Apr 21, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strong stretch headwind most of the day, especially reflected in slow second quarters, with temperatures in the mid-40s … Rain midcard; track “fast +0” races 1-8; “good +1” races 9-10; and “sloppy +1” the remainder of the way … HEARTBREAK HOTEL made the top just past the 1/8, yielded towards a fast quarter but was quick on the retake, had an easy time of it here. SU SU SUSSUDIO was second-over but gapped, briefly blindswitched, angled wide early stretch and had a big late 1/16. MIKI ROSE made the lead, yielded, sat inside, in the Pocono Pike and had some finishing power. AMERICAN JAZZ was three-wide before the first turn, on top at the 3/16, yielded for the pocket, not all that much in the lane. SAN ANTONIO STROLL tucked fourth, had a bit while deep in the Pike at the wire. SHES A BULLVILLE was third-over behind a gapper, three-wide midturn but didn’t gain late. SWEET KISS went uncovered into turn two, gained in the third quarter but faded in the last 1/8. COME ZOOM WITH ME was never in it.
SECOND RACE – BETTORS AUTHORITY was away third, went up into the pocket when the occupant of that spot pulled out 5/8, to the Pocono Pike and wore down MOVE THE LINE. The latter was away quickly and had an open-length lead from the 1/8 to the 3/8, got a slow half then sped up to battle the pocketpuller, almost lasted to the finish. MAJOR SHOW settled in the pocket, closed a gap, came out 5/8 to challenge, held her ground fairly well. BEEBEETEE was third-over, advanced in a blindswitch on the far turn, found stretch clearance and had pace on the end. ALL CHEDDAR gapped at a couple of points inside. PARKLANE TERROR never surfaced. BEACH TOWN BOY looked at leaving but saw many other like-minded foes and took back, fourth-over but gapped. SOLARCTIC was uncovered at the half, got cover 5/8, three-wide midturn, had very little in the lane.
THIRD RACE – TILL IM GONE sat in third, moved outside before midstretch after the pocketsitter went to the Pocono Pike and prevailed in a close finish. HEART MATTERS was second-over early backstretch, ducked in ¾ when cover didn’t advance, then swung widest headstretch and was charging home to just miss. WE COULD BE HEROS yielded for the pocket, appeared to have a broken martingale by the ¾, Pocono Pike, not quite enough. DEVIOUS DUSHI set the pace at her liking, not quite enough on the end. SOUTHERN AUTUMN gradually settled in early, uncovered at the half, didn’t reach the leader, held OK late. BUCKET HEAD was disconnecting before the 5/8.
FOURTH RACE – WICKEDLY INNOCENT got a forward spot, then was locked in from the 3/8 to headstretch as shuffled, outside headstretch then angled inside the front ones with a sharp burst to get the nod after patient handling. SWEET KISSES was on top at the 1/8, yielded, slipped out in front of a gapper ¾ to avoid a shuffle, three-wide past midturn, got to the lead in the stretch but outpaced to her far inside by a fresher horse. SUNSHINE SALLY made the lead, yielded, came uncovered at the half and worked to the lead 11/16, tired a bit in the latter stages. COVENANT WOMAN was uncovered 3/8, got cover at the half, lost it again 11/16 and continued to advance, held OK. MUST BE NICE was in a good flow but gapped cover. FOX VALLEY CACHET also was caught in, angled wide, some kick late. IQ HANOVER was looped and settled in third, moved not soon off the first turn but had to be encouraged to go to the lead before the second turn, couldn’t keep a foe outside 11/16, tired. SEAHUNTSIDEALBEACH was last at every call.
FIFTH RACE – GETTINMYSTEPSIN went right to the lead, set the pace as she pleased, kept to encouragement to maintain a winning margin. BOINGALICIOUS raced third, gapped slightly around the far curve, then went to the Pocono Pike, didn’t quite have enough, photoed P L PANDORA for second. The latter raced in the two-hole, outside past midturn, OK. RAVIOLI moved outside midturn, wide and finished steadily. MAISYS MUSCLES broke w-a-y before the start.
SIXTH RACE – DRESDEN was innermost of the leavers and ensured herself the pocket, outside to headstretch and gradually wore down BEACH CRAZY. The latter made the lead 3/16, slowed the half into the wind, was not challenged until the stretch, not quite enough to withstand the winner. ALTA MADEIRA N fit in third at the 1/8, stayed connected, Pocono Pike, a step shy. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER tucked, then couldn’t keep pace late. DEL DIGGITY moved uncovered before the half but never got close to the leader. SHADOW ONE was no factor here. THE LAST TWO got little help from the first-over.
SEVENTH RACE – BUTTER TOFFEE gapped midpack down the back but got tighter towards the ¾, three-wide late turn and proved to have the most of these late. FRAC was forwardly-placed, blocked on the far turn, then to the Pocono Pike, finished steadily. SWIZZLE HANOVER set the pace with two moves, drew clear far turn into the stretch, but tired and bore out, and was caught. GREEK LEGEND went evenly staying inside. CRUSHWORTHY followed the favorite but found that one’s cover useless, went three-wide ¾ and finished with trot. ANDOVERS TOUCH tucked fourth, started uncovered to turn two, advanced some then retreated more than some. SCIROCCO PATRICK was outside 3/8, got cover, but gapped it the entire last half.
EIGHTH RACE – Drizzle started … B LIKE CRUISER was battling with a foe past the 1/8 when that one went offstride, leaving an unopposed leader, clearly the best. BLACKLIGHT was forwardly-placed early then wound up in the pocket after the breaker, stayed close until the stretch, did hold on for second over BELIEVEINTHESPIRIT. The latter sat third, gapped as the pace picked up down the back, then closer on the turn and outside to headstretch, couldn’t quite reach place. LUZIANA was uncovered starting on turn two but never got close. CAN’T KNOCK ME got the last check. MCNEIL Z TAM gapped at the back. SOUTHWIND DREDGE backed up to follow cover but was rough and couldn’t keep up. HEREITIZ was wide while leaving well, two-wide and inching past the winner before the 3/16 before taking a stumblestep, broken equipment and was pulled up.
NINTH RACE – Track rerated to “good +1” … WILD KAT G led this race for 5280 feet, and was under pressure for most of them, but she was able to be clear in the end. THOSE BLUES moved outside off the second turn, three-wide past the 5/8 to two-wide uncovered far turn, couldn’t get by. PHANNYS MATTER was in the pocket 3/16, gapped late in the backstretch, but did a little better late. DIGNITY HANOVER never settled in, went frontward from the ¼, battled the leader, was looped ¾, but continued on gamely to the line. QUINNPATRICKSHEA joined the sweeping tier 5/8 but couldn’t keep up. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE broke nearing the ¾.
TENTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING was looped early, worked up to the lead 3/16, rated the second split, then came home in 56.3- 28 to keep the edge over JACANA. The latter went right to the top then let the winner go by to sit in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, good in almost getting there in a fast last quarter. SWEET ROCK DEO sat in, found good steps midstretch, may’ve been shut off at the wire. JILLIAN B MIKI spotted at the 1/8, then went up in 27.4 to put in a good challenge, not quite enough in the latter stages. DANCE TICKET moved to second-over, wasn’t a late factor. MYMONSTERSAREREAL was behind the gapping CHERISH HANOVER; both were always far back.
ELEVENTH RACE – MIMI OCEAN HANOVER worked up to control past the 1/8, saw her main rival break early stretch and won as she pleased with a 28.2 last split over the now “sloppy +1” track. WORKOUT GIRL was on top in a flash, yielded to the winner, was in the process of surrendering second when that foe broke, far ahead of the rest. SEVEN SHADOWS gapped at a couple of points. SUNSEEKER HANOVER stayed out of trouble. MONEY MATTERS waited in third, came out midturn and was starting to go by for second when miscuing early stretch. EXPLOSIVE SESSION went uncovered into the backstretch but never reached. GIZA DREAMS was trying to close a gap when breaking into turn two.
TWELFTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA yielded and waited patiently in the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and won fairly easily. SOME KINDA ANGEL gapped midpack at a couple of points, narrowed in, moved two-, three-, and then four-wide far turn into the stretch, was moving very nicely at the line. APRIL ANGEL took the lead just past the 1/8, set the pace, got a big challenge from the 5/8 to the far turn, shook off that foe but couldn’t deal with the top two. SWEET OMEN went evenly along the inside. HORIZON backed out to second-over but couldn’t keep with her cover’s big move, three-wide when that one tired, evenly late. ONLY TEN I SEE was a gapping last, got in gear heading to turn two and went up in 27.2 to really push the leader, but tired on the far bend. MAINLINE CHARMER could not keep up 5/8.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Wind moderated … BEYOND BELIEF came out of third 5/8 and was urged to advance, gradually grinded up and took over. GLACIER HANOVER went a big opener to put everybody in behind, clear down the back but then had two coming to him on the turn, saw both go by but got second as one misbehaved. FINAL CLASS challenged for the early lead but had to take the pocket, loose down the back but tightened back in, went to the Pocono Pike and was going to be second but broke past midstretch, placed for violating the breaking rules. NEWSBOY was last, slid wide late turn, finished very well. SLEW FOOT went evenly. GOLDEN GLIDER was a bit off the gate, moved outside but couldn’t get into the action. PADRE went outside on the second turn, tucked back in midbackstretch after an opponent jumped, himself ran midturn. BOASTER COASTER lost gait nearing the 5/8.
FOURTEENTH RACE – TSM PRINCESS TEDDI hustled to keep the pocket closed early behind the fast fight on the front end, waited for the Pocono Pike and then paced right by. SHEZAFREAKLIKEME made the lead at the 1/8 and elected to hang a foe in a fast half, couldn’t stall the winner, held second in a photo with CATIE FAYE HANOVER. The latter swung wide in the lane and closed in fairly well. DANDY IDEA gapped behind the front-end duel, went uncovered 11/16, evenly. TINOS BADGIRL was away a bit slowly, angled wide late turn as the outer tiers stalled, got the last payday. BROOKDALE JESSIE wasn’t helped by cover, four-wide ¾ but never gained. BYGONE HANOVER spotted, moved out behind the parked horse then went to go three-wide around her but never generated enough power. WHO’S SMOKIN N left and challenged but was given the cold shoulder, tired soon past the fast half.
FIFTEENTH RACE – CRAZY CUTE made two speed moves then yielded to sit the two-hole behind the chalk, went to the Pocono Pike and gobbled that one up. LA BELLA VITA N spotted at the 1/8, then was quarter-mover #2, set an evenly-rated pace, outfooted at the end. GEORGIE MARTIN N was underway before the half, put in a good challenge, backed off a bit late but beat a bunch to take third. CHIPPER DAISY was second-over, three-wide later on the turn, fair for a DH4 with JUXTA COWGIRL. The latter left and took over 3/16, saw two go by, in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t go enough to stay close to the winner. MACZAFFAIR N sat in, angled widest and finished with some pace. ANOTHER BEACH DAY struggled third-over. NO WHERE TO HIDE was losing contact before the 5/8.
Apr 18, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Strange day weatherwise: Temperature starting at 60, fast track, stretch headwind; then in races 7-10, rain started, with the track “sloppy +1” after the seventh, and the temperature dropping 17 degrees in that period; a reversal of wind direction midcard for the next few races … RICH AND MISERABLE was outside with cover at the ¼, lost cover 5/16 and went on to the lead, going his own second split in 27.3 vs. the wind, but stayed in control to the line. P L NOTSONICE was double-looped early, pushed on to the lead 5/16, then yielded for the two-hole, had a shot up the Pocono Pike, good but second-best. MARION GONDOLIER was uncovered from early backstretch, held on well. SWEET HEART AS was second-over, gapped far turn, couldn’t gain late. SYLVESTERAMERICAIT went into the early pocket before the 3/16, sat in, backed out on the far bend but didn’t come back on. CUPID HANOVER was first to show on top, pushed past the ¼ and yielded, not enough to offer in the last ¼. WARRIOR WAY was never prominent.
SECOND RACE – CAPTAIN MULZAC was between horses to a fast quarter before getting the lead, kept his righthand foe parked, drew away from all but the two-holer in a 27 third quarter, was still looking good when that one broke early stretch and thus was far clear, with his 1:50.1 equaling the fastest mile of the year at Pocono. KEYSTONE TENACIOUS used the rail to maximum advantage, yielded for the pocket, stayed on the winner’s back, was looking for more early stretch when misstepping, righted the ship in time to cross the line second and then be adjudged guilty of no reason for placing. BAMSKI avoided the outer tier and was up for third. CLASSIC PRO fell back off the top two midbackstretch. LINCOLNJAMES sat in, moved out on the turn but couldn’t make a forward dent. WON LAST FEELING looked at leaving but took back, soon got in an outer flow that would go nowhere. DERECHO came out behind the parked horse past the ¼, went three-wide early backstretch when that one backed off, to two-wide but never got close. CAL went out to contest early but was limbed three-deep through a hot ¼ and then two-wide, started to back up soon off the second turn.
THIRD RACE – ALL OR NOTHING was four-wide leaving, went on to two-wide and then the front at the ¼, came home in 54.3 – 27.1 as much the best. CAPTAINGIDDYUPNGO got a forward position, on his own while gapping from the ¼ to the 5/8, then asked for more at the latter point when moving outside, clearly second here. LETMECALLYOUBACK got an alert start and the lead, yielded for the two-hole, couldn’t sprint enough late. ROLL WITH THE FLOW was never in any flow until the far turn, best of the rest. ONE OF THE GUYS took back early, got a tuck 3/16, gapped from the backstretch. DIVINE RIGHT was out second-over midbackstretch but had little to offer. BUCHANNON HANOVER never featured. PRAISE ME HANOVER lost contact past the half.
FOURTH RACE – THAT OLE BAR STOOL was three-high to turn one then went up and claimed command at the ¼, had a very easy time of it. BACKSTREET PLAYER got a forward spot, gapped in third down the back, outside late turn, drifted out a bit through the lane but held second over WESLYNN CROWN. The latter sat in, went inside the place horse midstretch and just failed to catch him. BIG BEN HANOVER yielded at the ¼ for the pocket, began loosening ¾. REECE N TEDDY was never heard from.
FIFTH RACE – Drizzle started … GO WEST GO FAST was three-wide to the first curve then on top 3/16, lived up to his name from there (at least the second part), handled confidently late. SULLIVAN left well then yielded for the pocket, put in a good chase in the Pocono Pike, well-clear of the rest. CLASSIFIEDMATERIAL tucked third to the 1/8, uncovered soon into the backstretch, went up to challenge, couldn’t keep his forward move going the last 3/16. AMERICA’S GUEST came out 11/16, gapped three-wide cover far turn, got the last check. CHICKEN NUGGET backed off to spot fourth at the 1/8, then moved second-over, three-wide far turn, but had very little late. THE OTHER PAIR were always near the back.
SIXTH RACE – Wind beginning to change to a stretch tailwind … PAYMAQ went up to tuck third 3/16, outside soon off turn two, grinded, made the lead midturn, a bit tired on the end but not to be caught. DONATELLO HANOVER moved second-over, gapped at points, then gained to the line late. MALONE was away second, very loose in the pocket, then swung outside past midturn as the leader tired, found a better gear midstretch. JOYGO rolled on the engine, could offer no resistance to the winner in the last quarter. TARGET PRACTICE had disconnected by the half.
SEVENTH RACE – And the rain started in earnest … SHAKE IT yielded, quarter-moved, then came home in 56 – 27.2 as absolutely the best. CAPTAIN COOK took a tuck 1/8, came outside headstretch and was up for the distant second. TUF COOPER stayed in, to the Pocono Pike and enough for third. DEFENSIVE PLAYER went to the front at the 1/8, yielded to the winner, got more and more loose the last 3/16. HUNTING FOR MILES started out raw entering turn two, gained some into the backstretch wind, tired significantly from the 11/16. JK MIKI MANTLE was moving second-over when miscuing on turn two. I PAY YOUR SALARY broke while last in the frontstretch.
