May 3, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Swirling wind, sometimes stretch tailwind (fractions may be guide) … Low to mid 60s … ROLL WITH THE FLOW drifted out two-wide, went up uncovered 3/16 after the front end settled, pushed to make the top 3/8, held off a backstretch bid, then was best of these. KINGSVILLE was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, yielded 3/8 after some contesting, pocket, a bit loose headstretch and never regained serious ground. CRACK A SMILE left, yielded, stayed third-in, Pocono Pike, good in fight for second. CAPTAIN COOK was third-over, four-wide late turn, closed with pace from far back. HUNTING FOR MILES was second-over at the half, three-wide midturn, drifted a little wide headstretch, never got much going in the lane. TUF COOPER stayed in, not prominent. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD moved out fourth-over down the back, had an excess of cover. MASK ON MASK OFF tucked at the 1/8, then came first-up at the ½, challenged, then tired through the lane.
SECOND RACE – MYSTICAL WYNN was looped and three-wide early, finally got in fifth 3/16, started uncovered to the half, went up in the slow third quarter, put away the leader headstretch, then trotted off (fractions suggest stretch tailwind for this race). MARION GONDOLIER was three-wide to the 1/8 and cleared past that point, pushed a foe to the 3/8 before a fast half then let that one go, came out behind the winner late turn, did well for second. RICH AND MISERABLE trotted three-wide around a bunch of horses taking back, kept going forward and finally made the top 3/8, put up a fast half, was challenged late backstretch, tired after the heavy early work. EPOS OSTERVANG DK stayed in, moved out far turn and wide headstretch, moving well late. LEVITATION had forward position, didn’t do much late. CUPID HANOVER was actually the first horse to show as the gate sprung but saw a potential cavalry charge and took all the way back to last, Pocono Pike, not terribly far off third. CRAZYCAT was third-over then second-over after the original second-over broke, not enough late. SWEET HEART AS moved out second-over, gapped as the winner went up then was getting closer when breaking 5/8.
THIRD RACE – SOUTHWIND PETYR was looped, made the pocket 3/16 and sat a great trip, to the Pocono Pike, gained inch by inch until finally getting a little clearance in the shadow of the wire. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN outhustled everybody away, rated the half, got pressure at the 11/16, held very gamely until the last few steps while pacing his back half in 55. JACKIE MOON sat in then backed out second-over 11/16, just third in a good last quarter. BET ON BLAKE moved raw before the 5/8 and challenged while going his third split in 27, held determinedly. BEACH TOWN BOY was never close. CHIEF OF STAFF was last from the rail 50 yards into the race, moved outside but couldn’t gain.
FOURTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV was outside midpack with cover early, uncovered 3/8 to the lead well before the 5/8 in fast fractions, drew away in an impressive showing. CHAPOLIER was three-wide to the 1/8 then tucked 3/16, uncovered past the 9/16, grinded up, lost ground to the winner in the stretch but held OK for second. COCKTAILS N DIAMONDS was double-looped early and three-wide to the 1/8, kept outside 3/8 in a quick tempo until making the top, yielded not too far down the back, pocket, tired after hard use. SHADRACK HANOVER was far back, three-wide around trouble midturn, next. NIGHT FLYER K gapped down the back. KISS AN ANGEL moved outside but had very little to offer. RED REDEMPTION was pushed to almost the ¼ to get the top, yielded, backed out on the turn in tight quarters, broke. MON AMOUR was first on top, yielded, shuffled some then backed out two-wide, broke looking for more far turn.
FIFTH RACE – JUST N ACE was uncovered before turn two and grinded up to challenge, fell back a bit on the turn into the stretch, but showed good determination and wore down PREMIER ROCKSTAR. The latter was three-wide to turn one and got on top 5/16, slow second quarter, looked to have turned back the bid of the winner early stretch but couldn’t hold the lead to the line. A STUD NAMED SAM was last behind dull cover, ducked in turn, found room between horses late and finished well. DERECHO was in front past the 1/8, yielded 5/16 for the pocket, a bit loose from deep backstretch, evenly. BLOW A CLOUD N was forwardly-placed but gapped. SUPER PAC HANOVER was second-over but gapped.
SIXTH RACE – DEWEY ARNOLD came through at the start to the top then yielded to sit the two-hole, stayed tight, outside headstretch and had the most in the fastest local trotting mile of the year. ANGEL NATION left strongly to the lead past the 1/8, kept much of the field strung out while going very good fractions, held very tenaciously. MELADY’S MONET tucked third, not quite enough in the last ¼. SWAN IN MOTION advanced up the inside in a pretty good mile. P L NOTSONICE couldn’t gain. KENOGAMI COCO moved out from last but never entered the picture. SCIROCCO ROB had trouble keeping up at multiple points.
SEVENTH RACE – Wind now looked like a stretch tailwind … WESTERN TYRANT was three-wide to the 1/8, raced into the 3-hole, gapped in the frontstretch, but got in gear 9/16 and grinded up, into the pocket ¾, had room to move outside headstretch, still had the energy to pace right to the top after involvement in the quick pace, claimed for a Pocono-record-equaling $40,000. MAJOR DESIRE moved second-over into the backstretch, gapped down the backstretch, left uncovered ¾, couldn’t keep the winner locked in, then came on well late. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK went outside behind gapping cover and was blindswitched just past the 5/8, ducked in on the turn and just missed second. CAVIART MAX left between horses, needed until the 5/16 to clear, rolled along at a fast clip, got pressure from the winner, couldn’t sustain. KILLER MARTINI moved three-wide from third-over past the 5/8, didn’t really gain that much until the pace was slowing late. WON LAST FEELING was never in the hunt. TULLOW N showed little but came back with “b.e.” DRAGON STRIKES pushed a foe past a fast ¼ and yielded, started to unplug 5/8.
EIGHTH RACE – NICHOLAS BEACH burst to the top, had no one pull on him until past mid-far turn, was clear early stretch then was given some encouragement to keep going as AMERICAN COURAGE was coming hard. The latter sat third the whole way, outside shortly into the stretch, had a wicked last 1/16. LYONS STEEL had the pocket, getting loose ¾, far ahead of the others. SHOOBEE DOO A spotted fourth early, maintained position. CAPTAIN MULZAC gapped 11/16. CAVIART LUCA appeared to be struggling to keep up much of the way.
NINTH RACE – TOWNLINE FLIGHT gapped some in third midrace then went tighter, to the inside of the leader in the stretch and just got a nose up as the pace was slowing. LEGAL POWER charged through at the start, three-wide early en route to the lead near the 1/8, clear down the backstretch and on the turn, just missed making the advantage stand up to the finish. HOPETOBEFIRST left between horses and got the pocket, loose much of the backstretch and through the turn, outside into the lane, not quite enough. BEVANS CULLEN N sat in, gained in the deep Pike late into the slowing tempo. TOLLY-HO spotted fifth, was second-over behind dull cover and went three-wide ¾, got a check. DREAM OF LUCK moved uncovered off turn two but couldn’t offer much. THE LAST PAIR were the last two throughout.
TENTH RACE – LANJO LEE never went to the rail, moved between horses to the 1/8 and went up to get the front off turn one, hung his main foe 3/8 then yielded for the pocket, came outside headstretch and had a big burst in a fast quarter to take the victory. ALL OR NOTHING was wide early then dropped down behind the winner before the 3/16, left uncovered past the ¼ and went on to the lead 3/8, closed speedily but was outsprinted. GREG THE LEG circled right to the top, stayed inside, good for third. LETMECALLYOUBACK eyed getting early position but took back to a midpack tuck, inside, OK. BULLVILLE FRANK avoided the outer tier and got the last check. CAPTAINGIDDYUPNGO was on the move from last 3/8, got to second-over but gapped down the back. SHAKE IT moved raw off turn two and had a big burst to challenge the leader, but had little left late. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT could not get into this one.
