Jun 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 70s; stretch tailwind … INDIGO ART trailed three-wide cover before the ¾, swung four-wide late on the turn and just paced over the field. PUZZLING sat in, blocked the first half of the turn then could advance, to the Pocono Pike and finished well but didn’t have the momentum of the winner. MAJOR DESIRE kept the pocket closed during the wild front-end battle, came out into a blindswitch far turn, angled wide for clearance midstretch and finished nicely. PLAY THE FIELD went right to the top and wouldn’t surrender the lead in hot fractions, didn’t fade too badly the last 1/8. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS followed three-wide cover, lost it midturn, didn’t gain from there. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL was the first to come out behind the parked horse and the first one to go three-wide 5/8, was able to swing to two-wide midturn but was tired at that juncture. SADIQ HANOVER was looped leaving, had to race on the rim raw in supercharged fractions, backed off in the last split.
SECOND RACE – SEXY BLUE CHIP would not yield during a 26 opener, got a 58.3 middle half, then could sprint home in 27.2 to ward off MY WISH CAME TRUE. The latter was urged leaving and was ahead of the winner much of Q1 but couldn’t clear, finally accepted the pocket at the 1/4, came out headstretch, may have wanted to run in a little, gained but just missed. MUDVILLE gapped off the 26 fight early, got closer, then fell back at crunch time but preserved third over OCTAVE. The latter was wide early, in fourth to the 3/16 and stayed in, evenly. SEAL O’NEILL was uncovered into turn two, gained some during a pedestrian third quarter, not enough sprint late. HOOSIER SHARK, away slowly, went three-wide midturn to try to circle cover but couldn’t. THE OTHER TWO were never in the main picture.
THIRD RACE – CHAPOLIER was between horses to the lead before the 1/8, yielded before the ¼ but was on the move right after that spot and took over, much the best today. WHAT A DAME was uncovered on the second turn and went 27.2 down the back to briefly challenge, took the pocket on the turn, held second as the 41-1 second choice. CAPITAL T STORM gapped cover down the back, left raw on the turn, had some finishing kick. TRICKY DICK gapped the gapping pocket horse down the back, not close. TRAIN was three-wide to the first turn and to the lead 3/16, but wasn’t on the engine long as the winner came calling, couldn’t keep up the last 3/8. NEWSBOY was stuck behind a bad gapper, came back on a little in the Pocono Pike. CHING CHING LUCKY never got close; nor did LAZER JET.
FOURTH RACE – RYCROFT N went three-wide to the top on the first bend, was fired up and rolled in fast fractions, in control of this to the wire. DAAMERICANSKY sat in the pocket, had his head cocked left at several points, tried to the wire but was second-best. AWESOMENESS gapped cover down the back, went in on the turn, gained along the inside through the stretch. LITTLEBITASWAGGER moved out 5/8 and went right up after the leader, tired and bore out in the last 1/8. DERECHO couldn’t stay connected.
FIFTH RACE – ALTUS HANOVER gapped inside from the ¼ to the ¾, found room early stretch and found a better gear midstretch, just up in time for The Trot Man. CUPID HANOVER set all the pace, withstood a very hard challenge from the first-over, just succumbed late. INNISFALLEN tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved out to the 11/16 but couldn’t keep with cover, did better late. DYLAN THE GREAT raced in the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, came up a bit shy. SHADRACK HANOVER moved uncovered early on the second turn, made a big challenge down the back, then bore extremely wide while tiring through the stretch. MISS MUSCLE and VIC’S WINNER gapped at the back.
SIXTH RACE – PAT MCGARRY A was on top at the 1/8, got a soft half for this type, then sprinted home in 54.3 – 27 as an easy winner in the last 3/16. IMOUTTHEDOOR kept the pocket tight until the far turn, was in a fight for second with BULLVILLE JONATHAN until that rival broke late. The latter moved second-over and was tight on good cover, three-wide midturn, was in the fight for place when breaking very late; an inquiry gave no reason for a placing. SOUTHWIND PETYR was stuck outside midpack until getting in past the ¼, soon again outside third-over, followed cover wide on the turn, finished well. TERRY A HANOVER raced inside, couldn’t gain late. TUGGIN ON MY HEART also sat along the pegs, not prominent. BEACH FORECAST was last most of the way. COXCOMB moved uncovered 3/8, went up in 27.1 to challenge the third panel, but backed off in the last ¼.
SEVENTH RACE – TRENTE DEO quarter-moved from third, didn’t get much pressure, stayed in control by coming home in 27.2. PIRATES ALLEY left for the front and put others in behind, yielded to the winner, stayed relatively close and far ahead of the rest. BLOW A CLOUD N took the early pocket at the 1/8, then third-in, gapped at the ¾, still held off the rest. BOBBY K HILL tucked fourth at the 1/8, inside, Pocono Pike, so-so. KILLER MARTINI moved second-over, three-wide 11/16 when the first-over didn’t reach the leader, but was left out deep the rest of the way and did not factor. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO weaved between horses in the stretch, shut off nearing the wire. A STUD NAMED SAM was third-over, very wide into the stretch, didn’t reach. MANHATTAN BEACH was first-up before turn two, never did reach the leader and gummed up the two-wide tier.
EIGHTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING slotted third early, underway 5/8 and quickly in high gear to go right by to the ¾, drew off in 1:52.1, the fastest trotting mile of the year at Pocono. THIRD SHIFT spotted fourth, seemed to have his head a bit cocked at times, was out behind the winner but couldn’t keep up, went on to get second but not in the league of the winner today. TOP ME OFF joined the outer flow and trotted a nice mile. QUEEN OF ALL went out for the pocket, got badly shuffled around the far turn when the leader faded. THE IRISHMAN never factored. MISTER BOINGA went out to the lead and set quick fractions, no answer when the winner moved up and faded the last fraction.
NINTH RACE – UNDRTHSOUTHRNSUN N went in front towards turn one, yielded 3/16 to sit the pocket behind the favorite, to the Pocono Pike, had a real donnybrook with that one through the lane, shaded 27 coming home to get the nod. PRIMARY COLORS pressed out to command 3/16, went along crisply, fought heatedly against the inside challenger and came up just shy. SOME DEAL HANOVER came out to the 11/16, didn’t start gaining until the far turn, went a big mile behind the top pair. GUINNESS PANIC pushed early then yielded and stayed tight third-in, outside in the stretch, kept up well. CERTIFIABLE stayed in and gained some late. HIGH BALLER gapped second-over. RIFLEMAN was not heard from.
TENTH RACE – ULTIMAROCA was extremely quick off the switch to command, hung out a foe out 3/8 before yielding then reclaimed the lead at the half after scorching fractions (26.3, 53.4), didn’t have too much pressure in an impressive victory. STRAIGHT UP COOL was uncovered at the half, never reached the leader, but one-geared home determinedly to keep the place. LETS ROLL was looped, as noted out 3/8 in very fast fractions for the lead then yielded at the half, couldn’t quite retain the deuce after possibly being bottomed as involved in those numbers. AFLAME HANOVER was second-over, three-wide ¾ but couldn’t rally significantly. ROCKAPELO was outside, not prominent. IDEAL FEELING was buried inside, between horses late, hard to tell if he had clearance. CAVIART ROCKLAND kept up in the wicked first half, backed off in the last quarter.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAVIART MAX was parked with cover early, left raw before the 1/8 and went up to get to the point 3/8, kept a parked-the-mile foe outside then rebuffed a sweeping challenger on the turn, rocked out to a clear victory. DRAGON STRIKES was first to clear, yielded at the ¼, came off the rail midturn, had late pace for the no-factor second. STELLAR BB was out most of the ¼, yielded 3/8 and sat in the two-hole, couldn’t quite keep pace the last 3/16. IDEAL WHEEL moved behind the hung horse, three-wide past the 5/8 to uncovered ¾ and challenged but couldn’t sustain the move. ROUGH ODDS was inside, had pace with stretch clearance. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK was inside, empty the final ¼. SULLIVAN never factored. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was three-wide to the 3/16 then fell in behind cover, left two-wide raw 3/8 and was doomed to that trip, fell back before the ¾.
