Jul 9, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – In the low 80s … Winds varied from negligible to a mild stretch headwind, then fluctuated again near the end of the card … XMARXTHESPOT was away well, yielded, quarter-moved, put the first-over in behind him late turn, then drew away. TRUTHBTOLDBLUECHIP moved out raw off turn two, got cover 5/8, gapped it on the turn then lost it, continued on steadily to hold the distant second over PLAY THE ACE. The latter tucked third after leaving between horses, locked in on the far turn until nearing headstretch, then went wide and had a very big last 1/16. MELANIE’S NICK came first-up near the 5/8 and went after the winner, went back to the pocket far turn, tired. PROSPECTORS GOLD took back to tuck early, backed out third-over 11/16, got the last check. CAPTAIN COOK was urged leaving, three-wide to the 1/8, in front late first turn, yielded to the winner, unplugging the last ¼. JAM THAT GUITAR did not get a fast start, way back. CHARIOT DRIVE had no response at all in the last quarter.
SECOND RACE – UPFRONT STONE defended the pocket in the early scramble, moved out before the ¾ to challenge, made the lead early stretch, held off ZSA ZSA DABOR. The latter hugged the inside and advanced all the way up to the pocket, outside before midstretch and gained well but couldn’t catch the winner. ALL RISE barreled towards the first turn four-wide, three-wide to the lead past the 1/8 in a fast opener, was challenged on the far turn, tiring late but well ahead of the rest. CAN’T SAY NO, wide briefly, was looped between horses, retreated to the 3-hole just past the ¼, back out again at the half but couldn’t make an impression. PHANTOM RUSTY never materialized. JULA PRO HANOVER had excess cover. JUSTIFY was second-over, went three-wide 11/16 but only clogged that lane until breaking upper far turn. BRIGITTE BI broke past the half.
THIRD RACE – Stretch headwind picked up … DOLE WHIP sat patiently, moved with cover late backstretch, three-wide late turn and drew away in fast time. PEMBROKE SOUTHIE was looped early and tucked third, out 5/8 and grinded up to the leader, put that one away late turn, clearly second-best. BLANK CHEEK had the lead, saw a breaker recover and go on to the lead 3/8, retook at the half, couldn’t hold off the front pair but was better than the others. PRAISE HANOVER gapped. SOUTHWIND COCKTAIL was making the pocket past the 1/8 when breaking, recovered and went to the lead 3/8, yielded at the half, faded badly the last 5/16. STANDING ENVTATION fell far back.
FOURTH RACE – TAKE SHAPE left strongly and set a very fast quarter and half, was on fumes coming home (31.3 last quarter) but hit the wire first just in front of SCIROCCO BIG JOHN. The latter was off the gate a bit and was last early, circled laggards and gained inside on the turn, then swung wide, still sixth midstretch but gaining very rapidly late on the extreme outside. PREACHER MAN gapped early, moved uncovered ¾, steadily as the pace slowed dramatically. BILLY RAY HANOVER gapped before the half, stayed in as many got closer to the leader, outside stretch, outtrotted. NANCY BAR was three-wide leaving to the pocket at the 1/8, poised and to the Pocono Pike but had little to offer. SCIROCCO PATRICK advanced from far back but could not maintain his gain. TRENTS A LOCK was looped and took back to tuck, started gapping out at the half.
FIFTH RACE – Again, the wind has calmed … FEEL MY WRATH was three-wide early to third at the 1/8, uncovered 9/16 and grinded, kept going strongly to the wire. SWEET TIMBER was away second then quarter-moved and set the pace, under pressure from the winner, was holding OK until deep stretch. SWIFT OPERATOR gapped some second-over down the back, no apparent excuse. TICTOCMOE took the early lead then yielded for the pocket, fell back in the lane. ROCKWELL gapped inside. CODIGO LEE gapped badly at the back. RUSTY BEACH was outside but never got near the front bunch.
SIXTH RACE – FASHION ON A STAR went right to the front, was challenged on the second turn and yielded to sit the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike and came back for the lead past midstretch, just held off LUISELLA. The latter had good cover second-over but lost it at the half, had to go raw from there and relentlessly did her job, just nipped. CREATARMA moved in front of the stands to clear at the half, just failed to hold. DON’T I WISH had the early pocket, struggled to keep up the last ½. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR moved up to third after an early breaker, came out before the 5/8 but gapped. ARGENTO was outside on the second turn but failed to get close. EDEN ONTHEHILL was in the early pocket when breaking 3/16. MATTER OF TRUST wasn’t close when making a break in close quarters early on the far turn.
SEVENTH RACE – AFLAME HANOVER was away second then improved that position by one past the quarter, in no danger with back fractions of 55.2 – 27.3. ARTIFACT HANOVER stepped lively to get the top early, yielded for the two-hole, not in the league of the winner but far ahead of the others. FRISKIE ALL NITE tucked fourth before the 1/8, locked in as the outer tiers were clogged, free in the stretch and gained some ground back. MISTER DAYTONA was far back and blocked, inside, next in line. MCNEILL Z TAM sat third but started backing up far turn, effectively leaving the 1-2-3 tiers midpack clogged. REDBANK BLAZE A was uncovered off the second turn but had very little. GONNAHAVESOMEMORE never entered the main picture. BAY MEADOWS was underway at the half, three-wide 5/8 to try to clear dull cover but couldn’t.
EIGHTH RACE – HERODOTUS sat in third, got to the pocket to the ¾, waited for the Pocono Pike and trotted right on by. DANCEHALL KING moved second-over down the back but soon found himself in a blindswitch as the pocket horse eased out in front of the “first-over,” ducked to the rail on the far turn, moved out a lane early stretch but was blocked so ducked all the way inside and gained late for second. MUCHO MACHO set the pace and got a soft middle half, then came under pressure, not quite enough late. CAN’T STOP WILL went into the pocket 3/16, eased out of it before the ¾, didn’t have enough. DINKY WINKY took back to tuck fourth past the 3/16, came raw 5/8 then was three-wide when the pocket horse came out, flattened. LOOKINTOGETLUCKY gapped at the back.
NINTH RACE – One infield flag indicated a slight stretch tailwind the next two races; the other did not … OUTWIT OUTRUN wanted the lead but was forced to take the pocket 3/16, stayed there into the stretch, then easily went by in the Pocono Pike. HUNTSVILLE PLACE refused to yield in a 26.4 opener, slowed things some then picked it up when a challenger came on nearing the far turn, handled that one but could do nothing about the winner, did hold second over MCDREAMER. The latter gapped to past the ¼ behind the early battle, third-in, was behind the winner but not tight on him in the lane, almost got the deuce. MY BOY JACK was uncovered past the 5/8 and fought hard with the leader, backed off some in the lane. MIKI MINAJ was near the back throughout. STONEBRIDGE KARIS gapped much of the way. HANDSOFFMYTITOS couldn’t stay close 11/16.
TENTH RACE – CRANTINI was wide leaving, made the two-hole and stayed close, outside midturn, got even with the leader headstretch, saw that one reclaim a small margin early stretch, drifted out a little but still had enough to ultimately power by. PARAMOUNT LEGEND N headed right on down the road, set a comfortable pace, but didn’t have the needed sprint to stall the winner. FATHER STOSH got a forward spot then gapped early, got closer, not with the top two but ahead of the others. KOBE B came out past the 5/8, passed some horses but couldn’t reach the front end action. KENOBI ran an 1/8 before the start, recovered, raced with cover, came back to get a check. ALONSO was never a factor; nor was DWIGHT HANOVER.