ELEVENTH RACE – GO WEST GO FAST had the top easily, went four sub-28 quarters and drew away in the last ¼. HASH-TAG SWAG left well for the pocket, unplugged gradually the last ¼ but held second. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL got away third, gapped at the ¾, went to the Pocono Pike, OK. INDIGO ART had to go three-wide around fading cover late turn and closed steadily. LORD OF MISRULE and SPORTY DRAGON did not keep up during the swift fractions. ALI went up on a slightly-delayed basis and got in fourth at the 1/8, uncovered 9/16 but couldn’t threaten. LINCOLNJAMES struggled at the back.
TWELFTH RACE – SHAKE THAT HOUSE made the lead at the 1/8, yielded for the pocket and defended it during the vicious duel up front, moved in the Pocono Pike and won going away (29.2 last quarter). SHVAIKO yielded at the 1/8, stayed attached, outside past the ¾, looked on a line upper stretch, but paced on. VIRGIN STORM also stayed connected, moved out late turn and wide headstretch, not enough. DA DELIGHTFUL was looped early, went up to challenge but was left out in the air in very hot fractions, faded at the 5/8 and tucked in before the back gappers reached, inside and beat out the horse that parked him. IMAGINARY LINE was one of the two behind a bad gapper who made up a lot of ground in the last 3/8. CAPTAIN ROMANCE was out to a hot quarter, had to continue to go wild numbers with a challenger, ran out of gas. ITSROCKANDROLL A was the other horse who made up a lot of second-half ground. WARRAWEE UNIQUE was leaving a huge gap by the 3/16.
THIRTEENTH RACE – COALITION HANOVER laid off the early fighting then was second-over, blindswitched just past the 5/8 and rode the blindswitch to early stretch, then had clearance and closed into the 29.3 victory to be going away. CAPTAIN KEEN was three-wide past the 1/8, then two-wide, looked for a pocket hole but there was none so went on to the lead 3/8, yielded grudgingly before the 5/8 and is one of the very very few horses you’ll ever see first at the half, last at the ¾, and then coming back to get the lead midstretch via the Pocono Pike, good second. ITALIAN LAD N went to the front at the 1/8, yielded 3/8, came back out going to the second turn, had to work to get the lead to the 5/8, had immediate pressure – all in fast fractions – and then tired. LITERL LAD HANOVER yielded, helmetbumped near the ¼, started to go outside at that point but stayed in, did go out near the half with cover, lost it and challenged raw, had a slight lead far turn, but tired. BEACH FORECAST moved out from last and three-wide 5/8 the duration, flattened early stretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY was out third-over, three-wide 11/16 and gained, to two-wide and the lead headstretch, proved the best. PRACTICAL CAT was last, angled from the rail midturn to four-wide just past headstretch, finished strongly. HURRIKANE WILLIE G set the pace, shook off the first-over but couldn’t hold on. TRICKY DICK got away well for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not enough late. DAGON HANOVER was second-over, blindswitched by the winner 11/16, may never have had full clearance thereafter, steadily late. LEPANTO tried to follow the wide move of the winner but couldn’t. TUIS SHADOW tucked third and rode third-inside, deep Pike, didn’t gain. BEYOND BELIEF made fourth to the 3/16, again underway to turn two, challenged, faded in the last 1/8.
Apr 30, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Intermittent precipitation; 55 degrees; “sloppy +1” … DIVISION BELL moved out of fourth into turn two, turned in a 26.4 backside to clear easily, shook off the “new” first-over to open a clear lead in early stretch, held together to defeat ROCK IDOL. The latter was hustled early but still got away fifth, came out second-over but gapped, didn’t look at his best on the turns, but had a big late burst to almost get there. FOUR-STAR FLASH was the innermost of three leavers, yielded, backed out as the winner cleared and was left raw, gained on the turn, then faded some. CLIFFHANGER got going too late. MCNEILL Z TAM was three-wide 3/16 then two-wide to the lead off the first turn, rated the half, couldn’t hold out the winner, kept fairly close until the last 1/8. APP HANOVER gapped. SMOOTH AS CHEDDAR left between horses, tucked third 3/16, struggled the last 3/8.
SECOND RACE – LADY’S IMAGE was three-wide early, then two-wide to take over at the ¼, turned this into a romp the last ¼. WILLIE B WORTHY took early command then yielded to sit the two-hole, stayed fairly-well connected until nearing the ¾. R HERBIE CHIP was very wide early, settled into a tuck, came out 11/16 and was along for the distant third. NICE STUFF was never a major danger. B YOYO got forward position but then started gapping 5/8. THE LAST THREE were the last three throughout.
THIRD RACE – BETTE TINA sat third-inside, cut inside two pylons near headstretch and got through in the Pocono Pike, made the lead midstretch, finished first but was placed for going inside pylons. ALLYOUCANBET moved out uncovered well before the half and quickly got by into the backstretch, took the lead into the stretch, but tired some and bore out although looking to be fighting to the wire. CLEAR THE WAY eased out on the second turn, briefly had cover then lost it, couldn’t reach the front ones, got eased wide early stretch and made up some ground at the end. COME ZOOM WITH ME was outside to a fast quarter, really slowed the half, then was passed early backstretch and was loose before the ¾, then was in tight quarters headstretch as passed to the inside, close at the wire. TEEN DREAM moved entering the second turn, was eased out three-wide and stayed three-deep the entire second bund, then went back to two-wide, not all that far off. ARTEMIDA was inside throughout, couldn’t gain in the deep Pike.
FOURTH RACE – INFANTE DEO followed cover but gapped it, left raw 11/16, got the pocket to the ¾, outside again headstretch, lead midstretch, held off WHISTLE A SONG. The latter raced with cover, left uncovered on the turn, didn’t find her best strides until midstretch, then narrowed in rapidly. AMBERS CHAMPION moved at the half to challenge, worked by 11/16 and opened a clear lead, but couldn’t sustain the advantage to the wire. HURRICANE BLUES stayed flat. GOO GOO LU LU was up early to challenge while a bit wide, got the lead 5/16, yielded past midbackstretch and faded. MYREANNA broke off the second turn. PERFECT DESTINY was leaving but broke just after the gate sprung, recovered and made a big move to be behind cover fourth but broke again 3/16. RELENTLESS JACKIE had the early lead, let a foe go 5/16, then was totally locked in as that one faded late backstretch, made a break out of what may have been frustration ¾.
FIFTH RACE – ALTERNATE UNIVERSE moved out to challenge 5/8, came home very nicely to take a photo decision from WIN PLACE’N SHOW. The latter moved from the pocket past the ¼ to go to the front, set the pace, fought on to the wire. C-BET HANOVER left alertly and quickly was in front, relinquished to sit the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike, had his chance but just missed. DANCE PARTNER moved outside on the far turn, had a good last quarter. DOUBLE DOUBLE was far back, made a good move to get around stragglers but flattened in the last ¼. POLARIS BREECH broke while last 5/16. DARIO HANOVER gapped through the last half. RECTIFY also gapped, then broke 11/16.
SIXTH RACE – MISS MUSCLE took control early then yielded to the early brusher, sat the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and went by easily. TRUEMASS VOLO brushed from third going to the ¼ to set the pace, in a fight for second when a foe broke. MASSIVE OPULENCE tucked in fourth, then was first-up into turn two, challenged, questionable whether her fight for second would have gotten her there when she broke nearing the wire; an inquiry gave no reason for placing. VOLARE was three-wide early, then two-wide to the pocket 3/16, stayed in, backed out past midturn, evenly. JUDGE KEN tightened on cover from third-over, had a slight pause when the second-over broke, went back inside, not too much late. LIONBACKER KIDD never featured. JUSTIFY went second-over but gapped, looking for more midturn when losing gait. PONDA’S MUSCLE MAN was well off the gate and kept falling further back.