TWELFTH RACE – DRAGON SAID had the lead before anyone could focus their binoculars and was well ahead much of the way, rating quarter two then coming home in twin 27s (the first against the wind). CAPTAIN ROMANCE did the best he could in the pocket against the monster, did hold second over MACH WEST. The latter stayed close to the pocket horse but couldn’t catch him late. BAMSKI stayed in, gapped the last ¼. THE WALL ducked in from third-over on the far turn and got the last check. FULL SEND first sat in then backed off to follow cover early backstretch, but the cover, FRISKIE ALL NITE, didn’t gain, and neither did the one behind him.
THIRTEENTH RACE – RICH AND MISERABLE had a good trip second-over, left uncovered two-wide on the turn, trotted to the top late. MARION GONDOLIER kept going until reaching the top before the 3/8, went on at a good clip, had very gamely to the line in an impressive showing. MACMORRIS HANOVER spotted third 1/8, came uncovered 5/8, could tuck in the pocket early far turn, Pocono Pike, good. KENOGAMI COCO took back early, gapped in the outside flow, one-geared much of the last half. LADY’S IMAGE had steady finishing trot from last. BUZZ went out to the lead, yielded to a challenger 3/8, didn’t have much sting in the latter stages. MASSIVE OPULENCE was never in the picture. LUCKY WEEKEND sat in, wasn’t keeping up 11/16.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SOMEBADDUDE waited off the fractions until the 11/16, advanced on the turn, drew away in the lane. GET LIT took back to tuck third, backed out behind the winner far turn, just second over BULLVILLE TERROR. The latter was locked in down the backstretch and early turn, then shook loose and finished rapidly to just miss second. HURRIKANE EMPEROR, in a style he’s used before, set science-fiction fractions, tired the last 1/8. WESTERN TYRANT gapped most of the way around, then had some pace between horses late. KILOWATT KID N defended the pocket then got bottomed out chasing the lightning pace. PATERNITY SUIT A rode outside near the back. PARMESAN N had nothing to offer.
Jun 5, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 90 degrees, with a stretch tailwind … SAMMY THE BULL N left between horses and tucked in the pocket 3/16, a bit loose down the back, but got into a better gear when coming out early stretch and just up late. ROYAL HEART was the innermost of the leavers and got everybody in behind, went on at his own pace, began to get tired nearing midstretch and just failed to last. ROCK KING DEO was the first to move, soon got cover, went three-wide late on the far turn, a clear third. ARI ALLSTAR was inside, caught behind a tired one around the turn, moved out a path early stretch, so-so. BAKLOUVA got a spot third early, started to gap out 11/16. DARK HORSE couldn’t keep with the three-wide flow far turn. CAFFEINE BUZZ gapped near the rear. GOLDEN GESTURE was three-wide past the 1/8, too back behind cover briefly then tucked fourth before the ¼, came out raw into the backstretch but had little more to offer.
SECOND RACE – CRAFT BREW LINDY took the early pocket, sat in and wound up third-in, backed out into the flow late backstretch, was able to duck all the way inside and to the Pocono Pike with the gap left by the breaker, rallied for the tally. MR ZUANETTI was out behind cover to the second turn, left uncovered early backstretch and moved up, took over command after the leader broke past mid-far turn, not quite enough late. MUSCLE HALL was wide early then spotted fifth, moved out into the two-wide flow, left uncovered late turn, couldn’t go with the top two late. FAMOUS DAN joined the outer flow from far back, wide stretch and closed well. CHROME PACKAGE sat in, gapped, avoided any trouble late far turn, got the last payday. TAKE SHAPE went out to a big lead in a fast opener, was challenged at the half and yielded, was gapping out far turn when having to take up to avoid the breaker. MALONE broke past the start. EDEN ONTHEHILL tucked third before the ¼, then was out again 3/8 and moved to command entering the backstretch, got to the ¾ in quick time for these, appeared to still be moving well when breaking just past midturn.
THIRD RACE – SOLARCTIC spotted third, followed KINGSTONS BAD BOY out of the second turn, was left raw then retucked in the pocket nearing the ¾, outside for the drive, got there in the last steps. The latter left, wanted the lead but settled for the pocket 3/16, moved to clear the 75-1 leader early in the backstretch, still had a length advantage past midstretch but couldn’t sustain to the wire. JAMAICAN COWBOY moved on the second turn, got cover that wasn’t so hot, three-wide far turn, next in line. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N got forward positioning early, moved out but couldn’t go with the top two and was left raw and gapping, not that much. DJ’S BIG ELVIS gapped inside. PETER PUMPKINEATER sat in and was shuffled to last, had a touch of belated pace. CODE MEISTER roared away, forced a tuck, yielded not too long into the backstretch and fell back. SPORTS TEEN broke before the start, caught the back of the field but never was in contention.
FOURTH RACE – HEART MATTERS made the lead at the 1/8, yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, pulled out from same early backstretch and with a quick move went by the leading MATTER OF TRUST, then was all-out to defeat that resurgent one. The latter was four-wide towards the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, then two-wide to ¼ command, yielded to the winner’s brush early backstretch but stayed close, came out early stretch and finished steadily to just miss. HONORABLE LADY was left a gapping third at the half when a foe broke, gradually narrowed the gap from there to the far turn, couldn’t go with the top two late but got the show dough. PRAIRIE TRINKET was in a thicket of leavers and took back, evenly. RAVIOLI took the inner path to the final check. GIRL FROM QUEENS moved out down the back from far back, never got close. JAKARTA PARTYGIRL settled third, broke at the half. OK SUNNY was badly gapping when breaking ¾.
FIFTH RACE – THE BOSS MAN went in third at the 1/8, moved out late turn, ran down ROJO MAN approaching the wire. The latter moved out from fifth early in the backstretch and steadily gained on the leader, challenged him on the turn and made the lead into the stretch, almost lasted. SUNBERRY HANOVER set a fairly moderate pace, but couldn’t fight back when challenged. U BAKE THE CAKE was out second-over, gapped and ducked in on the turn, Pocono Pike, evenly. COMELETUSADOREHIM started to gap late on the backstretch. FEAST DAY left and went up, looking to clear when putting in some bad steps and going about five-wide nearing the quarter, recovered and rushed up in quarter two, only to have the same thing happen, fell back. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP misstepped off the turn before the start.
SIXTH RACE – FAST MACHINE was behind cover early, found a 4-tuck 3/16, uncovered off the second turn and went head-to-head with the leader from the 5/8, finally put that one away before midstretch, then held off IRISH SONG. The latter spotted fifth, then got a dream second-over trip, found her best steps a mite too late. SHES A BULLVILLE was looped, went up and dropped in the pocket nearing the ¼, to the Pocono Pike, couldn’t go with the top two but photoed ONE EYED WANDA for third. The latter had good energy to quickly get the lead and put others in behind her, had severe pressure outside her from the 5/8, started to give in early stretch. ASHLEE’S SUPREME was caught inside well off the top four, along for the last check. SWEET KATIE BUG was away third, backed off later in the backstretch. RAINBOW RISING never got into it; nor did HELLRUNNER HANOVER, although she had the excuse of “b.e.”
SEVENTH RACE – AMBERS CHAMPION moved out second-over, three-wide midturn, kept at it determinedly and was just up as the pace slowed. LADY MONTAGUE circled foes four-wide early to two-wide, made the lead at the 27.4 ¼ (fast for these) and cut the pace, got away from the first-over late turn and was still a length ahead approaching deep stretch, but the hard early work caught up to her in the shadow of the wire. CHASE MY LINDY advanced well third-over, three-wide with cover far turn then four-wide headstretch, also benefited from the slowing last ¼ as narrowing in. PLUM WINE spotted third, came uncovered 9/16, moved up down the backstretch, flattened a bit the last 1/8 but did OK. AULTER EGO took back to tuck early, inside, so-so. WILD KAT G and GOO GOO LU LU gapped down the back. IVORY ROAD left and pushed the quick quarter, sat in the pocket, well-laced headstretch but had nothing left.