EIGHTH RACE – Track goes from 60o and “fast +0” to 48o and “sloppy +1” between races 7 and 8 … DUCASSE moved second-over 5/8, three-wide far turn, circled to the lead headstretch and drew away. BAR COINS moved out late far turn, avoided any problems inside and closed well to be second. BJORNSSON was in front at the 1/8, let a parked rival make the top to sit the pocket, may’ve been bothered slightly by the headstretch trouble, to the Pocono Pike, could not get second. CANTSTOP YANKEE bypassed an early tuck and pressed on to 3/8 command, set the pace, bore out headstretch and got into TNT BLUE CHIP, tired, placed for causing trouble. TNT BLUE CHIP had the pocket early, pulled out uncovered to the 5/8, still in the fight for minor honors headstretch when in tight with the pacesetter and suffering an “ix.” BEER CHEESE broke near the first turn.
NINTH RACE – MISTER BOINGA gradually worked his way up with then without cover until taking over at the 3/8, trotted home well. FOCUS POCUS was uncovered 11/16, saw the pocket horse start to edge out past midturn but then saw that one break, carried on and narrowed in well on the leader. DAGON HANOVER had cover, distant third. ONE AFTER NINE let a fast leaver go early, moved 3/16 in front of the winner, go the lead then yielded 3/8 for the two-hole, looked o be edging out again past the ¾ but broke, regained stride; an inquiry gave no reason for placing. TRICKY DICK and REAL MCCOY were never forward factors. BANG BANG BOINGA left well from the outside to make the top, yielded to two horses, looked to be tiring early stretch when making a break. TUIS SHADOW jumped right at the start.
TENTH RACE – VETTEL N circled everybody early, forced one tuck then let another foe go 3/8, only to retake into turn two, had a game foe to each side but himself was game and held on. LET IT RIDE N moved raw from last at the half but got nobody out so had to do the speed-grind, fought very hard to the very end. MR DS ROCK was looped and three-wide past the 1/8, took back into the pocket just past the 3/16, inside, finally got to the Pocono Pike and had a sharp late burst to be right there. PRINCE OF TIDES was looped between horses, pressed on to the lead 3/8, quickly yielded to the retaking winner, came up just a bit shy late. ELVER HANOVER was on the rail, was bothered by a breaking CASUAL COOL headstretch. The latter followed cover but gapped it, then broke headstretch.
ELEVENTH RACE – … and down to 43 degrees for this event, where it stayed for the rest of the card … BULLVILLE FRANK was behind dull cover, three-wide from midturn, just got by in the very last step. THIRD POWER got to the top at the 1/8, yielded, came back out from third midturn, kept coming although appearing to never get the lead. HUNTSVILLE PLACE came with a big rush at the half and cleared past the 5/8 while pacing his third split vs. the wind in 27.3, fought hard and still had the lead two steps out. KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT quarter-moved, yielded 5/8, came back in the Pocono Pike but may have been lugging in and had to be urged right-handed on the left side, right there. INSTANTANEOUS CASH couldn’t go with his cover and was left raw, didn’t get close and ducked in on the turn, gained some as the pace slackened late then looked to be shut off at the wire. FORKNER HANOVER sat in, was gaining some when breaking midstretch. CRACK A SMILE was three-wide to the 1/8, settled in at the ¼, looked a bit hard to handle, faded.
TWELFTH RACE – Wind calm … BELIEVER left with cover, eased in fifth 3/16, then was second-over, three-wide headstretch, closed strongly to just beat out the two inside ones. MACMORRIS HANOVER was three-wide past he 1/8, went along to take over 5/16 and soon yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, had a short lead past midstretch, just nipped. ICANFLYLIKEANANGEL moved off the rail at the 1/8 to join the frontward-heading procession, uncovered 5/16 to the lead 3/8, held pretty well. MUSHANA moved third-over but gapped, OK late. DARTY was first to the top then saw three go by in the next quarter mile, inside, to the inside stretch, evenly. BANZAI AS was not prominent. BANK BOX TREASURE left between horses to 1/8 command, yielded 5/16, came again raw past the half, gave way. VOSS VOLO was never close.
THIRTEENTH RACE – Pouring rain … LANJO LEE waited in fourth then moved at the half, paced like a machine in 26.1 down the backstretch to clear easily, still filling his hopples in the end in an extraordinary showing. SILVERSTONE went in third pat the 1/8, like everyone else couldn’t keep up down the back, outside in the lane and along for the distant second. GREG THE LEG outsped everybody early, really backed off the half, couldn’t go with the winner down the back, just failed to hold second. ALWAYS BETTER made the pocket, gapped down the backstretch, fair late. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD got the last check. C-BET HANOVER was never prominent after not getting a good start. DOCTOR BB was behind dull cover, not a factor. TREVOR’S HUNT couldn’t go with cover as soon as he reached it at the half, had little.
FOURTEENTH RACE – LEGAL POWER went right to the top and was leaving nothing in reserve, tired midstretch but just hung on over KILLER MARTINI. The latter moved early on the second turn, found no cover, speed-grinded in 27 down the back but didn’t threaten the leader until midstretch, relentless and just missed a nose. HASH-TAG SWAG sat third-in, backed up a bit late turn by the fading pocketsitter, to the Pocono Pike and narrowed in well. P L LEEROY was looped early and made the pocket past the 1/8, not enough in the late stages. BEACH FIRE K moved out on the final turn but couldn’t gain enough. LEAR SEELSTER tried to go with cover but gapped. COMANCHE CREEK was way off the gate and was always disconnected.
FIFTEENTH RACE – DA DELIGHTFUL left behind cover, left coverless just past the 1/8 and went to the lead at the ¼, repulsed the first-over and then still had 27.1 speed the last quarter to leave these behind. DOUBLEORNOTHING N took the lead just past the 1/8, yielded for the two-hole, kept up well until the last 1/8, clear in second. ITALIAN LAD N gapped most of the first half, eased to a half and half position early in the second turn, got in gear and went up first-over, tired; an inquiry against him for possible interference early on turn two resulted in no action. FRISKIE ALL NITE left and yielded, didn’t show too much in the last stanza. PERFECTLY CLOSE didn’t find his cover particularly useful, wide and had some at the end. JAHAN HANOVER never posed a threat. WATER SPORTS TEEN moved before turn two, was briefly three-wide as a horse eased out but didn’t accelerate, settled back to second-over, empty before the far turn. STATEMENT MADE A never was a factor in here.
Apr 16, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – A few degrees on either side of 60 on a pleasant afternoon … CAVIART VAL went uncovered on turn two, went right past the leader ¾, stayed clear. PARKLANE TERROR was second-over, able to retuck in the pocket, out again in the stretch, fair. CENTURY ENFORCER yielded for the pocket, had to squeeze out to the ¾ as the leader tired, back in, won a three-way photo for a distant third. CAPTAIN KEEN was in the outer flow, had late pace. MEADOWBROOK FLASH had fine cover, left raw far turn, so-so. MUSCLE MACH A got in third 3/16, squeezed out behind the show horse midturn, then didn’t have much. CANT KNOCK ME was never a danger. MAKE A STATEMENT A went to the lead, had a 59.4 middle half, but still folded badly when challenged ¾.
SECOND RACE – ROUGH ODDS was just off a duel, moved out off turn two and went three-wide 5/8 to quickly get to two-wide, went past the leader on the turn, unthreatened late. ARTACHE HANOVER joined the outside cover flow, four-wide headstretch and closed nicely. SPINOUT kept the pocket closed, moved outside past midturn, not all that much. SPORTS HERO set all the pace, under pressure from the ¼ onward, didn’t fade too badly. SPORTSMANSHIP tucked third 3/16, couldn’t follow the winner’s wide move and was left out three-deep from the 11/16 on, not sharp late. SEE YOU FRIDAY and JAMAICAN COWBOY were not prominent. RUFFLE UP tucked third, then was on the move before the ¼ but was given the cold shoulder, looped before the ¾ and backed off.
THIRD RACE – WE COULD BE HEROS was three-wide between horses early, made the lead at the 1/8, put the first-over in behind her on the turn, own safely. MAISYS MUSCLE gapped early, moved out from last 5/8, wide into the stretch and finished sharply. BOINGALICIOUS gapped a bit in a couple of spots, second-over then two-wide raw on the turn, just failed to hold second. PHANNYS MATTER came out of third 5/8, tucked in the pocket on the turn, had little late. TILL IM GONE was four-wide and leaving when breaking before turn one, caught the field. BUCKET HEAD yielded for the pocket, all done ¾.