SEVENTH RACE – KAY SAGE backed out to what would become third-over, went three-wide around gapping cover ¾ and moved up well on the turn, kept coming and did very well late to be along over YS ISA. The latter was looped but went on and secured the front 3/16, set the pace, went clear early stretch but couldn’t hold off the rush of the winner. AMARETTO HANOVER was away well, moved uncovered 11/16, tired but held third over JAGGED LITTLE PILL. The latter quickly cleared, yielded for the two-hole and stayed close until the ¾ then unplugged. MAINLINE CHARGER came out past the ¼, didn’t get in the main picture, did get the last payday. SWEET KATIE BUG was uncovered 3/8, didn’t get close then didn’t get close to cover when it appeared 11/16. SWEET HELLO gapped out ¾. TOODLES HANOVER didn’t keep up then broke.
EIGHTH RACE – KASEVILLE left well from the rail then yielded to the brusher in a fast half, pulled to the 5/8 and dashed right by, opened up at will in a very fast clocking for these in the slop. FLYHAWK EL FUERTE was far back, circled the pack behind the winner on the far turn and into the stretch, good outing. CHROME PACKAGE pulled from third before he ¼ and took over, yielded readily 5/8, with the fast numbers catching up to her. U BAKE THE CAKE backed out to follow cover 5/8 that soon got away, evenly. REDEMPTOR went evenly. SUMTER was two-wide but gapped cover. KOLB HANOVER broke just before the start; LIGHT BRINGER broke just after the start.
NINTH RACE – SHADOWS DANCERS left for the pocket then quarter-moved, rated the half then sprinted the third split, drew away in a nice outing. MADELYNN SOPHIA was very wide early, circled up to the lead just past the 1/8, yielded to the winner, started getting loose 5/8, looked to be a bit wide late backstretch and into the turn, still persevered for second. LIGHTNING LEIA moved out on the far turn and three-wide before the stretch, some late speed. SHE’S A BULLVILLE was looped and took back to tuck, outside raw 11/16, evenly. BETTOR STRAIT N UP kept a hole closed 3/16, then never figured in the bigger picture. THE OTHER TRIO were at the back throughout.
TENTH RACE – PAPI HANOVER was in front at the ¼, saw off a challenge from the first-over, then was kept to active urging late to complete the deal. DARTY went to the front then yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, stayed close, gained some late but had to settle for second. DUDELOOKSLIKELINDY sat in and gapped at points, a clear third. ALL RISE gapped third-over, but found much better trot in the stretch. BC’S ROSE raced second-over, three-wide late on the turn, not enough. WINGS UP was not a factor. DYLAN THE GREAT came out first-over 5/8, challenged, began to fade the last 3/16. J-S JASPER was at the back throughout.
ELEVENTH RACE – CAPTAIN KEN circled a gapper, then was uncovered 5/8, kept gaining, two-wide turn, still far back headstretch but was determined and got the decision. CURBSIDE PICKUP pushed the scorching early action then sat in the two-hole until off the second turn then rushed right to the lead, had an open margin at the very fast 3/4s and still was clear into the lane, but couldn’t make the advantage hold up at the line. KJ UNREAL tucked then left a big gap through the hot half, moved outside 5/8, got around the exhausted pocketsitter ¾, inside stretch, could make up no more ground late. A SHORE LEGACY was in a different area code at the 5/8, moved out and gained steadily while having too far to come. WAR OF WILL was in a war to get the lead 3/16 to the 26 opener, still on top at the fast half but surrendered early backstretch and faded. THE OTHER THREE all left gaps behind the zippy front-end fireworks.
TWELFTH RACE – THE WALL yielded then moved outside 3/16 to get control of the throttle, stepped it up down the back to meet the first-over’s move, then drew away in the stretch. BELLOWS BINGE kept a hole shut 3/16, moved uncovered to the 5/8 and made the winner work, faded gradually but still a clear second. SOUTHWIND MOROCCAN stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and got the distant third. ROLLINWITHAMBITION went up between horses to take over past the 1/8, yielded for the pocket, not enough the last ¼. GET LIT had poor cover, three-wide 11/16 but couldn’t make an impact. AMAZON, very wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, settled in fourth 3/16, couldn’t keep up in the last ¼. IDEAL COWBOY was never close. MUSCLE MACH A moved outside to the half but just clogged the two-wide path.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ARTACHE HANOVER sat in fourth, increased his speed mid-far turn and swung wide, closed solidly for the decision. MILITARY MASTER A moved off the rail ¾, may have had the lead for a couple of steps past midstretch but was outblasted late. SPORTS TEEN was three-wide to the first turn then up to be in front past the 1/8, quickened down the back, tired late. BEST SHOT N stayed in and had some late gain. CAVIART SAGE inherited the pocket 5/16 when a foe broke, but didn’t have much late. DARK HORSE had non-advancing cover, went three-wide before ¾ but himself had very little. SPINOUT left between horses to the lead, yielded and was rough a bit afterward, broke in the pocket 5/16, recovered and was outside midpack, never again to threaten. MAKE A STATEMENT A fell far back in the last ¼.
Apr 28, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind … WORTHY OF HONOR went quickly to the front and clicked off a sharp ¼, then could moderate things until TEDDY BROSEVELT came to him midturn, had a ding-dong duel with that one in the lane and prevailed. The latter spotted fourth at the 1/8, got underway raw coming off turn two, gradually went up and reached the leader midturn, fought very hard in the stretch only to just miss. ALEXANDER HANOVER raced forwardly, gapped ¾ then tightened and was blocked late turn, outside in the stretch and edged PIERCEWAVE HANOVER for third. The latter was first on top and yielded, rode a fine trip, saw the winner get away a bit to headstretch, Pocono Pike, evenly. CRITICAL MASS was last in the main pack, outside far turn then wide, closed well. O JONNIE never factored. GREEK LEGEND moved outside but couldn’t stay with cover. KEYSTONE THUNDER broke an 1/8 before the start.
SECOND RACE – REYS N A RUCKUS was looped early, carried on to take over at the ¼, went fast in the third quarter and had no problem in the stretch. GOLDEN GESTURE went to the early lead then yielded for the two-hole, no threat to the winner but far ahead of the rest. BJ’S GUY stayed in, blocked through the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and just up for third. AN THE THUNDEROLLS gapped much of the back half. DJ’S BIG ELVIS spotted fourth, came raw just past the 3/8 but never got close to the front. JAMAICAN COWBOY was second-over behind dull cover, three-wide 11/16 through the turn, still had a shot at third before breaking early stretch. BEACHMASTER TWO disconnected through the last half.
THIRD RACE — QUICK BET raced forwardly-placed, moved out ¾ and outfinished the opposition. GIZA DREAMS gradually worked to the front just beyond the 5/16, set the pace, held for second in a photo. SILENT NIGHT went to the lead, pushed a foe a ways then yielded for the pocket, Pocono Pike, not quite second. MATTER OF TRUST slid into a tuck first turn, rail, didn’t keep up late turn, evenly late. TELENOVELA moved outside far turn but couldn’t make up ground. IWISHNOTTOBTOUCHED looked to be struggling to keep up at several points. SUNSEEKER HANOVER moved outside but had very little. OK SUNNY broke early.
FOURTH RACE – IC A FREE SPIRIT went quickly to the top, yielded at the ¼ to sit the pocket, Pocono Pike, found a little more midstretch and just caught SCRAPPIN GOLD. The latter was between horses early and looped, went on to take over at the ¼, had backstretch pressure, lost that one but then was caught to the left. NIHILATED TRUTH moved second-over, gapped down the back, then gradually better in the last 1/8 and was up for third. SOCIAL THEORIES went overland going into turn two, challenged, but then could not keep up the challenge in the last 1/8. SPORTSMANSHIP raced inside, might’ve been in a little tight between horses late. LOVE YOURSELF was shuffled to last, widest in the lane and had some pace. SEAL O’NEIL, looking hard to drive, was away last, went three-wide from third-over 11/16 but didn’t gain.