ELEVENTH RACE – MACH WEST wanted to cut the pace and went 26.4 to put a challenger in behind him, rated quarter two then sailed along without much pressure, had enough to withstand THNDRFRMTHETHRON N. The latter backed off into the two-hole 3/16, was loose at a couple of points, outside and gave what he could in the lane narrowing in slightly. AWESOMENESS got forward position, stayed in, up the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite grab second. DO WORK SON was underway 3/8 from last, second-over, three-wide late turn, did very well from a tough spot. ROCK THREE TIMES did not enter contention. JAGGER ROCKS was far back throughout. ROCKIN THE SHADES was uncovered going to turn two, made a good move to enter contention down the backstretch, faded through the stretch. DIVISION BELL gapped early, inside and shuffled to last, couldn’t get into the main action.
TWELFTH RACE – NOTE: BROOKROAD MASTER galloped just before the start and was on the dead run in the infield throughout; his position had to be charted, so that should be understood in looking at the positioning (and lengths behind) of the others indicated at the calls … NIGHT FLYER K went to the lead just past the 1/4, yielded to the brusher to sit the pocket, clipped a couple of pylons headstretch, then to the Pocono Pike and went by easily; an inquiry into the pylon situation headstretch gave no reason for placing. CUPID HANOVER moved second-over and advanced nicely, wide headstretch and made up a lot of ground (into a 30 last quarter). MISS MUSCLE was uncovered from fifth at the half, made steady progress and held well late. GIVEM THE GOO yielded at the ¼ but was quick on the retake, set pretty good fractions for these, tired. THE OTHER TWO never got into the main action.
Jul 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 81 degrees, with an early stretch tailwind tapering off late … INDICTABLE HANOVER moved from third to the 5/16 but was given the cold shoulder in a wickedly-hot pace, attacked the leader throughout, got a small advantage on the turn, then somehow held together and went on to win in fast time in a courageous race. JK MUSICMAN left and made the two-hole at the 1/8, kept the pocket closed, then backed out behind the winner ¾, wide in the lane, good but photoed out. WESTERN TYRANT gapped almost all the way to the 5/8, then tightened in, weaved between horses in the stretch and finished well. FRANCO TOTEM N was far back, paced past the rest. MANNY was directly on top and refused to yield in wild fractions while under pressure from the 3/8, finally got weary in the last 3/16. THE OTHERS were far behind the wild pace and never were in the main hunt.
SECOND RACE – JUXTA COWGIRL left well, then quarter-moved from the pocket, held off the first-over in a long battle. SLICK ARTIST A spotted third, started uncovered into turn two, really never got closer than the wheel of the winner, but held her ground doggedly. BRONZE OVER N eased out to third-over, then went back inside on the far turn, up the inside late and photoed FIGHTING EVIL for third. The latter left well and was on top 3/16, yielded for the pocket, a little loose off the winner the last ¼, so-so late. CHECKERED PAST was fourth-over, three-wide with cover far turn then tipped four-wide, did OK from a tough spot. PAIGE’S GIRL worked n fourth past the 1/8, then moved second-over, three-wide early far turn, flattened out. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER had too far to come. NARINA HANOVER stayed in and had room to advance but didn’t.
THIRD RACE – THE BIG MUSCLE went out between horses to sit the pocket, vacated same 5/8 and challenged hard, proved game in the stretch. WORLDSSTONECOLD AS was uncovered 3/8, got good cover 5/8, didn’t start gaining until midstretch, then narrowed in. INNISFALLEN stayed in, had a chance to tighten into the pocket past the 5/8 but gapped, evenly late. WINGS UP was third-over, not quite enough late. REAL MCCOY was three-wide early to get the throttle and did throttle the pace off, met a challenger late backstretch and fought him around the turn, not much left to give in the stretch. CHROME PACKAGE gradually got to the inside first turn, not heard from again. SLEW FOOT was four-wide to the 1/8 as others gradually backed into holes, went inside, not that much late.
FOURTH RACE – BULLVILLEKARLA raced behind cover after leaving then tucked just past the ¼, moved second-over, advanced rapidly after moving three-wide midturn, gradually worked to the lead. BYE BYE MICHELLE needed until past the 5/16 to clear to the front, rated the second split then had third quarter pressure, shook that one off and held firmly behind the winner. ELLEOFADELI sat in and was blocked far turn, angled behind the winner midstretch and was gaining. GREENHILLDEBATABLE wound up third-over, wide with cover midturn but couldn’t stay with it, evenly late. THE KINGS QUEEN got away last from the rail and couldn’t recover. SPEAKING OF COFFEE came through with the early lead, yielded past the 5/16 for the two-hole, empty at crunch time. BETABCOOL N maintained the early pocket, started uncovered into turn two and challenged for the lead, ran out of gas on the turn.
FIFTH RACE – MAGIC MVP left between horses and was out to the 3/8 in fast time for these to get the lead, had pressure from many sources but earned his win. Poor 15YO TSM PHOTO BUGGER saw more of northeast Pennsylvania than a Century 21 agent – left, three-wide until just past the ¼ then got inside, back out second-over, three-wide midturn, went on gamely to the line. CHIEF JUSTICE took an inner route, spent most of the stretch waiting for a seam to open and when getting it had a giant burst (in the 31.2 last quarter) – was ahead two steps past the line. TIDQUIST raced third-over, four-wide headstretch, OK. CAMPBELLINI went to the lead and stretched out foes before yielding, pocket, couldn’t contend late. CLARION HALL sat in and was behind a wall of horses much of the stretch, ducked in past midstretch and gained a little as the pace slowed down. VOLARE kept the pocket closed late first turn, went up first-over 9/16, challenged hard, couldn’t sustain. POSSESS THE STONE broke early.
SIXTH RACE – FAST MACHINE left a beat behind the foes to either side of her, had cover then methodically went on to the top 3/8, got no rest on the lead but still could draw clear through the stretch. BYGONE HANOVER started the outer flow into turn two, went up in 27.2 to hotly contest the lead, fell back a bit late but was game to retain second. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was third-over, gapped a gapper down the back then got closer, three-wide headstretch, closed to just miss second. TIME TO ROAR left and yielded just past the 1/8, inside, was blocked behind a gapper far turn, finally got clear inside and made up some ground. COVENANT WOMAN was second-over but gapped from the 5/8. DRAGON SPARKS was out just past the 1/8 to get the top, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, gradually fell back the last ¼. BROOKDALE JESSIE was never prominent.
SEVENTH RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N had the top, forced a tuck, then yielded to sit the pocket behind a fast pace, to the Pocono Pike, was still fresh and responded well. BEACH CRAZY left, backed off to tuck 3/16, pulled from third 11/16 and challenged, held very gamely. WHO’S SMOKIN N was uncovered past the 5/8 then soon got cover, wide in the lane and with good steps late. CONTINUALOU was behind horses leaving after being looped, tucked third, quarter-moved and rolled on, came up shy. BEAUTY IS BLIND was inside, couldn’t gain late. THE OTHER TWO weren’t bad but were too far behind to make an impact.
