May 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s … No wind in the early races … In the opener, everybody was in the path of the favorite for a long way, but when he got clear, … ARTACHE HANOVER was surrounded by horses leaving and tucked, then was pinned in from past the 1/8 until just past the ¾ by the continuous flow, escaped and went from one-wide to four-wide far turn, quickly looped the field and then held off the late rush of ROUGH ODDS. The latter was looped, pressed on to the lead 5/16, yielded 3/8, was in the pocket, lost momentum to the winner while waiting for the Pocono Pike, then had a sharp response when shown racetrack. JANAID stayed midpack outside leaving, wound up second-over, three-wide 11/16 for the duration, not quite the kick of the top two late. WINNING IS SWEET looped everybody leaving for the top at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, third-in, had to wait for the deep Pike, had some pace. SPORTSMANSHIP was looped, had cover then went three-wide at the ¼ to ensure he’d have a good chance to not be parked the mile, hustled up to the lead 3/8 in the fast half, met with pressure, understandably tired. AIN’T IT FUN pulled from last at the ¼ seeing there would be a flow, stayed two-wide in a blindswitch 3/4, not much late. BEACHESBECKONME left for the early pocket, came out at the ¼ when a foe went three-wide, was left raw 3/8, challenged down the back, couldn’t sustain the move. EXCALIBUR SEELSTER joined the outer flow down the back, tried to follow in the three-wide lane but gapped (which is how the winner finally got out).
SECOND RACE – VALAR DOHAERIS left, parked a rival to the 5/16 in a fast half, pulled the pocket 11/16 and quickly went right by, named her winning margin. MADELYNN SOPHIA had a tough fight getting the top 5/16, went on to a fast half stringing most of the field, yielded 11/16, did hold for the very distant second over THE LETTER. The latter circled up to clear a gapper, went back in on the turn and gained, outside midstretch and narrowed in on the place horse. BETTOR STRAIT N UP was three-wide leaving, tucked fourth 3/16, left third after a breaker before the half but immediately left a big gap. RAINBOW RISING was out down the back to go around the gapper, did retuck third, outside on the turn trying for second, but had nothing left. MS TREACHEROUS was way back throughout. HELLRUNNER HANOVER followed cover to retuck fourth ¾, two- and three-wide from midturn but broke headstretch. COVENANT WOMAN actually was keeping up with the fast front two when breaking n the second turn.
THIRD RACE – DOWN THE PIKE MIKE settled in third, waited, then was “Down the Pocono Pike Mike” in going by late. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN left and yielded for the two-hole, outside headstretch, never ahead but along for place. BEER CHEESE came through at the start and went to the top at the 1/8, rolled along, held the lead until midstretch. FEAST DAY looked green: away slowly, out with cover on the second turn but then put in steps off that bend, recovered and third-over, wide stretch, never seemed to really dig in. DONATELLO HANOVER gapped in front of the stands, then moved raw 5/8 but didn’t threaten. IT IS WELL gapped inside. U BAKE THE CAKE was gapping in last 3/8. SCOTTISH moved on turn two, second-over, looking to tip three-deep far turn but broke.
FOURTH RACE – WHAT’S GOIN ON tucked third at the 1/8, followed cover 11/16, three-wide for the stretch and drew away. RUFFLE UP insisted on the lead from the rail and set fast fractions, held off the rest. SPINOUT wanted the early lead but took back for the pocket 3/16, pulled from the two-hole 11/16 and battled the leader, evenly. MR MCDREAMY was fourth-in, had a chance to tighten up to the pocket towards the ¾ as the 2-3 horses pulled but couldn’t close the gap, Pocono Pike, evenly. MICHAEL’S MONSTER was never a factor. BEACHMASTER TWO moved out down the back but offered little. CHANCELLORCULLEN N was last at every call.
FIFTH RACE – CHOCO CHARLIE spotted fourth at the 1/8, moved uncovered off turn two and went up to challenge, got little resistance from the leader and cleared mid-far turn, held off the late move of SCIROCCO PATRICK. The latter was away third, initially sat in then backed out to second-over 5/8, left uncovered midturn, finished steadily. JUSTIFY moved outside but gapped letting the place horse out, one-geared. BOSCH was far back, did well to make up some ground. ALEXANDER HANOVER went into the pocket past the 1/8, then was badly shuffled far turn as the leader totally gave way, finally could move out in the stretch and gained back ground well. BROOKVIEW BLUTO wanted to set the pace and did, got a 1:00.3 middle half and still packed it in when challenged past the ¾. LAKEVIEW TAMMY struggled to keep up throughout. LANDONFITZ gapped and then broke late turn.
SIXTH RACE – A gradually-increasing mild stretch tailwind … ZEUS HANOVER moved raw at the half and went up quickly to fight with the leader from the 5/8 to the wire, had a slight lead on the turn but couldn’t go by, but proved the better late. BUCHANNON HANOVER was parked to the ¼, set the pace, in a crackerjack battle with the winner the last 3/8, gave way slightly very late. PLAY THE ACE was three-wide most of the ¼, was able to race up into the pocket 5/16 after that spot’s former occupant broke, gapped down the back, then found more pace late. BACK IN MY DAY went evenly. DARIO HANOVER was right behind the early breaker and was bothered, stayed in then backed out to second-over 5/8, couldn’t keep up the last ¼. THE NEXT TWO were near the back and never in the main picture. BARRIER made the lead heading to bend one, yielding at the ¼ when offstride and taken to the infield.
SEVENTH RACE – CRUSHWORTHY moved off the first turn, needed much of the frontstretch to clear, drew clear at will despite a 30.2 last quarter. CHASE MY LINDY had nonhelpful cover, moving well late (as the pace slowed) for the distant second. PLUM WINE worked to the top just past the 3/16, yielded past the 3/8, couldn’t go with the winner the last ¼. GOO GOO LU LU moved uncovered 11/16 but was ineffective. AULTER EGO made the top heading to turn one, yielded 3/16, inside, little in the last quarter. CANTERAWISHING showed very little into the far turn, then broke between horses in the stretch. IVORY ROAD galloped just before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – HURRIKANE MON AMI dashed out to command then slowed the half, went faster down the back, lost the outer tiers on the turn, then held off ARMED BANDIT. The latter left and tucked behind the winner at the 1/8, came out in the stretch, neither gained nor lost ground. C-BET HANOVER was three-wide early then spotted 3/16, wound up third-over, three-wide far turn and just getting the distant third in a three-way picture. BUILDING BOOST sat in with the early-developing flow and was shuffled to last, stacked widest early stretch and finished well. HUNTING FOR MILES was fourth-over, four-wide in the stretch, evenly. GIBOR improved position early, stayed in, gapped far turn. DOUBLE DOUBLE moved before the half with a parked horse coming up on him, went 27.1 against the wind in a third quarter challenge but then backed off. JITTERBUG FLO, looking hard to steer at times, was on the rim the whole way, rushed up in the homestretch and got to second-over, but was gapping 11/16, moved inside on the turn, very little late.
NINTH RACE – GRAPPLE HANOVER was first to show, yielded past the 1/8 and kept tight behind the duelers, outside headstretch and a very easy winner. TUIS SHADOW was no factor inside until nearing midstretch, then found room on the far inside and won a multi-horse picture for second. BROOKROAD MASTER made the top past the 1/8, then was under pressure in fast fractions for this type, not too much left late. FRAC gapped inside, inside the pacesetter in the lane, evenly. MUFASA AS moved second-over but didn’t reach cover until it started to fade, three-wide midturn but couldn’t gain. KEYSTONE SERGEANT never went inside and one-geared it uncovered two-wide, pressed the leader but couldn’t go by, faded the last quarter. THE OTHER DUO did not make their presence felt.