FIFTH RACE – JONAS K S went to the lead, set the pace as he pleased, won handily. CHELIOS came uncovered off turn two and slowly advanced, couldn’t gain any more headstretch but was far clear of all the others. THE AMERICAN EAGLE was leaving but broke, caught only to suffer an “ix” behind another breaker to the ¼, reset, went a big third quarter to get near the main pack, wide and finished strongly – one to keep an eye on. DOLEMITE gapped down the back then was shuffled a little, stayed flat, photoed for third. TSM PRINCE TRISTAN was away third, started gapping out 11/16. K J PHILLIP had cover, was gaining on the far turn but then broke headstretch. RAISIN DOUGH sat in the pocket, started fading 11/16, broke headstretch and went to the infield. TWENTY THREE PINTS ran nearing the ¼.
SIXTH RACE – SU SU SUSSUDIO came out 3/8 after the battle for the early lead, grinded into a quick 3/4s, crossed over headstretch, held on gamely in a 30.4 last quarter. FOX VALLEY CACHET was far back to the ¾, then gained three-wide on the turn, four-wide headstretch, just didn’t have quite enough late. HEARTBREAK HOTEL spotted midpack, then was third-over, three-wide before the 11/16 and that wide the duration, just couldn’t make it. DANCE TICKET had the lead 3/16, yielded, shuffled behind a tiring horse far turn, found room between horses only midstretch, was gaining late. HORIZON yielded 3/16, backed out into turn two to follow cover, blindswitched 11/16, stayed in the two-path, giving a bit of ground late. SWEET OMEN went evenly late. MIKI ROSE couldn’t enter the fray. APRIL ANGEL was behind cover early, pressed on past the fast ¼ to the lead 3/8, had little rest with the winner outside, tired.
SEVENTH RACE – SWEET ROCK DEO was immediately on top, kept the field stretched out with a fast pace, clear the last 3/16. SWEET KISSES was briefly four-wide early, slid into third past the 1/8, outside on the far turn, retucked second, raced well and was an acre ahead of the rest. FAST MACHINE was w-a-y back, rallied well to get the distant third. MS TREACHEROUS took the early pocket, unplugged from the 5/8. THE OTHERS just could not keep up in this very quick mile for these.
EIGHTH RACE – SOUTHERN AUTUMN tried to get the lead but was put in the pocket just before a 27.2 opener, enjoyed the two-hole trip, went to the Pocono Pike and trotted on for the victory. DIGNITY HANOVER wanted the early lead and paid a high price for getting it, rated then sped up in quarter three to meet a challenger, couldn’t withstand the winner. HEART MATTERS retucked around a gapper, closed well down along the inside. P L PANDORA had cover leaving then tucked fourth, then second-over, couldn’t quite reach. WILD KAT G started raw into turn two, challenged hard, got a little tired. RAVIOLI came out third-over, swung wide but didn’t get close. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE gapped most of the way. MAISYS MUSCLES was offstride an 1/8 before the start.
NINTH RACE – RIPPLESONTHEBEACH tucked third at the 3/16, came out uncovered 5/8 and went by late turn, bore out headstretch and a little bit in the lane, held off JK MIKI MANTLE. The latter followed the winner’s cover, looked to be wanting to lug in a bit as going to lefthanded encouragement, just missed. There was an inquiry into the stretch drive involving the top two, but no action was taken. KJ HUNTER got the pocket and gapped it early, got closer, shuffled a little as the top two went by past midturn then backed outside, enough for third. RACINWITHTHEWIND was living up to his name past the ¼, rated then sped up again with the wind, couldn’t stall the top pair on the turn, a tired horse late. TREVOR’S HUNT was very hard to steer in against the pylons early, outside but gapped 11/16. ETBAUER wasn’t keeping up off the second turn. THE OTHER TWOSOME lost contact in the last half.
TENTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING was out almost all of the 26.3 opener to make the lead, then got a breather, saw the pocket horse come out to challenge 11/16, withstood that one and the one coming up the inside to sweep the Weiss. SOUTHWIND JAVA pushed the winner to the ¼ then yielded to sit behind her, edged out 11/16 and challenged, good but didn’t pose a major danger, stayed on for second over SUNSHINE SALLY. The latter went into the early pocket, gapped midbackstretch then went closer into what was now the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and almost second. SOME KINDA ANGEL saved ground, also gapped in the third split, had some rally to get a good check. JACANA moved outside behind dull cover and briefly three-wide to a gapping third-over, fair. JILLIAN B MIKI moved out second-over 5/8 but did not keep with cover. COVENANT WOMAN lost contact down the back. IQ HANOVER moved outside but never gained, eventually ducked back inside, way back.
ELEVENTH RACE – CIGAR SMOKING TONY showed speed, sat third until the 5/8 when moving raw, grinded up, had a short lead headstretch, didn’t extend it by much against a game GONNAHAVEONEMORE but got the decision. The latter rolled out to the lead and kept on rolling, fought very bravely through the stretch. KAUAI KING was second-over, gapped a little on the turn, doing better nearing the line. TULHURSTSANTANNA A raced into the pocket past the 1/8 and stayed close, may’ve been in tight quarters between horses late. RIFLEMAN was way back behind many gappers, got around them making up a lot of ground. NARINA HANOVER was the leader of the distant second half of the field in the backstretch, little late. ROCK THREE TIMES never entered into it. STELLAR BB spotted, came out off the second turn, never went forward and in fact fell far back.
TWELFTH RACE – MIMI OCEAN HANOVER waited patiently outside with cover to the ¼, then brushed up to the lead, strung this field out severely, drew away in the last 1/8 in another impressive performance. GETTINMYSTEPSIN needed most of the 27.4 opener to secure the front, yielded to the winner, stayed close to her until the last 1/8, far ahead of the rest. THOSE BLUES came a long way in a charted line that was better than it may appear. PHANNY’S MATTER tucked at the 1/8, edged out ¾ but didn’t get close. WE COULD BE HEROS was last, wide off the far turn, OK from an impossible spot. DEVIOUS DUSHI pushed the opening action and yielded, started to fall back ¾. BOINGALICIOUS was gapping before the ½. TILL IM GONE was close up on the back of a foe, may have gotten in tight quarters and ran before the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – HEREITIZ put everybody in behind with a commanding 26.4 opener, rated the half the turned on the speed again, repulsed the first-over, won as he pleased under a hold. BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT was three-wide to the 3/16 and then tucked, followed cover but gapped it early backstretch and went back in, gained inside, edged out headstretch and along for second. JANAID was four-wide early and circled up to two-wide into turn one, took the two-hole near the quarter, stayed close to nearing the ¾ then tired. CAN’T KNOCK ME was two-wide among four leavers, tucked, back out raw 3/8 and challenged in a fast third quarter, couldn’t keep going. THE OTHERS were always far back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – RYCROFT N spotted forwardly, was uncovered at the half and speed-grinded, showed great determination late as many were close at the wire. IDEAL WHEEL was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to get command off the first bend, rated the half then picked up the pace, lasted until deep in the lane. ROGUE CHEDDAR spotted, sat in, backed out late turn and three-wide headstretch, gaining late. WINNING IS SWEET was in front at the 1/8, surrendered the top at the ¼ for the pocket, went to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. PIRATES ALLEY took a long time to settle back inside, stayed in, to the deep Pike and was gaining late. ROUGH ODDS was rough throughout, moved second-over, made a break on the far turn. MY FRISKIE BOY was always far back. RUFFLE UP did not enter contention.