EIGHTH RACE – SMART AS HILL moved raw to the 5/8, grinded after the fast opening fractions, proved best. DICENTRA was second-over, three-wide late turn and closed well. CELEBRITY ROLEX was inside, came out into a blindswitch headstretch then followed the path of the winner, may not have had full clearance late. CREDIT CON went to the top, yielded for the pocket and raced close-up in the fast fractions, Pocono Pike, not enough response. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was third-over, four-wide headstretch, a bit too far to come. O JONNIE gapped inside midrace, no factor late. TEDDY BROSEVELT made two speed moves, the second one wind-aided, set the pace, tired. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY was last at every call.
NINTH RACE – CASIE’S BELIEVER was three-wide early then backed off to tuck fifth before the ¼, out again second-over at the half, was flushed three-wide 11/16, proved the strong horse late after the wicked fractions. ANOTHER BEACH DAY was third-over, blindswitched to the 11/16, got inside midturn and went to the Pocono Pike to beat out JERICHO DIVA for the distant second. The latter moved three-wide 5/8 and got cover 11/16, lost some ground swinging wider into the stretch, narrowed in as the pace softened. CHIPPER DAISY went widest and passed tired horses. WESTBEACH was four-wide to turn one, pressed on and was hung for her lungs in a brutal half and beyond, not too bad a finish considering. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME refused to relent from the pole and put up huge numbers to do so, couldn’t sustain late. SUNRISE HANOVER stayed in and was shuffled to last as the pocketsitter faded, but then had no recovery. DELISHKA N was two-wide early, held the pocket closed, then started gapping 5/8.
TENTH RACE – Wind has calmed … CRAZY CUTE left but settled back in third, came uncovered 5/8, in retrospect may’ve been playing “possum” outside the leader far turn, then surged early stretch and had a giant move, won under a hold. TALK SHOW CHICA wasn’t close most of the way, outside far turn, closed the best of the mere mortals in here. A BETTER GAME pushed then yielded to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and a clear second just past midstretch, but outkicked late. NUTTINBUTHEBEST made the lead before the 3/16, rated the second quarter then got pressure from the winner late backstretch through the turn, fell back. THE OTHER PAIR did not make their presence felt here.
ELEVENTH RACE – The begoggled ELLIOT MOOSE, not looking like the easiest horse to handle, quarter-moved from third, drifted wide out of the first turn, powered on, and won on natural ability. BAY CITY left between horses for the lead, pushed the winner past the 3/8 before yielding, came out in the stretch, didn’t gain but did save place over DILLINGER. The latter left and took the pocket, gapped a bit down the back, but then got closer and did well in the Pocono Pike to almost get second. ALWAYS BETTER was wide from far back and closed past the others. TSM BATMAN didn’t achieve prominence. ZEUS HANOVER had the dull cover of MOVE THE LINE.
Jul 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A few degrees either side of 80 during the card … Stretch headwind … The first race results in a “DH1” in this class for the second straight week … It also was unusual in that the timer did not work (official fractions were 27, 54.3, 1:23.4, and 1:52.1), and for the fact that the photo finish camera failed, leaving a close finish to the decision of the judges, who declared the dead heat … SEAL O’NEILL moved out from third just before the 3/8 to the lead nearing the quick half, held on for the tie for first. WESTERN WALTZ made the lead, pushed then yielded, stayed inside, gapped the third quarter then tightened, outside late far turn, inched up and got into the win dead-heat. JET ACE was out behind dull cover and ducked back in 5/8, to the deep Pocono Pike, not off by much. BUTTER UP was in front past the 3/16, surrendered the lead to the winner nearing the half and sat in the two-hole, to the Pike, evenly. CHUCK THE CHEESE never entered the main picture. CAVIART SKIPPER gapped at the back. BARRYWHITE HANOVER had early cover then tucked fourth, moved uncovered towards the half but couldn’t gain at all. CODYS KNAPSACK moved out from far back to the 5/8, gained some but then lost gait nearing the 11/16, returned with “b.e.”
SECOND RACE – DANCE IT OUT backed off between horses early, sat third-in, could get through deep in the Pocono Pike and got the decision. DRAGON STRIKES was three-deep to curve one and then in front at the 1/8, pushed the frontstretch brusher then yielded or the two-hole, to the Pike, got the lead midstretch, outkicked to his left. BETTER THAN SOME moved second-over but couldn’t stay with cover during the quick (wind-aided) third quarter, better midturn, wide and closed well. PARMESAN N was in the outside flow, good steps late though the pace was slowing. BULLVILLE TERROR was buried inside, gained in the Pike but wasn’t running over that area’s two occupants at the end. VIRGIN STORM used the rail to get the early pocket, quarter-moved and pushed past the 3/8 for the top, under attack down the backstretch in a brisk split, gave way in the lane. SHANE ADAM came with a rush just before the half, went his own third quarter in 26.4 to put high heat on the leader, couldn’t sustain the bid.
THIRD RACE – ROUGH ODDS was briefly three-wide early, parked well past the fast ¼ for the lead then yielded to the retaker to sit second, Pocono Pike and full of pace. WINNING IS SWEET had the lead right away, yielded 5/16 but then immediately on the retake, didn’t get pressure until the far turn, held on for second. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was on the way raw going to turn two, one-geared it up, flattened slightly late. IC A FREE SPIRIT was second-over from last, then three-wide 5/8 and stayed out wide, tried hard to the finish. PIRATES ALLEY didn’t have much response. ARCHANGEL THREE was backed up to last, came out in a blindswitch, couldn’t enter contention.
FOURTH RACE – MISS MCKEE moved from third 5/8 and was in grind mode, worked to the top late. BLENHEIM was briefly three-wide early, then two-wide to the lead at the ¼ and set a fast pace, fought gamely in the lane. BLUEBIRD DEACON pushed the ¼ then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got to even terms with the pacesetter midstretch, lacked the extra step late. ROBBIE PEV was not helped by cover, three-wide past midturn and closed well. MEADOWBRANCH RICKY was last, swung wide, OK but had too far to come. SWEET HEART AS was caught behind a tired horse far turn, Pocono Pike, not that much. VIC’S WINNER let and took back, couldn’t keep up the last ¼. THE LAST CHAPTER was outside off turn two, got cover 5/8 but couldn’t go with it.
FIFTH RACE – MR DS ROCK tucked third as the inside two battled, then moved not long into the homestretch to clear before the other end, went 27 down the back to leave these behind. GET LIT moved raw from midpack at the ½ and paced a 26.1 (wind-aided) third quarter but couldn’t even reach the winner’s wheel, did hold in a blanket finish for second. SEVENTH SECRET was third-over, widest and was moving well late. CERTIFIABLE was second-over but looked all-out to stay with cover at times. STELLAR BB got around the pole horse 3/16, yielded to the winner, loose from the 5/8 though right with those fighting for major minor honors. STELLAR YANKEE was shuffled back inside, Pocono Pike but didn’t gain too much. STATEMENT MADE A yielded 3/16, sat in, gapped some in the fast third split, not much late.