FOURTH RACE – IQ HANOVER was looped between horses early and was left two-wide raw 3/16, didn’t take a three-tuck and tried to go on under urging, hung around just outside the leader, went on with great courage and won very nicely (though the last ¼ was 30.1). ONLY TEN I SEE made a break past the half but quickly caught, out behind not-greatly-helpful cover, five-wide in the stretch and passed everybody in the main pack save the winner. FOX VALLEY CACHET got an early spot, sat in, out two-and three-wide into the stretch, then went in the path behind the winner, gained but not running over the horse in front of her. AMERICAN JAZZ came out at the half, three-wide 5/8 and had to stay in the three-path the duration, gave way some. COME ZOOM WITH ME was first to command then yielded for the pocket, a bit loose much of the last half. BETTE TINA gapped cover then got tighter, four-wide to headstretch but didn’t have enough kick. THROW THE DICE left well wide and got in front by the 3/16, harassed by the winner, tired. TRULY broke early, caught back on, then broke again in front of the stands.
FIFTH RACE – STORYBOOK ENDING sat in, was last in the main pack and not a factor until nearing headstretch, then swung wide and trotted over everybody with a big last 1/8. WORKOUT GIRL went to command towards turn one, yielded for the pocket, outside early stretch and made the lead past midstretch, caught by the closer. HEART MATTERS was forwardly-placed, gapped some in the third split then tightened in, Pocono Pike, fair. THOSE BLUES came out raw 5/8, never gained enough. SUNSEEKER HANOVER was off the gate, started outside to the ¼ and went up to the lead 3/8, not harassed on the lead, ran out of gas midstretch. DIGNITY HANOVER was on the dead run as the field approached the start.
SIXTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING was on the move before the cover, went up to 3/8 command, yielded at the half and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and got the advantage. APRIL ANGEL bypassed the pocket early and went on to take over off turn one, yielded 3/8 but was soon on the retake at the half, didn’t have enough to stall the winner. DANCE TICKET got out at the half, could’ve retucked in front of a gapper but went on, weakened in the last 1/8. SU SU SUSSUDIO was shuffled to last, finished OK. SHES A BULLVILLE was not prominent. SWEET KISS went away the best, saw two fight for the lead in front of her, then started gapping at the half. YANKEE CONTRABAND took back to tuck, then gapped second-over.
SEVENTH RACE – MIMI OCEAN HANOVER ranged up, didn’t sit in the 3-tuck for long, moving at the ¼ to the lead 3/8, had things well under control in fast time. MONEY MATTERS moved uncovered 9/16 and made a solid burst to go after the winner, not quite her equal late but still a very big mile. P L PANDORA was first to show, yielded, could advance inside the second half of the far turn, clear third. DEVIOUS DUSHI took the top 3/16 and yielded a like distance later for the pocket, backed outside ¾ but then backed out of contention. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE was never prominent. BOURBON CHESTNUT broke going to the second curve.
EIGHTH RACE – ROCK THREE TIMES was the innermost of four leavers, got two foes to tuck then yielded to the other 5/16 to sit the trip, Pocono Pike and along in a 30 kicker. BLOOD BROTHER was second-over, gapped late backstretch but better in the last quarter, almost made it. BILBO HANOVER tucked in the pocket, stayed in, had to spend the first half of the stretch swinging wide for clearance and then finished well. JANAID came uncovered, challenged hard, gave way a bit. BLACKLIGHT was at the back, came between horses and was gaining well. LUZIANA gapped inside, Pocono Pike, not that much. ROCK ON LOU was four-wide early and three-wide to the 1/8, pressed forward and took over 5/16, faced a hard challenge the last half, tired. GUYS IN THE BAND was three-wide early, tucked, gapped out.
NINTH RACE – Stretch headwind … GETTINMYSTEPSIN took the pocket early then moved to take over 3/8, had a potential danger inside of her early stretch but won safely when that one went offstride. RAVIOLI came out ¾ and went three-wide before headstretch, finished steadily. GIZA DREAMS stayed flat, raced inside, finished with some trot. SOUTHERN AUTUMN took over early, yielded to the winner and stayed tight in the two-hole, went to the Pocono Pike and looked like she might be a major danger but went offstride, was taken to the infield, ran home, placed. WILD KAT G didn’t keep up. LOVELY ECHO moved out from third 11/16, tired badly in the last 1/8. EXPLOSIVE SESSION had broken equipment and was pulled up.
TENTH RACE – JILLIAN B MIKI was underway from third before the ¼, quickly got the lead, lost everybody but JACANA with a 27.3 third quarter, seemed to be handled confidently late. The latter went right to the top, yielded for the two-hole, a bit loose when the pace picked up midbackstretch but then tighter, Pocono Pike, gave a very good accounting of herself. MIKI ROSE took the pocket leaving, stayed pretty well connected in third until late backstretch. SHADOWY gapped some almost the entire way. MAINLINE CHARMER and YOUNONOTHINJON fell further and further behind. SEAHUNTSIDEALBEACH was up on the gate when stumbling 50 yards before the start, suffered “b.e.” and did not finish.
ELEVENTH RACE – LAZER JET disdained an early tuck, left uncovered past the ¼ to the lead 3/8, an easy winner. PHANTOM RUSTY was second-over 5/8, wide in the lane and just along for second over ANDOVERS TOUCH was third early, inherited second when the chalk broke then quarter-moved, yielded to the winner for the pocket, a bit loose on the far turn, couldn’t hang on for second, well ahead of the rest. CRUSHWORTHY moved uncovered 5/8, gained a bit then fell back a little more than a bit. FRAC gapped inside. CHUCKY DE VIE outleft everybody despite PP8, yielded, fanned wide in the lane but lost ground. CAN’T SAY NO was in the pocket when misbehaving 3/16, recovered to catch the back of the field. WILLIAM STAR was gapping before the half.
TWELFTH RACE – COVENANT WOMAN was a gapping rough-gaited last nearing the ¾, then hit high gear, still last just before midstretch, but deftly found a path between horses to put her nose on the wire after an individual 28.1 last split. SOME KINDA ANGEL had some speed, vacated third off turn two and went up in 26.4 with the wind to challenge the leader, got to the front early stretch, held to the last steps in a heartbreaker. MUST BE NICE protected the pocket then gapped in it well past the half, closer to the ¾, Pocono Pike, almost. SAN ANTONIO STROLL fanned wide and gained as the tempo slowed. SUNSHINE SALLY was three-wide early, backed off and tucked fourth, gapped then closer far turn, wide, so-so. CAVEN POINT headed down the road at a hot clip, encountered pressure late backstretch, tired. BETTOR STRAIT N UP gapped out.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ALTUS HANOVER raced up to go into the pocket 3/16, popped out 11/16 and worked past the leader on the turn, held off ZIG ZAG. The latter came out 5/8 uncovered, went three-wide 11/16 when the winner pulled rather than sacrifice momentum, back to two-wide turn, had a right-side strap dangling near headstretch, stayed game in the battle to the line in a good last quarter into the wind. ALL RISE set the pace, relaxed in quarter two after a fast quarter one, came under pressure towards the ¾, yielded, but was still a clear third. NIGHT FLYER K had early position, fell back late. MEADOWBROOK GLIDER gapped early, moved out down the back but couldn’t go with cover. KEYSTONE THUNDER and LIONBACKER KIDD were also near the rear. JOE JOE JOE broke before the start.
FOURTEENTH RACE – SOUTHWIND JAVA left well to get the early lead, yielded past the ¼ to sit the pocket, vacated same nearing the far turn, cleared the pacesetter midturn, held off the horse on her back. SWEET OMEN got a good start, raced well-placed, lost the winner’s cover midturn, good race. HORIZON was uncovered off the second turn, didn’t advance to quickly then found herself third-over late backstretch, held on for a photo for third. HEARTBREAK HOTEL was a gapping last on the far turn, angled wide into the stretch and finished in overdrive, though much too late. PANTY LINE went evenly. SOUTHWIND MOLLY was looped early, pressed on to command not far past the first turn, rated the half then really had to pick it up, couldn’t handle the closers in the last 3/16. THE OTHER TWO had no say in the outcome of this.