TENTH RACE – HUNTANOVER was second-over and advanced as his cover hit a higher gear 11/16, three-wide headstretch, kicked in midstretch and managed to pass everybody. DANGER ZONE was three-wide to the first turn, was left two-wide and got resistance from a reluctant-to-yield leader who kept him out until nearing turn two in a fast half, backed off Q3 as the first-over was slow to get in gear, finished in 28.1 but still got caught at the end. HURRIKANE CHUCK went uncovered 9/16, drifted up a little then hit a better gear 11/16 and challenged hard, backed off just a bit late. TE AMO BLUE CHIP lagged the gate a little then came through and took the lead, had pressure and was under a deathgrip to let a rival go nearing the second turn, held OK in the lane. HUNTSVILLE PLACE was in the flow, didn’t tip wide but instead came between horses, gained then may have been shut off nearing the wire. AMERICAN ZESTAR went into the two-hole at the 1/8, had no room most of the last half. CAPTAIN COOK was not a major danger.
ELEVENTH RACE – MAGICAL JOURNEY looped foes early for command, yielded past the ¼ but was quick on the retake, set a fast pace, stringing out the field, the best today. WILLIE B WORTHY was looped and between horses, went on to take the front just past the ¼, yielded for the pocket, not quite in the league of the winner but far ahead of the rest. SUM FOR ALL went out for position, gapped the last ¼, just held third. ZSA ZSA DABOR had a bit of trot in the Pocono Pike late. MIGHTY SURF was three-wide to the 1/8, accepted a 4-tuck 3/16, moved out 11/16 but didn’t gain. PHANTOM RUSTY was never prominent. NIGHT FLYER K gapped midrace, moved with cover late backstretch but was no factor. BUTTER TOFFEE didn’t show much.
TWELFTH RACE – BLUESVILLE moved at the ¼ and was on top 3/8, set the pace without pressure but rolled on nonetheless, just held off the late bid of HAZEVILLE. The latter was away quickly to 1/8 command, yielded for the two-hole, came out headstretch, got in gear just a hair too late, narrowing in with every step near the wire. BAY CITY was looped early and tucked fourth, sat in and was shuffled, found room inside before midstretch and id very well. BULLVILLE FRANK was third-over, found his cover deteriorating so went three-wide midturn, finished well. BOBS REDEMPTION was forwardly-placed but didn’t have enough. FRAZZLEBERRY was last, swung wide, couldn’t reach. ROPE THE MOON backed out to second-over 5/8, struggled, accepted a blindswitch midturn, no factor. KJ UNREAL started uncovered 3/8, came a long way in the third quarter to get close to the leader, but tired thereafter.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Very little wind by now … STELLAR BB left sharply to command in a 26.3 quarter, had a sweeping challenger from before the ¾ who actually got a short lead on him late turn, but fought on and took the victory. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was third-over in a non-flow, three-wide to the 11/16 to two-wide to the ¾ and battled the winner, as mentioned getting a short advantage, paced on well ahead of the others but settled for second. LOVE THE ACTION was caught in as the top two got away, outside headstretch and just grabbed third over SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN. The latter was four-wide early, settled in fifth, found room in the Pocono Pike, so-so. BAY MEADOWS left enough to defend the pocket, but backed off the last 5/16. ROCK THREE TIMES was first-up into turn two, got cover to the 5/8, was soon blindswitched, three-wide far turn after being swept but didn’t get close. FROMASHESTOASHES N was looped, got in third at the ¼, gapped midrace, came off the rail 5/8 but had very little to offer. POCKET WATCH N was last and fell way back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – ETBAUER pulled from third approaching the 11/16 and blew right on by, opened a big lead, a safe winner. REGENTS HANOVER was behind not the greatest of cover, two-wide late turn, came on steadily. VARNEY moved out 5/8 and soon had cover, couldn’t step with that one, to the “pocket” late far turn, OK late. TSM BATMAN went wide from far back and was a distant next. STEWARDOFTHELAND never featured. LATEST ATTRACTION yielded, gapped in the pocket much of the way to late backstretch, then shuffled badly behind the tired leader, out in a blindswitch on the turn, little response once clear. PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL went to the lead 3/16, was on a speed mission, folded his tent at the ¾.
May 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – 79 degrees and a stretch headwind to start; midcard, it would drop 13 degrees as rains came for a period, and the flag did a 180o to a stretch tailwind … SKYY spotted third early, moved soon after the first turn and needed the length of the frontstretch to clear, still got a breather, maintained the lead under pressure from the first-over, was safe at the wire. WHO’S SMOKIN N needed to work to clear the rail horse for command, then pushed the winner a ways as well before yielding for the pocket, inside the leader stretch, second-best. DONEGALARTCHOKIN N gapped much of midrace, three-wide past midturn, good on a night not suited very well for closers. CHIPPER DAISY stepped uncovered approaching the backstretch and made a sharp move to challenge the winner, held OK. BRONZE OVER N extended a foe before yielding 3/16, third-in, far inside stretch, was urged so probably did have clearance, not enough response. TRAFFIC JAM was widest in the lane, couldn’t gain enough. NORA TOVA never entered the picture.
SECOND RACE – CRUISIN THRU TIME had to settle for the pocket at the ¼, stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, inched away from midstretch. SPEAKING OF COFFEE wouldn’t yield to the winner, then hit the brakes in a major way during quarter two, went on down the backstretch, fought hard until midstretch then slowly gave a little ground. STAY SAFE was second-over but cover proved unlively, so three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide raw ¾, kept on coming and was well ahead of the rest. DEL DIGGITY spotted fourth just past the 1/8, gapped a gapper down the back, locked in far turn, outside headstretch and best of the rest. RELLA TIVITY stayed in, gapped much of the last half. PRICELESS SHADOW moved out approaching turn two but ducked back in backstretch, no factor. SWEET ROCKIN GIA pulled raw 3/8 as the pace slowed dramatically but didn’t have much to offer. TSM ARTEMIS T was at the rear.
THIRD RACE – KOSHER MAHONEY, let go at a generous 7-1, went right to the lead, set the pace as he pleased, had too much of a lead to be caught. DANDY gapped early but was tight nearing turn two, moved out at the ¾ and was three-wide headstretch, had his usual large closing kick but was just too far behind. DRIBBLING BI couldn’t rally quickly enough to prevent the breaker from reclaiming his own hole 5/16, moved out 11/16, tried very hard to the finish in a good outing. S I P went into the pocket at the 1/8, made a brief break 3/16 and was wide, hustled up and reclaimed the pocket 5/16, but then struggled to stay close in the last half. TARGET PRACTICE started slowly and ran at the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA improved position early, quarter-moved and got a breather, then came home in 55.3 as much the best. TSM WESTERN SOUL circled right to the top, got foes to tuck in behind her then yielded to the winner, a little loose from the 5/8 then fell back in the last 3/16 but did preserve the place. SOME KINDA ANGEL was looped and went into the early pocket, sat in, Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite reach second. CAVIART CARMEL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide until getting in third before the ¼, inside, next. MISS HELEN HANOVER was outside into turn two but never was close in the fast back half. LOVELY LADY MAY did not see her cover advance, three-wide late turn but then she did not advance. BYGONE HANOVER was at the back throughout.
FIFTH RACE – SPY BOOTH was looped leaving, calmly worked his way up to the lead before the ¼, had one challenger “hang” with him until early stretch, then powered off. FASHION ON A STAR left alertly and was in control early, yielded to the winner and stayed much closer to that one than anyone else could, eventually fell back from early stretch. PADRE sat in, was behind a gapper until getting to the Pocono Pike, along for third over BOASTER COASTER. The latter was uncovered from a l-o-n-g way back 5/8, made steady progress. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR was third, failed to keep tight most of the last half. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN was up on the gate but broke right before the start, recovered quickly but couldn’t enter competition. SLEW FOOT was gapping midrace, outside far turn, little.
SIXTH RACE – It then became a dark and (soon) stormy night, with the wind blowing in the opposite direction now, a stretch tailwind … TAM MAJOR A was on the lead 3/16, yielded to a quarter-mover, shuffled on the far turn then outside late on the bend, stayed between horses upper stretch then found an opening inside the new leader as the pacesetter fell back, had a good late burst to earn the victory. ENOUGH SUN came with a rapid burst early backstretch to engage the leader and then clear that one ¾, a bit unlucky that the traffic situation developed to give the winner a chance to come on, good mile. STENDAHL HANOVER followed good cover, uncovered far turn, held his ground pretty well. STARVIN MARVIN was third-in, gained when the winner pulled out late turn and then in the Pocono Pike, no bad at all. MONTANA CHIEF A defended the pocket early, quarter-moved with the wind and took the top, was under pressure down the back and surrendered the lead ¾. BARRYWHITE HANOVER was wide leaving but quickly took back, moved outside backstretch but gapped. MEADOWBROOK RAIDER gapped at the back.