SIXTH RACE –UNDERTAKER was on top at the 1/8, rated the half then sped up, could not rest in peace through the stretch as ROLLINWITHAMBITION was living up to his name, but did hold on with 54.4 – 27.1 back fractions. The latter yielded for the two-hole and stayed close to the winner, outside early stretch, saw his rally come up just shy. DARTH VADER sat in, not in the league of the first two but did take third. HEREITIZ moved out on the far turn but had no gain. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was far back early before circling the gapper, never in it. PURPLE POET developed a problem past the 1/8, was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING methodically worked his way to the lead 3/8 and had no real opposition. MISTER BOINGA raced up to the early pocket, then stayed third-in, cleared early stretch and up for the distant second. WORTHY OF HONOR did not benefit greatly from his cover from late backstretch, three-wide past midturn and closed well. TIE ONE ON darted right to the lead and went 26.4 to the ¼, yielded to the winner 3/8, was tiring very late after setting then chasing fast numbers may have caught up to him. CHURCH SOUT gapped at points but got the last check. DAGON HANOVER was uncovered before the 5/8 but made little progress before fading. TRICKY DICK was gapping. KASEVILLE was last at every call.
EIGHTH RACE – PLAY THE FIELD was right on top and went 25.4 to put the two favorites in behind him, rated the half, then wasn’t reached by any of the others the last 3/8. THE MOONSHADOW N had a good second-over trip, three-wide when cover stopped being an aid, closed pretty well. PUZZLING gapped inside down the back, then had to wait late turn behind a tiring horse, raced well once able to get to the Pocono Pike. CURIOUS CORTEZ had to hustle to catch cover third-over, then followed the second-place horse, evenly. INDIGO ART was last, widest, finished OK. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL stayed in and was shuffled to last, had room in the Pike, gained only mildly. YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING raced up into the pocket past the 1/8, then went loose in same ¾. GO WEST GO FAST was wide early, settled third before he ¼, came back for more while raw into the backstretch but didn’t threaten before tiring.
NINTH RACE – GOOD DEAL left strongly from the rail and won himself the pocket journey, just behind the far turn duel, dove to the Pocono Pike and worked his way to the lead. SPRINGTIME DUEL was three-wide early then to the top just past a 26.2 quarter, had a breather then increased the speed, had a hard challenge from before the ¾ to his right, shook that one off but then was caught to his left. SOME DEAL HANOVER was uncovered into turn two, gradually worked up then hit a higher gear nearing the ¾ and really battled the leader the rest of the way, good race. CAPTAIN KEEN let but soon took back, backed out to second-over later in the backstretch, gapped cover, finished with pace wide. ARTIST BEST left but took back at the 1/8, inside, not that much late. THE NEXT TWO were slow-starting and never in the picture; COXCOMB gapped and never was a major danger either.
TENTH RACE – AMERICAN COURAGE got a midpack spot, moved when ready off turn two and rushed up in 26.1 to meet and then go by the leader, kept going to win in 1:47.4 – only 4/5 of a second off the fastest mile of all time on a 5/8-mile track. DA DELIGHTFUL left inside a gaggle of early speedsters, pushed past the 25.4 first quarter before yielding, left the pocket open past the 3/8, then caught behind the earlier leader on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and proved a distant second. IM SIR BLAKE A quarter-moved but was given the cold shoulder, was able to tuck into the pocket towards turn two, backed out after the winner went by, did well after hard usage. VETTEL N was three-wide to the 1/8 then out to a 25.4 opener, kept going fast and forced an early challenger to take the two-hole, had no answer for the winner ¾, held decently. CAN’T BEACH THAT backed out 5/8 but couldn’t keep up with the flying action. SOUTHWIND OZZI was never a factor. THE LAST TWO couldn’t get into this supersonic mile from so far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN SLEAZE left for the top then yielded to the brusher, sat in the two-hole, came out sharply midturn and went right to the lead, withstood PAT MCGARRY A. The latter was wide early, took the early pocket past the 1/8 then was third-in, followed the winner out on the turn, steadily but not quite enough. RIFLEMAN moved uncovered from far back past the 5/8 and hadn’t reached the leaders when the 2-3 horses came out late turn, finished steadily. DONTPASSME HANOVER sat last, found room between horses midstretch and went through with pace. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN was four-wide towards the first turn and took a midpack tuck, not heard from thereafter. BULLVILLE JONATHAN did not come on. BEACH FORECAST was underway from third 3/16 and hit the front 5/16, was quickly passed on the far turn and fell back.
TWELFTH RACE – ELWELL had the early pocket, moved 3/16 to the lead just past the first turn then yielded in turn to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and went by ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP. The latter moved in front of the stands to the lead and put up fast midfractions, held gamely. CAPTAIN FANCY got a good trip second-over, steadily. CAPTAIN ROMANCE left but took back to get inside, uncovered at the 5/8, couldn’t go with the top couple late but held OK. MY WISH CAME TRUE angled widest for the drive and made up ground. THE DARK SHADOW circled everybody from three-wide early, saw two go by, started to gap far turn. STRAIGHT UP COOL gapped much of the last half, then picked up the pace along the inside late. PRAIRIE PANTHER gapped in last.
THIRTEENTH RACE – KILLER MARTINI had a second-over trip, gradually tightened on cover, started to gain when left two-wide raw midturn, just got his nose on the line first in the last step. WHAT’S GOIN ON got forward position, moved first-over into turn two, edged closer in the fast third quarter then got to tuck in the pocket midturn, used the Pocono Pike, had the lead with 20 yards to go, just got nostriled out. OWEN put an early foe in behind with a 26.4 opener, got a big breather in quarter two then turned on the jets again in quarter three, opened a clear lead just past the ¾, had horses at him on both sides through the stretch, still leading deep stretch, couldn’t quite hold. LEAR SEELSTER gapped inside as the pace picked up down the back, distant next. CONCUR never was a major factor. RYCROFT N wanted the lead but was reluctantly put in the pocket towards the ¼, fell back the last ¼. RAPTORS FLIGHT N broke at the start.
FOURTEENTH RACE – QUEEN OF ALL yielded for the two-hole, then came out to reclaim the lead past the 3/8, got a fairly moderate middle half then had enough strength to hold off MARION GONDOLIER. The latter was out 3/16 for the lead, pushed the winner before yielding for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, did well in the stretch but not quite enough, well-clear of the rest. ALTUS HANOVER sat in and was shuffled to last by a gapper, had to wait for the Pocono Pike then made a decent recovery. GREAT UNKNOWN swung four-wide off cover and finished with trot. SORTIE moved out on the second turn and gained a lot of ground to get close to the winner, but couldn’t sustain the forward move. GRAPPLE HANOVER couldn’t keep up along the inside. BEYOND ORDINARY went up nicely second-over, three-wide late turn, and no gain.
Jul 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Wind a stretch tailwind for the first race, then calm a couple of races, then reversed into a stretch headwind, then calm again most races near the end … GREAT MAGIC left well and circled up to the lead, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, waited for the Pocono Pike then shot right through when given the space and drew off. TEDDY BROSEVELT was between horses early then looped and left raw, on top at the ¼, moderated the pace with no one coming, but still couldn’t withstand the winner. NICE STUFF caught up to the three leavers to the 3/8, was stuck inside as the first-over didn’t advance, got room belatedly in the Pocono Pike and finished with trot. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT left, sat third, outside stretch but empty. MUSKINGUM was second-over from last but had nonadvancing cover, three-wide midturn, OK late. KEYSTONE THUNDER one-geared first-over from early on the second turn, never got close to the leaders. BROOKROAD MASTER backed out third-over, not prominent. CELEBRITY SERENA started gapping inside 5/8.