FIFTEENTH RACE – CHING CHING LUCKY moved out towards turn two and followed advancing cover, three-wide when the cover stopped advancing midturn, wide into the stretch and wider through the stretch, but along. SHARE THE WEALTH was underway from fourth just before the ¼, got cover then was moving up to get control into turn two, almost lasted to the line. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR was three-wide into the first turn and crossed over to the lead coming out of that bend, inside, gapped on the turn but found a bit more life in the Pocono Pike. GLACIER HANOVER left between horses to the lead past the 1/8, yielded, moved in front of the quarter-mover to get the top back then yielded before turn two, pocket, not enough late. NEWSBOY couldn’t stay with cover, then had a bit more trot late. SLEW FOOT did not feature. FINAL CLASS spotted, backed out behind cover at the half but soon was left raw, advanced in the third quarter but stopped advancing past midturn. TORN TO PIECES AS broke off the first turn, recovered and went up uncovered, but broke again off the second turn.
Apr 14, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Around 40 degrees throughout the twilight card … JAHAN HANOVER was out with cover then continued on when cover tucked in the pocket, attacked the leader, went by early stretch, held off the closers. NOWHERE CREEK A was in the outer flow behind the winner but gapped, inside early final turn then back out, wide, steadily (in a 30.3 kicker) to come close. WAR-N-MUNN left some, moved 3/8 but was left outside, got into the pocket 5/8, to the Pocono Pike, had his chance, didn’t have enough after the middle half hard usage. DO WORK SON was wide taking back early, was in the gaining flow, OK. DOUBLEORNOTHING N had excess cover, went up the inside, then had no clear path late. MOHAWK SEELSTER pulled on the lead with the driver laying back parallel to the ground in the middle half, didn’t have enough in reserve. OCEAN BLUE gapped before the half. BAY MEADOWS went to the top and yielded, was all done at the 5/8.
SECOND RACE – Stretch tailwind … TRAFFIC JAM went to the lead, yielded for the pocket and was the only one to stay close to the leader, outside headstretch and just up on the money. MORROCKIN K pulled the pocket at the 1/8 to gain control before the ¼, couldn’t hold off the pocket rocket. LOVIN MISS DAISY N gapped most of the last half in third but was still far ahead of the rest. ELLEOFADELI had bad cover, three-wide far turn, mild late response. TINKER TAXI moved early, retucked down the backstretch then gapped, not too much. RHYME N ROLL was uncovered into turn two but never gained. RELLA TIVITY was never in it. KCK GIRLIES broke 3/8 and was taken to the infield.
THIRD RACE – TUF COOPER waited outside early then took command at the ¼, rated the half, didn’t have an anxious moment. ROAD MAP showed good speed to quickly grab the top, yielded for the pocket, not much late and just held second over DARIO HANOVER. The latter was forwardly-placed, couldn’t gain enough late along the inside to get second. HURRIKANE JUNIOR was wide early, tucked 3/16, then second-over, three-wide far turn, had pace in spots while not looking sure-gaited. BACK IN MY DAY got around the others. SEASIDE MEDITATION was uncovered 9/16, gained a bit down the back but faded past the ¾. BLAZING BLACK broke 5/16, raced two-wide or wider the rest of the way. MR UNTITLED was never a consideration.
FOURTH RACE – LADY’S IMAGE left then yielded for the pocket behind the favorite, stayed tight, went to the Pocono Pike, and left him well behind late. BUZZ went up to take command before a quick ¼, not pressured, but had no response to the winner’s powerful charge. POSSESS THE STONE stayed in close attendance of the pace, good. SUNDANCEDIAMOND got in fourth at the 1/8, moved raw at the 1/2, couldn’t get close to the lead but held well. TEDDY BROSVELT took the last payday. GROSETTO AS moved out 5/8, wasn’t helped much by cover, four-wide late turn, fair. WILLIE B WORTHY spotted sixth, then was second-over, moved wide far turn but had little. MOSCONI HANOVER never featured.
FIFTH RACE – Blanket finish … BYGONE HANOVER went from fifth-inside to the pocket on the far turn, just along in a contested finish. BROOKDALE JESSIE wound up third-over from fourth at the ¾, four-wide headstretch, ran out of racetrack. IRISH DAYDREAM set the pace, first asked for more 5/8, lasted very well. TSM PRINCESS TEDDI got a forward spot, moved with cover ¾, three-wide late turn, not really a good excuse relative to the others’ positioning. DRAGONS LAST defended the pocket, pulled out to the ¾, battled to the line. GEORGIE stayed connected, to the deep Pike, not quite enough. LADY AKILA did not keep up.
SIXTH RACE – HOPETOBEFIRST tucked past the 1/8, moved uncovered at the half then got cover 5/8, three-wide late on the turn, powered away after the disputed pace. BAMSKI was last most of the way, angled widest early stretch and gained in the slowing last fraction. WINNING IS SWEET was looped leaving, needed almost to the 3/8 to make the top, yielded, pulled the pocket 5/8 and challenged, held OK after hard usage. BLOW A CLOUD N outgunned everybody leaving, yielded, stayed in, struggled a bit in the third split, to the Pocono Pike but didn’t have a great deal left. MY FRISKIE BOY went three-wide far turn, followed the winner into the stretch but couldn’t pace that much. BASS PLAYER was third-over, blindswitched, in tight quarters through the stretch. SOCIAL THEORIES was not prominent. RYCROFT N came out at the ¼, had cover almost to the 3/8 then went on to get the lead, used in fast fractions, tired.
SEVENTH RACE – D P ROCKET worked to the lead 3/16, rated the pace evenly and had no problem. DARTY was on the lead early, yielded for the two-hole, got a bit loose midturn, OK. SORTIE needed until the ¼ to get inside, then was second-over, three-wide midturn, finished pretty well. BLENHEIM went uncovered into turn two, gained in the third quarter then stopped progressing. CONSUS VICTORY had a forward spot but couldn’t do much from it. WINGS UP moved third-over early backstretch, a bit at the end. ITSONLYMONEYHONEY never factored. KEYSTONE SERGEANT broke going to turn two.
EIGHTH RACE – WESTERN TYRANT was three-wide early, settled in the pocket before the ¾, worked to stay tight in the fast third quarter, to the Pocono Pike and a sharp winner. MAJOR DESIRE didn’t want anybody to go by early, got a relatively soft half for these, then had to step it up to meet the hard challenge of the first-over, shook that one off but then was caught to his left. TULLOW N raced in prime position second-over, lost some ground going wide early stretch but then came back on. CAVIART MAX was looped between horses early, took back to fourth, then led the outer tier and went 26.3 vs. the wind down the back to get a small advantage but not clear, couldn’t sustain late. LORD OF MISRULE was third-over, gapped, ducked between horses in the stretch and had some pace. THE BUS A had early speed, stayed in, gapped down the back. CINNABAR DRAGON and LEAR SEELSTER were at the back throughout.
NINTH RACE – Wind change, with a stretch headwind … SURREAL FEELING got in front going to the first turn, yielded, was third-in, came clear only in midstretch, angled wide and finished with a furious burst to be just along. THINK OF GALAXIES gradually advanced to get the lead off the first turn, pushed a challenger before yielding for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike, edged by the leader but was nipped on the money. CRAZY CUTE yielded early, moved at the ¼ but needed the frontstretch to clear (now going vs. the wind) despite Q2 being only 29.3, set the pace with little pressure, couldn’t quite make the advantage stand up. FILLY SPEAKS was second-over from next-to-last, best of the rest. ANOTHER BEACH DAY stayed in and got the last check. BRONZE OVER N backed out to third-over but gapped. DELIGHTFUL SUMMER, looking to be on a line on the turns, could offer little. NO WHERE TO HIDE started out from sixth, got no cover, advanced until tiring headstretch.
TENTH RACE – And the wind goes back to swirling … TEMPURA HANOVER was chased after early and got in front at the 1/8, got a slow Q2 after the fast Q1, didn’t have much pressure, withstood ALTA MADEIRA N to her left. The latter went to command then yielded to sit a good two-hole, held her chance in the Pocono Pike but couldn’t reach. SHADOW ONE came out from fourth 11/16, moved up some, held on OK. MOSSDALE LOTTEE N sat in, shifted out in the lane and caught PLEASURE SEEKER for fourth. The latter left a very big gap the first half, not too much late. PREMIER DELANEY left a big gap to the half, then moved outside, got cover late on the backstretch but couldn’t go with it. THE FINAL TWO were always the final two, well off the action.