EIGHTH RACE – HUNTANOVER quarter-moved after an early challenger broke, went a quick second split with the wind, in control to the line with a good sprint home. BOBS REDEMPTION was quickly on top, had a rival break trying to get the lead from him near the ¼, then yielded to the winner 3/8, stayed close to the stretch, clearly second. STUN GUN stayed in, gapped far turn, still third. LENDA HAND MAN got going in the outer flow down the back, three-wide late on the turn, passed horses to be fourth in a photo. PROSPECTORS GOLD was looped, went up and was challenging for command just past the 3/16 when breaking, recovered but was left on the rim uncovered, one-paced, didn’t do badly in recovery. STEWARDOFTHELAND wasn’t prominent. HUNTSVILLE PLACE was buried last-in, couldn’t find room between horses late.
NINTH RACE – BY A HOFF HANOVER left and yielded, moved uncovered before the 5/8 and cleared to the lead 11/16, drew away. KASEVILLE was four-wide to the first turn going around a breaker, to two-wide and to the lead, pushed an early brusher before letting him go nearing turn two, then had to wait to back out from behind “the old leader” as “the new leader” rushed by, steadily but never came close to making up enough ground. GIVEM THE GOO gapped a bit in quarter two then was tighter, moved outside on the turn, found a little bit more speed late to get third. PADRE was on the move before the ¼, needed the length of the frontstretch to clear, passed easily 11/16 and fell back. SLEW FOOT never factored. BEYOND THE LENS had a head in front three-wide when breaking going to the first bend, recovered and got back to second-over, but couldn’t gain more from midbackstretch.
TENTH RACE – HE’S A SNOB was three-high to curve one, out most of the :26.4 opener, rated quarter two, then came home in 56.1 – 28 and held off challengers. HURRIKANE MON AMI was uncovered at the half, challenged from the 5/8, lost a little ground coming off the far turn but continued on doggedly to reclaim second. MELANIE’S NICK cleared into turn one and pushed the ¼ before yielding for the two-hole, Pocono Pike, gave way a little. FRAZZLEBERRY sat in, had late pace deep in the Pike. MATTERS MOST was third-over, took a blindswitch late turn, came between horses midtrack late and was OK. BLUESVILLE got a great trip second-over, three-wide midturn but came up empty. CAPTAIN BUTLER gapped a bit early, moved closer and got into the flow, three-wide at a distance far turn, wasn’t in the man picture. REGENTS HANOVER was a gapping last when breaking late backstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAGICAL JOURNEY was three-wide early to the lead past the 1/8 in a 26.4 first stanza, got a breather in quarter two then picked it up to meet a challenger, shook that one off, was threatened by PAPI HANOVER up the inside late but showed courage to hang in a quick clocking. The latter left between horses and raced up tight in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, did well but just missed. GRAPPLE HANOVER got early forward position, moved 5/8 to go after the leader, couldn’t sustain late but kept going for third. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT stayed connected along the inside but couldn’t gain late. PRAIRIE VIRTUE gapped at several points, got the last check. CRAZYCAT followed cover, tried to rush up three-wide 11/16 but could not. RIVER OTTER was outside before turn two but never entered the main picture. WILLIE B WORTHY broke 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – GO SUE ME strung a foe out well past the ¼, yielded then went for the retake, on top again at the ½, had no rest fighting the first-over, with these two joined by a wide horse on the turn, but the winner showed gameness (even if the last quarter was 30). SPORTSMANSHIP moved with cover towards turn two and was soon left uncovered, went up to battle and had a small advantage late backstretch, but couldn’t clear, held stubbornly to the line. The unlucky ARTACHE HANOVER left here (maybe remembering last week) but was a grinding horse up to get the lead 3/8, yielded past the half, backed out behind the first-over, then was three-wide from mid-far turn, fought on but came up shy. AIN’T IT FUN was inside, spent half the stretch angling wide and then narrowed in as the pace softened. HOT ROD DYLAN was three-high to the 1/8, then with cover, got in third, wound up in the pocket down the back, Pocono Pike, not far away. DRY RIDGE ACE tried to follow three-wide cover far turn but didn’t have enough. BEACHESBECKONME gapped inside before breaking off turn two.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ZOOMING was third-in when the two-wide tier stayed intact, snuck out on the far turn as the “second-over” backed off, moved three-wide just past midturn, the best in the stretch. KEYSTONE SERGEANT was three-wide to turn one then left outside to battle the leader throughout, didn’t have the winner’s kick but showed enormous courage to go on for second. CRITICAL MASS sat in and was last, gained some on the turn then could angle behind the top two midstretch and was along for third. ALL RISE made the lead at the 1/8, parked rivals, couldn’t hold up in the lane. SUM FOR ALL moved out behind the parked horses, three-wide before the ¾, couldn’t keep the winner pinned in in a blindswitch at that crucial juncture and again gapped slightly to let a foe get clearance early stretch, fair late. MOSCONI HANOVER yielded and sat in the pocket, Pocono Pike, no gain. SCIROCCO PATRICK was never prominent. TUIS SHADOW was first to show at the start but was left with a horror trip via track geometry, three-wide 5/16 before taking back to follow two-wide, fell back.
Jun 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Low to mid 80s … Stretch headwind … WINNING IS SWEET was three-wide to clear at the 1/8, immediately yielded to the brusher, stayed in the pocket to the Pocono Pike, inched by a stubborn JANAID. The latter was innermost of the three leavers, relinquished but immediately moved to retake, s-l-o-w-e-d quarter two, held very stubbornly in the stretch. DARTH FADER was between horses and looped, went in third 3/16, back out at the half, didn’t reach the leader until the ¾, held his ground OK. ARTISTS RUFFLES was underway 3/8 and got cover at the half, gapped early turn then got closer then three-wide headstretch, not bad late. BETTORS WESTERN gapped in a midpack tuck behind the three early contestants, stayed in, appeared to have room deep in the Pike but faltered a little late. SOUTHERN FLIGHT looked hard to take back early, sat last, swung widest in the lane and came on some. SCRAPPIN GOLD backed out to third-over but had little to offer.
SECOND RACE – SPINOUT moved out 5/8 and rushed up, blew right by past the ¾ and won in a laugher. MR MCDREAMY got the pocket, outside when the leader tired early turn and soon left raw, went on to be a clear if distant second. SHARK FANTASY got around the faltering one but didn’t have that much. SPIDER MAN HANOVER couldn’t begin to stay with his cover, letting horses to get out and avoid a shuffle, inside midturn, outside again stretch but not that much. CHANCELLORCULLEN N stayed in and got the last check via the Pocono Pike. REYS N A RUCKUS set the pace as he pleased, nothing left in the last quarter. BEACHMASTER TWO was off the gate, trailed, not prominent.
THIRD RACE – FOUREVER BOY was three-wide early, to two-wide then took back to tuck nearing the ¼, moved out near the 11/16, grinded to the wire and won by the closest margin possible. SIX FEET APART went on between horses to the lead, yielded and sat the pocket, one-geared in the Pocono Pike, may’ve had a nostril up near deep stretch, just edged. CAPTAIN COWBOY was four-wide early, was beginning to back off when the winner also took back and went on three-wide to challenge past the very fast ¼, two-wide and made the lead 3/8, held his ground very well after hard early usage. BET A BUNDLE was innermost of the four leavers, yielded, stayed in, not clear in the stretch. LOUKES PERRY did not get a quick start, moved with cover ¾, wide, only two lengths off at the wire.