SEVENTH RACE – The rain came shortly after the sixth race, getting the track to “sloppy +1”, and with the mercury plummeting … DUCASSE was three-wide leaving, made the lead at the 1/8, kept the field strung out despite moderate fractions, then sprinted home in 27.4, in hand at the wire. NICE GUY EDDIE left to defend early position, a trifle loose in the pocket, stayed to task well. ANDOVERTHEWINNINGS, no factor most of the mile, had closing kick to snatch the distant third in the last steps. BACKSTREET PLAYER sat third, started leaving a bigger gap past the 5/8. CAPRICIOUS ONE moved out 5/8 and made some gain, but looked to be flattening when breaking early stretch. POUR MEA DOUBLE was between horses in a fight for the early lead when breaking approaching turn one.
EIGHTH RACE – STRAIGHT UP COOL came out at the ¼ behind a retaker and continued on to the lead 3/8, went clear of these in the stretch. MACH WEST made two speed moves then yielded for the two-hole, lost ground in the lane but still was a clear second. GET LIT was third-over behind a gapper, widest in the drive and gained. AWESOMENESS gapped second-over, evenly late. CAMWOOD took over at the 1/8, saw two go by in quarter two, third-in, not tight on the horse in front of him from the 5/8. BAMSKI never featured. ADRIANO HANOVER went uncovered before the 5/8 vs. the wind, reached the winner on the turn but then tired.
NINTH RACE – GONE BEFORE DAWN tucked third early, stayed in, in gear far turn, was going to fan out wide past mid-far turn then ducked back inside as the two in front of him angled out, could come up the Pocono Pike and get the decision in the last strides. EMBLAZE HANOVER pulled before the ¼, got cover, then went on raw to claim the top approaching turn two, held on to the advantage to the last couple steps. GREG THE LEG left, made a “hidden” quarter-move and yielded for the pocket, outside headstretch, came on steadily to be just shy. MOVE THE LINE was fastest away, saw two go by in quarter two, angled out late turn, slow to gear in full stride in the stretch but was gaining late. MAJOR SHOW gapped towards midrace then hit a higher gear and moved out 5/8 but couldn’t sustain his move. THE NEXT PAIR never entered the main picture. GETYOURLICENSELIAM, appearing very hard to manage, dangled outside beyond midpack, faded.
TENTH RACE – THAT OLE BAR STOOL was three-wide to the first curve then out two-wide before gradually working his way to the front 3/8, had a clear advantage much of the rest of the way, reminded to keep to task midstretch, just did hold off PAROLA HANOVER. The latter had horrible luck – actually the first horse to show when the gate folded, he was four-wide when taking back to tuck, the moved outside just past the ¾, wide into the stretch, still last midstretch, but advanced past the others and got close to the winner. OH BOY left and relinquished, sat third, gapped a little on the turn, went to the Pocono Pike and stayed competitive. MISSILE took over the top at the 1/8, pushed the leader to the 3/8 then let that one go for the pocket, stayed close, not quite enough late. FAMOUS FATHER was outside from last, made up some ground. BIG BEN HANOVER gapped some in front of the stands, moved outside down the back but quickly took back in, not prominent.
ELEVENTH RACE – STELLENBOSCH went to the top nearing turn one, yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and then went by nicely. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER had gate speed, stayed connected third-in, to the deep Pocono Pike and did well to get second over JERICHO DIVA. The latter went second-up behind good cover, swung wide and was moving very nicely late. VEL DONNA was three-wide early then two-wide to 3/16 command, got a breather in the second panel then had to pick it up, tired late. GALLERIA GAL neatly slotted fourth early, went first-over early on turn two and grinded up, fell back through the lane. IN LOU OF MONEY sat in, no factor. THE LAST TWO gapped at the back.
TWELFTH RACE – CLASSICIST was thee-wide past the 1/8, backed off to tuck third but not for long, quarter-moved to the lead, under severe pressure from BRILLIANT BEAUTY the last 3/8, hung in there to take a tough victory. The latter was four-wide to the 1/8 then took back to tuck fourth, on her way again at the half and reached the winner by the 5/8, in a great ding-dong battle with that one to the line, outstanding showing. IMPRINCESSGEMMA A was seventh when the gate sprung but used PP1’s track geometry advantage to force outside foes to take back, did yield to the winner to sit the pocket, couldn’t keep with the top pair late. A BETTOR GAME was third-over behind a dull one far turn when moving three-wide, finished with pace. A CRAFTY LADY was way behind the field early backstretch, circled a gapper and went on well to get a check. GEORGIE MARTIN N was second-over but gapped before the ¾. FEELIN RED HOT was two-wide early and took the pocket, sat in, blocked on the turn, but didn’t show much late. ROYALTYWESTHO left a big gap down the back.
THIRTEENTH RACE – JAGGER ROCKS was encouraged to take the pocket but refused and went on to the lead near the 27 quarter, kept on going at a good clip, held MY FRISKIE BOY at bay. The latter tried to create a “lineup” early but the winner was insistent, finally settled for the pocket, kept close but couldn’t gain at crunch time. AMAZON moved at the half from fifth and made a big charge against the wind, couldn’t quite sustain the gain but edged MEADOWBROOK FLASH for third. The latter got a good trip second-over but gapped his cover a bit, doing OK late. PARKLANE TERROR gapped third-over. CANT KNOCK ME was shuffled behind a fading horse but didn’t have too much once clear in the lane. DENVER SEELSTER never entered contention. BASS PLAYER gapped behind the two early duelers, and in fact was not tight on the horse in front of him most of the mile.
May 23, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Floating around 90 degrees today … Stretch headwind … Being inside or first-over were very important today … SEXY BLUE CHIP was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide 5/16 to get the lead past the fast ¼, wouldn’t let the potential retaker go by, opened up a clear lead and drew even further clear in the lane. MAJOR DESIRE spotted early, pinned in on the turn, to the Pocono Pike and could get second over a logjam. MANNY was the innermost of three leavers, put one in behind, let the other go 5/16, sought to retake but rethought that strategy, a bit loose in the pocket down the back, then fell back a little more. SULLIVAN left between horses and tucked third 3/16, out uncovered heading towards the backstretch, didn’t really threaten, held decently. INDIGO ART sat in and was blocked late. BRAVO TEX N was third-over, three- and four-wide on the turn – not the place to be today. LITTLEBITASWAGGER moved second-over, gapped cover down the back then tighter nearing the ¾, three-wide past midturn, didn’t gain. WESTERN TYRANT was last, searched for stretch room but didn’t find any.
SECOND RACE – GO WEST GO FAST was three-wide before the 3/16 to the front just past a 26.1 opener, rolled on, was in a huge struggle with PLAY THE FIELD to his left in the stretch, got the DH1, claimed yet again for a Pocono-record $40,000. The latter was out sharply, saw one tuck behind then yielded to the chalk off the first turn, stayed connected then to the Pike, may’ve had a nose up 100 feet out, gained the dead-heat. CAVIART MAX was out with cover until entering the backstretch, then three-wide to sweep up to second-over 11/16, three-wide again late turn, big mile. DRAGON STRIKES took a tuck at the 1/8, popped out 11/16 as the sweeper approached, challenged, held OK. COXCOMB was last-inside, fanned out three-wide far turn, tough spot. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL gapped the last 5/16. BELLOWS BINGE found no hole early and drifted outside midpack, looped down the backstretch and faded.