SECOND RACE – SPORTSMANSHIP left well and had settled in the pocket by the 1/8, drew away along with the leader far turn, then moved out and caught that one easily. NEWBIE left nicely and set the pace, went faster in the third quarter to try to lose the field, a strategy that worked against all but one. CHANCELLORCULLEN N couldn’t stay with the top two in the last quarter, won a photo for a distant third over MR MCDREAMY. The latter moved outside 5/8, was rocked but failed to gain. CANDELL was behind dull cover, three-wide near headstretch, not enough for a bigger check. THE LAST TWO did not achieve prominence from the back.
THIRD RACE – WHATA TRIXTER unfortunately lived up to his name – he was wide early and got onto the pocket before the ¼, moved out midturn, trotted to the lead and was looking good 100 feet from the finish though drifting out a bit, but then broke and ran home; after an inquiry he was placed second for violation of the breaking rules. CIVIL UNION sat third, came out with cover late turn, went between horses in the lane, not catching the horse crossing the wire first, but placed first. UNCLE NINO left for the lead, got a 1:02 middle half, but still gave way in the last 1/8, although holding to win a three-way photo for the distant third. ROWDER didn’t show much; nor did EVER HOPEFUL G. IVEGOTTHETAB was off the gate and was not a factor. ANDOVERTHEWINNER broke an 1/8 before the start.
FOURTH RACE – BEST BETTOR gained inside a horse 5/8, was off the main bunch until the far turn, then swung wide and had enough to catch C-BET HANOVER late. The latter was looped, tucked third 3/16, uncovered 11/16 and had grabbed the lead by headstretch, just outtrotted late. MIGHT BE RIGHT defended the pocket then was loose in it the middle part of the race, shuffled nearing headstretch when the pacesetter gave way and came out into a blindswitch, then back inside and decent to the wire. SEASIDE MEDITATION moved out down the back but actually lost ground, evenly late as the pace slowed down. BRYCE couldn’t gain enough up the Pocono Pike. BACK IN MY DAY was never close. TRAVIS SAID was a bit rough while wide going up to the lead before the 3/16, had an open lead much of the middle half, but hit the wall when challenged late far turn. HURRIKANE JUNIOR never was in the picture.
FIFTH RACE – METRO MATTY made the lead quickly and was in control throughout. ISLAND DIVA never moved, came up the inside and outfinished PEMBROKE MONI for second. The latter sat a pocket trip, not enough response late. MISCHIEVOUS G gapped midrace, moved out on the far turn and three-wide headstretch, didn’t gain. FOXY JOYCE started uncovered into turn two but never got close. RISK ON backed out to two-wide but never became prominent. MY BELFAST ANGEL tucked, vacated third 11/16, but had nothing through the lane.
SIXTH RACE – CAVIART SAGE was forwardly-placed, got cover when moving down the backstretch, swung three-wide early far turn and proved to have the most of these. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA lagged early, then was able to come all the way up the inside from seventh to “the pocket,” to the Pocono Pike and finished steadily. AMERICA’S GUEST came out but then had the 2-3-4 horses move in front of him and thus became fourth-over, three-wide with cover far turn then gapped, was four-wide headstretch, finished well. TOLLY-HO set the pace with two moves, went along quickly, couldn’t make the lead hold up. CLASSY JILL sat in, moved out late turn then three-wide headstretch, flattened. BEACHESBECKONME was away slowly and gapped, couldn’t rally enough inside as the pace decelerated. MINGO JOEL was urged at several points, but couldn’t do much from third-over. GETYOURLICENSELIAM went away to a big lead in a 26 opener, yielded for the pocket but vacated same before the 5/8, nothing left in the stretch.
SEVENTH RACE – SILENT NIGHT was in charge throughout this mile, held of the late move of RED LIGHT LADY with a 28.2 last quarter in a very fast clocking for maiden trotters. The latter defended the pocket, stayed close, moved out in the lane and narrowed in, raced well but had to settle for second. HONORABLE LADY sat in, went to the Pocono Pike and was a distant third. LUCKY LIMERICK took back to tuck third 3/16, not enough through the last quarter. FASHION PRINCESS got around stragglers in a decent recovery. TURN THE TAB and POP MUSIC straggled.
EIGHTH RACE – KAY SAGE was three-wide leaving, got to the top past the 3/16, set the pace, got pressure from just before the ¾ on but dealt with it well. CAPTAIN’S STAR was a right second-over, three-wide before headstretch, narrowed in nicely. CLEAR THE WAY was uncovered at the half, put in a concentrated bid to the ¾, held very well. IRISH SONG was third-over, gapped midbackstretch then got close, four-wide headstretch, not far off. BETTE TINA left, yielded, inside, was locked in behind the tiring pacesetter on the turn, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have much response. MARTARITAONDAROCKS gapped at the back. BEACHBLANKETLINDY went to the lead at the 1/8, surrendered the lead for the pocket, all done ¾. ONE EYED WANDA lagged at the back.
NINTH RACE – COOL MISS WENDY made the first-over move after the fast first half, went by ¾, held off SOUTHERN AUTUMN in the 1:01 – 30.4 back fractions. The latter went to the lead and yielded for the pocket, slipped out in front of a gapper ¾, raw, ducked in late turn, out again before midstretch and narrowed in but not quite enough. RHEIA ROSE was last, circled wide and gained in the slowing pace. GHIBLI was out with what could have been good cover had she not gapped it. MYREANNA was three-wide early to two-wide to the lead 3/16, set a fast pace, had nothing left when the winner came up ¾. WILD KAT G sat in, shuffled some late turn, then outside but didn’t gain. AULTER EGO was not prominent.
TENTH RACE – DRAGON CITY was three-deep to turn one to the front 3/16, yielded to the brusher and kept close in the fast fractions, to the Pocono Pike and sprinted well at the end to get the decision. OUTWIT OUTRUN was out moving before the ¼ to get the lead, continued on quickly, not quite enough to ward off the pocketsitter in the late dash. WARRAWEE EXTREME moved uncovered 11/16 and made a nice move into contention, couldn’t quite sustain it in the 27.3 kicker but clearly third. STONEBRIDGE KARIS was second-over, gapped cover, went between horses and was OK late. JAM THAT GUITAR was away to protect position early, little late. PLAY THE ACE gapped in the outer tier far turn. CAPTAIN COOK tucked early, stayed in, fell back.
ELEVENTH RACE – JUDGE KEN crossed over to the lead very quickly and strung most of this field out most of the way, won off by himself the last 1/8. ARCH CREDIT sat third, outside early stretch and took second from CAPITAL T STORM. The latter sat in the pocket a bit loose most of the way, nothing left the last 3/16. SUM FOR ALL found clearance midstretch and gained some. SCIROCCO PATRICK had late-developing cover, got the last check. CRITICAL MASS came out from fourth 5/8 but had little. ANDOVERS TOUCH was off the gate and never factored. TAG UP AND GO broke coming off the turn before the start, righted and almost caught the field but then broke again.