FOURTH RACE – CODE CRACKER was three-wide early, to the lead 3/16, yielded, out of the pocket 5/8 and went by nearing the fast ¾, went clear early stretch but hustled to the line and held off HECANDANCENCRUISE. The latter was behind dull cover late backstretch, found his best strides ¾ and gained well three-wide on the far turn, almost got there. BAY CITY stayed in, then backed out with cover on the turn, steadily, outkicked. WEHADABABYETZABOY was last during the fast tempo, finished well. LOU’S BEACH was uncovered 9/16, got cover 5/8 but lost it ¾, challenged, tired. JK MIKI MANTLE was four-wide towards the first turn, went on two-wide to the lead just past the 26.1 opener, got pressure 5/8 and surrendered ¾, faded. MASK ON MASK OFF moved out down the back but had little, ducked back in, far back.
FIFTH RACE – NEW VIEW was three-wide leaving, made the front before the 3/16, set the pace without pressure, then had TONY’S MOM mount a late charge and just did hold on. The latter made the lead towards turn one then relinquished to sit the two-hole, edged out past headstretch, found her best strides midstretch, came up just a bit shy. JAGGED LITTLE PILL struggled to keep up in third at a few points, tired, did hold on to show. SWEET GADGETS sat in, waited for outside clearance, got it midstretch and almost was along for the distant third. KILEE ROCKS was far back, moved out on the turn then had to swerve inside the breaker midturn, got the last payday. AMARETTO HANOVER moved uncovered off the second turn but wasn’t in the main hunt. TEEN DREAM was not prominent. BEST DIVA was behind nongaining cover, starting to tip three-wide midturn when making a miscue and suffering “b.e.”
SIXTH RACE – DANCIN SANCHO maintained the early pocket, sat in then backed out with great cover 11/16, came on steadily and took the lead deep stretch. JO PA’S WARRIOR looked at leaving but took back, uncovered 9/16 and went up to challenge in 27, took over late on the turn, couldn’t quite make the lead last. GOOD DEAL used the rail to advantage early, left a foe go 3/8, had to back out late turn to avoid a further shuffle behind a tiring leader, best of the others. WAR OF WILL was off the gate and last much of the way, picked up the rest. DANGER ZONE looked a little steppy early, outside and pressed on to take over 3/8, was challenged down the back and through the turn, gave way an 1/8 out. DONTLIKEITLEAVE stayed in, Pocono Pike, no late response. CAUGHTINALANDSLIDE was outside 5/8 but wasn’t a big factor.
SEVENTH RACE – JOYGO quickly crossed over to control, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, retightened towards the ¾, to the Pocono Pike and by late. BULLY BOY HILL came out from third before the ¼ and took over 3/8, got some pressure on the far turn but shook that one off, then just failed to hold the lead to the end. JETBORNE came uncovered into turn two and speed-grinded up until late on the turn, then fell back but was still far ahead of the others. ANOTHER LONG SONG faded in the last half. KOLB HANOVER was never prominent. WINE BAR left and was eyeing a possible tuck when breaking early, recovered but stayed at the rear. IT IS WELL came out down the back but didn’t gain. THE GOGESTER started to lose contact before the half.
EIGHTH RACE – BOSTON needed until past the ¼ to find a spot inside, moved second-over and initially gapped then tightened in, three-wide late on the far turn, finished powerfully to take it all. ROCKNROLL GOLD was wide leaving to 1/8 command, rated to the half then faster down the back, could not withstand the late burst of the winner. WORLD FOR TWO was able to sit in the pocket, a bit loose much of the backstretch then closer, Pocono Pike, not far off. ONE OF THE GUYS was looped and tucked third at the 1/8, went uncovered before the 5/8, got no closer than the leader’s wheel but stayed on OK. BUILDING BOOST gapped a little third-over as the backstretch pace picked up, then in gear and four-wide headstretch, gained some. CAPTAIN COOK was never prominent. CAMOUFLAGE MONEY was going forward between horses early when making a break, caught the back of the field, broke again 5/8.
NINTH RACE – LEVITATION was first-over into turn two, gradually advanced, went to the lead when the pacesetter broke, didn’t go much of a last quarter but it was enough for the victory. POSSESS THE STONE maintained the pocket, a bit loose late backstretch, then had to check and be steered inside the breaker late turn, had a good recovery. KEYSTONE THUNDER tucked fourth past the 1/8, inside, also had to check with the far turn incident, held third over ZSA ZSA DABOR. The latter was off the gate, hadn’t moved until going wide around the trouble, finished well. BANZAI AS was uncovered 3/8 then picked up cover, gapped it, then was shoved wide by the breaker. WHATS THE WORD took the lead, slowed the second split then picked it up, still in control when breaking past midturn. CHOCO CHARLIE was off the gate then broke early.
TENTH RACE – NIGHT HAWK took back early, was on his own until the 11/16 when he moved raw, moved to engage the leader rounding the far turn, got a short advantage upper stretch but was kept “in Thunderdome” by the resilient MAD MAX HANOVER, did prevail in a Pocono season’s record 1:48.4. The latter was parked to a fast quarter for the lead and continued to roll in hot fractions with no challengers until the winner came, held his ground very impressively. LAYTON HANOVER showed very high speed to quickly get the lead, pushed the fast ¼ then yielded for the pocket, stayed close until midstretch, held on to beat the others. VICIOUS backed out behind the winner midturn, went on well in the fast mile. JM’S FINALTREASURE wasn’t quite keeping up at the ¾, evenly late. ENERGETIC HANOVER paced in 1:49.3 and didn’t get a check.
ELEVENTH RACE – FOXHUNT was away smartly to the lead and put a rival in behind, yielded to the brusher to sit the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, got a nose up deep stretch and held on over HUNTED HOUSE. The latter was launched from third on a quarter-move, kept up a smart pace so that nobody moved until approaching the far turn, just edged in the final steps. ZEUS HANOVER came out ¾ and quickly moved to contention, finished very strongly. SILVERSTONE tucked in the early pocket to the 1/8, sat third-in, OK late. WOLFTRAX came out of fourth before the ¾, advanced some on the turn but never seemed a stretch major danger. THE OTHER THREE just could not go with the others.
TWELFTH RACE – MARKET BASED was in a loose pocket much of the way, tighter late backstretch, outside headstretch and paced to the top. ARIO HANOVER was away third, gapped in the sprinting third panel then closer, to the Pocono Pike and finished steadily for second. NAUTICAL HANOVER sat in, pinned in on the turn, found room to move out early stretch and finished with energy. PJ LOU was sent down the road, had a big lead early, went in 26.4 down the back to try to lose the field, but got tired in the lane. BIRTHDAY gapped in last. TRUE BLUE LINDY came out uncovered before the 5/8, made a little bit of progress then fell back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ATLAS HANOVER was away in the pocket, got room to quarter-move as a parked foe was wide late on turn one, set the pace, drew off at will. LOUS SASSIN was outside 5/8 but did not advance until late on the far turn, swung wide and overhauled the others. RULE OF LAW was strung out behind the brisk tempo, briefly blocked headstretch, to the Pocono Pike, just missed the distant deuce. ETBAUER went right out to the lead, yielded and did his best to stay close in the pocket, but could do so no more nearing the ¾. THRESHOLD gradually progressed up on turn one, bore out late turn giving the winner room to move, had to spend life on the rim, fell back. THE OTHER PAIR were never major dangers.
FOURTEENTH RACE – STATEMENT MADE A protected the pocket, came out 3/16 but went back to the pylons, outside again past the ¾ and kept going to take the finale. TULLOW N was behind weak cover, three-wide ¾ and gained sharply on the turn, very commendable outing to be along for second. HYPNOTICDREAM sat third, edged out on the turn but went back in, Pocono Pike, just missed for second. REDBANK BLAZE A circled up four-wide and soon made the lead, discouraged the winner from moving early, didn’t have enough in the lane. DEPENDLEBURY A stacked wide and wasn’t bad from a very tough spot. THE MOONSHADOW N moved outside early second turn but quickly tucked back in, evenly late. LINCOLNJAMES moved with cover but soon lost it, made no gain.