THIRD RACE – PRACTICAL CAT led from the first step to the last: forcing a rival to take the pocket 3/16, really slowing the half, meeting the challenge of the first-over, and then staying clear. STRIKING GENSON gapped in third on the first turn, came out at the half, challenged down the back, could tuck in the pocket past midturn, trotted steadily to the line. MOON BRIDGE left, battled with the winner before reluctantly taking the two-hole 3/16, a bit loose down the back and on the turn, but trotted well late. HOOLIE N HECTOR stayed in, was blocked on the far turn, Pocono Pike, not all that much. CREDIT CON didn’t enter the main picture. CHING CHING LUCKY was third-over, pushed a little wide by the headstretch breaker, never a major consideration. TRICKY DICK gapped inside. ONE AFTER NINE moved 5/16 and passed a lot of horses in the slow second quarter, finally checking second turn to accept the cover of the favorite, couldn’t stay with cover ¾.
FOURTH RACE — PIRATES ALLEY stayed in, came out in a blindswitch on the turn but the decided to duck back inside, to the deep Pocono Pike and up in the last steps (in a slow last quarter). RYCROFT N was looped and went on to take the top at the ¼, set the pace, had one horse outside him and two inside through the stretch, fought gamely to be second. BOBBY K HILL left sharply to get the top right away, yielded at the ¼, pocket, a bit loose 11/16 then closer, to the Pike, appeared to get a short lead deep stretch, not far off at all. BLOW A CLOUD N made a quarter-move but didn’t have crushing speed and grinded outside, held well (again, the last 1/4 may’ve helped). BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT got closer to cover, three-wide ¾, held evenly. TRENTE DEO had an excess of cover. ARTISTS RUFFLES as gapping before the half, a little closer, then had little left.
FIFTH RACE – ROCK OF CASHEL went out between horses and worked to the lead 3/16, set the pace including turning back the first-over, withstood a good late challenge to win in fast time. KENOGAMI COCO was uncovered at the half but soon got cover, gapped it slightly down the back, then in gear three-wide midturn, cut into the winner’s margin but couldn’t go by. LEVITATION was again a horse using inside position to get the pocket trip, a little loose on the turn, Pocono Pike, did well late. CRAZYCAT was caught inside, wedged between horses past midstretch and had finishing trot. BLENHEIM was three-wide to turn one then took the 3-hole at the 1/8, moved raw 9/16 and challenged in a quick third quarter, not bad late. TEDDY BROSEVELT was last of the main pack, wasn’t gaining late. SORTIE was out on the rim the whole way, had cover from the half, couldn’t mount a bid. BANZAI AS broke while last 3/8.
SIXTH RACE – HOOSIER SHARK pressed on to the top early, rated the half then sped up down the back, saw horses coming to him late but had enough for the decision. SEAL O’NEILL made a delayed move and went up to tuck in front of an early gapper, got a little grabby, outside 11/16 but gapped, better and three-wide late turn, up for a DH2 with WESTERN WALTZ. The latter was three-wide past the 1/8 and went in third 3/16, back out raw 5/8, looked shaken off on the far turn but went on doggedly. RACINWITHEWIND used an inside post to work out a pocket trip, Pocono Pike, came up a step shy. MUDVILLE got around backstretch gappers and retucked, running over horses at the wire with no place to go. THE OTHER TRIO were never a part of the action.
SEVENTH RACE – THIRD SHIFT went up in the early flow, left uncovered at the ¼ and reached the lead just past the 3/8, looked momentarily threatened when the favorite pulled the pocket far turn, but just ran away from this crew in fast time. RED REDEMPTION circled horses to get the early lead, yielded and sat third-in, had a clear Pocono Pike path after the pocketsitter moved out, not catching the winner but not to be caught for second on this day. QUEEN OF ALL was looped between horses, went on to the front at the 1/8 then yielded to the winner before the second turn, came out midturn and looked like a danger, but had zero forward trot in the stretch. BEERTHIRTY K didn’t benefit much from cover. MISTER BOINGA never entered the picture. DAGON HANOVER came out at the half but never got close to the lead. SWEETLIES N ALIBIS was last when running approaching turn two.
EIGHTH RACE – PREMIER ROCKSTAR was three-wide to turn one, took the pocket 3/16, a little loose down the back but then closer, exploded when shown the Pocono Pike and a solid winner. CLASSIC PRO pressed on between horses and got the front at the 1/8, dealt with pressure, couldn’t resist the favorite but held well otherwise. ROLLINWITHAMBITION was third-in, moved outside when the first-over backed off midstretch and finished well. WELL DONE SON was second-over, three-wide mid-far turn, best of the others. LYONS AMUSEMENTS took back to last, evenly inside. HEARTLANDBANYSBRO took an early spot, went first-over before the second turn and applied pressure, weakened in the stretch. LEAR SEELSTER tried circling wide from fourth-over to the ¾ but couldn’t enter the main frame. KILLER MARTINI was third-over, gapped 11/16.
NINTH RACE – MUSHANA came out towards the 5/8, inched up and kept grinding into a slowing tempo, proved the best here. IN MY DREAMS was behind a gapper, wound up second-over from seventh 11/16, wide, went past foes in the last 1/8 on a day when it was rare to see the 1-2 horses come from behind. STEUBEN HANOVER worked to command before the 3/16, yielded to the brusher, a bit loose far turn after a fast 3/4, Pocono Pike, evenly. GREAT UNKNOWN tucked, then went 56.3 in the middle half with no pressure, couldn’t make his advantage last. SWEET HEART AS gapped inside, moved two- and three-wide late turn, evenly. CAN’T SAY NO gapped at a couple of points after staying in. CUPID HANOVER was last most of the way, had a touch of trot on the end. PAPI HANOVER left, yielded, nothing to offer late after a third-in trip.
TENTH RACE – TITO ROCKS was between horses 3/16, yielded off the first turn but regained right away, didn’t let anybody get close in the second half. WAR-N-MUNN was the innermost of three leavers, stayed third-in, room in the Pocono Pike early stretch, narrowed in too late. FRISKIE ALL NITE sat in, OK for third. ROGERTHAT BLUECHIP was three-wide most of the 26.4 opener, made the lead off turn one then yielded, had little from the pocket late. PRAIRIE PANTHER was urged behind the gate but couldn’t muster early speed, went raw into turn two, evenly while never threatening. TOWN GOSSIP was last-in, shut off nearing the wire. RAUKAPUKA RULER N was second-over behind nonadvancing cover. THE WALL couldn’t get into the picture here.
ELEVENTH RACE – INCOMMUNICADO went to the lead and put other leavers in behind in a 27 opener, rated to the half then sped up, opened a clear lead around the turn and into the stretch, then was given a reminder midstretch as DEE’S RED DELICIOUS gained, equaling the fastest trotting mile of the year here at 1:52.2. The latter went into the pocket before the 3/16, stayed tight until the ¾ then allowed a gap to develop, kicked in with a better gear before midstretch, very good. RICH AND MISERABLE had cover early, inside fourth 3/16, inherited third and a gap just past the 3/8 after a rival broke, never quite tightened the gap, held for third. LADY’S IMAGE came out from fourth ¾ but didn’t gain. ROBBIE PEV and MARION GONDOLIER were never on the radar. P L NOTSONICE was away third, broke just under the finish line the first time.
TWELFTH RACE – CONBOYVILLE took maximum advantage of the rail to seat rivals, set the pace, met a good challenge down the back then kicked off to an open lead on the turn, not threatened. SOMBODYITREASURE left between horses, went to the pocket 3/16, went all he could to stay close to the winner the last ¼. DO WORK SON tightened in on cover third-over, four-wide headstretch, closed very well into the wind. STATEMENT MADE A stayed in, blocked midturn into the stretch, then to the Pocono Pike and had some late pace. TULHURSTSANTANNA A was three-wide much of the 26.3 opener before tucking third, not much left late. TOLLY-HO initially gapped cover second-over then caught up midbackstretch, three-wide midturn, didn’t get into it. PATERNITY SUIT A had the best view through most of this. PADUKA N moved out into turn two, came flying up off that bend with a 26.3 backstretch challenge, but that move took its toll.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PAT MCGARRY A was away second, moved before the ¼ to take the throttle and really slowed the half, responded instantly to an early backstretch challenge with a 26.4 third quarter, quite impressive. EXPLOIT moved from midpack into turn two and came storming out of that bend to really go at the leader, who met that challenge and forced his challenger to take the pocket 11/16, paced his last half in 53.4 and still had to settle for second. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN was fastest away, yielded to the winner, couldn’t quite accelerate enough keep the hole closed 11/16 and saw a horse tuck just in front of him (whom he then ran up on), went on for third. GUINNESS PANIC gapped cover in the lightning third split, just caught that cover for fourth. BEACH FORECAST was second-over but left behind in the backstretch, raw before the ¾, faded in the stretch. GONNAHAVEONEMORE was away third, struggled to keep up much of the rest of the way. DANCE IT OUT started slowly and never factored.
