, grinded steadily, certainly in the hunt for major minor honors to the line. THANOS went right to the lead, yielded to sit the two-hole to the winner, couldn’t keep up from midturn. ALWAYS BETTER had good cover, three-wide on the turn but didn’t advance until too late. SPORTS SECTION took back early, gapped third-over 5/8. YER SO BAD was never a major factor
SECOND RACE – HOOD PARTY was looped early, moved up late first turn to take over on that bend, rated Q2, fought off SILENT CROSSING with good last half speed. The latter was first to the top, yielded off turn one for the pocket, stayed close, outside late turn, didn’t quite have enough in the fast last half. SHES A SASSY BEACH left and was forwardly-placed, maintained a no-factor third. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME followed the parked-out horse, three-wide late turn, was gaining some late. WHO’S SMOKIN N stayed in, so-so in the Pocono Pike. THUNDRA was third-over but didn’t get into the main mix. BYGONE HANOVER was not heard from. SWEET AND FEISTY broke going for a 5-tuck 3/16, recovered and advanced uncovered, showed good energy before tiring the last 3/16.
THIRD RACE – INNISFALLEN quickly made the lead and set the pace of his choosing, drew away easily. MUAY HANOVER came outside with cover late backstretch, outfooted MY BIG KADILLAC for place. The latter moved outside 5/8 as the pocketsitter unplugged, gradually advanced some, couldn’t hold on for second late. POSSESS THE STONE was far back, made up ground in the last 5/16. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS was looped and between horses when breaking past the 1/8, recovered and caught the field, blocked far turn, good recovery once clear. WARRIOR WAY maintained the early pocket although off the winner, fell out of it 11/16. SLEW FOOT did not surface. CHROME PACKAGE was looped and three-wide early, could not tuck in so pressed on, started fading early backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – Even fast babies can show greenness … LOUSAIN BOLT was away third, tried to get wide off the first turn but was kept in line, moved 11/16 and went right past the leader towards midturn in opening an insurmountable lead. KEN HANOVER was looped early, went on to take over past the quarter, got a slow second split, saw the winner sail right by past early far turn and briefly lost his bearings going into the pylons, regained some ground once straightened away late; an inquiry into the pylon incident yielded no reason for placing. MAMBA dashed right to the top, yielded for the pocket, backed out past midturn as two went by outside, drifted out four-wide off the far turn, caught SWIFT OPERATOR for third. The latter followed the winner and found himself uncovered to midturn, ducked inside in the stretch, couldn’t sustain. NO PARTNERS never factored. SIR HESTON got very steppy before the first turn and trailed.
FIFTH RACE — … but 15YOs don’t show greenness … TSM PHOTO BUGGER left strongly to control the throttle, kept the front part of the field strung out most of the way and won for fun. CHIEF JUSTICE moved second-over 5/8, wide late turn and finished well. TIDQUIST pushed out well but then gapped, closer and uncovered 5/8, challenged, couldn’t sustain his move. JOEY PRO stayed in, moved out in the stretch, evenly. CLARION HALL left between horses for the pocket, backed off through the last quarter. THE BIG MUSCLE was never close. RIVER OTTER was between horses early when making a little break but recovered quickly, moved uncovered into turn two but had little to offer.
SIXTH RACE – ANNAPOLIS HANOVER got away third, was slightly off the top two at points to the ¾, where he went to a higher gear, still looked to have a very hard task to catch BAMBOOZLER as late as just before midstretch, but powered home and was along in time. The latter left between horses to the top, seated a rival well before the 26.4 quarter, rolled right on and opened up a good lead into the stretch, raced well but was outeighthed by the winner. DEMPSEY HANOVER sat in, to the Pocono Pike and got third in a three-way photo. APERITIF was three-high to the first turn, took the pocket, faded some in the last 1/8. BARBOSSA HANOVER moved outside behind the winner but couldn’t quite keep up. SWEET CHILLI HEAT never entered the picture; nor did BE THE CAPTAIN.