Apr 27, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures at a season’s high 78 to begin the card, 69 at the end … Stretch headwind … B LIKE CRUISER was between horses to the lead, yielded to the fast quarter but came back out to control the throttle, looked to have handled the first-over around the far turn, but had to stay good to defeat that one. REDBANK BLAZE A was three-wide to the 1/8, tucked fourth, uncovered on the second turn and paced in 27 to go up and challenge, lost ground on the turn but came back on with very good gameness. DO WORK SON was third-over, four-wide into the stretch and was just up for third. HEARTBREAK HILL was second-over, three-wide midturn, not quite enough. TREASURE MACH took the inner path, didn’t look like he had any room nearing the wire. SNOWBALL’S ROMEO was four-wide to the first turn and three-wide to the 1/8, on top past that call en route to a very fast quarter, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t come back on late. STARVIN MARVIN left, sat in, to the deep Pike, didn’t appear to have that much. CENTURY ENFORCER was outside but immediately started gaping.
SECOND RACE – GEORGIE MARTIN N put everybody in behind with a 26 opener, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, just got by TALL POPPY N. The latter tucked third 3/16, moved 5/16, made the top and slowed the half, under little outside pressure, just failed to withstand the pocket rocket. ARNIE’S ANGEL moved first-over towards turn two, never reached the leader, a distant third. CHIPPER DAISY was third-over, three-wide far turn, so-so. JUXTA COWGIRL took back early, needed until the ¼ to settle inside, then second-over but gapped from midbackstretch. DELISHKA N was last, circled wide, couldn’t get close enough. CAVIART CHERIE was wide early and three-wide past the 1/8, took the pocket nearing the 26 opener, started backing off before the ¾.
THIRD RACE – CAN’T SAY NO made two speed moves to the 3/8, backed off the half, opened up a big lead with a 57 last half despite going a little wide far turn, much the best. CHUCKY DE VIE had cover early, then left raw and grabbed the racetrack 5/16, immediately yielded, held the distant second. FRAC went evenly, as did ANDOVERS TOUCH. SCIROCCO PATRICK got the last check. GINGER TREE KNOX gapped much of the way. PEE WEE HANOVER lost contact. BROOKVIEW BLUTO was forwardly-placed, was looking for more when breaking midturn.
FOURTH RACE – SHEZAFREAKLIKEME left well to take command, had a horse at her outside from the 3/8 but didn’t have to go fast to keep that one outside, drew clear in the latter stages. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI filled the pocket and kept it closed, not that much late and just held second in a four-way photo. CATIE FAYE HANOVER was out behind the parked horse, three-wide just before midturn to get alongside the pocket horse, evenly. BYGONE HANOVER sat in, was blocked on the far turn, to the Pocono Pike and had an opportunity to be second but couldn’t get there. WHO’S SMOKIN N was third-over, three-wide covered then uncovered far turn, fair. BROOKDALE JESSIE had little inside. LOVELY LADY MAY went three-wide but soon stopped gaining. TINOS BADGIRL was a bit rough leaving, outside midpack first turn, then went up to race outside the winner from the 3/8, was tapped but didn’t have the speed to clear, backed off in the last quarter.
FIFTH RACE – SORTIE left, was challenging for the lead when the pole horse broke 3/16, set the pace, clear the last 3/8. POSSESS THE STONE was second early, second again 3/16 as a challenger cleared a breaker and he kept the pocket, started to unplug 5/8 but still was a clear second. POWERFUL YIELD went evenly as a no-factor third. MASTER CLASS sat in, no factor. KEYSTONE SERGEANT moved outside but never got into it. PHANTOM RUSTY moved outside 5/8, start to back up ¾. CHOCOTURE had very little to offer. LAZER JET left well from the rail, had the winner moving up on him 3/16 when he made a break and was taken to the infield.
SIXTH RACE – ONE OF THE GUYS headed right on down the road, urged late to preserve the win over BUCHANNON HANOVER. The latter was away well for the pocket and stayed tight, to the Pocono Pike, made up ground but not quite enough. SEASIDE MEDITATION gapped a bit in the first half then got tighter, nipped POWER RANKINGS for third. The latter sat third, came out late turn but didn’t have too much. THE NEXT THREE became well-detached from the field. HURRIKANE JUNIOR was wide early, took a bad step and broke equipment (not necessarily in that order), was pulled up.
SEVENTH RACE – WHAT A DAME raced into the early pocket, then made a quick move 3/8 to take control, rebuffed a challenge, drew away easily. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR vacated third 5/8 and made a pass at the leader, was rebuffed, couldn’t quite get into the pocket late turn, but still enough for second. BOASTER COASTER took back early, couldn’t stay with the top three nearing the ¾, evenly along the inside late. PADRE was wide early to get the lead just before the 1/8, yielded just past the 3/8, went loose in the pocket ¾. SLEW FOOT didn’t offer too much. KAACHING KAACHING was never close. GOLDEN GLIDER broke at the start, recovered, outside at the back down the back, fell back.
EIGHTH RACE – TIAMOGONEDANCEN was left outside to the ¼, cut the mile, opened a big lead, then perhaps a bit tired late and had her mind kept to business. MORROCKIN K moved outside from third 5/8 when the pocket horse left a bigger gapper, retucked, Pocono Pike, steadily. ELLEOFADELI came outside 11/16, left uncovered on the turn, well-clear in third. RHYME N ROLL pushed the ¼ and yielded for the two-hole, went loose in same down the backstretch. BUFFALO HEART never was prominent. SWEET SALLY SUE was outside on the final turn, had some pace and may have reached third but went offstride midstretch. RELLA TIVITY moved outside but could make no impact. NEW NUMBER WHO DIS also gapped out.
NINTH RACE – VIRGIN MARY S had the top immediately and forced tucks, s-l-o-w-e-d the half, dashed clear through the stretch with a 28.2 kicker. BEYOND BELIEF started well and got into the pocket, outsprinted by the winenr but did hold second. NEWSBOY moved from last 3/8 and grinded up a long way (though in a 1:00.2 middle half) to challenge, held well. VELVET STYLE backed out to go second-over, tightened on cover late backstretch, wide headstretch, not quite enough for a more major minor honor. SHARE THE WEALTH slid into the three-hole at the 1/8, not prominent late. GREG took back to slot in fourth past the 1/8, stayed in and was shuffled to last, wide stretch, evenly. GLACIER HANOVER lost contact ¾.
TENTH RACE – ALTA MADEIRA N was underway before the ¼, took the lead 5/16 and rated the half, had enough to withstand the late blitz of MILIEU HANOVER. The latter was second-over, went wide in the lane and had a powerful last 1/16 that didn’t miss by much (own last half 55). BEACH CRAZY went right to the top, yielded for the pocket, had a chance up the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite put enough together. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER left well and went into the pocket past the 1/8, evenly inside late. SUMMER RAE gapped a bit early then found better strides and started raw into turn two, challenged, tired. SHADOW ONE was four-wide through the stretch, made up ground in a fast back half. THE OTHER PAIR did not figure into the major plot of this one.
ELEVENTH RACE – BEACH TOWN BOY was uncovered early on turn two, sprinted up in 26.4 the third split to really fight with the leader, having a small advantage much of the way but not clearing despite urging, finally put away that rival for good before midstretch, withstood the late bid of BETTORS AUTHORITY. The latter left well and couldn’t have enjoyed a better trip in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good but had to settle for the deuce. MOVE THE LINE forced a tuck 3/16, rated the half then stepped it up when the winner moved up to challenge, prevented that one from crossing over to the rail, held well considering being under much pressure. BULLVILLE JONATHAN was two- and three-wide on the far turn, next-best. MAJOR SHOW gapped in last much of the way, moving well along the inside late. BEEBEETEE sat in then backed out second-over when the “original” second-over gapped, accepted a blindswitch late turn and didn’t have much late. SOLARCTIC was outside, drifted a bit wide and couldn’t offer much. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was quite wide early, settled into fifth, originally moved second-over but drifted wide down the back and faded badly.