FOURTEENTH RACE – HIGH BALLER was three-wide early and settled back, first to move outside just before the 5/8, grinded, showed grit in defying the bias of the day and going on to victory. RIFLEMAN left well for second early, moved not long off the first turn and rushed to the lead, unchallenged for a long way, almost lasted to the line. LITERL LAD HANOVER was four-wide to turn one, circled around foes to get command to the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, looked hard to drive early stretch, held OK. FORREST BLU came out from last down the back and made up good ground through the last 3/8. FULL MOON BEACH looked all-out in third much of the way. HYPNOTICDREAM never emerged as a factor. BEACH TOWN BOY gapped out.
May 21, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Mid 60s up to 70 by card’s end … MUSCLE MACH A backed out to third-over 11/16, briefly blindswitched then was able to swing three- then four-wide near headstretch, wore down JAGGER ROCKS late. The latter took an early tuck, followed second-over at the half, went three-wide past midturn, went to the front midstretch, just failed to hold. FROMASHESTOASHES N left between horses and tucked, came out just past the ¼ but was left out on the limb to battle with the leader, held gamely. LOVE THE ACTION went three-wide at the ¾, couldn’t keep up midturn, then gained some belatedly in the slowing pace. SPECTRUM went into the pocket 3/16, to the Pocono Pike, wasn’t gaining late. CANT KNOCK ME was last, went to the deep Pike, also could not enter contention. FATHER FRED took the lead early and refused to give it up under long, hard pressure, tired in the lane.
SECOND RACE – Mild stretch headwind … RIVER OTTER used the rail to impose his will on the field and set a fast pace, stayed game to ward off KEYSTONE SERGEANT. The latter spotted, then was uncovered at the half, didn’t reach the winner until near headstretch, then cut into the margin inch by inch but didn’t quite make it. GREEK LEGEND took some funky steps 5/16 and stayed two-wide until retucking down the back, out again mid-far turn, along to be best of the rest. FINAL DREAM accepted the pocket just past the 1/8, started to get a little loose down the back, then lost more ground the last 3/16. BOSCH was last, passed the others. SPIT AND VINEGAR was forwardly-placed, came up empty far turn. SCIROCCO PATRICK left a big gap early much of the way. NO NAME YANKEE was gapping when breaking off turn two.
THIRD RACE – YES INDEED moved outside 5/8 and steadily made up ground as she paced her last half in 55.4 raw, just up over NEW VIEW. The latter was looped and three-wide early, went on to get command past the 3/16, strung out the field, had the winner range up to her on the turn, held her ground very gamely. BETTE TINA outstepped everybody getting away, yielded, stayed connected to the main action, Pocono Pike, not quite the equal of the top two but far ahead of the rest. SWEET KATIE BUG left OK, in, started gapping 5/8. JAVA was along for the last check. TEEN DREAM came out down the back but never reached contention. COME ZOOM WITH ME gapped out from the half.
FOURTH RACE – SPY BOOTH left between horses and took control, rated the half, far superior to these. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR was innermost of the three leavers and retained the pocket, stayed close most of the way, held onto second. KASEVILLE was three-wide heading to turn one, took back to slot third just past the 1/8, outside late turn, couldn’t catch the place horse. CRAZY FOR CJ got a slow start, moved outside mid-far turn and was the very distant fourth. BILLY RAY HANOVER trailed most of the way. GOLDEN GLIDER started to struggle to keep up 5/8.
FIFTH RACE – Wind has picked up … HAZEVILLE was looped then motored right up to take over past the 3/16, set the pace as he pleased and drew away as he pleased. GIBOR outleft everybody from the outside, yielded for the pocket, did well for second. WARRAWEE XTREME settled third, had a little bit of pace late. JERSEY JUSTICE never achieved prominence. JITTERBUG FLIP, carrying his head to one side at times, moved behind nonflowing cover, three-wide far turn, evenly. TWIN B MUMBLE came out just before the 5/8 but could make no serious inroad before fading. STRATEGIC BOMBER was last and kept falling further back.
SIXTH RACE – MASSIVE OPULENCE had the pocket early, moved at the 1/8 to command before the ¼, stayed on steadily. MISS MUSCLE went right to the top, yielded to the winner, was asked from the 11/16 onward, did well. WILLIE B WORTHY moved off the rail from third just past the ¾, evenly. PRAIRIE VIRTUE came off the rail ¾ but couldn’t reach the front ones. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY stayed in, not too much late. HOT SUMMER KNIGHT needed most of the quarter to settle back to last, never in the hunt. ALL RISE did not factor.
SEVENTH RACE – GOLDEN GESTURE was on top into turn one, yielded past the 1/8 for the pocket, shuffled ¾ then outside past midturn and wide in the lane, kept coming on into the breeze and was up in time. MILITARY MASTER A came out of third 9/16 and went to the lead ¾, still clear midstretch but was tiring and was caught. SOMWHERENBROOKLN N was outside, got going in the flow and was left raw into the far turn, just missed second. DJ’S BIG ELVIS tightened up with the main crew, outside on the turn, gapped a little, then finished steadily as the pace slowed down. SAMMY THE BULL N was part of a well-separated three down the back, made up a good bit of ground. SPORTS TEEN was three-wide to the first curve to the top before the 3/16, was challenged down the back, yielded and got tired. THE OTHER TWO were never in the picture.
EIGHTH RACE – EDEN ON THE HILL was three-wide towards turn one to command 3/16, steamed right along and won both eåsily and in very fast time for maiden trotters. DOWN THE PIKE MIKE went on between horses to the top and yielded, battled to stay close to the fast winner, fell back some in the lane. LUXURY BRAND had some speed, started going loose in the three-hole at the ½. FAMOUS DAN was locked in late backstretch and around the turn, clear and up for the next check. ROJO MAN never featured. THE AMERICAN EAGLE looked at leaving then took back to last, out behind dull cover, three-wide late far turn, couldn’t reach. MAGNIFICENTCHAPTER moved raw before the 5/8 to try to circle a gapper but never did, faded.
NINTH RACE – DAAMERICANSKY made the top quickly, had to keep rolling as there was pressure from ARTACHE HANOVER, felt that pressure increase at the 5/8, finally got a bit of a clear lead upper stretch but that pesky shadow wouldn’t go away, won measuring. The latter went up with cover early then was let out raw on the rim, reached the leader 5/8 and challenged to the point where he had a small margin ¾, suffered a bit from track geometry on the turn, but never stopped trying in a top-caliber performance. RUFFLE UP pulled at the ¼, gapped the place horse, but one-geared it nicely to be third. DARK HORSE sat in, had traffic trouble to headstretch, angled inside the show horse late and had some gain. ROCK KING DEO tried to advance three-wide far turn but could not. BEST SHOT N got third early, inside, couldn’t reenter the picture. SOLARCTIC moved three-wide off cover 5/8 but couldn’t make much of a dent on the top two, fell back. REYS N A RUCKUS came through at the start, took the pocket 3/16, struggled to stay with the duelers late backstretch, little left late.
TENTH RACE – NAUTICAL HANOVER put a foe in behind early, set the pace, came home in twin 27.2s as an impressive winner. VICIOUS went to the outer flow, three-wide before headstretch, came home in 53.4 with fine late speed, one to watch. ONE OF THE GUYS retucked around a gapper early backstretch, blocked on the far turn and had to wait for the Pocono Pike, then came on for show. DIVINE RIGHT moved with cover but was left coverless 9/16, advanced in 26.4 the third split, held on well. WOLFTRAX took the pocket tuck just past the 1/8, got loose of the winner on the turn. WAR OF WILL was always far back. RENO DINERO was away third, started falling back just past the half.