SEVENTH RACE – WESTBEACH went straight to the top, yielded past the ¼ but was quick on the retake, drew clear 5/8 and extended her lead through the last quarter. SHECANDANCE N tucked early, stayed third-in, backed up when the pocket horse gave way on the turn, then to the Pocono Pike and up for the deuce. SLICK ARTIST was wide leaving, found no tuck so gunned up 3/16 to command past the ¼, quickly surrendered the lead for the pocket, struggled progressively more from the 5/8. MORROCKIN K sat in and was badly blocked, found room deep to the inside and had finishing pace. BULLVILLEKARLA moved three-wide ¾ around stalling cover but didn’t gain. JERICHO DIVA moved out raw to turn two, had a burst and gained to the 5/8, after which she advanced no further. NARINA HANOVER never got close. DELISHKA N gapped cover third-over.
EIGHTH RACE – SHIP SHIP HOORAY went to the top around a breaker and a rough-gaited horse, yielded 3/8 and was content in the pocket, came out two-wide midturn as the first-over continued in the three-wide path, had enough sprint to make the lead then hold off that rival. NOLAUGHINGSTOCK took some very bad steps entering the first turn and was away last of the main pack, uncovered towards turn two but was three-wide from just before the half onward, kept speed-grinding despite being wide and tried gamely to the line. GIRLDAD had the early pocket, moved after the slow quarter and went to the lead 3/8, got a huge breather to the half, picked up the pace, could not last late. PANETTONE HANOVER started doing a little better on the turn, considered following the winner then went to the Pocono Pike and was gaining. CLEARCHOICE DE VIE never was a major danger. DARK AS NIGHT made a break an 1/8 before the start, was good in recovery. CRUISE HANOVER moved out into the backstretch but couldn’t improve her positioning.
NINTH RACE – SUNRISE HANOVER was sixth, stayed in, gapped down the back but gradually drew closer and was able to pace all the way up to the pocket, then to the Pocono Pike and caught the favored pacesetter. JUXTA COWGIRL went a fast quarter to be the leader, rated the half, clear down the back, but then was caught by the pocket rocket. A CRAFTY LADY was third-over, three-wide ¾ through the turn, kicked in a bit late, moving well at the wire. LA ALWAYS AMARTINI was out much of the fast opener before reluctantly taking the two-hole, waited, pounced outside under urging after the first-over faded midturn, but did not gain. TRAFFIC JAM moved second-over before the half, blindswitched at the ¾, not much late. ANOTHER BEACH DAY was uncovered going to the second turn, never reached the leader, fell back far turn. ANNE BONNEY N never was a major danger.
TENTH RACE – BUGABOO LOU quickly was in front, got a breather in quarter two, then stormed home in 54 – 26.3, and no 2YO in July was going to make up ground in that sprint home. ERVIN HANOVER stayed connected in the pocket but as noted did not have the sprint to gain. FULTON tucked third at the 1/8, outside ¾, held his ground well. LOUS THE ATTITUDE sat in, moved out midturn, paced steadily. FEEL MY WRATH gapped at the back, came up the Pocono Pike for the last check. CAPTAIN UP could not go enough. MAKE ME AN OFFER moved at the ¼ and gained in the slowish Q2 to the point he had a head up on the pocket horse just past the half, but he then faded significantly 5/8.
ELEVENTH RACE – BEACH CRAZY, forwardly-placed behind the fast pace, moved uncovered past the 5/8 and quickly went up to challenge, got the lead for good midstretch and then held off DRESDEN. The latter tucked fourth under a hold, waited for cover to come out then followed it, couldn’t quite go enough in the stretch but raced well. DANCE CLUB left strongly and went on to cut a hot pace, pressure from the ¾, held the lead to midstretch and held well overall. A BETTER GAME actually left best of all but track geometry forced a pocket tuck, started to get loose past midturn. THE STUNNING NUN N was inside, blocked far turn, gained once clear in the Pocono Pike for the last check. THE OTHER THREE were never in the hunt.
TWELFTH RACE – NO WIN NO FEED A was wide early to command at the 1/8, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, taken to the Pocono Pike and zipped right to the lead. DARBY HANOVER moved 5/16 to get the top past the 3/8 and strung the field most of the backstretch, didn’t have quite enough sprint to withstand the winner but held off the next two. SLY ELEANOR N yielded, stayed third on the rail until nearing the ¾, paced home strongly. MILIEU HANOVER sat in before the ¾, spent the first half of the stretch angled to widest, then finished strongly a mite too belatedly. TEMPURA HANOVER was second-over to the ¾ but gapped in the last ¼. TALK SHOW CHICA trailed.
