Jun 29, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A hot afternoon at The Downs … WHAT’S GOIN ON was second-over, three-wide 11/16 when cover began to stall, three-deep the duration, up in the last couple steps in a blanket finish. MARCO BEACH left between horses and was looped, cover to the 3/16 then raw and went on to the lead 3/8, yielded at the half for the pocket, came out past midturn before the winner could pin him in, fought very hard to the line. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was third-over, went four-wide midturn, just failed to reach. ARCHANGEL THREE left well, pushed the fast ¼ and yielded, third-in, to the pocket midturn, Pocono Pike, had a brief lead past midstretch, not far off. RYCROFT N was three-wide most of the way to the 3/16 then two-wide to command at the ¼, yielded 3/8 but was right back out to regain the lead at the half, held his ground well after the fast pace. ROLLINWITHAMBITION was last-over and four-wide with cover late turn, couldn’t reach. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO never factored. PIRATES ALLEY was first-over at the ½, gained a little then stopped gaining 11/16 despite urging.
SECOND RACE – COCKTAILS N DREAMS was looped leaving, left uncovered near the 3/16 and took command off the first turn, rated the half, went along nicely, held off DAGON HANOVER. The latter went to the lead before the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, moved out early stretch when the first-over bore out, did well late but didn’t reach. GOLD STONES never settled inside, worked up first-over, challenged, bore out in the lane but kept going sturdily. PRACTICAL CAT was last midturn, angled to four-wide headstretch and closed belatedly. TRAIN was buried inside, belatedly to the Pocono Pike, evenly. GERARD briefly had the lead then yielded, sat third-in, in tight quarters early stretch but didn’t have all that much late. SWEETIES N ALIBIS got away slowly, backed out to third-over second turn, three-wide midturn but didn’t gain. WHAT A DAME was second-over from last, gapped midturn.
THIRD RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL had early position, moved uncovered 5/8 and advanced, never gave up and snatched the victory on the money. BEACH FORECAST set all the pace, rated the half, then came home in 55.1, but weakened slightly in the last 50 yards. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN tucked fourth 3/16, followed the winner out down the back but gapped until midturn, then hit a better gear and went three-wide for the stretch, did well; BULLVILLE JONATHAN was behind his gapping cover, four-wide nearing headstretch, moving fastest of all late. TERRY A HANOVER sat in, fair along the inside late. SOME DEAL HANOVER went away enough to sit the two-hole, had nothing in reserve late. TRAY SURREAL trailed throughout.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … A wild and woolly one, after which the photo finish man asked for a bonus after all his work in the early races … IC A FREE SPIRIT spotted third, gapped the duelers in the frontstretch then closer to the second turn, moved out before the 11/16, grinded, took the pocket mid-far turn, back out for the drive and just got the nod as the pace slowed late. PURPLE POET was urged leaving, went to the lead in a 26 quarter, pushed the retaker and yielded, then came out early backstretch and went to the lead just past the 5/8, opened a sizable advantage far turn, held the lead to the last steps in a giant performance. PREMIER ROCKSTAR gapped midrace then advanced, three-wide before and through most of the last turn, kept coming on and came up just shy. LEAR SEELSTER stayed connected with the front bunch, eased out to the ¾ to avoid a shuffle, back inside near headstretch, Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite make it. OWEN was last behind dull cover, very wide much of the far turn, too far to come. ROCK KING DEO stayed in, had room to gain inside late backstretch but didn’t, then was blocked behind a fader, never recovered. HEREITIZ was out at the half, badly gapped cover. DAAMERICANSKY pushed a foe to the hot quarter, yielded but came back for the retake, was passed by that foe past the 5/8 and started to back up.
FIFTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE went to the lead to the 3/16, strung the field out and then drew away, with the 1:52.1 time equaling the fastest trotting mile of the year at Pocono. MARION GONDOLIER left well, yielded and stayed tight in the pocket most of the way, held for second over MISS MCKEE. The latter showed good speed then tucked third, came out mid-far turn but couldn’t gain a place. GREAT UNKNOWN went evenly. CHAPOLIER sat last, had some trot on the end between horses. ROBBIE PEV was first to move down the back then got cover, couldn’t get into it. THAT OLE BAR STOOL moved uncovered 5/8 but never gained.
SIXTH RACE – STELLAR BB came through at the start and would not yield despite fractions of :26 and :53.3, had them come at him three-wide down the back but held them in abeyance, went clear with oral encouragement after a very big mile. PUZZLING gapped the top three as they were in a duel, advanced up the inside to the pocket, did well for second. BROTHER JAMES also used the groundsaving route, next in line. GO WEST GO FAST followed cover until tucking third 3/16, gapped the fighters in quarter two, moved off the second turn but had the pocketsitter pull so was three-wide the third quarter, dropped back down to two-wide on the turn, actually held decently. MAJOR DESIRE wanted the lead but couldn’t go by the winner, finally tucked in the pocket past the 3/8, right back out again into the backstretch, also didn’t fade too badly after a very rough trip. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL moved outside then retreated inside. UNICO LEGEND N tried to gain three-wide past the 5/8 but could not.
SEVENTH RACE – KILLER MARTINI originally moved behind the parked horse to the second turn but tucked back in and passed him inside, outside again late backstretch and with a burst went to three-wide 11/16 and wide the duration, went by in the last steps as the pace slowed. UNDERTAKER tucked third past the 1/8, moved with cover then was left raw 11/16, battled on, had a short lead five steps out, just nipped. IDEAL COWBOY went out enough to force tucks and preserve the pocket, narrowed in then moved out down the backstretch and went by 11/16 in fast splits, held the lead past midstretch. LITTLEBITASWAGGER tucked, moved out in a late backstretch blindswitch, cleared a fader then went back inside, next-best. AIN’T IT FUN was never close. WINNING IS SWEET looped rivals four-wide early and went a quick half, challenged down the back, yielded 11/16 and faded. TRENTE DEO had no say in this. MANNY was three-wide most of the ¼ then two-wide raw, faded before the 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – QUEEN OF ALL was away second, moved 3/16 to take command, and left little doubt who was best. ALTUS HANOVER moved uncovered off turn two and gained, not in the league of the winner but very good for second. KENOGAMI COCO was second-over but gapped while in one-gear mode, up for third. MASSIVE OPULENCE sat in and was never prominent. GRAPPLE HANOVER was between horses early, tucked, then gapped a gapper; that gapper was BEYOND ORDINARY, who was three-wide early to the lead 3/16 then yielded for the pocket and was quite loose from the winner the rest of the way. SO LONG HANOVER got a slow start and was always far back.
NINTH RACE – VANILLA MALTED went out between foes and tucked third, raw early in the backstretch and went in 27.2 with the wind to advance and challenge, made the lead early stretch and could not be caught as tacking a 27.1 on the end. DRAGON STRIKES was the innermost of the main leavers and retained the pocket, stayed close, backed out behind the winner early stretch mad did very well. FRANCO TOTEM N was second-over, gapped late backstretch and one-geared it home. SADIQ HANOVER was last behind dull cover, swung wide and finished very strongly. HORSE went on to take the pacesetting duties, moderated the half then got hard pressure, nothing left in the stretch. HE’S ELECTRIC was third-over, gapped a gapper. WESTERN TYRANT never entered the main picture.