Jun 4, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Upper 70s to mid 70s on the twilight card … HURRIKANE EMPEROR made the lead before the 1/8, set the pace, ripped down the back in 26.2 to string his opposition out and was much the best. PATERNITY SUIT A went out to garner the pocket, started to gap off turn two as the winner sped up, did hold second. STENDAHL HANOVER came uncovered from far back past the 5/8 and steadily made up ground. STARVIN MARVIN was away third, gapped the gapping pocket horse, then went inside pylons on the far turn, placed last for that violation. THE NEXT PAIR were never close. TOLLY-HO had cover early, dropped in fourth 3/16, stuck in on the far bend but didn’t show much late. I’M NO PANSY gapped out.
SECOND RACE – SCOTT ON THE ROCKS was in front into turn one, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and just by in the latter stages. MY FRISKIE BOY tucked third into curve one, moved just past that bend and easily took over, looked OK early stretch but then was caught up the inside late. ROCK THREE TIMES maintained the pocket leaving, pulled from third just past the 5/8 and challenged, stayed right there to the wire. BLACKLIGHT sat in, gapped before the ¾. FOUR-STAR FLASH broke w-a-y before the start, caught the field, outside before the 5/8 and soon got cover, but gapped out on the turn.
THIRD RACE – A BETTOR GAME was briefly wide early, on top just past the 1/8, yielded early in the frontstretch, backed out to the ¾ as a brusher cleared and was herself left raw far turn, just caught the new leader late. WHO’S SMOKIN N came from last with a big head of steam, challenged and went by the leader midturn, almost lasted to the wire. CRUISIN THRU TIME moved outside and stayed relatively close until 3/16 left, when she couldn’t stay with the top two. PURE COTTON got early forward position, stayed in, Pocono Pike, not much late. ODDS ON WHITNEY proceeded up deliberately on turn one, struck the top 5/16, unable to handle the challenge of the first-over past the ¾ and tired. IN LOU OF MONEY gapped and was far back.
FOURTH RACE – CHOCOLATE MATTERS started the outside tier past the 3/8, pressed the leader from before the 5/8 onward, often having a short lead, held together the best as the pace slowed. CHUCKY DE VIE left strongly to seat rivals, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, just missed. ANDOVERS TOUCH maintained the early pocket, sat in, locked inside from the 5/8 until getting to the deep Pocono Pike, gaining (as the pace slowed). SOUTHWIND FROST left, backed off for a short ways to tuck, then came again to get command just near the 5/16, was under serious pressure the last 3/8, held pretty well. ARCH CREDIT was up tight on perfect cover as second-over, just came up shy in the stretch. I HAVE A DREAM swung wide from last and made up late ground. MATT’S MUSCLES was third-over, outtrotted late. BUTTER TOFFEE was four-wide towards the first turn leaving when making a break, didn’t get back into the race.
FIFTH RACE – TRAFFIC JAM bounded out to quick command, forced a tuck, slowed the half, didn’t have pressure, drew away early stretch, safely to the wire. JERICHO DIVA was third-over, gained in a blindswitch on the far turn, finished well. DONEGALARTCHOKIN N got an early spot then gapped in the fast quarter, tighter and came up first-over, one-paced and never put the leader under serious pressure, inside late turn, fair late. PAIGE’S GIRL was last, advanced in the same blindswitch as the place horse far turn, kicked in a little too late. FIGHTING EVIL was second-over, three-wide 11/16 but did not gain. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was wide early, made it into the pocket 3/16, nothing left in the last quarter. NORA TOVA stayed in, couldn’t keep up most of the last half.
SIXTH RACE – O JONNIE was looped, took third 3/16, then backed out to second-over 11/16, wide in the lane, took command to midstretch and was OK to the wire. GREEK LEGEND broke soon after the start, caught the field and sat back, moved out going to the ¾, made up a tremendous amount of ground to be second. FRAC yielded for the pocket, thought of quarter-moving then rethought that thought, Pocono Pike, got to second midstretch but couldn’t hold that position. JUSTIFY moved uncovered 5/8 and pressured the leader, outkicked late. FINAL DREAM cleared easily before the 1/8 in a fast quarter, had a moderate tempo thereafter but gave way. ALEXANDER HANOVER was off the gate and never achieved prominence. WILLIAM STAR gapped at several points, broke past the ¾ and went inside the pylons. PEE WEE HANOVER was way off the gate, lost contact the last half.
SEVENTH RACE – STELLENBOSCH got a 3-spot, gapped 3/16 to 7/16 then tighter, moved up into the pocket midbackstretch, outside headstretch and drew off effortlessly. ANNE BONNEY N was quickly on top, went a fast quarter, didn’t get pressure until the winenr came to challenge, no match for that one but stayed clear for second. DC BATGIRL sat in, then backed out behind dull cover and had to go very wide into the stretch, closed well. SUMMER RAE sat in and was next in line. I CHOOSE YOU was second-over behind nongaining cover, moved three-wide ¾ but soon became a nongainer herself. FILLY SPEAKS was never heard from. QUEEN LOSTRIS N took the pocket, looked headstrong, thought about a quarter-move then rethought, did come off the rail 5/8 before never gained.
EIGHTH RACE – ROUGH ODDS was looped, had cover to just past the 1/8, then went on to take over before the 5/16, yielded to the retaking favorite and stalked him tightly from the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp late burst to post an impressive victory. PREMIER ROCKSTAR was pushed just past the 1/8 for the lead, yielded to the 5/16 but was immediately back on the retake, had pressure at his wheel until headstretch, took care of that foe but couldn’t handle the pocket rocket. OWEN came out from fourth early second turn, went in 26.4 down the back, faded in the lane but did persevere third. WELL DONE SON was second-over but gapped, went inside 11/16, far head of the others. SHOREVIEW got the last check. BELLOWS BINGE had little from third-over. AMERICA’S GUEST was first to move 3/8 but soon afterwards was fourth-over, never contended. BIG BAD BILL pushed the early action and yielded, couldn’t keep up past the 5/8.
NINTH RACE – WARRAWEE EXTREME was uncovered before the 3/8, went wide into turn two but quickly corrected back to two-wide, got into the pocket, a bit loose on the turn but right outside headstretch, found more late and went by nicely. C-BET HANOVER established control early, got a breather in quarter two, did his best to last to the wire, came up just shy. ARMED BANDIT tucked third at the 1/8, backed out past the 5/8 to avoid a shuffle, uncovered late turn, clearly next-best. PLAY THE ACE narrowed in from a big gap early, outside in the flow on the turn but couldn’t keep up in the lane. ALL BETS DOWN moved as second-over but was left raw 5/8, couldn’t keep pace most of the last ¼. BACK IN MY DAY was no factor. HURRIKANE JUNIOR appeared rank and was far back. HURRIKANE KING DOM went to the pocket to mid-first turn, soon was unplugging after reaching the backstretch.
TENTH RACE – DANCE CLUB was three-wide past the 1/8 to the lead just past a fast quarter, took off down the backstretch and kept widening her lead in the last ¼. WESTBEACH left between horses to take a tuck to the 3/16, was trapped in behind a tiring pacesetter and floundering horses on the outside, Pocono Pike and made the distant second; SHECANDANCE N was in the same locked predicament as the place horse, found room to move out to midstretch and had late pace. GEORGIE MARTIN N used the rail to secure forward positioning, but then didn’t keep up from before the ¾. THE STUNNING NUN N took back to spot, then moved with unhelpful cover, but didn’t gain after tipping three-wide far turn. ASHTINI gapped in the back. ROYALTYWESTHO moved uncovered but only gummed up the two-wide tier.