THIRTEENTH RACE – SWEET KISSES left between horses for the pocket then moved early to take over, kept the field stretched out in the middle half, had two 27.4s on the end to be safe. FAST MACHINE had some speed, sat third, stayed inside and gained some in the lane. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER was three-wide to the 1/8 in going to the lead 3/16, yielded for the two-hole, came out headstretch, bore out significantly but still fought on gamely in the battle for second. BROOKDALE JESSIE went evenly. CATIE FAYE HANOVER found better strides late and was doing well at the wire. THE OTHERS made no impact here.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BYE BYE MICHELLE was quickly on top, briefly relinquished the lead off the first turn only to quickly reclaim it, went a fast third quarter, then held off DELIGHTFUL SUMMER while tiring a bit. The latter stayed close in third, got to the two-hole when the pocketsitter vacated midturn, had her chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite get there. FIGHTING EVIL was uncovered 5/8 but didn’t immediately advance much, got cover midturn, came on steadily late. IN LOU OF MONEY was three-wide before the first turn, pressed on to command past the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, was under rocking ¾ and came out midturn but did not gain. MILADY DENVER A, far back most of the way, finished nicely while widest. FREE FLYIN TICKET moved outside late backstretch but didn’t do much. THE LAST PAIR were never on the principal radar.
Jul 13, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 83 degrees … Stretch tailwind … NO horse who was outside midbackstretch went on to win – staying inside, preferably on or near the lead, was a big key … PRIMARY COLORS was directly on top, set a fast pace while going comfortably, nice winner with the 27 kicker. CERTIFIABLE had the pocket before the first turn, kept up well, stayed game in the sprint home to retain second over ELLIOT MOOSE. The latter left some gap, gradually diminishing, behind the top two from the 1/8 to the 5/8, outside far turn, OK but couldn’t reach place. RIFLEMAN was in a very dull flow, didn’t do too badly after circling three-wide far turn. BEACH FORECAST had little inside. SETH HANOVER moved uncovered into the backstretch but could make little headway into a 55.2 back half. ILDERTON AM was second-over, blindswitched far turn, not too much.
SECOND RACE – MY BOY JACK made two speed moves, rated quarter two then opened up down the back, saw the pocketsitter WESTERN WALTZ coming back in the stretch and was hustled home. The latter left very alertly to be in front before the first turn, yielded to the winner, a bit loose down the backstretch then narrowed in, outside in the stretch, gained but couldn’t quite make it. BARRYWHITE HANOVER left a big gap behind the top two first turn but still prevented a foe from tucking third, inside, Pocono Pike, OK. JET ACE was badly outleft, tried to hustle to make a king-size three-hole 3/16 but was denied and had to take back to fourth, locked in, shook loose in the lane and finished with pace. COXCOMB started uncovered 3/8, briefly was second 5/8 but not long afterward began to fade. GET ALONG had dull cover, tried to sweep three-wide but could not. CAVIART SKIPPER moved second, was blindswitched and couldn’t offer much.
THIRD RACE – KINGSTONS BAD BOY defended the 3-hole and saw that decision pay off as he stayed in then went to the pocket midturn, to the Pocono Pike and got the nod. WINNING IS SWEET was outleft but made the two-hole to the first turn, moved out midturn, good second. MANNY outflew everybody early from post eight, set the pace without pressure until midturn, gave ground late, returned with “b.e.” WHAT’S GOIN ON moved uncovered from midpack midbackstretch but got nothin’ goin on until late, where he found some pace. PIRATES ALLEY parlayed an inside trip into the last check. THE LAST THREE never got into the dynamic of the race.
FOURTH RACE – MISTER BOINGA was three-wide to the 3/16 to two-wide to the lead off the first turn, set the pace without pressure until PRACTICAL CAT came up, held that one off. The latter moved raw 5/8 and gained steadily until the stretch, then held his ground well to take second from WORTHY OF HONOR. The latter left between horses to get a brief lead then yielded for the two-hole, stayed close, Pocono Pike, edged for second. DAGON HANOVER was second-over, so-so. BEYOND THE LENS left a small gap much of the way, a little better late. GERARD left well and pushed most of the first quarter, sat third, empty in the lane. CHING CHING LUCKY gapped at the back. THE IRISHMAN jumped just past the start.