TENTH RACE – IM SIR BLAKE A commanded the field with two moves, stepped home in 54.1 – 27 and was uncatchable. SOUTHWIND OZZI was briefly wide leaving, dropped behind cover and then into the four-hole, started uncovered off the second turn, labored to get close to the leader, went on gamely to second late. WILD WILD WESTERN was between horses early, went onto the lead near the ¼, yielded to the retaking winner, wasn’t tight behind from late backstretch. VETTEL N was three-wide much of the quarter before tucking third, struggled to keep up in the last ¼. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was first to move outside and flushed the first-over, but then couldn’t go with him. THE REST were far back throughout.
ELEVENTH RACE – The third dead heat to win of the year at Pocono, and in almost sequential order (on days 19, 40, and 60) … Wind has diminished … COXCOMB sat third-in, angled out early stretch, had a big last 1/16 to be up for the tie with BARRYWHITE HANOVER. The latter stayed in the pocket until headstretch, short lead midstretch, hung on for the DH1. SEAL O’NEILL, a bit hard to manage as he often is, did not like being taken back early, moved outside past the 5/8 but then went back in as cover was no good, had room in the Pocono Pike as the 2-3 horses moved outside and dashed up the inside to just miss. BUTTER UP made the lead, moderated the half and didn’t get pressure in Q3, came up shy late. WESTERN WALTZ moved uncovered at the half but didn’t get into the main action of the race. CAVIART SKIPPER was disconnecting off the second turn.
TWELFTH RACE – STATEMENT MADE A was quickly on the lead, yielded at the ¼ to sit the two-hole, a bit loose down the backstretch and early turn, but had a response when taken to the Pocono Pike and got the nod over SEVENTH SECRET. The latter was third-over, four-wide early stretch and had a giant last 1/16 to just fail. SHANE ADAM was parked to the ¼ to make the top, got somewhat of a breather in Q2 then picked it up to meet a challenger, couldn’t quite retain the lead to the line. MACH WEST was uncovered just past the half, challenged the leader, held well. KAUAI KING was second-over, three-wide late turn, OK but outkicked. DECLAN SEELSTER stayed in, not that much late. INDICTABLE HANOVER broke early, caught the field, but broke again off the second turn.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DONTPASSMEHANOVER moved out past the half, was three-wide as horses abandoned the pylons to avoid a shuffle, got to two-wide midturn, just had enough for the victory. RIFLEMAN followed the path of the winner, couldn’t quite gun him down at the wire. CAPTAIN SLEAZE made the top, yielded to a brusher 3/8, moved out behind the new leader late backstretch, into the pocket again far turn, Pocono Pike, a step shy. PAT MCGARRY A left between horses, took the pocket past the 1/8, moved out before the half, took over to the 11/16 to the fast 3/4s, tired. STELLAR YANKEE was outside in a blindswitch ¾ then back in, not enough late. IMOUTTHEDOOR never entered contention. MAJOR BEAN was three-wide leaving, tucked third at the 1/8, quarter-moved and put up a quick half, challenged down the back and all done once passed 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NYLANDER left, refused the two-hole 3/16 to take over to the 5/16, opened up at the 5/8 and was not threatened. MISTER BOINGA had early speed, sat third until the stretch, where he came out to get a clear second. RED REDEMPTION left strongly to the front to turn one, let the winner go 5/16, went loose in the two-hole 5/16, tired late but still third. KASEVILLE was inside, couldn’t keep up the last ¼. ONE AFTER NINE had very poor cover, ducked back in, had a little on the end. HOOLIE N HECTOR gapped. CHING CHING LUCKY gapped baldy second-over. CHARMING BANK was outside raw down the back but had nothing in the bank the last ¼.
Jun 27, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Seasonal mild temperatures; stretch headwind … PARMESAN N took the early pocket at the insistence of BABES DIG ME and sat there, to the Pocono Pike and just worked by late. The latter was under strong encouragement early and did go on to take the lead, shook off the challenger to his right but couldn’t withstand the one to his left. DO WORK SON may have done better than the line may indicate: three-wide early but took back, was shut out of holes so tucked in his own hole, out uncovered into turn two, went 27 (with the wind) to challenge down the back, finally backed off in the last 1/8 but still was beaten only a length. MUSCLE MACH A had a good journey second-over, wasn’t tight on his cover much of the last half, kicked in a little too late. STARVIN MARVIN kept a hole closed early, inside, so-so. WELL DONE SON was no threat from third-over. GONNAHAVESOMEMORE was at the back most of the way. AMAZON also kept a hole closed past the 1/8, then was not heard from again.
SECOND RACE – GREAT MUSIC left three-wide then was two-wide to get the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went by easily for the opening of Team Whelan’s 2022 Pocono account. JUDGE KEN defended the pocket, quarter-moved, set the pace, no match for the winner and just held second over DICENTRA. The latter was out with cover to the ¾, found her best strides late. CASH FOR GOLD took back between horses to tuck third, came out ¾ but couldn’t gain and went back inside late turn, next. ALEXANDER HANOVER and FRAC were disconnected by the 9/16. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN broke off the turn before the start.
THIRD RACE – STARZZNSTRIPES rushed uncovered at the half and cleared to the lead past the 5/8, had to work to maintain her advantage but did so gamely. MO’S BEST ERA EVA came out on the second turn, soon had good cover then lost it past the 5/8, thought about tucking in the pocket midturn but stayed outside, digging hard right to the finish. CAPTAIN’S STAR went out to the early lead, yielded to the early mover to sit the pocket, was able to back out with cover when the leader was passed late backstretch, three-wide past midturn, couldn’t quite reach. IRISH SONG came along to join the two-wide flow, then angled inside headstretch and continued on. LADY ELECTRA had too much ground to overcome. BETTOR STRAIT N UP took the early pocket, sat in, shuffled far turn as the pacesetter tired. BETTE TINA was not in the mix. I’M A TEEEZ quarter-moved, couldn’t resist the winner’s move past the 5/8 and faded back.
FOURTH RACE – TELENOVELA left well and got in front at the 1/8, rated the half, kept the first-over out, was in control through the stretch. HONORABLE LADY yielded to sit the good two-hole trip, definitely second-best. TURN THE TAB shut a hole on the first turn, backed out ¾ but went back inside, next. PRAIRIE TRINKET needed most of the ¼ to settle inside, gapped down the back. LUCKY LIMERICK started uncovered off turn two and made a nice brush to get into contention, but then tired badly in the stretch. ALDEBARAN ACRUX was away last, to the outside at the ¼ but broke 5/16, suffered “b.e.” and was pulled up.
FIFTH RACE – OPTRIX tucked, moved outside ¾ and gained, went to the lead past midstretch then held off the closers. SCOTTY DEO gapped some inside then was closer at the 5/8, got cover ¾, finished steadily. KOBE B was third-over at the ¾, wide and moving nicely late. UNIQUE STYLE made the lead 3/16, yielded a like distance later to sit the pocket, Pocono Pike, didn’t really seem to have much of an excuse. ACTION SHOT left and yielded, stuck in on the far turn, moved out into a blindswitch headstretch, evenly. MARCH FORTH was four-wide early and broke trying to advance into the first turn, caught the field by the 1/8 and moved out from seventh before the ¼ to move all the way to the top in a slow second panel, didn’t get pressure until the far turn, tired after his early adventures. BULLVILLE REGGIE offered little. IVEGOTTHETAB broke going to turn one.