ELEVENTH RACE – MISSY TRIX started outside raw 5/8, went 56.3 – 28.1 the back half and relentlessly wore down IN A TINY WAY in the final couple of steps. The latter was wide early, hit a higher gear nearing the 1/8 and went to the top 3/16, rated the half, did very well on the front end and just did miss on the money. LILYBET was first on top, yielded to sit the pocket, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike, close at the finish with a good mile. MIGHTY ANGEL moved outside with cover midturn, decent. MATTER OF TRUST sat in, couldn’t get closer in the stretch. GHIBLI gapped inside. CRUSHWORTHY needed most of the ¼ to settle back inside, never was prominent. NEWELL PLACE was starting to get going when breaking at the half.
TWELFTH RACE – HUNTED HOUSE took the pocket early, then took over control with a quarter-move, had fairly constant second-half pressure but prevailed to the line. GRATEFUL KISS spotted third, sat in, waited for the deep Pocono Pike and did well to get the nod over MELANIE’S NICK for second. The latter was fifth at the START point but used track geometry to emerge with the lead, yielded for the two-hole, straight to the Pike, not bad but was photoed for place. NIKI MINAJ was shut out of an early hole and took back to tuck, best of the rest. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD kept a hole closed before the 3/16, started uncovered at the half and made a good third quarter challenge, but couldn’t sustain it. LATEST ATTRACTION gapped ¾. CAPTAIN EMOTION was gapping early, moved out but made no inroads.
May 21, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperature started at 78, dropped 10 degrees as rain came through … Track “fast +0” races 1 and 2; then rain: “sloppy +1” races 3 through 7 and “good +1” races 8 through 11; then track had dried and “fast +0” the remainder of the card … Stretch headwind to start, although the rain calmed it midcard as it often does here post-rain; it reemerged later … LAZER JET moved with cover early backstretch then soon was left without it, kept going up after the tired leader and easily went by on the turn, drew away. SUNDANCEDIAMOND was in the outside flow, not as quick as the winner but came on steadily. SUM FOR ALL had forward position, was first to move into the backstretch and went into the newly-vacated pocket, in turn saw the top two sweep by, backed out headstretch, far-back third. PHANTOM RUSTY gapped early, never a major factor. BULLY BOY motored out to a 26.4 quarter in establishing a clear lead he maintained until late in the backstretch, then hit the wall. TUIS SHADOW was looped and looking to settle fourth when breaking to the 3/16, recovered but was never a big consideration. HORNS FOR THREE left wide to the pocket before the 3/16, unplugged off the second turn. KEYSTONE THUNDER broke an 1/8 before the start.
SECOND RACE – Darkening skies … WHATA TREASURE was underway from third before the half, went 27 down the back to fight with the leader, got all the way past past midturn and briefly was clear, then saw opponents battle on late. AIN’T IT FUN made the lead and got a soft half, turned up the speed to battle the winner, held him out until midturn, then continued on gamely to make up a little ground late. ROUGH ODDS had the pocket after the early breaker, slightly shuffled late turn, Pocono Pike, next-best. REGAL ESCAPE was third-over behind gapping cover, finished well. BASS PLAYER mostly avoided the early breaker, then second-over but gapped in the fats third spilt and thereafter. SPORTSMANSHIP was not prominent. NIHILATED TRUTH left and was severely bothered by the breaker being pushed very wide, took back to last in the main pack and never reemerged. BEACHESBECKONME was leaving well but made a break into turn one.
THIRD RACE – Rain, and track to “sloppy +1” … SPECIAL MISSION wound up in the early pocket after a breaker, moved 3/8 to the lead and set a fast pace, was far clear most of the last half in a big mile. WINE BAR was dueling with a foe 3/16 when that one broke, yielded to the winner, almost immediately could not go with that one, but stayed a well-clear second both forward and backwards. IT IS WELL and U BAKE THE CAKE had their own private race for third the last 3/8, which the former one. KOLB HANOVER was out with cover almost to the ¼, then raw, faded past the half. ROSE ABOVE IT was three-wide leaving and going up two-wide to try to wrest control when breaking just past the 3/16. RESOLUTIONS was last when running at the ¼.
FOURTH RACE – MR MCDREAMY was innermost of three leavers, let one go then came back with a quarter-move and rated the half, got pressure from WHAT’S GOIN ON from the 5/8, game to hold off that one. The latter was underway from fifth just past the 3/8, speed-grinded in 27.3 to challenge, held his ground well but couldn’t get by. RIOT was three-wide to the first bend, on top past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, stayed tight, Pocono Pike, a step or so shy. SPIDER MAN HANOVER left between horses then took back to tuck, semi-close to the top three the last 5/16. JAMAICAN COWBOY was behind dull cover and three-wide ¾, made up good ground from where he was. BEACHMASTER TWO gapped much of the last half mile, as did CHANCELLORCULLEN N. BJ’S GUY moved second-over, but was not keeping up with cover from the 11/16.
FIFTH RACE – THOSE BLUES was looped, tucked third then inherited the pocket as a challenger broke, moved 3/8 and cleared just past the ½, pressured some on the top, but was handled confidently to the line. CANTERAWISHING gapped inside to almost the ¾ then was closer, outside late turn and wide midstretch, narrowing in. AMBERS CHAMPION came out 5/8 and made a bid, held pretty well. GOO GOO LU LU avoided trouble. IVORY ROAD left very quickly and got the top, yielded to the winner just past the ½, nothing left the last 3/16. PERFECT DESTINY came through at the start, made a break in the pocket 3/16, recovered and back outside but didn’t get close before breaking again. INFANTA DEO was three-wide to the 1/8, went up late on the first turn and was challenging for the lead when miscuing 5/16.
SIXTH RACE – SILVERSTONE took command at the 1/8, rated the half, met with the stretch challengers. BUCHANNON HANOVER had a fine trip in the two-hole, Pocono Pike, maintained place. ZEUS HANOVER moved with cover 11/16, wide in the lane and closed very well. QUARANTINI was reluctant to go into a 4-tuck 3/16, moved out 11/16, couldn’t sustain his bid. PLAY THE ACE sat third, fell back in the last ¼. MR UNTITLED was gapping from early in the mile, drifted out and fell far back. ARTY’S ON TIME broke off the turn before the start, caught the field but faded, then made the kind of misstep associated with “b.e.” far turn and was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – Stretch headwind picking up … EXTRORDINARYLADY S left well to the top at the 1/8, went a fast ¼ and had a clear lead after the pocket horse broke, went the last 3/4s in 1:31.2 but retained control. PRAY AND HUSTLE inherited the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, gained a little late. SUNSEEKER HANOVER moved out ¾ but gapped on the turn, wide stretch and won a three-way photo for third. EXPLOSIVE SESSION went evenly hugging the inside. PRAIRIE TRINKET took back to a 4-psot at the 1/8, improved to third after a breaker, got in gear 11/16 and moved outside, evenly. GIRL FOR QUEENS gapped. BOINGALICIOUS went to the lead then yielded for the pocket, broke 3/16, couldn’t get back into contention. IWISHNOTTOBTOUCHED went offstride just before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – Track rerated to “good +1” … STRAIGHT UP COOL was looped, went in third 3/16, gapped in quarter two then got underway raw at the half, reached the leader 5/8 and fought with that one until taking over early stretch, impressive winner. NOME HANOVER was away second then on the move before the ¼ to take over the racetrack, had hard pressure from the 5/8, couldn’t resist in the stretch but held very admirably. THE BUS A was second-over, gapped then tightened in nearing the far turn, found his best strides a bit too late. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO was on top very quickly, yielded for the pocket, struggled to keep tight in same from before the ¾. I’M NO PANSY was parked in the back early, worked up to third-over, got the last payday. SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN and BAY MEADOWS were behind BORN DESIRE, who started gapping at the half, and none of the three entered the main picture.