FIFTH RACE – ROLLINWITHAMBITION left between horses and took a tuck, sat third-in, advanced inside when the pocketsitter moved out and got use of the Pocono Pike, got by STELLAR BB late. The latter was three-wide just past the 1/8, refused a yawning three-hole and went onward two-wide to the front 5/16, went a good second ¼ with the wind, held off all but the pocket rocket. MY WISH CAME TRUE stayed in, angled out the first half of the stretch then found better foot and closed for third. CURIOUS CORTEZ left hard, yielded 5/16 to sit in the two-hole, outside midturn but was devoid of gain. PREMIER ROCKSTAR stayed in and got the last check. WESTERN TYRANT was behind dull cover. MAJOR DESIRE was outside early, picked up cover off the second turn but didn’t enter the picture. SULLIVAN gapped most of the first half, moved out early backstretch but didn’t gain too much before fading.
SIXTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV went to the top quickly and sent his own pace, a little tired late but more than enough to withstand NO DRAMA PLEASE. The latter left for the two-hole and stayed close most of the way, narrowed in a bit late. SMART AS HILL sat third, semistruggled to stay close to the top two the last half. SWEET HEART AS moved second-over but went back in as the cover had no punch, fair late. GRAPPLE HANOVER never surfaced. SILVERMASS VOLO was wide early then taken back to last, never close. KEEGAN HO was gapping by the half. BLUEBIRD DEACON came out 5/8 but never gained.
SEVENTH RACE – PARK OFFICIAL was urged while three-wide early, to two-wide to the lead 3/16, came under attack from UNDERTAKER at the half and fought with that one the rest of the way, very game to go on to the line with the advantage. The latter slipped in past the 1/8, was flushed out by the parked horse before the 3/8, reached the winner by the half and battled that one in an exciting long duel, held with great courage far ahead of the rest. CONCUR sat in third, was shuffled far turn and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, just along for third. TRENTE DEO was last at the half, launched three-wide from there ¾, almost got up for the show. ARCHANGEL THREE made the early lead, yielded to the winner 3/16, got gradually more loose behind the duelers from the 5/8. RAPTORS FLIGHT N was outside the mile, got great cover before the 3/8, but gapped it from the 5/8. ALWAYS THE SUN could not make his presence felt. OWEN was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, finally tucked at the ¼, started gapping 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE let the leavers settle then quarter-moved, made the lead past the 3/8 in a fast half, held sway the rest of the way although the next two got fairly close. MARION GONDOLIER made the lead, yielded for the pocket, moved out headstretch, appeared to be passed for second late in the stretch but fought on hard. MISS MCKEE was three-wide to the first turn, took the early pocket at the 1/8, then third-in, got to the Pocono Pike, may’ve gotten to second briefly but flattened a little near the line. CHAPOLIER had yo come uncovered from a long way back, did very well. LEVITATION stayed attached to the top ones until the ¾. FOUR UNDER PAR was near the rear throughout. GREAT UNKNOWN was steered inside the breaker just past the half, never closed the resultant gap. SAY YOU DO was sitting midpack when making a miscue just before the half.
NINTH RACE – DRAGON STRIKES left strongly and defended the two-hole, sat and waited for the Pocono Pike, gradually worked his way to the top. PLAY THE FIELD was three-wide early and on the point past the 1/8, got a breather in Q2, gave way grudgingly in the lane. KILLER MARTINI was uncovered from well back early on turn two, grinded up closer, fell back a bit in the stretch. ROUGH ODDS was looped leaving, got into the 3-hole after a foe broke, stuck in, was thwarted trying to split horses early stretch so had to back up and go wide, solid pace late. BROTHER JAMES had to be grabbed into when an opponent made a break late on the first bend, never entered the main picture. PUZZLING went up second-over while just slightly off cover, faded in the latter stages. YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING was in the three-hole when breaking 3/16 and going to the centerfield.
TENTH RACE – THIS IS THE PLAN was underway from third past the 1/8, got to the lead 5/16 and posted a “not crazy” (Jim B.) half-mile clocking, then was met by JACK’S LEGEND N, but came home in 53.3 – 26.2 impressively in defeating his talented rival. The latter was uncovered from fifth before the half, went up in 26.2 to challenge, fell back slightly in the stretch but again paced a 26.2 quarter with great determination. SPEEDY DOMINIC A made the lead before the 1/8, pushed the winner a bit then yielded 5/16 for the pocket, stayed close until late on the turn, good mile. DA DELIGHTFUL left sharply then yielded, stayed in, gapped a bit ¾. MARK WITHA K was last, flushed the second-place horse on the second turn, slightly gapped cover, did OK. IM SIR BLAKE A sat in then backed out third-over, tough spot to overcome, especially on this day.