TWELFTH RACE – FRISKIE ALL NITE raced up to the top just past the 1/8, yielded, gapped in the 26.3 backstretch quarter, but tightened on the turn, moved out, and was along in time. CAVIART ROCKLAND stayed connected, to the Pocono Pike and got second away from WAR-N-MUNN late. The latter left well from the rail, yielded but came with a quarter-move, went 26.3 down the back trying to steal clear, but that plan could last only to just past midstretch. HE’S ELECTRIC had cover but wasn’t getting much from it so ducked back inside, best of the rest. GRIFFON HANOVER tucked fourth, moved raw at the half but never made any inroads. THE LAST THREE were the last three throughout.
Apr 25, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Stretch headwind; pleasant day in the mid 60s … KILLER MARTINI got to fourth-over from last, came sweeping to the 11/16 and passed a bunch to get to uncovered midturn, went to the lead, kept to business while drifting out a little. HASH-TAG SWAG came flying through at the start to get the lead, yielded after a 26 quarter, stayed tight behind fast fractions, came out headstretch after the winner went by, closed well to the left of that one late. JUST N ACE stayed in and rallied for a no-factor third. DERECHO was three-wide to turn one, very hard-used to make the top, kept up fast fractions, tired in the stretch. THE BUS A sat in then went to the three-wide path behind the winner, four-wide headstretch, could make no inroad. BEACH FIRE K eased out to second-over 5/8, double-blindswitched before and through the turn, three-wide in the lane but couldn’t get close. WHATA TREASURE couldn’t keep with cover early backstretch and saw another vacate the rail, double-blindswitched and back to the rail, last ¾, kept angling to five-wide into the stretch, no chance. BASS PLAYER was outleft in the zippy opener, tucked third before the 5/16, offered again raw off turn two, tired past the ¾.
SECOND RACE – COCKTAILS N DREAMS came grinding from midpack at the half, relentless, made the lead midstretch, just held off the big late surge of TRICKY DICK. The latter backed out to fourth-over 11/16, had to circle five-wide around stalled horses to headstretch, still last a little before midstretch but had a furious last 1/16 to just miss. NIGHT FLYER K sat in, found room in the deep Pocono Pike and narrowed in. DAGON HANOVER was five-wide early to circle the field, yielded 3/16, sat third-in, outside in a blindswitch late turn to the path behind the winner, couldn’t quite match steps with that one. TUIS SHADOW was looped early. four-wide to the first turn, three-wide past the 1/8, then two-wide for the lead 3/8, posted a fast half, had to face the grinding winner, held decently. BOOM BOOM BAY was third-over, four-wide nearing headstretch, not enough. BANG BANG BOINGA was looped and three-wide to the first turn, got in front 3/16 and yielded a like distance later to sit the two-hole, nothing left in the lane. LEPANTO was in good position second-over, went three-wide past midturn, came up empty.
THIRD RACE – GO WEST GO FAST was three-high to bend one, on top 3/16, slowed the half then sprinted 26.4 down the back to lose most of his foes, tons the best. AMERICA’S GUEST, looking on a line most of the way, came raw 11/16, kept on coming and was up for second. DRAGON STRIKES was on the lead at the 1/8 and soon yielded for the pocket, stayed close until midturn, couldn’t preserve second. ROLLIN IN NEW YORK left for forward position, gapped 5/8, to the Pocono Pike, evenly. FOX VALLEY INFERNO stayed in, tried to come between foes late but may have been in tight quarters. THE OTHER TWO were never a presence here.
FOURTH RACE – MARION GONDOLIER was outside before the ¼ after the two leavers sorted themselves out, made the lead 3/8, went a big 3/4s, all alone. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT went to the top, yielded but was quick on the retake, reluctantly yielded 3/8, went loose past the ¾, did hold the deuce. MUSHANA had to go raw from last, trotted home steadily. BANK BOX TREASURE took command at the 1/8, yielded, urged at the ¾ but had little response. BANZAI AS sat in, to the Pocono Pike but couldn’t gain. MUFASA AS struggled to keep up.
FIFTH RACE – CAVIART MAX left some but took back, started first-over into turn two, got a pocket tuck 9/16 in front of a gapper, outside again ¾, lead early stretch, held off WESTERN TYRANT. The latter was parked behind tuck-seeking cover early and himself tucked, followed cover and was left raw before midbackstretch, got cover again ¾, kept on coming doggedly in a big mile. MAJOR DESIRE left, yielded and then gapped most of the rest of the mile, got to the Pocono Pike and was a little better. INDIGO ART followed cover then went three-wide nearing midturn, not quite enough gain. SULLIVAN was in front at the 1/8 in a quick quarter, still had an open lead despite rating the half (letting the winner in behind him), tired in the stretch. BAMSKI gapped much of the way inside. LORD OF MISRULE was not in the main picture, tried coming between horses late but may not have had room. SPORTY DRAGON sat in, fanned wide but didn’t enter contention.
SIXTH RACE – FOCUS POCUS left to maintain the pocket, was full of trot vacating the hole midturn and went right on by. MON AMOUR set the pace as he chose to, second-best. AP HALL OF TRIX had cover then lost it to a break to the 5/8, went on steadily. PRACTICAL CAT may have been slow to clear between horses in the stretch, then was going willingly at the end. RED REDEMPTION was able to come up the inside down the back but gapped 11/16. CHING CHING LUCKY was wide in the lane but didn’t gain. MOON BRIDGE was never close. ONE AFTER NINE tucked early, started to move uncovered off turn two but went offstride.
SEVENTH RACE – KINGSVILLE was first to show then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and edged out the heavy favorite. CAPTAINGIDDYUPNGO tucked, went uncovered on the second bend, put a neck up before the ¾ but couldn’t clear and lost ground on the turn, but continued on with determination and was edged out. TUF COOPER went fast odd-numbered quarters to first get the lead then hold out a challenger, couldn’t sustain the advantage to the finish. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD stayed in, evenly. MASK ON MASK OFF had very good cover but couldn’t mount a late charge. ALWAYS BETTER trailed, may have been in tight quarters late. SILVERSTONE kept up in third until the 11/16.
EIGHTH RACE – DUCASSE was four-wide early then three-wide around his barnmate at the 1/8 to the lead past the 3/16, set the pace, had the line come at an opportune time relative to DANDY. The latter was far back, gained on the turn then again had an explosive last 1/16 to just miss. WESLYNN CROWN was looped early, tucked in third 5/16, out raw again before the ¾, good. CANTSTOP YANKEE left well to take over early, yielded to the winner, started to unplug ¾. BIG BEN HANOVER broke just before the start. TNT BLUE CHIP broke while second-over mid-far turn; DONATELLO HANOVER broke while inside mid-far turn.
NINTH RACE – LETMECALLYOUBACK was away second then improved that position by one past the ¼, in firm control of this group. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT set up an early lineup minus the breaker, yielded for the two-hole, started to get loose ¾ but had enough to retain second. CAPTAIN COOK moved outside just past midturn and came on pretty well. HUNTING FOR MILES didn’t have too much late. INSTANTANEOUS CASH moved raw off turn two but never got close. ALL THE CHIPS was leaving three-wide early when making a break, caught the field, was out behind dull cover, was going to get a check when breaking midstretch.