NINTH RACE – Sunshine … FINN PALEMA tucked in 3/16, uncovered before the 5/8 and put pressure on the leader, couldn’t go by so ducked in the pocket briefly late turn into the stretch, then tried the leader again with renewed vigor and got by. BEER CHEESE was out at the ¼ and to the lead 3/8, looked like he may have put the winner away headstretch but got outtrotted on the end. DONATELLO HANOVER moved second-over but couldn’t stay tight, some at the end to get third. DOUBLE VODKA DON left, was three-high to the 1/8 then two-deep to the lead just past the ¼, yielded, couldn’t keep up ¾. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN went right to the top, yielded past the ¼, gapped on the far turn. THE OTHER THREESOME were always in the back of the field.
TENTH RACE – KJ HUNTER spotted, then came out at the half, three-wide 9/16 to two-wide raw 5/8, challenged hard, found enough as the pace slowed down to get the decision in a long photo. FRAZZLEBERRY tucked third at the 1/8, got the pocket 3/16 after a breaker and kept the hole pretty well closed, to the Pocono Pike and appeared to get a brief lead midstretch, just missed. BULLVILLE FRANK followed cover three- then two-wide, three-wide again headstretch, keep getting closer in the slowing pace. WIN PLACE ‘N SHOW was shuffled to last, wedged in a very tight space between horses midstretch and gained. TE AMO BLUE CHIP left a big gap in the frontstretch, narrowed in and looked to go outside to perhaps sweep the parked horse then went back in at the ½, gapped to headstretch, to the deep Pike but didn’t get there. BAY CITY made the lead at the 1/8, got pressure in the third quarter from the winner, didn’t fade too badly. CAPTAIN KEN was outside 5/16, couldn’t follow the winner’s sweep but eventually circled the fading horse, not enough. ETBAUER pushed the 1/8 and yielded, broke 3/16, recovered and tried to regain the lead but was rebuffed, faded through the last half.
ELEVENTH RACE – MUSCLE HALL went to the lead, saw an early challenger break, yielded to another foe past the 3/8 then regained control the half, opened a good-sized lead, but was on fumes late and had the wire come at just the right moment. CHELIOS stayed in, had to wait on the turn, then to the Pocono Pike, gained as the tempo slowed, ahead a step past the finish. BEYOND THE HILL was in the outer flow, three-wide headstretch, gained late as the tempo declined; same story with SKRILL, who was four-wide headstretch and appeared to be bearing out late. BAR COINS sat in, blocked upper stretch with horses across the racetrack, had trot at the end. BACKSTREET PLAYER was three-wide early in traffic, went up 3/16 to the lead just after the 3/8, yielded early in the backstretch, loose from the 5/8. TNT BLUE CHIP got the pocket when an early foe jumped, moved outside before the 5/8 but didn’t reach the winner and then faded. TALISMANO was bidding for command 3/16 when making a break.
TWELFTH RACE – The sun and wind had dried the track and it was rerated “fast +0” … LIGHTNING LEIA moved raw past the 3/8 as the pace slowed, went 27.2 the third quarter with the wind and reached the leader by the ¾, drew away in the latter stages. SHES A BULLVILLE followed the winner, a little bit off her far turn, ducked to the Pocono Pike and was along for second. HELLRUNNER HANOVER used inside positioning to see one early challenger break and force another into the pocket, slowed the half then spurted, had a clear lead in quarter three, but couldn’t make the lead last. MS TREACHEROUS was three-wide early, dropped into the pocket 3/16, struggled when the pace quickened down the back. BETTOR STRAIT N UP backed out to third-over far turn, just missed fourth. RAINBOW RISING left some, then was not a factor. TRULY gapped from midrace, broke early stretch. IRISH SONG was four-wide early and had the lead while three-wide when making a break near the 1/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – STORM IS RAGING went in fourth 3/16, pulled while well off the brushing pocket horse early backstretch, left raw and gradually moved up to challenge, didn’t color the leader until headstretch but quickly drew away in a powerful performance. MOON BRIDGE defended the pocket in a fast quarter, pulled same early in the backstretch and went by, getting to the ¾ very quickly, tired but still way ahead of the rest. CHUCKY DE VIE tucked third, went around a tired one ¾ but then had little. CRITICAL MASS gapped midrace, evenly. FRAC never got close; nor did CHOCOLATE MATTERS. CAMPBELLINI jetted away to command in a fast opener, extended a backstretch challenger to the 11/16 and then folded. ANDOVERS TOUCH was off the gate and always last.
FOURTEENTH RACE – GONE BEFORE DAWN was three-wide to the first turn then on to command 3/16, slowed the half, held out the pesky parked horse, went clear. TSM BATMAN was second-over, up late for second. BOBS REDEMPTION left and had the pocket, couldn’t stay with the winner in the last ¼. BEACH CHIEF was three-wide midpack well past the 1/8, to two-wide and went up to challenge in both a slow second ¼ and a fast third ¼, held very stoutly. ROPE THE MOON took back to tuck early, then third-over but gapped. STEWARDOFTHELAND offered little. PINEBUSHDRAGONROLL couldn’t keep up far turn. KJ UNREAL was looking to leave but broke early.
May 19, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – It cooled rapidly during the twilight card, which started at 81o and by race seven was at 67o … Stretch headiwnd … A CRAFTY LADY had cover almost to the ¼ then went on to take the lead before the 3/8, unpressured until the stretch, when PRAIRIE WESTERNGAL kept getting closer and closer, with the wire coming at the right time for the winner. The latter was out until the ¼ for the lead, yielded for the pocket, was loose in same much of the last half, outside headstretch and kept narrowing in. WHO’S SMOKIN N left and yielded, stayed third-in, so-so in the Pocono Pike. CHIPPER DAISY also sat in. also so-so in the lane. BRONZE OVER N took back early and tucked 3/16, was second-over behind dull cover, three-wide before the ¾, got the last check. JERICHO DIVA was not prominent. NARINA HANOVER moved first-over off turn two, but not first-up too much. IN LOU OF MONEY trailed.
SECOND RACE – PATERNITY SUIT A was away well and refused to yield in here, got away from the circlers before the ¾, stayed clear. PARKLANE TERROR sat in, was shuffled midturn then got out only to tuck right back in and then go to the Pocono Pike, made up good ground. HOOSIER SHARK kept the pocket closed until the 5/16, then sat third-in, escaped to two-wide just before the sweepers came and retucked in the pocket, fair. MEADOWBROOK FLASH was hustled up before the 5/8, circled the parked horse, got to two-wide midturn, OK; AMAZON followed that one’s cover, three-wide far turn, not as much. LOVE YOURSELF was never prominent. DENVER SEELSTER was between horses until almost the 5/16 until getting in the pocket, unplugged past the 5/8. MY FRISKIE BOY was fully three-wide past the ¼, then left out two-wide, was circled just past the 5/8.
THIRD RACE – MISSILE quarter-moved to the lead 3/8, kept firm control of this one. FASHION ON A STAR left, forced a tuck, then yielded to the winner, kept up with that one until the stretch, clearly second. FLANAGAN DESTINY was behind grinding cover, finished well. BY A HOFF HANOVER left some but tucked fourth, moved uncovered off turn two, grinded without really getting close. PADRE was three-wide to the first bend, went in the pocket 3/16, faded through the last ¼. SLEW FOOT gapped. COUNT CHOCALOT never entered the picture. SCIROCCO BIG JOHN was outside but still last at every call.
FOURTH RACE — IDEAL FEELING went right to the front and was the dominant force throughout, with back fractions of 55 – 27.1. TOLLY-HO quickly got into third, stayed in, slightly shuffled late far turn then got clear in the Pocono Pike, just up for second over GRIFFON HANOVER. The latter left well, looked on a line at a couple of points before the half, started to get a little loose at the 5/8, stayed in the fight for second clear of the rest. STENDAHL HANOVER was out to second-over 3/8, got a good trip, three-wide far turn, couldn’t gain. BULLVILLE TERROR sat in and was shuffled to last, then three-wide first without then with cover far turn, four-wide headstretch, tough trip. ROCK THREE TIMES was third-over, blindswitched, didn’t enter the picture. MEADOWBROOK RAIDER started uncovered 3/8 and gained until reaching the ¾, whereupon he started to back up.