ELEVENTH RACE – FRANCO TOTEM N left well and was in control of the proceedings until the wire. THE MOONSHADOW N easily assumed the pocket, couldn’t make up late ground but did well for second. UNICO LEGEND N sat in, went to the Pocono Pike, fair. INDIGO ART was second-over and three-wide late turn, but this was not the day that closers prospered. YANKEE OSBORNE moved raw 3/8, speed-grinded up to challenge but ran out of steam in the stretch. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL could not make his presence felt.
TWELFTH RACE – J M MANDAMIN had the top a couple of steps into the race, yielded 3/8 but was immediately on the retake, started to leave these far behind with a 27.1 third quarter against the wind and drew well clear. MR DS ROCK was four-wide early, three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide before hitting the front 3/8, yielded at the half after fast early numbers, gradually unplugged from the winner but did hold gamely for second. CHATELROLL stayed in, came up along the Pocono Pike for third. IM A GIGOLO N was outside before turn two, got eased three-wide before the half and remained in that wide tier the duration, did well on a day not kind to horses off the pegs. CAPTAIN FANCY followed the first-over into the second turn, blindswitched then backed out to three-wide with cover far turn, a little speed at the end. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was always far back. SHNITZLEDOSOMETHIN defended early position, came out behind the winner on turn two and was soon left raw, not much the last half. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP gapped at the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – WESTERN JOE tucked fourth after the early breaker, gapped badly during the second quarter war and into the backstretch, found a better gear late backstretch, outside midturn and got past the two insiders who were involved in the fast pace. GET LIT took control from the pole and went 26.3 / 53.2 not giving up the lead, couldn’t withstand the winner but was very good showing a lot of energy. DANCE IT OUT defended the pocket during the cutthroat fractions, to the Pocono Pike but could not quite get by for second. STRAIGHT UP COOL was outside behind the parked horse at the half, three-wide to the 3/4, a big race against the bias of the day. PRAIRIE PANTHER sat in, was in tight quarters finishing. SEVENTH SECRET was out trying to take the lead when misstepping at the 1/8. VANILLA MALTED gapped near the back. GUINNESS PANIC briefly got a 3-tuck after the breaker then went on to challenge for the top and got seared in brutal fractions, had no more at the 3/4.
FOURTEENTH RACE – GRAND CAYMAN went right to the lead, yielded to his looped rival at the ¼ and was content to sit in the two-hole, outside headstretch and went by nicely. JK MUSICMAN was looped and drove on to the lead nearing the frontstretch, set a reasonable pace, couldn’t stall the winner but clear of the others. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN was away in good order, sat in third, to the Pocono Pike, held third while not threatening. PARMESAN N sat in and was shuffled to last, mildly along the inside late. THE WALL gradually caught up to good cover, three-wide when that cover faltered, did salvage a check. BULLVILLE TERROR went uncovered from next to last into turn two, paced up in 27.1 to pose a mild challenge, then was soon thereafter backing off. BUTTER UP stayed in then backed out third-over ¾ but didn’t contend.
Jul 11, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures building from the high 60s to the high 70s … Stretch headwind … NATHAN FEELSGOOD came out second-over down the back after a hot half, three-wide midturn, the strong horse late. REYS N A RUCKUS went to the front at the 1/8 and refused to yield to pressure while setting very fast fractions for this class, outlasted all but one. NEWBIE left between horses, got in past the 1/8, looked to allow the parked horse to tuck before the half so he could make a clear move, gradually advanced some, evenly late. CALL HIM ROCKY was the innermost leaver, yielded for the pocket and defended the position, to the Pocono Pike, not much of a late response. MICHAEL’S MONSTER bore out at the ¼ and gapped badly most of the way, got by the other stragglers. MY FRISKIE BOY was very wide leaving, three-wide to the 1/8, then left out raw, got inside near the half but started backing up. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was no factor; nor was SPIDER MAN HANOVER.
SECOND RACE – ANDOVER CONTESSA was three-wide leaving and made the top at the ¼, strung the field out and had an open lead to the wire. ROUNDTOWN ROCKER yielded at the ¼, was loose from the half but kept trying and retained second. CRITICAL MASS stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and third. FRAC moved uncovered 5/8 but made no progress. PRAIRIE VIRTUE had cover early, spotted 3/16, then second-over, three-wide past midturn but empty. KEYSTONE ORION gapped. BAZAAR BAZAAR broke 3/16. CRAZY FOR CJ broke at the start.