SIXTH RACE – THNDRFRMTHETHRON N came through at the start to control the throttle, got the outer flow started early by really backing off the second split, then accelerated off turn two and was safely clear the rest of the way (last half 55.3). LUZIANA took the pocket 3/16, slightly loose the last half but held second over CAVIART STETSON. The latter sat in third, to the Pocono Pike, just missed the deuce. I’VE GOT HOOTSPA tucked fourth, uncovered 3/8 in the slowdown, never reached the leader, OK. CAVIART SAGE was five-wide after the gate sprung and quickly took back to tuck, second-over, three-wide ¾, fair. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was not close. BANK PLAYER was originally second-over but gapped and went inside. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH went to third-over in a nonproductive flow, three-wide to the 5/8 and four-wide ¾, flattened.
SEVENTH RACE – TIPSY MONEY was in charge throughout, slowing the half then not letting her rivals reach her. I’M AMUSED tucked third 3/16, moved uncovered at the half and was able to get into the two-hole before the 5/8, stayed fairly close the rest of the way but didn’t loom as a major danger. GINA’S ON FIRE got the pocket early, gave same to the 5/8 as the winner accelerated when the first-over came and then tucked, gapped slightly the rest of the way, evenly late. PEMBROKE MONI moved with cover then lost it to the 5/8, slowly advanced then tired in the last 1/8. MISCHIEVOUS G got the final check. ISLAND DIVA was wide early and then out most of the mile near the rear. CHEROKEE JOY was last when galloping early backstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – PURE WOW moved quickly to the 5/8 and went by in a slow third quarter, drew away. MOJAVE HANOVER followed the winner but couldn’t quite go with her, got into the pocket far turn, went on well late. COOL MISS WENDY was third-over in a lively flow, evenly stretch. CHELIOS made three separate breaks – past the start, near the 5/16, and in the stretch – but complied with the rules and after an inquiry was not placed; in between missteps she showed a good bit of ability. One who was placed was ZAPPA, who went to the lead, yielded to a parked foe 3/8, then was shuffled badly on the far turn, moved out early stretch but took a bad step, broke, went inside, and ran home; placed eighth for violation of the breaking rules. BIG BEN HANOVER left well, yielded, another who was badly shuffled far turn then had to steer around the headstretch breaker. AULTER EGO was not prominent. CRAFT BREW LINDY left, pressed on 3/16 to the lead 3/8, got a slow middle half but still had no answers when challenged to the ¾.
NINTH RACE – ONE OF THE GUYS sat a great pocket trip, outside stretch and marched to the lead. FRAZZLEBERRY tucked third, could have taken the inside route as the winner pulled but backed out behind that one and closed to get second ahead of FLIGHT ONEFORTYSIX. The latter was bothered 5/16, retucked around a balky one, made up ground and came uncovered 11/16, good late. BOBS REDEMPTION set his own pace, came up short in the stretch. THE NEXT TWO got around trouble 5/16, were outside but couldn’t enter contention. UP THE CREEK started to gap at the ¼, put in funky steps 5/16 and jammed up those behind him, fell back to last, couldn’t get into the main contest, placed for causing interference. RENO DINERO never got close.
TENTH RACE – SORTIE moved quickly at the 3/8 to sweep by the leader past the half and went on to trot his third quarter in 27 to draw clear, much the best. VIC’S WINNER yielded 3/16 then pulled the pocket to brush to the top, again yielded early backstretch and was the only one to stay remotely close to the winner. KEEGAN HO was badly shuffled behind a tired one from past the 5/8, free in the Pocono Pike and a distant third. NICE STUFF followed cover but was left raw early backstretch, couldn’t advance enough to get into a yawning 3-hole from the 5/8. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT was far back, a little between horses late. LIFE WELL LIVED pressed on to the lead 3/16, yielded, started gapping out at the 5/8. CREWS HILLTOPPER was shuffled back. BROADWAY MASTER had dull cover but couldn’t go around it when tipped wide far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – MR MCDREAMY made the lead, yielded, came off the first turn but was hung out the entire length of the frontstretch before clearing, set the pace and was equal to this task. DL’S BIG ELVIS left between horses and took a 3-tuck, stayed connected, to the Pocono Pike and good for second. MY FRISKIE BOY, three-wide early, was on top at the 1/8, fought the winner before letting him get the lead, sat tight, outside headstretch, but had no gain. CHANCELLORCULLEN N stayed in, not too much late. JAMAICAN COWBOY went uncovered coming off turn two, advanced no further than midpack with one gear. SKYWAY FIREBALL did not make his presence felt. SOUTHERN FLIGHT gapped cover. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was away slowly and sat last throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – MUSKINGUM went right to the lead, set temperate fractions, then sprinted home in 28.2 to win safely. WILLIE B WORTHY looked at leaving but backed off quickly to third, came out of the hole past the 5/8, held his ground well but didn’t threaten. SHAKE IT OFF LINDY protected the pocket, Pocono Pike but didn’t gain. CRAZYCAT was outside early backstretch, got cover 5/8, OK late. MATT’S MUSCLES sat in then backed out to third-over but gapped. I HAVE A DREAM gapped much of the way. CRITICAL MASS was last all the way and fell far behind the last ½.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DARK HORSE left well and went to the front 3/16, had a horse on his outside but still moderated the fractions, held off the two who were in behind him. NEWBIE was third-in, pinned in around the far turn, shook clear early stretch and gained enough to reach second ahead of ARI ALLSTAR. The latter yielded 3/16 and defended the pocket, went loose past midturn and couldn’t quite retain second although far ahead of the others. CALL HIM ROCKY was looped, cover to the 3/16 then left out in the air, rode outside, held until past midturn, not too bad a mile considering energy used. REYS N A RUCKUS came out off the second turn but saw little prospect in that tier and went back inside, gapped. ARTACUS moved behind the parked horse before the half but gapped. CODE MEISTER faded badly.
FOURTEENTH RACE – J-S JASPER was clear before turn one, went on enough to put a foe in behind 3/16, drew clear the last 3/8. GLIDE IN THE WIND was far back until the far turn, swung wide in the lane and passed many horses. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY was looped, made the pocket 3/16, unplugged 5/8, evenly late. ARCH CREDIT was a bit slow early, finished with trot. TIDQUIST sat third-in, faded the last ¼. PRAIRIE VIRTUE was uncovered off the second turn, with ANDOVERS TOUCH behind him, but neither entered the main picture. PHANTOM RUSTY was a bit off the gate and trailed most of the way.
Jun 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – ARTIST BEST was away second then was on the move early to take over 3/8, under backstretch pressure but shook that off and had a clear lead nearing midstretch, enough to keep off the closers. AWESOMENESS got in fourth 3/16, then was second-over near the half, three-wide past mid-far turn, kicked into high gear a little too late. AMERICA’S GUEST was the first one outside early on the second turn but soon was third-over, four-wide near headstretch, along for third late. BOBBY K HILL went to the lead, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, not tight-up in same the last 3/16. MCNEIL Z TAM was fourth-in, came between horses in the lane with some pace. TOLLY-HO was first-up before the half, challenged down the back, faded midturn. BLACKLIGHT left a small gap at a couple of points, no late factor. LEGAL POWER gapped early, outside but didn’t gain.