TWELFTH RACE – FRAZZLEBERRY went down the road without much competition, came home in 55.2 – 27.3 for trainer Jose Godinez’s 1000th career victory. SEAL O’NEILL left and sat the pocket, loose off the second turn then tightened back in, then couldn’t keep up in the stretch but still a clear second. ALL CHEDDAR went up early and tucked third, gapped out in the last ¼. FRANK DEFORD was behind nonadvancing cover, three-wide midturn after the leaders were long-gone, evenly. BEEBEETEE and RENO DINERO gapped. SVENGALI was out to the 3/16 trying to get the front but broke off the first turn, recovered quickly but was left out raw on the rim, fell back sharply from the 11/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LIGHTFOOT LEGEND, a physically-big horse looking like he was racing against ponies literally and figuratively, launched one big move to the 11/16 that carried him to the lead past the ¾, drew away. MISS MUSCLE couldn’t stay with the winner’s cover but got new cover, wide stretch and just up to get second from NIGHT FLYER K. The latter was three-wide to the 3/16 and on top at the ¼, had no answer for the winner ¾ and lost second nearing the line. CIRCLE OF LIFE AS pushed a fast quarter from the rail, nothing thereafter. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY was between horses early, in the pocket, backed out after the winner went by but could not gain.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DRAGON STRIKES wanted the lead but was forced to back off to the pocket near the ¼, sat well-placed, to the Pocono Pike and zoomed right by. TUXEDO BAY refused to yield as the top two were well ahead of the rest most of the opener, set the pace, saw off the first-over, couldn’t stop the winner, all-out to hold second. STARVIN MARVIN sat in, came out midturn, widest in the stretch and gained. STENDAHL HANOVER was towed up second-over down the back, three-wide late turn, OK late. ROCKIN THE SHADES gapped the early action, caught up, then gapped on the turn, evenly late. ROCK THREE TIMES was uncovered from fifth at the half, made a 27.1 third quarter move to challenge, but had little left for the stretch. MUSCLE MACH A was in the back throughout. BAY MEADOWS was very far back from the half.
Jul 2, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 77 degrees; stretch tailwind for most races (otherwise fairly calm) … GO SUE ME was three-high leaving to 1/8 command, opened up a big lead down the back and through the turn, then was tiring but when the driver looked back over his shoulder midstretch, he saw he was far enough ahead to last to the wire. ALWAYS THE SUN used the rail well to defend the pocket, went loose 5/8, then moved out in the stretch and mad up ground. BARNABAS stayed in and gapped, found clearance early stretch and gained well late. WELL DONE SON left between horses and took a tuck third 3/16, was blocked when the pacesetter gapped, came up empty late. HOPETOBEFIRST was uncovered on the second turn, never got close to the leader. LOVE YOURSELF was never a major danger. BLACKLIGHT was on the move from far back 3/8 and soon got cover, but was gapping by the 5/8. WHATA TREASURE backed out to be third-over, three-wide 11/16 the duration but didn’t gain.
SECOND RACE – DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY left enough for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and gradually got there for The Trot Man as the pace slowed. CLARION HALL was three-wide early and on the lead at the 1/8 in a fast quarter, had lots of midrace pressure, tried gamely but just couldn’t last. JUSTIFY stayed in, went to the deep Pike and gained while likely in tight quarters. ZSA ZSA DABOR moved with cover, advanced in a blindswitch far turn then went inside the first-over and split horses, coming on while not appearing fully clear. KEYSTONE SERGEANT left between horses and tucked third before the 3/16, on the move again past the 3/8, challenged raw, held OK though the last 1/4 wasn’t much. CRAZYCAT came outside 3/8 and soon got cover, moved three-wide to the 11/16, gained some then flattened out wide. MATT’S MUSCLES was hustled approaching the start and lost gait as the gate sprung, recovered, to the outer flow and followed the wide cover late backstretch, wider in the lane but had no more gain. CHOCOLATE MATTERS was inside, not too much to offer late.
THIRD RACE – Wind fluctuating in intensity … HUNTING SEASON was three-wide to the first turn, finally settled in fourth, under a hold 3/8, up to challenge uncovered at the half, applied steady pressure in a slow third quarter, then came up sharply to prevail. AMBUSHED was in the pocket, didn’t want to go inside for the stretch so had to wait under a hold early stretch while the winner went by, then regathered and finished strongly to take second. ALEXA’S SUNSHINE tucked third at the 1/8, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, held OK in the sprint home. SHE’S A LADY was a fast starter, then got a very slow middle half despite pressure, couldn’t make her lead last to the wire. BLANK CHEEK moved second-over, tighter down the backstretch, then backed off some in the last ¼. CHIKFROMFRENCHLICK raced inside, gapped on the far turn. IVY HANOVER lost contact in the last ¼.
FOURTH RACE – U BAKE THE CAKE stayed third-in, got clearance in the Pocono Pike and was just along in the 1:01 back half. ROJO MAN was second-over, three-wide late turn, just missed. PRIMO VOLO made two speed moves to control the pace in a very fast half, couldn’t hold on. DWIGHT HANOVER moved uncovered before the 5/8, didn’t advance much but didn’t retreat. KOLB HANOVER left sharply and got the front, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, no punch in the lane. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was far back, gained down the back, wasn’t a major factor. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP made an “ix” trying to avoid CANTAB THE FOX off the second turn. The latter left but took back to sixth, ran coming out of the second bend.
FIFTH RACE – DOWNRIGHT DELICIOUS moved from fourth at the ¼ and cleared nearing the other end of the frontstraight, opened up down the backstretch and won nicely. CLEARCHOICE DE VIE got the early pocket at the 1/8, sat in, moved out ¾, in headstretch after clearing a tiring foe, steadily to just catch TICTOCMOE for second. The latter pushed the ¼ and yielded, came out 11/16 and retucked in the pocket early turn, was a clear second but couldn’t maintain that spot to the line. BULLVILLEPANDEMIC was part of a disconnected back three, wide and was next in line. ROCKWELL was outside at the half but never gained. CODIGO LEE started to gap at the half. RUSTY BEACH had cover early then went up and took the point off the first turn, yielded into the second curve, was unplugging by the 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – PUBLICITY SCOOTER was unhurried early, started on the grind to the second turn, kept up pressure, snatched victory in the final steps from CHUCKY DE VIE. The latter yielded for a pocket ride, to the Pocono Pike, briefly had the lead midstretch, couldn’t quite hold it to the wire. CREDIT CON got a forward position, sat in and was pinned in until into the stretch, finished with trot. DYLAN THE GREAT was three-wide just past the 1/8 and was in front 3/16, went along at a pretty good clip with pressure from the 5/8, tired. CAN’T SAY NO was outside into the backstretch, three-wide ¾, couldn’t reach. GIVEM THE GOO was far back, widest in the stretch and gained some. CELEBRITY ROLEX was second-over but couldn’t stay with cover. TUIS SHADOW struggled from before the 5/8.
SEVENTH RACE – QUICK SNAP was the first to show, quickly yielded to a runaway and gapped through the wild half, moved out 5/8 to the lead ¾, drew away and put up an impressive 1:50 in “nw2” company. HUNTSVILLE PLACE tucked third 3/16 and could stay on the winner’s back until the ¾, retucked second on the far turn, just managed to hold off COUNTER OFFER for second. The latter was last, circled a gapper then continued on and was three-wide past midturn, flying late. IVY STUD circled a fader, next in line. MY BOY JACK gapped the top three down the backstretch, circled the fader but had no more response. STEWARDOFTHELAND never featured. BUD TRUCK was gapping soon into the backstretch. MELANIE’S NICK rocketed away and was all alone in a very fast quarter and half, was passed ¾ and really slowed down.