THIRD RACE – PEMBROKE MONEY maintained the pocket inside the only leaver, quarter-moved to command 3/8, got a slow middle half, then held off WISTERIA HANOVER with a good last ¼ for these. The latter soon got to the top, yielded for the two-hole, outside late turn, finished well. RISK ON moved outside on the far turn, held off ISLAND DIVA for third. The latter sat last throughout, made some progress in the stretch. MISCHIEVOUS G sat third, struggled from the ¾.
FOURTH RACE – CREAM VIRGIN raced up to get behind cover down the back, uncovered far turn, came on steadily and just got the decision over JAGGED LITTLE PILL. The latter actually made three moves – to the early lead, out behind the new leader past the 5/8 to retuck in the pocket 3/4, and then up in the inside in the stretch – and came up just shy to a fresher horse. SWEET GADGETS joined the outside flow and finished steadily. CHANCES ARE IDEAL tucked third before the 1/8, pulled at the half and got the lead 5/8, forced a foe to take the pocket ¾, couldn’t make her lead hold. RUMORED sat in, shuffled a little ¾ then outside while looking a little green, some at end. GINGER TREE LESLIE was no factor from the back. SWEET KATIE BUG went out enough to get the early two-hole, went to the lead 3/8, surrendered it 5/8 and faded. LIZZIANA struggled to keep pace the last half.
FIFTH RACE – SEAL O’NEILL, back here Tuesday after winning for the first time in 2022 on Saturday, set the pace, sped up in the third quarter and continued afterward to meet the stern outside challenge of AMAZON, held to the wire in a non-fast last quarter. WIN PLACE’N SHOW left, took back for the pocket before the ¼, stayed close, outside far turn and wider stretch, didn’t have the steps to go by late. AMAZON moved raw before the half and did pace in 26.4 the third quarter to challenge, got an advantage on the turn but couldn’t clear, tired midstretch. RENO DINERO gapped cover, was pushed very wide to avoid trouble far turn, next. LATEST ATTRACTION sat in, ran up on the breaking horse far turn and was severely bothered, crossed the finish line at a walk to get the last check ahead of two breaking rivals. ALL CHEDDAR was three-wide much of the ¼ before going in third, made a bad break early far turn. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH made a bad break at the start.
SIXTH RACE – WEST IS BEST moved out as quarter-mover #2, got straightened away behind cover then moved on to the top 3/8, slowed the pace some then picked it up down the back, all out in the lane to hold off a bunch. SEASIDE MEDITATION tucked third, made one of the few hidden quarter-moves that show a “3” at both the 1/4 and ½ calls, yielded, a bit loose down the back, Pocono Pike, got to even terms just past midstretch, just edged. FULL SUPPORT was underway quickly at the 3/8 and quickened the pace challenging first-over, was right there in the tough stretch battle. QUARANTINI let a horse go, was going up on him past the 1/8 and moved to the lead, then saw two others go to the lead in quarter two, sat in, went to the deep Pike and was coming back as the tempo declined. MIGHT BE RIGHT made the early lead then saw three different horses go to the top in front of him before the 3/8, moved back out down the backstretch, fair late. THE NEXT TWO were far back two-wide, a bit of pace late. BOOGIEWOOGIEBEAVIS neither boogied or woogied.
SEVENTH RACE – PURE COUNTESS left between horses to get the front, yielded, moved again before the 3/8 to the front past the 3/8, went 28.1 with the wind down the back to leave the others behind, then tired in the lane and found the others coming back, but still held on. SOUTHERN AUTUMN was out to the ¼ for the lead and was a little wide in going by, yielded for the pocket, gapped in the fast third quarter, but one-geared it home and wasn’t far off. QUINNPATRICKSHEA was way out of it on the far turn when he kicked in, made up a very large amount of ground. MYREANNA gapped the top two from the half. GHIBLI and PLUM WINE were always far back. WILD KAT G was struggling to stay relatively close when breaking ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – AMERICA’S GUEST moved uncovered into turn two, speed-grinded up in 27.3 with the wind to take over 11/16, drew clear. SEE YA WRITE N left some and tucked fourth early, backed out into the lively flow near the half, went up behind the cover, three-wide late turn, good but had too far to come. TOLLY-HO was second-over that became first-over 11/16, not enough but still third. LEGAL POWER left well and challenged, a little wide off turn one, regathered and went to the top 3/8, yielded 11/16 and fell back. BENSON BOYS N had good cover but gapped it far turn. LOVE THE ACTION was away strongly from the pole, yielded 3/8, already gapping before the pacesetter gave way. MINGO JOEL trailed.