SECOND RACE – GIVEM THE GOO quarter-moved to command past the 3/8, kept up a good pace for this class, and drew off in the last quarter. ALL RISE had the early pocket, gapped a gapper early backstretch, then moved out late backstretch to retuck in the pocket midturn, distant second. BILLY RAY HANOVER also struggled to keep close in the brisk numbers, outside on the turn, held third over SCIROCCO PATRICK. The latter was among the strung-out field, had some trot on the end. BRIGITTE BI looked at leaving but then took all the way back to last, not prominent thereafter. CHROME PACKAGE moved out at the half but never made a dent. TAKE SHAPE left well, yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, came up empty to the ¾.
THIRD RACE – BARBOSSA HANOVER took control from the pole, never threatened and won in fast time for a baby debutant. RUSTY BEACH maintained the pocket, a bit loose until unplugging from the leader midturn, held second. ARROYO HANOVER tucked third, tried the Pocono Pike, went evenly. BULLVILLEPANDEMIC went evenly. GAYLE’S ARSENAL didn’t get a good start, disconnecting from the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – Stretch tailwind picking up … PRECISE FASHION sat the pocket until going to the Pocono Pike, had a sharp response to win nicely with a big last quarter for these. MONI’S HEAVEN CENT was sent to the lead, not enough to withstand the winner but enough to retain second late. ROJO MAN sat third, outside midturn, trotted on well late. KOLB HANOVER slid a tuck past the 1/8, stayed connected until the stretch then backed off a little. U BAKE THE CAKE was bothered 5/16 and lost a good bit of ground coming between horses, beat out the breakers. SUNBERRY HANOVER was tucking fourth when going offstride 3/16. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP suffered an “ix” 5/16. LITTLE JOHN left but was a little hard to handle and backed off, got in, gapped then broke 5/16.
FIFTH RACE – FRONDEUR took over past the 1/8, got “walkin’ horse fractions” the middle half, then hit high gear to midturn to open a sizable lead, had enough in the 27.2 kicker to withstand AMBUSHED. The latter defended the pocket, could not immediately turn on the speed when the winner did, but was gaining late in the Pocono Pike. GINGER TREE LENA moved out from third ¾, couldn’t get to the top two but was better than the others. HUNTING SEASON passed a couple of gappers. BLANK CHEEK moved with cover on the turn but gapped. IVY HANOVER started gapping near the half.
SIXTH RACE – CARAMEL MACCHIATO took the early lead and parked foes well past a fast quarter, yielded before the 3/8, waited in the pocket then moved to the Pocono Pike, just got by late as the pace softened. REBEL ROSE moved out at the half and was quickly three-wide to get to first-over, kept grinding, short lead midstretch, almost held. ROMANTIC TILE S was between horses well past the ¼ for the lead, got pressure, didn’t miss by much. PLUM WINE followed the move of the place horse to resettle second-over, fair late. GHIBLI advanced inside in the last ¼ to get the last check. WILD KAT G defended the pocket in the early fighting, sat in, outside stretch but didn’t have quite enough. DIGNITY HANOVER was five-wide early, circled up to three-wide past the ¼, then two-wide before the ¾ and left outside, faded past the 5/8. GOO GOO LU LU was near the back when breaking before the ¾.
SEVENTH RACE – BUILDING BOOST was looped and three-wide early, got in third 3/16, moved uncovered 5/8 and was right up to challenge, got a short advantage past midturn, drew clear late. C-BET HANOVER buzzed away nicely to easily clear, kept up a good pace, was joined by the winner near the ¾, stayed with that one until midstretch, clearly second. SEASIDE MEDITATION moved out at the half, got cover 5/8 but gapped it, along for a clear third. BOOGIEWOOGIEBEAVIS sat in a loose pocket, fell back in the last 3/16. BACK IN MY DAY stayed connected, evenly late. THE OTHER TWO were off the gate and were disconnected from the main bunch before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – BANZAI AS got out in the flow and tightened in to second-over, left uncovered late turn, just got by CHOCO CHARLIE late. The latter moved with cover at the half but soon lost it, grinded up into a fast ¾ and took the lead midturn, soon crossing over, held until the last couple of steps in a good mile. LIVING PROOF I AM was in the good outer flow, three-wide midturn, next-best. TUIS SHADOW was between horses early and finally got into the pocket nearing the ¼, moved outside in a blindswitch midturn to avoid a shuffle, OK late. ZSA ZSA DABOR was last headstretch, made up some ground as the pace slowed. GOES DOWN SMOOTH was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third 3/16, had just moved uncovered at the half when going into a break, recovered but couldn’t repair the error. SUM FOR ALL gapped. JUSTIFY was determined to have the lead and paid a steep fractional price for it, was finished before the ¾.
NINTH RACE – KAY SAGE headed to the front, cut the pace as she pleased, drew away. JAGGED LITTLE PILL defended the pocket early, stayed close most of the way, couldn’t match strides with the winner late but did hold on for second. SWEET GADGETS sat in, gained some in the Pocono Pike. CHANCES ARE IDEAL had cover early then spotted third at the 1/8, raw to the 5/8, got briefly to the leader’s wheel ¾, held evenly in the last ¼. BEST DIVA had an excess of non-great cover and wheeled three-wide 11/16 for the duration, OK. GINGER TREE LESLIE spotted, then backed out to second-over late backstretch, blindswitched, not prominent. TEEN DREAM got underway early but didn’t go forward, blindswitched, didn’t rally. LIZZIANA gapped much of the way.
TENTH RACE – CAPTAIN KEEN was three-wide to the first turn and two-wide past the 1/8 for the top, set fast fractions and was still strong at the end. MAJOR SHOW left between horses, got the top then yielded, stayed tight on the winner almost all of the way, to the Pocono Pike, good in the fast clocking but second. DIVINE RIGHT moved out of third nearing the ¾ and got closer on the turn, fell back late but still clear in third. ALL CHEDDAR had no moves. LOUS SASSIN moved outside but never advanced.
ELEVENTH RACE – BLACK HAWK DOWN was innermost of the quick starters, set the pace and stayed ahead of all the trouble, enough to withstand the late threats. FASHION ON A STAR sat in, looked to struggle to keep up from the 5/8 past the ¾, then was caught behind the breaker far turn and dodged that one at some cost, regathered and came well in the Pocono Pike. BY A HOFF HANOVER slid an early tuck, uncovered 5/8, challenged, went inside in the stretch, OK. IDENTITY POLICE was outside 11/16 but gapped cover, wide around the far turn trouble, next. MUSCLE DYNASTY broke early, caught the field by the ¼, made progress down the back and into the turn, moved two-wide to avoid trouble but went to a run headstretch and galloped home, placed for multiple violations of the breaking rule. BEYOND THE LENS was three-wide to the 1/8, broke soon thereafter, passed a gapper and another breaker. PADRE left between horses to get the pocket at the 1/8, stayed close, then went offstride past midturn and went to the infield. AMBERS CHAMPION was gapping by the half.