FIFTH RACE – AMERICAN ZESTAR was three-wide early, saw a foe come out in front of him to the 3/16 and followed his cover to almost the 5/16, then onward to the lead 3/8, got pressure late backstretch then shook that one off, stayed game to the line. C-BET HANOVER was briefly in the early pocket, then moved out in front of the winner to the 3/16, took the top off the first bend only to yield 3/8 for the two-hole, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite make it. BUILDING BOOST was uncovered on turn two, was looped past the 5/8 and gapped that new cover, ducked in far turn, up the inside and got third. HURRIKANE JUNIOR moved out down the back then quickly moved in the three-path to the 5/8 to first-over 11/16, had a brief lead, but was shaken off and tired some. HUNTING FOR MILES checked briefly behind a breaker 3/16, got the last check. BARRIER was pushed very wide by the early breaker and didn’t enter contention. ALL BETS DOWN left well, saw two go by in quarter two, all done far turn. OUTWIT OUTRUN made a break mid-first turn.
SIXTH RACE – BULLVILLE KARLA moved from third 3/16 to command before the 3/8, got heat from the first-over 5/8 and saw that one get ahead by most of a length on the turn but would not let her go by and cross over, fought on and took the decision. STAY SAFE moved raw on turn two, in gear 5/8 and went up to get the lead ¾ but could not cross over, not quite enough late. TSM ARTEMIS T sat in and was last, blocked inside far turn, got the Pocono Pike and edged SPEAKING OF COFFEE for third. The latter went to the lead going to turn one, pushed a foe to almost the 3/8 then yielded, evenly late. PRICELESS SHADOW moved out from last 3/8 and got cover on the second curve, couldn’t stay with it letting a foe back outside, saw that foe gap and swung three-wide late on the turn, not bad. RELLA TIVITY had the early pocket, backed out to second-over 5/8 but gapped cover.
SEVENTH RACE – SOME KINDA ANGEL took advantage of track geometry and emerged from five leavers with the pocket, stayed close, to the Pocono Pike and drew clear. TSM WESTERN SOUL was looped between horses and had to spend life on the rim, didn’t really start to gain on the leaders until the far turn, proved very resilient and fought on for an impressive second. CAVIART CARMEL was caught in, backed outside midturn, wide, still sixth midstretch, good late. BYGONE HANOVER was last, OK in the Pocono Pike. LOVELY LADY MAY backed off early, sat in, gapped 5/8, was pinched between horses midstretch with some horse. NITE TIME DEAL circled five-wide out of the gate to take the lead, went along at a good pace, out of gas in the stretch. GRAY SKIES rode outside behind cover throughout, fell far back.
EIGHTH RACE – MAD MAX HANOVER went uncovered before the half, went up to challenge the leader, with those two joined by a Pocono Pike horse for the stretch drive, third 100 feet out but proved the toughest late gaining into a 27 kicker. SIX FEET APART was looped, briefly in a hole then on the move before the quarter and got the lead, as noted had foes to both sides in the lane, held well. LAYTON HANOVER was out 3/16 before getting command, yielded and sat the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, got to even terms with the leader midstretch, just a bit shy. JK MIKI MANTLE left well, yielded 3/16, stayed in, a couple of steps shy late. BET A BUNDLE didn’t have too much of a chance from last but got a check. BIRTHDAY was out early on turn two, second-over, didn’t tip wide for the stretch, didn’t threaten. ROCKNROLL GOLD was momentarily three-wide at the bottom of turn two then settled third-over, gapped ¾.
NINTH RACE – CUPID HANOVER was fastest away, yielded 3/16 and sat a great two-hole trip, Pocono Pike and a safe winner. CAN’T SAY NO moved second-over near the half but soon lost his cover to a break, went on up uncovered, trotted gamely to the line. VOLARE popped out to second-over when that spot’s original occupant broke 11/16, came between horses late and did OK. DYLAN THE GREAT was outside 3/16 in a fast ¼, rated the half, didn’t have enough to maintain the advantage. POSSESS THE STONE never featured. TEDDY BROSEVELT was outside near the back early, never got closer. TUESDAY MORNING moved out, gapped cover early backstretch but tightened in, gaining when broke 11/16. BLENHEIM got a forward early spot, moved uncovered at the half but soon lost gait.
TENTH RACE – NIGHT HAWK showed alert speed to take command past the 3/16, moderated the middle half then went to a faster gear, then went to a faster gear again headstretch when asked and came home in 26.1 while looking like he was doing it effortlessly. CAPTAIN COWBOY had the front early, yielded and sat second, a bit loose down the back then closer, stayed close to the winner although not a threat nonetheless had a very good race of his own. TRUE BLUE LINDY spotted early, just couldn’t go enough in the 26.1 blitz home. MASK ON MASK OFF and GOOD DEAL stayed in and got the last checks. ALL THE CHIPS moved raw on the second turn, got a little closer before fading. MY MIKI BEACH was last at every call.
ELEVENTH RACE – BOILING OAR made the top easily and it was all but over from there, coming home in 55 – 27.1. JK MUSICMAN was second-over, gapped far turn, then showed more vigor and closed well for the distant second. YOUMAKEMYHEARTSING started uncovered early on the second turn, went 27 down the back to reach joint-second by the ¾ and through the turn, just outpaced for place late. RIFLEMAN stayed in, was blocked far turn, outside stretch, had pace in tight quarters late. GET LIT sat in, to the Pocono Pike, not much. KING JAMES EXPRESS was third-over, never prominent. PARMESAN N yielded for the pocket, had nothing left the last 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – MARKET BASED left and sat a fine trip in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and overhauled PJ LOU while pacing his own last ¼ in 27.1. The latter charged right out to command in a 26.2 opener, set the pace, met the challenge of the first-over, but couldn’t withstand his Pikeshooting foe. ENERGETIC HANOVER stayed connected in third, backed out far turn and wide in the lane, just third in the last step over FOUREVER BOY. The latter was three-wide to the 1/8, went behind cover then tucked fourth, moved uncovered before the half and went 26.4 in challenging down the back, held his ground very well. CODE CRACKER was in good second-over position but didn’t have the needed pace in the crucial stages. DONTLIKEITLEAVE gapped badly before the 3/8; THE OTHER TWO eventually got around him but were too far back to enter contention.
THIRTEENTH RACE – PRIMARY COLORS left some, quarter-moved but had to take the pocket before the second turn, stayed close, tipped outside early stretch and quickly accelerated to go to the front, coming home in 27.1. CAPTAIN KEEN was four-wide to the first turn then two-wide circling up to the lead past the 1/8, went on and put the winner in behind him, set the pace without pressure until headstretch, not enough late sprint but held for the deuce. DONTPASSME HANOVER moved outside to the 5/8 and got cover, then was three-wide ¾ as that one did not advance, two-wide far turn, came a long way. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was behind a bad gapper, got through on the inside, stayed in the rest of way including using the Pocono Pike, next in line. MOVE THE LINE was two-wide to the first turn, yielded for the early pocket, then gave the hole past the 3/8, faded from third through the last ¼. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT moved out raw 5/8 but offered very little. GETYOURLICENSELIAM started slowly, was badly gapping frontstretch, bore out on the second turn, fell far back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TIAMOGONEDANCIN commenced first-up duties at the half, grinded, moved more assertively far turn to put pressure on the leader, on even terms much of the turn and into the stretch, took over midstretch, held off the inside threat of TRAFFIC JAM. The latter was between horses early and got third, had the Pocono Pike open up as the pocketsitter angled wide, finished steadily. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER was the innermost of the leavers, yielded off the first turn and sat second, angled out of the pocket and wide early stretch, a bit slow to hit high gear but was doing well late. VEL DONNA was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide to command off turn one, got hard pressure on the lead from the winner, didn’t fade too badly. ANOTHER BEACH DAY moved second-over behind the winner but almost immediately was gapping cover. THE OTHERS did not have a major say in the outcome of this race.