ELEVENTH RACE – HOT DEUCE was behind a gapper, finally came out 5/8, bore out in the stretch but had a big last 1/8 and was along in time. CAVIART ROCKLAND steamed to the quarter, then had little pressure on the lead, almost held at 20-1. MACHEASY A didn’t want to take the pocket early but did so 3/16, edged out on the far turn but went back inside in the stretch, a step shy. CLAYTONS BETTOR N tucked third then gapped much of the rest of the way, a little better late. DREAM OF LUCK stayed in, gapped. INDIGO ART came out before turn two, finally got cover 5/8 but then didn’t have enough. THE OTHER DUO got slow starts and never surfaced.
TWELFTH RACE—ROLLIN IN NEW YORK made the lead at the 1/8, yielded to a challenger to sit the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike, got a small advantage midstretch, finished in a tie with AMERICA’S GUEST for the first win dead-heat of the season here. The latter moved uncovered off the second turn and came at the leader with heat, looked like he might be “outtripped” to the inside but continued on resolutely for the DH. CLASSIFIED MATERIAL quarter-moved but went 27.3 in the second split in clearing, got very little of a breather from the first-over, lasted until midstretch and then not beaten by much. BRANDON HANOVER left hard, yielded, backed out 11/16, step-and-a-half shy of the top ones. THE FINAL THREE all gapped at some points and were never in the main battle.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN pushed his right-hand foe past the ¼ before surrendering, out to regain the lead near the fast half, got a breather down the back, then drew clear midstretch. BEACH TOWN BOY was carried up second-over, three-wide into the lane, not bad for second. BETTORS AUTHORITY backed off early and filled the pocket, was shuffled badly as the pocketsitter tired, moved out into a blindswitch near headstretch then once clearing the laggard went right back inside, finished well in a hard-luck mile. MOVE THE LINE was third-over, four-wide headstretch, not bad at all. SOLARCTIC was uncovered at the half and advanced in the slow third quarter, fell back as the speed increased in the last split. SCOTT ONTHE ROCKS battled for the lead between horses and finally got it 5/16, yielded before the half, couldn’t keep up ¾. SEAL O’NEILL was very wide early, backed off to follow cover, got to the inside 3/8, faltered. GETYOURLICENSELIAM was well off the gate and kept falling further back.
FOURTEENTH RACE – NUTTINBUTTHEBEST was driven as if she were nuttinbutthebest, and proved to be so, holding off CHIPPER DAISY. The latter maintained the pocket in a lineup-minus-one, moved out early stretch, a bit slow to find best strides but narrowed the margin late. NARINA HANOVER gapped early but was closer by the 3/8, stayed in, gapped far turn, but still was far clear in third. SHECOULDBEGOOD N moved out 5/8, gained some, but tired in the last 1/8. YES DOUBLE DOWN had dull cover, three-wide ¾, up for the last check. BRING ME DIAMONDS never entered the main radar. SWEET ROCKIN GIA gapped from midrace both inside and outside. GRANT ME THIS never got close.
Apr 12, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Rain before the card and intermittently during it, making for a “sloppy +1” track that seemed a little more tiring towards the end … Temperatures in the high 40s …Swirling, changeable wind … TITO ROCKS got in front at the 1/8, buried the field with a 26.4 third quarter, won handily. FRISKIE ALL NITE was away nicely and sat in the pocket, stayed fairly close to the winner. FOREVER FAV took a 3-tuck to the first curve, gapped ¾, held third over GRAY DRAGON. The latter left but was taken back, four-wide to the first turn then gradually retreating, stayed in, finished with pace in the Pocono Pike. MAJOR BETTS moved uncovered into turn two, gained some while pacing his own third split in 26.3, but was done soon afterward. BENSON BOYS N was never a factor. SHNEONUCRZYDIAMND A gapped cover second-over. EXPLOIT was third-over behind a gapper, moved wide ¾ but made no inroads.
SECOND RACE – SWEET HEART AS originally sat in towards the half, then got a literal and figurative break as the second-over miscued, backed out to second-over 5/8, three-wide past midturn, enough late to just get by WARRIOR WAY. The latter was forwardly-placed, dove deep in the Pocono Pike, got the briefest of leads deep stretch, just missed. MACMORRIS HANOVER tucked third just past the 1/8, quarter-moved and rated the half, sped up to meet a challenger, not enough in the lane. PAPI HANOVER came through from the rail to force tucks, yielded for the pocket, inside the pacesetter but not enough. MUSHANA was uncovered on turn two and speed-grinded up, held on pretty well. BANZAI AS never entered the main proceedings. MATT’S MUSCLES, off the gate, gapped at the back. MOVEOUTOFMYWAY K had just moved to second-over when breaking going into the backstretch.
THIRD RACE — ALL OR NOTHING defended the pocket and stayed close, a little loose on the turn but closer headstretch, then gained into the 27 kicker to win confidently. SHAKE IT went right to the top and set the pace as he pleased, came home in 27 but was still outeighthed. ALL THE CHIPS saw the inside two going strongly and tucked third, outside midturn, did well. DOCTOR BB didn’t have enough kick. BUCHANNON HANOVER wasn’t keeping up on the far turn. WAR OF WILL didn’t keep up at any point, including going to the start.
FOURTH RACE – BACKSTREET PLAYER avoided trouble with the horse breaking inside him before the start, was uncovered 9/16 and dueled with BJORNSSON the rest of the way, wore that one down by a nostril. The latter was in front 3/16, really slowed the half then picked it up when the winner came calling, gave his all to the line. BIG BEN HANOVER yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and was not very far off. TNT BLUE CHIP sat in, went evenly. DUSTIN HANOVER was second-over, slightly gapped cover, evenly. BRIGHT SIDE UP broke before the start, recovered and caught the field by the half, but faded. PAYMAQ broke just past the start.
FIFTH RACE – LANJO LEE yielded for the pocket, backed out late backstretch as the first-over took over 11/16 and was raw, drew clear easily with his own back half in 55.1. HUNTSVILLE PLACE moved out late backstretch, gradually got close to the top two on the turn, continued on and was up for second. LETMECALLYOUBACK moved from third 5/8 and went right by, tired and couldn’t hold second. ALWAYS BETTER was not prominent. THIRD POWER was on top at the 1/8, set the pace, was challenged 11/16 and had no response. THE OTHER PAIR were well back.
SIXTH RACE – MISTER BOINGA was four-wide towards turn one, dropped down and took a 4-tuck 3/16, uncovered into turn two and went right on to challenge the favorite and clear ¾, all alone. TUIS SHADOW made the lead before the 1/8, pushed to the fast quarter and yielded, came on late in the Pocono Pike to edge MON AMOUR for second. The latter was out past the quick quarter to get command, had no answer for the winner, couldn’t preserve second late. TRICKY DICK and REAL MCCOY passed tired horses in the stretch. WORTHY OF HONOR had forward position, faded. LEPANTO was second-over but gapped. SWIZZLE HANOVER gapped throughout.
SEVENTH RACE – DERECHO left behind cover then tucked third at the 1/8, moved before the 3/8 to get the lead into the second turn, fought off the first-over, then held gamely against the move of JUST A WRANGLER. The latter got a second-over trip, three-wide midturn, came up a little shy. HASH-TAG SWAG changed his mind at the half and stayed in, edged outside early stretch and was along for third. LEGAL POWER made two speed moves then yielded to the winner, tired in the stretch. SALVADORS SUN never featured. THISJETSABOOKIN was out most of the ¼ to get the lead, saw two go by in quarter two, moved again first-over at the half and challenged, tired badly, BEACH FIRE K was third-over when going offstride ¾.
EIGHTH RACE – DANDY protected early position, stayed in, inherited the pocket 5/8, was loose in it until headstretch, then moved out and had a terrific last 1/16 to thunder by BEER CHEESE in a 28 last quarter,. The latter was quickly on top, yielded to the chalk, inherited the lead 5/8, shook off the first-over and had a clear lead early stretch, but got outtrotted late – still a very good mile. BAR COINS got in motion after the breaker 5/8 and rushed up to challenge, then fell back. DONATELLO HANOVER stayed flat. TARGET PRACTICE backed out to second-over but broke far turn. MALONE was looped early, worked to the lead near the ¼, rated the half, broke on his own 5/8, placed. UNLEASH THE TITAN broke 3/8.