ELEVENTH RACE – BULLVILLE JONATHAN moved uncovered on the second bend, went up in 27.1 to make a hard challenge on the leader, edged ahead on the turn and drew clear headstretch, a safe winner. DIVINE RIGHT had good cover, couldn’t match his steps early stretch but went on steadily. MAJOR SHOW went to the lead early and forced a tuck, yielded to a brusher to sit the pocket, went inside the last pylon before the Pocono Pike in coming clear behind a tiring leader, photoed TRAY SURREAL but then was placed back one spot for the pylon violation. TRAY SURREAL was in a good flow, moving well late. CAPTAIN KEEN was into the pocket by the 1/8, trapped in on the turn, went to midtrack early stretch and gained while never appearing fully clear. FLIP MY CHIP didn’t have enough here. EMBLAZE HANOVER moved from fourth at the ¼ to the lead just past the 3/8, came under pressure from the winner, gradually weakened the last 3/16. GOTAFOOLISHDESIRE was not prominent.
TWELFTH RACE – IDEAL FEELING got the front early, yielded for the pocket and was the only one to stay close to the rapid leader, outside midturn, eked out a narrow win over BAMSKI. The latter sat fourth behind a horse who gapped much of the race, stayed inside and came up the Pocono Pike, almost got it all. BEACH BOOGIE gapped in third most of the mile, outside far turn just off the winner, found good strides a little too late. CONBOYVILLE made two speed moves and strung out most of the field with a quick pace, couldn’t make the lead stand up. STELLAR BB went around a bad gapper into the backstretch and narrowed in throughout the last half. TAM MAJOR A was leaving a big hole from shortly after the quarter. AWESOMENESS tried to go around the far-back gapper but could not, came back with “b.e.”
THIRTEENTH RACE – CHIPPER DAISY yielded for the pocket at the 1/8 and stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and quickly to the lead, withstood SUNRISE HANOVER. The latter stayed in third until midturn, came home steadily but had to settle for second. VEL DONNA made the top at the 1/8, rated the half then sprinted the third quarter without pressure, tired. STAY SAFE came out at the half, couldn’t make up ground and tucked in far turn, evenly inside late. GRANT ME THIS did not have advancing cover, evenly. NARINA HANOVER gapped inside. SHELLIE DE VIE trailed.
Jun 1, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Rain before the races had the track “sloppy +1” for the first seven races; gradual drying allowed it to be updated to “good +1” for the next six races; then rain during the 13th brought it back to “sloppy +1” for the last … Stretch headwind … INDIGO ART was last until late backstretch, then in an 1/8 of a mile swept the field three-wide from last to first, ran away and hid. HOPE TO BE FIRST came out in the wake of the winner to the ¾, went three-wide uncovered and gained to be a clear if distant second. ROLLINWITHAMBITION got the pocket in the lightning opening quarter, moved out 5/8, was left behind by the two sweepers but won the next-best minor honors. BLOW A CLOUD N gapped midrace, then moved out, never got in the two-wide flow, blindswitched, no factor. RYCROFT N sat in, moved up along the inside then was blocked as the leader stopped, backed out and a little late. TEXAS TERROR N moved out with cover 5/8, couldn’t stay with it then was blindswitched by the sweepers. CHICKEN NUGGET blasted away to get the lead nearing the 1/8 in a 26 opener, held the lead until the ¾ then had nothing left to give.
SECOND RACE – BEERTHIRTY K was innermost of the leavers and put them all in behind, rated the half, was safely clear the last 3/8. THE IRISHMAN left between horses, took the pocket to the 3/16, stayed close until the latter stages, fought on for second. MISTER BOINGA left behind the fighting three and tucked fourth, moved raw at the half, had a short lead over the second horse late backstretch but never reached the leader, OK late. CREDIT CON was three-wide to the 1/8 then started backing off to get into the 3-spot, Pocono Pike, fair late. TRICKY DICK gapped much of the last half. BOASTER COASTER stayed in, backed out but was behind dull cover so went back in late turn, not a factor. CHING CHING LUCKY was away slowly, moved out 3/8, got cover at the half but wasn’t keeping up by the 5/8. WHAT A DAME didn’t have good cover and never was on the main radar.
THIRD RACE – COXCOMB came through early and took control of the throttle, got a breather in Q2 despite the parked horses, had only MY WISH CAME TRUE near him in the last quarter, won more easily than the margin may suggest. The latter went into the pocket 3/16 and kept the hole plugged throughout, not enough late but miles ahead of the others. SEAL O’NEILL was pinned in by parked horses, hard to hold into turn two, finally came clear headstretch after the top two were gone, had some pace. WESTERN WALTZ, a bit off the gate, came up the inside from last, Pocono Pike and finished with late pace. MUDVILLE kept a midpack hole closed first turn, third-in, couldn’t keep up the last 5/16. RIPPLESONTHEBEACH started slowly, came out behind the parked horses, went four-wide past the ¾ to try to get around stragglers but could not. HOOSIER SHARK was looped then parked with cover, three-wide 5/8 but never gained. RACINWITHTHEWIND was ahead while three-wide at the 1/8, but track geometry doomed him to be hung the mile, faded from late backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – KENOGAMI COCO was three-wide leaving, to two-wide, briefly had cover then went on to the lead nearing turn two, overpowered these. SWEET HEART AS was out with cover at the half, three-wide mid-far turn, finished well. CUPID HANOVER made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, gapped much of the last half, evenly late. SORTIE started uncovered towards turn two, challenged, couldn’t sustain. TEDDY BROSEVELT stayed in, was locked in by a gapping two-wide horse, got the last payday. BLUEBIRD DEACON was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the lead 3/16, saw two go by in quarter two, inside, tired. TAG UP AND GO was third-over but gapped. MUSCLE STAR went offstride 3/8.
FIFTH RACE – CAVIART MAX, four-wide to turn one then two-wide and kept progressing in a fast pace to the lead 3/8, kept rolling the amazing fractions in the off going, drew clear, rocked to maintain a safe distance. PLAY THE FIELD quickly went on to the lead, kept the winner out a long time then yielded and followed the fast fractions in the two-hole far ahead of the rest, backed off a little after the bottoming fractions but held the deuce. IDEAL WHEEL was three-wide ¾ going around a stagnant two-wide tier, did well; YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING followed the show horses and gained as the pace slowed. PUZZLING was uncovered on the second turn, got cover, gapped, blindswitched on the turn, so-so. MANNY was uncovered before midbackstretch but never gained. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK gapped a gapper inside, never in it. IAMMRBRIGHTSIDE N rushed through at the start, had the early pocket then was third-in, gapped almost all of the last half.
SIXTH RACE – STRIKING GENSON closed the pocket 3/16, popped out 5/8 and went right to the lead, soon joined by the sweeping PRACTICAL CAT, held that one off after a long battle. The latter moved out behind the parked horse second turn, three-wide as cover started to fall back, left three-wide by the winner then two-wide as that one cleared, fought a long way and kept fighting on. QUEEN OF ALL was last inside and pinned in by parked horses, finally could angle very wide headstretch and came on very well (though the pace was slowing). MOON BRIDGE followed the wide move of the place horse but was left out three-wide, trotted on through the lane. HOOLIE N HECTOR came out into a blindswitch, sliced through a thin hole late with trot. RED REDEMPTION was three-wide to the fast ¼ before tucking fourth, came out behind the winner into a blindswitch then gapped. DAGON HANOVER was shut out of a hole late first turn and had to spend life on the rim, looped midbackstretch and faded. BLANK SPACE AS refused to yield in hot fractions, was passed later in the backstretch and faded.
SEVENTH RACE – Track rerated to “good +1” just before this 1:50 mile … EXPLOIT exploited the fast pace by rushing up quickly (26.3) down the back and passing a tired leader past the ¾, won as an overlay in a romp. CERTIFIABLE gained along the inside to where he could go directly to the Pocono Pike early stretch, outfooted the rest, who were all within 1¼ lengths of each other at the wire. RIFLEMAN was last, went wide, still last midstretch, but just up for third. GUINNESS PANIC was three-wide to the 1/8 then took a tuck, backed out past the 5/8 but couldn’t stay with the winner. IMOUTTHEDOOR had to retreat to the pocket 3/16, moved out early far turn after the winenr went by but had little to offer. UNDRTHSOUTHERNSUN N blasted off from the rail and was under a hold setting wild fractions, no resistance in the last ¼. HIGH BALLER never factored.