EIGHTH RACE – Wind down to negligible for some races … BRIGITTE BI was in front at the 1/8 and kept on going, just held off two late challengers in a nice mile. DICENTRA left with cover, considered going on then tucked third 3/16, uncovered 5/8 and was a presence outside the winner, kept on coming and just came up short. ALL RISE maintained the pocket as the front three drew clear, had a shot up the Pocono Pike, not quite. PRAIRIE VIRTUE moved uncovered off turn two, couldn’t go up to take advantage of cover. TAKE SHAPE was third-over in a nondynamic situation. BILLY RAY HANOVER sat in, gapped ¾. NANCY BAR was gapping by the half.
NINTH RACE – INTO THE UNKNOWN was third-over, had just launched three-wide before a foe broke past midturn, closed steadily and was just along late. CHANCES ARE IDEAL spotted, then was uncovered at the half, grinded, went to the lead past midstretch, just overhauled. KILEE ROCKS yielded, quarter-moved, came under pressure, held on pretty well. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was between horses past the 3/16 to get in front, forced a tuck then yielded to a brusher, chose to wait to follow the first-over in the stretch instead of using the Pocono Pike and cleared too late. SWEET KATIE BUG gapped, but stayed out of trouble and got a check. SWEET GADGETS was fourth-over when badly bothered by the far turn breaker; BEST DINA was second-over, was that far turn breaker. COME ZOOM WITH ME was three-wide much of the opener before taking the early pocket off the first turn, stopped badly.
TENTH RACE – BEYOND THE LENS made the top and had no interest in surrendering the lead in fast fractions, drew clear upper stretch then was tiring late but still held off LUISELLA. The latter was amazingly good – three-wide most of the first turn to get outside the leader past the ¼, then left out in the air and challenged hard, dropped back a little headstretch but then kept on coming (as the pace slowed) to be in the picture. MUSCLE DYNASTY came outside 11/16 behind the parked horse, three-wide midturn, one of many gaining as the late tempo decelerated. ARGENTO gapped most of the way, then went wide in the stretch and made up good ground. IDENTITY POLICE sat in, moved out in a blindswitch late turn then ducked into the Pocono Pike, fair late. BY A HOFF HANOVER kept the pocket closed, tired in the stretch. THE OTHER PAIR were far behind.
ELEVENTH RACE – BUILDING BOOST tucked third, went uncovered at the half and grinded away, won the battle with HUNTED HOUSE. The latter made the top quickly and was under a hold setting the pace until the winner came up to challenge, fought very hard with that one from the 5/8 and just gave way. FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX was second-over, gapped backstretch into the turn then was tighter, didn’t tip off his cover until past midstretch, then found his rush come up a bit shy. BULLVILLE FRANK advanced inside from last, came between horses in the lane and closed well. PRAIRIE HANDSOME was fourth-over, wide and moving well at the wire. DANCE PARTNER started the outer flow but quickly found himself third-over, not too much late. BUCHANNON HANOVER advanced inside then was blocked when the pocket horse gave way. BULLIT TRAIN grabbed the early pocket, stated to unplug 5/8.
TWELFTH RACE – CAVIART ROCKLAND went right down the road, put a rival in behind then left another on the outside raw, in control the last 3/8. THNDRFRMTHETHRON N made the pocket circling a foe then kept the hole shut, got a little bit loose down the back, came out in the stretch, didn’t gain but was far ahead of the others. RIVER DALI sat in and never achieved prominence. FIXED IDEA was shuffled to last, made up a little ground in the Pocono Pike. AWESOMENESS was looped and left on the outside early, went up 3/16 and challenged the leader but couldn’t go by, held halfway decently. DIVISION BELL had poor cover. ARTIFACT HANOVER came out behind the parked horse, followed along, went three-wide midturn but had little to offer.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JK MUSICMAN settled in fifth 3/16, didn’t stay there long but came uncovered before the 3/8, was challenging the leading OUR MAJORDAN A from before the half, won their private battle. The latter made two speed moves, was under pressure from the half, fought very hard right to the finish. YER SO BAD found the room inside to gain from seventh all the way to the distant third. LOVE THE ACTION went in front past the 1/8 and then yielded for the pocket, started to unplug 11/16. LUZIANA trailed much of the way. MCNEIL Z TAM had dull cover, three-wide ¾ but did not gain. BOBBY K HILL was three-wide before the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, gapped from the 5/8. MISTER DAYTONA N moved second but couldn’t keep up by the half, returned with “b.e.”
Jun 30, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the mid-80s to start, dropping a little through the card … Stretch headwind … SOME KINDA ARTIST inherited the lead past the 1/8 as the frontstepper made a break, rated the half, was given an anxious moment by DRAGON SPARKS in deep stretch but prevailed. The latter sat connected in the pocket, gained late but came up short. CATIE FAYE HANOVER moved second-over at the half, finished OK but no threat to the top two. BROOKDALE JESSIE was uncovered into the second turn, never reached the winner, ducked in midturn, so-so late. REAL LADY SADIE started to gap down the backstretch then really fell back. AINT WATCHING had little to offer. TIME TO ROAR cleared quickly to the top but made a break past the 1/8 and was taken to the infield.
SECOND RACE – BYGONE HANOVER was double-looped and three-wide leaving, to two-wide then inside at the ¼, wasn’t inside an 1/8 of a mile before going on the move again raw, charged at the leader during the slow second quarter and continued hammering at her through the fast third split, showed remarkable endurance to draw clear late. IN LOU OF MONEY left between quick horses to the front and seated a rival, got a rest in quarter two then had the winner come at her and really stepped it up, fought her the rest of the way and could not hold her off. BULLVILLEKARLA was out to follow the leader but gapped from soon into the backstretch, went in far turn, started up the inside then angled out past midstretch after finding her best steps and gained. BYE BYE MICHELLE was three-wide to turn one and took the pocket, stayed connected to the far turn then backed off. PEMBROKE IDEAL BI gapped inside, outside before headstretch but couldn’t come on. THE BACK THREE could make no impact in the last half.
THIRD RACE – JODY made two speed moves, slowed the half then picked up the pace, dashed clear on the turn but saw BEACH CRAZY starting to come to her late, held her advantage. The latter was three-deep to the first turn to the lead 3/16, yielded for the pocket, a bit loose on the turn but outside early stretch and narrowed in late. CASIE’S BELIEVER was third-in, OK along the inside. SHADOW ONE led the outer tier at the half, went 27.1 with the wind to challenge, but gradually yielded ground in the last ¼. JERICHO DIVA was second-over but couldn’t gain at crunch time. SHECANDANCE N was the first outside but wound up third-over, couldn’t enter contention. Neither of THE LAST DUO could make an impression.
FOURTH RACE – HEARTBREAK HOTEL went right to the lead, had it easy to the half, then accelerated down the back, fought off the far turn challenger and finished out in 55.2- 27.1 nicely. LOCK BRIDGE got the pocket early, waited then came up the Pocono Pike, not quite enough sprint. ONECROOKEDLEG vacated the three-hole 11/16 and really took it to the winner on the far turn, held well. COVENANT WOMAN moved out but didn’t keep up and ducked back in. THE OTHER PAIR were in the back throughout.
FIFTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE commanded respect at 1-9* from the rail and set up a lineup-but-one, came home in 55.2 and was well clear. PRAIRIEWESTERNGAL maintained the pocket, stayed connected until the ¾, held second. BEAUTY IS BLIND moved from fourth-in far turn and had some late speed for third. SUNRISE HANOVER started to leave a gap as the pace picked up 5/8. GEORGIE MARTIN N broke up the “lineup” as leaving and tucking fifth at the 1/8, came out just past the 5/8 but made no headway. THE OTHER HORSES were always near the back.
SIXTH RACE – MADEIRA HANOVER went on to the lead 3/16, was never threatened while coming home in 55.1. GALLERIA HANOVER was quickly in front then relinquished control to sit the pocket, couldn’t go enough late but safely second. HOOD PARTY moved first-up before the 5/8 but never reached the leader, just held third over STARZZNSTRIPES. The latter gapped slightly down the backstretch, fair late. HEAVENLY ANGEL did not keep tight most of the last half.
SEVENTH RACE – BLENHEIM had cover leaving, then raw at the 1/8 to the front 5/16, went a big third quarter to open a big lead, only finished out in 29.4 but had enough of a margin to maintain it to the wire. LADY’S IMAGE was away quickly to 1/8 command, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, loose in the rapid third quarter, then narrowed in some in a good race. PAPI HANOVER sat fourth, to the deep Pocono Pike and gained while looking to be in tight quarters. MEMO yielded, stayed third until coming out far turn, narrowed in but only mildly and in a soft last quarter. CUPID HANOVER tucked fifth, trailed the main bunch, fair late for the last check. THE REMAINING THREE lost contact with the main group down the backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA scooted out to first turn command and put a foe in before the 26.3 quarter, kept going at a steady pace, saw the opposition narrow in late and was kept to active encouragement to prevail. SWEET KISSES raced up to the pocket past the 1/8, was a little loose on the turn but found renewed vigor in the Pocono Pike and came on well. FIND HAPPINESS was forwardly-placed, outside midturn, steadily but was never closer to the winner than at the wire. COUNTERPARTY RISK was badly bothered by the frontstretch breaker, made up a lot of ground in quarter three and proved best of the rest. LITTLE CINDY LOU was behind the breaker but suffered the least “damage” of the three who suffered “i”, not too much late. EAGER TO PLEASE had to snatch and go very wide around the trouble, never recovered. SWEET ROCK DEO seemed to be going along well when making a bad break before the 3/8.
NINTH RACE – NUTTINBUTTHEBEST yielded to the rapid starter then just got out past the 1/8 to go back to the top and keep two foes parked, moderated the middle half when the parked horses didn’t force the issue, drew clear late in a 27.4 last quarter. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide between horses to almost the 3/8, left raw on the rim, held on with great courage. ALWAYS B LAUGHIN was looped and four-wide to the 3/16, then three-wide almost to the 3/8 before ducking behind cover, kept up well despite the extra real estate early. FANCY AND FAST sat inside, found a better gear midstretch deep in the Pocono Pike. SHES A SASSY BEACH cleared everybody from PP8, yielded to the winner for the pocket (one of the few “two-holers” who has no “2”s on her line), started looking hard to drive early stretch. WHO’S SMOKIN N took back amidst the early cavalry charge, inside, nowhere to go with pace at the end. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD was not well-served by cover while fourth-over. CHIPPER DAISY gapped third-over past the 3/4.
TENTH RACE – TREACHEROUS DRAGON hung outside early to see the front end get settled, checked then tucked in after it continued unsettled because of the breaking horse, came second-over 5/8, went into a vacant pocket midturn, and closed strongly to go by DONT FENCE ME IN and remained undefeated this year. The latter was two-wide early and went to the lead after the pole horse suffered the “ex,” rated the half, came her own last half in 55 and still had to settle for second. LYDEO was three-wide to the first turn, to two-wide but found no tuck so pressed on raw 3/8 and challenged throughout, held very well after a nasty trip. SWEET AND FEISTY left from the rail, suffered a break due to broken equipment to the 1/8 and was taken inside, recovered well. BET ON THE BAY gapped near the back. JILLIAN B MIKI had to be grabbed into a little behind the breaker, then wound up in the pocket, unplugging before the ¾.
ELEVENTH RACE – LYONS SERENITY was in front before the ¼, proved flexible to drive on the lead, opened up headstretch, then was in control as SAN ANTONIO STROLL made up late ground. The latter was quickly in front, pushed then yielded near the ¼, with this duo well ahead of the others most of the mile, came out in the stretch and paced well but was second-best. CAVIART CARMEL gapped most of the way in third but retained that position to the wire. ODDS ON GAMMA and IDEALINFUN stayed in and got the last two paydays. SHIPNSTROL HANOVER gapped third quarter cover, never a factor. I FORBID YOU was raw off the second curve but never got close.
TWELFTH RACE – CAPTAIN COWGIRL waited outside early then got in gear 3/16 to make the lead 3/8, continued to go fast and had enough to defeat QUEEN OF SUCCESS in a quick time. The latter left with purpose from the pole, forced a tuck, then carried the winner to the 3/8 before yielding for the pocket, itchy to move outside late turn, lost a bit of ground upper stretch while going a weaving path, then settled and was making up ground late. SMUGGLE TINA didn’t have great cover, wide, kicked in midstretch and finished strongly. SILENT CROSSING left, accepted the early pocket, third-in, not a forward factor late. SOMESWEETSOMEWHERE gapped early in the backstretch, then got tighter but didn’t contend. YES AND YES was uncovered 5/8, never gained too much before falling back. FRANTASY HANOVER was last at every call, wide in the stretch but couldn’t make up ground.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ELLIOT MOOSE tucked third to the 1/8, then quarter-moved, kept his foot on the accelerator and was untouchable tonight. ALWAYS BETTER got going uncovered off the second turn and went up in 26.4 to reach the pocket horse, kept going and was a distant second. FLIP MY CHIP followed lively cover, finished steadily. ZEUS HANOVER gapped some at the back before the half, then to the two-wide flow, OK late. PARKLANE TERROR sat in and was shuffled far turn, found room in tight quarters and salvaged a check. MOVE THE LINE left, pushed a foe most of the ¼ and yielded, gapped a gapper far turn, Pocono Pike, couldn’t get in the fight. THANOS was out most of a 26.4 opener, yielded for the two-hole, started to unplug 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SO IRRESISTIBLE was out with cover early then tucked, moved second-over, gapped off turn two then tightened in, three-wide 11/16 to two-wide far turn, drew away in the lane. DELISHKA N was three-wide to the 1/8 to command past that point, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, came out in a blindswitch late turn, followed the winner’s path and was up for second over SLICK ARTIST A. The latter sat in then utilized the Pocono Pike, not quite enough to take the deuce. FIGHTING EVIL was looped early, with cover then uncovered to the lead 5/16, had challengers coming at her, held fairly well. CHECKERED PAST was three-wide with cover then without it, a little too far to come. JUXTA COWGIRL was far back and had traffic issues, had to tell if she had much late pace. NARINA HANOVER gapped at the back. SHADY MADAM left well, moved uncovered before the half, was tired 11/16.