NINTH RACE – CHICKEN NUGGET was third-over, three-wide 11/16 and gained, to two-wide late turn, outfooted CAPTAIN MULZAC but not by that much. The latter pushed and yielded, uncovered on turn two, grinded away and was able to cross over to the inside lead late turn, tried very hard to the line. WON LAST FEELING wanted the early lead but was put into the pocket 3/16, inside, slid out headstretch and finished well. LINCOLNJAMES was second-over, blindswitched by the winner 11/16, able to swing wide nearing headstretch, OK. CLASSIC PRO worked hard to seat a rival early, had a big challenge from the first-over and finally gave way late on the turn. MUDVILLE gapped inside. SULLIVAN moved from last at the ¼ and wound up fifth-over, not much chance from there; same story for fourth-over CAL.
TENTH RACE – KEYSTONEFIGHTNIGHT left between horses to command at the 1/8, yielded to the 5/16 but cane back out 3/8 and retook control, was in a long battle with the first-over chalk when that one broke headstretch, safe from there. DEFENSIVE PLAYER was second-over but gapped, then found better strides in the last ¼. INSTANTANEOUS CASH was three-wide to the 1/8 then two-wide to the 5/16 for the lead, yielded for the pocket, gapped the duelers on the far turn, fair late. CAPTAIN COOK was far back, wide, moving well late. DIVINE RIGHT gapped at several points, then had no stretch clearance. BAREFOOT BLAZER did not make an impact. KINGSVILLE left, yielded, moved out 5/8 and pressed the winner from the 11/16, head-to-head with that one through the turn, then bore a bit wide headstretch before galloping.
ELEVENTH RACE – EL TORO LOCO made the lead at the 1/8, slowed the half, was not challenged until late, holding off the big closing kick of THAT OLE BAR STOOL. The latter moved out behind cover past the 5/8, three-wide midturn, made up a lot of ground with an own last quarter of 28. HIGHGATE vacated fourth 5/8, steadily. CANTSTOP YANKEE went right to the top, yielded for the pocket, didn’t have much left in the last ¼. JOYGO looked to be going all she could just to stay close. PINEWOOD HANOVER broke before the start. EMMA TALKING was sitting third when losing gait 3/16.
TWELFTH RACE – CRACK A SMILE made the lead, got a slow second ¼, couldn’t speed up enough to keep the chalk from brushing by ¾, but kept on digging and easily picked up that one in the lane. SILVERSTONE started uncovered into turn two, paced in 27 raw down the back to clear the lead, could not sustain the advantage but did hold second over MASK ON MASK OFF. The latter gapped early backstretch, then appeared to go inside the pylons to avoid trouble later down the back, advanced inside, Pocono Pike, couldn’t quite reach for second. BULLVILLE FRANK was second-over but gapped, then lost momentum when the backing-out horse made a break past the 5/8. I PAY YOUR SALARY and TREVOR’S HUNT were also bothered by the late backstretch incident. FORKNER HANOVER raced in the pocket, backed out behind the brusher 5/8 but soon broke stride, bothering those in back of him.
THIRTEENTH RACE – ROBBIE PEV tucked in fourth then was third as a rival broke, underway raw off turn two and trotted up smartly to clear ¾, drew away. FOCUS POCUS was three-wide early, went on to command just past the 3/16, fought with the winner the third quarter, surrendered the lead, did hold for second although tiring late. DIVINE SPIRIT pulled and soon got the winner out but could not keep up with him, did better in the stretch. ONE AFTER NINE followed cover, no factor. BANG BANG BOINGA was stuck inside and shuffled, but didn’t gain once free. MOON BRIDGE was never prominent. HURRIKANE WILLIE G went to the lead, yielded for the pocket, devoid of further trot before the 5/8. HOPE SO broke sitting third late on the first bend.
FOURTEENTH RACE – PRINCE OF TIDES was on the move from fourth before the ¼ and got the top, took a breather in quarter two, then continued in invincible form against his opposition. CAPTAIN ROMANCE made the lead 3/16, yielded to the winner, gave determined chase but was not threatening although pacing a big mile on his own. VIRGIN STORM sat inside, caught SHAKE THAT HOUSE for third. The latter left well to defend the early pocket, tired in the stretch. STATEMENT MADE A sat in and got the last check. AFLAME HANOVER gapped early, moved second-over but couldn’t reach cover, three-wide far turn when cover faltered, not in the hunt. AMERICAN INFLUENCE moved raw 3/8 and spent a long time on the rim before backing off 11/16. HORSE didn’t have great cover and was not heard from.
FIFTEENTH RACE – CAPTAINGIDDYUPNGO came out just before the ¼ and was pushed just past the 3/8 to get the top, had things his own way, had to stay sharp to defeat GREG THE LEG. The latter got an excellent start, pushed the winner some before yielding, went to the Pocono Pike and tried hard to the line. C-BET HANOVER went up raw down the back, never reached the leader but paced well for third. ONE OF THE GUYS got the early pocket, stayed in, couldn’t hold third. GUSSY’S TRUMP CARD was no factor. IVY STUD moved outside, made a break midturn. PRAISE ME HANOVER kept falling further behind the second half.
Apr 7, 2022 | Connors’ Comments
FIRST RACE – Temperatures in the mid-40s all day … SPORTSMANSHIP had the three horses immediately in front of him pull out into the second turn and was last, fourth-over, three-wide through the far turn, made the lead late (30.1 last quarter). TODDLER TANTRUM was third-over, blindswitched late turn and had to wait to back out behind the winner, gained late (again into a slowing pace). DARK HORSE tucked fourth past the 1/8, then was second-over, ducked to a vacant pocket past midturn, Pocono Pike, brief lead midstretch, outkicked late. ARTACHE HANOVER led the outer parade into turn two, challenged, held well. REYS N A RUCKUS bypassed a pocket tuck and went on to command past the ¼, continued at a good clip, tired. BEST SHOT N stayed in, gapping down the back, then blocked when a horse fell back late turn, nothing once clear. JUMPIN JAKE FLASH left, pushed a rival then yielded for the two-hole, started to gap out 11/16.
SECOND RACE – R HERBIE BLUE CHIP took over at the 1/8, rated the half, then put in twin 28.3s in drawing away from these. MASTER CLASS got a forward spot, uncovered 5/8, never threatened but up late for second over PIERCEWAVE HANOVER. The latter got away well and sat the pocket trip, not too much in the latter stages. POSSESS THE STONE steadily improved on the inside from last. SCIROCCO PATRICK moved at the half, got cover at the 5/8, gapped it at the ¾. GROSETTO AS was no factor after racing inside. NICE STUFF was third-over but did not enter contention. PRESCOTT was not prominent.
THIRD RACE – DONZEL HANOVER used the rail to good advantage, pushed the favorite through quarter two then was the only one to stay with him past the half, moved to the lead ¾ and drew away. CREATARMA was behind nonflowing cover, three-wide late turn and trotted steadily late to take second ahead of FRANKIE HILL. The latter had cover then lost it ¾, not quite enough to preserve place. RAISIN DOUGH had some late kick on the far outside. COMELETUSADOREHIM tucked early, moved uncovered 5/8, got to the rail as the winner went by, Pocono Pike, not too much. MISSILE made an elongated quarter-move to a fast half, done when challenged ¾. SHOCK PROOF left, tucked second 3/16, started to gap at the half. K J PHILLIP broke w-a-y before the start, recovered, then made another break due to “b.e.” down the backstretch.
FOURTH RACE – Small stretch tailwind starting … SWEET KISS left, yielded to the chalk, loose in the pocket from the 3/16 to midturn, then closer, to the Pocono Pike and went right on by. MIKI ROSE took over at the 1/8, had the first-over only get to her wheel, but then couldn’t handle the burst to her left. SWEET OMEN moved raw off turn two, went in 28 down the back against the wind, held pretty well. SAN ANTONIO STROLL was well back, came out headstretch, first looked like she wanted to split horses, then in midstretch angled to the far outside, steadily. SEAHUNTSIDEAL BEACH was behind dull cover, ducked in, put in a good last 1/8 between horses. BETTOR STRAIT N UP got into the 3-hole 3/16, gapping late on the backstretch. SHE LOVES THE HUNT was second-over but fell far back.