EIGHTH RACE –TOCCOA FALLS was three-wide early, backed off to third at the 1/8, uncovered 5/8 and made a good challenge, inched up to the lead headstretch, didn’t draw off but stayed on and garnered the win. ROBBIE PEV sat in, gained up into the pocket far turn and used the Pocono Pike, good to be second. MACMORRIS HANOVER left, yielded for the pocket, backed out far turn behind the winner, a little slow to find top gear in the lane then narrowed in. MUSCLE JACK was parked past the ¼, strung out the field in quarter two despite reducing the speed, then engaged by the winner late backstretch, tired a bit. INNISFALLEN was outside off turn two, got cover but couldn’t stay with it. THE NEXT TWO were far back. MUSHANA wasn’t close when making a break far turn.
NINTH RACE – ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was three-wide a good bit of the ¼, then tucked, slid out off turn two and was quickly three-wide to circle the parked horse and get to two-hole uncovered, fought with the leader, proved the best though the tempo was declining late. The next two, CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL and CONCUR, gained along the inside: the former angled wide behind the winner early stretch and outfought the latter, who came up the Pocono Pike. MAJOR DESIRE was willing to pay a 25.4 price to have the early lead and continued on quickly to keep the favorite parked, met a new challenger in the winner late backstretch, backed off a little in the lane. DRAGON STRIKES left then accepted the pocket in the 25.4 opener, backed out behind the winner far turn, gapped, came back a little late. WESTERN TYRANT had traffic issues. SULLIVAN tried to follow the winner’s sweeping move but could not. GO WEST GO FAST was very wide early, settled behind cover first turn, left raw at the ¼ and went up to challenge but was given the cold shoulder, went south the last 3/8.
TENTH RACE – Wind has calmed … DA DELIGHTFUL crossed over at the 1/8, stung an early mover before yielding into turn two, vacated the pocket to challenge the leader headstretch and just did get the nod over that rival. WESTERN JOE was looped early, briefly settled third, then quarter-moved, was urged to clear going to turn two, continued on a hot pace leaving all but the winner behind, held with good courage. STRAIGHT UP COOL stayed in, blocked, knifed between horses midstretch with pace. BALLERAT BOOMERANG also stayed in, not all that much late. ULTIMAROCA was first on top then yielded for the early pocket, vacated third 5/8 but couldn’t reach the winenr. BET ON BLAKE was uncovered on the second turn, got cover 5/8, three-wide far turn, not bad. AFLAME HANOVER had little chance from last, OK finishing. REBELLIOUS broke just before the start, fought back to third-over but tired.
ELEVENTH RACE – TRENTE DEO was content in third leaving, moved raw 3/8 with nobody coming, went right up to the leader, went past 11/16 and simply devastated this field. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO sat in, shuffled way back, angled and five-wide headstretch, finished well to get the distant second. LITTLEBITASWAGGER had dull cover, four-wide late turn and did OK. PIRATES ALLEY came through at the start to exert his authority, challenged by the leader down the back and had no answer for that one, evenly the last 5/16. WHATA TREASURE, not away well, tried to circle a nonadvancing one 11/16 but got mired in the three-wide path. CLASSIC PRO tucked fourth at the 1/8, moved nearing turn two to what would have been second-over had he been able to stay with the winner, left uncovered two-deep and clogged that tier. BOBBY K HILL challenged early then accepted the pocket 3/16, stuck in on the turn after the winner was long gone, got to the Pocono Pike but had little left to give. KILLER MARTINI was a slow starter and dropped far back.
TWELFTH RACE – ROCK OF CASHEL got a textbook second-over trip, three-wide late turn, asserted himself nearing the wire. JUSTLIKEHIM was looped early, took until the 3/8 to reach the front, yielded just past the half, to the Pocono Pike, momentarily had a small advantage past midstretch, went on nicely. GREAT UNKNOWN came off the rail into a blindswitch near the back ¾, ducked in entering the stretch and was in the deep Pike, gained well. JOHAN PALEMA moved out 5/16, left raw 3/8 and cleared just past the ½, continued on at a good clip, couldn’t make the lead last to the wire. STEUBEN HANOVER was behind the winner, couldn’t match his stretch kick. SHADRACK HANOVER finished well very wide from a tough spot. IN MY DREAMS came through at the start, yielded and saw all kinds of lead changes in quarter two, back outside uncovered 9/16, tired in the last quarter. DYLAN THE GREAT was three-wide early to make the top, shuffled with lead changes, gapped from the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Rained heavily during this race … SOME DEAL HANOVER was first to show, but quick rivals and track geometry forced him to back off to third past the ¼, sat in, elected to tip wide early stretch and had a crisp late burst to get the win. BEACH FORECAST secured the early pocket and kept a rival out at the 1/4, moved out of same late turn, got the lead midstretch, outkicked. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN grabbed the lead, set the pace, faded late. SOUTHWIND PETYR was out fourth-over, had to duck inside the far turn trouble, finished well. TERRY A HANOVER was out in a blindswitched then ducked in and avoided most of the incident, not that much kick late. FULL MOON BEACH was out with cover but gapped, then bothered greatly by the breaker, finished with “b.e.” STRETCH THE LINE was uncovered 3/8 and put in a long bid, made a break past the ¾ bothering some, placed. LITERL LAD HANOVER had some traffic issues, then was forced wide and made an “ix” behind the breaker.
FOURTEENTH RACE – Back to “sloppy +1” … ROCKAPELO left between horses to 1/8 command, got a rest to the half, just had too much for these. CAVIART ROCKLAND went to the lead then yielded in the pocket, a solid second. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A was second-over behind not-great cover, three-wide midturn, along for third. ROCKIN JUKEBOX gained up the inside in the last ¼. MACH WEST sat in, didn’t have much to say in this one. FRISKIE ALL NITE had dull cover, went wide, had too far to come. PAT MCGARRY A was three-wide to the 1/8, went in third 3/16, uncovered off the second turn, gained a little then faded more than a little. WHITE HAIR ROCKS moved outside but went nowhere.
May 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s … SAMMY THE BULL N was reserved off the early fireworks, made one big sweeping move that carried him quickly from sixth to first down the backstretch, drew away. ROCK KING DEO was out in the three-wide path behind the winner, couldn’t stay with him, but looped tired horses to get to the pocket, second-best well ahead of the others. BAKLOUVA left a big gap behind the duel, had to back out 11/16 after the top two were drawing off, three-wide to two-wide far turn, next. DARK HORSE was out on the second turn, ducked in early backstretch but then was stuck behind tiring horses and shuffled, outside far turn, then in in the stretch, fair. GOLDEN GESTURE left and was hung out to dry in torrid fractions, tired but may have gotten some satisfaction that on the far turn he did get past the horse that hung him. IYQ YQR was that horse who hung him, as he quickly made the top and refused to yield under the pressure, fell way back in the last quarter, did return with “b.e.” REYS N A RUCKUS kept the pocket tight in the front-end fight, then backed off from the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – MALONE was strung-out like the rest past the half, moved uncovered 5/8 and kept on coming, caught a tiring leader. TALISMANO made the lead 3/16 and just continued to zing, held off all but one in a good mile. TNT BLUE CHIP was in front going to turn one, yielded for the pocket, loose in it, faded in the stretch. CHELIOS made a brief break early, then had to check behind a breaker 3/16, recovered a lot of ground. CHROME PACKAGE was looped and with cover when tucking past the 1/8 after a foe broke, struggled from past the 5/8. BAR COINS was in the early pocket when breaking past the 1/8, going to the infield. MATS PALEMA was gapping before making a break going into turn two. MYREANNA went offstride before the 3/16.