TWELFTH RACE – REGENTS HANOVER was up tight on a foe coming out of turn two and soon after started raw, grinded against the wind, made the lead midstretch and just did withstand BULLVILLE FRANK. The latter came out 5/8 and advanced to be tight on cover, saw that cover get away upper stretch, then moving well late to just miss. PRAIRIE HANDSOME gapped in the fast first half fractions, moved wide in the stretch and was doing well late. MIKI MINAJ came out of the pocket at the ¼, was hard-used to clear before the fast half, came under pressure, tired some. IVY STUD was outside but gapped. WAR OF WILL made the front 3/16, pushed a second quarter brusher until relinquishing for the pocket, started gapping before the 11/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BLUEBIRD DEACON tucked, came uncovered at the 5/8 and against the wind trotted right to the lead ¾, well clear for Marcus Miller’s sixth win, five of them for trainer/dad Erv. WINGS UP was well-spotted until the far turn when he got shuffled behind the tired pacesetter, to the Pocono Pike and had a good recovery to be far ahead of the others. TEDDY BROSEVELT was away well for the pocket, backed out as the winner went by to the ¾ and was left raw, won a five-horse photo for third well behind the top two. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved into the second turn, gapped the winner on the backstretch, wide headstretch, so-so. SPIT AND VINEGAR never was a presence. CAN’T SAY NO was wide early, took back for a midpack tuck 3/16, gapped, wide, couldn’t make up sufficient ground. NIGHT FLYER K broke before turn one.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PADUKA N went three-wide to get the early lead, yielded to a brusher past the 3/8 and stayed tight, pulled out 11/16 and went past the leader midturn, enough to win today. BULLVILLE TERROR sat in and was buried inside, found some room before midstretch and was weaving for an open lane while flying. ROCK THREE TIMES was close-up, wound up in the pocket late backstretch then behind a tiring pacesetter far turn, had some gain in the Pocono Pike but caught for second. FRISKIE ALL NITE was looped, looked at tucking but finally decided to move 5/16 to the lead past the 3/8, was passed midturn, came back out for more in the lane but didn’t have a whole lot left late. REDBANK BLAZE A protected position early, moved with cover 11/16 then lost it midturn, OK. JK MUSICMAN was outside in the second half of the field all the way. THE LAST TWO were never major considerations.
Jun 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – High to mid 60s … Stretch tailwind … ARNIE’S ANGEL started uncovered at the half, made her way gradually forward, challenged on the turn, drew away from midstretch. PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL made the top quickly and set the pace of her choosing until the ¾, couldn’t resist the winner but did hold on to the deuce. SHECANDANCE N was well-placed in the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough kick. BRONZE OVER N was third-over, three-wide past midturn, some kick belatedly. ANNE BONNEY N couldn’t do much off a second-over journey. A CRAFTY LADY got in third 1/8, no factor thereafter. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER had the best view throughout.
SECOND RACE – HEART MATTERS followed great cover late backstretch, wide in the lane and just got the lead in the shadow of the wire. ELEGANT CHARM was forwardly-placed, moved out 11/16 and grinded up, took the lead just past midstretch, almost took it all. RED LIGHT LADY was looped early, worked to 5/16 command, not under pressure until midturn, gave way just a little. MATTER OF TRUST went right to the front, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, a bit loose down the back then tighter on the turn, Pocono Pike, outkicked. FIT FANATIC looked at leaving but took back, buried inside, gained steadily with a wall in front of her. MONEY MATTERS was four-high early and three-wide past the 1/8, got in fifth at the ¼, deep Pike, couldn’t go forward. SILENT NIGHT was last at every call though beaten only three lengths.
THIRD RACE – FAST MACHINE had a fine second-over journey, three-wide ¾ through the turn, drew off with a sharp last quarter. CAVIART CARMEL started grinding at the half, made methodical progress, had the lead for a couple of steps early stretch, went on well for second. EAGER TO PLEASE had the lead three-wide going into the first bend, but track geometry intervened and she took the early pocket, inside, Pocono Pike, fair. SOME KINDA ANGEL gapped some third-over, passed a few tired ones. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was fourth-over, had a good last 1/16. BROOKDALE JESSIE seated one foe early then yielded for the pocket, out into the two-wide lane headstretch, not too much late. COVENANT WOMAN was not heard from. BET I’M LUCKY wasn’t: wide to the 1/8, briefly behind cover then onward to the lead 5/16, got pressure, tired.
FOURTH RACE – I’LL HAVE A LINDY, the defending Stallion Series champion, was in front before the 1/8, set comfortable fractions, turned back the first-over then held off the Pocono Pike for her third straight 2022 StS win. ROSALINE kept the pocket tight, took her shot in the Pike, did well but second-best. FASHION PRINCESS didn’t show any high speed from second-over, just up for a distant third. GUMDROP HANOVER advanced uncovered vs. the wind in a moderate third split, went at it with the leader, but was turned away. PHANNYS MATTER worked into third 3/16, not prominent late. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL was not a major danger from third-over.
FIFTH RACE – CAPTAINRYANMICHAEL drifted outside to near the ¼ then was put in gear to the lead 3/8, himself went 28 – 28 – 28 and then kicked home in 27.2 to win by a very big margin. MOVE THE LINE tucked in the early pocket at the 1/8, stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and just second over THANOS. The latter left with determination from the rail, yielded to the winner, couldn’t keep up the last 3/16 and was just edged for place. ALWAYS BETTER tucked third to the 1/8, out raw past the 5/8 but never got close. ELLIOT MOOSE gapped at the back, had some late pace inside. ZEUS HANOVER was in a dull flow, not prominent. TSM BATMAN had very little to offer. FRANK DEFORD moved out second-over past the 5/8 but was soon in retreat.
SIXTH RACE – BAPTISM put WHAT SHOULD I GOO in and went 27.1, 55, 1:23.2 with that one the only one in the zip code, won handily in 1:52.1. The latter tucked second to the 3/16 and did remarkably well to stay close in the co-fastest trotting mile for anybody this year at Pocono. HODA HANOVER led the “second pack” throughout; SISTER SWELL came out on the turn to try to get third but could not. AVACAKES went past a struggling RAVIOLI.
SEVENTH RACE – DC BATGIRL made the lead at the 1/8 and just kept going fast, uncatchable. NUTTINBUTHEBEST yielded for the pocket, couldn’t stay with the winner late backstretch, held second. WHO’S SMOKIN N was third all the way and had that position to the wire over SWEET AND FEISTY. The latter stayed in and looked all-out to keep up, outside stretch and gained a little late. FANCY AND FAST started outside raw past the ¼, never reached the top few. CHIPPER DAISY was outside with little. TSM WESTERN SOUL gapped a good part of the way, then broke past the ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – CHAKE (SHAH-kay) had cover early then went on to take over at the fast quarter, rested to the half, drew away in the last ¼. WILLTOWIN HANOVER was in front just past the 1/8 and yielded at the ¼, stayed tight until the ¾, backed off but still far ahead of the rest. SOUTHERN AUTUMN yielded, sat third, started to gap 5/8, very distant third. LADY MONTAGUE retucked around a straggler then also passed a tired horse. MONIMOVESMOUNTAINS moved outside 5/8 as the third-in started to gap, but herself could not gain. XIOMARA started gapping off turn two. STRAIGHTNOCHASER galloped an 1/8 of a mile before the start.
NINTH RACE – JUXTA COWGIRL defended the pocket, a bit loose much of the last half, but went to the Pocono Pike and easily caught the leader. TSM ARTEMIS T flushed cover before the 3/8 and moved up behind it, left raw 11/16 and made a good move on the turn which she carried on to the wire. IN LOU OF MONEY was between horses early going to the lead 3/16, opened a clear lead 5/8 which she maintained to early stretch, then hit the wall (her first half = 56, her second half = 58.4). BYGONE HANOVER followed a lively flow and had some pace on the end. RIGGINSWIND was three-wide to almost the 1/8, took back, kept out of a hole until past the ¼, soon on the move again raw, gained down the back and retucked third 11/16, gapped on the turn but was a bit resurgent late. RELLA TIVITY shut a hole on turn one, was shuffled to last, couldn’t get into it. LOVELY LADY MAY gapped at several points before giving way for good 11/16.