FIFTH RACE – Wind picked up some for a spell … THOSE BLUES got improved early position, then moved with cover, left raw just past the ¾, was handled confidently in the win. PHANNYS MATTER left between horses, took third just past the 1/8, was uncovered before the half and got in tight quarters in that spot, kept grinding against the wind, made the lead early into the turn, fought hard but had to settle for second. STORYBOOK ENDING retucked around a backstretch gapper, stayed along the inside and finished well. BUCKET HEAD was innermost of three leavers, yielded for the pocket, came out midturn as the pacesetter tired, not all that much late. BOINGALICIOUS was three-wide to the 1/8 to the lead 3/16, didn’t have a fast pace to contend with but didn’t have much the last ¼. MOOLA MAKIN CONNIE broke at the half. SISTERALICE gapped down the backstretch then broke.
SIXTH RACE – JACANA left well, pushed the ¼ then yielded to sit in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and a good winner. SOME KINDA ANGEL started a long uncovered move towards turn two, went 27.2 to battle with the leader down the back, may never have gotten the lead but raced giant nonetheless. APRIL ANGEL stayed connected third-in, spent much of the stretch gradually angling wider, finished well once in high gear. HORIZON was parked almost to the ¼, set the pace, sharpened the speed in the third quarter, had little left from early stretch. YOUNONOTHINJON got the last check. MYMONSTERSAREREAL backed out to follow cover 9/16 but couldn’t stay with it. GOTTALUVIT HANOVER gapped the last half.
SEVENTH RACE – WE COULD BE HEROS was leaving, wound up in the pocket, used the Pocono Pike to get home first. LOVELY ECHO sat until almost to the ¾ then went out raw, steady coming home but outkicked. WORKOUT GIRL left for command, got a 1:00.1 middle half, and still gave way. RAVIOLI moved with cover ¾, wide, evenly. DIGNITY HANOVER was leaving between horses but broke, righted at the 1/8 and trailed the main pack. MAISYS MUSCLES broke an 1/8 before the start.
EIGHTH RACE – JILLIAN B MIKI left between horses and wanted to cut the pace, had an open lead from the ¼ and won handily. MUST BE NICE was three-wide to the first turn, tucked second 3/16, a bit off the leader throughout, but clearly second. COVENANT WOMAN made a 28 uncovered burst from last in the third quarter and got to second on the far turn, but flattened the last 3/16. MAINLINE CHARMER passed the rest in the stretch. CHERISH and YES OUI SI had little to offer in the second half.
NINTH RACE – DEVIOUS DUSHI was in a lively cover flow, left uncovered before the 5/8 and battled with SUNSEEKER HANOVER the rest of the way, proved the stronger late in a nice career debut. The latter had cover which broke two seconds later, continued up to get the top as the pacesetter lost gait early backstretch, battled with the winner, second-best well ahead of the rest. P L PANDERA avoided trouble, came off the rail nearing the ¾ and was next in line. SOUTHERN AUTUMN got to the top, yielded for the pocket before turn two and still had the two-hole off that bend as the leader broke and the first-over went by for the top, weakened in the last ¼. MIMI OCEAN HANOVER was three-wide to the first turn, third two-wide at the 1/8 when first breaking, recovered, third-over, broke again 9/16, showed good speed when remaining flat. STUNNING LOOK had the early pocket, stayed in, weakened. TIL IM GONE was starting uncovered into turn two but ran. BOURBON CHESTNUT got away third, needed the entire frontstretch in a 30.2 quarter to clear to the lead, then broke going off turn two and went to the infield.
TENTH RACE – SILENT CROSSING left well putting opponents in holes, yielded on the second turn and sat in the two-hole, to the Pocono Pike and shaded 28 home to catch DANCE TICKET. The latter was three-wide early and settled in third past the 1/8, moved just before the 3/8 and took over on the second turn, came home in 56.3 and still was caught. FOX VALLEY CACHET was last, came up the inside and finished very strongly. AMERICAN JAZZ took the early pocket, moved out of third midturn but was empty. SOUTHWIND MOLLY was behind the dull cover of SHADOWY, who gapped the first half, and this last pair never factored.
ELEVENTH RACE – SHARE THE WEALTH got early forward position, came out raw 5/8, gradually narrowed in, got by early stretch, held off the closing CHING CHING LUCKY. The latter gapped in the second quarter, got second-over cover but gapped that, hit his best gear midstretch but couldn’t quite make it. SLEW FOOT was last in the main pack, stacked widest and passed tired horses. TORN TO PIECES AS was so-so after an inside journey. FINAL CLASS sat in the pocket, made little headway in the Pocono Pike. BLESSINGSANDFAVOR left very strongly and quickly had a big lead, sailed along, gave way before headstretch. CAPITAL T STORM broke off the first turn. KAACHING KAACHING lost stride at the half.
TWELFTH RACE – SUNSHINE SALLY was wide early, worked her way into a 4-tuck 3/16, stayed in, angled out behind the pocketpuller into the stretch and outfooted that one late. THROW THE DICE wanted the lead but settled for the pocket 3/16, outside past the ¾, got a small advantage early stretch, couldn’t make the lead stand. CAVEN POINT wouldn’t yield in the 27 opener, set the pace, couldn’t close the deal out. IQ HANOVER drifted out, settled inside at the ¼, outside again past the 9/16, three-wide when cover faltered ¾, didn’t show any great pop. COME ZOOM WITH ME sat inside, not too much. TRULY came out just before the 3/8 looking to want to brush to the lead but didn’t have the needed speed, backed off to the ¾, looked a bit hard to steer past midstretch. THE OTHER DUO weren’t in the main picture.
THIRTEENTH RACE – CHOCOTURE was looped early, went on to quarter command then yielded for the pocket, to the Pocono Pike and wore down NIGHT FLYER K. The latter left, was outside before the winner cleared and went on to 3/8 command, held well but couldn’t last to the line. POWERFUL YIELD sat in, to the deep Pike and closed well while possibly in tight quarters. LIONBACKER KIDD left well to grab the racetrack by the 1/8, saw two go by, inside the pacesetter in the stretch but not too much. CRUSHWORTHY grabbed a midpack tuck, then was first-over, got to the flank of the pocket horse but never really closer. LAZER JET didn’t have great cover, three-wide on the turn, moving well late (in a slowing last quarter). WILLIAM STAR was second-over, blindswitched, eased wide headstretch, evenly. PHANTOM RUSTY was last-inside, behind a wall in the stretch.
FOURTEENTH RACE – RYCROFT N just refused to let anybody get the better of him in a fast race, won for fun. WINNING IS SWEET came uncovered 3/8, was forced to take the pocket at the half, held on for the distant second. AIN’T IT FUN was away quickly, took the pocket 3/16, gapped and couldn’t hold the two-hole at the half, sat in, Pocono Pike, did OK late. LOVE YOURSELF backed out to second-over, got going too late. IC A FREE SPIRIT went uncovered 9/16, got to even with the pocket horse to the ¾ but gained no further. THE OTHER THREE were the last threesome all the way around.
FIFTEENTH RACE – SPORTS HERO went up in a lively flow (during a slow third quarter), left uncovered midturn, drew away in the stretch. SPINOUT was second-out, left raw ¾ and went right by, well clear of the others. BJ’S GUY was three-wide early and on top past the 1/8, yielded before a fast 3/8, stuck behind a tired pacesetter and shuffled to the ¾, out in a blindswitch early turn, next in line. BEACHMASTER TWO and GRAND PRIORITY were in the outer flow, both three-wide far turn, couldn’t reach. AN THE THUNDEROLLS took a tuck at the 1/8, came out off the second turn, urged to clear in a 29.4 third quarter, did so but was all done heading into the turn. SANATTLE SLEW never kept up. SPIDER MAN HANOVER was four-wide early, three-wide to the 1/8, then out past a 26.3 opener and almost to the 3/8 before making the lead, passed ¾ and tired.