TENTH RACE – THAT OLE BAR STOOL was reserved midpack early while the front end sorted itself out, then in gear at the 1/8 but needed the next quarter-mile to clear, fought off a challenger on the far turn, then had a 28.1 kicker to hold off EL TORO LOCO. The latter left sharply, pushed the winner hard before yielding for the pocket, came outside early stretch and gained very nicely only to just miss. BACKSTREET PLAYER moved raw towards the 11/16, challenged on the far turn, held for third. BJORNSSON was forwardly-placed, backed out to second-over far turn, did well. PAYMAQ was not prominent. BAR COINS gapped inside. BEER CHEESE was behind stale cover, three-wide ¾, couldn’t reach. MALONE, looking hard to steer, was outside the duration near the back of the pack, broke mid-far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – LANJO LEE tucked then was underway before the ¼ to clear to the front 3/8, came his last ¾ in 1:23.1 and was not threatened at all. GREG THE LEG pushed the ¼ and yielded, sat in, to the Pocono Pike and was along for the distant second. ROLL WITH THE FLOW spotted, then moved out raw ¾, OK. SHAKE IT was out nearly to the ¼ for command, yielded for the two-hole, didn’t have much left late. HUNTSVILLE PLACE got the last check. CRACK A SMILE was outside and moved up, then faded late. BULLVILLE FRANK trailed throughout.
TWELFTH RACE – P L NOTSONICE moved outside 3/8 as the favorite cleared and brushed past that one coming off the second turn, dashed clear on the turn and came home in 28.2 as much the best. RICH AND MISERABLE was outside with cover early, left uncovered before the 3/8 and then right to the lead, yielded past the half, couldn’t keep up far turn, clearly second-best. SWEET HEART AS was third-over behind gapping cover, widest in the stretch and up for third. MYSTICAL WYNN was three-wide to the first turn, needed past the 5/16 to get in front, yielded, gapped out. LEVITATION moved up raw gradually, then couldn’t sustain the move. CUPID HANOVER gapped cover. CRAZYCAT was not heard from; nor was DEE’S RED DELICIOUS.
THIRTEENTH RACE – BLOW A CLOUD N wanted the lead but settled for the pocket 3/16, moved outside after the first-over broke, caught HOPETOBEFIRST. The latter headed right down the road, rated the half, just didn’t have enough today. TRENTE DEO was out behind cover early then settled third 3/16, in, briefly had to go inside the pylons to avoid the headstretch trouble, then moved wide and closed well. TOLLY-HO stayed in and wound up last, shoved widest headstretch, closed very nicely. TOWNLINE FLIGHT sat inside, evenly late. SHAMMA LAMMA was third-over, three-wide midturn then wider around trouble, couldn’t rally enough. BEVANS CULLEN N was second-over, gapped cover, then went inside the breaker headstretch, not a late consideration. LITTLEBITASWAGGER needed until almost the ¼ to tuck in, then back out to the second turn, challenged first-over, jumped a piece of equipment on the track (also happened to him March 5) and scattered horses.
FOURTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MULZAC was wide early, went inside before the ¼, came out again into turn two behind the parked horse, three-wide 5/8 to two-wide before the ¾ to the lead ¾ to crossing over late turn, held off BRAVO TEX N. The latter was the innermost hard leaver and kept the pocket filled behind a duel, moved out late turn and performed very well late against the sharp winner. WON LAST FEELING gapped inside, up the Pocono Pike and was a very distant third. ALI went three-wide early to loop to the top, refused to let an opponent go, yielded to the winner ¾ and faded late. CLASSIC PRO was between horses leaving, pressed on but got the cold shoulder, didn’t fade as badly as one might think. BRANDON HANOVER gapped cover. MUDVILLE was away last and stayed last.
FIFTEENTH RACE – HORSE left and yielded for the perfect trip, to the Pocono Pike and took the short way home to defeat ITALIAN LAD N. The latter was second-over, three-wide just past midturn, may’ve lost the race on the ground he had to cover wide into the stretch, steadily late. COALITION HANOVER was quickly on top, had a clear lead much of the second half but got tired. JACKIE MOON left between horses and tucked in just past the 1/8, to the deep Pike and gained. CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN went up first-over but never reached the leader. SOUTHWIND PETYR angled to the path behind the place horse in the stretch, OK. HOPNROLL HEAVEN raced inside, was never prominent. TERRY A HANOVER was in a tough spot here.
Apr 22, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – There had been moisture overnight, but the track was rated “fast” in temperatures around 40 degrees … Stretch headwind – average last quarter just over 30, seven races 30+, and two of the last four races 31.1 and 32.1 … SPORTSMANSHIP tucked third, came uncovered grinding off the second turn, wore down the pacesetting SPINOUT late. The latter made two speed moves to control the throttle, held on very gamely. CAVIART SAGE changed gears to the 1/8 and went up to tuck fourth 3/16, backed out 11/16, wide, OK. BEST SHOT N took command 3/16, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, had his chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t quite reach. HYPOTHETICAL was first outside, got cover but gapped it 5/8. THE OTHER TWO brought up the rear throughout.
SECOND RACE – GONNAHAVEONEMORE was looped leaving, proceeded onward to the top before the ¼, went a good third quarter, all-out through the stretch to defeat a rival to both sides. SOCIAL THEORIES came raw out of third at the half and paced 27.3 down the back to challenge, seemed to stall far turn but then found renewed vigor and tried hard to the very end. A STUD NAMED SAM looped the field early, yielded for the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, a step shy. BULLVILLE TERROR had a great trip second-over, three-wide late turn, simply did not have enough late speed. DIVISION BELL had to swing very wide in the lane and had some foot finishing. AMAZON was third-over, tipped four-wide but had no gain. FOUR-STAR FLASH had room to go up the inside down the back but gapped.
THIRD RACE – GEORGIE took control from the pole, avoided confusion from breakers, and raced well as much the best. RAINBOW RISING benefited from two second quarter breakers and got the pocket second turn, couldn’t keep up in the last quarter but did photo SOUTHWIND MOLLY for second. The latter also advanced two spots in Q2, uncovered 5/8, could not sustain her forward gain. HELLRUNNER HANOVER gapped late backstretch, evenly late. YOUNONOTHINJON avoided trouble and got the last check. LIGHTNING LEIA tucked third, came on a quarter move but broke 5/16. LADY ELECTRA had the early pocket, looked a little rank running up on the leader and broke 3/8.
FOURTH RACE – CAN’T SAY NO maintained the pocket early, was loose of the pacesetter much of the last half then closer on the turn, outside stretch and went right on by. WHATS THE WORD used track geometry in setting the pace, sprinted a fast third quarter with the wind, but couldn’t hold on to the finish. CHUCKY DE VIE raced up to third at the 1/8, stayed connected until the last 1/8. O JONNIE and CRITICAL MASS were no factors. CHECKMATE HILL moved outside towards turn two but didn’t generate any gain before breaking past the ¾.
FIFTH RACE – YER SO BAD set all the pace, urged to hold off CURBSIDE PICKUP. The latter had a fine trip, came outside towards headstretch, had dead aim, not quite enough late. WHERESJIM backed out to follow cover 11/16, uncovered midturn, along to take third. WAR OF WILL came out raw 5/8 after the parked horse faded, gained, went inside third midturn, couldn’t quite hold the show. CAPTAIN KEN was outside midpack early when deciding to go up, tired before the 5/8. SETHIEMYBOY bore out 3/8 and fell back. TRAVIS SAID went up to tuck third, backed up badly in the last ¼. GRATEFUL KISS was away slowly and was losing contact not much past the ¼.
SIXTH RACE – AMBERS CHAMPION moved 5/8 as the pocketsitter faded, looked like she tucked briefly in the pocket then back on the attack ¾, made the lead midstretch, held on for the victory. MATTER OF TRUST followed the winner, moved wide in the lane, found her best strides just a trifle too late. RELENTLESS JACKIE controlled the throttle with two moves, got a little tired midstretch. IWISHNOTTOBTOUCHED passed tired horses. HURRICANE BLUES left back took back, moved outside to the 5/8, couldn’t reach cover, went back in, little. BARSTOOL BELLA was out to the ¼ to get the lead, yielded 3/8 for the pocket, started to struggle from not that long into the backstretch. KEYSTONE VIENNA broke coming off the turn before the start. BETTER SINCE broke midpack 3/16.