TENTH RACE – MON CHEVAL came through at the start, moved 3/16 from third to the top 5/16, rated the half, then came home in 56.2 – 27.3, won safely. TIE ONE ON left and made the top, yielded, moved out from third-in late turn and wide headstretch, closed strongly into the fast last quarter. PALERMO HANOVER was first-over into the second turn, speed-grinded the second half and held well. LUISELLA was third-over, wide midturn and around the rest. HL REVINA gapped inside. A PERFECT HELEN was well-placed second-over but couldn’t keep up ¾. EBBIES LADY was three-wide leaving, in front past the 1/8, yielded to the winner and awaited the Pocono Pike, went there but went offstride. VOGUE was fourth-over, went wide but made a break in the lane.
ELEVENTH RACE – Timer malfunction; the fractions were announced as 27.2, 54.3, 1:23.1, 1:51.1 … SIR ELEANOR N, wide leaving, took the pocket past the 1/8, quarter-moved and paced a fast second quarter with the wind to make the top, got a breather against the wind in quarter three, then proved very game against charging rivals in a fast mile. A BETTER GAME took control early, yielded when the winner made her move, a bit loose on the turn but reengaged in the Pocono Pike and gave a good performance. GRACE HILL was well-placed second-over, just couldn’t get there. DRESDEN was first-up off the second turn and gained in the slowest quarter of the race, held her ground well late. BRILLIANT BEAUTY got a forward spot early, gapped much of the way, tighter midturn, had some pace in tight quarters through the stretch. CRAZY CUTE was away slowly, last, gained a little along the inside late. TRAFFIC JAM was third-over, couldn’t get into the main picture.
TWELFTH RACE – MANON was looped early waiting for traffic to clear, then on the move past the 1/8 to the top off the first bend, got a fairly moderate pace, sprinted home in 27.4 but had her mind kept to business midstretch with SAMOSA staying close. The latter looped the field early, yielded for the two-hole and stayed snug, to the Pocono Pike, did very well late. MORE THAN EVER got a forward spot, moved out ¾ but went back in by the bottom of the turn, third-best. ADORE ME moved out second-over ¾ but didn’t gain. VIRGIN MARY S, looking hard to drive throughout, was taken back to tuck, then was back out with cover, lost it to one breaker then retucked fifth after another misbehaver, evenly. DANZNQUEEN HANOVER was out behind cover at the back early, decided to press on but ran on turn two. SHESTHELUCKYONE was inside off the second turn when breaking, causing an “ix” to the slow-starting DREAMONHIGH; the original breaker was placed.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CASIE’S BELIEVER was wide early, tucked fourth 3/16, moved out second-over and slowly got tighter on cover while benefiting from the fractions, three-wide late turn, made the lead late then withstood JERICHO DIVA. The latter had to circle everybody from headstretch and almost got the job done. SURE R LOOKIN GOOD spotted, moved uncovered near the 5/8 with urging, challenged hard, OK. NARINA HANOVER sat in, gapped ¾, then was behind a wall between horses as the pace slowed. DELISHKA N made two speed moves in a fast half, got pressure nearing the far turn, couldn’t hold up late. PRAY THE ROSARY gapped third-over. LADY WARRIOR was on top at the 1/8, yielded to the 3/8 for the pocket, had nothing left late after the fast first half.
FOURTEENTH RACE – IN MY DREAMS made the front then pushed the ¼ before yielding to MEMO, sat behind that one, to the Pocono Pike and by easily. The latter was wide to turn one, onwards to the front at the quick quarter, rated with the wind in quarter two then had to step it up with mild urging against the wind as a outside foe threatened, shook that one off but could do nothing about the winner, did hold second over DYLAN THE GREAT. The latter raced third-in, got room to come out midstretch and had a good late surge. O JONNIE was away last, came up the inside to be next. SWEET HEART AS took a 4-tuck past the 1/8, on the move again raw 3/8, challenged hard in the third quarter, gave ground grudgingly. CHUCKY DE VIE was second-over, three-wide late turn but ineffective. KEYSTONE THUNDER never got into the mix.
Jun 22, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Only 57 degrees, with a stretch headwind … There was a rumor that by the winners circle there was a sign that said “NO CLOSERS NEED APPLY FOR ADMITTANCE” – a day where many two- and three-wide horses looked threatening headstretch, but the inside horses usually got the big money … UCANTTOUCHTHIS moved sharply with the wind before the ¼ and brushed quickly to command, rebuffed the first-over, then held off GUINNESS PANIC by the tiniest of margins. The latter left, wound up third-in, went to the Pocono Pike and gained strongly late. SEVENTH SECRET left alertly to get the top, yielded to the winner, moved out in the stretch, did well but came up shy. BRACKLEY BEACH was second-over, three-wide when cover stalled midturn, OK. MACHDAVID started up raw towards turn two, challenged the winner until tiring midturn. AFLAME HANOVER was third-over, wide and finished with pace from a tough spot. CAVIART ROCKLAND left, took back to third nearing the 1/8, didn’t get back into contention.
SECOND RACE – HEARTLANDBANYSBRO sat third, got to the pocket past the 5/8, to the Pocono Pike and responded alertly for the victory. WINNING IS SWEET was three-wide to 1/8 command, yielded 5/16, vacated the pocket just past the 5/8 and challenged, had the lead on the turn but couldn’t cross over, good to hold second over WHAT’S GOIN ON. The latter started uncovered from midpack at the half then got cover midbackstrech, three-wide late turn, closed steadily. LEAR SEELSTER took an inside route, not enough. DAAMERICANSKY made two moves to control the pace and rolled on, pressured from late backstretch, gave way. IC A FREE SPIRIT was originally third-over, behind dull cover, too far back for an effective rally. A STUD NAMED SAM stayed in, angled between horses in tight quarters with some pace. BROTHER JAMES was in the two-wide flow but couldn’t keep up.
THIRD RACE – ONE AFTER NINE used his inner draw effectively, going on enough early to seat a rival, backing off the half, holding off a far turn challenger, then going clear. HOTFOOT HANNAH raced close-up, tipped out midstretch, angled wide and gained well a bit belatedly for second over HOOLIE N HECTOR. The latter started uncovered into turn two, turned up the speed far turn, then flattened a little late. CHARMING BANK took the two-hole 3/16, well-placed but not enough late. WHAT A DAME was second-over, gapped a little much of the last half. CAPITAL T STORM never surfaced. TRICKY DICK never got into the bigger picture.
FOURTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was wide early in circling to the top, had a challenger at his shoulder most of the way in the quick clip, enough to take the victory. MY WISH CAME TRUE came out behind the parked horse down the backstretch but took a long time to get in gear, uncovered midturn, finished with pace. UNICO LEGEND N gained in a blindswitch around the final turn, went to the path behind the place horse and finished steadily. MAJOR DESIRE was looped and left out on the rim, got to the pocket past the ¾ and held amazingly well. GUNSLINGER HILL yielded for the pocket, loose in same from the 5/8, evenly late. RISKY MILLION moved outside, was behind a gapper and either started to go three-wide to get around him or drifted wide, had little late. THE OTHER TWO were never major dangers.
FIFTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE was looped and three-wide to the first curve, then two-wide to the lead at the ¼, ruthless on the engine and drew away. GREAT UNKNOWN circled four-wide to get the early lead, yielded for the pocket, loose in same from the 3/8, held on to place. MARION GONDOLIER sat third, outside ¾, bore out in the stretch. MISS MCKEE was briefly outside with cover then ducked back in, fair along the inside late. LADY’S IMAGE made a decent recovery from being behind a straggler early backstretch; CUPID HANOVER was that straggler. GRANITE HANOVER gapped most of the last half in last.
SIXTH RACE – SPRINGBRIDGE DUEL waited in third until the 11/16 then came out raw, moved up on the far turn, proved the best in the stretch. CONBOYVILLE was out most of the quarter before taking the pocket, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, outfooted the pacesetter for second. STATEMENT MADE A insisted on being the pacesetter at 26-1, lasted a long way. CIGAR SMOKIN TONY was right behind the breaker at the half and checked, outside late turn and made a good recovery. FRANCO TOTEM N, after spending most of the first half outside, got a tuck in the hole left by the breaker, evenly late. JAGGER ROCKS also had to check behind the breaker, never entered in contention. HORSE got in fourth at the ¼, got into tight quarters with the horse in front of him at the half and made a break. STELLAR BB could not advance into contention.
SEVENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND TYRION was content with the pocket early until coming out of turn two, then went uncovered, battled the leader from the 5/8 to headstretch, then drew away at will. RED REDEMPTION went along at a good clip leaving all but the winner struggling to the ¾, tired in the lane and just did save second over MISTER BOINGA. The latter tucked third, gapped ¾, then found better strides when tipped out before midstretch and almost got second. PRACTICAL CAT advanced some inside, gapped on the far turn, next in line. COCKTAILS N DREAMS was never in the picture. THE IRISHMAN moved outside 9/16, was close on cover late backstretch then fell back. CREDIT CON also went outside to little avail.
EIGHTH RACE – OWEN left well then yielded readily for the pocket and got a perfect trip, outside early stretch and took the decision. RYCROFT N went in front at the 1/8 and set a solid pace, held well to the finish. PREMIER ROCKSTAR tucked fourth, went uncovered 5/8 but never reached the leader, ducked in late turn and went to the Pocono Pike, showed renewed vigor then flattened ever so slightly late. ROUGH ODDS was a bit rough at points and often had a rough time keeping up with the top pair, best of the others. ARCHANGEL THREE moved with cover but faded. DREAM OF LUCK couldn’t keep up. DERECHO developed a problem in the third quarter and fell way back.
NINTH RACE – QUEEN OF ALL went straight to the top and was clear past the ¼, yielded to the favorite and sat a great two-hole trip behind battlers, to the Pocono Pike and summoned enough to gain into a :28.1 last quarter and win. THIRD SHIFT maintained second early, was quarter-moving before he closed the gap to the leader but went right by 3/8, had high heat from the first-over, still came home in 28.1 but got outfooted. NYLANDER came out off turn two and went up in 28 into the wind to challenge hard, held until almost midstretch then gave some ground, big mile nonetheless. DAGON HANOVER sat inside, didn’t have enough late. CHING CHING LUCKY was first to move into turn two, got cover off that turn but couldn’t stay with it. KEYSTONE CECILIA and KASEVILLE were not in the main picture.
TENTH RACE – ALLUNEEDISFAITH N was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide between horses to the ¼, on to get the lead 5/16 and refused to yield, drew away in the stretch. PRAIRIE PANTHER gapped the first half, then in gear quickly early backstretch and three-wide before the 11/16 to two-wide after that spot, couldn’t gain the last 3/16 but paced on to a good second. CAPTAIN ROMANCE left, took the first turn pocket, inside, Pocono Pike after a small shuffle, some pace. THE DARK SHADOW kept a lot of horses parked past a 26.1 opener and up to the 5/16 then yielded, started to fade mid-far turn. IDEAL FEELING was outside on the far turn but couldn’t make up ground. GRAND CAYMAN was four-wide to near the 1/8 and three-wide to the fast ¼, briefly had cover then was left parked 5/16, looped late backstretch. WAR-N-MUNN had a problem early and was pulled up.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAVIART MAX tucked third early, then was underway just before the ¼, had a hard time clearing just past the 3/8 in a fast time (albeit in a wind-aided Q2), rolled right along. GO WEST GO FAST took the pocket at the 1/8, under a hold third-in at the half, outside 11/16, tried to the wire and was rewarded with a second. PLAY THE FIELD put other leavers in behind early, then pushed the winner until yielding past the 3/8, went a little loose midturn, just failed holding second. PUZZLING came out before the ¾, three-wide into the stretch, OK. SADIQ HANOVER was outside past the 5/8, had a foe come out in front of him and was third-over, four-wide into the stretch, too far to come. INDIGO ART was just too far behind on a day not kind to closers. DRAGON STRIKES was not a contender.
TWELFTH RACE – MACMORRIS HANOVER pushed the ¼ then yielded, wanted to retake to the 3/8 but was dissuaded from doing so, came out late turn, made the lead to midstretch, just held off the closing ROBBIE PEV. The latter was third-over, three-wide with cover turn, wider and was moving very well late. JULA MUSCLE PACK was second-over, three-wide past the ¾, good but outtrotted by the horse on his back. AMBASSADOR HANOVER, on a line on the turns, needed until the ¼ to make the lead and reseated an early threat in the fast half, couldn’t hold up to the wire. ALTUS HANOVER got some room deep in the Pocono Pike and made up ground. KENOGAMI COCO struggled inside, had room in the Pike but didn’t have enough kick. STRIKING GENSON gapped at the back. BEERTHIRTY K tucked third early, moved out off the second turn, was tired by the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – LITTLEBITASWAGGER had speed, was well-placed, uncovered 5/8 and went on by to the ¾, drew away. ROLLINWITHAMBITION tightened in along the inside 11/16, had to wait for the Pocono Pike then had response for the distant second. UNDERTAKER was also locked in, found room between horses midstretch and came barreling home to just miss second. KINGSTONS BAD BOY was on top to the 3/16, finally yielded 3/8, moved outside after the winner cleared and was left raw, bore out a bit in the lane. HEREITIZ was three-deep to the 1/8, briefly behind cover then uncovered and needed until the 3/8 to clear, went on steadily but was passed by the winner and started falling back. KILLER MARTINI started the outer flow but then gapped the winner’s cover and wasn’t close. SPORTY DRAGON was not heard from. BARNABAS moved outside but never got close.
FOURTEENTH RACE – DONTPASSME HANOVER started uncovered 5/8, grinded away and caught CAPTAIN SLEAZE late. The latter was on the point before the 1/8, kept a challenger out to the 3/8 before yielding, sat the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, midstretch lead, couldn’t quite make it hold up but good. MAJOR BEAN was underway from third 3/16 to take over 3/8, proved wanting in the latter stages. BEACH FORECAST left and took the early two-hole at the 1/8, sat in until the stretch, moved out, went OK. IMOUTTHEDOOR had excess cover, flying late. RIFLEMAN was uncovered then got to second-over but gapped ¾. GOOD DEAL gapped inside. TERRY A HANOVER was last at every call.