THIRD RACE – RACING LIBERTY was three-wide just past the 1/8 and in front just past the 3/16, rested in quarter two then picked it up sharply as a tough challenger came on, defeated that one after a long duel. WARRAWEE XTREME was on the move raw before the second turn, zoomed up while going 26.4 down the back to give the leader a spirited challenge, held ground late very well. JERSEY JUSTICE had some gate speed, moved out mid-final turn, third-best. BANDERAS HANOVER had a bit of belated pace. GO GO DIGGY SCHMO left between horses and wound up in the pocket, went loose as the pace picked up dramatically. BLAZING BLACK never got into the main picture. TWIN B MUMBLE moved outside 9/16 but was ineffective.
FOURTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING moved from fourth at the ¼, made the lead and went his middle half in :57, left these far behind late despite finishing in :30. RIVER OTTER was three-wide to the first turn, two-wide to the lead past the 1/8, pushed the winner a bit of quarter two before yielding, bottomed out some chasing the hot pace but did hold on to second. POSSESS THE STONE tipped three-wide off cover nearing headstretch and finished well. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT worked into a 3-tuck at the 1/8, pinned in far turn, to the Pocono Pike, fair. KEYSTONE THUNDER was on top into turn one, yielded, was one-geared the last half, and not quite a fast enough one. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY was first-up on the second turn but never got close in the fast pace. HORNS FOR THREE was always far back. ALL RISE gapped out.
FIFTH RACE – SOMWHERENBROOKLN N left, got the pocket after an early challenger broke, pulled the pocket 11/16, went by late turn, had enough to hit the wire first. DL’S BIG ELVIS moved outside far turn, found his best strides a little too late. APP HANOVER gapped all the way around, stayed inside and out of trouble and got the distant third. JAMAICAN COWBOY got cover from the winner, left uncovered late turn, might have had a chance but broke early stretch, ran home. SHARK FANTASY was the first in the outer flow but never got close. SPIDER MAN HANOVER left well and was on top at the 1/8, was challenged approaching the ¾, gave way. LINEMAKER was away last, gapped a gapper. SOLARCTIC left between horses, was looped and was going forward when going offstride 3/16.
SIXTH RACE – All but the first three involved in a couple of breaking incidents on turn one … ELEGANT CHARM was away third then quarter-moved, in control with back fractions of 57.1 – 28.2 in a very fast maiden trot. MATTER OF TRUST went straight to the front, yielded for the two-hole, stayed close in a fine effort. RAVIOLI worked up into the early pocket, stayed connected most of the way, tired late but still far head of the rest. PRAIRIE TRINKET was very wide early and paused when another wide foe made a break at the 1/8, circled the inside trouble 3/16 and tucked fourth, never was really tight-up on the main three, held fourth. SUNSEEKER HANOVER was shoved wide by the second breaker, moved outside down the back, did not gain then fell back. BOINGALICIOUS was right behind the second breaker and suffered an “ix.” FASHION PRINCESS was midpack when going offstride at the 1/8. PRAY AND HUSTLE was leaving but was on the run soon after the start.
SEVENTH RACE – RAZOR’S EDGE was outside behind cover early, tucked fourth 3/16, then on the move again towards the second turn, gained steadily and went past the leader at the ¾, won easily. MCNEIL Z TAM was towed up very nicely second-over, uncovered on the turn, second-best. YS DO IT RIGHT got good forward positioning then turned not so good when the inner tier collapsed, had to wait to come out into a blindswitch late turn, clear and good in recovery. WILDFIRE FLASHER joined the flowing outer tier but couldn’t quite stay with it. SPECTRUM was out just past the 1/8 before hitting the top, yielded for the pocket, was going loose 5/8, then was shuffled late turn as the former leader backed up, Pocono Pike, not a sharp late response once free. LUZIANA didn’t get into the main picture. HEARTBEAT HILL quarter-moved from third, was challenged hard down the back and was tired ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – FAMOUS DAN wound up in the pocket after an early breaker, stayed well-placed, to the Pocono Pike, up in the last couple steps. THE BOSS MAN had just yielded when inheriting the lead at the 1/8, really slowed the half then picked it up as a challenger made a protracted hard bid, saw that foe break, couldn’t quite resist the winner to his left. ROJO MAN slightly gapped second-over, found a better gear late. CREDARENA stayed in then backed outside, had to check to avoid the stretch breaker and lost whatever chance he had left. COMELETUSADOREHIM stayed in, wasn’t prominent. CS EXPLOSIVE CHIP was gapping in front of the stands. KNIGHTS GUARD was uncovered before the second turn, quickly went up to challenge and grinded away in a headbob situation on the far turn, still in contention when breaking into the lane. SUNBERRY HANOVER was well off the gate then broke early.
NINTH RACE – BETTE TINA was away second then improved that positioning by one just past the ¼, rated the half, stayed clear of her opposition to the wire. SWEET KATIE BUG went out to command then yielded to the winner for the two-hole, safely second. TEEN DREAM got underway during the second quarter slowdown, charged up in 27.1 down the back but never headed the pocket horse, remained on gamely to be third. JAGGED LITTLE PILL sat in, Pocono Pike, couldn’t gain. ASHLEE’S SUPREME backed out to second-over before the 5/8, wide late turn, evenly. SWEET GADGETS swung widest in the lane and had a little pace nearing the wire. TOODLES HANOVER had never been in contention when breaking headstretch. MISSBEHAVING was away last from the rail and had lost contact before the half.
TENTH RACE – KASEVILLE went right to the lead, slowed the half, increased the speed to meet the fist-over challenger, drew away the last 1/8. FLANAGAN DESTINY was uncovered off turn two and reached the leader by the 5/8, pressed that one until past midturn, gave a little ground but went on gamely for the place. BY A HOFF HANOVER took the pocket 3/16, a little bit loose the last 3/8, just did hold third over MUSCLE DYNASTY. The latter broke right at the start, caught the field, came on pretty well in the stretch. THE OTHER DUO stayed inside, gapper, and were not major players.
ELEVENTH RACE – SEVEN HUNDRED tucked in the middle of a gaggle of leavers, moved before the half and made the lead at that juncture, stayed in control from there. HE’S A SNOB backed out to follow cover past the 5/8, just up for second in the final steps. FRANK DEFORD followed the winner’s cover then was left raw just past the half, battled on well, just nipped for the deuce. MELANIE’S NICK left well from the rail, yielded and stayed in, to the Pocono Pike, best of the rest. WAR OF WILL was four-wide to the first turn, was out most of the 26.3 opener to make the lead, yielded at the half, not much left late. CHEESEHEAD and GRATEFUL KISS raced off the main group. BORN TO BE COUNTRY was wide leaving and took way back, moved out third-over but had little, was tucked back inside, far back.
TWELFTH RACE – HIGH ST CORRIDOR moved uncovered at the half and raced at the leader, put that one away 11/16, came home in 27.4 as much the best. BULLVILLE TERROR got cover from the winner and was able to tuck in the pocket well ahead of the rest, tried hard to the finish. TULLOW N was in the cover flow, had the horse in front of him not able to keep up, three-wide late turn, along for third. DEPENDLEBURY A was in the good outer flow but couldn’t keep up towards the ¾. MUSCLE MACH A was badly shuffled to last, had a bit of pace in recovery. LINCOLNJAMES settled into the pocket just past the 1/8, was totally shuffled out of it when the leader gave way. DREAMS ARE TRUE went right out to the lead, couldn’t resist the winner’s pressure 11/16 and faded significantly.
THIRTEENTH RACE – DARTY raced out quickly to the top, got a breather in split two then picked up the pace, went head-to-head with VIC’S WINNER the last 5/16 and gamely maintained his advantage. The latter moved out raw not far into the backstretch, reached the leader 11/16, had a good fight with that one, came out second-best this afternoon. BANG BANG BOINGA defended the pocket and stayed close, Pocono Pike, a step shy. NICE STUFF took a tuck third, stayed semiconnected most of the last half. LAZER JET never factored. PRAIRIE VIRTUE put in bad steps early, never could recover. MISS MUSCLE was away slowly and never factored.