NINTH RACE – ODDS ON GAMMA was on the point before the 3/16, slowed the half, then came home in 54.3 to continue the hot streak of Tony Alagna (you think a UTR of .509 at PCD is good? he has a .609 UTR at PHL!). CAPTAIN’S STAR sat the pocket, to his credit stayed with the winner during the 27 third quarter, but could not make any progress late. BLUEBERRY SHAKE didn’t do badly behind the top pair and was far ahead of the rest. IRISH SONG went around AMARETTO HANOVER for fourth; the latter tucked fourth to the first turn, then gapped out from near the 5/8. AT MY PEAK fell way back. IMAREALROCKINLADY made a break w-a-y before the start.
TENTH RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was out until just before the ¼ before securing the top, went on at a good clip, had enough for this opposition. LIGHTFOOTEDLEGEND moved out before the ¾ and quickly made up ground, wide headstretch and finished well. LADY’S IMAGE sat third until going raw 11/16, not bad. CHUCKY DE VIE made the early lead and forced the ¼ before yielding for the two-hole, couldn’t summon any more late. PAPI HANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16, backed off to fourth just past the ¼, faded. THE OTHER DUO were always far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – BLACKLIGHT situated third, moved just before the half and swept right by to the 5/8 with a 27.1 third quarter, the easiest sort of winner. AQUAMAN HANOVER followed the winner out, was left raw and continued to gain until the ¾, urged and persevered to take second. BIG BOSS HILL was fourth-over, four-wide late turn, passed quite a few horses. HEARTBEAT HILL sat in and was blocked, out in a blindswitch and gained some once finally clear between horses. BOBBY K HILL had the early pocket then went on nearing the ¼ to the lead, yielded 5/8, gave ground, placed for a pylon violation. OHIO VINTAGE was out in the two-wide flow, three-wide late turn but didn’t have enough. CLASSY HILL never got a call. GETYOURLICENSELIAM went away well to command, under a hold to yield for the pocket, was already gapping when the leader was passed.
TWELFTH RACE – BANK BOX TREASURE used the rail to advantage, parked a foe, drew clear despite the pressure and came home in 28.4 to win by a lot. MUSKINGUM took the pocket 3/16, stayed close most of the way, a clear second. KEYSTONE THUNDER sat third-inside, disconnected in the last ¼. EXPLOSIVEBREAKAWAY was a gapping last in the main body most of the way. BANZAI AS moved out behind the parked horse 5/8, went three-wide far turn but could show little. ARCHIBALD was looped leaving, went up to challenge 3/16 but was left out in the air, gave way late backstretch. LAZER JET broke nearing the ¼.
THIRTEENTH RACE – OUR MAJORDAN A took the pocket past the 1/8, then quarter-moved to make the lead 3/8, held off CAVIART SAGE. The latter forced two to tuck from the pole, then finally yielded 3/8 to sit the pocket, couldn’t quite do enough to overhaul the winner. STARVIN MARVIN was three-wide until just past the 1/8, then took back to tuck third, held that positioning. PANTHEON HANOVER started grinding down the backstretch and almost got to the wheel of the leader before falling back in the last 1/8. MUSCLE MACH A was out second-over but gapped on the turn. THE OTHERS did not figure in the main conversation of this race.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CRAZYCAT left well for early command and set the pace, stayed in control and left challengers to both sides behind. MIGHTY SURF was wide early and worked up to tuck third 3/16, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t go enough for the win. TRAIN left and sat the pocket, outside late turn but lost ground. ANDOVERS TOUCH went outside down the back then tucked back in, evenly. GREEK LEGEND swung wide in the stretch and got closer as the pace slowed down. KITTY’SGINGERGAL came up uncovered but never got that close, faded in the last 1/8. CAPITAL T STORM never made up ground. GOES DOWN SMOOTH was outside in the second half of the field, made a break in the backstretch.