Jun 19, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Right around 80 degrees for the entire card … NEWBIE forced wholesale tucks heading right down the road, had enough to hold together over MR MCDREAMY. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked third, tightened in, uncovered at the 5/8, was never closer than the leader’s wheel until deep stretch, then ate up ground but belatedly. SHARK FANTASY rode the pocket trip, not quite enough late kick. SPINOUT sat in and was last, out into a blindswitch ¾, split horses in the lane with some gain. JAMAICAN COWBOY gapped second-over. SKYWAY FIREBALL had dull cover, three-wide ¾ but himself didn’t gain. ARTACUS never factored. ABSOLUTE INTENT sat in and never surfaced.
SECOND RACE – BLENHEIM was three-wide before the 1/8 to two-wide to the lead 3/16, and from the quarter was in his own world, with the 1:52.4 only 3/5 off the season’s record at Pocono – in the second-lowest class. ANDOVERS TOUCH moved out towards turn two, needed past until the 3/4 to reach the “pocket,” held the need-a-telescope-to-see-the-winner second. SUM FOR ALL gapped cover; he and DIVINE SPIRIT passed bottomed-out horses. ARCH CREDIT left and relinquished, was stuck in as the pocketsitter faded and faded, but had little once clear anyway. B YOYO left, yielded to the winner 3/16, and steady lost ground from the ¼ in the monster (for this class) mile.
THIRD RACE – ROCK KING DEO was three-wide to the first bend, tucked third off that bend, circled the fading pocketsitter 11/16 and kept gaining, outside late turn, proved the best. LUZIANA gapped off the first quarter duel, tighter, outside backstretch but gapped, did better while inside on the turn, Pocono Pike, may have gotten to even or almost even terms midstretch, settled for second. GOLDEN GESTURE went 26.2 to get and keep the lead, tried to steal away down the back with a fast time to the ¾, lasted OK after the fast pace. DJ’S BIG ELVIS couldn’t quite go enough to get into the mix. MY FRISKIE BOY kept the pocket closed on the first turn, was all done shortly into the backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – GRACE AND PRAYER came away midpack, went up 3/16 and kept going to the lead 3/8, drew away through the last ¼. LILYBET left well to overcome PP8 and get the lead at the 1/8, yielded to the winner at the 3/8, stayed close until the far turn, still held the distant second. HONORABLE LADY gapped after the three-holer broke early backstretch, outside stretch, evenly for third. QUINNPATRICKSHEA finished with some trot from far back. PRAIRIE TRINKET gapped a gapper. CANTERAWISHING tried to advance from way back uncovered but couldn’t threaten. DELAVIOUS fell back sharply in the last ¼. CHASE MY LINDY raced into the pocket at the 1/8, made a break 9/16 and went to the infield, pulled up and came back with broken equipment.
FIFTH RACE — CAPTAINS PRINCESS made two speed moves to be in control in front of the stands, then paced home in 55.4 – 27.4 far the best of these. BETTE TINA got an alert start and took the lead at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, stayed close to the 5/8, well ahead of the others. AMARETTO HANOVER took a three-tuck to the 1/8, stayed close to the place horse then moved outside far turn but was tiring late. BEST DIVA circled around the others. GINGER TREE LESLIE moved out to circle a gapper, herself gapped out ¾. MARTARITAONTHEROCKS was always far behind. SWEET KATIE BUG started fading 5/8.
SIXTH RACE – Stretch tailwind picked up … HOT SUMMER KNIGHT made the top, rated the half despite the first parked challenger, then had to deal with a sweeper late backstretch, lost the lead on the turn but crucially didn’t let the challenger cross over, then stayed dead-game to take a nose decision. BROOKROAD MASTER moved out 5/8 and soon three-wide to be first-over late backstretch, had the lead but not the inside on the turn, just edged out. MUSKINGUM kept the pocket tight, Pocono Pike, just a bit shy. CAN’T SAY NO went up a couple of beats late nearing the first turn, urged but couldn’t clear, looped late backstretch, gave some ground in the last 1/4. LAZER JET gaped inside, little. BANZAI AS broke early. LIVING PROOF I AM tried to follow the looping move of the place horse midbackstretch but couldn’t keep up.
SEVENTH RACE – REGENTS HANOVER was in front 3/16 and forced to go a lively clip under pressure from the parked horse, came home in 28.2 but saw much of the field gaining late, held them off. HANDSOFFMYTITOS yielded for the pocket and stayed close, eased out early stretch, got close but didn’t seem a major danger. BEACH VIBES gapped at the half, found a better gear 11/16 and moved out, wide headstretch and gaining on the far outside. BUCHANNON HANOVER was three-wide leaving, briefly had cover then stuck raw on the rim 3/16, kept pacing gamely to the line. ABEL DE VIE kept a hole closed early, inside, not all that much late. BACK IN MY DAY was away last from the rail, gapped.
EIGHTH RACE – NIGHT FLYER K was used past the 1/8 in a good quarter to control the field, had moderate splits the rest of the way and drew away in the stretch. TAKE SHAPE left and yielded to sit the two-hole, perhaps a bit tired late but held second over GAAREAT GAAZOO. The latter sat third, moved out far turn but couldn’t summon enough to be second. ALL RISE had nonmoving cover, three-wide midturn then tucked back in headstretch, far ahead of the others. ALEXANDER HANOVER did manage to get the final payday. BUTTER TOFFEE gapped. LAKEVIEW TAMMY had no more to offer 5/8. TREASURE GEMS K was uncovered near the 5/8, didn’t gain then went backwards in the last quarter.
NINTH RACE – DIVINE RIGHT stayed connected early, uncovered on the second turn and went up in 27.1 vs. the breeze to tackled the leader before the ¾, fought hard with him, took a small advantage midstretch, never widened it but got the nod by tacking on a 27.2 back quarter. ONE OF THE GUYS was the #1 guy past the 1/8, moderated the half then sped up, had a big last-quarter duel with the winner and acquitted himself very well. C-BET HANOVER stayed connected in the pocket, tired a bit midstretch. STEWARDOFTHELAND moved outside but couldn’t go with his cover. QUARANTINI didn’t have much to offer inside. LATEST ATTRACTION was far back. SKY CAPTAIN was gapping by the 3/16.
TENTH RACE – BELIEVER was four-wide to the first turn and then three-wide the rest of the bend to get the lead, rolled on at a good clip, just held together over VIC’S WINNER. The latter forced the fast ¼ then yielded, came out of third just past the 5/8 as the two-holer gapped, made steady progress only to just come up shy. CRAZYCAT was not close to the action, three-wide far turn and gained; WILLIE B WORTHY tried to follow that one but couldn’t stay with him. PAPI HANOVER was briefly three-wide early then between horses to the ¼, wound up in the pocket, started to unplug 5/8. SHAKE IT OUT LINDY moved out on the far turn but had little to offer. MISS MUSCLE was last, gapping by midbackstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – BELLOWS BINGE took a tuck, moved just before the ¼ in front of the parked horse, got that lead, stepped home in 27.2 to keep firm control. ARTIST BEST was wide early, battled then took the early pocket just past the 3/16, inside until coming out 5/8, retucked into the pocket midturn, clearly second. Close for the distant third: I’VE GOT HOOTSPA came up the inside to grab the show dough on the money. HEARTBEAT HILL sat in, edged out headstretch, not too much. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was last, out into the “flow,” evenly late. CAVIART SADE swept three-wide into the backside to clear a faltering horse, got to second-over, gapped out. FOUR-STAR FLASH went through at the start for the lead, yielded, got loose in the pocket at the ¾. ARTISTS RUFFLES was outside midpack until the half, where he developed a problem and was pulled up.