SEVENTH RACE – PIRATES ALLEY stayed connected to the pocket horse until the 11/16, moved out around him and retucked, outside late turn and quickly drew off. SCRAPPIN GOLD got going midbackstretch and went around moribund stock, uncovered much of the far turn, wide stretch, beat out MY FRISKIE BOY for second. The latter tailed the cover of the place horse, ducked in late turn and came up the Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite manage second. WINNING IS SWEET set the pace on an open-length lead but was done when challenged headstretch. LOVE YOURSELF was shuffled to last behind a gapper, had some pace in the last 3/16. DEVISSER couldn’t keep up most of the way. SPORTS TEEN was away to get the pocket but gapped most of the way to the ¾, then really started backing up.
EIGHTH RACE – ARGENTO quarter-moved and took over going to the second turn, just held together in a 31.2 last quarter. CHELIOS finally was in gear 5/8 and kept gaining but just missed taking it all. KASEVILLE was wide into the first turn, cleared everybody, pushed the winner in the frontstretch and yielded going to turn two for the pocket, came out of same midturn but had no late gain. ORIGINAL SMOKEY was looped and three-wide past the 1/8, up into the pocket 3/16, no response in the last stanza. REDEMPTOR got a check. FATHER OF IRELAND couldn’t keep up the last half. CHROME PACKAGE broke past the ¼. RAISIN DOUGH was in the middle of a pack of horses looking for position early, was trying for the pocket when two-wide past the 1/8 but broke.
NINTH RACE – Lots of motion here, with the chalk prevailing … KAUAI KING pulled at the ¼ so as not to be caught in by a parked horse, had cover most of the way to the half, then up raw to get the lead ¾, maintained the advantage to the wire. MUSCLE MACH A was backed up then joined the outside flow, wide headstretch and narrowed in well. ROCK IDOL was second-over, lost cover ¾ and was making a menacing move past midturn when going offstride, recovered quickly and made a sharp comeback; no reason for placing due to the break. FIRST GLANCE was hard to take back, three-wide much of the ¼ then followed the winner, gapped 3/8 and let a foe out, then kept up steadily in the flow, left raw when a foe broke past midturn, paced on very solidly in a hard-luck mile. BILBO HANOVER was three-wide to the 3/16 then two-wide to get the lead 3/8, yielded, was shuffled when the pacesetter tired, moved to the right a path or two (or three) in the stretch, clear far too late. YANKEE KEELER yielded the lead 3/16, then found himself second-last via a shuffle, outside midturn, blindswitched by the recovering breaker, raced better than the line may look. JANAID went on between horses to 3/16 command, yielded 3/8 but regained immediately, done when challenged ¾. SIX DAY WARS lost contact the second half.
TENTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE tucked third early, moved out early backstretch and three-wide to the 5/8 to retuck in the pocket, came out again late turn and sharply went past the pacesetter. BUZZ headed down the road, powerless to stall the winner though far clear of the rest. NICE STUFF and MATT’S MUSCLES passed troubled horses to be in the next two spots. MASTER CLASS was moving up some far turn when having to go wide when PIERCEWAVE HANOVER broke, flattened out. SUNDANCEDIAMOND was always far back. R HERBIE BLUE CHIP gradually worked his way frontward, challenged from before the 3/8 but was left out in the air, tucked in a vacancy fourth 5/8, fell back. PIERCEWAVE HANOVER was away in the pocket and kept the hole plugged until the half, then was getting loose, broke late on the far turn.
ELEVENTH RACE – MELANIE’S NICK pushed to the ¼ then sat a nice pocket trip, to the inside and had the most of these. WIN PLACE’N SHOW had position early, uncovered 5/8, grinded, never ahead but went on steadily. AMERICAN ZESTAR was second-over, gapped a bit ¾, wide stretch, couldn’t quite reach for second. HURRIKANE JUNIOR was four-wide early, up two-wide at the 1/8 to the lead at the ¼, rated the half, came up short at crunch time. ALTERNATE UNIVERSE had cover then ducked inside of it, kept coming up the inside and finished OK. DARIO HANOVER was never prominent. ROAD MAP went uncovered before turn two, got cover to the 5/8 but couldn’t go with it. POLARIS BEACH lost contact with these early.
TWELFTH RACE – Rain … A slow last quarter often produces a blanket finish … BULLY BOY was underway early to get the front and set the pace, kept to business late in a 31.1 kicker to prevail. CHOCOLATE MATTERS was a gapping last at the ¾, suddenly found a higher gear, four-wide stretch and passed everybody save the winner. KEYSTONE THUNDER moved second-over 5/8, three-wide late turn, OK though outtrotted for second. TEDDY BROSVELT moved up from being far back early, kept grinding raw, stayed in the fight to the finish in a brave showing. WORTHY OF HONOR left well, yielded for the pocket, not much the last 1/8. CHOCO CHARLIE stayed in and used the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach. ALEXANDER HANOVER wasn’t keeping up at the ¾.
THIRTEENTH RACE – MADELYNN SOPHIA used the rail to maximum advantage and forced tucks, absorbed a late backstretch first-over challenge, then drew clear again. ALLYOUCANBET moved just before the half, powered up in 27.1 to challenge the leader 11/16, could not sustain the forward move but was nonetheless impressive second. BETTE TINA took the pocket, struggled in the two-hole much of the rest of the way, did last for third in a three-way picture. CLEAR THE WAY was shuffled late backstretch, outside far turn then ducked between horses to midstretch and finished with good pace. JAGGED LITTLE PILL was three-wide leaving, took back to fourth past the 1/8, retucked around a gapper down the back, so-so. SWEET KATIE BUG had little to offer. GOTTALUVIT HANOVER kept a hole closed before the 3/16, all done past the 5/8. SWEET HELLO was last when breaking at the ¼.
FOURTEENTH RACE – BRAVO TEX N drifted out then gunned up 3/16, went out to the three-path past the ¼ as a retaker surfaced, went right around that one to the lead, met a big challenge in the third quarter, then stamped himself as the day’s standout by coming home in 28.2 into the wind. BECKHAMS Z TAM left between horses to the lead, yielded, moved at the ¼ before the winner could keep him in, made the top again and yielded again, sat the two-hole, outside stretch but didn’t have the sprint, showed good energy. MAJOR OFFENSE was second-over but struggled to keep close to cover in the fast third panel, three-wide midturn, next in line. ROLLINWITHAMBITION was three-wide most of the first 3/16 and went on to take over, saw two go by in quarter two, sat in, to the Pocono Pike, almost third. DREAM OF LUCK went uncovered nearing turn two, paced in 27 with the wind down the back to challenge, couldn’t sustain. THE NEXT TWO never entered contention. DUCKIES DYNASTY was the innermost of three leavers, yielded, never surfaced again.
FIFTEENTH RACE – This race’s last quarter was almost four seconds slower than the one before it … GOLDEN GESTURE was three-wide early then two-wide between horses to the lead, yielded, thought about a retake then decided to stay, third-in down the back, got access to the Pocono Pike as the pocketsitter pulled late turn, took this one though not coming home much. SPIDER MAN HANOVER was off the gate, came all the way up the inside and was along for second. SMOOTH AS CHEDDAR stayed in and was shuffled to last, widest in the stretch and gained as the pace slowed. BEACHMASTER TWO didn’t get much help from cover, three-wide from the 11/16, so-so. REYS N A RUCKUS moved uncovered ¾ and went right by past the half, went to the ¾ in fast time, but didn’t have much left. BJ’S GUY went with cover but was soon left raw, never advanced beyond midpack. PIG IRON was four-wide to the 1/8 then three-wide most of the ¼, got in front, yielded just past the half, gapped down the back but closed in on the turn and actually came out near headstretch, couldn’t gain, then was actually shut off at the wire in tight quarters.
